ABSTRACT
To test the "rare earth" hypothesis of geophagy, geological and hydrogeochemical studies unparalleled anywhere in the world were carried out at kudurs (salt licks) in two districts in the Primorsky Krai, Russia. The mineral and chemical compositions of geophagic earth consumed by animals, the chemical composition of surface waters and vegetation, and the chemical composition of biological tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) were studied in this research. It was found that ultra-fresh surface and fontinal waters in the studied areas contain anomalously high concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), the sums of which exceeded the average values in the Primorsky Krai and worldwide by tenfold, and more. The presence of landscape REE anomalies is confirmed by elevated concentrations of these elements in vegetation. Using electron microscopy, it was determined that the sources of REE in landscape components are rocks containing secondary, readily soluble, REE minerals (hydrophosphates and fluorocarbonates). The study of the chemical composition of animal tissues showed the presence of significant concentrations of heavy REE (HREE) in the blood and brain, which indirectly indicates a high probability of animals developing stress reactions against the background REE-elementosis. Eaten earthy substances in both areas are represented by mixtures of smectite clays and zeolites with high ion-exchange properties. In the digestive tract of animals, such sorbents actively interact with the biological electrolyte, saturating it with sodium ions and absorbing HREE. The main meaning of geophagy is regulation of the concentration and proportion of REE in the body. Sometimes it manifests itself in intake of significant amounts of Na.
Subject(s)
Deer , Metals, Rare Earth , Animals , Animals, Wild , Metals, Rare Earth/analysis , Minerals/chemistry , Pica , RussiaABSTRACT
The goal of this work was to study sensitivity and specificity of the developed ELISA set for the identification of IgG antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis HSP-60 (using biotinylated tyramine-based signal amplification system). The study was conducted using a panel of characterized sera, as well as two reference ELISA sets of similar purpose. According to the results of ELISA informative value parameters, the ELISA we have developed showed the highest specificity and sensitivity parameters (no false negative or false positive results were registered). In 4 out of 15 intralaboratory panel serum samples initially identified as negative, anti-HSP-60 IgG-antibodies test result in reference ELISA sets upon dilution changed from negative to positive. The nature of titration curves of false negative sera and commercial monoclonal antibodies Ð57-Ð9 against C. trachomatis HSP-60 after incubation for 24 h was indicative of the presence of anti-idiotypic antibodies in these samples. Upon sera dilution, idiotypic-anti-idiotypic complexes dissociated, which caused the change of test result. High informative value of the developed ELISA set for identification of IgG antibodies against C. trachomatis HSP-60 has been proven. Anti-idiotypic antibodies possessing C. trachomatis anti-HSP-60 activity and being one of the causes of false negative results of the relevant ELISA-based tests have been identified in blood sera of individuals infected with chlamydial genitourinary infection agents.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis , Antigens, Bacterial/blood , Chaperonin 60/blood , Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis , Chlamydia trachomatis/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/chemistry , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology , Antigen-Antibody Complex/chemistry , Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Biotinylation , Chaperonin 60/immunology , Chlamydia Infections/blood , Chlamydia Infections/immunology , Chlamydia Infections/microbiology , Chlamydia trachomatis/chemistry , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/standards , False Negative Reactions , Humans , Immune Sera/chemistry , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tyramine/chemistryABSTRACT
Validation procedure for method of monitoring the biological activity of reÑombinant human interleukin-7 has been developed and conducted according to the requirements of national and international recommendations. This method is based on the ability of recombinant human interleukin-7 to induce proliferation of T lymphocytes. It has been shown that to control the biological activity of recombinant human interleukin-7 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from blood or cell lines can be used. Validation characteristics that should be determined depend on the method, type of product or object test/measurement and biological test systems used in research. The validation procedure for the method of control of biological activity of recombinant human interleukin-7 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed satisfactory results on all parameters tested such as specificity, accuracy, precision and linearity.
Subject(s)
Biological Assay/standards , Interleukin-7/pharmacology , Phytohemagglutinins/pharmacology , T-Lymphocytes/drug effects , Animals , Cell Line , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Separation/methods , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Mice , Primary Cell Culture , Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , T-Lymphocytes/cytology , T-Lymphocytes/immunologyABSTRACT
Chlorophenols are precursors to more dangerous toxicants dioxanes and are characterized wiht mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of chemical substances can be studied using methods of plant biological testing under the influence of different pollutants. Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of pentachlorophenol and 3-chlorophenol solutions in root meristem cells of Allium fistulosum (L.) were investigated. Dose-dependent inhibition of onion seed germination under the influence of 5-chlorophenol and 3-chlorophenol solutions in different concentrations was revealed. Pentachlorophenol showed significantly greater dose-dependent toxic effect on seed germination than 3-chlorophenol.
Subject(s)
Allium/drug effects , Chlorophenols/toxicity , Meristem/drug effects , Mitosis/drug effects , Mutagens/toxicity , Pentachlorophenol/toxicity , Seeds/drug effects , Allium/genetics , Allium/ultrastructure , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Germination/drug effects , Meristem/genetics , Meristem/ultrastructure , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective/drug effects , Mitosis/genetics , Mitotic Index , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/ultrastructureABSTRACT
Charge characteristics of humic and fulvic acids of a different origin (inshore soils, peat, marine sediments, and soil (lysimetric) waters) were evaluated by means of two alternative methods - colloid titration and potentiometric titration. In order to elucidate possible limitations of the colloid titration as an express method of analysis of low content of humic substances we monitored changes in acid-base properties and charge densities of humic substances with soil depth, fractionation, and origin. We have shown that both factors - strength of acidic groups and molecular weight distribution in humic and fulvic acids - can affect the reliability of colloid titration. Due to deviations from 1:1 stoichiometry in interactions of humic substances with polymeric cationic titrant, the colloid titration can underestimate total acidity (charge density) of humic substances with domination of weak acidic functional groups (pK>6) and high content of the fractions with molecular weight below 1kDa.