The 1st results in the realization of the Harm Reduction program for intravenous narcotic users in the city of Penza

To achieve the aims of the project, the following stages were consecutively defined: (1) the exchange of syringes, organized by outreach workers, with the simultaneous popularization of the project, (2) the orientation of intravenous drug users to attending syringe exchange stations and (3) the extension of the area covered by the activities of outreach workers. Our experience showed that outreach workers, especially those working in the street, were the main force to count on for achieving success in the work of the projects. The budget of the project should provide for the publication of information material. Special assignments for outreach workers to study some concrete problem (drug service, the use of blood, etc.) can be useful. It is expedient to raise the status of syringe exchange stations by turning them into multi-purpose consultation centers.     

Mitochondrial DNA variability in the Canary Islands honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of individuals from 79 colonies of Apis mellifera from five Canary Islands was studied using the Dra I test based on the restriction of PCR products of the tRNAleu–COII intergenic region. Five haplotypes of the African (A) lineage and one of the west European (C) lineage were found. The haplotypes A14 and A15 are described for the first time. These haplotypes have a new P sequence named P₁. The wide distribution and high frequency of haplotype A15 suggest that it is characteristic of the Canarian Archipelago. Sources of haplotype variability of honeybee mtDNA in the Canary Islands (waves of colonization from Africa, queen importations, habitat diversification) are discussed.     

Effect of chronic treatment with Rosiglitazone on Leydig cell steroidogenesis in rats: <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vivo</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex vivo</Emphasis> studies

Background  

The present study was designed to examine the effect of chronic treatment with rosiglitazone - thiazolidinedione used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus for its insulin sensitizing effects - on the Leydig cell steroidogenic capacity and expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in normal adult rats.     

Selected anthropometric variables and aerobic fitness as predictors of cardiovascular disease risk in children

The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and aerobic fitness as predictors of cardiovascular risk factor clustering in children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 290 school boys and girls from 6 to 10 years old, randomly selected. Blood was collected after a 12-hour fasting period. Blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), height and weight were evaluated according to international standards. Aerobic fitness (AF) was assessed by the 20-metre shuttle-run test. Clustering was considered when three of these factors were present: high systolic or diastolic blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high triglycerides, high plasma glucose, high insulin concentrations and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. A ROC curve identified the cut-off points of body mass index (BMI), WC, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and AF as predictors of risk factor clustering. BMI, WC and WHR resulted in significant areas under the ROC curves, which was not observed for AF. The anthropometric variables were good predictors of cardiovascular risk factor clustering in both sexes, whereas aerobic fitness should not be used to identify cardiovascular risk factor clustering in these children.     

A technological approach to the description of group foraging in the ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrmica rubra</Emphasis>

Group foraging in Myrmica rubra ants is considered as a cyclic process in which transition from one phase to another is determined by summation of actions of individual ants inside the nest and in the foraging territory. In its turn, individual behavior is considered as a labile sequence of tasks, such as territory exploration, acquiring and transportation of food, the completeness of the sequence depending on the individual experience. Data on foraging of three experimental M. rubra colonies were represented as a relational database in MS Access 2007, and the database tools were used to study the interrelated characteristics of the two levels of the foraging process (group and individual) and to analyze the quantitative parameters of individual and group behavior.