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It was found that a single-dose immunization of mice with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis porins OmpF and OmpC causes development of pathological changes in the deep layers of cerebral cortex characterized by dystrophic changes in the cells against the background of the increasing titer of specific antibodies. At the same time, the increased level of caspase-3 expression is observed in the neurons, which indicates induction of proapoptotic signaling pathways. The obtained results indicate potential ability of nonspecific pore-forming proteins of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria to initiate development of degenerative changes in brain cells.

A series of new tetracyclic oxathiine-fused quinone-thioglycoside conjugates based on biologically active 1,4-naphthoquinones and 1-mercapto derivatives of per- O -acetyl d-glucose, d-galactose, d-xylose, and l-arabinose have been synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. Six tetracyclic conjugates bearing a hydroxyl group in naphthoquinone core showed high cytotoxic activity with EC 50 values in the range of 0.3 to 0.9 μM for various types of cancer and normal cells and no hemolytic activity up to 25 μM. The antimicrobial activity of conjugates was screened against Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus cereus ), Gram-negative bacteria ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli ), and fungus Candida albicans by the agar diffusion method. The most effective juglone conjugates with d-xylose or l-arabinose moiety and hydroxyl group at C-7 position of naphthoquinone core at concentration 10 µg/well showed antimicrobial activity comparable with antibiotics vancomicin and gentamicin against Gram-positive bacteria strains. In liquid media, juglone-arabinosidic tetracycles showed highest activity with MIC 6.25 µM. Thus, a positive effect of heterocyclization with mercaptosugars on cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity for group of 1,4-naphthoquinones was shown.

In vivo experiments showed that antibodies to OmpC and OmpF porins of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis increased thyroxine (T4) level in the blood of experimental animals. The mice were immunized with different antigens: recombinant OmpF porin in a soluble monomeric form, trimers of OmpC and OmpF porins isolated from the outer membrane, or antibodies to them. The level of thyroxine in the blood of mice immunized with OmpF and OmpC porins increased by 5.47 and 22.3 times, respectively; after immunization with antibodies to these proteins, blood thyroxine increased by 9.28 and 14.29 times. Immunization with recombinant OmpF porin induced no reliable increase in thyroxine level. Hence, the serum to recombinant OmpF porin contains no antibodies specific to conformational antigenic determinants that are present in the protein trimer and, according to our previous findings from molecular docking studies, determine cross-reactions between OmpF porin of Y. pseudotuberculosis and thyroidstimulating hormone receptor.

Academic, clinical, social, economic, organizational and other aspects of psychiatric hospitals are discussed in the main sections of the article: development and current state of medical care, prospect of inpatient care. Main measures for the improvement of the activity of psychiatric hospital, their interaction with outpatient organizations are presented. The necessity of improving the image of a psychiatric hospital is emphasized.

A comparative evaluation of inpatient psychiatric care in Russia and some other countries is presented. A systematic analysis of the performance of psychiatric hospitals is conducted. The process of the deinstitutionalization in Russian psychiatry is highlighted. A range of problems hindering a reform of inpatient psychiatric service of the country is singled out.

The O-specific polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of the marine bacterium Arenibacter palladensis type strain KMM 3961(T) and studied by chemical methods and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy including 2D COSY, TOCSY, (1)H,(13)C HSQC, and HMBC experiments. The polysaccharide was shown to consist of tetrasaccharide repeating units containing two mannose residues (Man), one 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose residue (D-GalNAc), and one 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-galacturonic acid residue (L-GalNAcA) and having the following structure: →2)-α-D-Manp-(1→6)-α-D-Manp-(1→4)-α-L-GalpNAcA-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1→.

The authors had analyzed current approaches and results of the evaluation of the economic burden of mental health in the world derived from foreign research in 2000-2010. Sources of information were publications of the WHO database and the WHO regional offices, the database of the National Library of Medicine U.S. "MedLine", archives of publications by leading foreign medical journals in the field of mental health. The burden of mental illnesses, especially depression and anxiety disorders, has been increasing in all regions of the world. It has been shown that obtaining reliable estimates of mental health in modern conditions is only possible on the basis of reliable epidemiological, clinical and social/economic data which requires the development and improvement of mental health services as well as relevant social, public and private entities.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chain of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Shewanella japonica KMM 3601 was elucidated. The initial and O-deacylated LPS as well as a trisaccharide representing the O-deacetylated repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide were studied by sugar analysis along with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide was found to contain a rare higher sugar, 5,7-diacetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-D-glycero-D-talo-non-2-ulosonic acid (a derivative of 4-epilegionaminic acid, 4eLeg). The following structure of the trisaccharide repeating unit was established: →4)-α-4eLegp5Ac7Ac-(2→4)-β-D-GlcpA3Ac-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1→.

