[Analytical methods for control of foodstuffs made from bioengineered plants].

Foodstuffs made by modern biotechnology are requiring for special control. Analytical methods used for these purposes are being constantly perfected. When choosing a strategy for the analysis, several factors have to be assessed: specificity, sensitivity, practically of the method and time efficiency. To date, the GMO testing methods are mainly based on the inserted DNA sequences and newly produced proteins in GMOs. Protein detection methods are based mainly on ELISA. The specific detection of a novel protein synthesized by gene introduced during transformation constitutes an alternative approach for the identification of GMO. The genetic modification is not always specifically directed at the production of a novel protein and does not always result in protein expression levels sufficient for detection purposes. In addition, some proteins may be expressed only in specific parts of the plant or expressed at different levels in distinct parts of plant. As DNA is a rather stable molecule relative to proteins, it is preferred target for any kind of sample. These methods are more sensitive and specific than protein detection methods. PCR-based test can be categorized into several levels of specificity. The least specific methods are commonly called "screening methods" and relate to target DNA elements, such as promoters and terminators that are present in many different GMOs. For routine screening purpose regulatory elements 35S promoter, derived from the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus and the NOS terminator, derived from the nopaline synthase gene of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, are used as target sequences. The second level is "gene-specific methods". These methods target a part of the DNA harbouring the active gene associated with the specific genetic modification. The highest specificity is seen when the target is the unique junction found at the integration locus between the inserted DNA and the recipient genome. These are called "event-specific methods". For a quantitative assessment of GMO the most promising is PCR with the detection of results on the real time-scale. This method has several advantages such as high sensitivity and specificity, little time of analyses, which are conducted in a closed test-tube without contamination environment of PCR products. The microarray technologies have been developed in the past few years. The main principle of the micro-array technology is miniaturization. Methods can be performed on a much larger scale in much smaller volumes.

[Medical and biological safety assessment of genetically modified maize strain MIR604].

The results of toxicologo-hygienic examinations, which were conducted within the framework of integrated medical and biological assessment of genetically modified rootworm Diabrotica spp.-protected maize event MIR604, are presented. Analysis of morphological, hematological, biochemical parameters and system (sensitive) biomarkers has not confirmed any toxic effect of maize event MIR604.

[Medical and biological safety assessment of genetically modified maize event MON 88017. Report 1. Toxicologo-hygienic examinations].

The results of toxicologo-hygienic examinations, which were conducted within the framework of integrated medical and biological assessment of genetically modified rootworm Diabrotica spp.--protected and glyphosate tolerant maize event MON 88017, are presented. Analysis of morphological, hematological, biochemical parameters and system (sensitive) biomarkers has not confirmed any toxic effect of maize event MON 88017.

[The comparative characteristic of detection methods for genetically modified organisms phytogenous].

In the article given description, comparative characteristic and used in practice detection methods for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food using chip and electrophoreses. By means of these methods fined research results 704 foods that had GM analogue on the food world market. The both methods showed to identical results of research. These methods were not discovered essential distinctions in the sensibility and reliability.

[Monitoring of food products from genetically modified sources in Moscow]. / Monitoring oborota pishchevoi produktsii iz geneticheski modifitsirovannykh istochnikov v Moskve.

This paper presents results of a detection of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in food from the shops of Moscow. The screening methods and event-specific assay based on the polymerase chain reaction is used. Transgenic DNA from genetically modified soybeans line 40-3-2 is detected in 17.2% samples of studied foods. Soybeans line 40-3-2 is allowed in Russian food supply.

[Medical-biological evaluation of genetically-modified sugar beet line 77 (chemical composition and toxicologico-biochemical studies)]. / Mediko-biologicheskia otsenka geneticheski modifitsirovannoi sakharnoi svekly linii 77 (khimicheskii sostav i toksikologo-biokhimicheskie issledovaniia).

The rats were fed with the Genetically Modified Sugar Beet line 77 (Monsanto Ko, USA) 10 g/rat/day for 1 month. Their blood, urea and liver were investigated to measure total protein and glucose levels, aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, pH, creatinine level as well as hepatic enzyme activity of the I and II phases of xenobiotic metabolism and whole and non-sedimentated lysosomal enzyme activities and activity of antioxidant system.

[Medico-genetic evaluation of sugar sand, obtained from genetically-modified sugar beet line 77 (toxicologico-biochemical studies)]. / Mediko-biologicheskaia otsenka sakhara-peska, poluchennogo iz geneticheski modifitsirovannoi sakharnoi svekly linii 77 (toksikologo-biokhimicheskie issledovaniia).

