Apical surface of the epithelial cells in the gallbladder of the rainbow trout and the tench

Summary The aluminium-formaldehyde (ALFA) histofluorescence method was used to study the innervation of the gill of the marine bivalve mollusc Mytilus edulis and the results were contrasted with those obtained with the standard formaldehyde-induced-fluorescence (FIF) method. The ALFA method produced more fluorescing structures than the FIF method, thus revealing fine branches of the branchial nerve running beneath the gill epithelium which previously remained undetected. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the ALFA histofluorescence method in the study of marine invertebrates.This study was supported in part by Grants 1506RR08171 from NIMH and 5T32GM07641 from the MARC Program of NIGMS. I wish to thank E. Aiello for thoughtful discussions of the work     

Experience in examining the small bowel with the agent Enteroview

The paper presents data of small bowel X-ray study in 20 patients by using the contrast agent Enteroview. Thirteen patients were found to have changes typical of chronic enteritis (n = 9); atypical location of the cecum and inflammatory ileocecal lesion (n = 2); Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (n = 10); Crohn's disease (n = 1). The X-ray semiotics of the normal and abnormally changed small bowel is given. The advantages of Interview during X-ray study are shown.     

Hydrophobicity, a physicochemical factor in the inhibition of the enzyme estrone sulfatase (ES).

We report the initial structure-activity relationship study (SAR) (in particular logP) of a series of compounds based upon 4-sulfamated phenyl ketones as potent inhibitors of the enzyme estrone sulfatase (ES). The results of the study show that these compounds are irreversible inhibitors of ES and that they are more potent than COUMATE, but weaker than EMATE. Analysis of the SAR data shows a strong correlation between IC(50) and logP but also supports our previous study, which suggests a very strong relationship between pK(a) and IC(50).     

Radioactive contamination of aquatic organisms of the Yenisei River in the area affected by the activity of the Mining-and-Chemical Combine

The study was done to investigate the content of manmade radionuclides in aquatic organisms of the Yenisei River near the Mining-and-Chemical Combine (MCC) and to estimate the exposure dose rates to organisms from various sources. The results of the investigation and calculations suggest that the main source of radioactive contamination of aquatic organisms is the coolant of the third MCC reactor, which is still being released into the Yenisei. Gamma-spectrometric analysis revealed 23 manmade radionuclides in the biomass of aquatic plants. The aquatic animal Phylolimnogammarus viridis and diatoms also contain manmade radionuclides. Among aquatic organisms, the highest dose rate is received by aquatic plants (up to 39 microGy/day). For most aquatic organisms under study, the dose received from the technogenic irradiation is an order of magnitude higher than the dose received from natural irradiation. The water moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) features the highest capacity to accumulate manmade radionuclides; hence, it accumulates the largest technogenic exposure dose among the study aquatic organisms.     

对金缕梅科现代分类系统的评述

为了进一步研究金缕梅科的系统与进化,作者详细介绍了该科的分类历史及各个分类系统;根据现代植物系统学研究的原理和方法,着重对金缕梅科的５个现代主要分类系统,Ｈａｒｍｓ（１９３０）,张宏达（１９７３,１９７９）,Ｂｏｇｌｅｅｔａｌ．（１９８０）,Ｅｎｄｒｅｓｓ（１９８９）和李建华（Ｌｉ,１９９７）进行了详细的分析、比较和评述,在此基础上提出自己的观点,认为李建华的分类系统有一定合理性,但他对个别属的处理和族的划分仍有不妥之处     

甲状腺结节行甲状腺腺叶切除术治疗的临床疗效分析

目的:观察甲状腺结节行甲状腺腺叶切除术治疗的临床疗效。方法:资料选取本院2013年2月-2014年2月收治的甲状腺结节患者共96例,随机分为研究组与对照组;研究组48例予甲状腺腺叶切除术治疗,对照组48例予甲状腺次全切术治疗;观察两组患者的手术相关指标、甲状腺激素水平及并发症情况。结果:研究组手术时间(122.18±6.23)min、出血量(73.69±5.47)m L,均显著低于对照组,比较差异明显具统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后研究组患者的甲状腺过氧化物酶(TPO)(65.87±21.06)IU/L、血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)(2.96±7.03)m IU/L,均显著优于对照组,比较差异明显具统计学意义(P0.05);研究组共出现并发症6例(12.50%),显著低于对照组,比较差异明显具统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:甲状腺结节行甲状腺腺叶切除术治疗手术创伤性较小,临床疗效显著,具实际应用价值。     

Note on the Rod-like Photoreceptors in the Retina of the Snake Telescopus fallax (Fleischmann, 1831)

Abstract A previous light microscopic study of the retina of Telescopus fallax has showed the presence of three types of photoreceptors: large single cones (type A), large double cones (type B), and small single rods (type D). The present electron microscopic study has demonstrated that the small single rod is a morphological cone characterized by possessing a slightly tapering outer segment and a very extensive zone of continuity between the discs and the plasma membrane of the outer segment.     

