Evaluation of the immunogenic and reactogenic properties of vaccine "Euvax B" in persons aged 16-18 years in different geographical zones of Russia

The comparative evaluation of the reactogenic and immunogenic properties of vaccine "Euvax B" in adolescents aged 16-18 years was carried out in factory housing estate Lvovsky, the Podolsk district, the Moscow region, and in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District (AD): in towns Salekhard, Noyabrsk, Muravlenko, in housing estate Tarko-Sale. The evaluation demonstrated that the use of this vaccine in a dose of 20 mg/ml produced no postvaccinal complications and the frequency of postvaccinal reactions was insignificant. Postvaccinal anti-HBs were detected, on the average, in protective concentrations in 98.4 +/- 1.8% of the vaccines (99.0 +/- 1.9% in the Moscow region, 97.7 +/- 3.2% in the Yamalo-Nenets AD). In most of the vaccinated adolescents high concentrations of postvacinal anti-HBs were detected: in 51.4 +/- 9.7% of the vaccinees in the Moscow region and in 89.7 +/- 6.4% in the Yamalo-Nenets AD they exceeded 1,000 I.U./lit. The conclusion was made that in the territories located in subarctic latitudes vaccinal prophylaxis against hepatitis B was safe and highly effective and have no limitations connected with the conditions of the Far North.     

Compartmentation of energy metabolism in atrial myocardium of patients undergoing cardiac surgery

The parameters of oxidative phosphorylation and its interaction with creatine kinase (CK)- and adenylate kinase (AK)-phosphotransfer networks in situ were studied in skinned atrial fibers from 59 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, valve replacement/correction and atrial septal defect correction. In atria, the mitochondrial CK and AK are effectively coupled to oxidative phosphorylation, the MM-CK is coupled to ATPases and there exists a direct transfer of adenine nucleotides between mitochondria and ATPases. Elimination of cytoplasmic ADP with exogenous pyruvate kinase was not associated with a blockade of the stimulatory effects of creatine and AMP on respiration, neither could it abolish the coupling of MM-CK to ATPases and direct transfer of adenine nucleotides. Thus, atrial energy metabolism is compartmentalized so that mitochondria form functional complexes with adjacent ATPases. These complexes isolate a part of cellular adenine nucleotides from their cytoplasmic pool for participating in energy transfer via CK- and AK-networks, and/or direct exchange. Compared to atria in sinus rhythm, the fibrillating atria were larger and exhibited increased succinate-dependent respiration relative to glutamate-dependent respiration and augmented proton leak. Thus, alterations in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation may contribute to pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. (Mol Cell Biochem 270: 49–61, 2005)     

Instrumental methods for studies of structure and function of root systems of large trees

New methods using different physical principles have been successfully applied in studies of root systems of large trees. The ground-penetrating radar technique provides 3D images of coarse roots (starting with a diameter of about 20 mm) from the soil surface down to a depth of several metres. This can even be done under layers of undisturbed materials such as concrete, asphalt and water. Fine roots cannot be visualized by this method, but the total rooted volume of soil can be determined. The differential electric conductance method has been used for fast measurement of conducting (absorbing) root surfaces. However, more testing is needed. Both these methods are non-invasive. The results can be verified by an almost harmless excavation of whole root systems, including fine roots, using the ultrasonic air-stream (air-spade) method. This method is suitable for all studies, as well as practical operations on roots or objects in their vicinity, where a gentle approach is required. Sap flow measurements on their own or in tandem with soil moisture monitoring play a leading role in studying root function and hydraulic redistribution of flow in the soil. The water absorption function of roots can be studied by measuring sap flow on individual root branches directly (as on crown branches) and also indirectly, by measuring the radial pattern of sap flow in different sapwood depths at the base of a stem. Root zone architecture can also be estimated indirectly by studying its functionality. The heat field deformation method with multi-point sensors has been found to be very convenient for this purpose. A combination of several such methods is recommended whenever possible, in order to obtain detailed information about the root systems of trees.     

