Allergic alteration of leukocytes in patients with drug intolerance

Increased sensitivity to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, claforan, cefzol, novocain and lidocaine was determined by means of the leukocyte allergic alteration (LAA) test in 599 patients with intolerance reactions to these preparations in their medical history. In most of these patients the test results exceeded 30% and reached 98%, their average values exceeding those in the control group no subjects with no drug intolerance. The LAA test ensured a high level (83%) of the detection of drug intolerance.     

Plant-produced recombinant influenza vaccine based on virus-like HBc particles carrying an extracellular domain of M2 protein

Conventional influenza vaccines are based on a virus obtained in chicken embryos or its components. The high variability of the surface proteins of influenza virus, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, requires strain-specific vaccines matching the antigenic specificity of newly emerging virus strains to be developed. A recombinant vaccine based on a highly conservative influenza virus protein M2 fused to a nanosized carrier particle can be an attractive alternative to traditional vaccines. We have constructed a recombinant viral vector based on potato X virus that provides for expression in the Nicotiana benthamiana plants of a hybrid protein M2eHBc consisting of an extracellular domain of influenza virus M2 protein (M2e) fused to hepatitis B core antigen (HBc). This vector was introduced into plant cells by infiltrating leaves with agrobacteria carrying the viral vector. The hybrid protein M2eHBc was synthesized in the infected N. benthamiana plants in an amount reaching 1–2% of the total soluble protein and formed virus-like particles with the M2e peptide presented on the surface. Methods of isolation and purification of M2eHBc particles from plant producers were elaborated. Experiments on mice have shown a high immunogenicity of the plant-produced M2eHBc particles and their protective effect against lethal influenza challenge. The developed transient expression system can be used for production of M2e-based candidate influenza vaccine in plants.     

A new yeast strain for brewery: Properties and advantages

Beer is a natural product and is a multicomponent system that has both positive and negative consumer properties. Organoleptical off-flavors of beer are difficult to eliminate. Yeasts are the main active component of the system. The relationship between beer quality and yeast usage is well known. New industrial strains for brewery are continuously developed. An industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain was obtained and showed high technological properties, including efficient fermentation, a reduced production of sulfur hydrate, and a high diacetyl reduction rate. The advantages made it possible to develop new brands of beer and nonalcoholic products. The commercial use of the strain was patented. The strain was deposited in the Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms.     

Enzyme Immunoassay of Herbicide Decomposition by Soil and Wood Decay Fungi

The effect of herbicide atrazine was studied on the growth and development of a number of soil and wood decay fungi: white-rot basidiomycetes (Cerrena maxima, Coriolopsis fulvocenerea, and Coriolus hirsutus), thermophilic micromycetes from self-heating grass composts (cellulolytic fungus Penicilliumsp. 13 and noncellulolytic ones Humicola lanuginosaspp. 5 and 12), and mesophilic phenol oxidase-producing micromycete Mycelia sterilia INBI 2-26. Detection of atrazine in liquid fungal cultures was performed by using the enzyme immune assay technique. Both stimulation (Humicola lanuginosa 5) and suppression (Humicola lanuginosa 12 and Penicillium sp. 13) of fungal growth with atrazine were observed on solid agar media. HyphomyceteMycelia sterilia INBI 2-26 was almost insensitive to the presence of atrazine. Neither of the thermophilic strains was capable of atrazine consumption in three-week cultivation. In contrast with that, active laccase producers Cerrena maxima, Coriolopsis fulvocenerea, and Coriolus hirsutus consumed up to 50% atrazine in 5-day cultivation in the presence of the xenobiotic and at least 80–92% in 40 days. Mycelia steriliaINBI 2-26, which also forms extracellular laccase, also consumed up to 70% atrazine in 17 days. The degree of atrazine consumption depended on the term of its addition to the fungal culture medium.     

Investigation of Blood Biochemical Indices during Bicycle Ergometry

Our studies have shown that physical activity (bicycle ergometry) alters the biochemical status of male volunteers. We observed a significant decrease of glucose level and an increase in concentration of magnesium, phosphorus and especially of lactic acid in capillary blood after 5 min of bicycle ergometry start. Creatine phosphokinase activity and the concentration of triglycerides did not differ significantly from the original values. The tendency of changes in the examined parameters was the same in the supine and in the sitting positions. Therefore, biochemical investigations may complement essentially the physiological and neurophysiological tests of human adaptability to physical loads. The method of dry chemistry described in this study can be effectively used in a space flight as the rapid method for evaluation of biochemical parameters of the body.     

The T-Cell Antigen Receptor: A Logical Response to an Unknown Ligand

The immune system can be roughly divided into innate and adaptive compartments. The adaptive compartment includes the B and T lymphocytes, whose antigen receptors are generated by recombination of gene segments. The consequence is that the creation of self-reactive lymphocytes is unavoidable. For the host to remain viable, the immune system has evolved a strategy for removing autoimmune lymphocytes during development. This review discusses how T lymphocytes are generated, how they recognize antigens, and how their antigen receptor directs the removal of self-reactive T cells.     

Indirect sperm transfer and male mating strategies in soil invertebrates

Summary

Many soil invertebrates transfer their sperm indirectly by means of spermatophores. Among the different taxa there is great variation in spermatophore architecture, auxiliary structures and behaviour. The behaviour, ranging from elaborate courtship rituals to seemingly indifferent scattering of spermatophores, can roughly be classified as association and dissociation. Which of the two is adaptive depends on many factors which can be summarized in a simple functional response model showing that in some cases the best choice depends on density.     

Knowledge-Based Identification of Soluble Biomarkers: Hepatic Fibrosis in NAFLD as an Example

The discovery of biomarkers is often performed using high-throughput proteomics-based platforms and is limited to the molecules recognized by a given set of purified and validated antigens or antibodies. Knowledge-based, or systems biology, approaches that involve the analysis of integrated data, predominantly molecular pathways and networks may infer quantitative changes in the levels of biomolecules not included by the given assay from the levels of the analytes profiled. In this study we attempted to use a knowledge-based approach to predict biomarkers reflecting the changes in underlying protein phosphorylation events using Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) as a model. Two soluble biomarkers, CCL-2 and FasL, were inferred in silico as relevant to NAFLD pathogenesis. Predictive performance of these biomarkers was studied using serum samples collected from patients with histologically proven NAFLD. Serum levels of both molecules, in combination with clinical and demographic data, were predictive of hepatic fibrosis in a cohort of NAFLD patients. Our study suggests that (1) NASH-specific disruption of the kinase-driven signaling cascades in visceral adipose tissue lead to detectable changes in the levels of soluble molecules released into the bloodstream, and (2) biomarkers discovered in silico could contribute to predictive models for non-malignant chronic diseases.