Characteristics of the conditions for memory cell differentiation--the initial and enriched precursors of secondary cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (pCTL-2) specific for the histocompatibility class I molecule

The in vivo induced pCTL-2 with phenotype L3T4- Lyt2- specific to the H-2Kb molecule, turn into effector CTL during 4 days in the mixed lymphocyte culture (with heat-treated donor stimulators) much more efficiently when donor and recipient are different from one another not only in MHC class I (anti-BIO, MBR BIO.AKM) but in I + II (Kb + Ib) ahti-C57BL/6 BIAD2(RIOI). The initial pCTL-2 differentiation in enhanced as a result of synergistic effect between the Kb alloantigen and rIL2. The anti-Kb pCTL-2, being separated from helper T cells by means of absorption onto the macrophage donor monolayer and elution from it, give rise to pronounced differentiation in simplified conditions, irrespective of the stimulator presence and without external rIL2. It is supposed that these phenomena are raised to secretion of the CTL differentiation factor by the eluted pCTL-2 themselves, and besides, rIL2 may promote for secretion of this factor additionally.     

Myelopeptide correction of the differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells in mice with experimental T-immunodeficiency

The influence of myelopeptides on differentiation of bone marrow haemopoietic precursors cells in thymectomized and normal mice has been studied in vivo. The introduction of myelopeptides decreased the number of erythroid (E) colonies and increased that of granulocytic ones (G). This results in the decrease of initially raised E/G ratio in thymectomized mice (from 4.3) down to 1.3). Myelopeptides exerted no influence on haemopoietic precursors in normal mice (E/G-2.0).     

Effect of inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis and of exogenous polyamines on the mitogenic effect of epidermal growth factor in a hepatocyte culture

It was established that difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) blocked the mitogenic response of hepatocytes to epidermal growth factor. This effect of inhibitors, especially DFMO, has been prevented by exogenic putrescine, spermidine or spermine. But neither blocking action of inhibitors nor preventing effect of polyamines associated with changes of epidermal growth factor binding to hepatocytes.     

Investigation of systemic control of plant cell division and differentiation in the model of tumor growth in radish

The study addresses the control of plant cell division and differentiation using the model of tumor-forming lines of radish. Expression of the genes involved in control of the cell cycle (CycD3), maintenance of meristematic cell activity (STM, WUS, and KNAT1), and primary response to cytokinin (ARR) was studied in inbred radish lines characterized by tumor growth at different stages of development. The influence of exogenic cytokinin on the expression of the genes of interest is analyzed. The possible role of the CycD3, KNAT1, STM, WUS, and ARR5 in tumor formation in radish is discussed.     

Genetic variation in the enigmatic Altaian Kazakhs of South-Central Russia: insights into Turkic population history

The Altaian Kazakhs, a Turkic speaking group, now reside in the southern part of the Altai Republic in south-central Russia. According to historical accounts, they are one of several ethnic and geographical subdivisions of the Kazakh nomadic group that migrated from China and Western Mongolia into the Altai region during the 19th Century. However, their population history of the Altaian Kazakhs and the genetic relationships with other Kazakh groups and neighboring Turkic-speaking populations is not well understood. To begin elucidating their genetic history, we analyzed the mtDNAs from 237 Altaian Kazakhs through a combination of SNP analysis and HVS1 sequencing. This analysis revealed that their mtDNA gene pool was comprised of roughly equal proportions of East (A-G, M7, M13, Y and Z) and West (H, HV, pre-HV, R, IK, JT, X, U) Eurasian haplogroups, with the haplotypic diversity within haplogroups C, D, H, and U being particularly high. This pattern of diversity likely reflects the complex interactions of the Kazakhs with other Turkic groups, Mongolians, and indigenous Altaians. Overall, these data have important implications for Kazakh population history, the genetic prehistory of the Altai-Sayan region, and the phylogeography of major mitochondrial lineages in Eurasia.     

Chromosome regions associated with the activity of lipoxygenase in the genome D of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L. under water deficit

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the phenotypic expression of the activity of different forms of lipoxygenase (LOX) under water deficit were detected in the chromosomes of the D-genome using intogression lines of common wheat Triticum aestivum L. Chinese Spring (Synthetic 6x). QTL associated with the activity of seed soluble LOX was identified on the short arm of chromosome 4D. The activity of membranebound form of enzyme in the seedlings was mapped to the short arm, while that of a soluble form was on the long arm of chromosome 5D. Two regions responsible for the activity of soluble LOX in the leaves were found on the short arm of chromosome 2D. Three QTLs associated with the activities of chloroplast LOXs were found on the same chromosome: the activity of the soluble form was linked to Xgwm261 and Xgwm539 markers, and the membrane form to Xgdm93 marker. QTLs for the activities of both soluble and membrane-bound LOX in the leaves were identified in the centromeric region of chromosome 7D. The activities of two membrane enzymes in the leaves were linked to Xgdm130 marker on the short arm of this chromosome. Loci associated with the activity of different LOX forms colocalized with QTLs for the shoot mass, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, content of photosynthetic pigments, and grain productivity of wheat. A correlation between these parameters and the LOX activity was detected and it was shown that various forms of the enzyme were differentially involved in the adaptation of wheat plants to water deficit. The current paper discusses their presumed physiological role.     

Analysis of Serum Insulin,Cortisol, and Glucose Levels in the Settlement Inhabitants of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug

We studied the concentrations of insulin, cortisol and glucose in blood serum of two groups of inhabitants of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous okrug (YaNAO) settlements (indigenous population and those who arrived from Central Russia). The insulin level in all groups (in indigenous and non-native population, men and women) was above 9.0 μIU/mL. The insulin level in non-native women and men was higher than that in the indigenous people by 19% and 26%, respectively. The tendency of increasing insulin level with age was revealed in both the indigenous and non-native inhabitants. The highest level of insulin and glucose was observed in Samburg and Kharampur settlements; the lowest, in Gyda settlement. The cortisol level was higher in men than in women. The reduced cortisol/insulin index was observed in both groups of men. A most significant decrease in the cortisol/insulin index and an increase in HOMA–IR index were observed in nonnative men and women as compared with indigenous population. These data confirm the likelihood of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the YaNAO population, especially among non-native inhabitants.     

Molecular phylogenetics reveal multiple tertiary vicariance origins of the African rain forest trees

Background  

Tropical rain forests are the most diverse terrestrial ecosystems on the planet. How this diversity evolved remains largely unexplained. In Africa, rain forests are situated in two geographically isolated regions: the West-Central Guineo-Congolian region and the coastal and montane regions of East Africa. These regions have strong floristic affinities with each other, suggesting a former connection via an Eocene pan-African rain forest. High levels of endemism observed in both regions have been hypothesized to be the result of either 1) a single break-up followed by a long isolation or 2) multiple fragmentation and reconnection since the Oligocene. To test these hypotheses the evolutionary history of endemic taxa within a rain forest restricted African lineage of the plant family Annonaceae was studied. Molecular phylogenies and divergence dates were estimated using a Bayesian relaxed uncorrelated molecular clock assumption accounting for both calibration and phylogenetic uncertainties.