European checkerspots (Melitaeini: Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae) are not aposematic – the point of view of great tits (Parus major)

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A correlation between the efficiency of probabilistic prediction and characteristics of left and right interhemispheric activation

The interhemispheric difference in the level of EEG activation was studied as a correlate of the efficiency of human probabilistic activity. The interhemispheric asymmetry of the arousal duration in the projection (occipital) and associative (central) areas was assessed in two tested groups of subjects: with an adequate prediction and difficulties in predictive activity under conditions of different information significance of a stimulus. Under conditions of relevant stimulation, the asymmetry coefficient was higher, and the desynchronization reaction in the central areas of the left hemisphere was considerably shorter in bad predictors than in good ones. It is suggested that the asymmetry observed in bad predictors is determined by a nonspecific activation of subcortical structures, and in good predictors the asymmetry is related with the local neocortical activation.     

Identification of chlamydia and (or) chlamydia-like microorganisms by light microscopy confirmed by electron microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization

Using light microscopy, we have shown that chlamydia and/or chlamydia-like microorganisms are registered in 20-25% of the healthy part of human population, whereas in patients of the same age with gynecological problems these were found in 40-50%. Commonly, the infection was slightly manifested (less than 5% of cells are infected). These results were confirmed in four months but only in heavily infected patients. The light microscope data are confirmed by observations with electron microscopy, and by FISH hybridization of the total chlamydial DNA on cytological preparations with chlamydial inclusions. In some cases, microcolonies revealed by FISH hybridization occupied the majority of the cytoplasm volume. Occasionally, the DNA material was found on the nuclear surface. It seems likely that in heavily infected cells chlamydia are able to penetrate into the perinucular space.     

Psychophysiological features of test subjects with different effectiveness of probabilistic-predictive activity]

A correlation between behavioral characteristics of predictive activity and EEG and autonomic indices of the orienting reacting reaction was revealed. A relationship between the personality traits and characteristics of attention, memory, and generalization process was described.     

ONTOGENETIC NICHE SHIFT IN THE BRACHIOPOD TEREBRATALIA TRANSVERSA: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LOSS OF ROTATION ABILITY AND ALLOMETRIC GROWTH

Abstract: Many articulated brachiopods experience marked life habit variations during ontogeny because they experience their fluid environment at successively higher Reynolds numbers, and they can change the configuration of their inhalant and exhalant flows as body size increases. We show that the extant brachiopod Terebratalia transversa undergoes a substantial ontogenetic change in reorientation governed by rotation around the pedicle. T. transversa′s reorientation angle (maximum ability to rotate on the pedicle) decreases during ontogeny, from 180 degrees in juveniles to 10–20 degrees in individuals exceeding 5 mm, to complete cessation of rotation in individuals larger than 10 mm. Rotation ability is substantially reduced after T. transversa achieves the adult lophophore configuration and preferred orientation with respect to ambient water currents at a length of 2.5–5 mm. We hypothesize that the rotation angle of T. transversa is determined mainly by the position of ventral and dorsal points of attachment of dorsal pedicle muscles relative to the pedicle. T. transversa shows a close correlation between the ontogenetic change in reorientation angle and ontogeny of morphological traits that are related to points of attachment of dorsal pedicle muscles, although other morphological features can also limit rotation in the adult stage. The major morphological change in cardinalia shape and the observed reduction of rotation affect individuals 2.5–10 mm in length. The position of ventral insertions of dorsal pedicle muscles remains constant, but contraction of dorsal pedicle muscles is functionally handicapped because dorsal insertions shift away from the valve midline, rise above the dorsal valve floor, and become limited by a wide cardinal process early in ontogeny (<5 mm). The rate of increase of cardinal process width and of distance between dorsal pedicle muscle scars substantially decreases in the subadult stage (5–10 mm), and most of the cardinalia shell traits grow nearly isometrically in the adult stage (>10 mm). T. transversa attains smaller shell length in crevices than on exposed substrates. The proportion of small‐sized individuals and population density is lower on exposed substrates than in crevices, indicating higher juvenile mortality on substrates prone to grazing and physical disturbance. The loss of reorientation ability can be a consequence of morphological changes that strengthen substrate attachment and maximize protection against biotic or physical disturbance (1) by minimizing torques around the pedicle axis and/or (2) by shifting energy investments into attachment strength at the expense of the cost involved in reorientation.     

