[Tumor necrosis faсtor-alpha - potential target for neuroprotector dimebon].

Dimebon (Dimebolin) is an antihistamine drug which has been used in Russia since 1983. Recently Dimebolin has attracted renewed interest after being shown to have positive effects on persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies have shown that dimebon acts through multiple mechanisms, both blocking the action of neurotoxic beta-amyloid peptides and inhibiting L-type calcium channels, modulating the action of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors.

[Production and properties of human tumor necrosis factor peptide fragments].

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the human immune system. Studies of the TNF functional topography are a challenging task in bioengineering. We have produced genes encoding the peptides Dl (3-30), D2 (31-85), D3 (86-114), and D4 (115-157), which correspond to isolated fragments of the informational structure of TNF.

Application of multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis for molecular typing of the agent of leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide-distributed zoonosis, endemic in tropical areas. Epidemiologic investigations of leptospirosis still rely on tedious serological identification tests. Recently, molecular typing systems based on variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis have been described and have been used to identify Leptospira interrogans strains.

[Epitope mapping of antigenic determinants of hepatitis C virus proteins by phage display].

Study of individual hepatitis C (HCV) proteins could help to find a molecular structure and conformation, localization of antigenic and immunogenic determinants, to reveal of protective epitopes. It is necessary for practical medicine - development of diagnostic test-systems, vaccines and therapeutics. Linear and conformation dependent epitopes of HCV proteins was localized in this work and immunogenic properties of phage displayed peptides screened on monoclonal antibodies to HCV proteins have been investigated.

[Comparison of adjuvant activities of glucosaminyl-muramyl dipeptide and of the gene coding for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in DNA immunization against herpes simplex virus].

Adjuvant activities of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and synthetic glucosaminyl-muramyl dipeptide (GMDP) were studied in immunization against type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV1). Gene encoding the gD HSV1 protein (pDNAgD) was used as an immunogen. Gene encoding GM-CSF in pDNAGM-CSF plasmid, which was developed for eukaryotic expression, and GM-DP were used as immune response modulators.

[Structure-functional study of glycosaminylmuramoyl peptides. The effect of chemical modification of N-acetylglucosaminyl-N-acetylmuramoyldipeptide on its immunomodulating properties in vivo and in vitro].

The structure-function relationships in a series of synthetic glucosaminylmuramyl peptides--glycopeptide adjuvants of the bacterial origin--have been investigated. Modification of the N-acetylglucosaminyl-(beta 1-4)-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (GMDP) molecule affects its adjuvant and pyrogenic activity in vivo. GMDP is shown to readily stimulate the synthesis of the IgG2a and IgG3 of the immunoglobulin subclasses upon the secondary immune response to the protein antigen.

[The structure of a repetitive unit of the glycerolphosphate- containing O-specific polysaccharide chain from Yersinia kristensenii strain 103 (0:12,26) lipopolysaccharide].

Mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from Yersinia kristensenii strain 103 (0:12.26) afforded teichoic acid-like polysaccharide. From the results of methylation, dephosphorylation, partial Smyth degradation, and 13C and 31P NMR data the structure of the repeating unit of the polysaccharide was deduced as follows: [formula: see text] The structure was confirmed by complete interpretation of polysaccharide 13C NMR spectrum.

[Echomorphological comparisons in chronic diseases of the liver].

Altogether 139 patients with liver diseases were examined by ultrasonography. Of these, 42 patients suffered from liver cirrhosis, 27 from chronic active hepatitis, 62 from chronic persistent hepatitis, and 8 from liver steatosis. The ultrasonography data were compared with the data of the morphological study of liver biopsy specimens and with the level of hydroxyprolinemia as a characteristic of the development of the connective tissue in the liver.

[Effect of cestodes on the tissue lipid composition of the burbot and stickleback].

The effect of cestodes of the genus Diphyllobothrium on the lipoid contents of tissues of freshwater fishes has been studied. The level of general lipids in the liver of burbot and stickleback infected with plerocercoids of D. latum and D.