Cytotoxicity of antisera against brain and spinal cord antigens for heterogenous lymphocytes

The cytotoxic activity of rabbit antisera against brain and spinal cord antigens for mouse and guinea pig lymphocytes was investigated. None of the sera tested had any cytotoxic action on bone marrow lymphocytes, whereas sera against mouse brain and spinal cord, guinea pig brain, and myelin isolated from it were most toxic for lymphocytes of other lymphoid organs; the maximal toxic effect was found against thymocytes, it was less marked against lymph gland lymphocytes, and still less against spleen cells. The cytotoxicity of antisera against bovine spinal cord, and the myelin or basic protein isolated from it, was least of all and was the same against all the cells mentioned above; antiserum against encephalitogenic polypeptide 2c had virtually no cytotoxic activity. In its encephalitogenic properties fraction 2c considerably surpassed myelin and basic protein prepared from bovine spinal cord. Experiments with absorption of brain antiserum suggested that a cross-reacting antigen is present in the cerebral cortex. Subcutaneous injection of a relatively large dose of thymocytes (224×10⁶) in Freund's complete adjuvant did not lead to the development of allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs.Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 968–970, August, 1976.     

Phospholipids and cholesterol of the brain and spinal cord of guinea pigs poisoned with tricresyl phosphate

The content of phospholipids and of total, free, and esterified cholesterol in the brain and spinal cord of guinea pigs with severe neuroparalytic signs of poisoning caused by intradermal injection of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) was investigated. No change was found in the content of phospholipids and total cholesterol in either the brain or the spinal cord, but accumulation of cholesterol esters—the characteristic degradation products of myelin sheaths-was observed.Department of Biochemistry, First Leningrad Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. N. Klimov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 9, pp. 297–299, September, 1977.     

Diminished anaphylactogenic properties of deaggregated γ-globulin

The comparative immunologic activity of native, aggregated, and deaggregated (tolerogenic) human -globulin was studied in experiments on mice and guinea pigs. Diminished activity of the deaggregated preparation was found in reactions of local and general hypersensitivity in sensitized animals, together with diminished ability to stimulate the secondary humoral immune response.Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Research Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 575–577, May, 1978.     

Preparation of paraffin sections for immunofluorescence analysis of antigens differing in their chemical nature

A technique is suggested for preparing paraffin sections from tissues fixed with acetone which can be used for the immunohistochemical detection of antigens which differ in their chemical nature, including -fetoprotein, antigens of mouse leukemia viruses, alcohol-soluble antigens of hepatocyte membranes, and certain phospholipids.Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Diagnosis of Tumors, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy, N. N. Burdenko Institute of Neurosurgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR G. V. Vygodchikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 1018–1020, August, 1976.     

Type B monoamine oxidase and functions of Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase in preparations from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles

Oxidative deamination of -phenylethylamine or benzylamine by type B monoamine oxidases (MAO) in preparations of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscles is accompanied by inhibition both of active Ca²⁺ transport into the vesicles and of the activity of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase, which is preventable by deprenil, a specific inhibitor of type B MAO. Aldehydes formed during enzymatic deamination of substrates of type B MAO may perhaps participate in the regulation of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase, activity.Laboratory of Physicochemical Methods, Scientific-Research Institute for Biological Trials of Chemical Compounds, Ministry of the Medical Industry of the USSR. Laboratory or Biochemistry of Amines and Other Nitrogenous Compounds, Institute of Biological and Medical Chemistry, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. N. Orekhovich.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 3, pp. 283–284, March, 1977.     

Effect of levodopa on the healing of neurogenic degenerative lesions of the gastric mucosa in rats

Neurogenic degeneration of the gastric mucosa was produced in rats by immobilizing the animals for 3h and by electrical stimulation. At the end of stimulation hemorrhagic erosions had developed in the gastric mucosa and they were still present 48 h later. Macroscopic and microscopic investigations showed that injections of levodopa into the rats in a dose of 10 mg/kg for 2 days after the end of stimulation accelerated the healing of hemorrhagic erosions of the mucosa.Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Scientific-Research Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Central Research Laboratory, Leningrad Pediatric Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. V. Anichkov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 11, pp. 1347–1349, November, 1976.     

