Detection of the kinetics of biochemical reactions with oxygen using exchange broadening in the ESR spectra of nitroxide radicals.

To detect changes in the oxygen concentration during biochemical reactions, the exchange broadening in the ESR spectra of nitroxide radicals caused by the dissolved oxygen, has been used. The measurements have been carried out using changes in the width either of the proton hyperfine structure components or of the nitrogen hyperfine structure line with an unresolved proton structure. Detection of mitochondrial respiration in a volume of about 10(-3) cm 3 and respiration for 100 +/- 5 liver cells in a volume of about 10(-4) cm3 has been carried out.     

Immunoregulatory activity of the lungs in relation to corpuscular and soluble antigens

The immunoregulatory activity of the lungs in normal Wistar rats has been evaluated by difference between primary and secondary immune response to the same dose of the antigen introduced into the respiratory tract or intravenously. As shown in this investigation, intratracheal immunization with corpuscular antigens is accompanied by faintly pronounced antibody formation and a high degree of delayed hypersensitivity, while the introduction of soluble antigens into the respiratory tract leads to the active production of antibodies. The immunoregulatory activity of the lungs is T-dependent. The preliminary introduction of corpuscular or soluble antigen into the respiratory tract is accompanied by the formation of the local mechanism in the lungs for suppressing immune response to the subsequent intratracheal immunization.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (Mif) expression in the mouse placenta

Background  

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has special pro-inflammatory roles, affecting the functions of macrophages and lymphocytes and counter-regulating the effects of glucocorticoids on the immune response. The conspicuous expression of MIF during human implantation and early embryonic development also suggests this factor acts in reproductive functions. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate Mif expression by trophoblast and embryo placental cells during mouse pregnancy.     

Inhibition of human granulocyte elastase by antibodies to leukocyte thermostable alpha-glycoprotein

The activity of granulocyte elastase (GE) was discovered in the preparations of leukocyte thermostable alpha-glycoprotein (LTG) isolated from pus by means of ion-exchange chromatography. The activity of GE was determined according to MeoSuc(Ala)2ProValpNa hydrolysis. The antibodies against LTG were isolated from monospecific antisera. Sepharose with immobilized fraction of pus proteins was utilized as immunosorbent. Isolated antibodies to LTG inhibited the GE activity. An inhibitory effect of antibodies increased with the increase in their concentration. The identity or binding of LTG and GE was suggested. The binding of LTG with pus protein component was discovered, the biological meaning of this phenomenon being unknown.     

The structural-functional changes in the cells of Francisella tularensis strain 15 Ga?ski? during cultivation and sublimational drying]

Instrumental methods of investigation were used for the demonstration of changes in the fatty acid composition of F. tularensis, strain 15 Ga?ski?, during cultivation in solid culture medium, storage after lyophilization, as well as changes in the functioning of the system of membrane-dependent enzymes of the respiratory chain and in the permeability of cell wall membranes by water molecules and NADH after lyophilization. A relationship between the survival rate of F. tularensis cells after lyophilization and stimulation of their endogenic respiration with NADH and succinate was revealed. An increase in residual moisture from 6 to 10-12% was found to intensify the process of lipid peroxidation during the storage of lyophilized F. tularensis cells of strain 15 Ga?ski?.     

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity in two-dimensional monomolecular films]

The activity of a neurospecific enzyme of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in monomolecular films formed onto solid surface was studied. The data obtained show that the formation of two-dimensional films onto negative-charge surfaces by the Langmuir-Schafer technology does not lead to the inactivation of the enzyme. Neuroleptic trifluoperazine increased the activity of TH. Monomolecular films of TH may be used as a sensitive element of biosensors for primary monitoring of neuroleptic-like compounds.     

Changes in the synaptosomal membranes in the chronic neurotization of rats

A study was made of the changes in synaptosomal membranes and in some synaptic processes under the development of experimental neurosis in rats. Neurotic rats demonstrated changes in the protein/lipid correlation and in the interaction of the fluorescent ANS probe and synaptosomal membranes. This can be accounted for by an increase in the membrane water repellency. The activity of Na, K-ATPase remains unchanged. The rate of noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine and GABA synaptosomal reverse uptake in neurotic rats was found to be increased.     

In vitro methylation of total and foldback DNAs in normal and virus-transformed cells

The levels of the in vitro methylation of total and palindromic DNAs in nuclei isolated from normal and virus-transformed cells are compared. The methylation rate of total DNA in normal rat kidney cells is much higher than that detected in normal mouse fibroblasts. However, for both cell species, while the maximal rate of DNA methylation is observed in the mid-logarithmic phase of the cell culture growth, palindromes are always found to be more heavily methylated than total DNA. The 5-methylcytosine content of DNA, especially of palindromes, is higher in virus-transformed cells than in untransformed cells.