The assessment of biocenosis contamination in the region of radioactive waste storage (RWS) placing and influence of this storage on rodents

The results of radiative and of chemical monitoring show definite contamination of this zone by 90Sr and toxic metals. The essential local contaminations of geosystems (up to 2.3 x 10(4) Bk/kg of soil) require in environmental condition assessment at biocenosis level. Biotesting found the increase of metallothioneines levels in kidney (up to 15.63 microg/g of tissue) and liver (up to 19.22 microg/g of tissue) of rodents inhabited in the region of RWS placing as compared with the control group (3.51 and 4.44 microg/g of tissue accordingly). Besides, the decrease of total quantity of leucocytes (by 14.5% as compared with the control group) and absolute quantity all forms of them in animal blood were noted. It was assumed the increase of protein--MT is the result of complex influence by ionizing radiation and toxic metals.     

An overview of malaria transmission from the perspective of Amazon Anopheles vectors

In the Americas, areas with a high risk of malaria transmission are mainly located in the Amazon Forest, which extends across nine countries. One keystone step to understanding the Plasmodium life cycle in Anopheles species from the Amazon Region is to obtain experimentally infected mosquito vectors. Several attempts to colonise Ano- pheles species have been conducted, but with only short-lived success or no success at all. In this review, we review the literature on malaria transmission from the perspective of its Amazon vectors. Currently, it is possible to develop experimental Plasmodium vivax infection of the colonised and field-captured vectors in laboratories located close to Amazonian endemic areas. We are also reviewing studies related to the immune response to P. vivax infection of Anopheles aquasalis, a coastal mosquito species. Finally, we discuss the importance of the modulation of Plasmodium infection by the vector microbiota and also consider the anopheline genomes. The establishment of experimental mosquito infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei parasites that could provide interesting models for studying malaria in the Amazonian scenario is important. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the parasites in New World vectors is crucial in order to better determine the interaction process and vectorial competence.     

Structure based virtual screening of ligands to identify cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonist

Montelukast and Zafirlukast are known leukotriene receptor antagonists prescribed in asthma treatment. However, these fall short as mono therapy and are frequently used in combination with inhaled glucocorticosteroids with or without long acting beta 2 agonists. Therefore, it is of interest to apply ligand and structure based virtual screening strategies to identify compounds akin to lead compounds Montelukast and Zafirlukast. Hence, compounds with structures having 95% similarity to these compounds were retrieved from NCBI׳s PubChem database. Compounds similar to lead were grouped and docked at the antagonist binding site of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1. This exercise identified compounds UNII 70RV86E50Q (Pub Cid 71587778) and Sure CN 9587085 (Pub Cid 19793614) with higher predicted binding compared to Montelukast and Zafirlukast. It is shown that the compound Sure CN 9587085 showed appreciable ligand receptor interaction compared to UNII 70RV86E50Q. Thus, the compound Sure CN 9587085 is selected as a potent antagonist to cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 for further consideration in vitro and in vivo validation.     

Aluminum induces chromosome aberrations in wheat root meristem cells]

The yield and pattern of chromosome structure aberrations in wheat seedlings treated with aluminum nitrate and aluminum sulfate at various concentrations have been determined by the anaphase method. Aluminum has a genotoxic effect causing genome, chromatid, and chromosome aberrations in apical root meristem cells. The relationship between the total yield of structural mutations and the aluminum concentration follows a bell-shaped curve. The mutagenic activity of aluminum nitrate peaks at 10(-3) mg/ml, which is twice as high as the permissible concentration limit (PCL) of aluminum in potable water. The maximum of the mutagenic activity of aluminum sulfate is observed at 5 x 10(-4) mg/ml, i.e., one PCL. Tap water boiled for 2 h in an aluminum vessel has virtually no genotoxic effect on wheat cells.     

Structural changes in erythrocyte membranes during cooling studied by a spin probe method

Peculiarities of structural changes in erythrocyte membranes during freezing (from -20 degrees to -50 degrees) were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance method using spin-labelled derivative of stearic acid-5-doxylstearate. It was established that membranes underwent a number of structural reconstructions due to the temperature decrease and water freezing-out. Differences were found in temperature dependences that characterize lipid ordering during probe insertion into membranes of native erythrocytes, white ghosts, and liposomes from total lipids of erythrocyte membranes. The data obtained indicate the impairment in the structure of lipid components and lipid-protein interactions in erythrocyte membranes during cooling.     

The content in soil and the mobility of artificial radionuclides in the region of the regional radioactive waste storage situation

The objects of researches are the soil and wild vegetation in the region of the radioactive waste storage situation. In result of monitoring it was recognized 137Cs unlike 90Sr did not spread out of storage territory in spite of trench destruction and migration of radionuclides with surface and ground waters. The forms of 137Cs, 90Sr and natural radionuclide 226Ra in soils and coefficients of 90Sr accumulation for the different kinds of plants growing at the territory of storage and 50-m zone around it were researched. The low specific activities of mobile forms of 90Sr were recognized for samples of soils selected from lowland by the terrace. The considerable differences were found for specific activities of radionuclides for different soil layers. Essential irregularity of soil surface and vegetation contamination at the test points disposed at a short distances from each other also was found. The interpretation of obtained results is presented.     

Direct incorporation of 18O isotopes into peptides and proteins for quantative analysis by mass spectrometry method

The method of direct introduction 18O isotopes in peptides and proteins carboxylic groups through the exchange with H218O in the presence of TFA is shown. The isotope label is steady enough in awide range of pH. Because the labeled compounds retain their physical and chemical characteristics, they can be used as an internal standard in quantitative determination of authentic compounds in the analyzed sites by mass spectrometry methods. The technique may be applicable for quantitative analysis of peptides and proteins in biological environments, for quantitative study of the kinetics of metabolism and enzymatic activity. For polypeptides and proteins the quantitative analysis is combined with trypsinolysis. If necessary, the isotope label may be introduced simultaneously in all peptides and proteins control bioassays, making it suitable for use as a standard for the comparative analysis of experimental bioassays.     

Biological and ecological aspects of the effects combined electromagnetic rays on farm animals

The study of a biological effect of ultraviolet, ultrahigh frequency and gamma-radiation, as well as combinations of these, on the functional status of the sheep body systems has made it possible to evaluate the sensitivity of a body exposed to these factors and its adaptive potentials. The pattern of variations in the body systems when a combined EMR is applied depends on to which extent one or another factor dominates the others. It is however possible that the effect of the leading factor is modified by that of a less severe radiation, energy characteristics of which differ from those of the dominating factor.