Association analysis of a polymorphism in the G‐protein stimulatory α subunit in patients with major depression*

Growing evidence suggests that G‐proteins may be involved in pathogenesis and treatment of affective disorders. Several studies have reported altered levels and/or activities of stimulatory G‐proteins in depression. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a polymorphism in the stimulatory α subunit of G‐proteins (T/C point mutation in exon 5; ATT → ATC at codon 131) is associated with major depression or response to antidepressant treatment. Therefore, we performed a case‐control association study with 212 depressive patients and 137 healthy, unrelated controls. There was no evidence for an association between the investigated polymorphism in the Gα_s gene and major depression, as well as to treatment response. The results of our study are in concordance with recently published findings which do not support the hypothesis that the gene for the stimulatory α subunit of G‐proteins is a major susceptibility factor in the pathophysiology of major depression. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Selective accumulation of monoclonal antibodies against neurospecific enolase in brain tissue of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion

Preparations of I¹²⁵-labeled monoclonal antibodies against neurospecific enolase and mouse plasma IgG1 were injected intravenously to rats immediately after unilateral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Radioactivity of I¹²⁵-labeled monoclonal antibodies against neurospecific enolase in the brain tissue progressively increased, reached a maximum by the 48th hour, and remained practically unchanged after 72 h. At the same time radioactivity of labeled IgG1 in the brain tissue and radioactivity of both preparations in the blood, liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, and lungs decreased over 72 h. Selective accumulation of I¹²⁵-labeled monoclonal antibodies against neurospecific enolase was less significant in the brain tissue of the contralateral hemisphere and cerebellum not exposed to ischemia.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 10, pp. 388–392, October, 2004     

Effect of spark plasma sintering on the microstructure and in vitro behavior of plasma sprayed HA coatings

The crystalline phases and degree of crystallinity in plasma sprayed calcium phosphate coatings on Ti substrates are crucial factors that influence the biological interactions of the materials in vivo. In this study, plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings underwent post-spray treatment by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique at 500 degrees C, 600 degrees C, and 700 degrees C for duration of 5 and 30 min. The activity of the HA coatings before and after SPS are evaluated in vitro in a simulated body fluid. The surface microstructure, crystallinity, and phase composition of each coating is characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry before, and after in vitro incubation. Results show that the plasma sprayed coatings treated for 5 min in SPS demonstrated increased proportion of beta-TCP phase with a preferred-orientation in the (214) plane, and the content of beta-TCP phase corresponded to SPS temperature, up to 700 degrees C. SPS treatment at 700 degrees C for 30 min enhanced the HA content in the plasma spray coating as well. The HA coatings treated in SPS for 5 min revealed rapid surface morphological changes during in vitro incubation (up to 12 days), indicating that the surface activity is enhanced by the SPS treatment. The thickest apatite layer was found in the coating treated by SPS at 700 degrees C for 5 min.     

单克隆抗体间接荧光法分型检测单纯疱疹病毒的实验研究

本文选择３株抗单纯疱疹病毒型共同性和型特异性单克隆抗体，建立了分型检测单纯疱疹病毒的单克隆抗体间接荧光法（ＭｃＡｂ－１ＦＡ）．特异性试验和重复性试验证实，ＭｃＡｂ－ＩＦＡ特异性强、重复性好．用此法检测了不同部位来源的５１份临床分离株，分型检测结果与ＥＬＩＳＡ法检测结果一致．提示ＭｃＡｂ－ＩＦＡ有可能成为实验室分型检测单纯疱疹病毒可靠的方法．     

Role of proliferation and differentiation of hemopoietic precursors in regeneration of hemopoiesis in cytostatic myelodepressions

Quantitative and qualitative composition of hemopoietic tissue and the intensity of proliferation and differentiation of committed hemopoietic precursors are studied in mice treated with adriamycin, cyclophosphane, or 5-fluorouracil. It is shown that intense maturation of colony-forming units results in rapid regeneration of hemopoiesis even under conditions of reduced proliferation of these cells, whereas inhibition of their differentiation suppresses restoration of bone marrow cellularity despite intense proliferation of hemopoietic precursors. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 12, pp. 616–620, December, 1997     

Participation of hematopoietic stem cells in formation of the immune response

The effect of different doses of sheep's red blood cells (SRBC) on endogenous colony formation and immunogenesis was studied in CBA and C57BL mice. The absolute and relative numbers of antibody-forming cells (AFC) was shown to increase with an increase in the dose of SRBC from 2×10⁷ to 2×10⁸, and to decrease with a dose of 2×10⁹ in mice of both lines. With an increase in the dose of antigen, the number of endogenous splenic colonies (ESC) of hematopoietic cells also increased. Interlinear differences in the number of ESC persisted. It is suggested that the mechanism of stimulation of the hematopoietic series is based on a unique type of blockade of the reticuloendothelial system by foreign red blood cells, leading to increased proliferative activity of the stem cells.Laboratory of Regulation of Immunopoiesis, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicien, Siberian Branch, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Novosibirsk. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. P. Kaznacheev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 87, No. 4, pp. 330–332, April, 1979.     

Control of locomotion in marine mollusc — Clione limacina. V. Photoinactivation of efferent neurons

Summary Efferent neurons in isolated pedal ganglia of the pteropodial mollusc Clione limacina were filled with Lucifer Yellow through the wing nerves. Then the ganglia were illuminated with intense blue light which resulted in the complete inactivation of these neurons. After inactivation of efferent neurons, interneurons of the pedal ganglia continued to generate the locomotor rhythm.