Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Rostov Province: the epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak

The results of the epidemiological analysis of the outbreak of hemorrhagic fever which was caused by Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and occurred during the period of July 3-19, 1999, in the Oblivskaya district of Rostov Province are presented. The specific epidemiological features of the outbreak have been determined. The possible versions of the appearance of the focus of infection and the role of Ixodes ticks in the circulation of the infective agent are discussed.     

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Conjugates of Anthracycline Antibiotics with Sesquiterpene Lactones of the Elecampane

The daunorubicin and doxorubicin anthracycline antibiotics were modified with the Inula helenium L. sesquiterpene lactones (alantolactone, isoalantolactone, and alloalantolactone) and with their epoxy derivatives. Antiproliferative properties of these conjugates were studied on tumor and normal cell lines. The daunorubicin conjugates with the sesquiterpene lactones (isoalantolactone, allantolactone, and alloalantolactone) and with their epoxy derivatives were found to exhibit the higher activity against human tumor cell lines than the corresponding doxorubicin conjugates. The daunorubicin conjugate with epoxyisoalantolactone proved to be the most effective compound, because it was more cytotoxic than daunorubicin towards a number of cell lines, including those daunorubicin-resistant, and did not affect normal human cells.     

On the state of iron in biological systems

The magnetic properties of materials of plant and animal origin (more than 150 kinds) have been investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetometry, and (in control experiments) X-ray diffractometry. A characteristic feature of the process of iron accumulation in biological material is the tendency to form structural units based on iron hydroxides as well as regions of magnetic ordering.     

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord: non-invasive tool for activation of locomotor circuitry in human

A new tool for locomotor circuitry activation in the non-injured human by transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has been described. We show that continuous tSCS over T11-T12 vertebrae at 5-40 Hz induced involuntary locomotor-like stepping movements in subjects with their legs in a gravity-independent position. The increase of frequency of tSCS from 5 to 30 Hz augmented the amplitude of evoked stepping movements. The duration of cycle period did not depend on frequency of tSCS. During tSCS the hip, knee and ankle joints were involved in the stepping performance. It has been suggested that tSCS activates the locomotor circuitry through the dorsal roots. It appears that tSCS can be used as a non-invasive method in rehabilitation of spinal pathology.     

Response of external inspiration to the movements induced by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

The dynamic of the parameters of lung ventilation and gas exchange have been studied in 10 young male subjects during involuntary stepping movements induced by transcutaneous spinal cord electrical stimulation applied in the projection of T ₁₁–T ₁₂ vertebrae and during voluntary stepping movements. It has been found that the transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation inducing stepping movements leads to an increase in breathing frequency and a reduction in tidal volume. These effects may be mediated by some neurogenic factors associated with muscular activity during stepping movements, the activation of abdominal expiratory muscles, and the interaction between the stepping pattern and breathing generators.     

Evolutionary Role of Iron in Metabolism of Prokaryotes and in Biogeochemical Processes

The paper reviews data summarizing points of view about the conceptual role of iron in the appearance and evolutionary formation of the Earth and its biosphere. Participation of iron and its compounds in the appearance and development of processes of anaero- and aerobiosis as fundamental blocks of metabolism is presented as a hierarchical scheme. Magnetically arrayed iron compounds, in which the element is both in the Fe(II) and in the Fe(III) state, are considered a connecting link between the hierarchical levels. It is shown that the energy transformation Fe(II) Fe(III) is an oxidation–reduction energy core of the most important metabolic iron complexes and of processes of biogenesis both at the cellular level and in biogeosystems.     

Methodological and Computational Aspects of Extracting Extensive Muscle Synergies in Moderate-Intensity Locomotions

Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology - In motor synergy studies, modern approaches typically include the consideration of synergistic effects at one or, less often, two levels of the...     

Amino Derivatives of Natural Epoxyalantolactone: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity toward Tumor Cells

Reactions of natural epoxyalantolactone with primary and secondary amines, which lead to hydrated benzo[g]furo[4,3,2-cd]indolones and eudesmane-type amino derivatives, respectively, have been studied. Epoxyalantolactone conjugates have been synthesized with the involvement of pharmacophoric amines, and their cytotoxic activity toward some tumor cell lines has been tested. The involvement of the signaling pathway of protein p53 in the death of tumor cells, the contribution of oxidative stress, and the induction of apoptosis have been investigated in experiments in vitro.     

Active avoidance without discriminating control as a model for the study of protective effect of drugs in emotional stress

The method of plotting of hystograms of distribution according to the frequency intervals between pressing the redal (the method of active avoidance with no discriminating control) permits one to estimate slight shifts in the character of operative activity of rats occurring under the effect of emotional stress. The design of the simple multichannel apparatus for developing and studying of habits of active avoidance in several animals is presented.