Effectiveness of remantadine in outpatients during a period of epidemic outbreaks of influenza A and B

Extensive clinical data demonstrate that the use of remantadine for the treatment of ambulant influenza patients during the epidemic of influenza, types A and B, proved to be effective, which was manifested by an essential increase in the number of complications, mainly in the respiratory organs, and by a reduced length of the disease. The positive result of the curative action of remantadine is believed to be connected with the simultaneous wide circulation of type A (H1N1) and (H3N2) influenza viruses.     

Population genetic differentiation of white-spotted char Salvelinus leucomaenis (Pallas) in Russian Far East

The population genetic structure of white-spotted char Salvelinus leucomaenis (family Salmonidae) was determined based on variations in ten microsatellite DNA loci in samples from different parts of the species range in the Russian Far East. In a number of samples, variations in 21 allozyme loci were examined, of which five loci were found to be polymorphic. The overall diversity level at the examined markers was comparable to that observed in a closely related char species, Dolly Varden. The estimates of interpopulation genetic differentiation were highly statistically significant in most of the pairwise comparisons among the samples. The overall evaluation of the spatial genetic differentiation in white-spotted char constituted F _ST = 0.203 and R _ST = 0.202. Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling based on microsatellite allele frequencies indicated the possible subdivision of the examined samples into two main groups, i.e., northern (represented by the regions of the north of Khabarovsk krai, Kamchatka, Yama Bay) and southern (with regions including Sakhalin, Primorye, and the Kuril Islands). The allozome data demonstrated a similar pattern of differentiation. The level of intra- and interpopulation genetic diversity in the southern group was higher than in the northern group. The isolation-by-distance test did not identify a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances among the samples. The data obtained enabled the suggestion that the genetic structure of the populations of white-spotted char was shaped by the influence of historical geological climatic rearrangements of its range and the genetic drift because of relatively low population number and limited in the extent migration activity of its anadromous form.     

Study of the structures of biofilms formed by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella typhimurium</Emphasis> bacteria on abiotic surfaces by the methods of light and transmission electron microscopy

Process of biofilm formation by different Salmonella strains on abiotic surfaces has been studied. Differences in the structural organization were revealed by the analysis of the fine cell structure in the planktonic and biofilm cultures. It was shown, by the methods of light and electron microscopy and also by cytochemistry, that the two strains share similarities in structure and have individual features. Differences in the density of the extracellular matrix and the sizes of cell aggregates were established. The stages in the processes of growth and death of biofilms were demonstrated by the investigation of the process dynamics. The signs of aging in biofilms were disorganization of extracellular matrix and appearance of the planktonic cells. Microscopic and cytochemical methods used in this work were recommended for the investigation of the effects of various biocide agents on biofilms.     

Cross-species overgo hybridization and comparative physical mapping within avian genomes

The chicken genome sequence facilitates comparative genomics within other avian species. We performed cross-species hybridizations using overgo probes designed from chicken genomic and zebra finch expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to turkey and zebra finch BAC libraries. As a result, 3772 turkey BACs were assigned to 336 markers or genes, and 1662 zebra finch BACs were assigned to 164 genes. As expected, cross-hybridization was more successful with overgos within coding sequences than within untranslated region, intron or flanking sequences and between chicken and turkey, when compared with chicken-zebra finch or zebra finch-turkey cross-hybridization. These data contribute to the comparative alignment of avian genome maps using a 'one sequence, multiple genomes' strategy.     

Construction of a California condor BAC library and first-generation chicken-condor comparative physical map as an endangered species conservation genomics resource

To support genomic analysis of the endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), a BAC library (CHORI-262) was generated using DNA from the blood of a female. The library consists of 89,665 recombinant BAC clones providing approximately 14-fold coverage of the presumed approximately 1.48-Gb genome. Taking advantage of recent progress in chicken genomics, we developed a first-generation comparative chicken-condor physical map using an overgo hybridization approach. The overgos were derived from chicken (164 probes) and New World vulture (8 probes) sequences. Screening a 2.8x subset of the total library resulted in 236 BAC-gene assignments with 2.5 positive BAC clones per successful probe. A preliminary comparative chicken-condor BAC-based map included 93 genes. Comparison of selected condor BAC sequences with orthologous chicken sequences suggested a high degree of conserved synteny between the two avian genomes. This work will aid in identification and characterization of candidate loci for the chondrodystrophy mutation to advance genetic management of this disease.     

Molecular structure of phospholipase D and regulatory mechanisms of its activity in plant and animal cells

Phospholipase D (PLD) catalyzes hydrolysis of phospholipids with production of phosphatidic acid, which often acts as secondary messenger of transduction of intracellular signals. This review summarizes data of leading laboratories on specific features of organization and regulation of PLD activity in plant and animal cells. The main structural domains of PLD (C2, PX, PH), the active site, and other functionally important parts of the enzyme are discussed. Regulatory mechanisms of PLD activity are characterized in detail. Studies associated with molecular design, analysis, and synthesis of new nontoxic substances capable of inhibiting different PLD isoenzymes in vivo are shown to be promising for biotechnology and medicine.     

Analysis of the seasonal dynamics of river phytoplankton based on succession rate indices for key event identification

The seasonal dynamics of river phytoplankton was analyzed using succession rate indices based on data collected from year-round observations of two small plain rivers in the Upper Ob Basin (Western Siberia). The study revealed a generally clear seasonal pattern of structural changes in the phytoplankton of the lower reaches of the studied rivers. The dynamics of succession rate indices reflects the key events in the life of phytoplankton in the Bolshaya Losikha and Barnaulka Rivers, showing mainly changes in the dominant species during the main phases of the hydrological cycle. The most significant changes in phytoplankton structure tend to occur in the period between the spring flood decline and the beginning of summer–autumn low water. These changes coincide with the most drastic changes in both environmental conditions and phytoplankton successional stages. Use of succession rate indices to analyze the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton allowed us to distinguish between periods of abrupt change and periods of comparatively low-intensity changes in plankton composition in small lowland temperate rivers.

     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of erythromycin target cell-associated transport and intravenous administration in patients with pneumonia]

The method of cell-associated antibiotic therapy consists of extracorporal exposure of the autoblood formed elements to antibiotic solution followed by their reinfusion. Pharmacokinetics of erythromycin after its intravenous and cell-associated administration in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and the clinical efficacy of the method were evaluated. HPLC of the erythromycin pharmacokinetic pattern in 20 patients showed that after the antibiotic target transport the pharmacokinetic model changed from one-compartment to two-compartment one and the antibiotic maximum concentration and elimination rate were lower vs. the intravenous administration. It was also shown that the clinical efficacies of the erythromycin intravenous administration and target transport did not significantly differ, whereas after the cell-associated transport of the antibiotic the therapeutic effect was observed earlier and the side effects were less frequent.