Blocking of protein pancreatic secretion by maximal secretion infusion in the dog

In conscious chronic gastric and pancreatic fistula dogs (Thomas cannula), secretin was perfused for three hours with a submaximal (GIH, 1.0 C.U./kg.) and a maximal dose (GIH, 8.0 c.u./kg.), according to the following schedule: 1. First hour submaximal stimulus; 2. second hour maximal stimulus; 3. third hour submaximal stimulus. The alkaline and protein components of pancreatic secretion were analyzed in 20-minute sample collections thoughout the three hours. The same protocol was followed in anesthetized dogs subjected to a mind line laparotomy. A biopsy of the pancreatic gland was taken before (control) and at the end of each perfused dose. The secretion showed a significant increase of protein concentration and output when passing from the maximal to the last submaximal secretin perfusion dose. These findings correlated well with the piling up of zymogen and prozymogen granules in the apical zone of the acinar cells during maximal secretin perfusion, with their subsequent discharge into the acinar lumen upon abrupt reversal to the initial secretin submaximal dose. The study confirms that secretin influences pancreatic protein secretion and indicates in addition, that pharmacologic doses of the hormone, have the capacity to block acinar cell zymogen granule release.     

The estrogen dilemma

There are known 3 likely mechanisms of virus conveyance into the central nervous system (CNS). These include hematogenic penetration, spread along the peripheral nerves, and the olfactory pathway which begins from the infected olfactory neuroepithelial cells. The possibility of viral spread into CNS via the olfactory pathway was shown for the representatives of togaviruses, herpesviruses, coronaviruses, rhabdoviruses, and for some others. This study suggests that the olfactory pathway of viral conveyance into CNS may be blocked by specific mucosal antibodies in the nasal mucosa. The recombinant TK- variant of WR vaccinia strain with inserted genes coding structural and nonstructural proteins of TBE virus is accumulated in the branches of the respiratory tract only while the parenteral vaccinia strain is detected in the brain regions, spleen, respiratory tract, and in blood. The protective activity of recombinant strain and inactivated TBE vaccine after mice immunization by escarification or intranasally, or subcutaneously was comparatively studied. The findings indicate that intranasal immunization by recombinant strain is the most protective against intraperitoneal challenge by TBE virus. The mucosal and humoral immune response that was induced by intranasal immunization seems to provide the highest levels of protection, which was experimentally observed.     

The expert identification of the remains of the imperial family by means of molecular genetic verification of genealogical relations

The paper presents the results of international complex molecular genetic expert identification of skeletal remains of 9 subjects buried near the Koptiaki road in Ekaterinburg region, presumably belonging to the Romanov Royal Family and persons in their attendance. The armory of methods based on analysis of the least permissible amounts of DNA by the polymerase chain reaction and direct fluorescent sequencing of amplified DNA fragments included the latest scientific technologies. In addition, new methods were developed and used, which have no analogs in the world expert practice. The strategy included identification of biological gender of skeletons, of familial group among exhumed individuals, and of ties of relationship of this family with two independent maternal branches of the Romanov genealogical tree using tracing kindred markers based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The study was carried out in two stages: in 1992-1993 at Aldermaston Criminology Center of Home Office of the UK with participation of British specialists and in 1995 at Military Medical Institute of Ministry of Defence of the USA in Washington with participation of American specialists. In 1993 five skeletons were identified as Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Fedorovna, and their three daughters with 99.6% certainty. From modern criminological viewpoint, the result could not be considered as sufficiently certain for such an extraordinary case, and therefore in 1995 molecular genetic studies of presumable remains of Nicholas II and his brother Prince Georgi? Romanov were carried out again. The results showed absolute positional identity of mtDNA genetic code of these two men due to an extremely rare genetic abnormality (heteroplasmia), and thus the problem of appurtenance of the remains to the Romanov royal family was solved.