X-ray semeiotics of sclerosis of the prostate

Infravesical obstruction in 300 male patients was determined by prostatic sclerosis (PS). PS is a polyetiological disease developing more frequently as a result of prostatitis, autoimmune, allergic and congestive factors. Sclerosis and shriveling of the gland cause topographo-anatomic changes in the infravesical area, well revealed during a combined roentgeno-urological study. Direct signs of PS are the following: stenosis, deformity and shortening of the prostatic part of the urethra, a high position of the lower outline of the bladder resembling braces over the public symphysis; indirect signs: change of the bladder shape, megacyst, trabecular mucosa and diverticulosis, congestion in the upper urinary tracts, uni- or bilateral urethero-hydronephrosis.     

Efficacy of 4'-thio-5-ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (TEDU) and its derivatives in experimental infection in mice caused by herpes simplex virus]

It was demonstrated that several 5'-phosphonates of 4'-thio-5-ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine possessed antiviral activity in vitro and in the murine model of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. It was shown that the derivatives after intraabdominal administration penetrated effectively into the brain tissue. The agents provided statistically significant increase of the average life span, lower virus titre in the brain and lower lethality when compared to the control group of the animals. It is emphasized that the derivatives were less toxic than the original compound.     

Localization of neurons innervating the columellar muscles of the snail

The topographic arrangement of large and small neurons participating in the mechanism of the defensive reflex was studied in the circumesophageal nerve ring ofHelix pomatia by a modified retrograde cobalt ion transport method. Comparison of the results with those of previous electrophysiological investigations of the mechanism of the defensive relfex leads to the conclusion that this reflex is effected by a system of neurons consisting of nine large and 60–80 small nerve cells.Research Institute of Neurocybernetics, State University, Rostov-on-Don. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 637–641, November–December, 1980.     

Immunogenic Properties of the DNA Construct Encoding the Receptor-Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

Molecular Biology - The development of preventive vaccines became the first order task in the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. This paper reports the construction of the pVAX-RBD plasmid...     

Production of surfactants by Rhodococcus erythropolis strain EK-1, grown on hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates

The ability of Rhodococcus erythropolis strain EK-1 to produce surfactants when grown on hydrophilic (ethanol and glucose) and hydrophobic (liquid paraffins and hexadecane) substrates was studied. The strain was found to produce surfactants with emulsifying and surface-active properties. The production of surfactants depended on the composition of the nutritive medium, nature and concentration of the sources of carbon and nitrogen, and duration of cultivation. Chemically, surfactants produced by Rhodococcus erythropolis EK-1 grown on ethanol are a complex of lipids with polysaccharide-proteinaceous substances. The lipids include glycolipids (trehalose mono- and dicorynomycolates) and common lipids (cetyl alcohol, palmitic acid, methyl n-pentadecanoate, triglycerides, and mycolic acids).     

4"-Thio-5-Ethyl-2"-Deoxyuridine 5"-Phosphonates: Synthesis and Antiviral Activity

A number of new 5"-phosphonate derivatives of 4"-thio-5-ethyl-2"-deoxyuridine (TEDU) were synthesized. These compounds displayed a low cytotoxicity and, except for TEDU 5"-fluorophosphate, antiherpes activity similar to that of 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]guanine (acyclovir) and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (pencyclovir). 5"-Ethoxycarbonylphosphonate and 5"-aminocarbonylphosphonate of TEDU were also found to suppress the reproduction of herpes simplex type 1 virus, which is resistant to acyclovir.     

Synthesis and antiherpetic activity of acyclovir phosphonates

Phosphonate derivatives of acyclovir containing phosphorous acid and ethoxycarbonylphosphonic acid residues as well as their isopropyl esters were prepared. They selectively inhibited the herpes simplex virus 1 reproduction in Vero cell culture, the efficacy of esters being 3-4 times higher than that of ACV. The hydrolysis of the synthesized compounds was studied in the PBS buffer and human blood serum.     

Insertion of foreign epitopes in HBcAg: how to make the chimeric particle assemble

Summary. Hepatitis B core antigen is one of the most promising protein carriers of foreign epitopes of various human and animal pathogens. Chimeric HBcAg particles can be used as effective artificial immunogenes. Unfortunately, not all chimeric proteins are able to be particulated. The dependence of correct or incorrect folding of chimeric proteins on physical and chemical properties of inserts was studied with the help of ProAnalyst, SALIX and QSARPro computer programs. We have found that insertion of amino acids with high hydrophobicity, large volume, and high β-strand index prevent self-assembling chimeric proteins. These factors are most important for the C-termini of inserts. Recommendations for obtaining correct folding of chimeric HBcAg particles have been given. Received August 8, 1999, Accepted September 26, 1999     

P-(alkyl)-nucleoside 5'-hydrogenphosphonates as depot forms of antiviral nucleotide analogues

P-(Alkyl)esters of AZT 5'-hydrogenphosphonate were synthesized and their stabilities in the phosphate buffer and human serum were evaluated. The esters bearing residues of primary and secondary alcohols were degraded to give AZT, whereas those containing tertiary alkyl groups yielded AZT 5'-hydrogenphosphonate. The corresponding derivatives of d2A and d4T showed the same properties.