Characteristics of thermal inactivation of malate dehydrogenase

Over the range 20-52 degrees C thermal inactivation of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) was studied with the aim of well grounded choice of its stabilization ways. The process was described by the pseudofirst order rate constants, kin, dependent on enzyme concentration. The rate constant of enzyme inactivation at the "infinite" dilution in general form equals 1.40 X 10(27) X exp (-43 000/RT) s-1, whereas at high enzyme concentration it is 1.26 X 10(8) X exp (-17 700/RT) s-1. The limiting step of the MDH inactivation is the enzyme dissociation into its subunits. In the concentrated enzyme solution a protein association is accompanied by its stabilization. The methods of characterization of oligomeric proteins dissociative inactivation are discussed.     

Cross-reactions between the antigens of healthy pulmonary tissue and Moraxella catarrhalis

The study of cross-reactions between healthy pulmonary tissue antigens and Moraxella catarrhalis with the use of SDS-electrophoresis and immunoblotting revealed that in the component of healthy pulmonary tissue with a mol. wt. of 40 kD epitopes existed to which antibodies were produced, capable of cross reaction with the components of M. catarrhalis with a mol. wt. of 35 kD and 70 kD. In addition, the presence of cross-reactions between cytokeratin-8, protein contained in healthy pulmonary tissue, and M. catarrhalis antigens was established.     

Anti-inflammatory cytokines of cervical secretions and the blood serum in women with genital infections

In cervical secretions of healthy non-pregnant women of the reproductive age high concentrations of ant-inflammatory cytokines, greatly exceeding those in blood serum, were detected. During pregnancy the level of TNF-alpha in cervical secretions dropped. The inflammation of the uterus neck was accompanied by a drop in the levels of IL-alpha and IL-1beta and a rise in the level of IL-8 in cervical secretions in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Similar changes in the cytokine profile occurred also in the blood serum, but they were less pronounced and could be observed only in non-pregnant women. The threat of the interruption of pregnancy, developing simultaneously with cervicitis, was accompanied not only by changes in the levels of cytokines in cervical secretions, but also by a perceptible increase in the content of IL-1alpha in the blood serum.     

Effect of drugs of the nootropic class on rat behavior after deprivation of the paradoxical stage of sleep

Pharmacological analysis was used for studying the influence of 24-hour deprivation of paradoxical sleep by Jouvet method on retention of conditioned reaction of passive avoidance in rats. Psychotropic substances of different action were used for the analysis: nootropes as anti-amnestic--pyracetam (400 mg/kg), kleregil (100 mg/kg), centrofenoxin (50 mg/kg) and watersoluble salt of 3-oxypiridin derivative (3-OP) (50 mg/kg) and tranquilizer of bensodiazepine series phenazepam (1 mg/kg) as antistress and antiphobic. It was established that 24-hour deprivation disturbed the elaborated reaction but did not change the rate of emotionality and orienting-investigating behaviour of rats in the open field. Nootropes effectively restored the conditioned passive avoidance reaction while phenazepam had no effect. This allows to suggest that Jouvet method of paradoxical sleep deprivation elicits amnesia and its cause is not only stress but deficit of paradoxical sleep.     

Population biobanks: Organizational models and prospects of application in gene geography and personalized medicine

Population biobanks are collections of thoroughly annotated biological material stored for many years. Population biobanks are a valuable resource for both basic science and applied research and are essential for extensive analysis of gene pools. Population biobanks make it possible to carry out fundamental studies of the genetic structure of populations, explore their genetic processes, and reconstruct their genetic history. The importance of biobanks for applied research is no less significant: they are essential for development of personalized medicine and genetic ecological monitoring of populations and are in high demand in forensic science. Establishment of an efficient and representative biobank requires strict observance of the principles of sample selection in populations, protocols of DNA extraction, quality control, and storage and documentation of biological materials. We reviewed regional biobanks and presented the organizational model of population biobank establishment based on the Biobank of Indigenous Population of Northern Eurasia created under supervision of E.V. Balanovska and O.P. Balanovsky. The results obtained using the biobanks in transdisciplinary research and prospective applications for the purposes of genogeography, genomic medicine, and forensic science are presented.