Cytomegalovirus infection in women of reproductive age with an at-risk obstetrical history

Studies aimed at the detection of cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) in women of reproductive age with obstetric complications in their medical history were carried out. 230 women aged 17-44 years were examined with the use of virological and serological tests. As the result of complex examination, CMVI markers were detected in 159 (69%) of women. Three forms of CMVI were detected in the examined women: latent (30%), reactivated (14%) and persistent (25%). This investigation revealed that the most complete detection of CMVI and the evaluation of its activity in women with obstetric complications in their medical history requires the combined use of virological and serological tests.     

A new antitubercular mulinane diterpenoid from Azorella madreporica Clos

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the petroleum ether extract of Azorella madreporica Clos has led to the isolation of the novel, antitubercular mulinane diterpenoid 1. The structure has been elucidated on the basis of its 1D and 2D NMR spectra and by comparison with mulinolic acid 2 and a dehydration product 3 obtained from 1. The MIC of 1 for growth inhibition of the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined as 20 microg/mL. LC-MS and NMR have suggested the presence of this new compound in four other species of Azorella.     

Characterization of satellite cells derived from chickens with the low score normal (LSN) muscle weakness

Myogenic satellite cell clones were established from the pectoralis major muscle of chickens with the low score normal (LSN) muscle weakness and controls. The percentage of cells which attached to substrata and began to proliferate was higher for the control line than the LSN line (55% vs 30%). Furthermore, of those clones which initiated growth, 63% of the control cells and only 32% of the LSN cells proliferated to confluence in 25 cm2 tissue culture flasks. Proliferation rates were significantly lower with LSN satellite cells than with controls (p < 0.05). LSN satellite cells were less responsive to the mitogenic effects of chicken serum (p < 0.05) and differentiation rates were lower compared with controls (p < 0.05). There was a greater (p < 0.05) number of insulin-like growth factor receptors on LSN satellite cells compared with controls. The IGF receptor binding affinities (Kds) between the two cell lines were similar (p > 0.05). The results suggest that a defect in satellite cell physiology may contribute to the skeletal muscle weakness seen in the LSN line.