Ascorbate-independent carotenoid de-epoxidation in intact spinach chloroplasts

Slow (> 1 s) light-induced absorbance changes in the 475–530 nm spectral region were examined in Type A chloroplasts from spinach. The most prominent absorption change occurred at 505 nm. The difference spectrum for this light-induced increase, its absence in osmotically shocked chloroplasts and restoration by ascorbate, and its sensitivity to dithiothreitol indicate that the absorption change is due to carotenoid de-epoxidation. The reaction in intact chloroplasts is characterized by its independence of exogenous ascorbate and a rate constant 3- to 8-fold higher than that reported previously for chloroplasts supplemented with ascorbate.The relevance of carotenoid de-epoxidation to other photosynthetic processes was examined by comparing their sensitivities to dithiothreitol. Levels of dithiothreitol that eliminate the 505 nm shift are without effect on saturated rates of CO₂ fixation and do not appreciably inhibit fluorescence quenching. We conclude that carotenoid de-epoxidation is not directly involved in the reactions of photosynthesis or in the regulation of excitation allocation between the photosystems.     

Sex-specific somatic–otolith growth relationship in two Gadidae

Otolith and somatic mass of two Gadidae ( Merlangius merlangus and Trisopterus minutus ) were compared in order to analyse the sex-specific relationship between otolith and somatic growth at age. In the present study, otolith mass appeared a reliable indicator of age in both species. Otolith growth reflected somatic growth, but the relationship between these characters varied and differed between species and sexes.     

Experimental effect of ultraviolet laser radiation on lung, tracheal and bronchial tissues

The authors studied morphological changes under the effect of laser radiation. Various disorders in the blood circulation have been revealed such as hyperemia, stasis which did not depend upon the exposition time.     

Early Siberians from Lake Baikal and Alaskan population affinities

Among the materials excavated by the 1975 joint USSR–USA team in Siberia are two burials from Shaman's Cape, Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal. One is a middle-aged male of the Serovo culture, 6,000 B.C. , and the other is a young male of the Glaskovo culture of 2,000 B.C. This later burial displays an unusual pathology affecting the nose and post-cranial regions of the pelvic girdle and lower limbs. Osteon analysis confirms the determination of age at death and illustrates the difference between normal and pathological bone. Numerous cultural materials were associated with these burials, including harpoon heads, knives, a compound fishhook and a pestle with the Serovo man, and nephrite ornaments with the Glaskovo man. The skulls, though far apart in time, are pronouncedly Mongoloid and alike in their low cranial vaults. A low, broad and inclined ascending ramus resembles Chukchi, Eskimos and Aleuts. These two specimens document the Mongoloid character of the early inhabitants of Lake Baikal.     

Secretion of organic acids and bases by the kidneys of marine teleosts

In the experiments performed on kidneys of 5 species of marine Teleostei, morphological peculiarities in secretion of 8 fluorescent organic acids (uranin, primulin, tripaphlavin, erythrosin etc.) and in 5 organic bases (rhodamin C, auramin etc.) have been studied. At a very low concentration in the incubation medium--about 0.005 mg/ml--the substances mentioned penetrate into the epithelial cell of the canaliculus; its weak fluorescence appears, and soon they begin to be excreted in great amount through the apical part of the plasmolemma and accumulated in the canalicular lumen. All the substances studied accumulate in the cell and only some of them (uranin, primulin, titanic yellow, etc.) are secreted into the canalicular lumen. Penicillinum and probenecide inhibit penetration of the organic acids into the cell through the basal membrane. Uranin secretion into the canalicular lumen is inhibited in the presence of furocemid; amilorid, magnium and sulfate ions do not influence secretion of the organic acids. Secretion of the organic bases does not change when paraaminohippuric acid and furocemid are added to the medium, but it decreases when concentration of magnium ions increases.     

Cross microbial antigens of the human bronchopulmonary apparatus]

The work was undertaken to assess the antigenic affinity of some Neisseria perflava, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus strains serving as active sensitinogen of the human broncho-pulmonary apparatus. With the aid of the complement fixation test, precipitation after Ouchterolony, and immunoelectrophoresis there was established the presence of a series of similar antigenic determinants common for all the three microbes and for determinant responsible for the cross reactions of two microbes only.     

Etiologic role of bacteria of the genus Providencia in acute intestinal diseases

A study was made of morphological, cultural, biochemical properties and antigenic structure (by O-antigen) of 59 strains isolated in group acute intestinal affection of children at the pioneer camp. By the combination of biochemical properties (31 tests) all the cultures isolated were referred to Providencia alcalifaciens of biotype 7. Serological typing with the aid of experimental diagnostic agglutinating O-sera showed these strains to be referred to serological group O2. Identity of the O-antigen of the isolated cultures to the standard O2 strain was confirmed by the results of cross reactions of agglutinin absorption. The results of bacteriological and clinico-epidemiological studies offered a possibility of regarding the isolated Providencia alcalifaciens of serological group O2 as the causative agents of the group intestinal disease in children.