The biological properties of Aerococcus antagonists, representatives of human microbiocenoses

The paper deals with the data on biology of Aerococcus, a slightly studied group of microorganisms. Physiological-biochemical properties of Aerococcus are described, data of their distribution in nature are given. Peculiar attention is paid to the estimate of the role of Aerococcus in human microbiocenoses. As a result of the profound and all-round study of this group of microorganisms the authors have developed new bacterial drug "A-bakterin" based on the aerococcus strain. Data presented about the results of clinical tests of "A-bakterin" are presented, a possibility to use Aerococcus lysate in the elaboration of new drugs is discussed.     

Stabilization of optical characteristics of DNA cholesteric liquid-crystalline dispersions

Abnormal optical properties of liquid-crystalline dispersions (phases) formed as a result of phase exclusion of double-stranded DNA and RNA from water-salt poly(ethylene glycol) solutions and X-ray parameters of these phases are compared. It is shown that the cholesteric packing of nucleic acid molecules is realized at the certain osmotic pressure of a solvent only. A comparison of the optical properties of liquid-crystalline phases (dispersions) to their X-ray parameters allows one to put forward a suggestion on various hydratation (fluctuation) regimes of the nucleic acid behaviour under the condensed phases formation and factors, influencing the mode of packing of these molecules in phases formed. It is shown as well, that immobilization of DNA cholesteric liquid-crystalline particles in the content of polymeric matrix is accompanied by the stabilization of these particles and, hence, their specific abnormal optical activity as well as by formation of particles having a structure, which corresponds to the "optically isotropic ordered liquid" without abnormal optical activity. Data on stabilization of the cholesteric structure of liquid-crystalline DNA dispersions by creation of polymeric chelate bridges between the neighbouring DNA molecules, fixed in the structure of liquid-crystalline dispersions, are shown.     

How evolution makes proteins fold quickly

Sequences of fast-folding model proteins (48 residues long on a cubic lattice) were generated by an evolution-like selection toward fast folding. We find that fast-folding proteins exhibit a specific folding mechanism in which all transition state conformations share a smaller subset of common contacts (folding nucleus). Acceleration of folding was accompanied by dramatic strengthening of interactions in the folding nucleus whereas average energy of nonnucleus interactions remained largely unchanged. Furthermore, the residues involved in the nucleus are the most conserved ones within families of evolved sequences. Our results imply that for each protein structure there is a small number of conserved positions that are key determinants of fast folding into that structure. This conjecture was tested on two protein superfamilies: the first having the classical monophosphate binding fold (CMBF; 98 families) and the second having type-III repeat fold (47 families). For each superfamily, we discovered a few positions that exhibit very strong and statistically significant "conservatism of conservatism"-amino acids in those positions are conserved within every family whereas the actual types of amino acids varied from family to family. Those amino acids are in spatial contact with each other. The experimental data of Serrano and coworkers [Lopez-Hernandez, E. & Serrano, L. (1996) Fold. Des. (London) 1, 43-55]. for one of the proteins of the CMBF superfamily (CheY) show that residues identified this way indeed belong to the folding nucleus. Further analysis revealed deep connections between nucleation in CMBF proteins and their function.     

The sorption of poliovirus type 2 by a carbon sorbent

Materials are presented concerning the study of a possibility to use highly active carbon sorbent "Dnepr-MH" to liberate the tape water from enteroviruses. Investigations were carried out on the model of the vaccine strain of type-II poliovirus. The sorbent samples, most active in respect of the virus sorption and differing by benzene capacity, were determined. Optimal concentration of a sorbent has been established, pH and water temperature were chosen under which the sorption processes are more active. High efficiency of tape water deprive of enterovirus pollution with the help of the above sorbent is demonstrated in the experiment.     

The Potential Application of Starch and Walnut Shells as Biofillers for Natural Rubber (NR) Composites

The goal of this study was application of corn starch and ground walnut shells in various amounts by weight as biofillers of natural rubber (NR) biocomposites. Additionally, ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmiCl) and (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES) were used to increase the activity of biofillers and to improve the curing characteristics of NR composites. The effect of biofillers used and their modification with aminosilane or ionic liquid on the curing characteristics of NR composites and their functional properties, including crosslink density, mechanical properties in static and dynamic conditions, hardness, thermal stability and resistance to thermo-oxidative aging were investigated. Starch and ground walnut shells were classified as inactive fillers, which can be used alternatively to commercial inactive fillers, e.g., chalk. BmiCl and APTES were successfully used to support the vulcanization and to improve the dispersion of biofillers in NR elastomer matrix. Vulcanizates with starch, especially those containing APTES and BmiCl, exhibited improved tensile properties due to the higher crosslink density and homogenous dispersion of starch, which resulted from BmiCl addition. NR filled with ground walnut shells demonstrated improved resistance to thermo-oxidative aging. It resulted from lignin present in walnut shells, the components of which belong to polyphenols, that have an antioxidant activity.     

Molecular-biological approaches to studying gene expression during regeneration

This paper constitutes a review of the methodical approaches allowing analysis of the mechanisms underlying development and differentiation. Progress in investigation of the mechanisms underlying embryogenesis is related to the discovery of genic families in the Drosophila genome, which are responsible for different periods of embryogenesis. The true revolution in studies of developmental mechanisms began with the application of molecular-genetic methods for analysis of Drosophila mutant lines. The clarification and analysis of the genes controlling regeneration is one of the most effective paths toward an understanding of the mechanisms underlying regeneration. No mutations affecting regeneration are, and the development of alternative (i.e., not based on mutation analysis) methods of discovery of the genes controlling regeneration is necessary for investigation of the genetic mechanisms of regeneration. The advantages and drawbacks of the two main approaches for discovery of the genes controlling regeneration are considered. The first approach is based on the production of a bank of sequences expressed in the regenerating structures and subsequent screening of the bank by the known probes. This approach also involves analysis of the structure, function, and expression pattern of the obtained homologs. The second approach is based on subtractive hybridization, which allows identification of the genes specifically expressed in the regenerating structures. This approach was made it possible to identify, for the first time, new genes specifically expressed during lens and retina regeneration in amphibians.