Biosynthesis and use of coproporphyrins and uroporphyrins and their metal complexes in immune analysis and diagnostic methods]

Methods of synthesis of coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin by using bacteria of the genus Arthrobacter are proposed. Metal complexes of coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin with Pt, Pd, and Zn were synthesized. Their structures were identified by spectrophotometry, IR spectrometry, 1H-NMR, mass spectrometry, and HPLC. Data showing the possibility to use coproporphyrin III-metal complexes as luminophores for fluorescence detection of tumors. The current and prospective uses of metal complexes of water-soluble natural porphyrins in advanced immunofluorescence assays are discussed.     

Canalicular system of enterocytes at rest and its changes during lipid absorption

A study was made of the structural changes in different organoids of enterocytes of the rat small intestine at "rest" and during lipid absorption using ultrathin sections, impregnation with Ur-Pb-Cu, and continuous impregnation with OsO4. With the latter technique a specific canalicular system was found in the enterocytes, which we failed to observe on ultrathin sections. During lipid absorption the canalicular system underwent fragmentation. The vesicules on the trans-surface of the Golgi apparatus were enlarged, and the number of flattened cisterns was significantly lower. The changes in cellular organoids and their interrelations observed in the present study support the earlier hypothesis of the resynthesis of triglycerides within the enterocytes, the formation of chylomicrons and their transfer into the intercellular space.     

Analysis of the postnatal growth of the mouse liver by estimating the hepatocyte count, their weight and ploidy

Changes in the total number of hepatocytes, their distribution by the ploidy classes, as well as changes in the protein content of the cells were studied in 0.5-6 month old mice. The data obtained made it possible to estimate quantitatively the contribution of different growth components: increase in cell number, hypertrophy and polyploidization of cells, to the total increase of the liver mass. From 2 weeks to 1 month, the liver mass is increased via polyploidization (by 70%) and hypertrophy (by 30%). From 1 to 2 months, the liver mass increases due to hyperplasia (by 65%) and polyploidization (35%). After 2 months, the liver growth is practically terminated. The calculated equivalent mass of the liver, i. e. derivative of all three growth components, coincides fairly well with the factual changes in the liver mass.     

Electron microscopic research on the mitochondria-rich bladder cells of the frog

The ultrastructural peculiarities of mitochondria-rich cells of the frog urinary bladder are analysed using three electron microscopic methods: ultrathin sections, scanning electron microscopy, freeze fracture. The mitochondria and tubular and vesicular structures are most abundant in the apical region of cytoplasm. The P-face (PF) of the apical plasma membrane is characterized by the presence of rod-shaped intramembrane particles (IMP), whereas the E-face (EF) possesses complementary pits. Depending on the distribution density of the rod-shaped IMP, three types of cells are described. The apical plasma membrane has an invert distribution of the globular IMP: a great quantity of IMP on the EF and a few particles on the PF. This structure of the apical plasma membrane is supposed to correlate with its very low water permeability. Using filipin as a marker of cholesterol localization, it has been shown that the mitochondria-rich cell apical membrane contains more cholesterol than that of the granular cells. The nature of the rod-shaped IMP and their role in the transmembrane ion transport have been discussed.     

The x-ray picture of pulmonary circulation in the course of acute myocardial infarct

A study was made of the time course of lesser circulation (LC) in 80 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction and in 20 patients with chronic coronary heart disease with the help of chest x-ray. A possibility of preclinical detection of left ventricular insufficiency was confirmed. The capacity of roentgenography to reflect objectively the time course of LC disorder and its correlation with primary determination of a degree of changes, age, cardiac sizes, the expression of aortic atherosclerosis, pleurocardiac reactions and site of myocardial infarction were defined.     

Spectral features of amines of 2-phenylbenzazoles upon interaction with DNA

Absorption and fluorescent spectra of various synthetic aminophenyl derivatives of benzoxazole, benzothiazole and benzimidazole have been studied to estimate the efficiency of their binding with DNA. The significance of different functional groups of the fluorochromes for their interaction with DNA was determined, and main demands are formulated to the compounds to be used as potential fluorescent probes for DNA studies.     

Status of the electrolyte balance of the gastric juice during stimulation of secretion by histamine

The content of electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+) in human basal secrete has been determined before and after injection of histamine in gastric juice and insoluble mucus in healthy people. Electrolytes in the mucous membrane of the stomach, gastric juice and insoluble mucus have been determined in dogs with stomach fistula after Basow. Species peculiarities have been marked in electrolyte content change during gastric secretion.     

Immunostimulating properties of synthetic derivatives of muramyl dipeptide and glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide in vitro

Production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) by macrophages of the spleen and peritoneal exudate of mice as well as cytotoxic factors (CFs) by murine splenocytes after in vitro activation was estimated. All the derivatives of muramyldipeptide (MDP) and glucosaminylmuramyldipeptide (GMDP) were able to induce production of TNF and CFs. In the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the effect was always higher. The response of the spleen macrophages to the effect of the preparations was higher than that of the peritoneal ones and ++non-fractionated splenocytes. GMDP and GMDP4 especially in the presence of LPS had the highest effect on induction of IL-1 by the murine peritoneal macrophages. On the contrary, MDP induced higher IL-1 synthesis by the spleen macrophages. The most active substances with respect to production of TNF, CFs and IL-1, i.e. MDP3 and GMDP4, might be recommended for immunotherapy of syngeneic tumors in animals.     

Antigenic polysaccharides of bacteria. 35. Establishment of the structure of polysaccharide chains of lipopolysaccharides of Pseudomonas cepacia IMV 4176 and IMV 4202 (Serotype 3)

On mild acid degradation of the Pseudomonas cepacia strain IMV 4176 lipopolysaccharide, two polysaccharides were obtained, one of which is a homopolymer of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and the other is composed of equal amounts of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-ribose. Partial hydrolysis with aqueous oxalic acid caused depolymerization of the heteropolysaccharide, and the homopolysaccharide was isolated in the individual state. On the basis of methylation and 13C NMR analysis, it was concluded that both polysaccharides are built up of disaccharide repeating units having the following structures: ----4)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1----4)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1---- and ----4)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1----2)-beta-D-Ribf-(1----. The heteropolysaccharide from P. cepacia strain 4176 is identical by the structure of the repeating unit to the O-specific polysaccharide of P. cepacia strain IMV 4202 (serotype 3), Pseudomonas aeruginosa O12 and Serratia marcescens O14.     

Effect of lincomycin and staphylococcal vaccine on the course of experimental staphylococcal sepsis

Therapeutic efficacy of lincomycin used alone and in combination with inactivated staphylococcal vaccine and the effect of these agents on synthesis of antibodies and their content in blood serum were investigated. Lincomycin was shown to inhibit septic processes in the host. After its administration the number of the pathogens in the blood and organs markedly decreased. At the same time, lincomycin lowered antibody synthesis in the lymphoid organs and the content of alpha-antitoxins in blood serum. The use of lincomycin in combination with inactivated staphylococcal vaccine promoted an increase in the number of the antibody forming cells in the spleen and lymph nodes and the content of the antibodies to the staphylococcal alpha-toxin in blood serum of the animals with staphylococcal sepsis.