Bacterial and Protozoan Lipoxygenases Could be Involved in Cell-to-Cell Signaling and Immune Response Suppression.

Lipoxygenases are found in animals, plants, and fungi, where they are involved in a wide range of cell-to-cell signaling processes. The presence of lipoxygenases in a number of bacteria and protozoa has been also established, but their biological significance remains poorly understood. Several hypothetical functions of lipoxygenases in bacteria and protozoa have been suggested without experimental validation. The objective of our study was evaluating the functions of bacterial and protozoan lipoxygenases by evolutionary and taxonomic analysis using bioinformatics tools. Lipoxygenase sequences were identified and examined using BLAST, followed by analysis of constructed phylogenetic trees and networks. Our results support the theory on the involvement of lipoxygenases in the formation of multicellular structures by microorganisms and their possible evolutionary significance in the emergence of multicellularity. Furthermore, we observed association of lipoxygenases with the suppression of host immune response by parasitic and symbiotic bacteria including dangerous opportunistic pathogens.

[Analysis of nucleotide sequences of cytochrome C oxidase I (CO1) gene of mtDNA of Arctic Liopsetta glacialis and striped Liopsetta pinnifasciata flounder (Pleuronectidae) of the Sea of Okhotsk].

The first data on nucleotide sequences of cytochrome C oxidase I (CO1) gene of Arctic and striped flounders of the Sea of Okhotsk are analyzed. Nucleotide diversity of CO1 gene for 10 individuals of arctic flounder (π = 0,00370) is slightly less than that for 28 individuals of a striped flounder (π = 0,00446), caught in the Taui Lip, the Sea of Okhotsk. The size of the disparity index found on variability of nucleotides at individuals of a polar flounder indicates not selective nature of replacements, whereas at individuals of a striped flounder about a third of replacements is selective. The size of nucleotide distinctions between individuals arctic and striped flounders confirms the specific status of these fishes.

The BLUP method in evaluation of breeding values of Russian spring wheat lines using micro- and macroelements in seeds.

Genomic selection is a technology that allows for the determination of the genetic value of varieties of agricultural plants and animal breeds, based on information about genotypes and phenotypes. The measured breeding value (BV) for varieties and breeds in relation to the target trait allows breeding stages to be thoroughly planned and the parent forms suitable for crossing to be chosen. In this work, the BLUP method was used to assess the breeding value of 149 Russian varieties and introgression lines (4 measurements for each variety or line, 596 phenotypic points) of spring wheat according to the content of seven chemical elements in the grain - K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu. The quality of the evaluation of breeding values was assessed using cross-validation, when the sample was randomly divided into five parts, one of which was chosen as a test population. The following average values of the Pearson correlation were obtained for predicting the concentration of trace elements: K - 0.67, Ca - 0.61, Mg - 0.4, Mn - 0.5, Fe - 0.38, Zn - 0.46, Cu - 0.48. Out of the 35 models studied, the p-value was below the nominal significant threshold (p-value < 0.05) for 28 models. For 11 models, the p-value was significant after correction for multiple testing (p-value < 0.001). For Ca and K, four out of five models and for Mn two out of five models had a p-value below the threshold adjusted for multiple testing. For 30 varieties that showed the best varietal values for Ca, K and Mn, the average breeding value was 296.43, 785.11 and 4.87 mg/kg higher, respectively, than the average breeding value of the population. The results obtained show the relevance of the application of genomic selection models even in such limited-size samples. The models for K, Ca and Mn are suitable for assessing the breeding value of Russian wheat varieties based on these characteristics.

Chiral properties of structure and magnetism in Mn(1-x)Fe(x)Ge compounds: when the left and the right are fighting, who wins?

Magnetic susceptibility measurements have shown that the compounds Mn(1-x)Fe(x)Ge are magnetically ordered through the whole range of concentrations x = [0.0,1.0]. Small-angle neutron scattering reveals the helical nature of the spin structure with a wave vector, which changes from its maximum (|k| = 2.3 nm(-1)) for pure MnGe, through its minimum (|k| → 0) at x(c) ≈ 0.75, to the value of |k| = 0.09 nm(-1) for pure FeGe. The macroscopic magnetic measurements confirm the ferromagnetic nature of the compound with x = x(c). The observed transformation of the helix structure to the ferromagnet at x = x(c) is explained by different signs of chirality for the compounds with x > x(c) and x

[Inversion polymorphism in malarial mosquito Anopheles messeae natural populations from the north-eastern region of the range].

A cytogenetic study of eight natural populations of Anopheles messeae from the north-eastern part of the species areal was conducted. Complete predominance of homozygotes XL11 and 3R11 in the northern populations was observed. Change in the chromosome 2 inversion frequencies from south northwards was shown. The 2R11 variant, which was not observed in the southern region, was found in the northern populations. These results indicate the maintenance of chromosome frequency of the distribution of inversions XL1 and 3R (in longitude) and 2R1 (in latitude). The inversion frequency distribution in the examined part of the areal have been preserved for a long time.

