Use of biocompatible redox-active polymers based on carbon nanotubes and modified organic matrices for development of a highly sensitive BOD biosensor.

This work investigated the use of redox-active polymers based on bovine serum albumin and chitosan, covalently bound to mediators neutral red and ferrocene and containing carbon nanotubes, for immobilization of Paracoccus yeei VKM B-3302 bacteria. The structures of produced polymers were studied by IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy found the electrochemical characteristics of the investigated systems: the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant, the constant of the rate of interaction with P. yeei bacteria and the impedance. The systems containing carbon nanotubes and ferrocene-based redox-active polymer proved to be the most promising. Biosensors formed using the hybrid polymers had a high sensitivity with the lower boundary of 0.1 mg/dm3 of the detected BOD5 concentrations and a high correlation (R = 0.9916) with the standard BOD assay of surface water samples.

Free Immunoglobulin Light Chains as Criteria of Extracorporeal Hemocorrection in Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathies.

Elimination of free immunoglobulin light chains with the use of EMic2 selective filters was carried out in 12 patients with monoclonal gammopathies and high production of free immunoglobulin light chains. We showed that extracorporeal detoxification for direct removal of excessive free immunoglobulin light chains from the circulation is advisable for these patients, irrespective of the presence and severity of renal insufficiency. Rapid reduction or elimination of free light chains of immunoglobulins in the course of selective extracorporeal elimination helps to prevent the development of irreversible renal failure and to perform adequate antitumor therapy.

[Tandem repeats in rodents genome and their mapping].

Tandemly-repeated sequences represent a unique class of eukaryotic DNA. Their content in the genome of higher eukaryotes mounts to tens of percents. However, the evolution of this class of sequences is poorly-studied. In our paper, 62 families of Mus musculus tandem repeats are analyzed by bioinformatic methods, and 7 of them are analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. It is shown that the same tandem repeat sets co-occure only in closely related species of mice. But even in such species we observe differences in localization on the chromosomes and the number of individual tandem repeats. With increasing evolutionary distance only some of the tandem repeat families remain common for different species. It is shown, that the use of a combination of bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques is very perspective for further studies of the evolution of tandem repeats.

[Prognostic value of lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein serum levels in cancer patients with sepsis].

AIM: Analysis of LPS and LPS-binding protein (LBP) serum levels and prognostic value evaluation in cancer patients with sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples of 17 healthy donors and 46 cancer patients with sepsis were analyzed by using "Hycult biotechnology" kits (The Netherlands). RESULTS: Serum LPS level in cancer patients with sepsis was increased significantly. A substantial decrease of LBP level was detected in blood samples of deceased patients. CONCLUSION: Dynamic increase of LPS serum level and decrease of LPS-binding protein serum level in cancer patients should be considered as an unfavorable factor for sepsis.

Dynamics of elimination of bacterial endotoxins and cytokines from the blood of tumor patients with sepsis in hemoperfusion using carbon adsorbents.

We studied the effects of carbon adsorbent hemoperfusion on the dynamics of LPS and cytokine concentrations in the blood of cancer patients with sepsis and septic shock. In addition, hemadsorbent washout fluid specimens after hemoperfusion were analyzed. A significant (3-fold) reduction of blood LPS levels after hemoperfusion was found, while shifts in free cytokine levels in the sera were negligible. At the same time, hemadsorbents used in the study effectively eliminated some free cytokines (IL-6, -8, -12, IFN-γ, TNF-α) from the blood.

[Species composition of food-spoiling mycelial fungi].

We investigated the composition of the microflora that spoils foodstuffs (the surface of hard cheeses and sausages) at agribusiness factories. Mycelial fungi, mostly ascomycetes of the order Eurotiales belonging to the genus Penicillium play the main role in spoiling food. Most representatives of these fungi are mesophiles and possess the capacity for utilizing nutrient substrates in surface and submerged cultures.

[Importance of lipidic acyl chains in the process of biochemical thermal adaptation of Cunninghamella japonica mucoraceous fungus].

The temperature of C. japonica cultivation influences the lipid content and composition of acyl chains, especially the content of such polyunsaturated acids as linoleic and linolenic. Thermal adaptation is accompanied by the modulation of fatty acid isomeric composition and acyl chain length and, at low temperatures, promotes the appearance of fatty acids uncommon to the fungus, in particular, arachidonic acid. The changes occur on a background of significant alterations in the fungus metabolism (in glucose uptake, ATP content, economic coefficient value, etc.). In experiments on the inhibition of translation with cycloheximide, abrupt temperature change (supraoptimal to cold) did not lead to desaturase de novo synthesis, but rather stimulated the activity of the named enzymes, except for palmitoleoyl-CoA desaturase. In the process of temperature adaptation, polar lipid microviscosity modulating compounds influenced fatty acid acyl chain composition. Microviscosity differences between polar and neutral lipids and correlation to the degree of fatty acid unsaturation during temperature fluctuation were established.

