Intrinsic nerves of the pectoralis major and minor in man

In the human intraorganic nerves of the thoracic muscles amyelin fibers make 62% and myelin ones--38%. In transversal sections ultrastructure of the myelin and amyelin fibers varying in their diameters has been studied. In the myelin and amyelin fibers the amount of various organells is not equal: in the amyelin fibers the arrangement density of microtubules is greater than that of neurofilaments, there is a reverse dependence between the amount of the microtubules and the neurofilaments on the one hand, and the fibrilar diameter, on the other hand. In the myelin fibers with the increasing diameter, the amount of the neurofilaments increases, while that of the microtubules decreases.     

Experience with using aclarubicin in the treatment of acute leukemia and blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia]

The clinical efficacy of aclarubicin, an anthracycline antibiotic, was studied in 48 patients with leukemia. The antibiotic was used in the following combinations with cytarabine: "7 + 7", "5 + 5" and "7 & 3". A complete remission was stated in 14 (42.4 per cent) out of 33 patients with acute nonlymphoid leukemia, 6 (43 per cent) out of the 14 patients having relapses. The combined therapy was effective in 4 out of 5 pre-resistant patients. The "7 + 3" scheme was the most beneficial. The most common adverse reactions were nausea and vomiting.     

Neutral glycosphingolipids in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

The structure of the neutral glycosphingolipids of the Ehrlich ascite carcinoma (EAC) cells was studied. The main four components were identified as glycosylceramide, lastosylceramide, N-acetylgalactosyllactosylceramide and galactosyl-N-acetyllactosylceramide (asialo-GM1). The neutral glycolipid pattern of the cells was found to depend on their density. Dilution of the cell suspension resulted in an increased content of asia-lo-GM1, whereas the content of the other neutral glycolipids remained unchanged. The possible connection between these changes and the earlier disclosed cell density dependence of the gangliosides in EAC cells is discussed.     

Use of carminomycin on adult patients with acute leukemias]

The data on the clinical trials of karminomycin, a new antitumor antibiotic are presented. The drug was used in the treatment of 46 adult patients with leukemia. Karminomycin was used in primary inducing therapy and treatment of relapses. The results of the trials showed that karminomycin had a definite therapeutic activity in treatment of acute myeloblast leukemia at various stages of the process. A rapid effect of the antibiotic provided its use in emergency cases with rapidly progressing variants of the disease.     

Effect of Lincocin Treatment on the Greening Process in Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Leaves

The effect of lincocin (a plastid protein synthesis inhibitor) treatment on the greening process of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves have been studied. In comparison with control leaves treated ones had a decreased rate of chloroplast development. They had a marked chlorophyll deficiency and a decreased chlorophyll a/b ratio. Some long and short wavelength forms of chlorophyll a were lacking as evidenced from the absorption spectra at 25°C and the fluorescence spectra at 77°K. The –¹⁴CO₂ fixation was inhibited by 80–90% in treated leaves. The fluorescence induced by the measuring light was greater in the treated leaves than in the control ones, and the kinetics of the decline of the relative fluorescence intensity were also different. Electron microscopic studies showed macrogranum-like structures and incomplete membrane vesicles in the treated plastids. After longer treatment a destruction of membranes was observed. The results indicate some structural and functional membrane deficiencies and instability of the membranes.     

Lecithotrophic development and metamorphosis in the Indo-West Pacific brittle star Ophiomastix venosa (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Summary

The larval development of the ophiocomid ophiuroid Ophiomastix venosais described using SEM. The gastrula transforms into a uniformly ciliated early larva which progressively changes into a lecithotrophic late premetamorphic larva with a continuous bilateral ciliated band. This stage is short-lived and equivalent to a highly reduced ophiopluteus. Comparisons between O. venosa and other ophiuroid species whose development has been investigated suggest that, whatever the developmental mode (lecithotrophic or planktotrophic), a pluteus stage always occurs in ophiuroids with planktonic development. Two metamorphic stages were identified, the late metamorphic larva differing from the early one by the closure of the larval mouth. The appearance of the permanent mouth marks the end of the metamorphosis. The postlarva still possesses remnants of larval features. The transformation of the reduced ophiopluteus into a barrel-shaped metamorphic larva with transverse ciliated bands, a vitellaria larva, is followed. The possible occurrence of a unique type of metamorphic larva in non-brooding ophiuroids is discussed. Verification of this, however, needs further SEM investigations on metamorphic larva from species having “regular” planktotrophic development.     

Inhibition of Mn2+-induced error-prone DNA synthesis with Cd2+ and Zn2+

Bivalent metal cations are key components in the reaction of DNA synthesis. They are necessary for all DNA polymerases, being involved as cofactors in catalytic mechanisms of nucleotide polymerization. It is also known that in the presence of Mn²⁺ the accuracy of DNA synthesis is considerably decreased. The findings of this work show that Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ selectively inhibit the Mn²⁺-induced error-prone DNA polymerase activity in extracts of cells from human and mouse tissues. Moreover, these cations in low concentrations also can efficiently inhibit the activity of homogeneous preparations of DNA polymerase iota (Pol ?), which is mainly responsible for the Mn²⁺-induced error-prone DNA polymerase activity in cell extracts. Using a primary culture of granular cells from postnatal rat cerebellum, we show that low concentrations of Cd²⁺ significantly increase cell survival in the presence of toxic Mn²⁺ doses. Thus, we have shown that in some cases low concentrations of Cd²⁺ can display a positive influence on cells, whereas it is widely acknowledged that this metal is not a necessary microelement and is toxic for organisms.     

Brain aging and mitochondria-targeted plastoquinone antioxidants of SkQ-type

Normal brain aging leads to decrease in cognitive functions, shrink in brain volume, loss of nerve fibers and degenerating myelin, reduction in length and branching of dendrites, partial loss of synapses, and reduction in expression of genes that play central roles in synaptic plasticity, vesicular transport, and mitochondrial functioning. Impaired mitochondrial functions and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species can contribute to the damage of these genes in aging cerebral cortex. This review discusses the possibility of using mitochondria-targeted antioxidants to slow the processes of brain aging.     

Forests as a national treasure of Russia

This paper analyzes the future of the Russian forest. Its preservation determines, to a large extent, the ethical, economic, and ecological environment of our country. The authors support the idea of a forest being not only a storage place for timber, but a specific state property that, besides its value as raw material, has an enormous ecological and social weight, since it represents a living environment for certain peoples of Russia. The ineffectiveness of the existing forest legislation in Russia was proved through the examples of forest fires. Concrete legislative and administrative solutions are proposed.