The typology of temporary waterbodies and the influence of their parameters on the crustacean species composition of zooplankton

The typology of temporary waterbodies in Saratov oblast has developed with a similarity in the composition of zooplankton species that serve as its foundation. Seven waterbody groups have been distinguished: waterbodies of flood lands, river valley terraces, steppe watersheds, brackish lagoons, brackish lagoons connected to irrigation networks, excavated ponds, and puddles. The specificity of zooplankton species composition in different types of temporary waterbodies is shown. A significant influence of waterbody lifetime on the number of zooplankton species has been revealed, with the waterbody capacity and surface area in the period of maximal water level also being of great importance.     

Structure-based design, synthesis, and SAR evaluation of a new series of 8-hydroxyquinolines as HIF-1alpha prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors

A new series of potent 8-hydroxyquinolines was designed based on the newly resolved X-ray crystal structure of EGLN-1. Both alkyl and aryl 8-hydroxyquinoline-7-carboxyamides were good HIF-1alpha prolyl hydroxylase (EGLN) inhibitors. In subsequent VEGF induction assays, these exhibited potent VEGF activity. In addition, this class of compounds did show the ability to stabilize HIF-1alpha.     

The development of 2-benzimidazole substituted pyrimidine based inhibitors of lymphocyte specific kinase (Lck)

This communication details the synthesis, biological activity, and binding mode of a novel class of 2-benzimidazole substituted pyrimidines. The most potent analogs disclosed showed low nanomolar activity for the inhibition of Lck kinase and a representative analog was co-crystallized with Hck (a structurally related member of the Src family kinases).     

Neurophysiological Markers of Abnormal Development in Children with Mental Disorders

Longitudinal analysis of the spectral power of the main EEG bands was performed in the wakeful state with the eyes open and the eyes closed in children with mental disorders at various stages of correction by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). A significant increase in the power of α-rhythm in the parietal-occipital areas and a significant decrease in the slow wave activity in the left frontotemporal areas were observed in the course of the correction process. The data obtained can be considered as the neurophysiological markers of the tDCS effects (formation of age-related EEG parameters in children with mental disorders). The data also prove the relations between the described phenomena and the cortical mechanisms of speech disorders and other psychic processes caused by perinatal CNS disorders.     

Three dimensional typological studies using scanning electron microscopy for characterization of Termitomyces pellets obtained from submerged growth conditions

There are gaps in existing understanding of fungal pellet growth dynamics. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization of the biomass organization of Termitomyces pellets for seven species: T. microcarpus (TMI1), T. albuminosus (TAL1, TAL2), T. striatus (TSTR), T. aurantiacus (TAUR), T. heimii (THE1, THE2), T. globulus (TGLO) and T. clypeatus (TCL1, TCL2, TCL3, TCL4, TCL5). We assessed the utility of SEM for morphological and structural characterization of Termitomyces spp. in three dimensional (3D) pellet form to identify ideal pellet morphology for industrial use. Typological classification of Termitomyces species was based on furrows, isotropy, total motifs and fractal dimensions. The pellets formed were entangled and exhibited highly compacted mycelial mass with microheterogeneity and microporosity. The mean density of furrows of Termitomyces species was between 10,000 and 11,300 cm/cm², percentage isotropy was 30?80 and total motifs varied from 300 to 2500. TGLO exhibited the highest furrow mean density, 11243 cm/cm², which indicated a compact, cerebroid structure with complex ridges and furrows, whereas TAL2 exhibited the lowest furrow density. TMI1a exhibited a high percentage isotropic value, 74.6, TSTR exhibited the lowest, 30.9. Total motif number also was used as a typological classification parameter. Fractal values were 2.64?2.78 for various submerged conditions of Termitomyces species. TAL1 exhibited the highest fractal dimension and TAL2 the lowest, which indicates the complexity of branching patterns. Three-dimensional SEM image analysis can provide insight into pellet micromorphology and is a powerful tool for exploring topographical details of pellets.     

45-KDa GTP-binding Protein from Rat Olfactory Epithelium: Purification, Characterization and Localization

The rat olfactory epithelium contains a specific water-soluble45-kDa protein. This protein is recognized by anti-peptide antibodieswhich react with -subunits of the known G-proteins. The 45-kDaprotein has been isolated using DEAE-chromatography and gel-exclusionchromatography. The content of 45-kDa protein is about 2% ofthe total soluble proteins of the olfactory mucosa and it islocated at the mucociliary surface. According to photo-affinitylabeling, the 45-kDa protein possesses a high affinity to GTPand exhibits low GTP hydrolytic activity. The functions of the45-kDa protein are discussed. Chem, Senses 21: 181–188,1996.     

