Expression of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor-A antagonizes the mitogen-activated protein kinases (Erk2 and P38MAPK) in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells.

To understand the signaling mechanisms of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor-A (NPRA), we studied the effect of the ANP/NPRA system on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), with particular emphasis on the extracellular-regulated kinase (Erk2) and stress-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMC). Angiotensin II (ANG II) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated the immunoreactive Erk2 and p38MAPK activities and their protein levels by 2-4 fold. The pretreatment of cells with ANP significantly inhibited the agonist-stimulated Erk2 and p38MAPK activities and protein expression by 65-75% in HVSMC transiently transfected with NPRA, as compared with only 18-22% inhibition in vector-transfected cells.

[Novel triterpene glycosides from the sponge Ulosa sp].

New triterpene glycosides, ulososides C, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-32-nor-24-methyllanost- 8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, D, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-N-acetyl-glucosaminopyranosyl)-32-nor- 24-methyllanost-8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, and E, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D- arabinopyranosyl-32-nor-24-methyllanost-8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, were isolated from an Ulosa sp. sponge. Their structures were determined by spectral methods and chemical transformations.

Iron content and parameters of blood antioxidant activity in rats with hereditary arterial hypertension during experimental myocardial infarction.

Plasma, lymph and myocardial Fe(2+) contents and blood antioxidant activity were studied in hypertensive NISAG and normotensive Wistar rats with experimental myocardial infarction. In hypertensive rats, iron levels in plasma, lymph and myocardial tissue were increased throughout the experiment. In both strains iron content in the plasma during experimental myocardial infarction negatively correlated with blood antioxidant activity.

Development of hypertensive status in NISAG rats reared by normotensive Wistar rats.

Parameters of the cardiovascular system and the content of corticosterone, thyrotrophin, thyroxin, and triiodothyronine in the plasma, and norepinephrine in the myocardium were determined in male NISAG rats (hereditary stress-induced arterial hypertension) reared by normotensive Wistar rats. Cross-rearing of hypertensive rat pups by normotensive females attenuated arterial hypertension with a tendency to normalization of the examined parameters. This confirms the possibility of modifying hypertensive phenotype by changing the conditions of the early postnatal development.

Selenium content and blood antioxidant activity in rats with hereditary arterial hypertension during experimental myocardial infarction.

The dynamics of selenium content in the plasma, lymph, and myocardium and plasma antioxidant activity were studied in male NISAG (hereditary stress-induced arterial hypertension) and Wistar rats with acute myocardial infarction and during recovery. In NISAG rats the decrease in selenium content correlated with the decrease in antioxidant activity. This probably aggravates the symptoms of experimental myocardial infarction in animals with hereditary arterial hypertension.

[Protein metabolism impairment in long-term crush syndrome].

Experiments on Wistar rat males modelled crush syndrome (CS). Stability of blood protein composition in rats undergoing CS decompression was found. This reflects activation of protein synthesis in the defense systems of the body due to stress reaction to CS.

[Characteristics of EEG signs of anxiety in human].

Influence of anxiety (tested by Luscher) on the spatial organization of brain electrical activity was studied using multichannel EEG recording. In subjects with a high-level of anxiety, the level of coherence and spectral power of some high-frequency EEG components was higher in the parieto-temporal regions of both hemispheres than that in the opposite group. Solving the inverse problem (classification of individuals with one of the groups) made it possible to work out the criteria of automated evaluation of the anxiety level at the preclinic state of neuropsychic disorders.

[Results of surgical treatment of patients with external abdominal hernias].

The vast material concerned with the surgical treatment of patients with external abdominal hernias collected for 10 years includes 913 planned operations and 608 emergency operations for incarcerated hernias. The overall lethality was 3.4%, lethality after planned operations being 0.

Extension of a tuned log spiral of revolution fluorescence XAFS detector, designed for optimal detection of a particular element Z, to XAFS of elements other than Z.

Recently, it has been demonstrated that an x-ray detector in the form of a log spiral of revolution, covered with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, is an excellent device for obtaining the fluorescence XAFS of an element of interest in the presence of competing fluorescence from other elements. In the present work we investigate the capabilities of a log spiral of revolution (LSR) detector, with a geometry optimized for one element (in this case Cr), if used for XAFS of other elements.

[The specificity of lipid metabolism in hereditary arterial hypertension induced by stress].

Studies of lipid metabolites in the plasma and lymph of rats with hereditary arterial hypertension induced by stress (HAHIS) showed decreased plasma and lymph pool of total cholesterol (TC) in comparison with normotensive Wistar rats. In HAHIS animals, TC concentration in the lymph was lower than in the plasma. The concentrations of triglycerides and free fatty acids in the plasma and lymph of hypertensive animals were virtually the same and higher than in normotensive ones.

[The connection of adrenal function to nutritional factors and milk productivity in ruminant animals].

