[Peripheral blood cells luminol-dependent chemiluminescence at the different stages of atopic dermatitis].

UNLABELLED: Aim of this work was to record the luminol-dependent spontaneous and induced chemiluminescence at the different stages of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Peripheral blood cells were obtained from adult patient with atopic dermatitis followed by the registration of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence on luminograph. Opsonized zymosan as well as yeasts Candida tropicalis have been used to induce the chemiluminescence. RESULTS: Spontaneous and induced chemiluminescence were slightly elevated at the mild atopic dermatitis but were decreased at the severe stage of disease. Statistically significant difference has been found between group with mild and severe atopic dermatitis, Skin contamination by yeasts Candida tropicalis causes the increased level of blood cells chemiluminescence at the first week of atopic relapse when the disease was mild. Severe stage of atopic dermatitis was coupled with statistically significant inhibition of both, spontaneous and induced chemiluminescence. CONCLUSIONS: Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of peripheral blood cells from adult atopic dermatitis patients may be stimulated at the mild stage and suppressed at severe stage of atopic dermatitis.

[Oncolytic adenoviruses in anti-cancer therapy: current status and perspectives].

Lytic viral infection results in production of viral progeny, and lysis of the infected cells. Tumor cells are usually more sensitive to virus infection. Studies of viral oncolysis indicate that it could represent a promising alternative approach to cancer therapy. The ability of viruses to kill selectively cancer cells had been noticed for quite a long time ago. However, only in recent years, based on deeper understanding of molecular biology of viruses and the cell and due to the development of modern methods for directed modification of viruses, there emerged a real opportunity for development of virus variants with improved therapeutic potential. Adenoviruses represent one of the most studied models of oncolytic viruses. The DNA-containing viruses are very suitable for genetic manipulation and show minimal pathogenicity. The review summarizes data on directions and approaches aiming generation of highly efficient variants of oncolytic adenoviruses. The approaches include introduction of directed genetic modifications into viral genome, accelerated selection of oncolytic viral variants following treatment with mutagens, the use of adenoviruses as vectors for introduction of therapeutic gene products, optimization of viral delivery systems, minimalization of negative effects from the host immune system etc. The dynamic development of studies in the field holds promise for introduction into clinical practice of many variants of oncolytic adenoviruses in the very near future.

Recombinant DNA-methyltransferase M1.BspACI from Bacillus psychrodurans AC: purification and properties.

A restriction-modification system from Bacillus psychrodurans AC (recognition sequence 5'-CCGC-3') comprises two DNA methyltransferases: M1.BspACI and M2.BspACI. The bspACIM1 gene was cloned in the pJW2 vector and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. High-purity M1.BspACI preparation has been obtained by chromatography on different carriers. M1.BspACI has a temperature optimum of 30°C and demonstrates maximum activity at pH 8.0. M1.BspACI modifies the first cytosine in the recognition sequence 5'-CCGC-3'. The kinetic parameters of M1.BspACI DNA methylation are as follows: K(m) for phage λ DNA is 0.053 µM and K(m) for S-adenosyl-L-methionine is 5.1 µM. The catalytic constant (k(cat)) is 0.095 min(-1).

[The proliferative properties and regulators of the mitotic cell cycle of prostate adenocarcinoma].

The authors have made an immunohistochemical determination of Ki-67, topoisomerase IIalpha, cyclins D1, A, and B1, and calculated their indices in 145 acinar adenocarcinomas of the prostate. This tumor is characterized by a wide range of Ki-67 index (from 3 to 90% or more) although 90% of cases are in the range of 5-35%. Other study proliferative markers are distributed in the following descending order: cyclin D1 (1.32 to 63.27%), topoisomerase IIalpha (0.47 to 53.17%), cyclin A (0.46 to 28.09%), and cyclin B1 (0.29 to 9.34%). The indices of the study markers are increased as the Gleason grade is higher. The exception is cyclin D1 that shows high expression in intact and tumor tissues, which is frequently greater than that of Ki-67, and its stable expression independent of the Gleason score.

[Epitheliod hemangioendothelioma of the lung].

The authors give a morphological and immunohistochemical description of epitheliod hemangioendothelioma of the lung in two women aged 62 and 74 years. Evident neovascularization capacity, a significant tumor cell intracytoplasmic lumen frequently packed with red blood cells, and positive immunohistochemical reactions to endothelial antigens are of prime importance in making its diagnosis.

[The structure of the chromatin at the syncytial stage in Drosophila melanogaster embryos]. / Issledovanie struktury khromatina na sintsitial'noi stadii zarodyshei Drosophila melanogaster.

Chromatin structure of D. melanogaster embryonic nuclei was studied at the stage of preblastoderm using the Miller method. Several levels of chromatin packing were detected after soft nuclei dispersion: individual or clustered compact spherical bodies 0.5-1 micron in diameter, nucleosomic fibers with different nucleosome density, DNA loops and fibers that contain few granules.