Neurophysiologic mechanisms of attention disorder in children with learning difficulties

In order to study neurophysiological mechanisms of the disturbance of voluntary attention in children of 6.5-9 years old, which had difficulties in learning caused by a delay of psychic development (DPD), characteristics were studied of electrocortical and vegetative components of orienting reaction (OR) to indifferent and relevant stimuli and also of background EEG. A decrease of OR components revealed in situation of involuntary attention against the background of insufficiently formed cortical rhythm of alpha-range, as compared with the norm, is compensated at the increase of stimuli significance by verbal instruction. These facts confirm the supposition about deficit of regulating influences of the frontal cortical areas on the ascending activating system in children with difficulties in learning. Deficiency of the involvement of the central cortical areas in OR realization, typical of the children with DPD in a situation of voluntary directed attention, can be considered as reflection of disturbances of integrative brain activity.     

Changes in the complex conditioned reflex activity of rat pups under the influence of penta-peptide]

Influence of YFRKD, modified fragment of interferon-alpha, on the formation of two-links system of feed-procuring conditioned reflexes was studied in rats in ontogenesis. The experiments have shown that YFRKD impedes both current learning and use of previous experience. The process of synthesis of two reflexes in united complicated functional complex is disturbed.     

Changes in fatty acids contents and growth characteristics in transformed oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Spring oilseed rapeBrassica napus L. ssp.oleifera cv. HM-81 was transformed with T_L-DNA of the Ri plasmid of the agropine strainAgrobacterium rhizogenes 15834. Selfed progenies (R₂ and R₃ generations) were studied for changes in values of growth characteristics and fatty acids contents. Transformants are ‘homozygous’ for T_L-DNA. Both generations of transformants differed significantly from the nontransformed control plants in reduced length, lower number of pods per plant, lower total mass of seeds and the higher number of branches. The contents of palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acids were significantly higher in transformants when compared with the control. On the contrary, the contents of both stearic and oleic acids were in most of transformants significantly lower. Only traces of erucic acid (less than 0.05 % ) were found, both in transformed and nontransformed plants.     

Defensin NP-1 in restoration of the injured nerve trunk functions

The effect of Defensin NP-1 on early phase of injured sciatic nerve regeneration was studied in rats. Using the technique of AP compound recording performed within 21 days after the nerve trunk cutting with subsequent microsurgical nerve suture, the rate of fibres growth was shown to increase by 30% following Defensin treatment: the distance to which the nerve impulse conductivity through injured nerve fibres was restored has extended from 7.22 +/- 1.2 mm (control) to 10.5 +/- 0.8 mm (Defensin treatment) from the suture site (p < 0.05). Moreover, the conducting capacity of the regenerating nerve fibres has risen by 20% as compared with control values. The findings suggest a positive effect of Defensin on restoration of injured peripheral nerve in rats.     

The characteristics of probabilistic prognosis and of the orienting reaction in children with learning difficulties]

Middle-aged school-children were examined with learning disabilities, differentiated by the parameters of probabilistic prognosis in two subgroups: with disturbances of attention (1) and memory (2). The first subgroup differed from the norm by intensified reaction of desynchronization of the projection areas of the cortex to irrelevant stimuli. Relevant information evoked an increase of activation of the associative zones, less expressed than in the norm. In the second subgroup a weak involvement of associative cortical areas in the reaction of desynchronization to relevant stimuli correlated with insufficient formation of alpha 2-rhythm and high frequency of meeting the signs of dysfunction of mesodiencephalic brain structure. The results are discussed in the aspect of the role of neurophysiological mechanisms of regulation and trace fixation for the formation of the integrative brain activity in the ontogenesis.