Influence of natural complex compounds with hipolipidemic activity on expression of bacteria virulence factors

Natural complex compounds with hipolipidemic activity, having considerable inhibitory effect on expression of bacteria virulence factors were isolated. Inhibitory properties of the compounds with respect to pyocyanine and protease formation, as well as their influence on the quorum sensing mechanism in Chromobacterium violacium were shown.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in goldfish Carassius auratus gibelio from water reservoirs in the Far East

MtDNA variation of goldfish samples from several water bodies of Southern Primorye was examined by RFLP analysis. High mtDNA polymorphism was found in the river populations but not in the lake ones. Considerable among-haplotype divergence was found within samples, which suggests periodic gene exchange between populations having long histories of independent evolution. The absence of substantial differences between clusters of mtDNA haplotypes indicates recurrent transfer from bisexual to gynogenetic reproduction mode and vice versa.     

Characteristics of the cells producing thymic chemotactic factor for bone marrow stem cells

It was shown using complement-dependent cytolysis and monoclonal antibodies against CD4, CD8, and NK1.1 antigens that the cortisone-resistant CD3+4-8-NK1.1(-)-thymocytes spontaneously secreted a chemotactic transmitter inducing the release and directed migration of bone marrow cells. When estimating the general profile of the cytokines of these thymocytes by PCR with revertase, it was demonstrated the cells in question did not express cytokines with colony stimulating activities (SCF, IL-3, or GM-CSF) or cytokines affecting the migration of bone marrow stem elements (IL-2, 4, or 7). In addition, an active expression of gene bcl-2 was detected. Thus, the chemotactic cytokine inducing the release of bone marrow stem elements is a product of the cortisone-resistant long-living CD3+4-8-NK1.1(-)-T-cells of the thymus.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of migration of ions and molecules through the acetylcholine receptor channel

A dynamic model of the channel of an acetylcholine receptor in a closed state has been proposed. The channel is formed by five a-helices of subunit M2 and stabilized by the cyclic hydrocarbon (CH2)105. The migration of charged and unchanged van der Waals particles with a diameter of 7.72 A equivalent to the diameter of a hydrated sodium ion has been studied. The migration occurred by the action of external force applied to the complex along the channel axis. In the closed state, the inhibition of ions is due to two components: electrostatic interaction and steric constraints. The van der Waals channel gate is formed by residues 13'-A-Val255, B-Val261, C-Val269, D-Val255, and E-Ile264, and the negatively changed residues occurring in the upper part of the channel have a great effect on ion selectivity.     

Some specific features of vaginal microflora depending on ecological factors

In 75 female residents of Vladikavkaz, aged 18-45 years, who had applied to the gynecological department with complaints of vaginal discharge, the qualitative and quantitative composition of vaginal microflora was studied. All these women were divided into 2 groups: group 1 including 38 women living in ecologically unfavorable districts of the city and group 2 including 37 women living under ecologically favorable conditions. The relationship between the ecological situation of the districts of residence and vaginal microflora in women of the reproductive age was established. Unfavorable exogenous factors were found to lead to the development of vaginal dysbacteriosis: a sharp decrease in the amount of lactoflora or its complete absence accompanied by increased amount of staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella and yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.