Delta12-prostaglandin D2 is a potent and selective CRTH2 receptor agonist and causes activation of human eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a lipid mediator produced by mast cells, macrophages and Th2 lymphocytes and has been detected in high concentrations in the airways of asthmatic patients. There are two receptors for PGD2, namely the D prostanoid (DP) receptor and the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2). The proinflammatory effects of PGD2 leading to recruitment of eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes into inflamed tissues is thought to be predominantly due to action on CRTH2. Several PGD2 metabolites have been described as potent and selective agonists for CRTH2. In this study we have characterized the activity of delta12-PGD2, a product of PGD2 isomerization by albumin. Delta12-PGD2 induced calcium mobilization in CHO cells expressing human CRTH2 receptor, with efficacy and potency similar to those of PGD2. These effects were blocked by the TP/CRTH2 antagonist ramatroban. delta12-PGD2 bound to CRTH2 receptor with a pKi of 7.63, and a 55-fold selectivity for CRTH2 compared to DP. In Th2 lymphocytes, delta12-PGD2 induced calcium mobilization with high potency and an efficacy similar to that of PGD2. delta12-PGD2 also caused activation of eosinophils as measured by shape change. Taken together, these results show that delta12-PGD2 is a potent and selective agonist for CRTH2 receptor and can cause activation of eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes. These data also confirm the selective effect of other PGD2 metabolites on CRTH2 and illustrate how the metabolism of PGD2 may influence the pattern of leukocyte infiltration at sites of allergic inflammation.     

决明子营养价值分析及蛋白提取工艺研究

以大决明子为原材料,基于氨基酸比值系数法,对决明子的营养价值进行了分析;并以碱性缓冲液为提取剂,进行决明子蛋白提取工艺研究,探讨了缓冲液浓度及pH值、料液比、浸泡时间对蛋白提取率的影响,最后用正交试验确定大决明子蛋白的最佳提取工艺。结果表明决明子的营养价值高于大豆和紫花苜蓿,与南瓜接近略低于鸡蛋;提取工艺条件最佳为50 mmol/L、pH值=8.0的KH2PO4-NaOH缓冲液,料液比1 g：50 mL,浸泡提取时间12h。此条件下决明子蛋白的提取率为93.3%。     

Increasing the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy by correcting immunologic disorders with vitamin A in patients with brucellosis

Experimental studies and clinical trials were performed on possible increase of antibiotic therapy efficacy in brucellosis patients by correction of the immunity disorders with vitamin A. It was experimentally shown that vitamin A increased cellular immunity and accelerated sanation of guinea pigs sensitized with Brucella abortus 19 BA. The clinical trials demonstrated that the use of vitamin A in a dose of 33,000 IU thrice a day for 10 to 12 days during the complex treatment of patients with acute (36 persons) and subacute (57 persons) brucellosis lowered the average period of manifestation of the disease clinical signs and formation of the antibodies, increased the skin allergic sensitivity, the lymphocyte blast cell transformation, the total number and subpopulations of the active T-cells, theophylline-resistant lymphocytes, phagocytic and metabolic activity of neutrophils, showed 1.5- and 2-fold increased in the frequency of the infection transformation into a chronic process in patients with acute or subacute brucellosis, respectively.     

Characteristics of the composition of caucasian blackberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus caucasicus</Emphasis> L.) leaves as a raw material for tea production

The composition of Caucasian blackberry (Rubus caucasicus L.) six-leaf shoot was studied. The weight of the stem reached 50% of the total weight shoot. The content of moisture, extractive substances, and phenolic compounds was minimal at the beginning and end of the vegetation season. Phenolic compounds were represented by catechins, leukoanthocyanidins, and flavonols. The most abundant phenolic compounds in all parts of the blackberry shoot were leukoanthocyanidins, which accounted for approximately 50% of all compounds of this class. Phenolic compounds accumulated most actively in July and August. The average content of free amino acids in the blackberry leaf during the vegetation season was 26.68 mg/g. Among the total free amino acids, eleven have been identified, five of which proved to be essential (His, Arg, Met, Leu, Val) and accounted for 40 % of the total amount of amino acids. The oxidability of acetone extract of the blackberry leaf was compared to the oxidability of total phenolic compounds and tea tannin. The tea product obtained from the blackberry leaf had good organoleptic parameters and a saturated extractive complex.     

Design of Tripeptides as a Competitive Inhibitor for HMG-CoA Reductase

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - This study presents a simple approach in design of tripeptides as a competitive inhibitor for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase...     