Adverse effects of tempol on hidrosaline balance in rats with acute sodium overload

We studied the effects of tempol, an oxygen radical scavenger, on hydrosaline balance in rats with acute sodium overload. Male rats with free access to water were injected with isotonic (control group) or hypertonic saline solution (0.80 mol/l NaCl) either alone (Na group) or with tempol (Na-T group). Hydrosaline balance was determined during a 90 min experimental period. Protein expressions of aquaporin 1 (AQP1), aquaporin 2 (AQP2), angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were measured in renal tissue. Water intake, creatinine clearance, diuresis and natriuresis increased in the Na group. Under conditions of sodium overload, tempol increased plasma sodium and protein levels and increased diuresis, natriuresis and sodium excretion. Tempol also decreased water intake without affecting creatinine clearance. AQP1 and eNOS were increased and Ang II decreased in the renal cortex of the Na group, whereas AQP2 was increased in the renal medulla. Nonglycosylated AQP1 and eNOS were increased further in the renal cortex of the Na-T group, whereas AQP2 was decreased in the renal medulla and was localized mainly in the cell membrane. Moreover, p47-phox immunostaining was increased in the hypothalamus of Na group, and this increase was prevented by tempol. Our findings suggest that tempol causes hypernatremia after acute sodium overload by inhibiting the thirst mechanism and facilitating diuresis, despite increasing renal eNOS expression and natriuresis.     

Study of the properties of condensed forms of the complexes of linear and supercoiled DNA with mitoxantrone and bisantrene

The effect of anthrachinone and anthracene derivatives on linear and circular superstranded molecules of DNA in conditions of their condensation was studied. It was shown that the compounds formed strong intercalation complexes with the molecules of the linear and circular superstranded DNA when the DNA molecules were in the condensed condition. The optical properties of the disperse liquid crystal phases formed of the complexes of the investigated compounds with the molecules of linear double-chain DNA differed. Moreover, the optical properties of the condensed phases formed of the complexes of the compounds with the molecules of linear and circular superstranded DNA also differed. The causes of the differences are discussed.     

Mechanism of inhibition following reflex discharge in spinal cord interneurons

Using the method of microelectrode (intracellular and extracellular) recording, the mechanism of inhibition following reflex discharge in interneurons of the lumbosacral section of the spinal cord of cats on activation of cutaneous and high-threshold muscle afferents was studied. It was shown that the postdischarge depression of the reflex responses 10–20 msec after the moment of activation of the neuron is due to afterprocesses in the same neuron and presynaptic pathways. The depression of spike potentials from the 20th to the 100th msec is produced by inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP). During the development of IPSP the inhibition of spike potentials can be due to both a decrease of the depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane below the critical threshold and a decrease of sensitivity of the cell membrane to the depolarizing action of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). At intervals between the stimuli of 30–100 msec the duration of EPSP after the first stimulus does not differ from that after the second stimulus. Hence, it is suggested that the presynaptic mechanisms do not play an essential part in this type of inhibition of interneurons. The inhibition following the excitation favors the formation of a discrete message to the neurons of higher orders.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 3–9, January–February, 1970.     

Influence of forelimb afferents on the activity of lumbar spinal-cord motoneurons

Experiments were conducted on anesthetized cats with microelectrode recording to study the synaptic responses that develop in the lumbar motoneurons on stimulation of the afferent fibers of groups II and III in the nerves of the ipsilateral and contralateral forelegs. Stimulation of these afferents evoked predominantly inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP) in the extensor motoneurons and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) in the flexor motoneurons. A basically inhibitory change in the rhythmic background activity developed under the influence of descending impulsation. The duration of the total inhibition of "spontaneous" motoneuron activity corresponded to the duration of the inhibitory influences exerted by the forelimb flexor-reflex afferents (FRA) on the interneurons. The interaction of the descending and segmental PSP resulted in inhibition and facilitation of the segmental responses in the motoneurons. The ultimate result of this interaction was determined by the shifts in the membrane potential of the motoneuron and by the effects created in the interneurons.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 58–67, January–February, 1971.