Isolation of cDNA clones which are specifically transcribed in metastatic and nonmetastatic murine tumors

Gene cloning was used with a view to examine differences in gene expression in metastatic (CSML-100) and non-metastatic (CSML-0) cell lines. Differential screening of the cDNA libraries obtained was performed. Mts271 gene which is specifically expressed in metastatic cells was isolated.     

Changes in the physical properties of the lipid phase of neutrophils during their activation

A change of the state of lipid phase of the neutrophil membrane was studied under their activation. Stimulation of neutrophils with hexachlorocyclohexane results in an increase of microviscosity of the membrane lipid layer, while stimulation with concanavalin A brings about an increase of microviscosity only in the near protein region, but in the total lipid microviscosity is reduced.     

The characteristics of the stimulation of the proliferation of cultured chick embryo cells during reseeding

The growth rate of chick embryo cells in slowly proliferating cultures is activated after substitution of conditioned medium by fresh one with serum. After cell replanting, the stimulation of cell proliferation takes place in both media with the same effectiveness. In serum-less medium replanted cells do not adhere to glass and die. The results suggest that cells reversibly lose their dependence upon serum growth factors and population density, as a result of replanting, but retain anchorage-dependence for growth.     

Use of spectral characteristics of ryodipine in the study of dihydropyridine receptor complex of neuronal membranes]

A fluorescent dihydropyridine (DHP) derivative, ryodipine, was used to study structural characteristics of the DHP-sensitive Ca-channels in nerve terminals (synaptosomes) isolated from the rat cerebral cortex. It was found that an inductive resonance energy transfer from membrane proteins to ryodipine occurred in synaptosomal membranes. Two groups of membrane proteins differentially accessible to ryodipine were found by quenching of their own fluorescence. The percentage of group I proteins (20%) whose fluorescence was quenched by up to 1 microM ryodipine, was increased by 50% upon K(+)-depolarization and remained unchanged upon the addition of 100 microM Ni2+, whereas the addition of 100 microM Cd2+ prevented the increase induced by K(+)-depolarization. Nifedipine and nicardipine competed with ryodipine for the DHP receptor as evidenced by the change in percentage of group I proteins. The percentage of group II proteins (50% at 10 microM ryodipine) remained unchanged during various functional alterations of the synaptosomal membranes. Model experiments on proteoliposomes demonstrated that binding of ryodipine to synaptosomal membranes was due mainly to the hydrophobicity of DHP but not the ligand-receptor interaction. Nonetheless we that the membrane proteins-ryodipine system could be a qualitative test for the functional state of DHP-sensitive Ca-channels.     

The efficacy of exogenous and endogenous interferonization in preventing influenza]

In this work the results of using interferon (IFN), Dibasol and the combination of these preparations for the urgent prophylaxis of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARD) among the employees of the Gamaleia Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (USSR Acad. Med. Sci.) are summarized. Reaferon and Dibasol decrease ARD morbidity 2 times and leukocytic IFN decreases it 1.4 times, while the combined administration of Dibasol and IFN has proved to be ineffective. Reaferon is mainly a prophylactic remedy; it has been found to bring about almost no decrease in the number of patients at the peak of morbidity, while pronouncedly decreasing it in two weeks after the administration of the preparation. Dibasol has a curative effect, sharply interrupting the beginning rise of morbidity. Reaferon normalizes the characteristics of the IFN status, decreasing the amount of circulating IFN and enhancing the capacity of leukocytes for producing alpha-IFN and gamma-IFN. For the prophylaxis of respiratory infections the use of Reaferon is advisable 3-4 weeks prior to the beginning of the epidemic and then, when the first cases of infection are registered, the course of prophylaxis with Dibasol should be carried out.     

Protective Effect of a New Hypothalamic Peptide Against Cobra Venom and Trauma-Induced Neuronal Injury

A study of separate and combined actions of cobra venom (CV) and a new hypothalamic proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) isolated from magnocellular cells (NPV and NSO) on intoxication-and trauma, induced neuronal injury (during 3-4 weeks after hemisection with and without PRP treatment) was carried out. The registration of background and evoked impulse activity flow, changes in spinal cord (SC) inter- and motoneurons, responding to flexor, extensor, and mixed nerve stimulation in both acute and chronic experimental neurodegeneration was performed. The facilitating effect of PRP on the abovementioned neurons was revealed. High doses of CV that evoked the neurodegenerative changes demonstrated an inhibitory effect. In this case PRP treatment both before and after intoxication restored electrical neuronal activity to baseline level and higher. These results are evidence of protective action of PRP. The low doses of CV induced a facilitating effect. The combination of CV and PRP displayed an additive facilitating effect; in a number of cases the repeated administration of CV led to decrease of significant PRP effect till baseline level (for example, the inhibition after primary response prior to secondary late discharge). Greater liability of the secondary early and late long-time discharges of poststimulus responses, differently expressed in various neuron types of SC to chemical influences is of interest. PRP-induced inhibition of the paroxysmal activity related with CV action is also very interesting. Morpho-functional experiments with SC injury demonstrated the abolition of difference in the background and evoked SC neuronal activity below the section and on intact symmetric side after daily PRP administration for 3 weeks. PRP hindered the scar formation and activated neuroglia proliferation; it promoted white matter element growth, hampered the degeneration of cellular elements, and protected against tissue stress. Our results favor the combined use of PRP and CV in clinical practice for the treatment of neurodegeneration of toxic and traumatic origin, as well as specific neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.