HIV-particles in spermatozoa of patients with AIDS and their transfer into the oocyte

By immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization at the electron microscopy level, and by the PCR technique, we have shown that HIV-1 binds and enters normal sperm; that viral particles, their antigens, and nucleic acid are present in sperm from HIV-1 infected men; and that such sperm can transfer HIV-1 like particles to normal human oocytes. We also present evidence that a galactosylceramide-like compound is present on the sperm membrane and could function as an alternative receptor for HIV.     

Unusual pattern of bacterial ice nucleation gene evolution

Bacterial ice nucleation activity (INA+ phenotype) can be traced to the product of a single gene, ina. A remarkably sparse distribution of this phenotype within three bacterial genera indicates that the ina gene may have followed an unusual evolutionary path. Southern blot analyses, coupled with assays for ice-nucleating ability, revealed that within four bacterial species an ina gene is present in some strains but absent from others. Results of hybridization experiments using DNA fragments that flank the ina gene suggested that the genotypic dimorphism of ina may be anomalous. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences from a total of 14 ina+ and ina- bacterial strains indicated that the ina+ bacteria are not monophyletic but instead phylogenetically interspersed among ina- bacteria. The relationships of ina+ bacteria inferred from ina sequence did not coincide with those inferred from the 16S data. These results suggest the possibility of horizontal transfer in the evolution of bacterial ina genes.      

Relationship between the golgi apparatus, gerl, and secretory granules in acinar cells of the rat exorbital lacrimal gland

The method of secretory granuleformation in the acinar cells of the rat exorbital lacrimal gland was studied by electron microscope morphological and cytochemical techniques. Immature secretory granules at the inner face of the Golgi apparatus were frequently attached to a narrow cisternal structure similar to GERL as described in neurons by Novikoff et al. (Novikoff, P. M., A. B. Novikoff, N. Quintana, and J.-J. Hauw. 1971. J. Cell Bio. 50:859-886). In the lacrimal gland. GERL was located adjacent to the inner Golgi saccule, or separated from it by a variable distance. Portions of GERL were often closely paralleled by modified cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), which lacked ribosomes on the surface adjacent to GERL. Diaminobenzidine reaction product of the secretory enzyme peroxidase was localized in the cisternae of the nuclear envelope, RER, peripheral Golgi vesicles, Golgi saccules, and immature and mature secretory granules. GERL was usually free of peroxidase reaction product or contained only a small amount. Thiamine pyrophosphatase reaction product was present in two to four inner Golgi saccules; occasionally, the innermost saccule was dilated and fenestrated, and contained less reaction product than the next adjacent saccule. Acid phosphatase (AcPase) reaction product was present in GERL, immature granules, and, rarely, in the innermost saccule, but not in the rest of the Golgi saccules. Thick sections of AcPase preparations viewed at 100 kV revealed that GERL consisted of cisternal, and fenestrated or tublular portions. The immature granules were attached to GERL by multiple connections to the tublular portions. These results suggest that, in the rat exorbital lacrimal gland, the Golgi saccules participate in the transport of secretory proteins, and that GERL is involved in the formation of secretory granules.     

Change in indicators of peroxide resistance in erythrocytes and lipid metabolism indicators in blood plasma during development of ischemic insult

The authors have displayed that ischemic insults are accompanied by the significant intensification of free radical peroxidation processes both in erytrocyte membranes and in blood plasma. The changes mentioned are characterized by the simultaneous decrease of erytrocites resistance to peroxide hemolysis, as well as by the parallel lowering of alpha-tocopherol concentration in blood plasma.     

Radiographic joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with differences in cartilage turnover and can be predicted by serum biomarkers: an evaluation from 1 to 4 years after diagnosis

Introduction  

The objective of this study was to determine whether serum biomarkers for degradation and synthesis of the extracellular matrix of cartilage are associated with, and can predict, radiographic damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).     

Effect of insulin on the composition of chromatin phospholipid in rat liver cells

In vivo the action of insulin on rat liver chromatin phospholipid composition was investigated. It was shown that the hormone led to reliable increase (nearly 20%) of total phospholipid content. The same phenomenon was shown also in the fraction of active chromatin while the phospholipids content of non-active chromatin didn't changed. It was also shown that the content of three from six phospholipid fractions altered under the insulin action. The content of sphingomyelin and phosphatidilethanolamine increased and the quantity of phosphatidylinositol decreased under the hormone action. The decrease of monophosphoinositides content was accompanied by the reliable increase of triphosphoinositides amount. It was suggested that the fractions of chromatin polyphosphoinositides were redistributed under the action of insulin.     

Effects of pyramidotomy on instrumental reflexes in rats depend on the duration of its execution

The effects of unilateral transection of bulbar pyramids on instrumental conditioned reflexes in rats were shown to be in direct relationship with the time of its execution. In rats with stable conditioned reflexes, pyramidotomy impaired conditioned performance, on the average, for 3.9 days. However, preliminary transection of the pyramid delayed operant conditioning and its stabilization, on the average, by 16.5 day. The findings are discussed in terms of the mechanisms of switching over descending influences of the cortico-spinal and cortico-rubrospinal systems.     

Dynamics of instrumental reflex changes following transection of the corticospinal tract and ablation of the cerebral cortex sensorimotor region in rats

Unilateral transection of bulbar pyramid performed prior to ablation of the ipsilateral sensomotor cortex was shown to facilitate recovery of operant conditioning and compensatory processes in rats. There was no such corticofugal plasticity in ablation of the sensomotor cortex alone. The phenomenon may be explained by switching of descending influences on the cortico-rubrospinal system through participation of the loop: corticorubral projection--red nucleus--inferior olive--cerebellum--thalamus--cerebral cortex.     

Formation of specific proteins and peptides in the rabbit uterus induced by estradiol

It has been shown that specific proteins and peptides are synthetized in uterus cells during 1-4 h after estradiol administration into rabbits. These compounds side by side with peroxidase may serve as biological marker of estradiol action in target-tissue.