Two novel heterotrophic, facultatively anaerobic, gliding and yellow-pigmented bacteria, designated strains KMM 6270(T) and KMM 6320, were isolated from different marine environments and studied using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed the strains within the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strains KMM 6270(T) and KMM 6320 were most closely related to the type strains of recognized species of the genus Salinimicrobium (95.0-96.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40-41 mol%. The strains grew with 0.5-15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 4 % NaCl) and at 4-41 °C (optimum 28-32 °C). Aesculin and gelatin were hydrolysed, but agar, casein, DNA and chitin were not. The phylogenetic data taken together with the results of the genotypic and phenotypic studies permit the classification of strains KMM 6270(T) and KMM 6320 as members of a novel species of the genus Salinimicrobium, for which the name Salinimicrobium marinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6270(T) (=KCTC 12719(T)=LMG 25395(T)).

Two novel aerobic, dark-orange-pigmented, Gram-negative bacterial strains, designated KMM 3531(T) and KMM 3953, were isolated from the green alga Ulva fenestrata. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strains represented a novel lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae. The most closely related genera with validly published names were Costertonia, Flagellimonas, Kriegella, Maribacter, Muricauda and Zobellia, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 93.3-91.8 %. Cells of strains KMM 3531(T) and KMM 3953 were rod-shaped, motile by gliding and grew at temperatures up to 49 degrees C. They produced acid from carbohydrates and possessed oxidase, catalase, beta-galactosidase and agarase activities. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0,) iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH, iso-C(15 : 1) G, summed feature 3 (comprising C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-capital ES, Cyrillic(15 : 0) 2-OH), iso-C(17 : 1)omega9c and iso-C(15 : 0) 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 47-49 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strains KMM 3531(T) and KMM 3953 represent a novel genus and species, for which the name Pseudozobellia thermophila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 3531(T) (=DSM 19858(T)=JCM 11733(T)=KCTC 22016(T)).

A sponge-associated strain, KMM 7019T, was investigated in a polyphasic taxonomic study. The bacterium was strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, motile by gliding and oxidase-, catalase-, beta-galactosidase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KMM 7019T is closely related to members of the genus Salegentibacter, namely Salegentibacter holothuriorum, Salegentibacter mishustinae and Salegentibacter salegens (97.7-98 % sequence similarities). The DNA-DNA relatedness between the strain studied and Salegentibacter species ranged from 27 to 31 %, clearly demonstrating that KMM 7019T belongs to a novel species of the genus Salegentibacter, for which the name Salegentibacter agarivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 7019T (=KCTC 12560T = LMG 23205T).

The taxonomic position of three novel, marine, heterotrophic, aerobic, pigmented, gliding bacteria, isolated from the green alga Ulva fenestrata in the Sea of Japan, was determined. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strains belong to the genus Arenibacter. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization experiments supported by phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data showed that the isolates represent a novel species of the genus Arenibacter, for which the name Arenibacter palladensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 3961T (= LMG 21972T = CIP 108849T).

The taxonomic position of a marine, gliding, pink-pigmented, aerobic, heterotrophic and Gram-negative bacterium was established using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain was a member of the phylum 'Bacteroidetes' in which it occupied a separate lineage. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C15 : 0 iso, C17 : 0 iso 3-OH, summed feature 3 and summed feature 4. The DNA G+C content was 48.7 mol%. Phylogenetic evidence and the results of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses strongly support the assignment of the newly isolated bacterium as a member of a novel genus and species, for which the name Pontibacter actiniarum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6156T (=KCTC 12367T=LMG 23027T). It is also proposed that the illegitimate names Reichenbachia and Reichenbachia agariperforans are replaced with Reichenbachiella and Reichenbachiella agariperforans, respectively.