[Population of the mosquitoes Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae) in dwellings of Lensk city].

Culex pipiens molestus has been distributed in Siberia and the Russian Far East since 80s of XX century. In early 90s, C. p. molestus reached South Yakutia (Nerungri city), and nowadays it occurs in South-West Yakutia (Lensk city). The number of breeding places with larvae and pupae of mosquitoes was not numerous in Lensk; among 56 examined houses, the places with larvae and pupae mosquitoes were registered in seven houses, while the adult mosquitoes occurred in the majority of the houses. The occurrence of larvae varied from 12.5 to 33.3%, occurrence of adults-from 12.5 to 100%. The coefficient of variation of larvae in the samples was equal to 0.92, and adults had the following coefficients: 0.84 in the houses without basement; 0.92 in the houses with dry basements; 1.05 in the houses with pools in basements. This data are referred to the casual type, it means that the distribution of mosquitoes in space is dispersed. Imago spread actively in stone house of Lensk that provides mosquitoes with new places of breeding, and supports the stability of population in new areas.

The structure of nocamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic.

The structure of nocamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic, has been elucidated with the aid of mass- and PMR-spectroscopic investigation of the antibiotic and its various chemical transformation products. Nocamycin is structurally related to tirandamycins.

Polymorphism of human blood groups and incidence of influenza A/Hong Kong (H3N2).

During three epidemics of influenza A/Hong Kong (H3N2) and experimentally in vaccines, the relation between influenza infection and ABo, Rh and MN blood groups was studied. Examinations of 2760 patients with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of influenza and 749 persons vaccinated with live influenza vaccine showed that individuals of blood groups O and B were susceptible to influenza 1.67 and 1.20 times more, respectively, than individuals of blood group A. The difference in incidence was most manifested in first attacks and decreased in subsequent epidemics. The increased incidence in individuals of blood groups O and B as compared to those of blood group A was not associated with factors of specific (antibody) and nonspecific (interferon) resistance to influenza but was related to a greater capacity of leukocytes from these individuals to adsorb the virus. No relation between blood groups Ph and MN and incidence of influenza A/Hong Kong (H3N2) was established.

[A study of the reaction between antibodies and DNA by the method of immune complex formation on the membranes of nitrocellulose filters]. / Izuchenie reaktsii mezhdu antitelami i DNK metodom fiksatsii immunykh kompleksov na membrannykh nitrotselliuloznykh fil'trakh

The conditions were developed to measure antibodies to denatured and native DNA. It was shown that membrane filters treated with alkali adsorbed denatured DNA complexed with antibodies. Utilizing this method it was shown that antibodies to denatured DNA react with pyrimidines (probably thymine). This assay provides proof of the wide existence antibodies to native DNA in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. DNA-binding of sera was significantly depended on reaction condition.

[Perinatal pathology and risk groups in postnatal ontogeny]. / Perinatal'naia patologiia i gruppy riska v postnatal'nom ontogeneze.

Perinatal pathology may become the cause of diseases in children and adults. Cardiovascular system of the foetus and placental vessels are examined in the toxicosis of the pregnancy, hypertension of pregnant mothers, immunological system and sex glands in large foetus, thyroid and sex glands of newborns. It is suggested that early atherosclerosis, myocardiopathy, sexual disturbances, endocrinopathy, immunodeficient states are consequences of pathological or "prepathological" development of certain organs and systems of the foetus.

[Effect of individual factors of the space environment on the abiogenic synthesis of nucleotides]. / Vliianie otdel'nykh faktorov kosmicheskoi sredy na abiogennyi sintez nukleotidov.

Key role of thermal energy has been shown in abiogenic synthesis of natural nucleotides (deoxyadenosine and cytidine monophosphates) in a solid phase during phosphorylation of deoxyadenosine and cytidine at the board of the orbital station "Salute-7" (temperature from -50 to 65 degrees C, exposition for 13 months) and in laboratory experiments (temperature 65 degrees C, exposition from 8 days to 6 1/2 months). The results obtained are discussed in relation to possible contribution of thermal energy in processes of prebiological evolution on the lithosphere of the Primitive Earth and various cosmic bodies.

[Structure of eremosamine--an amino sugar from the antibiotic eremomycin]. / Struktura éremozamina--aminosakhara iz antibiotika éremomitsina.

A new amino sugar named eremosamine was isolated from hydrolysate of eremomycin, an antibiotic belonging to the group of polycyclic glycopeptides. Crystalline derivatives of the amino sugar i. e. methyleremosaminide and methyl-N,O-acetyleremosaminide (alpha- and beta-anomers) were prepared. The data on PMR study and optic properties of the compounds showed that eremosamine had the structure of 2,3,6-tridesoxy-3-amino-3-C-methyl-L-arabinohexose.

