Inhibition effect of merthiolate used as vaccines preservative on the oxygen-dependent metabolism of neutrophil granulocytes

The influence of the newly developed complex vaccine Pyopol, containing the antigens of opportunistic microorganisms and polyoxydonium used as immunomodulator, on the oxygen-dependent metabolism of neutrophils was studied. The study revealed that the main components of the vaccine, both individually and in association, did not change cellular activity in the range of concentrations used in this study. The inhibition of the oxygen-dependent metabolism of neutrophil granulocytes in the presence of native or weakly diluted vaccine occurred due to the cytotoxic effect of thimerosal used as preservative.     

Effect of various amino acids and ammonium salts in a synthetic culture media on the cholera enterotoxin production

The influence of amino acids and ammonium salts on the production of cholera enterotoxin (CT) by 3 Vibrio cholerae strains of different biovars and serogroups was evaluated. As revealed in this study, toxin formation in each of the strains was quantitatively and qualitatively determined by their individual sets of amino acids. The amino acid compositions ensuring the maximum production of CT by the V. cholerae strains under study were formed. The use of ammonium salts as the only source of nitrogen in the composition of a synthetic nutrient medium for the accumulation of CT was shown to be inexpedient.     

Basic measures for prevention of the epidemiological consequences of a natural disaster in the North Caucasus in 2002

The system of organizational and prophylactic measures, carried out with a view to prevent epidemiological aggravations in connection with the natural calamity in the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation in 2003, is described. Proposals on the improvement of the system of preventive measures, including the monitoring of the epidemiological, sanitary and hygienic situation, personnel training, technical provision, the cooperation of different services and departments, capable of ensuring the liquidation of the consequences of emergency situations of the natural character, are made.     

Evaluation of the usefulness of three collections of bacteriophages for typing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,isolated in Moscow hospitals

The typing of S. aureus methicillin-resistant strains, isolated in different hospitals of Moscow; was carried out with the use of three collections of phages: the International Set of Phages; the set of phages of the International Center of S. aureus phage typing in London (L); and the experimental collection of phages of the Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow (M). In this study made with the use of both the phages of the International Diagnostic Set and phages L in the standard typing dose of 1 TP about 6% of the cultures under study proved to be sensitive. When the typing dose was increased to 100 TP the phages of the international diagnostic set lyzed 75.5% of the cultures. The typed strains were found to belong to phage types 77 (71.7%), 77/84/85 (19.6%) and 94/96 (6.5%). At a concentration of 100 TP phages L lyzed 83.7% of the cultures, but the dominating phage types could not be determined due to a great variety of phage markers. In contrast to the two preceding collections, the third phage collection M was composed in such a way that in the study of the investigated culture the specificity of its restriction modification was primarily evaluated and only then the presence of antiphage immunity was determined. This latter collection was used in the evaluation of 93.1% of the cultures. By the specificity of their restriction specification system the majority of them were classified with two new groups, heretofore not described. Only this collection M made it possible to differentiate epidemic and sporadic strains and to evaluate the epidemic situation in all 6 hospitals.     

Features of leptospirosis in the Krasnodar Territory

The data on leptospirosis morbidity in the Krasnodar Territory, one of the most epidemiologically unsafe areas in this infectious disease in the Russian Federation, are presented. High morbidity registered in this territory greatly depends on the epidemic outbreaks appearing due to defects in the realization of a complex of sanitary and veterinary measures. The Krasnodar Territory is liable to be affected by natural calamities. In 1997 a severe outbreak of leptospirosis took place here in connection with the high flood. Due to timely prophylactic measures the epidemiological consequencies of the similar calamity occurring in 2002 were brought to a minimum.     

Rapid laboratory detection of antigens of infective agents of infections and technical means for their realization

A system of new accelerated and rapid methods for the detection of the antigens of the infective agents of plague, cholera, tularemia and brucellosis were developed on the basis of solid phase immunosuspension tests: the passive hemagglutination (PHA) test and the latex agglutination (LA) test. The immunological and physico-chemical properties of suspensions in the PHA and LA tests made it possible to use extraneous sources of energy (centrifugal acceleration and the electric field) to accelerate these tests. The results of the PHA and LA tests were registered with the use of a densitometer, model Ultrascan 2202, and a tester, model C 34014.2. To apply centrifugal acceleration and the electric field, a laboratory centrifuge and an electrophoretic microchamber were designed. Densitometry was carried out on modified plates and conductometry, with the use of modified electrodes. The time of obtaining the results of the PHA and LA tests was 15-30 minutes with the use of centrifugation and 2-5 minutes in the electric field, which made it possible to regard these tests as rapid.     

Some specific features of vaginal microflora depending on ecological factors

In 75 female residents of Vladikavkaz, aged 18-45 years, who had applied to the gynecological department with complaints of vaginal discharge, the qualitative and quantitative composition of vaginal microflora was studied. All these women were divided into 2 groups: group 1 including 38 women living in ecologically unfavorable districts of the city and group 2 including 37 women living under ecologically favorable conditions. The relationship between the ecological situation of the districts of residence and vaginal microflora in women of the reproductive age was established. Unfavorable exogenous factors were found to lead to the development of vaginal dysbacteriosis: a sharp decrease in the amount of lactoflora or its complete absence accompanied by increased amount of staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella and yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.     

Regulatory proteins of vertebrate eye tissues

In our work the new proteins likely belonged to the microenvironment of pigmented epithelium cells and retinal neurons in mammalian eye were studied. We attempted to understand the role of these proteins in the maintenance of normal morphological and functional state of these eye tissues. Earlier for the first time we identified the adhesion molecules with physico-chemical and biological properties much different from other known cell adhesion molecules of bovine eye. Probably, they represent one family of low molecular weigh, highly glicosylated proteins, that express biological activity in extremely low doses--10(-10) mg/ml. The homogeneity of studying proteins is confirmed by HPLC and SDS-electrophoresis in PAAG. It is shown also that these proteins are N-glycosylated, because they contain mannose and N-acetilglucosamine residues. They demonstrate as well a high calcium-binding activity, with Kd corresponded to 10(-4)-10(-6) mg/ml. For a study of the biological effect of these glycoproteins in extremely low doses, a new experimental model was proposed and developed. It was the cultivation in vitro of the posterior part of the eye obtained from the newt Pleurodeles waltl. In short-time culture system it was demonstrated that the studied glycoproteins could stabilize pigment epithelium cell differentiation and cellular interactions in the neural retina in vitro. In addition, glycoproteins, obtained from the pigmented epithelium of bovine eye could decrease the rate of bipolar cell apoptosis in the neural retina. Therefore, the novel adhesion glycoproteins, expressing their biological activity in extremely low doses, pretend to be the regulatory molecules with vivid gomeostatic effects necessary for the delicate adjustment of cell behavior action and function in sensory tissues.     

The activity of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase in yeasts

The activity and the cofactor specificity of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase were studied in extracts of yeasts from the genera Candida, Kluyveromyces, Pachysolen, Pichia, and Torulopsis grown under microaerobic conditions. It was found that xylitol dehydrogenase in all of the yeast species studied is specific for NAD+; xylose reductase in the xylitol-producing species C. didensiae, C. intermediae, C. parapsilosis, C. silvanorum, C. tropicalis, Kl. fragilis, Kl. marxianus, P. guillermondii, and T. molishiama is specific for NADPH; and xylose reductase in the ethanol-producing species P. stipitis, C. shehatae, and Pa. tannophilus is specific for both NADPH and NADH.