Isolation of new species of the genus Actinomadura on selective media with streptomycin and bruneomycin]

In the screening programme using selective media with streptomycin (25, 50 and 100 gamma/ml) and bruneomycin (0.5, 1 and 2 gamma/ml) 3 unusual actinomycetous cultures forming short, rarely long chains of straight, hook-like or spiral spores with 1 or rarely 2 turns were isolated. The study of the cell wall composition of the isolates showed that the walls contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and a sugar madurose. On the basis of the morphological structure and the cell wall composition the isolates were classified as belonging to Actinomadura. Comparison of the cultures with the Actinomadura species described in the literature showed that the isolates were new species of the genera, i. e. Am. coerulea sp. nov., Am. cremea sp. nov. and Am. salmonea sp. nov.     

A comparative analysis of Stachybotrys chartarum strains isolated in Russia

This work deals with a comparative analysis of Stachybotrys chartarum strains isolated from various artificial cellulose-containing materials and natural substrates in the geographically distant regions of Russia. The analysis included the determination of the spore size, the strain toxicity to Paramecium caudatum, the strain resistance to the fungicides Benomil, Olilen, and Tilt, and the PCR study of the genome structure with the aid of a primer that was complementary to the core sequence of the SINE retrotransposon. It was found that some of the strains that were isolated from different areas and from different substrates differ in their toxicity, fungicide resistance, and genome structure. The PCR analysis showed the absence of any correlation between the genome structure, the strain properties, the geographic area, and the substrates from which the strains were isolated. The pheno- and genotypic diversity of the strains and their different vegetative compatibility suggest the existence of an intraspecies diversity of the S. chartarum strains that were isolated in different geographic areas. The absence of any correlation between the pheno- and genotypic properties of the strains and the substrates from which they were isolated implies that the colonization of artificial substrates by S. chartarum occurred occasionally from natural habitats. The S. chartarum populations that live on artificial substrates are unlikely to have their own evolutionary history.     

Zea ribosomal repeat evolution and substitution patterns

Zea and Tripsacum nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were used to evaluate patterns of concerted evolution, rates of substitutions, patterns of methylation-induced deamination, and structural constraints of the ITS. ITS pseudogenes were identified by their phylogenetic position, differences in nucleotide composition, extensive deamination at ancestral methylation sites, and substitutions resulting in low-stability secondary RNA structures. Selection was important in shaping the kinds of polymorphisms and substitutions observed in the ITS. ITS substitution rates were significantly different among the Zea taxa. Deamination of cytosines at methylation sites was a potent mutation source, but selection appeared to maintain high methylation site density throughout the ribosomal repeat except for the gene promoter. Nucleotide divergence statistics identified selectively constrained regions at the 5' ends of the ITS1 and ITS2.      

Changes in carbohydrate-energy metabolism in the rat brain during laser irradiation

Laser irradiation of rats increases the activity of hexokinase and aerobic isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase, activates succinate- and alpha-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and decreases the level of amino acids of a glutamine group.     

Effect of continuous and modulated laser radiation on the activity of enzymes of glutamic acid metabolism in rat tissues

A comparative study was made of the effect of continuous and modulated laser radiation on activity of aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase in the brain and liver of rats. The impulse laser radiation has proved to be most effective with respect to the parameters under study at modulation frequencies of 10 and 50 Hz.     

Nephrotoxic action of platinum, chromium and cadmium compounds on marine bony fishes

Intra-abdominal injections of platinum, chromium and cadmium salts to Myoxocephalus scorpius produce nephrotoxic effect which includes the disturbances in magnesium secretion. Basic ultrastructural changes in the nephron cells of the fish after the injection of nephrotoxic substances are similar to those in mammals. Cis-platinum induces significant damage in the terminal part of the proximal tubules. One day after the injection of chromium compounds, total damage of the proximal tubule is observed, whereas cadmium salt affects cells within the whole nephron. After 5 days of administration of cadmium and chromium salts, partial recovery was found with respect to both functional and ultrastructural properties of nephron cells. Administration of nephrotoxic substances which selectively injure different parts of the nephron enabled to perform more exact differentiation of the nephron elements in marine teleosts.     

Impairment of space-frequency parameters of EEG coherence during cognitive performance (consequences of Chernobyl accident)

Changes in frequency and space parameters of the EEG coherence evoked by cognitive performance were analyzed in 13 healthy subjects and participants of the Chemobyl clean-up. In healthy subjects, the EEG coherences in the alpha and beta frequency bands were significantly increased during arithmetic count and during visuospatial performance. Each test was characterized by regionally-specific features. Chemobyl patients demonstrated a global decrease in the EEG coherence predominantly in the alpha and beta frequency bands, especially in the frontal cortical areas. Patients with various pathological EEG patterns demonstrated specific impairment of EEG parameters. In patients with a "flat" EEG pattern, the EEG coherence predominantly decreased in the frontal associative areas, especially during arithmetic calculation. In patients with a "hypersynchronous" EEG pattern, the decrease in the EEG coherence was most pronounced in the parietal associative areas, especially during the visuospatial performance. The revealed impairments of the EEG coherence reactivity may be a reflection of disorders of the intracortical and corticosubcortical interaction and can result from the remote postradiation brain atrophy, especially, of cortical structures.     

Role of Oxidative Stress in the Etiology of Parkinson’s Disease: Advanced Therapeutic Products

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - The etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not exactly known. However, oxidative stress was identified as a key factor that initiates and...