Polymorphism of the (CTG)n repeat in the myotonin protein kinase (DM) gene in Belarussian populations: analysis of interethnic heterogeneity]

The highly polymorphic CTG triplet repeat in the 3'-nontranscribed region of the myotonin protein kinase (DM) gene was studied in healthy people from three rural populations (Grodnenskii, Khoinikskii, and Nesvizhskii raions) and the town Bobruisk, Belarus. The allele frequency distribution of this repeat proved to be similar in all the regional groups of Belarussians.     

The cardioprotective and antioxidant effects of dimethyl-5-(bioguanide-1-il)isophthalate under the conditions of cardiovascular pathology and experimental rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Using predictive computer software PASS, the antioxidant and cardioprotective properties of dimethyl-5-(bioguanide-1-il)isophthalate have been predicted. This substance was synthesized and tested in rats with experimental rheumatoid arthritis. We studied the indices of pathology progression, such as content of rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, contents of circulating immune complexes and immunoglobulins A, M, and G, activity of aspartate aminotransferase and myocardial creatine kinase, indices of intensity of free radical processes, including content of diene conjugates and activity of aconitase, and indices of apoptosis, such as activity of caspases, phosphatidylserine externalization, and DNA fragmentation. Administration of dimethyl-5-(bioguanide-1-il)isophthalate to rats with experimental cardiovascular pathology resulted in a shift of all indices studied to the control values that indicated the cardioprotective and antioxidant properties of the substance. In most cases the protective effect was dose-dependent. These data are interesting for the development of new approaches for therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Development of Enzyme Immunoassays for the Herbicide Chlorsulfuron

Antibodies against the herbicide chlorsulfuron have been raised and characterized. Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for chlorsulfuron, involving labeled antigen or labeled antibodies, have been developed. The kinetics of antigen–antibody interactions in the EIA systems developed has been studied. Both systems exhibit equal sensitivity (1 ng/ml). The values of the coefficient of variation (CV), determined within the range of chlorsulfuron concentrations to be measured by the systems (1–100 ng/ml), are not in excess of 8%. The possibility of using glucose oxidase as a label in EIAs for chlorsulfuron has been demonstrated. Lack of cross-reactivity with a series of sulfonyl-/arylurea derivatives and triazines makes it possible to recommend the EIA systems developed for chlorsulfuron determination in the environment.     

Effect of alcoholic intoxication of female mice prior to pregnancy on the ultrastructure of neurons in the sensorimotor cortex of the progeny

Sensorimotor cortex in the offspring of female rats alcoholized in the prepregnancy period revealed signs of delayed neuronal development and dystrophic changes in the neurons especially on the 14th day after birth. In 21-day-old animals the reparative changes increased, but normalization of neuronal ultrastructure was not observed. The dystrophic changes suggest that prenatal brain hypoxia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced neuronal lesions in the offspring.