A Comparative Analysis of the Camera-like Eyes of Jumping Spiders and Humans.

Among invertebrates, jumping spiders are one of the few groups whose representatives have camera-like eyes, and the only group whose representatives have fovea. The latter is present in the camera-like eyes of representatives of some groups of vertebrates, including humans. Based on the literature data, a comparative analysis of the camera-like eyes of jumping spiders and humans was carried out, in the course of which the similarities and differences in the properties and functions of their basic components were identified.

Optical Sensitivity of Camera-Like Eyes to White Light.

Gastropod mollusks are convenient model organisms for studying the functioning of the visual system. The purpose of this work is to estimate the value of the optical sensitivity to white light for the camera-like eyes of gastropod mollusks and humans and analyze its effect on the spatial resolving power in two regions of the retina: in the center-for single photoreceptors of the first/second type in a mollusk and single cones in humans-and in the periphery-for single photoreceptors of the first/second type in a mollusk, as well as for single rods/cones and their groups, subject to spatial summation in humans. The methods of histology, light and transmission electron microscopy, morphometry, calculations and methods of statistical analysis are used in the work.

Relationship between Hedgehog Signaling Pathway and Drug Resistance of Poorly Differentiated Gliomas.

The effects of Hedgehog signaling inhibitor (cyclopamine) and activator (Shh) on drug resistance of U251-MG human glioma cells and human astrocyte culture to cisplatin, temozolomide, and doxorubicin were studied. Cyclopamine and Shh modified the drug resistance of U251-MG cells but not of human astrocytes. Experiments with cyclopamine, Shh, and chemical drugs can contribute to detection of the mechanisms of signaling effects on the drug resistance processes, while the experimental data can serve as one of the criteria for choosing individual chemotherapy for patients.

[Hedgehog signaling in the pathogenesis of neuro-oncology diseases].

The review summarizes current knowledge on the Hedgehog signaling pathway, its role in normal embryogenesis and/or initiation and progression of neuro-oncological diseases, especially of high-grade gliomas, the most malignant neuroepithelial tumors. The main proteins forming the Hedgehog signaling pathway include Shh, PTCH1, SMO, HHIP, SUFU and GLI1 isoforms. Effects of other signaling pathways on the family of transcription factors GLI and other proteins are described.

Cuprizone Model as a Tool for Preclinical Studies of the Efficacy of Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis and Therapy.

To study demyelination and remyelination processes and their response to different drugs, a protocol for modeling multiple sclerosis using the copper chelator cuprizone was developed. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of demyelination lesions on week 4 of 0.6% cuprizone-containing diet.

[Monoclonal anti-NSE-antibodies: purification, characterization, and immunoenzyme analysis].

The results of NSE purification procedure, as well as hybridoma technology of anti NSE monoclonal antibodies synthesis are presented. The employment of this procedure yielded highly purified NSE preparation. The immunization of BALB/C mice with NSE preparation led to sensitization of the immunocompetent cells, which could form hybridomes, producing the anti-NSE monoclonal antibodies, after the confluence with myeloma cells Sp 2/0-Ag 14.

Monoclonal anti-GFAP antibodies: extraction, characteristics, and immunoenzyme assay.

Methods of GFAP purification and obtaining of hybridoma cells producing monoclonal anti-GFAP antibodies and properties of GFAP preparation were described. The immunobloting data on specificity of obtained monoclonal antibodies are presented. A new method of GFAP immunoenzyme assay based on GFAP preparation and anti-GFAP antibodies was elaborated.

[The action of pertussis vaccines and GMDP on the change in the enzymatic activity of macrophages from peritoneal exudate].

The influence of whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines, introduced both alone and in combination with N-acetylglucosaminylmuramyl-2-alanine-D-isoglutamine (GMDP) on the activity of two enzymes of peritoneal exudate macrophages (5'-nucleotidase and Na+K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase) was studied. The study revealed that both pertussis vaccines exhibited immunomodulating properties, these properties being most pronounced in whole-cell pertussis vaccine. The use of GMDP in combination with pertussis vaccines led to changes in the enzymatic activity of peritoneal exudate macrophages, which was indicative of a decrease in the immunomodulating action of pertussis preparations.

[Effect of immunomodulators of various origin on the histamine-sensitizing activity of whole-cell pertussis vaccine].

Changes in the histamine-sensitizing activity of whole-cell pertussis vaccine (PV) under the action of immunomodulators (IM) of bacterial (peptide and peptidoglycans), synthetic (peptidoglycan) and vegetable origin have been studied. The study has revealed that these IM, introduced orally and parenterally, exhibit histamine-sensitizing activity, depending on the nature of IM and the optimum selection of the doses of IM and PV.

[An increase in the immunogenicity of bacterial antigens under the influence of one of the derivatives of muramyl dipeptide].

As revealed in animal experiments, glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide (GMDP), the synthetic analog of muramyl dipeptide, when introduced intraperitoneally in a single injection or orally, exhibits adjuvant activity with respect to Citrobacter 0-antigens, Shigella flexneri and enhances the protective properties of dysentery and pertussis vaccines. The stimulating properties of GMDP depend on its dose, the route of its administration, the time elapsed after its administration, its ratio to the concomitant doses of bacterial antigens and to the dose of the virulent culture used for challenge.

[Dot immunoenzyme analysis in biological research].