A slightly creamy, melanogenic, gram-negative, aerobic bacterium was isolated from seawater sample collected in the Karadag Natural Reserve of the Eastern Crimea, the Black Sea. The novel organism was chemoorganotrophic, had no obligate requirement in NaCl, tolerated to 12% NaCl, grew between 10 and 45 degrees C, was slightly alkaliphilic, and was not able to degrade starch, gelatin, agar, and Tween 80. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analyses of the new organism revealed that Oceanimonas doudoroffii ATCC 27123T, Oceanimonas baumanii ATCC 700832T, and Oceanisphaera litoralis DSM 15406T were the closest relatives (similarity around 97%-96%). The G + C content of the DNA of the strain 31-13T was 55.5mol%. Phosphatidylethanolamine (49.0%), phosphatidylglycerol (41.8%), and diphosphatidylglycerol (9.2%) were the predominant phospholipids. The major fatty acids were 16:0 (24.1%), 16:1omega7 (40.3%), and 18:1omega7 (29.2%). On the basis of the significant differences demonstrated in the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is suggested that the bacterium be classified as a novel species; the name Oceanimonas smirnovii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 31-13T (UCM B-11076T = LMG 22147T = ATCC BAA-899T).

Four yellow-pigmented, gram-negative, chemoorganotrophic aerobic bacteria were isolated from starfish Stellaster equestris (strains 022-2-10T, 022-2-9, and 022-2-12) and soft coral (unidentified species) (strain 022-4-7) collected in the South China Sea. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analyses of the new organisms revealed that Erythrobacter spp. were the closest relatives and shared the highest similarity of 98.7% to E. citreus, 98.5% to E. flavus, 97.9% to E. litoralis and 97.6% to E. longus. The novel organisms were tolerant to 3-6% NaCl, grew between 10 degrees C and 40 degrees C, and were not able to degrade gelatin, casein, and agar, while degraded Tween 80. Two strains (022-2-9 and 022-2-12) could weakly degrade starch. All strains produced a large pool of carotenoids and did not have Bacteriochlorophyll a. Phosphatidylethanolamine (30-36%), phosphatidylglycerol (39-46%), and phosphatidylcholine (21-27%) were the predominant phospholipids. Sphingoglycolipid was not detected. The major fatty acids were 16:0 (6-11%), 16:1omega7 (12-15%), and 18:1omega7 (46-49%). The two-hydroxy fatty acids, 13:0-2OH, 14:0-2OH, 15:0-2OH, 16:0-2OH were also present. The G + C content of the DNAs ranged from 61 to 62 mol%. The level of DNA similarity among four strains was conspecific and ranged from 94% to 98%. Even though new strains and other species of the genus had rather high level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed only 33-39% of binding with the DNA of the type strains. On the basis of these results and the significant differences demonstrated in the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is suggested that the new organisms be classified as a novel species; the name Erythrobacter vulgaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 022-2-10T (= KMM 3465T = CIP 107841T).

A Gram-negative, polarly flagellated bacterium was isolated from a sea-water sample collected from the Karadag Natural Reserve of the Eastern Crimea and characterized to clarify its taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis of this novel organism revealed Marinomonas vaga, Marinomonas communis, Marinomonas mediterranea, Marinomonas primoryensis and 'Marinomonas protea' as its closest relatives (similarity 95-97 %). The G+C content of the DNA was 46.5 mol%. The organism grew between 4 and 33 degrees C, tolerated 10 % NaCl, was slightly alkaliphilic and was not able to degrade starch, gelatin, agar or Tween 80. Phosphatidylethanolamine (53.4 %) and phosphatidylglycerol (46.6 %) were the predominant phospholipids. The major fatty acids were 16 : 0 (15.5 %), 16 : 1omega7 (26.7 %) and 18 : 1omega7 (47.1 %). The phylogenetic, genetic and physiological properties of the organism placed it within a novel species, proposed as Marinomonas pontica sp. nov., the type strain of which is 46-16T (=LMG 22531T=KMM 3492T=UCM 11075T).

