Synthesis and antiviral activity of 2-[α-nitro-β-aminovinyl]-hydroquinone and -p-benzoquinone

Translated from Khimiko-farmatsevitcheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 35–37, April, 1991.     

Treatment of labile forms of diabetes mellitus by transplantation of cultured pancreatic islet cells

The authors presented data on the transplantation of human fetal and pig pancreatic islet cell cultures to 89 patients with type I diabetes mellitus of a labile course. Allo- and xeno-transplantations of pancreatic islet cell cultures in combination with exogenous insulin administration were shown to improve the patients' general status raising their working capacity. As a result of 118 islet cell transplantations hypoglycemic comas either stopped or became milder and were better corrected. Stabilization of metabolic processes was observed in the patients. Clinicobiochemical indices and subjective signs of diabetes stabilization were observed within 12-15 months after transplantation.     

“Sokuluk” virus,a new group B arbovirus isolated from Vespertilio pipistrellus Schreber, 1775, bat in the Kirghiz S.S.R.

Summary A virus strain was isolated fromVespertilio pipistrellus Schreber, 1775 while examining bats in Sokuluksk region of the Kirghiz S.S.R. in 1970. Hemagglutination inhibition tests indicated that the virus ranged among group B arboviruses. It differed essentially in complement fixation and neutralization tests from 30 viruses of the B group: Entebbe bat; Bukalasa bat; Dakar bat; Kadam; Modoc; Spondweni; Ilheus; Japanese, St. Louis, Murray Vallay and tick-borne encephalitis; Kyasanur Forest disease; Powassan; Langat; Tyuleniy; West Nile; Bussuquara; Cowbone Ridge, Uganda S; SAH-336; Kokobera; yellow fever; Dengue, types 1 and 2; Wesselsbron; Edge Hill; Alfuy; Stratford; Zika; Potuskum. It may be concluded that Sokuluk virus is a new group B virus. Complement-fixing antibodies were not found in sera of 150 cows and 200 sheep but they were detected in 0.6 percent of 579 human sera in the Kirghiz S.S.R.     

Comparative mapping of X chromosomes in vole species of the genus Microtus

Comparative mapping of X-linked genes has progressed rapidly since Ohno's prediction that genes on the X chromosome should be conserved as a syntenic group in all mammals. Although several conserved blocks of homology between human and mouse have been discovered, rearrangements within the X chromosome have also been characterized. More recently, some exceptions to Ohno's law have been reported. We have used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to map five genes, Gla, G6pd, Hprt, Pgk1 and Xist, to two of the largest conserved segments of X material in five members of the genus Microtus (grey vole) and show that vole X chromosomes demonstrate greater homology to human than to mouse. Cytogenetic analysis indicates a relatively high frequency of rearrangement during vole evolution, although certain blocks of homology appear to be highly conserved in all species studied to date. On this basis we were able to predict the probable location of the rat X inactivation centre (Xic) based solely on high-resolution G-banding. Our prediction was then confirmed by mapping the rat Xist gene by FISH. The possible significance of conserving long-range chromosome structure in the vicinity of the Xic is discussed with respect to the mechanism of X inactivation.     

Effects of aging on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system function in non-human primates

The study was aimed at characterizing the changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function during aging in monkey models (Papio hamadryas and Macaca mulatta). It has been established by specific radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay that basal plasma levels of adrenal androgenes (dehydroepiandrosterone-DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate-DHEAS) and the early precursors of steroid hormones (pregnenolone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone) progressively decrease with age in baboons and macaques, while cortisol and 11-desoxycortisol concentrations do not change. The old female rhesus monkeys exhibited a higher cortisol and corticosterone response, but a lower DHEAS response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) administration then the young monkeys. The aged rhesus monkeys also exhibited a decrease of the adrenal cortex resiliency, that was manifested in the deceleration of the decrease of cortisol concentrations after the peak values had been reached in response to ACTH 1-39 administration. At the same time the ACTH 1-24 depot test revealed no age-related changes in the maximum capacity of monkey adrenals to synthesize and secrete cortisol. The aged monkeys also developed less sensitivity of the HPA axis to dexametasone suppression test. The age-related hormonal changes may play an important role in the age-related involutive processes and in the disorders of the adaptive ability of old organisms.     

Dynamics of Functioning of Thyroid Gland Transplant under Conditions of Stimulation with Autologous Adherent Bone Marrow Cells

The efficiency of thyroid tissue autotransplantation was studied in 150 male Wistar rats for 3 months. Comparative analysis of functional competence of the thyroid tissue transplanted into the great omentum showed restoration of the thyroid hormonal activity in animals receiving cell suspension of autologous adherent bone marrow cells. __________ Translated from Kletochnye Tekhnologii v Biologii i Meditsine, No. 4, pp. 200–202, November, 2005     

Chromosomal evolution of Arvicolinae (Cricetidae, Rodentia). II. The genome homology of two mole voles (genus Ellobius), the field vole and golden hamster revealed by comparative chromosome painting

Using cross-species chromosome painting, we have carried out a comprehensive comparison of the karyotypes of two Ellobius species with unusual sex determination systems: the Transcaucasian mole vole, Ellobius lutescens (2n = 17, X in both sexes), and the northern mole vole, Ellobius talpinus (2n = 54, XX in both sexes). Both Ellobius species have highly rearranged karyotypes. The chromosomal paints from the field vole (Microtus agrestis) detected, in total, 34 and 32 homologous autosomal regions in E. lutescens and E. talpinus karyotypes, respectively. No difference in hybridization pattern of the X paint (as well as Y paint) probes on male and female chromosomes was discovered. The set of golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) chromosomal painting probes revealed 44 and 43 homologous autosomal regions in E. lutescens and E. talpinus karyotypes, respectively. A comparative chromosome map was established based on the results of cross-species chromosome painting and a hypothetical ancestral Ellobius karyotype was reconstructed. A considerable number of rearrangements were detected; 31 and 7 fusion/fission rearrangements differentiated the karyotypes of E. lutescens and E. talpinus from the ancestral Ellobius karyotype. It seems that inversions have played a minor role in the genome evolution of these Ellobius species.