Photobiological properties of 13,15-N-(carboxymethyl)- and 13,15-N-(2-carboxyethyl)cycloimide derivatives of chlorin p6

Lipophilic derivatives of chlorin p6, 13,15-N-(carboxymethyl)cycloimide methyl ester (CIC1) and 13,15-N-(2-carboxyethyl)cycloimide methyl ester (CIC2), were shown to absorb light in 710 nm region and to be efficient IR photosensitizers. They exhibit similar phototoxicities on the cells of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma, which are 40- and 100-fold higher than those of chlorin p6 and the clinically used Photogem, respectively, and are not toxic in the absence of light irradiation. The confocal spectral imaging technique allowed us to demonstrate that the high phototoxicity of CIC1 and CIC2 is due to their ability to readily penetrate to cells and to be bound to the cell membranes and lipid-containing structures in the monomeric photoactive form. Under the irradiation, the membrane-bound CIC1 and CIC2 are characterized by high quantum yields of singlet oxygen generation (0.6 and 0.65, respectively) and the inability to produce hydroxyl radicals. A 1.5-microM content of CIC1 and CIC2 in the incubation medium provides for their average cytoplasmic concentrations of 21 and 16.5 microM, respectively. The incubation times to achieve 50% level of maximum accumulation for CIC1 and CIC2 in A549 cells are 30 +/- 6 and 24 +/- 12 min, and the times for 50% release of the dyes from the cells are 17 +/- 4 and 50 +/- 10 min, respectively. A diffuse distribution with the predominant accumulation in the membranes of the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria is characteristic of both CIC2 and CIC1, whereas, in addition, CIC1 is considerably accumulated in lipid droplets (cellular organelles responsible for the storage and metabolism of neutral lipids and steryl esters). Our results demonstrate that changes in the structure of the imide substituent could affect the intracellular localization and the rate of release of chlorin p6 cycloimide derivatives from cells while preserving their high photodynamic activity.     

Realization of antimalarial measures in the period of eradication of the consequences of a flood in the Stavropol Territory in 2002

As the result of the high flood, an increase in the area of anopheligenic water reservoirs occurred on the inundated territories, which created favorable conditions for the proliferation of Anopheles mosquitoes, the vectors of malarial plasmodia, thus creating the threat of the formation of the local sources of malaria in case of its penetration from other regions unfavorable with respect to this disease. In the affected towns and regions hydrotechnical measures aimed at decreasing the surface of anopheligenic water reservoirs, as well as measures aimed at the decrease in the number of the larval and imaginal stages in the development of mosquitoes, were taken, which made it possible to prevent the probable epidemiological aggravations in malaria.     

Phylogeny of Finnish-Ugric populations

Genetic distances of 18 Finnish-Ugric and other populations of Europe, Asia and America by 28 alleles of 12 loci of proteins, enzymes and blood groups were calculated. The data of matrix of genetic distances and dendrogramme constructed by paired clusterisation method suggested that there was the relationship of Finnish-Ugric populations and some Caucasoids and North Mongoloid populations. These data give new approaches to the problem of Finnish-Ugric phylogenesis.     

IMPRINTING EFFECTS OF THREE AMINO ACIDS (ALANINE,LYSINE AND GLYCINE) AND THEIR OLIGOPEPTIDES INTETRAHYMENA PYRIFORMIS. DATA FROM THE HORMONE AND HORMONE RECEPTOR EVOLUTION

Hormonal imprinting takes place at the first encounter of the hormone and receptor, and results in a changed binding capacity and reaction of the cell and its progeny generations. The imprinting effect of three amino acids and their oligopeptides is studied using fluorescent-labelled peptides. Glycine and lysine could provoke positive imprinting (increased binding in the progeny generations) for their own peptides, but alanine could not. Mostly positive imprinting was provoked by glycine and lysine peptides for their own peptides of different chain length. The optimal chain length provoking self-imprinting was four for glycine, two for lysine and three for alanine. Except in this case, alanine was neutral or provoked mostly negative imprinting. After reaching the optimal chain length, there is a decline in binding. Evolutionary conclusions are discussed.     

Effect of chronic treatment with Rosiglitazone on Leydig cell steroidogenesis in rats: <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vivo</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex vivo</Emphasis> studies

Background  

The present study was designed to examine the effect of chronic treatment with rosiglitazone - thiazolidinedione used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus for its insulin sensitizing effects - on the Leydig cell steroidogenic capacity and expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in normal adult rats.     

Mitochondrial DNA variability in the Canary Islands honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of individuals from 79 colonies of Apis mellifera from five Canary Islands was studied using the Dra I test based on the restriction of PCR products of the tRNAleu–COII intergenic region. Five haplotypes of the African (A) lineage and one of the west European (C) lineage were found. The haplotypes A14 and A15 are described for the first time. These haplotypes have a new P sequence named P₁. The wide distribution and high frequency of haplotype A15 suggest that it is characteristic of the Canarian Archipelago. Sources of haplotype variability of honeybee mtDNA in the Canary Islands (waves of colonization from Africa, queen importations, habitat diversification) are discussed.     

Interactions of sulfanilamides, penicillins and acetylsalicylic acid in serum protein binding

Combined use of sulfalen and sulfadimethoxine with benzylpenicillin and ampicillin resulted in increased binding of sulfalen to serum proteins of man. Acetylsalicylic acid promoted a decrease in the sulfanilamide binding to the serum proteins. The observed changes in the sulfanilamide binding to proteins of human blood serum were due to increased or decreased affinity of the drugs to the protein molecules.