Effect of ethimizole on energy metabolism in the rat brain

In a dose of 25 mg/kg, 20 min after intraperitoneal injection, ethimizole stimulates oxidative phosphorylation, increases the creatine phosphate content and reduces the concentration of inorganic phosphorus in the brain tissue of rats. It is postulated that ethimizole stimulates energy metabolism through its activating effect on adenyl cyclase.Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. V. Anichkov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 185–187, February, 1977.     

The sex ratio in inbred strains of mice

A study of the sex ratio in mice of inbred strains CBA and C3H and of the connection between the postimplantation embryonic mortality of mice of these strains and the sex distribution of the embryos showed that the embryonic sex ratio of these lines of mice obeys the 11 distribution. Data in the literature and the writer's own observations suggest that genetic differences between mice of inbred strains have no significant effect on the sex ratio of the progeny. The postimplantation embryonic mortality in C3H mice is greater than that of CBA mice (14.4 and 9.3% respectively). However, the presence of a balanced sex ratio in the mice of these strains is evidence of absence of selective death of embryos of either sex during embryogenesis.Department of Embryology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR M. A. Petrov-Maslakov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 223–224, February, 1977.     

Development of interneuronal synapses between anterior horn neuroblasts of the human spinal cord in early prenatal development (seventh to ninth weeks of gestation)

Synaptogenesis in presumptive anterior horn cells of the spinal cord (C4-T3) was studied by electron microscopy in early human prenatal development. The morphological stages of synaptogenesis were traced and the minimum structural organization of the synapse corresponding to the onset of its functional activity was identified. The possible mechanisms of synaptogenesis are postulated.Laboratory of Development of the Peripheral Nervous System, Institute of Human Morphology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 233–235, February, 1977.     

Role of injury in the appearance of “activated” smooth muscle cells

In experiments on rats the ultrastructure of the muscle tissue of the inferior vena cava after disturbance of the outflow of blood, of the muscular coat of the stomach after resection of 50% of its fundus, and of the muscular coat of the cecum after constriction of its ascending portion was studied. Activation of smooth muscles was shown to reflect the phase of injury to the ultrastructure of the cells, followed by processes of intracellular regeneration. Analysis of the ratio between DNA-synthesizing and activated cells showed the local origin of the latter from differentiated myocytes.Institute of General Pathology and Pathological Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. No. 4 Main Board, Ministry of Health of the USSR. Institute of Human Morphology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 112–115, July, 1977.     

A low-molecular-weight homogeneous fraction of the thymus stimulating immunogenesis

The effect of a purified acetic acid extract of thymus (thymarin) and of three of its fractions obtained by ion-exchange chromatography, and consisting of individual substances of polypeptide nature, on the immune response was studied in mice immunized with sheep's erythrocytes. Thymarin and one of its fractions with a molecular weight of about 5000 were shown to have a marked stimulating action on the thymus-dependent immune response (the formation of cells producing IgM and IgG antibodies and the circulating antibody level).Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 56–58, July, 1977.     

Role of alimentary hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of some disturbances of lipid metabolism

Alimentary hyperglycemia in rabbits is accompanied by elevation of the serum cholesterol and triglyceride level and also by a progressive rise in the serum concentration of pre--lipoproteins, carriers of endogenous triglycerides. Feeding hyperglycemic animals with cholesterol for a short time leads to earlier and more marked atherogenic changes in the body than similar feeding of normoglycemic animals.Laboratory of Pathological Physiology, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Hormone Chemistry, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. A. Yudaev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 81, No. 3, pp. 281–283, March, 1976.     

Effect of thyroxin on accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid glands of hemithyroidectomized rats of different ages

In experiments on hemithyroidectomized male rats aged from 2 to 20 months administration of thyroxin in a dose of 1 g/100 g body weight led to a significantly greater inhibition of accumulation of radioactive iodine in the residual lobe of the thyroid gland on the 5th day of the experiment in rats aged 16–20 months than in animals aged 2–2.5 months. The results confirm the earlier conclusion that the hypothalamic-hypophyseal threshold for homeostatic inhibition by thyroxin falls with age.Laboratory of Endocrinology and Roentgenodiagnostic Division, N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. I. Serebrov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 539–541, May, 1978.     