[Microflora formation in the newborn in maternity hospitals and neonatal abnormality units].

The basic sources of pyoseptic infection pathogens are infected and colonized neonatal infants in maternity hospitals. Microbiological monitoring revealed the specific features of biocenosis formation in the newborn in the "Mother and Baby" units, resuscitative departments (RD), intensive care units, and neonatal abnormality departments (NAD). Irrespective of the conditions of hospital stay, methicillin-resistant S. epidermis (MRSE) and Enterococcus faecium were prevalent in the neonatal microbial landscape. Colonization with the normal flora in the newborn actively treated with antibiotics is difficult in RD, at the same time there is a significant infection with the mycotic flora. Broad-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiela pneumonia strains have received wide acceptance in NAD.

[Regulation of distractional osteogenesis: biochemical aspects]. / Biokhimicheskie aspekty reguliatsii distraktsionnogo osteogeneza.

The samples of intact compact bone, bone tissue of new-born puppies (BP), distractional regenerate bone (DRB), new cancellous bone (NCB) filling in the transported fragment were fractionated by the degree of maturity while substituting canine tibial shaft defect using bifocal distraction-compression osteosynthesis. Comparative analysis of the composition of the mineral phase and the organic matrix of different derivatives of bone tissue revealed the identity of low-mineralized fractions of BP and NCB. It was suggested that the fractions were produced by DRB cells which were phenotypically different from osteogenic ones. There is evidence that the high proliferating potential of the least mature DRB fraction is maintained by relative hypoxia in the "growth zone" of the latter and by the changing concentrations of local factors depending on the rate of distraction.

Comparative morphofunctional investigation of vascular pool of the muscles of the elongated extremity using different distractional regimens.

Morphofunctional changes in intra-organ vessels of dogs' muscles were evaluated by rheovasography and stereometry methods of muscular preparations to reveal ATP-ase, biochemical methods were used to determine tissue metabolism indices during elongation of tibia using different distractional regimens 1 mm 4 times per day (manual adjustment) and 1 mm 60 times per day (automatic distraction). The data obtained demonstrate different mechanisms for adequate intra-organ blood circulation in muscles using different distractional regimens.

[New data on the specificity and genetic control of the capsular antigen (F1) in Yersinia pestis]. / Novye dannye, otnosiashchiesia k spetsifichnosti i geneticheskomu kontroliu kapsul'nogo antigena (F1) Yersinia pestis.

The specific features of the synthesis of antigenic fractions F1, obtained from the strains of different species of enterobacteria and their hybrids inheriting Y. pestis plasmid pYT, were determined at different cultivation temperatures and the preparations of these antigenic fractions were characterized. Preparations containing the diagnostic antigenic determinant F1 were obtained from disintegrated bacteria of Y. pestis plasmid-free strain and microbial cells of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli initial recipient cultures by Baker's method. These data were indicative of the chromosomal control of the synthesis of antigen F1, responsible for the manifestation of protective activity. The antigen synthesized in the absence of pYT was practically, not secreted on the cell-wall surface and could not be determined by tests made with the use of whole bacterial cells. The antigen thus detected did not possess the properties of the preparation of antigen F1, obtained from Y. pestis pYT-containing strain, though it was capable of inducing the formation of F1-specific antibodies.

[The effect of stretching on mechanical chemical characteristics of tissues from elongated extremities]. / Vliianie napriazheniia rastiazheniia na mekhanokhimicheskie kharakteristiki tkanei udliniaemoi konechnosti.

A number of biochemical patterns of blood serum were used as markers of the major components of cartilage and muscle tissues, which exhibited adequately the property of responses occurred in these tissues during elongation of an extremity by the Ilizarov's procedure. The content of these components was shown to correlate in dog blood serum and tissues. At the same time, the rate of hydration, concentration of proteoglycans and elastic properties of the joint cartilage were studied.

[Study of the dependence of gene expression of plague pathogen plasmid 65MD on the host bacterium genome]. / Izuchenie zavisimosti ékspressii genov plazmidy 65 MD chumnogo mikroba ot genoma bakterii-khoziaina.

The conjugative cointegrate containing Yersinia pestis 65 Md plasmid coding for the production of traction I antigen and mouse toxin has been transferred into Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Yersinia enterocolitica and Escherichia coli cells. Analysis of the transconjugants obtained has confirmed the connection of the genetical determinants for the mentioned bacterial products with the 65 Md plasmid. The similar level of fra and tox-genes expression has been found in Yersinia cells while fraction I was not produced in Escherichia coli CA cells. The data on the increased synthesis of fraction I at 40 degrees C as compared with the one at 37 degrees C has been obtained. In some cases the production remained at the same level characteristic of the 37 degrees C. The possibility of formation of different Yersinia Fra+ recombinants in the mixed natural epizootic foci and their role in epizootic infections are discussed.

