The formation of a test system for assessing the safety of different types of pertussis preparations: their cytotoxic action on mouse thymocytes in vitro

The test for the evaluation of the toxicity of different types of pertussis preparations as manifested by their in vitro influence on mouse thymic cells (T test) has been finally worked out. The use of the T test has made it possible to reveal the nonstandard character of the production lots of adsorbed diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccines, both whole-cell vaccine and Japanese acellular vaccine. The degree of the in vitro damaging action of pertussis preparations on mouse thymic cells greatly depends on the residual content of Bordetella pertussis nontoxoidized toxin which, in contrast to B. pertussis lipopolysaccharide and filamentous hemagglutinin, produces pronounced cytotoxic action on mouse thymic cells.     

Hydrogen production by rumen holotrich protozoa: effects of oxygen and implications for metabolic control by in situ conditions

Experiments with washed suspensions of holotrich protozoa (Isotricha spp. and Dasytricha ruminantium) showed that both organisms have an efficient O2-scavenging capability (apparent Km values 2.3 and 0.3 microM, respectively). Reversible inhibition of H2 production increased almost linearly with increasing O2 up to 1.5 microM; higher levels of O2 gave irreversible inhibition. In situ determinations of H2, CH4, O2 and CO2 in ovine rumen liquor, using a membrane inlet mass spectrometer probe, indicated that O2 was present before feeding at 1-1.5 microM and decreased to undetectable levels (less than 0.25 microM) within 25 min after feeding. A transient increase in O2 concentration after feeding occurred only in defaunated animals and resulted in suppression of CH4 and CO2 production. The presence of washed holotrich protozoa decreases the O2 sensitivity of CH4 production by suspensions of a cultured methanogenic bacterium Methanosarcina barkeri. It is concluded that holotrich protozoa play a role in ruminal O2 utilization as well as in the production of fermentation end products (especially short-chain volatile fatty acids) utilized by the ruminant and H2 utilized by methanogenic bacteria. These hydrogenosome-containing protozoa thus both control patterns of fermentation by influencing O2 levels, and are themselves regulated by the low ambient O2 concentrations they experience in the rumen.     

Stress-Reactivity of Lungs according to Metabolic Function Parameters at Different Stages of Postnatal Ontogenesis

Analysis of parameters of metabolic function of lungs with respect to lipid metabolism was performed in rats under conditions of acute experimental emotional-nociceptive stress. Study of the stress-sensitivity of lungs in the comparative-age aspect has shown different extent of changes of several parameters of lipid metabolism in pulmonary tissue in animals of different age. The results of the study demonstrate areactivity and high stress-stability of lungs with respect to surface-active properties, free-radical processes, and lipase activity in early postnatal ontogenesis.     

Effect of psychotropic substances on the development of alcoholic motivation in noninbred white rats

The experiments have shown the capacity of antidepressant amitriptylin (0.5 mg/kg, i. p.) and tranquilizer phenazepam (0.1 mg/kg i. p.) to normalize the adaptive behaviour and almost completely prevent the development of alcohol motivation in animals with insufficient adaptive behaviour. It was established that in animals initially rejecting alcohol, chronic treatment with these drugs as well as d-amphetamine promoted alcohol motivation. The results obtained have proved our earlier hypothesis that preclinical search for drugs for the prevention and treatment of early stages of alcoholism is possible only in animals pre-selected according to their inclination to experimental alcoholism.     

Demonstration of the presence of G-proteins in hepatic microsomal fraction

The presence of G-proteins in isolated hepatic microsomal vesicles is demonstrated. The G-proteins were identified by their capacity to be ADP-ribosylated by cholera and pertussis toxins. Cholera toxin identified 42 and 45 kDa proteins, corresponding to alpha s-1 and alpha s-2, respectively. Pertussis toxin identified a 40 kDa protein corresponding to alpha i. The microsomal G-proteins are identical to the corresponding G proteins of the plasma membrane, but are present in different proportions; the microsomes have considerably less alpha s proteins than the plasma membrane.     

Serum Agglutination and Immunoglobulin Levels of Mice Infected with Naegleria fowleri1

Agglutinins were not detected in sera from mice given one, two, or three intranasal (i.n.) inoculations or a single intravenous (i.v.) inoculation of trophozoites of Naegleria fowleri. However, agglutinins were produced following second and third i.v. inoculations. Serum immunoglobulin levels increased in both i.n.- and i.v.-inoculated mice. IgG and IgM increased substantially more for i.v.-inoculated mice. IgA levels increased more consistently for i.n.-inoculated mice.