Aims: This study aims at evaluating the impact of the nutrient medium components on the in vitro production of the cytotoxic alterochromides., Methods and Results: The employment matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) facilitated the identification of a range of brominated cyclic depsipeptides with molecular masses of 843/845, 857/859 and 922/924/926 Da, and 936/938/940 Da produced by the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas maricaloris KMM 636T. The fractions of cytotoxic yellow pigments yielded after methanol extraction of P. maricaloris KMM 636T cells grown on five nutrient media were solely composed of brominated cyclic depsipeptides. Bromo-alterochromides A and B were obtained after cultivation on low nutrient media, while dibrominated derivatives were the principal components of the biosynthesis during cultivation on nutrient rich media., Conclusions: The quantity of bromo-alterochromides and their dibromo- derivates varied depending on the media composition., Significance and Impact of the Study: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry enables to generate accurate mass analysis for the identification of peptide and its derivates which is important in controlling the production of biologically active compounds in vitro.

The taxonomic position of a novel marine bacterium isolated from the green alga Ulva fenestrata collected in the Sea of Japan was established. Cells of the strain studied, designated KMM 6017T, were strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, pink-pigmented, non-motile by gliding, Gram-negative and oxidase-, catalase-, beta-galactosidase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain occupied a distinct lineage within the phylum 'Bacteroidetes' and formed a cluster with [Flexibacter] tractuosus and Reichenbachia agariperforans. The G+C content of the DNA of KMM 6017T was 40.2 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The predominant fatty acids were i15 : 1, i15 : 0 and i17 : 0 3-OH (34.2, 24 and 7.7 %, respectively). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the novel bacterium was assigned to the genus Roseivirga gen. nov., as Roseivirga ehrenbergii gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is KMM 6017T (=KCTC 12282T=LMG 22567T).

A marine, gram-negative, aerobic bacterium that produced cytotoxic, lemon-yellow, chromopeptide pigments that inhibited the development of sea urchin eggs has been isolated from the Australian sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata Hentschel. The cells of the organism were rod-shaped with a single polar flagellum and they required NaCl for growth (0.5-10%) with optimum growth at 1-3% NaCl. The temperature for growth was 10-37 degrees C, with optimum growth at 25-30 degrees C. Growth occurred at pH values from 6.0 to 10.0, with optimum growth at pH 6.0-8.0. Major phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine. Of 26 fatty acids with 11-19 carbon atoms that were detected, 16:1omega7, 16:0, 17:1omega8 and 18:1omega7 were predominant. The DNA G+C content was 38.9 mol%. All of these phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characters place the organism in the genus Pseudoalteromonas (Gauthier et al, 1995). These data are consistent with the phylogenetic analyses that confirmed that strain KMM 636T is a member of the Pseudoalteromonas cluster in the gamma-subclass of the Proteobacteria. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed that the levels of relatedness between the DNA of the strain studied and DNAs of type strains of the species that clustered together (on the basis of 16S rDNA sequences) and [Pseudoalteromonas aurantia] NCIMB 2033 ranged from 19 to 35%, and that the DNA-DNA homology between [P. aurantia] NCIMB 2033 and other phylogenetically and/or phenotypically similar type strains ranged from 32 to 52%. According to the polyphasic evidence presented in this study, it is proposed that strain KMM 636T (= LMG 19692T = CIP 106859T) be classified as Pseudoalteromonas maricaloris sp. nov. and [P. aurantia] NCIMB 2033 be reclassified as Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra NCIMB 2033T (= KMM 3630T = LMG 20361T) sp. nov.

An acidic O-specific polysaccharide containing D-glucuronic acid (D-GlcA), 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-D-glucuronic acid (D-GlcNAc3NAcA), 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-D-mannuronoyl-L-alanine (D-ManNAc3NAcA6Ala), and 2-acetamido-2,4, 6-trideoxy-4-[(S)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucose (D-QuiNAc4NAcyl) was obtained by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of the bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. KMM 634 followed by gel-permeation chromatography. The polysaccharide was cleaved selectively with a new solvolytic agent, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, to give a disaccharide and a trisaccharide with D-GlcNAc3NAcA at the reducing end. The borohydride-reduced oligosaccharides and the initial polysaccharide were studied by GLC-MS and 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and the following structure of the linear tetrasaccharide repeating unit of the polysaccharide was established: -->3)-alpha-D-QuipNAc4Ac4NAcyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-ManpNAc3NAcA6Ala+ ++-(1-->4)-b eta-D-GlcpNAc3NAc3NAcA-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->.

