The search of small molecules with antipsychotic activity on the background of neurotensin

Tridecapeptide neurotensin (NT) is known to exert the neuroleptic-like effects in case of its intracerebral administration. The group of systemically active dipeptides , acylprolyltyrosines, was constructed on the background of NT. Methyl ester of N-caproyl-L-prolyl-L-tyrosine (Dilept) was chosen for further development. The paper is dealing with main principles of Dilept'design and with analysis of the experimental data concerning its effect on the "translational" model of schizophrenia--the deficit of prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle-reaction caused by either dopamine-mimetic, apomorphine, or by the uncompetitive NMDA-blocker, ketamine. Dilept was shown to attenuate these deficits both in case ofintraperitoneal and peroral administration. Dilept is considered as a potential antipsychotic.     

Investigation of mechanisms of interaction between inulinase from Kluyveromyces marxianus and the matrices of ion-exchange resins and fiber

It is established that ion exchange resins AV-17-2P, KU-2, AV-16-GS, AM 21A, IMAC-HP, PUROLITE and fiber VION KN-1 can be applied as carriers for inulinase immobilization. The analysis of IR spectra for an enzyme, carriers and heterogeneous enzyme preparations showed that inulinase binding to matrices of various carriers occurs in general through electrostatic interactions. It is assumed that the mechanisms of interaction between inulinase from Kluyveromyces marxianus and the matrices of cation and anion exchange polymers differ essentially from each other: different sites of protein molecule take part in adsorption that causes various conformational reorganizations in an enzyme molecule.     

Phase Transformations in a Human Tooth Tissue at the Initial Stage of Caries

The aim of the paper is to study phase transformations in solid tissues of the human teeth during the development of fissure caries by Raman and fluorescence microspectroscopy. The study of the areas with fissure caries confirmed the assumption of the formation of a weak interaction between phosphate apatite enamel and organic acids (products of microorganisms). The experimental results obtained with by Raman microspectroscopy showed the formation of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate - CaHPO₄-2H₂O in the area of mural demineralization of carious fissure. A comparative analysis of structural and spectroscopic data for the intact and carious enamel shows that emergence of a more soluble phase - carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite - is typical for the initial stage of caries. It is shown that microareas of dental hard tissues in the carious fissure due to an emerging misorientation of apatite crystals have a higher fluorescence yield than the area of the intact enamel. These areas can be easily detected even prior to a deep demineralization (white spot stage) for the case of irreversibly changed organomineral complex and intensive removal of the mineral component.     

The Influence of the Spectral Properties of the Lighting Environment on Light Absorption by Lettuce Leaves and the Net Productivity of Lettuce

Biophysics - Abstract—The efficiency of light absorption with different spectral compositions by lettuce leaves and the choice of optimal conditions of the lighting environment for increasing...     

The interaction of inulinase molecules with a chitosan matrix: UV-induced changes in the functional properties of immobilized inulinase

We have developed a technique for the immobilization of inulinase on chitosans with different molecular weights. The acid-soluble mid-molecular-weight (200 kDa) and high-molecular-weight (350 kDa) chitosans are shown to be promising matrices for inulinase adsorption. We assumed that the formation of an inulinase-chitosan matrix complex occurs mainly due to hydrophobic interactions; electrostatic interactions also play an essential role. The enzyme complex with high-molecular-weight chitosan is more stable against the action of UV light and temperature. This allows us to recommend chitosan as a catalyst in industry for the production of fructose from inulin-containing vegetable raw mateials.     

Estimation of the Vitamin C Content and GDP-L-Galactose Phosphorylase Gene (VTC2) Expression Level in Leek (Allium porrum L.) Cultivars

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - In four leek (Allium porrum L.) cultivars, VTC2 homologues cDNAs encoding GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase, a key enzyme of the L-galactose pathway of ascorbic...     

An outbreak of cholera (El Tor) in Samarkand Province, Uzbekistan in 1990]

A group outbreak of cholera caused by Vibrio eltor in the Samarkand Province++ in 1990 is analyzed. The retrospective analysis of the isolation of V. cholerae from water of surface reservoirs has been made. The study points out that since the cholera epidemic of 1985 V. cholerae avirulent strains, serogroup O1, have been periodically isolated in the Samarkand Province. The conclusion has been made that the isolation of even avirulent strains only from environmental objects is indicative of the unfavorable epidemiological situation in this area and of the necessity to take measures for improving epidemiological surveillance.