Neuroanatomical Correlates of Social Intelligence Measured by the Guilford Test.

Social interactions are a crucial aspect of human behaviour. Numerous neurophysiological studies have focused on socio-cognitive processes associated with the so-called theory of mind-the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others. Theory of mind is closely related to social intelligence defined as a set of abilities that facilitate effective social interactions. Social intelligence encompasses multiple theory of mind components and can be measured by the Four Factor Test of Social Intelligence (the Guilford-Sullivan test). However, it is unclear whether the differences in social intelligence are reflected in structural brain differences. During the experiment, 48 healthy right-handed individuals completed the Guilford-Sullivan test. T1-weighted structural MRI images were obtained for all participants. Voxel-based morphometry analysis was performed to reveal grey matter volume differences between the two groups (24 subjects in each)-with high social intelligence scores and with low social intelligence scores, respectively. Participants with high social intelligence scores had larger grey matter volumes of the bilateral caudate. The obtained results suggest the caudate nucleus involvement in the neural system of socio-cognitive processes, reflected by its structural characteristics.

The Spectrophotometric Characteristic of Immunoglobulin Conjugates for Diagnostics of Causative Agents of Especially Dangerous Infections.

The possibility of characterizing fluorescent immunoglobulins using spectrophotometric analysis as a testing method is considered. The comparative analysis of optical properties of fluorescent immunoglobulin preparations and their components-immunoglobulins and fluorochrome-is carried out. The obtained results testify that the proposed methodological approach of optical detection of labeled immunoglobulin molecules can be promising for tests on obtaining conjugates used in immunological tests on revealing specific antigens of causative agents of especially dangerous infections.

Obtaining and Characteristic of Antibodies to Vibrio cholerae Protective Antigens Conjugated with Gold Nanoparticles.

Gold nanoparticle conjugates with Vibrio cholerae antigens were synthesized. The animals were immunized with the obtained conjugates. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies to the antigens were obtained, which showed high specific activity. On the model of white laboratory mice, the protective activity of conjugates of cholera antigens with nanoparticles during infection of vaccinated animals was evaluated using a commercial vaccine as a control. It was shown that in terms of immunogenicity, the created prototypes of cholera vaccine using gold nanoparticles as a carrier and adjuvant complied with the production regulations for the Russian national cholera chemical vaccine.

[The development of biochip to detect anti-cholera antibodies in human blood serum].

The full-scaled agglutinating immunoassay is commonly applied to detect content of antibodies to cholera agent Vibrio cholerae human in blood serum under application of serological diagnostic. The time of analysis implementation amounts to 18 hours. To shorten time of detection of antibodies a biological microchip (biochip) was developed. The biochip represents an activated slide with immobilized corpuscle and soluble antigen cholera agent (O-antigens, cholera toxin). The experimental work resulted in development of scheme of biochip and selection of optimal conditions of sorption and implementation of immunologic analysis using biochip. The application of biochip facilitated to detect specific antibodies to antigens of cholera agent in commercial experimental animal serums and blood serums of ill patients. The time of analysis implementation amounted to 2-3 hours. The results are substantiated by bacteriological and serological methods.

[Functional interactions between caudate nuclei and inferior frontal gyrus in deliberate deception processing].

The present paper dedicated to the research of the functional interactions between brain structures while executing deliberate deceptive actions. Based on our own and literature data, we formulated the hypothesis that the functional interaction between brain areas responsible for the executive control, localized in the prefrontal cortex (inferior frontal gyrus), and the elements of error detection brain system, underlies deception. To test this hypothesis, we applied an analysis of the psychophysiological interaction (PPI), which revealed that the false actions (in comparison with true honestones) associated with increased functional connectivity between the left caudate nucleus and the left inferior frontal gyrus. Obtained experimental data support our hypothesis that the interaction of neural brain systems, which are responsible for executive control and error detection, underpins the brain maintenance of the execution of deceptive actions.

[Modern methods of functional tomographic brain imaging for brain function reseaching in norm and pathology].

For many years the modern methods of functional tomographic brain imaging (fMRI and PET) were actively used not only for the research of basic brain functions, but also in clinical practice. In present paper we described the basic characteristics of the signal registered with fMRI and PET, the principles of image reconstruction, as well as the methodological requirements, which are necessary to obtain reliable results. The advantages and limitations of modem tomographic methods of the brain functions investigation are discussed. The need of the complex approach use in brain study is emphasized and methods for the study of functional integration of the brain are suggested.

[Factor structure of regional CBF and CMRglu values as a tool for the study of default mode of the brain].

In the present article it was shown that the functional connectivity of brain structures, revealed by factor analysis of resting PET CBF and rCMRglu data, is an adequate tool to study the default mode of the human brain. The identification of neuroanatomic systems of default mode (default mode network) during routine clinical PET investigations is important for further studying the functional organization of the normal brain and its reorganizations in pathological conditions.

[Pathology of the anterior cingulate cortex in obsessive compulsive disorder].

In the present article the features of the functional activity of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a key element of neuroanatomical brain system of an error detection, in drug-resistant forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are discussed on a basis of both original and literature data. Available data indicate the presence of functional deficit in the ACC during OCD. This allows to suggest that functions of the ACC in OCD patient are partially redistributed between other brain areas. Thus in contrast to the previously accepted notion, the ACC as the target ofstereotactic surgery for OCD is pathologically altered brain region. Probably this is the reason why stereotactic destruction of ACC does not lead to significant changes in the patient's psyche. The essence of the pathological reorganisation of the functional activity of the brain in OCD remains unclear and requires further investigation.

