Early changes in the biosynthesis of proteins in the thymocytes of mice following exposure to lympholytic agents

The method of two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to study protein biosynthesis in cytoplasm, nuclei and nuclear matrix of mouse thymocytes 15-75 min after exposure to ionizing radiation and hydrocortisone. Irradiation was shown to inhibit some cytoplasm proteins and to induce synthesis of a few polypeptides within the total nuclear proteins and nuclear matrix. Hydrocortisone promotes synthesis of some new proteins in all the fractions leading to the formation of new polypeptides. At least one common peptide is found within the total nuclear proteins and nuclear matrix after the effect of both factors.     

Growth and Puberty of Water Boles (Arvicola amphibius,Rodentia, Arvicolinae) in Relation to Birth Season and Family Factors

Biology Bulletin - In vivarium conditions, the growth and attainment of puberty of the offspring of constant parental pairs have been studied in relation to the calendar month of birth (May or...     

The influence of season and levels of dietary lipid on growth performance and lipid composition in rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasalmo mykiss</Emphasis> (Walbaum, 1792)

We studied the growth performance and lipid composition of liver, muscles and visceral fat in rainbow trout Parasalmo mykiss (Walbaum, 1792) and the diets used in its cultivation during the spring-summer season. The differences in dietary lipid composition determined modifications in the biochemical composition of tissues of rainbow trout and had an effect on the weight and growth rate of the fish. Trophic and seasonal factors also had their influence on the studied parameters. The degree of influence depended on the functional characteristics of tissues and organs of rainbow trout.     

Seasonal variability of some biochemical parameters in the whitefish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coregonus muksun</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coregonus lavaretus</Emphasis>)

The base levels and seasonal variability of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, reduced glutathione concentration (GSH) and phospholipids concentration (PhL) of Coregonus lavaretus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Coregonus muksun (Pallas, 1814) were investigated. The relationships between this biochemical markers, hepatosomatic index and seasonal growth were also examined.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelekysgnathus jeppssoni</Emphasis>, a new conodont species from the Eifelian Stage of the Bryansk Region,Russia

Distribution of the Devonian conodont genus Pelekysgnathus is considered. A new species, P. jeppssoni sp. nov. from the Mosolovian Regional Stage (Middle Devonian, Eifelian) of the Voronezh Anteclise is described.     

Photobiological properties of 13,15-N-(carboxymethyl)- and 13,15-N-(2-carboxyethyl)cycloimide derivatives of chlorin p6

Lipophilic derivatives of chlorin p6, 13,15-N-(carboxymethyl)cycloimide methyl ester (CIC1) and 13,15-N-(2-carboxyethyl)cycloimide methyl ester (CIC2), were shown to absorb light in 710 nm region and to be efficient IR photosensitizers. They exhibit similar phototoxicities on the cells of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma, which are 40- and 100-fold higher than those of chlorin p6 and the clinically used Photogem, respectively, and are not toxic in the absence of light irradiation. The confocal spectral imaging technique allowed us to demonstrate that the high phototoxicity of CIC1 and CIC2 is due to their ability to readily penetrate to cells and to be bound to the cell membranes and lipid-containing structures in the monomeric photoactive form. Under the irradiation, the membrane-bound CIC1 and CIC2 are characterized by high quantum yields of singlet oxygen generation (0.6 and 0.65, respectively) and the inability to produce hydroxyl radicals. A 1.5-microM content of CIC1 and CIC2 in the incubation medium provides for their average cytoplasmic concentrations of 21 and 16.5 microM, respectively. The incubation times to achieve 50% level of maximum accumulation for CIC1 and CIC2 in A549 cells are 30 +/- 6 and 24 +/- 12 min, and the times for 50% release of the dyes from the cells are 17 +/- 4 and 50 +/- 10 min, respectively. A diffuse distribution with the predominant accumulation in the membranes of the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria is characteristic of both CIC2 and CIC1, whereas, in addition, CIC1 is considerably accumulated in lipid droplets (cellular organelles responsible for the storage and metabolism of neutral lipids and steryl esters). Our results demonstrate that changes in the structure of the imide substituent could affect the intracellular localization and the rate of release of chlorin p6 cycloimide derivatives from cells while preserving their high photodynamic activity.     

Realization of antimalarial measures in the period of eradication of the consequences of a flood in the Stavropol Territory in 2002

As the result of the high flood, an increase in the area of anopheligenic water reservoirs occurred on the inundated territories, which created favorable conditions for the proliferation of Anopheles mosquitoes, the vectors of malarial plasmodia, thus creating the threat of the formation of the local sources of malaria in case of its penetration from other regions unfavorable with respect to this disease. In the affected towns and regions hydrotechnical measures aimed at decreasing the surface of anopheligenic water reservoirs, as well as measures aimed at the decrease in the number of the larval and imaginal stages in the development of mosquitoes, were taken, which made it possible to prevent the probable epidemiological aggravations in malaria.     

Laboratory diagnostics of infections caused by cytomegalovirus and parvovirus B19 in patients with secondary immunodeficiency

To improve the quality of diagnostics and treatment of patients with immunodeficient states, two groups of patients were examined for the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, among them 1,348--with clinical manifestations of CMV infection (group 1) and 335 hematological patients (group 2); in addition, 36 patients with secondary immunodeficiency and 31 patients with aplastic and hemolytic anemia, or with anemia of unclear origin were examined for the presence of parvovirusinfection (B19). The results of enzyme immunoassay, polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence tests active CMV infection, confirmed by determination of IgM, low avidity IgG, antigen and DNAemia, was registered in group 2 more often than in group 1. Examinations on the presence of parvovirus infection revealed that in anemia patients with the low level of IgG or its absence IgM was also detected more often than in group 1. In mixed infection caused by CMV and parvovirus B19 the disease took a more severe course than in monoinfection, which was probably due to the parallel action exerted by parvovirus on erythrocyte production in hematopoiesis and by CMV on the monocytic and macrophagal row of cell.