The microflora of the reproductive tract in women during intrauterine interventions

The species compositions and persistence factors of the vaginal and cervical microflora of the reproductive tract of women in cases of intrauterine interventions (medical abortion, intrauterine contraception) were studied. Women with inflammatory complications following intrauterine interventions were found to have the same species of bacteria in their vaginal and cervical microflora. In addition, an increase in the values of the persistence factors of vaginal microflora was registered in women practicing intrauterine contraception and a decrease in the persistence potential of vaginal microflora was registered after abortion.     

Fibrillar actin promotes assembly of dissociated 20S-proteasome complex

20S-proteasome was purified from rat liver cells by ultracentrifugation, gel-chromatography and ultrafiltration. The ability of 20S-proteasome to interact with fibrillar actin (F-actin) was examined by rapid cosidementation of these dissociated particles with F-actin in isokinetic sucrose gradient. Proteasomes, which were dissociated with Zn2+ ions, can be assembled on the fibrillar actin once again (with the exception of protein 27 kDa) at deleting ions Zn2+ from the solution with the help of EDTA.     

Recombinant phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermus thermophilus</Emphasis> HB27: Isolation and properties

Two genes of T. thermophilus HB27, TT_C1184 and TT_C1274, encoding proteins with phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase activity were cloned in an expressing vector pET23d+. Escherichia coli strains overproducing two relevant proteins in soluble forms were obtained. The methods of isolation of thermophilic phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetases Tth PRPPS1 and Tth PRPPS2 were developed. The activities of these enzymes were determined as a function of concentration of metal ions, inorganic phosphate, and temperature. The kinetic parameters for basic natural substrates were calculated; the substrate specificity for different carbohydrate 5-phosphates of D-series was studied. It was shown that the two proteins differ significantly in these characteristics. According to the results and comparison of amino acid sequences of new proteins with those of other phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetases, both enzymes belong to class I PRPPS.     

Monoamines in the liquor-contacting nerve cells in the hypothalamus of the lamprey,Lampetra fluviatilis L.

Summary The hypothalamus of adult lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis L.) was studied by means of light and fluorescence microscopy (Falck's technique). Some single liquorcontacting nerve cells (LCNC) showing a weak green fluorescence were demonstrated in the ventral part of the third ventricle, above the preoptic recess. Caudally numerous fluorescent LCNC occur in the ventral part of the third ventricle, in the infundibular and in the posterior recess. The LCNC are to be observed between or below the ependymal cells lining the ventricular wall. These cells appear to be of the bipolar type. One process with a club-like protrusion is directed into the ventricular lumen, the other one into the opposite direction. Two types of fluorescent LCNC were distinguished: yellowish green cells, containing catecholamines, and yellowish orange cells, containing 5-hydroxytryptamine. Some similarity between the hypothalamic monoaminergic LCNC in lampreys and LCNC of the paraventricular organ of the other vertebrates was found. The localization, structure and monoaminergic nature of the hypothalamic LCNC in lampreys suggest the possibility, that their monoamines are released into the cerebrospinal fluid.I am very obliged to Prof. A.L. Polenov for his continuous help and advice. The skilful technical assistance of Mrs. G.N. Yakshina is gratefully acknowledged.     

Phylogeny of the genus Lophozia (Dumort.) Dumort. s. str. inferred from nuclear and chloroplast sequences ITS1-2 and TRNL-F

Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed for 21 taxa of Lophozia s. str. and the related genera, Schistochilopsis (5 species), Protolophozia elongate, and Obtusifolium obtusum based on pooled nuclear ITS 1-2 and chloroplast trnL-F DNA sequences. The trees were characterized by similar topology. It was demonstrated that the genus Lophozia s. str. was monophyletic, excluding L. sudetica, which deserved isolation into a distinct cryptic genus. The species distribution among the clades disagreed with the sections distinguished based on anatomical and morphological data. The relationships within the genus Schistochilopsis were consistent with the sectioning of the genus, based on morphological characters. Analysis of molecular data provided more precise definition of the systematic position of a number of taxa. Small genetic divergence of geographically distant forms was demonstrated.     

Formation of Coordinational Function of the Central Nervous System: Phylo- and Ontogenetic Aspects

A comparative-ontogenetic analysis has been performed of literature and authors' own data obtained in studies on regularities of formation of interrelations of somatic-autonomic reactions in the process of phylo- and ontogenetic development in the row of vertebrates. This analysis has allowed showing universality in formation of the motor-cardiac reflex both in phylo- and in ontogenesis on the basis of maturation of these reactions and the coordinational function of the nervous system in the process of phylogenesis (fish, amphibians) and prenatal ontogenesis of mammals (human fetuses). This indicates the common character of embryonal and neuronal mechanisms of the autorhythmical nature both in phylo- and in ontogenesis of vertebrates.     

Assessment of the human immunological status by taking into account the correlations among individual indices

The problem of correlation of the parameters of the immune system in the normal subjects and in patients with immunological diseases has been considered. The most informative relations have been determined and an attempt has been made to reveal common and specific signs of various immunological diseases.     

The role of endogenous glutathione in the action of sulfur-containing radio-protectors

In experiments on Ehrlich ascite tumor cells, the dependence of the radioprotective effect of beta-mercaptoethylamine and beta-mercaptopropionylglycine on the initial level of endogenous glutathione was studied. A varying degree of N-ethylmaleimide induced decrease of SH-glutathione content in the cells led to either easing or elimination of the radioprotective effect of the agents under study.