[Opine biosynthesis and catabolism genes of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes].

Agrobacterium is a genus of soil bacteria with the ability to transform plant cells by a T-DNA-sequence located on the pTi/pRi- plasmid containing a set of genes expressed in plant cells. Expression of these genes leads to a proliferation of transformed cells, with the subsequent formation of tumors or growths of roots and the synthesis of opines--products of the condensation of amino acids with ketoacids or sugars used by Agrobacteria as a source of carbon and nitrogen. In this review, we systematized the information about most common opines in plant--Agrobacterium systems and their biosynthesis and catabolism genes, as well as the role of opines in the interaction of pathogenic Agrobacterium with plants and with other Agrobacterium strains, including the genetic consequences of such interactions.

[Genetics of anthocyaninless rye].

Six nonallelic genes have been discovered in rye, the recessive mutations of which lead to a lack of anthocyanin. Crosses with these mutants showed that 13 new anthocyaninless lines carry mutations in the gene vi1, whereas vi2/6 mutations were identified only in single cases. Inheritance of the vi1/6 mutations in the progeny of hybrids with the wild type (Line 7, L7) corresponds to a monohybrid segregation.

[Effects of low power laser radiation of blue, green and red ranges on free radical processes in rat blood in endotoxic shock].

This study was performed to investigate the effects of low power laser radiation in blue (441.2 nm), green (532.5 nm) and red (632.

[The role of tetrapyrrol photosensitizers in photoinduced variation of free radical characteristics of rat blood in endotoxic shock].

The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of tetrapyrrol photosensitizers (protoporphyrine IX and chlorine e6) in red (632.8 nm) and green (532.5) spectrum bands on rat blood free radical status, using the experimental model of endotoxic shock.

[Kinetic chemiluminescence as a method for the study of free radical reactions].

The review gives concepts of analysis of kinetics of complex reactions with the participation of free-radicals. The concepts are based on the comparison of the kinetic curves of the chemiluminescent reactions in the presence of a physical enhancer coumarin C-525 with the simulated kinetic functions. This method was applied to the investigation of the mechanism of a branched-chain reaction of lipid peroxidation in biological and phospholipid membranes as well as to the effect of antioxidants and determination of their activities.

[Role of endogenous porphyrins in the effects of low-intensity laser radiation of the red region on free radical processes in the blood of rats under experimental endotoxic shock].

The role of endogenous porphyrins in the effects of laser radiation of the red region (632.8 nm) on free radical processes in the blood of rats under endotoxic shock induced by the administration of lipopolysaccharide B (25 mg/kg) has been studied. The measurements of the functional activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (the method of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence), the superoxide dismutase activity of blood plasma (using nitro blue tetrazolium), and the degree of lipid oxidation of erythrocyte membranes (the method of fluorescence of cis-parinaric acid) have been carried out.

[Antioxidants as aromatic amino acid oxidation products].

The accumulation of UV photolysis products of amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan, which possess an antioxidant activity, has been studied by the method of luminol-activated chemiluminescence. The amount of antioxidant products was judged by the value of the total antioxidant potential of a UV-irradiated solution, the measure of which was the distance between the peaks of the chemiluminescence curve in the system 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride + luminol in a UV-irradiated and an unirradiated samples (induction period, tau(i)). Simultaneously, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of unirradiared and UV-irradiated amino acid solutions were recorded.

[Role of endogenous porphyrins in laser therapy of experimental skin wounds].

The role of endogenous porphyrins in the effect of laser irradiation on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of wound exudate and rat leukocyte activity has been studied on models of aceptic incised skin wounds. Wounds were irradiated by a He-Ne laser (632.8 nm, 1.

[Production of reactive oxygen species by monocyte-derived macrophages from the blood of healthy donors and patients with IHD].

Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by macrophages from blood monocytes of healthy donors (MP(N)) and patients with IHD (MP(IHD)) before, during, and after their incubation with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from the blood plasma of healthy donors (LDL(N)) and patients with a high cholesterol level (LDL(H)) was estimated by the method of luminol-dependent and stimulated by opsonized zymosan (OZ) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) chemiluminescence (CL). Intrinsic luminol-dependent, and zymosan- or PMA-stimulated chemiluminescence of MP(IHD) have exceeded the same types of chemiluminescence of MP(N) by factors of 1.4, 1.

[A study of the effect of low-intensity laser radiation of the blue, green, and red spectral regions on the healing of experimental skin wounds in rats].

The effect of low-intensity laser radiation of the blue (441.2 nm), green (532 nm), and red (632.8 nm) spectral regions on the healing of experimental skin wounds in rats has been studied.

[Endocrinology of in vitro maturation of oocytes].

In-vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is an alternative to conventional in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Significant progress has been made to improve pregnancy and implantation rates from in-vitro matured oocytes. However oocyte maturation in vitro is profoundly affected by culture conditions.

[Lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence of the animal tissues].

Lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (LcCL) allows one to investigate the reactions of superoxide anion radical (*O2-) generated by mitochondria and is applied to study the superoxide production in enzymatic and membrane systems by isolated mitochondria and cells, and in whole organs. The application of lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence to estimate the respiration of human tissues involves the use of small tissue pieces, which can be obtained, for instance, by biopsia; however, no systematic investigations have been performed on these objects. In the present paper, a comparative study of lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence of tissues isolated from different organs of the rat was carried out to elucidate its dependence on the extent of tissue defragmentation, storage time, and access for oxygen.

[A comparative spin trapping study of hypobromous and hypochlorous acids interaction with tert-butyl hydroperoxide].

