Possibility of using the SBE profilometer data for calibration of satellite data on concentration of chlorophyll <i>a</i> in the Japan Sea

Chlorophyll a (Chl) concentration in the upper 100 m layer of the northwestern Japan Sea is measured both by fluorimeter Wetlabs mounted on oceanographic sonde-profilometer SBE 911 and by standard spectrophotometric method in the 1st Russian-Chinese survey in the autumn of 2010. Biomass and species composition of phytoplankton at the seas surface are determined in the same time. For the whole area of measurements, the data on Chl defined by two methods correlate weakly (R2 = 0.22). However, after dividing the investigated area onto five local areas taking into account oceanographic patterns and satellite data on Chl concentration (8-day composite images), the correlation becomes higher for any local area (R2 from 0.57 to 0.91). Inclination of regression between the data measured by two methods (ratio fluorescence : concentration) varies between the areas, as well - from 0.76 above the continental slope of middle Primorye to 1.70 at Kito-Yamato Bank. This variability is reasoned by variations of both oceanographic conditions and species composition of phytoplankton. Instability of Chl fluorescent ability should be considered when satellite data on Chl concentration are used

A New Hydroxylated Nonaprenylhydroquinone from the Mediterranean Marine Sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus

Chemical investigation of the Mediterranean sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus led to the isolation of a new hydroxylated nonaprenylhydroquinone, along with two known metabolites, hepta- and octaprenylhydroquinones. The structure of the new metabolite was assigned by extensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses and MS studies. The antileukemic effect of the three compounds towards the chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells line K562 was also evaluated

Использование SPR биосенсора при поиске прототипов лекарственных средств на примере цитохрома Р450(51) в качестве белка-мишени

The development of the integral platform “From Gene to Lead”, consolidated computer methods, bioinformatics researches, and experimental approaches, significantly accelerated and optimized base structure search in the field of drug design. The necessity of the experimental verification of hundreds virtual structure hypothesis (results of molecular data base selections or de novo construction) requires demands the usage of the high-through out and sensitive methods for validation possible interaction between numerous of selected compounds and particular molecular targets and evaluation of affinity, kinetics and thermodynamics. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology makes it possible to solve all these problems. In this article the methodical aspects of the optical SPR-biosensor usage in the field of drug prototypes selection are described using the human cytochrome P450(51) catalyzing one of the key step of cholesterol biosynthesis as an example.Интеграция различных компьютерных, биоинформатических и экспериментальных технологий в единую платформу, покрывающую путь “от гена до прототипа лекарства”, значительно ускорила и оптимизировала поиск базовых структур для создания новых лекарственных препаратов. При этом необходимость экспериментальной проверки найденных компьютерными методами сотен структурных гипотез, представляющих собой выборки из молекулярных баз данных или сконструированных de novo соединений, требует привлечения быстрых и чувствительных скрининговых методов анализа их возможных взаимодействий с белком-мишенью. А в случае позитивного результата и возможности количественной оценки аффинности, кинетики и термодинамики межмолекулярного взаимодействия. Технология поверхностного плазмонного резонанса (SPR) позволяет решать все перечисленные задачи. В данной статье рассматриваются методические аспекты применения оптического SPR биосенсора для поиска прототипов лекарственных средств на примере цитохрома Р450(51) человека, катализирующего ключевую стадию биосинтеза холестерина

The effect of phospholipid composition of reconstituted HDL on its cholesterol efflux and anti-inflammatory properties

goal of this study was to understand how the reconstituted HDL (rHDL) phospholipid (PL) composition affects its cholesterol efflux and anti-inflammatory properties. An ApoA-I mimetic peptide, 5A, was combined with either SM or POPC. Both lipid formulations exhibited similar in vitro cholesterol efflux by ABCA1, but 5A-SM exhibited higher ABCG1- and SR-BI-mediated efflux relative to 5A-POPC (P < 0.05). Injection of both rHDLs in rats resulted in mobilization of plasma cholesterol, although the relative potency was 3-fold higher for the same doses of 5A-SM than for 5A-POPC. Formation of pre HDL was observed following incubation of rHDLs with both human and rat plasma in vitro, with 5A-SM inducing a higher extent of pre formation relative to 5A-POPC. Both rHDLs exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, but 5A-SM showed higher inhibition of TNF-, IL-6, and IL-1 release than did 5A-POPC (P < 0.05). Both 5A-SM and 5A-POPC showed reduction in total plaque area in ApoE(-/-) mice, but only 5A-SM showed a statistically significant reduction over placebo control and baseline (P < 0.01). The type of PL used to reconstitute peptide has significant influence on rHDL's anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerosis properties

