Detection of two immunochemically identical forms of mannan-binding lectin in the sea urchin <Emphasis Type=Italic>Strongylocentrotus nudus</Emphasis>

This study revealed a new lectin (MBL-SN) in the coelomic fluid of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus. Based on the peculiarities of molecular structure and carbohydrate specificity, MBL-SN can be assigned to the mannan-binding lectin family. Using polyclonal monospecific rabbit antibodies against MBL-SN, the presence of MBL-SN in the sea urchin was detected in two forms: a soluble form dissolved in the coelomic fluid and an extracellular matrix-bound form. The biosynthesis site of this lectin may be one of the subpopulations of morula cells-coelomic fluid cells that perform heterosynthesis. Our results demonstrate the similarity of the sea urchin lectin MBL-SN to the previously investigated MBLs of the holothurians Cucumaria japonica and Apostichopus japonicus, and suggest a similarity to MBLs of vertebrates, which also have soluble and bound forms.     

Evaluation of the sanative action of rifampicin on the meningococcal carrier state]

The results of the epidemiological control experiment on the efficacy of rifampicin in sanation of meningococci carriers are presented. The preliminary study of rifampicin sensitivity of 41 freshly isolated nasopharyngeal meningococcal strains showed that the MIC of the drug for 63 per cent of the isolates was 0.04--0.1 gamma/ml. Sanation was performed for 2 days; 1.2 g of the drug was used during the treatment course. The results of examination of 91 meningococci carriers showed that 4 days after the sanation the specific weight of the persons isolating no meningococci was reliably higher in the experimental group than that in the control group. The coefficient of rifampicin efficiency was 70.8 per cent. 10 days after sanation the difference in the level of the carriers isolating no meningococci in the experimental and the control groups was statistically insignificant. Therefore, the carriers treated with the drug received temporary protection from the causative agent at an average for 1 week. Later on they could become carriers again. As a result of sanation no changes in the meningococcal sensitivity to rifampicin was observed.     

Main structural and stereochemical aspects of the antiherpetic activity of nonahydroxyterphenoyl-containing C-glycosidic ellagitannins

Antiherpetic evaluation of five nonahydroxyterphenoyl-containing C-glycosidic ellagitannins, castalagin (1), vescalagin (2), grandinin (3), roburin B (5), and roburin D (7), was performed in cultured cells against four HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains, two of which were resistant to Acyclovir. All five ellagitannins displayed significant anti-HSV activities against the Acyclovir-resistant mutants, but the monomeric structures 1-3 were more active than the dimers 5 and 7. Vescalagin (2) stands out among the five congeners tested as the most potent and selective inhibitor, with an IC50 value in the subfemtomolar range and a selectivity index 5x10(5) times higher than that of Acyclovir. Molecular modeling was used to provide a rationale for the surprisingly lower activity profile of its epimer castalagin (1). These ellagitannins have promising potential as novel inhibitors in the search for non-nucleoside drugs active against Acyclovir-resistant herpes viruses.     

Immunotherapy in the complex treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis with sensitization to house dust mites

Ninety-nine patients aged 16-52 years with disseminated atopic dermatitis at the remission were examined and treated. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the method of therapy. Group 1 (28 patients aged 17-52 years, found to be sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae) received, in addition to standard treatment, immunotherapy (oral hyposensitization with mite allergens) in combination with ointment containing retinopalmitate and methyluracil. Group 2 (39 patients aged 17-40 years) received standard treatment combined with the administration of placebo. Group 3 (32 patients aged 16-27 years) received only standard therapy. Groups 2 and 3 were used for comparison. The results of treatment were evaluated according to changes in the immune status of the patients and a complex of clinical characteristics. Essential improvement in clinical characteristics and the normalization of immunological parameters were registered in group 1, which proved that immunotherapy was effective and safe.