[The structure of the aglycon of eremomycin--a new antibiotic of the polycyclic glycopeptide group]. / Struktura aglikona éremomitsina--novogo antibiotika gruppy politsiklicheskikh glikopeptidov.

Eremomycin is shown to be a new representative of the group of polycyclic glycopeptides. By the amino acid composition it is close to vancomycin but by the structure of triphenoxytriaminotricarboxylic acid it differs from vancomycin. Monodechlorovancomycinic acid was detected in eremomycin. On the basis of the data obtained in studies on the amino acid sequence and the molecule functional groups the structural formula of eremomycin aglycon was assigned. It is demonstrated that the chlorine-containing phenylserine fragment of monodechlorovancomycin acid is located in the N-end region of the aglycon peptide chain.

[New derivatives of carminomycin and rubomycin]. / Novye proizvodnye karminomitsina i rubomitsina.

For preparing new semisynthetic analogs of anthracycline antibiotics, hydrolysis of 13-dimethylketals of 14-bromrubomycin and 14-brom-arminomycin in solution of diluted hydrochloric acid was studied. It was shown that such hydrolysis yielded 14-chlorrubomycin and 14-chlorcarminomycin. Conditions for separating the mixture of 14-chlor- and 14-bromrubomycins and the mixture of 14-chlor- and 14-bromcarminomycins by HPLC were developed. Interaction of 14-chlorine derivatives of rubomycin and carminomycin with potassium formate in the presence of the crown ether yielded 14-formyloxy derivatives of rubomycin and carminomycin. Interaction of rubomycin and carminomycin with formic acid in the presence of N-oxysuccinimide and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide resulted in formation of N-formyl derivatives of rubomycin and carminomycin.

[Isolation and evaluation of the structure of the new anthracycline antibiotics rubomycins F and H]. / Vydelenie i ustanovlenie stroeniia novykh antratsiklinovykh antibiotikov rubomitsinov F i H.

The rubomycin complex produced by Streptomyces coeruleorubidus 4-157 was studied and the two novel anthracyclines i.e. rubomycins F and H were isolated. The study of the physicochemical properties of the novel antibiotics in comparison with rubomycin C (daunomycin) and the specially prepared 3'-N-carbmethoxyrubomycin C showed that rubomycin F was 3'-N-carbethoxydaunomycin and rubomycin H was 3'-N-carbmethoxydaunomycin. Therefore, rubomycins F and H are novel representatives of natural anthracyclines undescribed previously.

[Albofungin formation by a strain isolated as a result of fusion of protoplasts of organisms producing aminoglycoside antibiotics]. / Obrazovanie al'bofungina shtammon, poluchennym v rezul'tate sliianiia protoplastov produtsentov aminoglikozidnykh antibiotikov.

Strain 344 synthesizing an antibiotic complex was isolated after fusion of the protoplasts of Streptomyces monomycini producing monomycin and Streptomyces kanamyceticus producing kanamycin. The major component of the complex was identified with albofungin and the minor one was suggested to be chloralbofungin. In the cultures of strain 344 variants forming monomycin were detected. After regeneration of the protoplasts of the parent strains there were isolated no stable clones synthesizing antibiotics differing from monomycin and kanamycin.

[The structure and antimicrobial activity of the partial degradation products of the antibiotic eremomycin]. / Struktura i antimikrobnaia aktivnost' produktov chastichnoi degradatsii antibiotika éremomitsina.

Antimicrobial activity of partial degradation products of eremomycin, a new glycopeptide antibiotic, was studied. The products formed by eremomycin deglycosylation (deseremosaminyl eremomycin, eremosaminyl aglycone and aglycone) and elimination of the chlorine atom from the molecule aglycone moiety (dechloroeremomycin). The spectral data in favour of the compounds structure are presented. It was found that partial degradation led to a decrease in the antimicrobial activity of the antibiotic. Dechloreremomycin had the highest activity among the products. Its MIC for the methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus was only twice as low as that of the initial antibiotic.

[The significance of gastric helicobacteriosis in the genesis hemorrhage from duodenal peptic ulcer]. / Znachenie khelikobakterioza zheludka v geneze krovotecheniia iz iazvy dvenadtsatiperstnoi kishki.

Based on a comprehensive analysis of findings from examination and surgical treatment of 196 patients with bleeding pyloroduodenal ulcers, it was found out that patients with concurrent helicobacteriosis of the stomach are prone to more unfavourable course of their illness, which fact is evidenced by a greater loss of blood and higher risk for bleeding recurrences. A classification is proposed by the authors, taking advantage of the data from endoscopic, microscopic and immunoenzymatic techniques, with the purpose of providing an assessment of degree of severity of helicobacteriosis of the stomach.