Cataract in the chronically exposed residents of the Techa riverside villages

The present study is based on a retrospective analysis of archive data of the Clinical Department of the Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine that has been established to examine and treat accidentally exposed residents of the Urals Region. All individuals included in this study were examined by an ophthalmologist. The study of cataract incidence has been conducted retrospectively for the period from 1951 till 2000 among chronically exposed residents of the Techa riverside villages (6343 persons). Individual accumulated absorbed doses to soft tissues (analogue of eye dose) reached 1.18 Gy (mean 0.12 Gy) while for 88.9% of the study group the dose did not exceed 0.1 Gy. There was no evidence of the influence of low-dose and low-dose rate on cataract incidence. Excess relative risk of cataract formation per 1 Gy was 0.40 (95% CI ?0.43; 1.47). It is noted that 15% of all excess cases were registered in persons with soft tissue dose above 0.3 Gy, though their fraction among all examined persons was only 4.1%. Risk of cataract development significantly increased in exposed individuals with retinal angiosclerosis, diabetes and arterial hypertension.     

Fluorimetric study of the selenium course in the dam-calf relationship

This study was conducted in a southeast region of Romania, known to be selenium (Se) deficient. The fluorimetric method for the determination of Se in biological samples was used in a study on the serum Se content in time in a group of 10 cows with a high milk yield and in their calves. The same cows were sampled antepartum (late pregnancy) and postpartum (1, 7, 21, 30, and 60 d), and the calves were sampled on d 1 of life and 7, 21, 30, and 60 d postcalving. Colostrum and milk samples were also collected and analyzed at the same times. Throughout the study, the serum Se content in both the cows and the calves was below the reference values (0.040–0.100 μg/mL), except the control conducted 7 d postpartum, for which it was 0.044±0.017 and 0.023±0.007 μg/mL in cows and calves, respectively. The most significant drops were recorded 21 (p<0.01) and 60 d postpartum (p<0.05). The colostrum Se was higher (0.036±0.022 μg/mL), decreasing progressively throughout the study to the normal low limit (0.005 μg/mL). The milk Se concentration was lower by approx 78% than the colostrum one on d 1 postcalving. These data demonstrate the course of hyposelenosis both in the cows and their calves. The maternal body proved to “mobilize,” even in case of deficiency, important Se amounts in the colostrum, during the first days in particular.     

Sand pile above the nest amplifies the sound emitted by the male sand goby

The male sand gobies calls and spawns inside cavities beneath stones, shells and other submerged objects (including artificial shelters) which he covers by piling sand on them. A previous study showed fish shelters likely act as impedance-matching devices enhancing sound frequencies below 500 Hz. This study examines the effect of the sand pile on sound amplification by shelters commonly used by Mediterranean sand gobies as nest sites in the field (bivalve shells, pebbles), or within aquarium tanks (tunnel-shaped plastic tiles, halves of clay flower-pots). Shelters were acoustically stimulated with white noise and artificial pulse-trains emitted by a small underwater buzzer placed inside the cavity. Results showed the sand pile increased the low-frequency gain by up to 12 dB. Conclusions were verified by examining the role of natural sand builds in sound amplification using data from a previous laboratory study on sound production in the male sand goby P. minutus. Implications for acoustic communication in sand gobies are discussed.     

Fine structure and quantitative study in the otic ganglia of the rat

Observations were concentrated on the ultrastructure of perikarya and satellite cells of the otic ganglion of the adult rat. Characteristics of both cell types were morphologically analysed as well as their relationship. Quantitative data concerning the volumetric density were calculated for the following elements of the ganglion: glial cells together (28.5%), unmyelinated fibres (13.4%), myelinated fibres (2.7%), connective tissue (13.6%). This electron microscopic study is a sequence of our previous light microscopic study which determined neuronal densities (COSTA, MANDARIM-DE-LACERDA and BAUER, in press).     

