The organization of an epidemiological surveillance of HIV infection in Krasnodar Territory

For the first time a case of AIDS was detected in the Krasnodar Territory of the USSR, and the presence of HIV infection in homosexuals, foreign students, and promiscuous persons was established. To study the spread of HIV infection, 5 diagnostic laboratories were created and 5 routes for the transportation of sera were organized. This permitted the screening of the population in 1988 with the complete coverage of groups to be placed under surveillance.     

Effect of the monooxygenase activity inhibitor ketoconazole on cholesterol esterification in mouse peritoneal macrophages

In order to determine the feasible role of monooxygenases in regulation of the macrophage acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity, the effects of ketoconazole on the activities of benz(a)pyrene hydroxylase and ACAT as well as on the [14C]oleate incorporation into cholesterol esters in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) were studied. Ketoconazole (0.5-50 M) inhibited the benz(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity but increased the free cholesterol (FC) level in MPM cultured with an acetylated low density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL). An addition of ketoconazole (1-50 M) eliminated the increase in the rate of FC esterification after incubation of MPM with acetyl-LDL (but not with 25-hydroxycholesterol). In contrast, progesterone, an ACAT activity inhibitor, used at 5-30 M diminished the rate of FC esterification, when MPM were incubated with acetyl-LDL of 25-hydroxycholesterol. Ketoconazole provoked a dose-dependent decrease of the [3H]FC incorporation into macrophage polar oxysteroids. The data obtained suggest that the ketoconazole (1-30 M) effect on FC esterification in MPM cultured with acetyl-LDL is determined by its inhibiting monooxygenases, which produce oxidized forms of FC that are potential activators of ACAT.     

Self-consistent electron and ion flows in a fast Z-pinch

Results are presented from experimental studies of fast Z-pinches produced in plasmas of high-Z elements. An analysis of a plasma structure emitting X radiation and time-resolved measurements of the electron emission showed that a self-consistent regime of electron and ion motion is established in the plasma channel of the discharge. It was found that, in this regime, the electron component makes a negative contribution to the net current and an electrically neutral supersonic plasma flow propagates along the discharge axis in the direction of the net current.     

Agrobacterial Transformation of Tobacco with a Genetic Module of the Biosynthesis of the Antimalarial Agent Artemisinin

Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology - Artemisinin-based medicines are the most effective treatment for malaria. To date, wormwood plants (Artemisia annua L.) are the main source of artemisinin....     

Some Results of the Application of the Probe Method to Studying Laser Plasma at the Radiation Intensity on the Target of ~109 W/cm2

Plasma Physics Reports - Three groups of charged particles are recorded at the impact of the laser radiation pulse with a metal target in a rarefied gas medium. The optical range laser radiation...     

New data on the distribution of rare and new fish species in Russian waters of the Barents Sea

New data are presented on the occurrence in the Russian waters of the Barents Sea of 30 species of rare fishes. These data significantly change knowledge on their geographic distribution. For the first time, the presence in the Russian zone of seven species is indicated: Raja lintea (Rajidae), Chimaera monstrosa (Chimaeridae), Gadiculus argenteus thori and Micromesistius poutassou (Gadidae), Gaidropsarus argentatus (Lotidae), Sebastes viviparus (Sebastidae), and Lycodus luetkeni (Zoarcidae).     

Studies of the structure and dynamics of the radiating plasma of a micropinch discharge

Space-resolved X-ray spectra and electron emission spectra from a micropinch discharge are measured with the help of tracking detectors. Results from measurements of the discharge optical emission with a high temporal and spatial resolution are also presented.     

Is pain-induced aggression actually a defensive form of that behavior?

25-minute testing of aggressive reactions in constant pairs of male rats, elicited by electric shocks shows that electro-pain aggression of rats is not a homogeneous process, but consists of three successive stages: orienting-investigatory activity and attempts to get out of the chamber; defensive aggression; establishing of relations of domination-subordination and attacking aggression. Division in attacking rats and defending themselves, occurs mainly at final stages of testing (15-25 min); in some pairs reactions of attacking aggression are accomplished by the same rats. It is supposed that rats pain aggression is not a purely defensive form of this behaviour, but a modification of intermale aggression caused by specificity of laboratory conditions.