The rats were fed with the Suger from the Genetically Modified Suger Beet line 77 (Monsanto Ko, USA) 3 g/rat/day for 3 months. Their blood, urea and liver were investigated to measure total protein and glucose levels, aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, pH, creatinine level as well as hepatic enzyme activity of the I and II phases of henobiotic metabolism and whole and non-sedimentated lysosomal enzyme activities and activity of antioxidant system.

[Assessment of the effectiveness of biologically active food additives based on zeolites in experimental animals]. / Otsenka éffektivnosti biologicheski aktivnoi dobavki k pishche na osnove tseolitov v éksperimente.

The aim of present study was an investigation of effective of product from ceolites which is suggested as biologically active food additive. The high-calorie, high-fat, high-cholesterol diet was developed. The rats (female and male) were fed with the biologically active food additive during 1 month at dose 70 mg per kg of body weight. Their blood and liver were investigated to measure total lipids, total cholesterols, phospholipid, triglycerides. Morphologic parameters of liver was studied. Cholesterol lowering effect of biologically active food additive in rat (female) has been shown.

[Medical and biological assessment of the safety of genetically modified corn lines MON 810 and GA 21: a toxicological-biochemical study]. / Mediko-biologicheskaia otsenka bezopasnosti geneticheski modifitsirovannykh linii kukuruzy MON 810 i GA 21: toksikologo-biokhimicheskaia issledovaniia.

The rats were fed with the flour of corn from genetically modified corn MON 810 and from genetically modified corn GA 21 (Monsanto Co, USA) 3 g/rat/day for 6 months. Their blood, urea and liver were investigated to measure total protein and glucose levels, aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, pH, creatinine level as well as hepatic enzyme activity of the I and II phases of xenobiotic metabolism and whole and non-sedimentated lysosomal enzyme activities, the level of processes of lipids peroxidation and activity of antioxidant system.

[Medical and biological evaluation of safety of protein concentrate from genetically-modified soybeans. Biochemical studies]. / Mediko-biologicheskaia otsenka bezopasnosti belkovogo kontsentrata, poluchennogo iz geneticheski modifitsirovannoi soi. Biokhimicheskie issledovaniia.

The rats were fed with albuminous concentrate from the genetically modified soybean 40-3-2 ("Monsanto Co", USA) 1.25 g/rat/day for 5 months. Their blood, urea and liver were investigated to measure total protein and glucose levels, aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, pH, relative density and creatinine level in the urea, as well as hepatic enzyme activity of the I and II phases of xenobiotic metabolism, and the whole and non-sedimentated lysosomal enzyme activities. The lasting albuminous concentrate supplementation from the genetically modified soybean to the rat's diet has been shown to modify hepatocyte membrane function and enzymatic activity within physiological standards. It was not harmful to the adaptation systems.

[Status of the lipid phase of plasma membranes of the rat heart after repeated exposure to an alternate magnetic field of 50 Hz frequency]. / Sostoianie lipidnoi fazy plazmaticheskikh membran serdtsa krys posle mnogokratnogo vozdeistviia peremennogo magnitnogo polia chastotoi 50 GTs.

The concentration of lipids and spectrum of phospholipids in plasma membranes of hearts of rats exposed for 15 times to intermittent (1:2) alternative magnetic field of 50 Hz and 9.4 mT were measured. This exposure lead to accumulation of lipids and increase of free fatty acids, triacylglycerides, cholesterol esters and phospholipids (although to a smaller extent). The cholesterol/phospholipids ratio decreased significantly. The spectrum of phospholipids was similar to that in the controls, except for phosphatidyl inositol whose content grew.

[Pulmonary surfactant system in dust-induced bronchitis]. / Surfaktantnaia sistema legkikh pri pylevom bronkhite.

The study of surfactant effects and their biochemical composition in the expiration condensate covered 102 patients with dust bronchitis (DB). Decrease of surfactant effects and violation of the proportion of surfactant lipid fractions (increase in the percentage of free fat acids, triacylglyceride decrease) were noted along with the growth of DB severity and clearly defined pulmonary emphysema.

[Use of biological methods in the analysis of the purinergic activity of etimizol]. / Ispol'zovanie biologicheskikh metodov dlia analiza purinergicheskoi aktivnosti étimizola.

