Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Cross-React with Fusion Proteins Encoded by <Emphasis Type="Italic">129L</Emphasis> of the Ectromelia Virus and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A30L</Emphasis> of the Variola Virus

PCR fragments containing the fusion protein genes 129L of the ectromelia virus (EV) and A30L of the variola virus (VARV) were cloned in pQE32. The expression products, recombinant prA30L and pr129L, were isolated from Escherichia coli cell lysates by metal-chelate affinity chromatography. The recombinant proteins retained the capability of oligomerization, characteristic of their natural analogs. ELISA and immunoblotting were used to test 22 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to orthopoxviruses (19 mAbs to EV, 2 mAbs to the vaccinia virus (VACV), and 1 mAb to the cowpox virus (CPXV)) for interaction with prA30L, pr129L, and orthopoxviruses. Twelve species-specific epitopes were found in the EV fusion protein 129L and its recombinant analog. Ten cross-reacting epitopes were found in the EV, CPXV, and VACV fusion proteins. Of these, nine epitopes were present both in prA30L and in the VARV fusion protein. Five mAbs interacting with cross-reacting epitopes were capable of efficient neutralization of VACV; two of these mAbs neutralized VARV. It was demonstrated that there are species-specific epitopes in EV 129L and cross-reacting epitopes in the EV, VARV, CPXV, and VACV fusion proteins, including epitopes that induced synthesis of virus-neutralizing antibodies against VACV and VARV.     

Mathematical models for the study of electromechanical and mechanoelectrical coupling in the myocardium

Mathematical models have been developed to describe interactions of electrical, mechanical and chemical processes in cardiomyocytes. The models simulate wide range of experimental data on excitation-contraction coupling and, more importantly, on mechanoelectric feedback in heart muscle. The model results clearly show that mechano-dependence of intracellular calcium handling due to cooperative effects of contractile proteins activation plays a key role in cardiac mechanoelectric coupling. At the same time, mechanosensitive currents can also contribute to action potential responses to mechanical perturbations. Using this model to study the heterogeneous myocardium we have shown that temporal and functional electromechanical heterogeneity of coupled cardiomyocytes can essentially determine the myocardium contractility. Optimization of the electromechanical function of contractile system emerges from the fine coordination between the activation sequence of cardiomyocytes, their local electromechanical properties and the mechanical interaction during contraction.     

Activation of the sensorimotor cortex using a device for mechanical stimulation of the plantar support zones

Numerous studies on the mechanisms of the motor control carried out in the interests of space medicine resulted in a concept on the leading role of the support afferent input in the regulation of the postural tonic system in mammals. The implementation of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has permitted in vivo brain mapping during stimulation of the support afferent input. The goal of this study was to identify activated regions in the brain during mechanical stimulation of the plantar support zones in different modes using a special Korvit simulator. Twelve healthy volunteers (six women and six men) aged from 22 to 42 years were studied using fMRI, each of them was scanned once. The fMRI protocol for each subject consisted of two different blocked paradigms: (1) with the soles of a subject stimulated in an imitated standing mode and (2) with the soles stimulated in an imitation slow-walking mode. The patterns of activation in each mode were analyzed using the SPM5 statistical software package for each subject and for the group as a whole. All the paradigms showed significant activation (p _correct < 0. 05 at the cluster level) in the primary somatosensory, premotor, dorsolateral and prefrontal cortices, as well as in the insula. The involvement of the prefrontal cortex during simulation of standing and a broad involvement of the primary and secondary sensorimotor cortices during simulation of slow walking were found.     

Biotopic distribution, population structure, and some features of small mammal reproduction in Chisinau City

Comparative analysis of species composition, biotopic distribution, population structure, and reproduction of rodents and insectivores in Chisinau City was performed in October?CNovember 2008 (3029 traps days, 715 animals). Sylvaemus sylvaticus appeared to be the most numerous and widely distributed species, the reproductive strategy of which consisted of intense reproduction in the summer. The second most abundant species was Microtus rossiaemeridionalis, which had a different reproductive strategy, with part of its population continuing to reproduce actively in the autumn. Urban woodlands are the most close to natural biotopes by the species composition. The highest number of animals was defined for meadows and gardens. No rodents and insectivores are found on lawns and waste grounds.     

Multiple forms of acid phosphatase of the mould Aspergillus awamori str. 22]

By isoelectric focusing and DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-150 chromatography it has been shown that extracellular acid phosphatase produced by Aspergillus awamori str. 22 exists as a mixture of oligomers of molecular weights ranging from 30,000 to 140,000. With an increase of aggregation of molecules of acid phosphatase the isoelectric point increases from 4.6 to 5.4.     

Dependence of the combining ability of mutant sugar beet plants on their phenotype

Repetitive gametic selection for a higher frequency of the Adh1-S semilethal mutant allele of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene yielded viable homozygotes Adh1-SS. The plants varied in phenotype from weak mutant to nearly normal (restored). Phenotypically different plants were individually tested for combining ability. This parameter was high in plants with the mutant phenotype and tended to decrease, rather than further increase, in plants with a restored normal phenotype. The results are discussed in terms of viability restoration mechanisms in homozygotes for semilethal mutant alleles.     

Seasonal Signal of Photosynthesis in the Forests of North Eurasia

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - The seasonal course of the water potential in branch xylem reflects the dynamics of photosynthetic СО2/Н2О exchange in the forest...     

Observation of Parametric Decay of a Pumping Wave in Lower Hybrid Wave Heating and Current Drive Experiments at the FT-2 Tokamak

Plasma Physics Reports - The systematization of experimental data related to development of the parametric decay instability in tokamak plasma during RF power input within the lower hybrid...