The modern state, general methodologic problems and the possibilities to use in biological research the dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) are analysed in the review. New types of microporous polymer membranes and equipment for the application of the solid-phase reagent and performing the assay are considered. Different variants of dot-ELISA and methods for the evaluation of results obtained in the assay as well as the ways for its optimization are discussed.

[A comparative study of the immunological properties of peptidoglycans of different origins].

The action of peptidoglycans (PG) of different origin has been experimentally studied in vivo. In these experiments PG of bacterial origin, such as blastolysin (BL), and synthetic PG, viz. muramyldipeptide (MDP) and its analog glucosaminylmuramyldipeptide (GMDP) have been used.

[Treatment of autonomic crises (attacks of panic)].

The paper treats of the data on the treatment of 69 patients with vegetative crises (panic attacks) with amitriptyline and clonazepam by the double blind placebo control method. The efficacy of amitriptyline was 77% versus 42% (placebo); that of clonazepam was 84% versus 35% (placebo). The clinical predictors of the placebo efficacy and of each of the drugs in the treatment of the conditions in question have been established.

[The use of pharmacological screening for characterizing the toxicity of pertussis vaccines].

The influence of pertussis preparations, introduced by oral and parenteral routes, on the detoxifying function of the liver and the state of the nervous system of the animals was studied by methods used in pharmacology and toxicology. The use of these methods made it possible to find out side effects produced by corpuscular pertussis vaccine, introduced parenterally, on the detoxifying function of the liver and the state of the nervous system of the animals. The negative influence on the nervous system was more pronounced after the injection of the commercial adsorbed diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine used in this investigation than after the injection of pertussis monovaccine.

[The effect of bacterial and synthetic peptidoglycans on the toxicity of a cell-free pertussis preparation].

The influence of bacterial and synthetic peptidoglycans on the toxicity of acellular pertussis preparations (APP) has been studied in the mouse weight gain test and in the endotoxic shock development test on mice treated with Actinomycin D. The data obtained in these tests indicate that the immunomodulators (IM) under study are capable of changing (increasing or decreasing, depending on the dose) the toxic properties of APP. The antitoxic action of IM, established in this study, depends on the combination of the doses of IM and APP and the time elapsed from the time of immunization.

[Cerebral form of glutamate dehydrogenase activity in autonomic paroxysms (attacks of panic)].

A study was made of the activity of the cerebral form of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in 59 patients suffering from vegetative paroxysms (VP), 8 patients with multiple sclerosis and 15 normal test subjects. As compared to the normal test subjects, the patients with VP manifested higher activity and lability of the enzyme. The patients with VP demonstrating the "labile" and "stable" enzyme were subjected to a clinicopsychological analysis which revealed a graver disease course and more pronounced anxiety in the group with the "stable" enzyme.

[Regression analysis in the study of dynamics of 5-nucleotidase activity in mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages].

The time course of the activity of 5-nucleotidase of peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) was studied on mice. Regression models of in time changes in the activity of PEM 5-nucleotidase after intraperitoneal administration of 2 immunostimulators: salmosan and blastolysine were constructed by the results of the study. Within the experimentally chosen periods of the study the time changes in the enzyme activity after administration of either salmosan or blastolysine could be adequately approximated by linear regression.

[Action of plant extracts on the natural immunity indices of animals].

The influence of extracts from oak bark, St. John's-wort leaves and pine buds on natural immunity characteristics of mice has been studied. The injection of these extracts into mice has been found to enhance their resistance to infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Bordetella pertussis virulent cultures, to decrease the enzymatic activity of 5'-nucleotidase in the peritoneal exudate macrophages of mice and to increase the level of lysozyme in their blood.

Protection of ischemic myocardium by exogenous phosphocreatine (neoton): pharmacokinetics of phosphocreatine, reduction of infarct size, stabilization of sarcolemma of ischemic cardiomyocytes, and antithrombotic action.

The effect of exogenous phosphocreatine on ischemic myocardium was studied in experimental infarction in rabbits and in total ischemia of pig heart tissue (in vitro). It is shown that single dose administration of phosphocreatine is followed by its rapid clearance from blood plasma (with a half lifetime of 4-6 min), but constantly high plasma concentration of phosphocreatine can be maintained by its intravenous infusion. When administered by this method into rabbits during experimental myocardial infarction, phosphocreatine reduces by 40% the size of the necrotic zone.

[Effect of blastolysin on the development of specific immunity to whooping cough].

The influence of blastolysin, the cell-wall glycopeptide of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, on the main immunobiological properties of pertussis vaccine, its immunogenicity and toxicity, has been studied. The use of blastolysin, introduced as a stimulating agent in definite doses and following definite administration schedules, has been shown to permit achieving not only an increase in the immunogenicity of the corpuscular pertussis vaccine, but also a considerable decrease in its toxicity and histamine-sensitizing activity.

[Pharmacokinetics of phosphocreatine in the blood serum of man, dogs and rabbits].

It is shown that a single intravenous injection of phosphocreatine to man or to experimental animals is followed by its rapid clearance from blood serum. This clearance is biphasic in nature with a half-life of 3-5 min at the first rapid stage and of 20-33 min at the next slower stage. To maintain the constant phosphocreatine concentration in blood, it is necessary to infuse it at a rate comparable to that of clearance.

[Change in the natural immunity of mice after administration of blastolysin, a glycopeptide from the Lactobacillus bulgaricus cell wall].

The effect of blastolysin, a glycopeptide of the cell walls of L. bulgaricus, on the resistance of mice to infections caused by S. typhimurium and B.