Variability in Penicillium janthinellum Biourge, a producer of the antibiotic janthinellin, under the action of nitrosomethylurea]

Variation of the janthinellin-producing organism P. janthinellum was induced by nitrozomethylurea (NMU). The following concentrations of NMU were tested: 0.5; 0.25, 0.125 per cent at the exposure time of 15 minutes, 1 and 10 hours. The conidia survival had back dependence on the concentration and exposure time. The morphological variation was evident from the presence of forms with changed colour of the colony surface mycelium, light green, brown, light yellow, yellow-pink and white conidia and forms differing in the rate of the mycelium development and sporulation. The reverse surface of the colonies of both cultures was light brown to brown because of pigmentation. The feature of pigmentation was stable and no apigmented froms were obtained under the effect of NMU. Formation of variants producing higher yields of janthinellin (400, 2000 units) as compared to the activity of the control variant was noted. Plus variants were detected among the morphologically unchanged cultures.     

Characteristics of cardiac rhythm and the peroxidase activity of blood in patients with ischemic heart disease treated by hyperbaric oxygenation]

The myeloperoxidase of peripheral blood neutrophils revealed by the cytochemical method was investigated in a group of patients with ischemic heart disease (24 men, mean age--51) treated with HBO (10 sessions, under 1.5-1.7 ata, for 60 min) prior to and after each HBO session. The ECG monitoring was performed during these sessions as well. A correlation analysis of the peroxidase index (mean enzyme content in 100 cells), total peroxidase activity and tension index (obtained by computer analysis of cardiac rhythm changes) was carried out in that group of patients. A close correlation was found between the total peroxidase activity and tension index.     

Synthesis of sesquiterpene metabolites in a Trichothecium roseum culture

During the cultivation Trichothecium roseum forms biologically active sesquiterpenes in particular trichothecin and trichothecolon. The quantitative ratio of these compounds in cultural liquid changes depending on the cultivation conditions. The compounds taking part in terpenoids shant specifically increase the synthesis of sesquiterpenes in fungus culture. A possibility of intertransformation of different trichothecenes provides the stability of the fungus-producent to its toxical metabolites. A fermental system carrying out the transformation of trichothecin into trichotecolon has been revealed.     

Duration of immunity in children who received a primary complex of inoculations with ADT-M anatoxin and an assessment of postponed secondary revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus (the results of an epidemiologic trial)

The prolonged observations of the immunological effectiveness of adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus toxoid with reduced antigen content in children who had received the primary course of immunization with this preparation showed that the preparation induced the development of prolonged and intensive immunity to both infections. In 2-3 years after the first booster immunization the protective level of diphtheria antitoxin was registered in 89.9% and that of tetanus antitoxin, in 99% of children. 6 years later the level of immunity remained practically unchanged: the titers of diphtheria antitoxin above the protection level were determined in 92% and those of tetanus antitoxin, in 97% of children. These data made it possible to increase intervals between booster immunizations to 6-7 years in children of this category. The results of the epidemiological trial made to find out the possibility of a change in the timing of the second booster immunization confirmed the expediency of postponing booster immunization from 6 and 11 years to 9 and 16 years of age.