We have demonstrated that hypochlorite (HOCI/OCl-) and hypobromite (HOBr/OBr-) can react with tert-butyl hydroperoxide with close rate constants (k(HOCl) = 10,8 M(-1) x s(1); k(HOBr) = 8,9 M(-1) x (s(-1)). By means of the spin trap 4-pyridyl-1-oxide-N-tert-butyl nitron we have found that both reactions proceed through decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and generation of tert-butyl peroxyl (OOC(CH3)3) and tert-butoxyl (OC(CH3)3) radicals, the ratio of their the concentrations being dependent on the concentration of tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Thus, hypobromite, similar to hypochlorite, is a precursor of free radicals produced in the reaction with organic hydroperoxides.

[Comparison of the effects of laser and light-emitting diodes on lipid peroxidation in rat wound exudate].

The effect of laser and light-emitting diode radiation on lipid peroxidation in rat wound exudate was studied with the aim to compare the efficiency of coherent laser and incoherent light-emitting diode radiations. A model of aseptic wound in rat suggested by L.I.

[Measurement of basal anti-Mullerian hormone level of healthy fertile women in Bulgaria].

Objective: To establish mean and reference range of basal serum Anti-Mullerian hormona (AMH) levels in a group of healthy fertile Bulgarian women.

Methods: The present report covers the results of 9 month's period in which 72 healthy fertile Bulgarian women, aged 20-40 years were selected to determinate a reference group of healthy fertile women with normal values of AMH. Blood samples were collected on early follicular phase of menstrual cycle (2-4 days).

[Anti-Mullerian hormone: a gonadal hormone with multiple diagnostics resources].

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a gonadal hormone synthesized by granulose cells of the ovary and Sertoli cells of the testis. Anti-Mullerian hormone is used to facilitate the evaluation of intersex disorders and as a marker in some ovarian tumors or ovarian reserve assessment in the infertility cases. Serum levels of AMH hold objective information, which is useful in the clinical practice.

[A comparison of the effects of laser and light-emitting diodes on superoxide dismutase activity and nitric oxide production in rat wound fluid].

The action of laser and light-emitting diode radiation in the visible region on the content of reactive nitrogen species and activity of superoxide dismutase in rat wound fluid was studied, and efficiency of action of coherent laser and incoherent light emitting diode radiations in the red region of the spectrum on the parameters under study was compared. A model of incised aseptic wounds in rats proposed by L.I.

[A comparative study of the effects of laser and light-emitting diode irradiation on the wound healing and functional activity of wound exudate leukocytes].

The effects of coherent He-Ne laser and non-coherent light-emitting diode radiation on rat skin wound healing and functional activity of wound excudate leukocytes were compared. A comparative pathomorphological analysis showed that the He-Ne laser and light-emitting diode irradiation stimulated the transition of the inflammatory phase of the wound healing into the reparative (proliferative) and scarring phases sequentially. It was also detected that the functional activity of leucocytes changed in a dose-dependent manner.

[The role of lipid peroxidation products in the effect of He-Ne laser on human blood leukocytes].

The role of lipid peroxidation products formed in membranes of human blood leukocytes after irradiation with He-Ne laser was studied. It was found that low-intensity laser irradiation (0.3-1.

[The role of blood plasma porphyrins in the effects of He-Ne-laser on human leukocytes].

The He-Ne-laser induced effects in human blood leukocytes in the presence of autologic plasma were investigated. Experiments were performed in two ways: (1) He-Ne-laser irradiation of cells in the presence of autologic plasma or (2) laser irradiation and subsequent addition of autologic plasma to the cell suspension. The concentration dependencies of plasma additions were evaluated.

[The interaction of hypochlorite with fatty acid hydroperoxides results in the generation of free radicals].

The interaction of hypochlorite with linoleic acid hydroperoxides was studied by the coumarin C-525-enhanced chemiluminescence and ESR spin trapping techniques. Linoleic acid hydroperoxide was obtained in the reaction of lipoxygenase and linoleic acid. Alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxyl)-N-tert Butylnitron was used as a spin trap.

[Serum inhibin A and inhibin B--new clinical markers].

During very early pregnancy, especially in the presence of complications associated with ART such as multiple gestation and OHSS, measurement of maternal levels of inhibin A offers a non-invasive test that can aid the counseling and management of patients. In the second trimester, assessment of maternal inhibin A levels has been shown to improve sensitivity of the existing serum screening tests for aneuploid pregnancies and made prove clinically useful in the early detection of pregnancies susceptible to developing pre-eclampsia. Assessment of inhibin B appears to offer useful prognostic information about ovulatory function and predictive information about response to treatment with gonadotropins.

[Measurement of basal inhibin B level in Bulgarian women of the childbearing age].

Objective: To establish mean and reference range of basal serum inhibin B levels in a group of healthy fertile Bulgarian women.

Methods: The present report covers the results of 9 month's period in which sixty-five healthy fertile Bulgarian women, aged 20-40 years were selected to determinate a reference group of healthy fertile women with normal values of inhibin B. Blood samples were collected on early follicular phase of menstrual cycle (2-4 days).

[Aromatase inhibitors--is it a new opportunity in the treatment of infertility?].

Aromatase P-450 is a key enzyme in the production of estrogens, that is, the conversion of androstenedione and testosterone to estrone and estradiol. Aromatase is a good target for selective inhibition. New aromatase inhibitors provide a good opportunity for successful treatment during infertility management.

[Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the low intensity laser radiation effect].

The main aspects of the free radical conception of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the stimulating action of low-intensity radiation in the red region of the spectrum were considered. These are: (1) Primary acceptors of incident radiation are endogenous porphyrins, which may act as photosensitizers giving initiator-radicals for secondary free radical reactions. (2) Target cells for light irradiation during quantum therapy may be blood leukocytes, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endotheliocytes, etc.