Changes in the genetic properties of a viral population and the selection of ts-mutants in persistent influenza virus infection

Comparative study of genetic properties of the original influenza A/Victoria/35/72 virus (the inhibitor-sensitive variant) and persisting viruses (PV) isolated at different intervals (from 9 to 158 days) after infection with this virus of MDCK cell culture revealed that in the course of development of persistent infection (PI) there occurred progressive selection of temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants. In parallel with this, changes in the profile of PV inhibitor-sensitivity and plaque phenotype were noted. A population of PV isolated at late intervals (158 days) consisted completely of temperature-sensitive, inhibitor-resistant, small-plaque clones. According to the results of HI tests, the antigenic characteristics of PV hemagglutinin did not differ from those of the original virus. The mechanisms of development of the described persistent infection are discussed.     

Glycolysis and oxidtion enzyme activity in rat brain during insulin-induced hypoglycemia against the background of alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus

Children and adolescents aged 4–16 years with the diagnosis of acute respiratory viral infection with long-lasting fever, manifestations of intoxication syndrome, and catarrhal symptoms were examined. In children and adolescents suffering from frequent diseases and presented with acute respiratory viral infection we found disorders in the immune status (depression of the cellular component, helper/suppressor imbalance, suppressed production of IgA and hyperproduction of IgM, decreased concentration of secretory IgA in the saliva) in comparison with children rarely falling ill. The redox potential and lymphocyte cytochrome C content were decreased in adolescents often falling ill, while the content of cytochrome oxidase did not change. A negative multiple correlation (R=6.8, p<0.005) was detected between the decrease in cytochrome C content and NADP/NADPH redox potential and increase in the immunoregulatory index. ATP content in lymphocyte from adolescents frequently falling ill remained 21% decreased during the first 2 weeks after acute respiratory viral infection, while the ATP/ADP ratio was shifted towards dinucleotide, which also indicated disorders in ATP synthesis in lymphocytes.__________Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 139, No. 6, pp. 664–666, June, 2005     

The virogenic status of cultured continuous simian lymphoid cells and their immunophenotypical characteristics

Immunophenotyping of cultured continuous simian lymphoid cultures using a panel containing monoclonal antibodies to human B- and T-cell antigens has been carried out, by employing enzyme immunoassay and flow cytofluorometry. The test cultures showed a wide variety of cells containing B- and T-cell antigens with their varying expression. The cultures were also found to comprise lymphoblasts simultaneously containing B- and T-cell markers. Simian lymphotropic viruses, such as EBV-like and STLV-1 retrovirus, detected apart or simultaneously, have been verified by polymerase chain reaction. Whether there is a possible relationship between the type of cells in the culture and the type of their replicating virus(es) is discussed in the paper.     

Papillomatosis of the opening of the major duodenal papilla in chronic, recurrent pancreatitis (based on surgical biopsy data)]

Examinations of 55 major duodenal papillas (MDP) amputated in patients with chronic relapsing pancreatitis revealed papillomatosis of the opening zone in 20 (36%). Papillomatosis developed when the pancreating and bile ducts discharged into the duodenum separately at the top of MDP without forming an ampoule. Papillomatosis was manifested by fibrous-epithelial papillar hyperplastic outgrowths representing pathologically altered folds of the MDP mucous membrane. The features of changes in papillary outgrowths were shown to include circulatory disorders, lympho-plasmocytic infiltration of the stroma, adenomatosis, etc. The causes of papillomatosis development and its association with chronic relapsing pancreatitis are discussed.     

Bright Light Therapy Increases Blood Pressure and Changes the Structure of Circadian Rhythm of Melatonin Secretion in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine - Phototherapy (therapy with bright light) is widely used to treat seasonal affective disorders, different types of depression, sleep disorders, and...     

Brain contents of substance P, diazepam-binding inhibitor, and neuropeptide Y in high- and low-anxiety inbred rats during stress

The content of substance P in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and midbrain of WAG/G rats surpassed these in Fischer-344 rats. After a 15-min stay in a shuttle box, the level of substance P in the hypothalamus and especially in the hippocampus decreased only in WAG/G rats. The content of diazepam-binding inhibitor in the hippocampus and midbrain of WAG/G rats was higher than in Ficher-344 rats. Stress increased the content of diazepam-binding inhibitor only in Fischer-344 rats. Midbrain content of neuropeptide Y in intact and stressed WAG/G rats was significantly lower than in Fischer-344 rats. There were no interstrain differences in the initial hypothalamic levels of neuropeptide Y between WAG/G and Fischer-344 rats. However, 15-min stress in the shuttle box increased hypothalamic content of neuropeptide Y only in Fischer-344 rats. Thus, high-anxiety rats are characterized by a low density of benzodiazepine receptors, decreased levels of substance P and diazepam-binding inhibitor, and high brain content of neuropeptide Y. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 9, pp. 254–257, September, 1999