A new allele of the duplicated 27kD zein locus of maize generated by homologous recombination.

The 27kD zein storage protein locus in many inbred lines of maize consists of a tandem duplication of 12kb, with an expressed gene in each repeat, termed A and B. A single-copy allele with only the A gene can be generated from this duplication in particular stocks of the maize inbred line A188 by a mitotic process that includes a crossover at the 3' regions of the two genes (1). Here, we characterize a second single-copy allele with only the B gene, found in different stocks of A188. This allele arises from a homologous recombination at the highly conserved 5' regions of the two repeats, and cloning and sequencing of this allele define the crossover region. The A and B genes in the duplicated allele were previously shown to be expressed at different levels; this difference remains unchanged in either recombinant allele. Therefore, the crossover points of these two recombinant alleles define the borders of cis-acting sequences responsible for the differential expression of the two genes.     

Sensitivity of pathogenic clostridia to antibiotics]

By the sensitivity levels of the gas infection causative agents, i. e. pathogenic Clostridia to antibiotics, the latter were conditionally divided into 4 groups. The 1st group included the most active antibiotics, such as tetracyclines,, penicillins, cephalosporins, rifampicin, 7-chlor-7-desoxylincomycin. Their minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations did not usually exceed 2 gamma/ml. For most of the strains the inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations amounted to the tenth and hundredth fractions of gamma/ml. The antibiotics of the 2nd group, i. e. erythromycin, lincomycin,ristomycin and levomycetin inhibited multiplication and viability of pathogenic Clostridia in concentrations of 20 gamma/ml. Erythromycin was most active among them The 3rd group consisted of oleandomycin, novobiocin, geliomycin and azalomycin, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of them being 20 to 50 gamma/ml. The antibiotics of the 4th group, i. e. neomycin, monomycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, polymyxin and others affected pathogenic Clostridia at very high concentrations, amounting to the hundrenth and thousandth of gamma/ml.     

Chemotherapy of bacteroides infection under clinical and experimental conditions

Bacteroides were detected in pus and bioptates of the majority of 125 patients with purulent and purulent septic infections of various localization. In 90 per cent of the subjects the bacteroides were detected in association with aerobes, facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria. The species of the bacteroides and concomitant microflora isolated from the cases with different diseases were defined by endogenic sources of the microbial contamination. Sensitivity of 112 bacteroide strains to antimicrobial agents was tested. Chloramphenicol, clindamycin, metronidazole, cefotaxime and heliomycin proved to be the most efficient. Efficacy of heliomycin was detected in hamsters with experimental bacteroide infection in the buccal sac. Thorough bacteriological examination is required for rational chemotherapy of bacteroide infections.     

Lung tissue extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels protect against radiation-induced lung injury by suppressing epithelial–mesenchymal transition

This study aimed to examine whether lung tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels have protective effects on radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). The cytocompatibility and histocompatibility were tested for the obtained ECM-derived hydrogel. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 18): control group (control); rats receiving irradiation and intratracheal injection of normal saline (IR + NS); and rats receiving irradiation and intratracheal injection of lung ECM-derived hydrogel (IR + ECM). The wet/dry weight ratio was used to evaluate the congestion and edema of the lungs. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues was performed using hemotoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analyses were carried out to determine the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in lung tissues (E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], and vimentin). In addition, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), hydroxyproline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were also evaluated. The ECM-derived hydrogels had good cytocompatibility and histocompatibility. ECM-derived hydrogel treatment improved lung histopathology injury and pulmonary edema. Higher expression of E-cadherin and lower expression of vimentin and α-SMA were found in the IR + ECM group compared with those in the IR + NS group. Hydroxyproline levels were reduced by ECM-derived hydrogel treatment compared with those in the IR + NS group. Obvious increases of TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β1 were identified following irradiation. Marked reductions in MDA content and increases in SOD were induced by ECM-derived hydrogel treatment in rats after radiation. ECM-derived hydrogels were shown to protect against RILI, potentially by reducing EMT, inflammation, and oxidative damage.     

Molecular and cellular bases for the effects of interferon

The data on the molecular mechanisms of interferons activity are analyzed. The analysis is based on the assumption that interferons are the substances of the hormonal nature. The initial step of the different interferons effects is attempted to be explained by the existence of the molecular and cellular reactions common for its realization. The dependence of the final results of interferons action on the metabolic processes in different cells and tissues determined by the specific functions and physiology of the latter is assumed.     

Mapping of citrullinated fibrinogen B-cell epitopes in rheumatoid arthritis by imaging surface plasmon resonance

Introduction  

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently involves the loss of tolerance to citrullinated antigens, which may play a role in pathogenicity. Citrullinated fibrinogen is commonly found in inflamed synovial tissue and is a frequent target of autoantibodies in RA patients. To obtain insight into the B-cell response to citrullinated fibrinogen in RA, its autoepitopes were systematically mapped using a new methodology.