钙对花生幼苗生长、活性氧积累和光抑制程度的影响

为探讨钙元素对花生幼苗生长的影响,以花育22为试材,用改良的Hoagland溶液进行培养,培养液钙离子(Ca2+)浓度分别为0、6和12 mmol/L(依次简称为CK、C6和C12),研究了不同Ca2+浓度培养下花生幼苗生长以及根系和叶片活性氧(ROS)的积累情况。结果表明,Ca2+显著提高花生植株的株高和鲜重,并降低根冠比,而且正常培养条件下,Ca2+显著提高根系活力、降低叶片和根系的ROS积累,而且C12幼苗的生理状态要好于C6。花生幼苗功能叶在高温(42℃)强光(1200μmol m-2s-1)胁迫处理下,与CK植株相比,C6和C12叶片的过氧化氢(H2O2)和超氧阴离子(O-2)的积累水平低、其叶片PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)高、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的关闭程度低,而且C12幼苗的活性氧积累和光抑制程度都明显低于C6,表明高温强光胁迫下,Ca2+有利于减轻花生幼苗叶片的光抑制和ROS积累。C6和C12叶片的部分ROS清除酶活性以及有关渗透调节物质的含量明显高于CK,丙二醛(MDA)的含量明显低于CK,表明胁迫条件下Ca2+通过提高ROS清除酶活性和渗透调节物质含量降低ROS的积累和危害,保护花生类囊体膜从而保证花生正常生长。     

Relation between the radioprotective effect of helium-neon laser radiation on bacterial cells and the time period between 2 types of irradiation

The effect of helium-neon laser radiation (lambda = 633 nm) given to E. coli K-12 cells of various genotypes 4 h following X- or alpha-irradiation was shown to increase the number of viable cells. The irreversible ingradient of a radiation injury to cells remained invariable during the first 60 min after irradiation its values being minimal.     

Phylogenetic diversity of aerobic saprotrophic bacteria isolated from the Daqing oil field

A diverse and active microbial community in the stratal waters of the Daqing oil field (China), which is exploited with the use of water-flooding, was found to contain aerobic chemoheterotrophic bacteria (including hydrocarbon-oxidizing ones) and anaerobic fermentative, sulfate-reducing, and methanogenic bacteria. The aerobic bacteria were most abundant in the near-bottom zones of injection wells. Twenty pure cultures of aerobic saprotrophic bacteria were isolated from the stratal waters. Under laboratory conditions, they grew at temperatures, pH, and salinity values typical of the stratal water from which they were isolated. These isolates were found to be able to utilize crude oil and a wide range of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and alcohols. Phylogenetic analysis carried out with the use of complete 16S rRNA sequences showed that the isolates could be divided into three major groups: gram-positive bacteria with a high and a low G + C content of DNA and gram-negative bacteria of the gamma-subclass of the Proteobacteria. Gram-positive isolates belonged to the genera Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Rhodococcus, Dietzia, Kocuria, Gordonia, Cellulomonas, and Clavibacter. Gram-negative isolates belonged to the genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. In their 16S rRNA sequences, many isolates were similar to the known microbial species and some probably represented new species.     

Association of variable <Emphasis Type="Italic">rs1801282</Emphasis> locus of <Emphasis Type="Italic">PPARG2</Emphasis> gene with diabetic nephropathy

The association of the variable rs1801282 locus of the PPARG2 gene (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications was analyzed in inhabitants of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The genotype frequencies of the variable rs1801282 locus of the PPARG2 gene did not significantly differ in groups of healthy persons and patients with type 2 diabetes in all three considered inheritance models (codominant, dominant, and recessive). At the same time, it was demonstrated that the risk of one of the diabetic complications, i.e., diabetic nephropathy, was associated with the variable rs1801282 locus of the PPARG2 gene. Diabetic nephropathy was more common in patients with the C/C genotype (62.7%) compared to the C/G and G/G genotypes (37.5%), P = 0.036. The G allele is protective in regard to diabetic nephropathy (OR = 0.36) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Detection of the tularemia zoonosis in the territory of the Kartlian Plain

The natural focus of tularemia was found to cover the whole territory of the Kartlian plain. Epizooty occurred mainly among common voles with the involvement of insectivorous voles. Hard ticks, gamasids and fleas infected with Francisella tularensis were detected. Rodents highly sensitive to tularemia can be affected by this infection. Water rats were not involved into the enzootic process. Further studies are necessary for the final solution of this problem.