Effector action of ethanol on the accumulation of Ca2+ in intracellular structures of uterine smooth muscle

The work is devoted to the investigation of ethanol direct effect on the transmembrane Ca2+ metabolism in the intracellular structures of myometrium. In the experiments in vitro it has been shown that the Mg2+, ATP-dependent system for Ca2+ accumulation in endoplasmic reticulum is more sensitive then Ca(2+)-accumulating system in mitochondria. It has also been found that the oxytocin insensitive part of Mg2+, ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation of the endoplasmic reticulum is less resistant to ethanol inhibition than the oxytocin sensitive one. The data above revealed allow to discuss mechanism of ethanol action on the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in myometrium.     

Evaluation on monkeys of reactogenicity and effectiveness of the complex immunoglobulin preparation formulation

Experiments on 75 monkeys, 20--healthy and 75--with diarrhea, showed that ready medicinal forms of the complex immunoglobulin preparation in tablets, capsules or in a dried form (vials) were safe, well tolerated, clinically and bacteriologically effective. When used simultaneously with antiparasitic treatment, this preparation, irrespective of the kind of its ready medicinal form, showed high curative effect (80-90%). The diarrhea ceasing was accompanied by the gradual normalization of intestinal microbiocenosis (an increased concentrations of Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium, a decreased amount of opportunistic bacteria). The complex method of the treatment of diarrhea in monkeys (antibiotics, trichopol, phage and probiotics) made it possible to achieve curative effect only in 60% of cases, which required the additional course of treatment, namely the use of rehydration therapy.     

Protein interaction with hydrated C60 fullerene in aqueous solutions

Physicochemical effects of hydrated C(60) fullerenes (HyFn) on serum albumin molecules were studied using ESR spin labeling and differential scanning microcalorimetry. Molecular-colloidal solution of hydrated C(60) fullerenes and their small spherical fractal clusters in water (C(60)FWS), was shown to stabilize protein hydration, and decrease specific surface energy in water-protein matrix in salt solutions. The mechanism of HyFn interaction with protein is discussed in terms of HyFn induced formation of protein clusters and phase transition of hydration water.     

The antiestrogen ICI 182,780 decreases the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha but has no effect on estrogen receptor-beta and androgen receptor in rat efferent ductules

Background  

The antiestrogen ICI 182,780 has been used successfully as an alternative experimental model for the study of estrogen action in the rodent adult male reproductive tract. Although ICI 182,780 causes severe alterations in testicular and efferent ductule morphology and function, the effects on the expression of estrogen and androgen receptors in the male have not been shown.     

Fluorescent 2-pyrimidinone nucleoside in parallel-stranded DNA

Stretches of parallel-stranded (ps) double-helical DNA can arise within antiparallel-stranded (aps) Watson-Crick DNA in looped structures or in the presence of sequence mismatches. Here we studied an effect of a pyrimidinone-G (PG) base pair on the stability and conformation of the ps DNA to explore whether P is useful as a structural probe.     

Evaluation of the system for controlling the quality of the HBsAg detection in the system of screening laboratories

The two-stage control system, ensuring the high quality of serological investigations in the network of screening laboratories in Moscow was developed and introduced into practice. At the first stage the entry control of the quality of the test system for the detection of HbsAg, coming to the screening laboratories, is made in the reference laboratory with the use of specially developed "representative" panels, as well as the test systems for comparison ("reference" test systems). Then "minipanels" are formed from specimens included into the "representative" panels, which are used for the evaluation of the quality of laboratory investigations made in the screening laboratories. The high quality of such system for controlling the quality of the detection of HBsAg in the screening laboratories of Moscow is shown.     

Can Stress-Induced CAM Provide for Performing the Developmental Program in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Plants under Long-Term Salinity?

The development of CAM-type photosynthesis is one of the adaptation mechanisms to severe water deficit. It provides plants with carbon dioxide and permits efficient water spending under extreme environments. In common ice plants, a complete switch from C₃ to CAM photosynthesis was observed on the seventh day of salinity (0.5 M NaCl). The indices characterizing this switch were: (1) induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase; (2) diurnal changes in the organic acid content, which are characteristic of CAM plants, and (3) suppression of transpiration during the daytime. A decrease in the osmotic potential () of the leaf sap, which occurred on the second day of salinity, preceded these changes. After long-term salinity stress (four–five weeks), attained extremely low values (–4.67 MPa), which made possible the water uptake by the root system. The restoration of the balance between cell compartments resulted from the accumulation of compatible solutes in the cytoplasm, proline primarily, which possesses osmoregulatory and stress-protective properties. This means that a complex of adaptive mechanisms is required for the realization of the common ice developmental program under salinity. These mechanisms maintained plant capacity to uptake water and permitted its efficient utilization. They triggered the development of stress-induced CAM-type photosynthesis, maintained the low osmotic potential in the cell sap, regulated the composition of macromolecules in the cell microenvironment, provided for water storage in tissues, and reduced the time of plant development. A comparison between the time-courses of CAM development and a decrease in the transpiration rate permitted us to suggest that a combination of low and CO₂ in the leaf cells could serve as a signal for the induction of CAM-dependent gene expression in terrestrial plants.     

Glutamatergic Transmission in the Rat Brain and Gravitational Stress

The effects of hypergravity stress on L-[¹⁴C]-glutamate release from synaptosomes obtained from the rat brain and on the kinetic parameters of high-affinity glutamate transport activity were investigated. We found that hypergravity stress affected only the Ca²⁺-dependent component of L-[¹⁴C]-glutamate release. It did not modify the transporter affinity, but the maximum rate of uptake dropped from 12.5 ± 3.2 to 5.6 ± 0.9 nmol/min/mg of protein (in control rats and in animals subjected to hypergravity, respectively).     

Physico-chemical properties of borate derivatives of DOPA, dopamine, and their liposome forms

To increase the solubility of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and dopamine (DA) incorporated in liposomes, it was suggested to convert them into ammonium and 1-adamantylammonium borate complexes. The structure of these complexes was studied by 11B and 1H NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry and conductometry. The liposomic form of the complexes is characterized by a high active compound/lipid molar ratio (0.5). Catechols in the form of complex salts are retained better within the inner volume of liposomes.     

New species of actinomycete Streptomyces variegatus sp. nov. synthesizing an antibiotic of the alpha-hydroxyketopentaene group

Stroptomyces strains INA T-511 and INA 3946 were isolated from 2 different soil samples. Both the strains produced an antibiotic of the group of alpha-hydroxyketopentaenes. The antibiotic was active against gram-positive bacteria, yeasts and fungi belonging to Penicillium. In addition, the strains produced a pigment antibiotic of the prodigiosin type and a pigment identified as ferroverdin. The study of the cultural and morphological features and the natural variation of the strains has shown that they belong to a new species, designated as Streptomyces variegatus sp. nov. Sveshnikova et Timuk.