In this paper the literature and experimental data about ruminant's adrenal function in the connect with feeding level, ration structure and lactation are generalized and systematized. It is shown, that the adrenal secretion and either glucocorticoid, or katecholamine metabolism can be changed in the dependence on the alimentary factors. When the animals feeding is not adequate physiologically, increased cortisol secretion is necessary for supporting of glucose level in the normal value, what leads to increased loading to the adrenal cortex and is accompanied by redistribution of this hormone between plasma and erythrocytes.

Triterpene glycosides from the far eastern sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera II: disulfated glycosides.

Three new triterpene glycosides, calcigerosides D(1) (1), D(2) (2), and E (3), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera. Their structures have been deduced from extensive spectral analysis (NMR and MS) and chemical evidence. All the compounds are disulfated pentaosides differing in aglycon structure and position of sulfate group, which were determined by the measurement of NT(1) values in the cases of glycosides 1 and 2.

[Prognosis of the thermal status of man in view of the impact of a variety of factors].

Mathematic and statistic analysis helped to determine classes of human functional state characterized by variable degree of thermoregulatory and cardiovascular strain. The authors represented technology forecasting a class of human functional state under influence of combined factors that change heat status and overcharge cardiovascular system and technology forecasting reliable time tolerance interval for the complex of factors influencing human.

Triterpene glycosides from the Far-Eastern sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera. 1. Monosulfated glycosides and cytotoxicity of their unsulfated derivatives.

Three new monosulfated triterpene glycosides, calcigerosides B (2), C(1) (3), and C(2) (4), along with the known cucumarioside G(2) (1), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera. Their structures have been deduced from extensive spectral analysis (NMR and MS) and chemical evidence. Compounds 2-4 present a novel pentasacharide chain never reported before in sea cucumber triterpene glycosides.

[Surgeon's strategy in perforated bleeding cancerous tumor of the stomach in aged patients].

Radical emergency operations were performed on 5 elderly patients with a combination of cancerous tumor of the stomach and such complications as bleeding and perforation. Based on this material the authors make a well-reasoned conclusion that such surgical strategy is justified.

[The peritoneal autoplasty of the hernial hili in patients with large strangulated recurrent inguinal-scrotal hernias].

A new method of operative treatment of incarcerated recurring great inguinal-scrotal hernias is proposed with the help of plasty of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal with cicatricial changes to the tissues of the hernial sac. This method was used in operations on 56 patients aged 45-80 years. There were no postoperative recurrences of the disease or lethal outcomes.

Molecular data from the chloroplast rpoC1 gene suggest a deep and distinct dichotomy of contemporary spermatophytes into two monophyla: gymnosperms (including Gnetales) and angiosperms.

Partial sequences of the rpoC1 gene from two species of angiosperms and three species of gymnosperms (8330 base pairs) were determined and compared. The data obtained support the hypothesis that angiosperms and gymnosperms are monophyletic and none of the recent groups of the latter is sister to angiosperms.

[The incompetence of the appendiceal stump after appendectomy].

Based on an analysis of results of treatment of 2828 patients with acute appendicitis the authors discuss the causes and give recommendations for prophylactics of incompetence of the vermiform process stump.

[The protective reaction of the myocardium to ischemic damage].

The morphological and functional consequences of epinephrine-induced myocardial infarction were studied in normo- (Wistar) and hypertensive (ISIAH) rats. After experimental myocardial infarction there was an irreversible transition to the "worn-out" stage or "plastic damage" to the myocardium. Thus, myocardial hibernation in ISIAH rats anticipates and determines the development of myocardial stunning, i.

Sequences of rDNA internal transcribed spacers from the chloroplast DNA of 26 bryophytes: properties and phylogenetic utility.

We determined the sequence of the region of the chloroplast DNA inverted repeat spanning from the 3'-terminus of the 23S rRNA gene to the 5'-terminus of the tRNA[Arg](ACG) gene (about 700 bp) from 25 bryophytes and from the charophycean alga Chara australis. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences using the neighbor-joining method suggests an early dichotomy of bryophytes and their paraphyly relative to the tracheophyte lineage. A monophyly of liverworts (Marchantiidae plus Jungermanniidae), a deep divergence of Metzgeriales among Jungermanniidae and a close affinity of the two subclasses of mosses, Sphagnidae and Andreaeidae, are evident.

[The system of collection, processing, storage and retrieval of x-ray diagnostic images].

The paper describes a system able to combine conventional techniques of diagnostic x-ray imaging with direct digital imaging on the original receiver with a resolution of 1.2 lin/mm. Digital roentgenography may be introduced into medical practice basing on the system of computers at the working places of roentgenologist and his assistant.

Variability analysis of HIV-1 gp120 V3 region: III. Distinctions between various sets of peptide fragments derived from the sequences belonging to different HIV-1 taxons.

Distinction criterion for various sets of fixed length peptide fragments and integral distinction measure for various sets of peptide fragments with different length and start position ranges have been introduced on the base of an enumeration procedure and a point estimators for the amino acid distribution characteristics introduced previously (M. Yu. Shchelkanov, A.