Two-dimensional separation of the membrane protein sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase for high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of posttranslational protein modifications

Oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) catalyzes the en bloc transfer of dolichylpyrophosphate oligosaccharides to an asparagine residue found in the sequon Asn-Xaa-Thr/Ser of newly synthesized proteins. Currently the method most commonly used to monitor this reaction, involving multiple solvent extractions and HPLC, is extremely time consuming and tedious. Herein, we present the use of a biotinylated peptide as the acceptor substrate and dolichylpyrophosphate [3H]chitobiose as the donor substrate for the OST-catalyzed reaction. This allows for separation (avidin-agarose beads) and quantitative analysis (scintillation counting) of only the biotinylated glycopeptide product of the OST-catalyzed reaction. This new assay yields highly reproducible results in a rapid manner.     

Structures of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides of some Gram-negative marine Proteobacteria

The chemical structures of polysaccharides and LPS core oligosaccharides, isolated from various Gram-negative marine bacteria from the genera Pseudoalteromonas and Shewanella belonging to the Alteromonadaceae family and gamma-subclass of Proteobacteria, are reviewed. The polysaccharides are distinguished by the acidic character (e.g., due to the presence of hexuronic and aldulosonic acids and their derivatives) and the occurrence of unusual sugars, including N-acyl derivatives of 6-deoxyamino sugars, such as N-acetyl-D-quinovosamine, N-acetyl-L-fucosamine and N-acetyl-6-deoxy-L-talosamine, and higher sugars like 2,6-dideoxy-2-acetamido-4-C-(3'-carboxamide-2',2'-dihydroxypropyl)-D-galactopyranose (shewanellose). Many constituent sugars have various uncommon non-sugar substituents, such as alanine, formic, lactic and hydroxybutyric acids, sulfate, phosphate, and 2-aminopropane-1,3-diol.     

Plankton composition and water chemistry in the mixing zone of the Selenga River with Lake Baikal

Chemical and biological components of the Selenga River waters, the largest tributary of Lake Baikal, differ significantly from the lake waters. Active transformation processes of river waters into the lake ones occur in the vast barrier-like zone in the river-sea boundary areas. This study presents results on the spatial distribution and dynamics of water chemistry as well as the quantity and diversity of phyto- and bacterioplankton at a distance of 14 km off the Selenga River mouth. The most representative tracers of river and lake waters are total amount of ions and sulphates. Principal changes of chemical and biological parameters were fixed at 1–3 km off the Selenga River mouth that was determined as a mixing zone. Intense development of phytoplankton and eukaryotic picoplankton causing the decrease of nitrate and phosphate concentrations and organic matter rise were registered in this area. Gradual replacement of river phytoplankton by the lake one, abundance reduction of microorganisms and organotrophic bacteria and percentage increase of oligotrophic and psychrotolerant bacteria occurred in the mixing zone. Replacement of PC-rich picocyanobacteria by PE-rich ones was also recorded here. At a distance of 5–7 km off the shore, nutrient concentration and plankton composition were similar to those of Lake Baikal.     

Leader sequences of eukaryotic mRNA can be simultaneously bound to initiating 80S ribosome and 40S ribosomal subunit

Binding of mRNA leader sequences to ribosomes was studied in conditions of a cell-free translation system based on wheat germ extract. Leader sequence of TMV mRNA (the so-called omega-RNA sequence) was able to bind simultaneously 80S ribosome and 40S ribosomal subunit. It was found that nucleotide substitutions in omega-RNA resulting in destabilization of RNA structure have no effect on the complex formation with both 80S ribosome and 40S ribosomal subunit. Leader sequence of globin mRNA is also able to form a similar joint complex. It is supposed that the ability of mRNA leader sequences to bind simultaneously 80S ribosome and 40S subunit is independent of leader nature and may reflect previously unknown eukaryotic mechanisms of translation initiation.     

Functional interferon system is required for clearance of lassa virus

Lassa virus (LASV) is the causative agent of Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LF) in humans, a deadly disease endemic to West Africa that results in 5,000 to 10,000 deaths annually. Here we present results demonstrating that functional type I and type II interferon (IFN) signaling is required for efficient control of LASV dissemination and clearance.