Structural characteristics of the mediastinal pleura and its blood vessels

By means of impregnation of the microcirculatory bed vessels after V. V. Kupriyanov and transmissive electron microscopy, topological picture of hemomicrovessels has been estimated in the glomerular constructions of the dog mediastinal pleura. The composition of cell elements and peculiarities in distribution of the latter in the zone of the milk spots are examined. Their structural characteristics are manifested as presence of mesothelium of a decomplexated type accumulation of macrophagal and lymphocyto-plasma cells, glomerular organization of the capillary network and postcapillary venules, two types of endothelial lining of the metabolic microvessels. The role of the milk spots in ensuring immune protection, in migration of macrophages and in filtration of the pleural liquid is discussed.     

Mersalyl prevents the Tl+-induced permeability transition pore opening in the inner membrane of Ca2+-loaded rat liver mitochondria

It was earlier shown that the calcium load of rat liver mitochondria in medium containing TlNO₃ and KNO₃ resulted in the Tl⁺-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening in the inner membrane. This opening was accompanied by an increase in swelling and membrane potential dissipation and a decrease in state 3, state 4, and 2,4-dinitrophenol-uncoupled respiration. This respiratory decrease was markedly leveled by mersalyl (MSL), the phosphate symporter (PiC) inhibitor which poorly stimulated the calcium-induced swelling, but further increased the potential dissipation. All of these effects of Ca²⁺ and MSL were visibly reduced in the presence of the MPTP inhibitors (ADP, N-ethylmaleimide, and cyclosporine A). High MSL concentrations attenuated the ability of ADP to inhibit the MPTP. Our data suggest that the PiC can participate in the Tl⁺-induced MPTP opening in the inner membrane of Ca²⁺-loaded rat liver mitochondria.     

Biochemical conditionality of differentiation of halophytes by the type of regulation of salt metabolism in Prieltonye

The elemental composition and the content of pigments, proteins, lipids, free amino acids, and antioxidants of five wild halophyte species in Prieltonye were investigated. Plants differed in systematic location (Chenopodiaceae, Plumbaginaceae, Asteraceae), the type of regulation of salt metabolism (eu-, cryno, and glycohalophytes), life form (annual grasses, shrubs), and the water regime (mesoxerophytes, xeromesophytes). A decrease in the ion content of K, Na, Ca among Suaeda linifolia > Salicornia perennans > Halocnemum strobilaceum > Limonium gmelinii > Artemisia santonica was noted. The reversed pattern was observed for the content of C. The increase in the total content of C in glyco-, cryno-, and euhalophytes was accompanied by an increased content of total and membrane lipids, proteins, and pigments. Halophytes varied considerably in terms of components of the antioxidant system—the content of endogenous proline, soluble protein, and lipid peroxidation and the level of total SOD activity. Cluster analysis revealed that the differentiation of the studied halophyte species by the type of regulation of salt metabolism was mostly determined by biochemical parameters.     

Anisakiasis in the Caspian seal

On the basis of 548 helminthological dissections the main foci of Anisakis infection of Caspian seal and the character of pathomorphological process in the stomach infected with the nematode Anisakis schupakovi have been established.     

Effect of dansylcadaverine on the epidermal growth factor-stimulated phosphorylation of uridine

The increase of uridine phosphorylation during the first hour after epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation (1.25 nM) of Swiss 3T3 cells is completely blocked by 100 microM dansylcadaverine (DC). Lack of the effect of DC on uridine transport, uridine kinase activity in cell homogenate, intracellular ATP concentration and plasma membrane permeability for phosphorylated uridine derivatives makes it possible to propose the inhibition by DC (100 microM) of the activated state of uridine kinase. The rapidity of the inhibition of EGF effect and the lack of influence of DC (in tested concentration) upon the clustering of EGF-receptor complexes, rate of their internalization (Sorkin, 1985; Nikol'ski? et al., 1987) and pH value of intracellular compartments (Sorkin et al., 1985; Teslenko et al., 1986) may suggest an association of DC inhibitory action with blocking of some steps of the receptor mediated endocytosis. Accumulation of DC in cell membranes, rather than in intracellular compartments with acidic pH, is a necessary factor for its blocking effect. Possibilities of DC action through the influence on calmodulin-dependent proteins or EGF-induced cell protein phosphorylation are discussed.     

