The characteristics of the effect of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and its structural fragments on the lipid peroxidation of biological membranes]

The effect of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and its structural fragments--phosphatidic acid (PA) and choline chloride--on the ascorbate-dependent mice liver microsomal lipid peroxidation (LP) has been studied at the different LP rate. At DPPC, PA and choline chloride introduction into the incubation medium before the onset of peroxidation induction DPPC causes the more considerable inhibition of LP than PA each separate fragment. The inhibition effect of DPPC is lower than PA or choline chloride when DPPC, PA and choline chloride added on the background of developing process of peroxidation (e.i. after LP induction). A specific regulatory role of PC in the normal cell membrane LP process and during pathologic development is under discussion.     

Comparative study of the immunoglobulin content in persons from leptospirosis foci in different geographical zones of the RSFSR]

The authors carried out a comparative study of the content of serum immunoglobulins in persons from the leptospirosis foci of various geographical zones of the RSFSR: European part--the Centre (Moscow and Ryazan regions), the South (Checheno-Ingush ASSR and Krasnodar Territory), and Western Siberia (Altai territory), Leptospira of serological group Pomona, Grippotyphosa, and Hbedomadis served as the causative agents of the diseases. It appeared that the annual course of the climatic factors acted equally (inhibitory action) on the immuno-globulin metabolism in the residents of temperate and southern zones of the RSFSR at the warm period of the year (May-September), and in the Western Siberia- in winter. However, irrespective of the time of the year, the level of immunoglobulins G and A was greater in the residents of Western Siberia than in the native population of the European part. There proved to be no correlation between the levels of leptospirosis seropositivity in the foci of infection under study and the serum immunoglobulins in local residents of various geographical zones.     

Role of the brain neurochemical systems in altering the reactivity of the hypophyseal-adrenal system in the gray rat selected for behavior

Studies have been made of the interrelationship between brain monoaminergic system and pituitary-adrenal function in two groups of the grey rat Rattus norvegicus Berk. One group consisted of non-aggressive rats selected for lack of agonism towards experimentator, the other one included aggressive animals. Domesticated animals exhibited the decreased reaction of the pituitary-adrenocortical complex to emotional stress as well as the decreased response of the endocrine system during stimulation of noradrenaline or serotonin mechanisms of the brain. In addition, noradrenaline and serotonin content of the brain decreased in domesticated rats during emotional stress to a lower extent, as compared to that in aggressive ones. Therefore, one of the sources of correlational changes in the activity of the pituitary-adrenocortical complex during selection for domesticated behaviour is the effect of selection on neurochemical, in particular monoaminergic systems of the brain.     

Bacteria of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia cepacia</Emphasis> complex are cyanogenic under biofilm and colonial growth conditions

Background  

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a collection of nine genotypically distinct but phenotypically similar species. They show wide ecological diversity and include species that are used for promoting plant growth and bio-control as well species that are opportunistic pathogens of vulnerable patients. Over recent years the Bcc have emerged as problematic pathogens of the CF lung. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another important CF pathogen. It is able to synthesise hydrogen cyanide (HCN), a potent inhibitor of cellular respiration. We have recently shown that HCN production by P. aeruginosa may have a role in CF pathogenesis. This paper describes an investigation of the ability of bacteria of the Bcc to make HCN.     

Design of a species-specific DNA probe based on the pFra plasmid of the plague pathogen]

The recombinant plasmid pBS1 carrying a 2 kb SalGI fragment of Yersinia pestis pFra plasmid was constructed by insertion of the fragment into a vector plasmid pBR327. SalGI-BspRI 400 bp subfragment was recloned into a pBR322 vector plasmid. Open reading frame was found in the fragment by DNA sequencing technique. The subfragment designated F1-probe permits one to identify specifically the Yersinia pestis strains harbouring pFra plasmid, thus, differing them from closely related Yersiniea and other representatives of Enterobacteriaceae family.