Persistence of cyclicity of the plasma dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, in neuroleptic treated schizophrenic patients

The dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, decreases in concentration in plasma between 8:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. In patients with schizophrenia this cyclic change is attenuated by chronic neuroleptic treatment; however, if the 8 A.M. dose of neuroleptic is omitted, the decrease in level occurs. Presuming that neuroleptics attenuate the decline through a receptor mediated compensatory increase in dopamine release, it would appear that receptors are not fully occupied by neuroleptics even at therapeutically effective doses. The usual morning decrease in plasma cortisol levels was unaffected by neuroleptics.     

NMR studies of L-dopa melanin-manganese(II) complex in water solution

The study of water relaxation rates of solutions of melanins with paramagnetic metal ions provides a powerful tool for investigating the binding sites and for obtaining useful structural and dynamic information. The measure of 1H- and 2H-longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates at a single, high-magnetic field for H2O/D2O (80:20) solutions allows the determination of tau c, tau R, tau e, tau M, r, q, and Z (the outer sphere contribution to the overall relaxation rate) for Mn(II)-L-Dopa melanin system.     

Changes in the amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin during sequential adaptation of human influenza virus A to replication in mice

The primary structure of hemagglutinin (HA) gene of Influenza virus A/USSR/90/77 (H1N1) variants after 3 and 11 passages has been determined. In the HA1 coding region of mice-adapted virus (11 passages) there are two amino acid substitutions: Thr 89----Ala and Asn 127----Asp. At the first stage of adaptation (3-rd passage) only a single mutation was detected: Asn 127----Asp. The adaptation is accompanied by the loss of specific carbohydrate attachment sites adjacent to the receptor-binding site located at HA1 subunit with a concomitant variation in antigenicity.     

Thermal inhibition of repair of methylmethane sulfonate-damaged DNA in chick embryo fibroblasts

Chick embryo fibroblasts were treated with the monofunctional alkylating agent methylmethane sulfonate at various concentrations for 1 h at 42°C, rinsed and then incubated post-treatment at various temperatures at which the kinetics of alkali-labile bond disappearance was followed. Growth experiments showed that these cells grew similarly at temperatures of either 37°C or 42°C. Repair as assessed by removal of alkali-labile bond was also similar for postincubation in the temperature range 37–42°C for damage due to methylmethane sulfonate treatment at concentrations less than 1.5 mM. When the postincubation temperature was raised higher than 42.5–43°C, this type of repair was stopped. The normal internal body temperature of adult chickens is about 41.6°C. Hence the present finding indicates that chick cells are much more severely restricted in DNA repair at temperatures above normal than are mammalian cells, which can function in this respect for several deg. C above 37°C.     

The influence of starter cultures on the formation of volatile compounds in dry smoked sausages

The differences between the composition of volatile substances in two specimens of dry smoked sausages produced using a standard and experimental (a mixture of propionic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria) cultures were studied by capillary gas chromatography. It was found that the experimental starter culture intensified the flavor-formation processes as compared with the standard culture. The experimental specimen had richer qualitative and quantitative compositions and displayed more intensive aroma and flavor. The contents of lactones and volatile terpenoids in the experimental specimen were much higher than in the control. The organoleptic characteristics of experimental dry smoked sausage specimen were considerably better.     

The Effect of Academic Load and Work Conditions on the Sympathoadrenal Function and the Indices of Heart Rhythm Regulation in 17- to 18-Year-Old Girls

The dynamics of the sympathoadrenal function and the specific features of heart rhythm regulation were studied in female students and clothing factory female workers during their adaptation to academic and work conditions. Periods of the strongest functional tension in test systems were found in first-year students: the beginning of an academic year, the end of the first semester, and a period after winter examinations, all characterized by an increase in the central-circuit and sympathetic effects on sinus rhythm, acceleration of the heart rate, activation of sympathoadrenal mechanisms, and a decrease in sympathoadrenal reserves. The comparative analysis allowed us to disclose general trends typical of females of this age group such as the relative maturity of the sympathoadrenal system (SAS) and optimum correlation between autonomic and centralized heart rhythm regulation and to reveal the differences in the character and dynamics of functional shifts caused by a specific effect of academic load and work conditions. The degree of correlation between the indices characteristic of hormonal and mediator SAS mechanisms and the statistical characteristics of heart rhythm was proposed as the criteria for estimating the functional tension of the human body.