To analyse etimizol purinergic activity, methods of biological analysis were applied using isolated smooth muscle strips of the guinea-pig caecum and developing embryo cultures of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius). Stimulating etimizol action in 10(-8)-10(-12) M concentration was observed on embryonal development in the sea urchin to be eliminated by co-action of etimizol and P1-purinoceptor antagonist theophylline. The analogous action of the preparations was established using isolated smooth muscle strips of the guinea-pig caecum.

[Effect of an alternating magnetic field of industrial frequency on the lipid composition of the rat liver]. / Vliianie peremennogo magnitnogo polia promyshlennoi chastoty na sostav lipidov pecheni krys.

Multiple application (15 runs for 5 hours a day) of an alternative magnetic field of industrial frequency causes changes in lipid spectrum and phospholipid fractional composition of mitochondria and postmitochondrial fraction in rat liver. A decrease in the level of free fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol esters in mitochondria is registered, which presumably indicates an increase of the fats use in the cell's energetics. Changes in the phospholipid composition of mitochondria are negligible. In contrast to mitochondria, accumulation of lipids--triglycerides, cholesterol and its esters against a background of disbalance in phospholipid composition is established, which may presumably be one of the reasons for development of destructive infringements in the liver parenchyma during application of the alternating magnetic field.

[Action of enkephalins on synaptic processes in the metasympathetic nervous system]. / Issledovanie deistviia énkefalinov na sinapticheskie protsessy v metasimpaticheskoi nervnoi sisteme.

Experimental data were obtained on the effect of leu- and metenkephalin solutions (0.01-10.0 micrograms) on spontaneous responses and those evoked by transmural stimulation of the neural structures in the neuro-muscular preparation which included the myenteric plexus and circular smooth muscle layer. The observed excitatory action of enkephalins involving depolarization of the smooth muscle cell membrane, the increase of spontaneous AP frequency, reduced amplitude of the evoked ISP, increased voltage and intensified contractile activity of the preparation are related to participation of the opiate receptors. (Naloxone administration abolished the enkephalin effects). Application of alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking drugs failed to change the type of their action. Enkephalin effects were most pronounced at low frequency stimulation and were not observed in the solution containing both M- and N-cholinergic blocking drugs. Enkephalins seem to participate in the mechanisms of descending tonic control of the smooth muscle activity maintained by non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic motor neurons.

[Sensitivity of neurons of the myenteric plexus to opiate alkaloid morphine]. / Chuvstvitel'nost' neironov miénteral'nogo spleteniia k opiatnomu alkaloidu morfinu.

With the aid of sucrose gap method, sensitivity of the myenteric plexus' neurons was studied in the neural-muscular preparation which included the myenteric plexus and circular smooth muscle layer. Morphine (10(-4)-10(-8) g/ml) produced an excitation as revealed in depolarization of the smooth muscle cell membrane, in the increase of AP frequency and amplitude as well as of the duration of contractions. Incubation of the preparation in the solution containing M- and N-cholinergic blocking drugs (10(-5) g/ml atropine and 5 X 10(-6) g/ml benzohexonium) and preadministration of the antagonist of opiate receptors naloxone (3 X 10(-7) g/ml) did not change the character of morphine action, whereas administration of serotonin antagonist methysergide (5 X 10(-6) g/ml) eliminated the excitatory effects. These changes in electrical and contractile activity of the preparation after morphine administration seem to be connected with an increasing release of serotonin.

[Effect of methylene blue on spontaneous and evoked reactions in the autonomic neuromuscular junction]. / Deistvie metilenovogo sinego na spontannye i vyzvannye reaktsii v avtonomnom nervno-myshechnom soedinenii.

The action of a vital neurotropic dye methylene blue on spontaneous and posttetanic reactions in the autonomic neuromuscular junction was studied with the sucrose gap technique. Low concentrations of methylene blue (10(-5)-10(-6) g/ml) increased the frequency of APs in spontaneously active cells and induced APs in silent cells while high concentrations of methylene blue (10(-3)-10(-4) g/ml) showed the biphasic excitatory-inhibitory action. Similar changes occurred in the excitatory phase of posttetanic response of smooth muscle cells, although the amplitude and duration of synaptic potentials remained unchanged. The stability of reactions after injection of methylene blue simultaneously with ganglio-, adrenoblocking agents and atropine as well as elevated Mg2+, suggests unspecific action of the methylene blue molecule on the muscle cell membrane. The observed phenomena were of shortlasting type and disappeared after washing with normal nutrient medium.