The decisive role of the water structure in changes of conformation of nucleic acids.

This review summarizes data on the structure and properties of water under normal conditions, at high salt concentration and under high pressure. We correlate the observed conformational transitions in nucleic acids with changes in water structure and activity, and suggest a mechanism of conformational transitions of nucleic acid involving these changes. We conclude that the Z-DNA form is induced only at low water activity caused by high salt concentrations and/or high pressure.     

Role of B-lymphocytes in inactivating allogenic stem cells]

Antisera to membrane antigens of B lumphocytes eliminated the capacity of lymphocytes to inactivate allogenous stem cells by 60%; however, lymphocytes from the lymph nodes of B mice possessed no inactivating capacity. T-lymphocytes were the main criteria inactivating allogenous stem cells. Cooperating with T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes probably contributed to inactivation of precursor cells realized by T-lymphocytes. However, the presence of B-lymphocytes in the killer cells population was not a determinant, since T-lymphocytes were capable of inactivating allogenous stem cells without any participation of B-lymphocytes.     

Aggregation of membrane proteins of E. coli cells after treatment with singlet oxygen

It was found that interaction of 1O2 with bacterial membranes of E. coli cells results in covalent binding and aggregation of membrane proteins. This process was shown to be inhibited by water-soluble free radical scavengers, e. g., 1O2 quenchers (cysteine, sodium azide, histidine), of which the latter afforded the strongest inhibition. No protective effect of the fat-soluble free radical scavenger ionol (BHT) on membrane protein aggregation was observed. It was assumed that the main role in oxidative destruction of bacterial membranes (in contrast to membranes from animal sources) is ascribed to processes which are not coupled to lipid peroxidation.     

HDL2c--a new subclass of high density lipoproteins in the plasma of newborns]

A new subclass of high density lipoproteins designated as HLD2c was found in the human blood plasma of newborn by analytic ultracentrifugation in the flotation rate interval Fo1,20 8.0--12.0. HDL2c was isolated from the total HDL fraction of newborn by preparative ultracentrifugation at the density 1.071.     

Regulation of periodicity and intensity of photo-induced conidiation ofTrichoderma viride

After a short irradiation at 366 nm with 200 lx, the intensity of conidiation ofTrichoderma viride colonies grown in the dark increased for the first 10 s proportionally with time. The increase slowed down after 10 s—6 min of exposure and after 10–60 min of irradiation the conidiation intensity began to decrease. When photo-induced by daylight, the conidiation started at a high rate after 25 h and persisted even after 48 h. The conidiation had no circadian character and its periodicity depended on the periodicity of photo-induction. Its intensity was also influenced by the carbon sources used, a maximum being reached with glucose (1–2 %). Higher glucose concentrations inhibited conidiation but had no influence on growth of colonies.     

Immunological diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumonias]

A complex of immunological cell tests with M. pneumoniae antigen (the lymphocyte blast-cell transformation test, the allergic neutrophil alteration test) was carried out in order to establish the correlation between the results of positive seroconversion and the sepcific immunological reactivity of lymphoid cells in pneumonia patients. Mycoplasmic cutireactive allergen, when used for the accelerated diagnosis of mycoplasmic pneumonia in humans, was shown to be specific and safe. Cuti-allergic tests with mycoplasmic allergen allowed to diagnose mycoplasmic pneumonia at early stages (beginning from days 5--7), which ensures the possibility of indicating etiotropic treatment to patients in due time.