Intestinal Epithelial Serum Amyloid A Modulates Bacterial Growth In Vitro and Pro-Inflammatory Responses in Mouse Experimental Colitis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is a major acute phase protein of unknown function. SAA is mostly expressed in the liver, but also in other tissues including the intestinal epithelium. SAA reportedly has anti-bacterial effects, and because inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) result from a breakdown in homeostatic interactions between intestinal epithelia and bacteria, we hypothesized that SAA is protective during experimental colitis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Intestinal SAA expression was measured in mouse and human samples. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis was induced in SAA 1/2 double knockout (DKO) mice and in wildtype controls. Anti-bacterial effects of SAA1/2 were tested in intestinal epithelial cell lines transduced with adenoviral vectors encoding the CE/J SAA isoform or control vectors prior to exposure to live <it>Escherichia coli</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant levels of SAA1/SAA2 RNA and SAA protein were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in mouse colonic epithelium. SAA3 expression was weaker, but similarly distributed. SAA1/2 RNA was present in the ileum and colon of conventional mice and in the colon of germfree mice. Expression of SAA3 was strongly regulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides in cultured epithelial cell lines, whereas SAA1/2 expression was constitutive and not LPS inducible. Overexpression of SAA1/2 in cultured epithelial cell lines reduced the viability of co-cultured <it>E. coli</it>. This might partially explain the observed increase in susceptibility of DKO mice to DSS colitis. SAA1/2 expression was increased in colon samples obtained from Crohn's Disease patients compared to controls.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Intestinal epithelial SAA displays bactericidal properties in vitro and could play a protective role in experimental mouse colitis. Altered expression of SAA in intestinal biopsies from Crohn's Disease patients suggests that SAA is involved in the disease process..</p

Влияние препарата «Кумазид» на функциональное состояние внутренних органов крыс

An investigation of Kumazid medication influence on functional condition of experimental animal main organs and and systems, that were subjected to intragastric injection during three monthes, was made. It was determined that the Kumasid medication dosed 1—100 mkg/kg administrated to rats intragastically during three monthes doesn’t change internal conditions of lab animals.Проведено исследование влияния препарата «Кумазид» на функциональное состояние основных органов и систем при длительном (3-месячном) внутрижелудочном введении препарата экспериментальным животным. Установлено, что препарат «Кумазид» при 3-месячном курсе внутрижелудочного введения крысам в дозах 1-100 мкг/кг массы тела не оказывает достоверных изменений состояния внутренних органов лабораторных животных

Pseudo-nitzschia physiological ecology, phylogeny, toxicity, monitoring and impacts on ecosystem health

This paper is not subject to U.S. copyright. The definitive version was published in Harmful Algae 14 (2012): 271-300, doi:10.1016/j.hal.2011.10.025.Over the last decade, our understanding of the environmental controls on Pseudo-nitzschia blooms and domoic acid (DA) production has matured. Pseudo-nitzschia have been found along most of the world's coastlines, while the impacts of its toxin, DA, are most persistent and detrimental in upwelling systems. However, Pseudo-nitzschia and DA have recently been detected in the open ocean's high-nitrate, low-chlorophyll regions, in addition to fjords, gulfs and bays, showing their presence in diverse environments. The toxin has been measured in zooplankton, shellfish, crustaceans, echinoderms, worms, marine mammals and birds, as well as in sediments, demonstrating its stable transfer through the marine food web and abiotically to the benthos. The linkage of DA production to nitrogenous nutrient physiology, trace metal acquisition, and even salinity, suggests that the control of toxin production is complex and likely influenced by a suite of environmental factors that may be unique to a particular region. Advances in our knowledge of Pseudo-nitzschia sexual reproduction, also in field populations, illustrate its importance in bloom dynamics and toxicity. The combination of careful taxonomy and powerful new molecular methods now allow for the complete characterization of Pseudo-nitzschia populations and how they respond to environmental changes. Here we summarize research that represents our increased knowledge over the last decade of Pseudo-nitzschia and its production of DA, including changes in worldwide range, phylogeny, physiology, ecology, monitoring and public health impacts

Sterol and Sphingoid Glycoconjugates from Microalgae

Microalgae are well known as primary producers in the hydrosphere. As sources of natural products, microalgae are attracting major attention due to the potential of their practical applications as valuable food constituents, raw material for biofuels, drug candidates, and components of drug delivery systems. This paper presents a short review of a low-molecular-weight steroid and sphingolipid glycoconjugates, with an analysis of the literature on their structures, functions, and bioactivities. The discussed data on sterols and the corresponding glycoconjugates not only demonstrate their structural diversity and properties, but also allow for a better understanding of steroid biogenesis in some echinoderms, mollusks, and other invertebrates which receive these substances from food and possibly from their microalgal symbionts. In another part of this review, the structures and biological functions of sphingolipid glycoconjugates are discussed. Their role in limiting microalgal blooms as a result of viral infections is emphasized