[Mass spectrometry in medicine and biotechnology].

History of development and improvement of tandem mass spectrometry, possibilities of its application at the contemporary stage in various fields of medicine and biotechnology including production of novel medicinal preparations, identification of biologically active substances, pathogenic microorganisms and causative agents of especially dangerous infections is given.

[fMRI study of deliberate deception].

The aim of the present research was to study the deliberate deception. Event related functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) imaging technique was used to assess the changes in functional brain activity by virtue of recording blood oxygen level dependant signal (BOLD-signal). 12 right-handed healthy volunteers aged 19-44 participated in the study. BOLD images were acquired in three different experimental trials. There were deliberate deception, manipulative honest and control truthful trials (catch trials). The main finding of the present study is that the deliberate deception and manipulative honest actions in comparison with instructed truthful responding was characterized by BOLD signal increase within the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC), frontal and parietal areas as well. Comparison of present fMRI data with results demonstrated in our previous research implemented with event related potentials technique points to the involvement of the brain mechanism of error detection to brain processing of deliberate deception.

[Sialic acids and O-acetyl groups as markers of biological activity of microbial polysaccharides in plague and cholera agents].

AIM: To determine sialic acids and O-acetyl groups content in Yersinia pestis and Vibrio cholerae antigens in order to establish their association with biological activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following antigens of Y. pestis EV NIIEG strain--capsular antigen (F1), major somatic antigen (MSA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Pla-protease, allergen pestin PP--as well as O-antigens (O-AG) of V. cholerae serogroups O1 and O139 were used in the study. Sialic acids were identified by the thiobarbituric method, and O-acetyl groups--according to Alicino. Specific polysaccharides in the MSA and O-antigens were detected by the immunodiffusion assay. RESULTS: Sialic acids were found in LPS, Pla-protease, allergen pestin PP, and all cholera O-AG; their absence was demonstrated in MSA and F1. O-acetyl groups were identified in cholera O-AG of both studied serogroups as well as in LPS, Pla-protease, MSA and pestin PP of Y. pestis. Tendency to correlation between O-acetyl groups content in MSA and serological activity titer was observed. CONCLUSION: Sialic acids and O-acetyl groups identified in carbohydrate-containing antigens of Y. pestis and V. cholerae could be characterized as reaction-active markers of pathogenetic mechanisms of cholera and plague infections as well as immunochemical activity of microbial polysaccharides.

[The brain mechanism of error detection: the P.E.T. study].

In present research, the brain maintenance of the error detection mechanism was studied in resting condition and while subjects consciously implemented incorrect actions (i.e. deception). Assessment of the regional cerebral blood flow revealed involvement of anterior cingulated cortex in deception. The obtained data indicate that it is impossible to consciously control the activity of the error detection mechanism. PET study of patients with obsessive compulsive disorder in resting condition revealed a decrease of brain glucose metabolism in the anterior cingulated cortex in comparison with healthy subjects. These data pointed to malfunctioning of the error detection mechanism. The findings support the formerly proposed hypothesis about the impact of the error detection mechanism in formation and support of obsessive compulsive disorder.

[A gene expression study and the isolation and immunobiological properties of the iron-regulated membrane proteins of the plague microbe]. / Izuchenie ékspressii genov, poluchenie i immunobiologicheskie svoistva zhelezoreguliruemykh membrannykh belkov chumnogo mikroba.

The study has examined how the plague bacillus expresses genes of two high-molecular weight (190 and 240 kD) iron-regulated membrane proteins (HMWP). The latter were purified and assayed for their immunobiological properties in vitro and in vivo. DNA-probing (at E.Carniel's Laboratory, Pasteur Institute, Paris) has indicated that Yersinia pestis strains having genes that code for HMWP synthesis circulate in the natural foci of plague which are situated in the former USSR. The use of HMWP in combination with live plague vaccine EV was found to greatly enhance its immunogenicity.

[Rat brain nucleotide pool in the recovery period following resuscitation]. / Nukleotidnyi fond golovnogo mozga krys v vosstanovitel'nom periode posle reanimatsii.

Content of acid-extractable nucleotides was studied in rat brain within the recovery period after 3 min of "clinical death", caused by acute hemorrhage. Within 5 min after resuscitation content of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate and pool of adenylic nucleotides was decreased in rat brain together with an increase in amount of inosine monophosphate, nucleosides and nitrous bases. These data suggest that the energy "debt" develops and an increase in degradation of adenylic derivatives takes place. Later on, within 30 min, the content of adenylic nucleotides was normalized but concentrations of inosine monophosphate, nucleosides and nitrous bases remained higher than in controls; these data suggest the intensification of turnover of purine nucleotides. Content of all the compounds studied was normalized within 24 hrs after the resuscitation. Importance of these alterations in pathogenesis of postresuscitational impairments is discussed.

[Nucleotide pool of the brains of rats during different stages of dying]. / Nukleotidnyi fond golovnogo mozga krys v razlichnye periody umiraniia organizma.

Composition of acid-extractable fraction of nucleotides was studied in brain of dying rats after acute hemorrhage. Within the first 5 min content of ATP, GTP, UTP, GDP, UDP and NAD was distinctly decreased; content of AMP, GMP, IMP, CMP, nucleosides and nitrogen bases was markedly increased. Within the following 30 min of the dying rpocess concentration of CMP and nitrogen bases was increased but content of the other substances studied was decreased as compared with the previous experimental period. Possible effect of the alterations found on reanimation of an organism is discussed.