Vol 475, No 1 (2017)

The effect of everyday blue light (λ = 440–460 nm) on mitochondria of the retinal pigment epithelium of different age groups of Japanese quail was studied using electron microscopy, morphometric methods, and biochemical analysis. We have found a significant increase in the number of mitochondria, including those modified, mainly in young birds. In addition, cell metabolic activity increased in response to blue lighting. These changes are assumed to reflect an adaptive response of mitochondria aimed at neutralizing the phototoxic effect of blue light caused by accumulation of lipofuscin granules.

In the present study we used a diet enriched with 10% sucrose, which was consumed by adolescent animals of the experimental group for one month. We found that consumption of sweet food during sexual maturation affected alcohol preference, anxiety, and locomotor and exploratory activity in the adult rats. Our data show that easily available tasty food during adolescence probably impairs the reward system and serves as a trigger of future alcohol preference.

In mice, two-hour immobilization stress inhibited zymosan-induced production by macrophages of the oxygen radicals and cytokine IL-1β. After myelopeptides MP-5 and MP-6 were administered into mice, the stress-induced inhibition of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-1β was abrogated. MP-5 peptide stimulated spontaneous ROS production by macrophages and reduced IL-10 production under stress. Thus, under in vivo conditions and under stress, the effect of MP-5 and MP-6 myelopeptides modulates the peritoneal macrophage activity.

Toxicological experiments with radioactive bottom sediments and extrinsic γ-irradiation have demonstrated that the growth of common elodea roots is suppressed by irradiation at doses several times lower than the established threshold dose. The effect of γ-irradiation on the growth of elodea stems has not been observed at any dose used. The data obtained show that elodea could be recommended for use as an indicator of biological effects of radiation in the range of low radiation doses.

Long-term monitoring in the Russian taiga zone has shown that all known extreme destructive effects resulting in the weakening and death of tree stands (windfalls, pest attacks, drought events, etc.) can be sporadic, but significant sources of CO₂ soil emission. Among them are (i) a recently found effect of the multiyear CO₂ emission from soil at the bottom of deadwood of spruce trees that died due to climate warming and subsequent pest outbreaks, (ii) increased soil CO₂ emissions due to to the fall of tree trunks during massive windfalls, and (iii) pulse CO₂ emission as a result of the so-called Birch effect after drought events in the taiga zone. According to the modeling, while depending on the spatial and temporal scales of their manifestation, the impact of these sporadic effects on the regional and global soil respiration fluxes could be significant and should be taken into consideration. This is due to continuing Climate Change, and further increase of local, regional and Global human impacts on the atmospheric greenhouse gases balance, and land use, as well.

Dependence of cytokine pattern in the tumor supernatant obtained after cultivation of biopsy samples–on the patients’ age was evaluated among patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. An increase in VEGF and IL-6 production in a group of younger patients was observed. An increase only in interferon γ concentration was revealed in the supernatants of the tumor after addition of polyclonal activators to the culture medium. This result indicates likely secretion of interferon γ in younger patients. The relation among the production of angiogenic factors by tumor cells, age of the patients, and presence or absence of lymph node metastases shows that in such studies, patients have to be stratified by age.

The effect of human pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) on the cytokine and chemokine production in vitro by intact mononuclear cells was studied by the method of flow fluorimetry. PSG inhibited production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α and chemokines CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, CCL2/MCP-1; at the same time, PSG stimulated IL-12(p70) production. Simultaneously with increasing the VEGF level, PSG inhibited production of IL-9, IL-13, G-CSF, and GM-CSF. The PSG effect discovered can be interpreted as a contribution into the immune tolerance formation during pregnancy.