Morphological changes in the spinal cord, its meninges and epidural structures in experimental disorders of blood flow in the venae cavae

The experiment has been carried out on 72 dogs. The dynamics of morphofunctional changes in the spinal cord, its meninges and in the epidural structures have been investigated when the epidural veins of the spinal canal are involved into the collateral blood stream after ligation of the anterior or posterior venae cavae. During the first 24 h after disturbance of the blood stream in the venae cavae, there appears venous stasis in the vessels of the epidural structures, of the spinal cord and its meninges, in neurons and glial elements hypoxia and acidosis appear. However, in connection with reconstruction of the collateralies, compensating the disturbed blood stream, by the end of the first week the phenomena of the venous stasis disappear. As the result of further reconstruction of the collateral bed, the epidural veins of the spinal canal become the main (short) bypass. During 3-5 months after occlusion of the venae cavae not only the ventral epidural veins of the spinal canal are gradually dilating, but the veins of the roots and meninges of the spinal cord, as well. The spinal cord edema develops, its volume increases by 10-18%, neural cells undergo severe morphological changes up to their death. The phenomena of a chronic venous congestion increase in their severity during 3 years, after that compensatory and restorative changes begin prevailing.     

Detection of myelination using a novel histological probe.

Current methods for myelin staining in tissue sections include both histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry, which uses antibodies against myelin components such as myelin basic protein, is often used because of the convenience for multiple labeling. To facilitate studies on myelin, this paper describes a quick and easy method for direct myelin staining in rodent and human tissues using novel near-infrared myelin (NIM) dyes that are comparable to other well-characterized histochemical reagents. The near-infrared fluorescence spectra of these probes allow fluorescent staining of tissue sections in multiple channels using visible light fluorophores commonly used in immunocytochemistry. These dyes have been used successfully to detect normal myelin structure and myelin loss in a mouse model of demyelination disease.     

Mechanisms of intracellular trigger signal transmission in muscles: Strategy of rearrangements in evolution of the contractile function

The paper describes our concept about the existence of a certain strategy of rearrangements of ionic mechanisms of he intracellular trigger signal transmission in muscles during their contractile function evolution. It is shown that the rearrangements of muscles to accelerate the single (discrete) contraction cycle is accompanied by a change of mechanisms of external stimulus transduction into an intracellular trigger signal: direct activation of intracellular effectors by extracellular Ca²⁺ is replaced by indirect mechanisms of Ca²⁺-, then Ca²⁺- and Na⁺-induced, and in skeletal muscle fibers of vertebrates (SMFV) of Na⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular depot, sarcoplasmic reticulum. These rearrangements promoted an intensification of the Ca²⁺ intracellular mobilization to provide for the most complete pulse control of SMFV phasic contractions by the CNS and their protection from undesirable peripheral influences.     

Multifunctional CMOS microchip coatings for protein and peptide arrays

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) microelectronic chips fulfill important functions in the field of biomedical research, ranging from the generation of high complexity DNA and protein arrays to the detection of specific interactions thereupon. Nevertheless, the issue of merging pure CMOS technology with a chemically stable surface modification which further resists interfering nonspecific protein adsorption has not been addressed yet. We present a novel surface coating for CMOS microchips based on poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate graft polymer films, which in addition provides high loadings of functional groups for the linkage of probe molecules. The coated microchips were compatible with the harshest conditions emerging in microarray generating methods, thoroughly retaining structural integrity and microelectronic functionality. Nonspecific adsorption of proteins on the chip's surface was completely obviated even with complex serum protein mixtures. We could demonstrate the background-free antibody staining of immobilized probe molecules without using any blocking agents, encouraging further integration of CMOS technology in proteome research.