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Biomedical subjects

T A Smirnova

Publications and source records attributed to T A Smirnova.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Subspecies-specific haemagglutination patterns of fimbriated Bacillus thuringiensis spores.

Electron microscopy revealed fimbrial appendages (pili) of three types on the surface of Bacillus thuringiensis spores. Fimbriated spores induced mannose-resistant agglutination of rat, guinea pig and/or chicken red blood cells. Each haemagglutination pattern correlated with the subspecies of a given B. thuringiensis strain, rather than with its flagellar serotype. Fimbriation and haemagglutination patterns of B. thuringiensis spores are considered to be of possible taxonomic value.

Animals

Background factors of enamel focal demineralization in groups of Finnish and Russian children.

The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of EFD lesions in relation to some background factors in Finnish and Soviet children. Children aged 7, 9 and 12 years (n = 1187) were examined clinically in Helsinki, Kuopio (Finland), Moscow and Leningrad (USSR). A questionnaire sent to the parents was used to collect data on toothbrushing frequency, use of sweets, cakes, soft drinks, sugar-sweetened tea/coffee and mother's education. In addition to bivariate analysis, log-linear regression models were used for comparing the simultaneous association in two ethnic groups. In general, the Finnish children had more EFD lesions than the Soviet children did. Among the Finns no consistent associations were found between the number of EFD lesions and the use of different sugar products or differences in toothbrushing habits. The number of EFD lesions decreased consistently according to mother's education with the Finnish children, but not with the Soviet children. The final multivariate model for Finnish children included age, toothbrushing frequency, place of residence (Kuopio) and use of soft drinks. The respective model for the Soviet children included age and place of residence (Leningrad). Evidently, the demineralization process or tooth resistance differs in these two ethnic groups.

Carbonated Beverages

[Genetic properties of the nonflagellar Bacillus thuringiensis mutant].

The nonflagellar mutant has been selected in Bacillus thuringiensis strain 33-69 var. galleriae. The absence of flagella in the mutant cells is confirmed by electron microscopy, by the specific "trench transit" test. The mutant preserved the biochemical characteristics of the parent strain, possesses the same phage sensitivity but lower sporulation ability. Fla+ phenotype is cotransduced with the His+ one in general transduction.

Bacillus thuringiensis

Surface-specific effect of a mineralizing agent on the permanent teeth and on periodontal status.

In a two-year clinical trial the surface-specific effect of a mineralizing agent on selected permanent teeth was evaluated as well as the effect of this agent on periodontal health in children. Compared with positive controls (Control group, n = 123, biweekly mouthrinsing with placebo and 0.2% NaF solutions), among children in the test group (n = 123, biweekly mouthrinsing with 2% Remodent and 0.2% NaF solutions) the mineralizing agent clearly affected periodontal health (as determined by the prevalence of subjects with gingival bleeding and occurrence of affected sextants at risk) positively, in addition to having a positive effect on the incidence of EFD lesions. The mineralizing agent tested was not found to have adverse effects (as determined by the prevalence of subjects with dental calculus and occurrence of affected sextants at risk). Use of the mineralizing agent is recommended especially during posteruptive maturation of permanent teeth.

Cariostatic Agents

Mineralizing agents in caries prevention: a review of the effects of Remodent.

Caries reduction from tooth brushing with Remodent occurs according to age, from 37.8% to 83.7% during a two to three year follow-up. The highest reduction was gained when the program was started at the age of 2. When Remodent-solution and -varnish were tested in one to three year follow-up, reductions in caries occurred from 20% to 91%. These studies also showed that the effect was best when the preventive treatment was started early.

Cariostatic Agents

[Participation of glucocorticoids in development and provisions for work capacity].

Physical working capacity of the adrenalectomized Wistar rats can be augmented to some extent by training. This is not accompanied by increased unspecific resistance or augmented content of liver glycogen. The trained adrenalectomized rats revealed heart hypertrophy and increased activity of Mg2+-activated actomyosine ATPase in myocardium. After the training the physical worcing capacity was lower in adrenalectomized rats than in thyroidectomized ones. The 5-day administration of hydrocortisone failed to increase swimming time in adrenalectomized rats provided a high dose of progesterone was injected simultaneously. This can be due to the competition between progesterone and glucocorticoids for the glucocorticoid cytoplasmic receptor sites. The data obtained suggest that the effect of glucocorticoids on the physical working capacity is associated with their action on the adaptive protein synthesis.

Adrenal Glands

[Morphological characteristics of Nocardia asteroides].

Morphology--by growth phases-- was studied in the N. asteroides strain isolated from cows suffering from mastitis in Cuba. During the growth N. asteroides culture underwent a number of morphological cyclic changes; definite morphology was typical for each growth phase. There was a similarity between the structure of the surface N. asteroides and mycobacteria; cyclic changes in the structure of the membranes in nocardia were also shown.

Culture Media

[Antibacterial activity and bacteriophages of Bacillus pumilus].

Inducable defective phages analogous to those in Bac. subtilis were found in 5 strains of Bac. pumilus, 3 of which possessed antibacterial activity. A moderate bacteriophage was also induced in addition to the defective phage in strain ATCC 12140 not producing the antibiotic. It was found that the antibacterial activity was not associated with the presence of phages in the cultures. The data on the electron microscopic investigations are presented.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

[Vitamin C and B1 allowance in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract].

In 92 patients with various chronic affections of the gastro-intestinal tract vitamins C and B1 content in the blood and urine was measured. As controls 17 healthy persons were examined. Patients with gastro-intestinal affections were found to show a statistically significant fall of the vitamins C and B1 level in the blood and urine at all seasons of the year (winter, spring, summer and fall). But their decline is most intensive with exacerbation of the ailment and then the presence of the pain syndrome is attended by a steeper drop in the level of these vitamins. A course-wise parenteral administration of the vitamins C and B1 results in their statistically significant rise in the blood and urine, their level, however, remaining below that in healthy persons.

Adolescent

[Stucture of PhiKZ bacteriophage particles].

The structure of the particle of a new bacteriophage Pseudomonas phiKZ was studied. The particle of phiKZ bacteriophage was shown to have some features distinguishing this phage from all those known heretofore: a large size of the head and DNA and the presence in the head of a special structural formation named the central body. The central has a cylindrical shape and may be isolated from the head of the phage by repeated freezing-thawing the phage preparation. The structure of the central body is complicated. Possible functions of the central body are discussed.

Bacteriophages