A case study: the effect of visitors on two captive pumas with respect to the time of the day

This study analyzed the effects of noise levels and number of visitors on the behaviors of a mother puma and her daughter in a zoo environment with respect to the time of day. The study monitored visitation (noise and number) over two 1-week periods (4 weeks between periods) and frequency of various puma behaviors (videorecorded). The study analyzed videotaped behavior of the pumas based on the time of day and visitors' number and noise levels. There was a direct association of puma behaviors with visitors' number and noise levels. The daughter puma was the most affected and behavioral changes of both pumas correlated more strongly with the noise level than the number of visitors. The noise level and number of visitors affected the behavior of the mother and her daughter only in the morning. The results of this study indicate that both noise level and number of visitors affected these pumas but revealed the noise as predominant. Moreover, the response of these pumas to visitors depended on the time of the day.     

Assessment of the functional integrity of the humoral immune response: the plaque-forming cell assay and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) appear to have comparable sensitivity and reproducibility for measuring IgM antibody production in mice and rats immunized with sheep red blood cells (sRBCs). Both assays can be manipulated, with respect to the immunizing antigen (e.g., T-dependent vs T-independent antigen), to provide evidence as to which cell type(s) may be adversely affected by a given compound. However, the PFC assay has more utility in dissecting out the target cell(s) involved. Since both the PFC assay and the ELISA may be readily conducted in the rat, it is feasible to incorporate either of these assays into standard acute and repeat dose toxicology studies. This may be accomplished by inclusion of satellite groups in the study. However, it has been suggested that the primary antibody response to sRBCs, as measured by an ELISA, may also be evaluated in the main group of animals in a toxicology study without compromise to the integrity of other toxicological endpoints (e.g., hematology, clinical chemistry, histopathology). Both approaches will provide a more extensive delineation of the safety profile of a drug or chemical. The latter approach will also reduce the number of animals needed and the cost of the study.     

Habitat suitability and connectivity implications for the conservation of the Persian leopard along the Iran–Iraq border

Habitat fragmentation has major negative impacts on wildlife populations, and the connectivity could reduce these negative impacts. This study was conducted to assess habitat suitability and structural connectivity of the Persian leopard along the Iran–Iraq border (i.e., the Zagros Mountains) and compare the situation of identified core habitats and connectivity with existing conservation areas (CAs). An ensemble modeling approach resulting from five models was used to predict habitat suitability. To identify core habitats and corridors along the Iran–Iraq border, factorial least‐cost path analyses were applied. The results revealed that topographic roughness, distance to CAs, annual precipitation, vegetation/cropland density, and distance to rivers were the most influential variables for predicting the occurrence of the Persian leopard in the study area. By an estimated dispersal distance of 82 km (suggested by previous studies), three core habitats were identified (two cores in Iran and one core in Iraq). The largest cores were located in the south and the center of the study area, which had the highest connectivity priorities. The connectivity from these cores was maintained to the core within the Iraqi side. Only about one‐fifth of detected core habitats and relative corridors were protected by CAs in the study area. Detected core habitats and connectivity areas in this study could be an appropriate road map to accomplish the CAs network along the Iran–Iraq border regarding Persian leopard conservation. Establishing transboundary CAs, particularly in the core habitat located in the center of the study area, is strongly recommended to conserve existing large carnivores, including the Persian leopard.     

斗鱼属鱼类亲缘关系的Cyt b基因序列和RAPD分析

采用mtDNA Cyt b基因序列分析和RAPD两种分子标记技术,研究了中国分布的叉尾斗鱼(Macropodus opercularis)、圆尾斗鱼(M.chinensis)和香港斗鱼(M.hongkongensis)以及越南的红鳍斗鱼(M.erythropterus)4种鱼类之间的亲缘关系.获得4种斗鱼14条Cyt b基因全序列(1 155 bp),结合GenBank中搜索到的近缘物种同源序列进行分析.从133条随机引物中筛选到36条引物,在优化的反应条件下,10个群体96个个体共扩增出清晰稳定的条带749条,构建矩阵进行分析和聚类.基于Cyt b全序列以邻接法和最小进化法构建的系统树及RAPD数据UPGMA聚类分析的结果都显示,香港斗鱼和红鳍斗鱼先聚为一分支,再与叉尾斗鱼聚类,圆尾斗鱼处于外缘.本研究结果反映了圆尾斗鱼与其他斗鱼的亲缘关系较远,种间遗传距离为0.184 5～0.225 3(Cyt b)和0.653 6～0.746 5(RAPD),两者为同一单系群中两个独立演化的自然类群;香港斗鱼与叉尾斗鱼间遗传分化明显,Cyt b碱基差异为11.00%,RAFD遗传距离达0.577 7,支持其为独立物种的观点,且香港斗鱼群体间遗传差异较大,Cyt b碱基差异为3.12%,RAPD遗传距离0.060 1;叉尾斗鱼群体间Nei's基因多样度和Shannon信息指数分别为0.058 2和0.086 9,而各群体内的数值分别为0.016 1～0.031 7和0.023 5～0.046 7,表明遗传差异主要来自群体间,并按分布流域分别聚类.     