[The effect of the bacterial genome on the expression and behavior of the plasmid determining the Ca2+-dependence of the plague pathogen]. / Vliianie genoma bakterii na ékspressiiu i povedenie plazmidy, opredeliaiiushchei Ca2+-zavisimost' chumnogo mikroba.

The conjugative cointegrate containing the 47 Md plasmid of Yersinia pestis has been transferred into the strains of the different Yersinia (Yersinia pestis, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Yersinia enterocolitica) and Escherichia coli CA. There appeared in the populations of recombinant Yersinia under the conditions of Ca2+ deficit at 37 degrees C the cells coming into the stasis stage or dying. It was shown on the model of Yersinia enterocolitica that bacterial lethality might be prevented by exclusion of the sheep blood from Ca2+ deficient medium. Ca(2+)-dependence was not expressed in Escherichia coli cells in which the cointegrates were prone to deletions although the cad-genes were preserved intact. The latter conclusion is based on the positive reciprocal transfer of the Cad(+)-marker into Yersinia pestis cells.

[Biochemical and anatomic changes in the muscles after leg bone lengthening by the Ilizarov method]. / Biokhimicheskie i anatomicheskie izmeneniia v myshtsakh pri udlinenii nizhnikh konechnostei po Ilizarovu.

In process of crus lengthening, following the method, given by Ilizarov G. A., with 22 adult patients have been studied the peculiarities of metabolic processes of muscle tissue of the lengthened segment as well as the muscle tissue structural changes. As the tests were used; determination of lactate dehydrogenase content and its isoenzymatic spectrum in the blood serum, the residual products of lactic and pyruvic acids glycolysis, relating to the higher indications of the internal medium of an organism; carboxylase activity detection. Energy provision of an organism was estimated according to the ATP content; anatomical state of muscles of the lengthened extremity segment and muscle tissue structure were estimated by means of contrast myography. Dynamics of biochemical indexes suggests that the sparing character of an operation, patient mobility from the first days, preservation of locomotive and supporting function contribute to prevention of metabolic disease and ensure earlier transformation of catabolic reaction to anabolic one. Carboxylase and lactate-dehydrogenase activity increase indicates the biochemical adaptation of an organism. Metabolic changes well correlate with the detected structural changes in the lengthened crus muscles.

[The effect of a plague pathogen plasmid on lethality and immunogenicity]. / Vliianie plazmid chumnogo mikroba na letal'nost' i immunogennost'.

On the model of Yersinia transconjugants (Yersinia pestis, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Yersinia enterocolitica) carrying the conjugative cointegrates containing the 47 and 65 Md plasmids from Yersinia pestis the data were obtained on the different affects of the latter plasmids on the lethality and immunogenicity conferred by the host bacterial cells. The plasmid effects were drastically different during bacterial infection in mice or guinea pigs. The possibility of appearance of the recombinant Yersinia in natural epizootic foci of plague and suggestions on their regulating role are discussed.

[Pathogenic properties of freshly isolated strains of the pertussis microbe]. / Patogennye svoistva svezhevydelennykh shtammov kokliushnogo mikroba.

The serovar composition, toxicity, virulence and lymphocytosis stimulating activity (LSA) of B. pertussis strains circulating in the 1980-ies were studied in comparison with the strains circulating in previous years. The study revealed changes in the toxic properties of B. pertussis: their decrease in the years of the intensive immunization of children against whooping cough and rise at the period when the number of immunized children was reduced. The toxic properties and LSA in most B. pertussis strains were less pronounced in the 1980-ies than in the 1960-ies. The serovar composition of the circulating strains remained stable for 15 years with the prevalence of serovar 1.0.3.

[The role of free radical oxidation in the regulation of growth and lipid formation in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms]. / Znachenie svobodnoradikal'nogo okisleniia v reguliatsii rosta i lipidoobrazovaniia éukariotnykh i prokariotnykh organizmov.

The review considers the effect of free-radical oxidation on the growth of microorganisms, intensity of their metabolism, and composition of the membrane lipids. Using both own research evidence and this presented in the literature, the authors put forward a hypothesis about a certain correlation between physico-chemical properties of the membrane lipids and the intensity of the growth of eucaryotic and procaryotic microorganisms.

[Whooping cough morbidity and inoculation status]. / Zabolevaemost' kokliushem i sostoianie privitosti.

The analysis of pertussis morbidity and the state of immunity to pertussis has made it possible to evaluate the existing epidemiological situation as unfavorable. The restraining influence of specific prophylaxis on the epidemic process of pertussis becomes weaker due to the growing number of nonimmunized children; for this reason, the maximum morbidity rate in pertussis is observed among children under 5 years of age, as it was at the period before the introduction of mass immunization against pertussis. To prevent further possible increase in the intensity of the epidemic process of pertussis and in the severity of the clinical course of the disease, the number of children under 3 years of age, not immunized against pertussis, must be reduced by limiting the number of children exempted from immunization on medical grounds and by increasing the proportion of children immunized from the age of 3 months.