Parameters of proliferative activity of hematopoietic cells in mice protected from irradiation by indralin in combination with Zn-metallothionein

One day after the irradiation (dose 6 Gy) of mice protected by the injection of Zn-metallothionein (Zn-MT) in doze 8.6 mg/kg, 10-20 min before irradiation, then alpha-adrenomimetic indraline (150 mg/kg) 5-10 min before irradiation the increase in nucleic cell number, [3H] thymidine incorporation, and antioxidant activity in bone marrow in comparison with the control and indraline per se was revealed. In mice protected according to the scheme: Zn-MT in the same doze, then indraline (100 mg/kg) one day after, and then in 5-10 min exposure to 6 Gy it was found more than 9 times increase of endogeneous CFC in spleen on 8th day while indraline per se raised CFC number only 4.8 times. It was found that Zn-MT reduce the indraline acute toxicity. The data on radioprotective activity of monomeric and polymeric Zn-MT forms are submitted.     

Evaluation of reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Bubo-M, the Russian combined vaccine for immunization of adults against diphtheria, tetanus and viral hepatitis B

Bubo-M, the first Russian associated vaccine, was found to have low reactogenicity and high immunogenic potency. The frequency of postvaccinal reactions in the group of persons immunized with Bubo-M (20%) appeared to be considerably lower than among persons who received the combined injection of adsorbed DT toxoid with reduced antigen content and vaccine against hepatitis B (47.7%). Following the course of vaccination the level of anti-HBs considerably exceeded the protective level. Immune response to the diphtheria and tetanus components of Bubo-M exceeded that observed after immunization with absorbed DT toxoid with reduced antigen content (p < 0.05).     

Increased cell-surface receptor expression on U-937 cells induced by 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine

Association of the ether lipid, 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH₃) with liposomes (ELL-12) reduces acute toxicity while maintaining or enhancing anticancer activity in experimental tumor models. ELL-12 has been shown to induce apoptosis by a cytochrome-c-dependent caspase-mediated pathway, which results in proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and lamins, but the antitumor effects of ET-18-OCH₃ or ELL-12 could result from tumor cell differentiation or activation. Here we compared the effects of ET-18-OCH₃ and ELL-12 on the expression of cell-surface proteins associated with cell differentiation and/or activation in U-937 cells. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and all-trans-retinoic acid, which induce differentiation in U-937 cells, up-regulated CD11b (MAC1 α-integrin) and CD82 and down-regulated CD71 (transferrin receptor) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, ET-18-OCH₃ and ELL-12 up-regulated both CD71 and CD11b and did not have any effect on expression of CD82 in U-937 cells, suggesting that the ELL-12 may activate these cells rather than induce differentiation. Further evidence of activation was that ET-18-OCH₃ and ELL-12 strongly induced tumor necrosis factor α production by U-937 cells. Received: 25 February 1999 / Accepted: 4 August 1999     

Genetic predictors of sick sinus syndrome

Molecular Biology Reports - Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) encompasses a group of conduction disorders characterized by the inability of sinoatrial node to perform its pacemaker function. Our aim was to...     

Examination of structural changes in the transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFβR1) gene in patients with chronic heart failure

We examined nine exons of transforming growth factor β receptor type 1 (TGFβR1) gene in patients with chronic heart failure with different types of heart remodelling. We identified two missense mutations (c.457G>A (p.V1531) and c.1285A>C (p.Y229S)) and two synonym substitutions (c.1125A>C (p.Y377Y) and c.516A>G (p.S172S)), as well as polymorphisms at splicing site c.1024+24G>A (rs334354). Substitutions c.1285A>C (p.Y229S) and c.516A>G (p.S172S) were not previously described.     

Identification and expression analysis of microRNAs and targets in the biofuel crop sugarcane

Background  

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs, some of which are conserved in diverse plant genomes. Therefore, computational identification and further experimental validation of miRNAs from non-model organisms is both feasible and instrumental for addressing miRNA-based gene regulation and evolution. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important biofuel crop with publicly available expressed sequence tag and genomic survey sequence databases, but little is known about miRNAs and their targets in this highly polyploid species.     

Hydrobionts as reservoir hosts for infectious agents of bacterial sapronoses

Data on parasitism of the infectious agents of sapronoses in hydrobionts (protozoans, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, echinoderms, and fishes) are considered from the population-ecological viewpoint. The symbiotic relationships between populations of pathogenic bacteria and protozoans are of the host-parasite type. An ultrastructural analysis demonstrates that phagocytosis is incomplete both in planktonic forms and in biofilms formed by bacteria and protozoa. This provides for long-term survival of infectious agents in the environment. The migration of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis along trophic chains from the lowest to the highest level has been simulated experimentally. The long-term survival of pathogenic bacteria in aquatic animals and the ability of bacteria to migrate along trophic chains, reaching soil animals and humans, provide evidence that comprehensive studies on the routes of circulation of pathogens in natural ecosystems are highly relevant from the ecological and epidemiological viewpoints.     

Pseudomonads as parasites of protozoa]

The experimental study of the interaction of Tetrahymena pyriformis with different microorganisms of the genus Pseudomonas, isolated from the soil, was made. The study revealed that T. pyriformis phagocytosed some Pseudomonas pigment-forming species (P. cepacia, P. putida, P. fluorescens, P. pirkettii). The most pronounced cytopathogenic effect was produced by P. cepacia. The dynamic observations of the ultrastructural features of interaction between P. cepacia and protozoa were made. Even at early stages of this interaction some types of parasitiferous phagosomes containing both intact bacteria capable of multiplication by binary division and Pseudomonas cells exhibiting different degrees of destruction were registered. In several phagosomes morphologically intact bacteria differing in their cell-wall profiles and the density of their cytoplasm and nucleotide were present simultaneously. More dense cells with sinuous cell-wall membranes were more virulent. By hour 18 one giant parasitiferous vacuole was formed by fusion of smaller phagosomes, which subsequently broke up, liberating a new generation of bacteria. In infected cells disturbances in the structure of their mitochondria and macronucleus appeared. During the first 2 days of the joint cultivation of P. cepacia and T. pyriformis the accumulation of bacteria occurred due to the selection and multiplication of digestion-resistant bacterial cells, which ensured the resistance of this Pseudomonas population in association with protozoa.     

Effects of a lymphocytic chalone-containing preparation on the mitotic activity of mouse thymocytes in vivo

It has been shown that chalone-containing substance obtained from the rat spleen decreased the mitotic activity of mouse thymocytes upon its intraperitoneal administration to animals. The maximum inhibition was observed 45 min after the injection. Thus, the substance examined has the property of G2 chalone.