Change in the composition of Candida albicans cells during development of resistance to polyene antibiotics

The composition of lipid and protein components of the membrane structures was studied in the strains of Candida albicans susceptible and resistant to polyene antibiotics. The content of sterols was lower and the content of free fatty acids was higher in the cells of resistant strains cf. susceptible strains. The composition of sterols was also different in the resistant strains: analysis of absorption spectra of sterol extracts in heptane in UV revealed complete absence of ergosterol, the main component of the susceptible strain, and appearance of a heterogenous peak at 215--240 nm.     

Antineuraminidase serum antibodies in natural influenza A and immunization with influenza vaccines

Parallel HI and virus-elution-from-erythrocytes-inhibition (a simplified method for titration of neuraminidase antibody) tests were used for examinations of 1117 blood serum specimens from 440 adults and children under study, 5250 single serum specimens from healthy subjects from birth to 65 years of age, 38 paired serum specimens from children who experienced influenza A/Texas/1/77 disease in the epidemic of 1979-1980, and 590 paired serum specimens from subjects immunized with influenza vaccines. In 7%-23% of influenza patients and immunized subjects antibody rise was observed to only one of the influenza A virus surface antigens, hemagglutinin or neuraminidase. The protective activity of antibody to influenza A virus neuraminidase was as good as that of antihemagglutinins. Both kinds of antibody interacted in protection against the disease. Antineuraminidase antibody was found to affect the decrease in severity of the infectious process in natural infection with influenza A. The formation of immunological memory in the system of synthesis of antihemagglutinins and antineuraminidase antibodies was shown to have features in common. The pattern of heterologous immune responses in immunized subjects and patients with influenza showed all antigenic varieties of neuraminidase N2 as well as neuraminidases N1 and N2 to share common cross-reacting determinants.     

Vitamin P in the nutrition of athletes

Capillary resistance was examined in 1203 athletes, students of the Institute of Physical Culture. The examinees showed seasonal variations in capillary strength and in excretion of ascorbic acid with the urine. It is recommended that the diet of athletes be supplemented with vitamins C and P during winter season. Both vitamins were demonstrated to interfere with the effect of sports exercise affecting capillary walls. The vitamins can be used for raising the efficacy of ski training and improving the results during competition. It is also advisable that the diet be supplemented with vitamin P daily dose of 50-60 mg given with rutin, which is best combined with 100 mg of ascorbic acid.     

The folding and quaternary structure of trimeric 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconic aldolase at 3.5-A resolution

An X-ray crystallographic structure determination has been carried out on 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconic (KDPG) aldolase at 3.5-A resolution using the multiple isomorphous replacement method with three heavy atom derivatives along with anomalous dispersion contributions from two of the derivatives. Crystals grown from ammonium sulfate-phosphate buffered (pH 3.5) solutions were: cubic, a= 103.40 (4) A, space group P213. KDPG aldolase consists of trimeric heterologous assemblages utilizing crystallographic threefold symmetry. The overall profile of the oligomeric structure viewed down the threefold axis resembles that of a ship propeller while the subunits are approximate irregular oblate ellipsoids (25 X 45 X 45 A). The folding of most of the polypeptide chain was traced unambiguously. Secondary structural features consist of nine helical regions (75 residues, 35%) and a pair of two parallel chains. The subunit contains a long empty channel which is about 9 X 9 X 30 A with one of the pair of parallel chains forming part of the wall. Three mercury binding sites are located in this channel. These might correspond to the two readily accessible and one of the two buried cysteine residues of each subunit. The channel terminates with another cavity of about 8 X 10 X 25 A near the surface of the oligomeric structure. The regions of the subunits near the threefold axis are characterized by a high degree of secondary structural organization and these make close intersubunit contacts. Quarternary interactions are due mainly to side-chain interactions of helices.     

Influenza virus hemagglutinin: hydrodynamic properties and molecular weight

Following acute alcohol administration (80-160 mg/100 g body weight) histamine levels of rat brain cortex and thalamus were elevated and histidine decarboxylase activity was decreased. The effect was less pronounced after chronic alcohol treatment (15% v/v in drinking water for 4 weeks). In the striatum there was no change in the metabolic pattern of histamine. Histamine-N-methyltransferase was unaffected in either case. Depolarisation-induced release of histamine was inhibited by alcohol in the hypothalamus, thalamus and cortex. The results indicate that ethanol affects the histamine metabolism and release processes in the histaminergic pathway of the brain.     

Temperament and major depression in 11 to 16 year olds

Temperament (EAS teacher and parent questionnaire) and mental state (modified DISC-C interview with adolescent) was systematically assessed in 193 11 to 16 year olds (112 girls, 81 boys) screened for major depression in the community. Sex differences in the structure of temperament were noted from both parent and teacher reports. High (negative) emotionality alone was associated with major depression, particularly (but not exclusively) in girls.