Twenty-five strains of epiphytic marine bacteria isolated from the brown algae Fucus evanescens and Chorda filum and fifty-three bacteria isolated from the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus were screened for fucoidanases using fucoidans prepared from the brown algae F. evanescens, Laminaria cichorioides, and L. japonica. Eighteen bacterial epiphytes and thirty-eight bacterial isolates from the sea cucumber were found to contain fucoidanases, which were able to hydrolyze either all of the fucoidans studied or some of them. Bacteria of the genera Cytophaga and Alteromonas/Pseudoalteromonas exhibited the highest fucoidanase activities, which, however, did not exceed the activity of fucoidanases from the already known sources.

Teichoic acids from the cell walls of marine bacilli Bacillus subtilis CMM (Collection of Marine Microorganisms) 234 (R-1) and B. licheniformis CMM 454 (1-1G-2) were isolated and characterized. These teichoic acids were found to have identical structures and are composed of the glucose, ribitol, and phosphoric acid residues. On the basis of 13C NMR and 31P NMR spectra of the teichoic acids and the products of their dephosphorylation, we established the following structure for the biopolymer: poly[-->5)-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylribitol-(1-phospho].

Usage of quality of life of psychiatric patients' relatives as the parameter of estimation of the quality of psychiatric care is considered. By means of standard questionnaire elaborated by the authors as well as by means of both individual and group conversations the quality of life was analyzed in 40 relatives which lived together with psychiatric patients. Different spheres of their life and difficulties (financial, social-psychologic, production) were examined in families with such patients. The defects of psychiatric care that had direct influence on the quality of life of the psychiatric patients' relatives are outlined.

The O-specific polysaccharide was isolated from Yersinia mollaretii strain WS 42/89 and characterized. Studies of the partial hydrolysis and methylation products and the 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy data enabled the following structure to be proposed for the repeating unit of the polysaccharide: -->2)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-6dGulp-(1--> The same structure was ascribed to the O-specific polysaccharide from Yersinia enterocolitica serovar O:6.31. The difference between these two O-antigens from various Yersinia species is in the absence of D-glycero-D-manno-heptose residues in the structure of the lipopolysaccharide from Y. mollaretii.

Strain KMM 457 of Bacillus subtilis was isolated from a frozen sample of the soft coral Sarcophyton sp. The samples were collected in 1989 in the South China Sea near the Vietnam Shore during an expedition on the board of R/V "Akademik Oparin". Metabolites of the isolate were investigated and it was found to produce a number of physiologically active compounds. One of them designated as OGA showed fungicidal activity. By the physicochemical properties it was referred to the group of iturins. The comparison with the described antibiotics of the iturin group suggested that it was a new representative of the iturin group.

Integral economic loss of the society, connected with mental disease, were calculated by the author and presented. The author determined "direct" and "connected" state costs for psychiatric patients, and the volume of non produced national income (indirect costs) because psychiatric patients with temporal or constant disability are excluded from producing process. Financial state of psychiatric hospitals in Moscow was analysed and reserves for improvement of money spending were found out. Calculations of expenses of admission of patients with different diseases to Psychiatric Hospital N 1 by P.P. Kashenko in 1988 were performed. Principles of financing of psychiatric hospitals on the basis of clinical-statistic groups are discussed. The method of determination of prices for medical and diagnostic services to patients is presented.

The state and prospects of the development of mental health service are discussed. Special attention is drawn to the economic aspects of mental health service and financial problems, in particular. The principles of creation and utilization of financial resources for psychiatric facilities in conditions of medical insurance are given. Social and economic aspects of mental diseases and their cost for the society are considered. The conclusion is made on the priority of psychiatric care programmes among other programmes of health care, that must be solved on the state level.

An O-specific polysaccharide has been isolated on mild acid hydrolysis of lipopolysaccharide from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serovar IIc and shown to consist of abequose, D-mannose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose residues in the ratio 0.8:3:1. From the results of acid hydrolysis, 13C NMR, methylation and periodate oxidation studies the structure of the repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide is deduced as follows: (formula; see text)