Synthesis of α-fetoproteinin vitro by human hepatocytes,singly and in microcolonies

By a combination of microelectrophoresis and precipitation in polyacrylamide gel, -fetoprotein (-FP) produced by single hepatocytes and by microcolonies of hepatocytes was determined. Liver cells from 6–13-week-old human fetuses were cultivatedin vitro for 2–5 days. -FP was found to be produced in amounts of between 70 and 800 pg per cell by 23 of 28 single hepatocytes and by 89 of 91 microcolonies consisting of 2 to 35 cellsLaboratory of Immunochemistry and Diagnosis of Tumors, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR L. M. Shabad.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 4, pp. 481–484, April, 1977.     

Effect of cholinergic agents on survival of mice after acute microwave irradiation

Administration of cholinomimetics (pilocarpine, neostigmine, cytisine) immediately after microwave irradiation (62±5 mW/cm², =12.5 cm, 15–16 min) increased the survival rate of the irradiated mice by 1.2–1.3 times; after administration of cholinolytics fewer of the irradiated mice survived.Vladivostok Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. V. Zakusov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 81, No. 3, pp. 285–286, March, 1976.     

Cyclic AMP formation during phagocytosis

The content of cyclic adenosine-3, 5-monophosphate (AMP) in phagocytic macrophages was shown to be increased especially during phagocytosis of the living microbes. The cyclic AMP formed during phagocytosis could be detected in the incubation medium, but in the cells it remained at almost the same level. The cyclic AMP concentration in cells of the intestinal mucosa and in the blood serum of germfree guinea pigs also was increased after injection ofEscherichia coli 055 cells; this points to the participation of the adenylate cyclase system in interaction between microorganisms and the epithelium of the small intestine.Research Laboratory of Experimental Biological Models, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Institute of Biological and Medical Chemistry, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, V. N. Orekhovich.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 953–956, August, 1976.     

Comparative study of the action of ethimizole and hydrocortisone on proliferative activity and protein synthesis in epithelial cells of the tongue and liver

Unlike hydrocortisone, ethimizole stimulated mitotic activity of the epithelial cells of the tongue and liver 6 h after its administration. The decrease in the number of mitoses in the hepatocytes after 12 h was due to the action of both substances on DNA synthesis and not to a disturbance of the entry of the cells into mitosis. Stimulation of protein synthesis was detected by autoradiographic and biochemical methods following the action of hydrocortisone and ethimizole at the maximum of inhibition of mitosis.Laboratory of Experimental Histology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. V. Anichkov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 3, pp. 348–350, March, 1977.     

Specificity of the estradiol-binding system of the guinea pig uterus

The degree of affinity of steroids of the estrone series for the estradiol-binding system of the guinea pig uterus was analyzed. The factor determining interaction with the receptor system of the guinea pig uterus was found to be the presence of free hydroxyl groups in positions 3 (phenol) and 17 and their mutual orientation. The results suggest that the biological activity of steroids is determined by the character of their structural interaction with the receptor systems of the uterus.All-Union Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ministry of Health of the USSR. Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Hormone Chemistry, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR L. S. Persianinov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 989–993, August, 1976.     

Functional state of the hypothalamo-hypophyseo-adrenal system in guinea pigs exposed to radial acceleration

The effect of an increased gravitational field on activity of the hypothalamo-hypophyseo-adrenal system was studied in experiments on guinea pigs. A single exposure led to activation of this system; however, during repeated exposure to radial acceleration the animals ceased to respond by an increase in the blood corticosteroid level, evidently on account of adaptation of the central components of the system and not of exhaustion of the adrenal cortex.Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. V. Anichkov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 11, pp. 1313–1314, November, 1976.     

Effect of furosemide and ethacrynic acid on sodium transport and potassium secretion

Like strophanthin K, ethacrynic acid increases the sodium concentration and reduces the potassium concentration in frog urinary bladder tissue, with the result that potassium secretion is reduced; furosemide does not change these concentrations. The results point to differences in the intracellular action of furosemide and ethacrynic acid.Laboratory of Evolution of the Kidney and Water-Salt Metabolism, I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. N. Chernigovskii.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 9, pp. 319–321, September, 1977.