A Multilevel Model to Estimate the Within- and the Between-Center Components of the Exposure/Disease Association in the EPIC Study

In a multicenter study, the overall relationship between exposure and the risk of cancer can be broken down into a within-center component, which reflects the individual level association, and a between-center relationship, which captures the association at the aggregate level. A piecewise exponential proportional hazards model with random effects was used to evaluate the association between dietary fiber intake and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in the EPIC study. During an average follow-up of 11.0 years, 4,517 CRC events occurred among study participants recruited in 28 centers from ten European countries. Models were adjusted by relevant confounding factors. Heterogeneity among centers was modelled with random effects. Linear regression calibration was used to account for errors in dietary questionnaire (DQ) measurements. Risk ratio estimates for a 10 g/day increment in dietary fiber were equal to 0.90 (95%CI: 0.85, 0.96) and 0.85 (0.64, 1.14), at the individual and aggregate levels, respectively, while calibrated estimates were 0.85 (0.76, 0.94), and 0.87 (0.65, 1.15), respectively. In multicenter studies, over a straightforward ecological analysis, random effects models allow information at the individual and ecologic levels to be captured, while controlling for confounding at both levels of evidence.     

The structure and distribution of the interstitial cells in the medullary substance of the kidney

Under study were peculiar features of the structure and distribution of interstitial cells of medullary substance (ICMS) in different parts of the rat renal papilla. The amount of lipid granules containing precursors of prostaglandin synthesis in ICMS was counted. The maximum lipid granulation of ICMS was found in the papilla center. The electron-microscopic study has recognized 3 types of ICMS: little differentiated (located in the papilla apex), highly differentiated (prevailing in the center) and cells of the transitional type. The degree of lipid granulation of ICMS showing the intensity of the prostaglandin synthesis and the character of distribution of ICMS seem to correlate with the functional heterogeneity of the medullary substance.     

多肽类药物制剂研究现状

多肽类药物制剂研究所面临的主要问题是多肽的不稳定性、体内半衰期短和生物膜透过性差。本文综述了(1)引起多肽不稳定性的原因;(2)提高多肽稳定性的方法;(3)多肽类药物制剂货架时间的确定;(4)多肽类药物的分析手段;(5)多肽类药物的控释研究;(6)多肽的非注射途径给药研究。最后提出了多肽类药物制剂研究的展望。     

Circannual Variations of the Bleeding Time in the Rat

This study was carried out to determine the annual fluctuations of the tail bleeding time in the rat. Bleeding time was determined by transection of the tail of pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Over a 6-year period, monthly measurement of the tail bleeding time revealed highly reproducible circannual fluctuations. Bleeding times were shortened in the summer (414 ± 18 s in July), being almost half that observed during the winter span (886 ± 32 s in January). The difference between these two time points was highly significant (p > 0.001). This study reports for the first time circannual variations of the bleeding time in the rat.     

The ODN probes conjugating the Cu(II) complex enhance the luminol chemiluminescence by assembling on the DNA template

Potent peroxidase-like activity of the β-ketoenamine (1)-dicopper (II) complex (2) for the chemiluminescence (CL) of luminol either in the presence or absence of H(2)O(2) has been previously demonstrated by our group. In this study, the β-ketoenamine (1) as the ligand unit for copper(II) was incorporated into the oligonucleotide (ODN) probes. It has been shown that the catalytic activity of the ODN probes conjugating the ligand-Cu(II) complex is activated by hybridization with the target DNA with the complementary sequence. Thus, this study has successfully demonstrated the basic concept for the sensitive detection of nucleic acids by CL based on the template-inductive activation of the catalytic unit for CL.