Increased secretion of lignolytic enzymes by the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lentinus tigrinus</Emphasis> fungus after addition of butanol and toluene in submerged cultivation

We studied the effects of butanol and toluene on secretion of lignolytic enzymes by the Lentinus tigrinus fungus during submerged cultivation. Addition of butanol and toluene during the trophophase was followed by an increase in laccase and peroxidase activity of the culture and change in the composition of phospholipids and fatty acids. The ratio of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid decreased, while the amount of lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphoinositides, phosphatidylserine, and unsaturated fatty acids decreased. These changes resulted in an increase in the unsaturation index.     

Association of polymorphic markers of lipid metabolism genes with diabetic polyneuropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was the search of association with diabetic polyneuropathy of the polymorphic markers epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and I/D of apolipoprotein B (APOB) genes in groups of type 1 diabetes patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (n = 86) and without its clinical signs (n = 94). We have not found significant association with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) of epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 marker of APOE gene. However the comparison of allele and genotype frequencies of I/D marker of APOB gene showed that the carriers of I allele and II genotype had higher risk (OR = 1.66 and 2.01, relatively; p < 0.027), whereas the carriers of D allele had lower risk of DPN (OR = 0.60; p < 0.018). Our findings show that APOB gene, encoding one of the main components of lipid metabolism system, is involved into the diabetic polyneuropathy development in type 1 diabetes mellitus.     

Action of high and superhigh doses of fission neutrons and gamma quanta on the central noradrenergic formation of the brain--on the locus coeruleus (the blue spot)

Most of the blue spot neurons of Wistar rats exhibited a pronounced central chromatolysis 24 h following irradiation with fission neutrons (above 100 Gy) and gamma-quanta (above 200 Gy). The changes in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve were distinct on day 2 after 200 Gy gamma-irradiation. The number of the modified nervous cells in these regions was higher than that in other brain parts.     

Isoosmotic type of regulation in the sturgeon, Acipenser güldenstaedti, in the marine period of its life]

Concentration of osmotically active substances in the blood serum of the sturgeon A. guldenstaedti and sevruga A. stellatus from the central part of the Caspian Sea is practically equal to that in the sea water. In the blood serum of the sturgeon and the sevruga, concentration of Na is higher, whereas concentration of K and Mg is lower than in the sea water. Excretion of the urine with relatively low Mg concentration presumably indicated that being isoosmotic to the medium, the fishes studied in the Caspian Sea do not swallow the sea water. Electronmicroscopic studies indicate that with respect to poor development of membranous structures at the base of cells in the proximal tubuli, the kidney of the sturgeon and sevruga stands closer to freshwater than marine teleosts. These data show specific pattern of the osmotic and ionic regulation in the sturgeon, i.e. its isoosmotic type during migration to the Caspian Sea.     

Preparation and characterization of the recombinant protein containing immunomimetic peptide of benzo[a]pyrene

Two recombinant plasmids were constructed. The first plasmid contained the hybrid gene composed of immunomimetic peptide of benzo[a]pyrene, of the protein pIII of bacteriophage M13 and of cellulose binding domain encoding sequences. The second plasmid contained the hybrid gene composed of the signal peptide of the protein pIII of bacteriophage M13, of immunomimetic peptide of benzo[a]pyrene, of the protein pill of bacteriophage M13 and of cellulose binding domain sequences. The obtained recombinant plasmids were used in expression of chimeric protein containing immunomimetic peptide ofbenzo[a]pyrene based on strain E. coli M15. The lack of the recombinant protein expression using first plasmid was demonstrated. In the same time, it was shown that accumulation of recombinant protein contained immunomimetic peptide with signal peptide of the protein pIIIl of bacteriophage was present. This chimeric protein was produced in "mature" (without signal peptide) and "unprocessing" (with signal peptide) forms. Using the Western-blot analysis, it was shown that the "mature" form only specifically bound to the B2 monoclonal antibody against benzo[a]pyrene. Thus, we expressed, purified, and characterized the recombinant protein containing immunomimetic peptide of benzo[a]pyrene.     

The psychomotor test for research of eye-hand coordination at performance of monotonous activity on tracking target

Visual-motor coordination is necessary for successful performance of everyday activities. Many tasks, such as driving or operating devices in the workplace, require a variety of coordination patterns with different levels of compatibility between the eyes and the hand. The psychomotor test was developed which makes it possible to analyze visual-motor coordination disorders caused by a decrease in the level of wakefulness. A small circular target (14 mm in diameter) was moving with a low constant velosity (12 mm/s) in a circular trajectory (80 mm in diameter) with a period of 20 s. Subjects were instructed to keep the mouse-driven cursor inside a target, overstepping the limits of the moving target was considered as an error. To test the attention level, an additional stimulus was introduced which appeared for 3 seconds with an interval of 15 to 40 s. When the stimulus appeared, it was required to touch it with the cursor and click the mouse button. Cursor trajectories have a temporal resolution of 120 Hz. Eye movements were recorded with a PC-based Eyegaze Development System (LC Technologies, USA) measuring corneal reflectance with a collection rate of 120 Hz. Monotonous character of the test performance induced drowsiness and led to errors 25-30 minutes after the beginning of the experiment. Changes in physiological vigilance level was evaluated with EEG recording. Analysis of the dynamic characteristics of smooth and saccadic eye movements and hand movements showed their high sensitivity to a decrease in efficiency of operator's activity caused by a drop in the level of wakefulness. It is suggested that further development of this approach to measuring eye-hand coordination will promote working out a contactless method for the express diagnostics of the critical levels of drowsiness as well as for the definition of professional characteristics of an operator.     

A Novel Fluorescent Analog of the Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor GBR12909

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Dopamine transporter is a transmembrane protein associated with regulation of dopaminergic signal transmission by dopamine reuptake from the synaptic cleft...     

Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus of Mice Exposed to Short-Term Hindlimb Unloading

Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology - Long-term spaceflights and simulated microgravity negatively affect the number of cognitive functions, including memory, learning, spatial...