New approach to synthesis of peptide immunomimetic of benzo[a]pyrene

A novel approach to discovery of the peptide with an internal immunological image of carcinogen is suggested in this work. The hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) B2 against benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]antracene were prepared. Polyclonal Ab against benzo[a]pyrene (Bp) and benz[a]antracene (Ba), antracene, chrysene, and pyrene were also prepared. We identified the related peptide-presenting phage specificity binding to mAT B2 and polyclonal Ab against Bp from 12 large random peptide libraries using phage display method. ICR mice were immunized with specific binding of positive phage clone for studying its immunogenicity. The Bp antibodies were found in the blood serum. All positive phage clones carried the sequence. Thus, the unique peptide with an internal immunological image of Bp may be the new candidate for anticarcinogenic vaccine.     

THE MIDDLE ORDOVICIAN PROVENTOCITUM PROCERULUM RADIOLARIAN ASSEMBLAGE OF SPITSBERGEN AND ITS BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC CORRELATION

Abstract: The Proventocitum procerulum radiolarian assemblage from the Valhallfonna Formation of Spitsbergen is described for the first time in some detail from material investigated in transmitted light. A number of species are recognized in the well‐preserved material, showing unexpected diversity. The age of the fauna is restricted to the early Darriwilian (Da1‐2), based on comparison with precisely dated radiolarian assemblages from the Cow Head and Table Head Groups of western Newfoundland. Most species, however, are left in open nomenclature until additional material is available for SEM investigation. Inanigutta magnifica n. sp. is described as new.     

Influence of Hydrological Conditions on the Formation of Forested Peatlands and Shallow-Peat Forests at Watersheds in the Central Forest Nature Reserve

The spatial variability of the water regime determined by peat-deposit structure and surface slope is characteristic of watershed forested peatlands and shallow-peat forests that belong to similar forest types The specific features of the water regime determine the tree-stand structure, the composition of the herb–shrub and moss tiers, and the reaction to climatic changes of the past. The history of forested peatlands formation is comparable in duration to that of large peatbog massifs formation. An increase in wood-macrofossils content in peat is characteristic of warm periods of the Holocene. Conversely, a decrease in wood-macrofossils content accompanied by an increase in sphagnum moss remains, intensive growth of the deposit, and paludification of the adjacent forests were timed to the cold periods. The climatic factor was shown to determine the general direction of forested peatlands development, whereas the hydrological features of the site determined the variety of scenarios and resistance to environmental changes.     

Luplatex and its radioprotective properties

In experimental conditions the radioprotective properties of the placental complex Luplatex created in Scientific production complex "Biotechindustry" was studied. In experiments on mice F1(CBA x C57Bl) it was shown that Luplatex injected intraperitoneally in dose 0.5 ml 5-10 min before or after whole body gamma-irradiation with 8 Gy (LD80/30) increased the survival up to 40% as compared to the control group. In white mice protected by oral administration of Luplatex 30 min before exposure to 7.5 Gy, which is absolute minimal lethal dose for this type of mice (LD100/30), the effect was 48.3%.     

Dependence of radioprotective activity of chitosan on its molecular mass

The influence of chitosan molecular mass (70, 10 and 5 kDa) on its radioprotective efficiency in mice experiments was studied. It was shown that chitosans with molecular masses of 70 and 10 kDa had similar radioprotective properties. The survival of mice increased up to 73% and 87% respectively at intravenous injection 15-30 min before a whole-body exposure to 137Cs gamma-radiation at a dose of 8 Gy (Cd97/30). Practically absolute loss of radioprotective activity occurred below a threshold of about 10 kDa. The results showed a high chitosan radioprotective activity in a wider range of molecular masses than it was supposed earlier.     

The performance of fungal xylan-degrading enzyme preparations in elemental chlorine-free bleaching for Eucalyptus pulp

Cellulase-free xylan-degrading enzyme preparations from Acrophialophora nainiana, Humicola grisea var. thermoidea and two Trichoderma harzianum strains were used as bleaching agents for Eucalyptus kraft pulp, prior to a chlorine dioxide and alkaline bleaching sequence. In comparison to the control sequence (performed without xylanase pretreatment), the sequence incorporating enzyme treatment was more effective. Removal of residual lignin was indicated by a reduction in kappa number. Overall, enzyme preparations from T. harzianum were marginally more effective in reducing pulp viscosity and chlorine chemical consumption and improving the brightness of the kraft pulp. However, the highest reduction in pulp viscosity was mediated by the xylanase preparation from A. nainiana. Xylanase pretreatment compares very favorably with that of chemical pulping. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 204–206 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000227 Received 27 April 2001/ Accepted in revised form 03 November 2001     

A NEW BASAL PTEROSAUR GENUS FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC OF THE NORTHERN CALCAREOUS ALPS OF SWITZERLAND

Abstract:  A lower jaw with multicusped teeth and a number of unique characteristics was discovered in an extensive exposure of the Upper Triassic Kössen Formation in the Northern Calcareous Alps. The ramus of the jaw is high and dominated by a row of large, oval foramina that lies parallel to the tooth row. In addition, the anterior portion of the dentary exhibits a large number of nutritive foramina and small pits, which might indicate an association with a soft tissue structure and/or the presence of a keratinous cover of that area during life. All elements of the jaw are thin-walled and hollow, possibly pneumatic. Two teeth are preserved within the dentary. One is tricuspid and the other bears four cuSPS. The teeth are noticeably small in comparison with the overall size of the ramus, being only one-third of the height of the ramus. The teeth show a strong similarity to those of the well-known basal pterosaur genus Eudimorphodon , whose jaw morphology, however, clearly differs from the specimen described in this study. The dentition and the pneumatic bone structure make an assignment to the Pterosauria plausible. Based on the great number of distinct morphological characters the specimen is described as Caviramus schesaplanensis gen. et sp. nov.     

HUMAN B CELL DIFFERENTIATION: DEPENDENCE ON INTERACTIONS WITH MONOCYTES AND T LYMPHOCYTES VIA CD40, CD80 (B7.1), AND THE CD2-LIGANDS CD48 AND CD58 (LFA-3)

B cell differentiation depends on cellular interactions with T lymphocytes and monocytes via adhesion molecules (AM). In order to characterize AM which are required for B cell differentiation immunoglobulin production using unseparated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was studied. Unstimulated human PBMC were cultured for 9 days with mAb directed at CD2/CD48, /CD58, CD59, CD5/CD72, CD11a—CD18/CD54, CD28/CD80, CD86, CD40/CD40L, or rat CD2 (control). B cell differentiation was quantified measuring IgM and in some cases IgA, IgG, and IgE production. IgM levels were significantly reduced by mAb against CD40, CD48, CD58 and CD80. The reduction was not due to isotype switching to IgA, IgG or IgE. The role of CD40, CD48, CD58 and CD80 was further investigated after depletion of different cell types. Depletion of monocytes and NK cells resulted in no detectable IgM production irrespective of added mAbs. In contrast, IgM production was still present after depletion of T cells and NK cells. Only mAb against CD80 and CD48 significantly reduced IgM production, the reduction of IgM production by anti-CD40 mAb was less than in the presence of T cells. Importantly, anti-CD58 mAb had no effect on IgM production after T cell and NK cell depletion. Taken together, the AM CD40, CD48, CD58, and CD80 are involved in Ig production of unseparated PBMCs. In this model of B cell differentiation only the AM CD58 depend on the presence of T cells while CD48 and CD80 help was found to be T cell independent.