Effect of sidnocarb on learning and memory

It has been established that in well-trained rats sydnocarb (mesocarb) does not exert a considerable effect on the generation of conditioned reflex of passive avoidance (CRPA). On the contrary, in poorly-trained animals sydnocarb significantly improves CRPA indexes at all three stages of its generation. Sydnocarb proved most effective, when injected before training (on day I). The absence of sydnocarb-induced pain threshold decrease in response to electrical pain stimulation suggests a direct drug effect on memory processes.     

Development of the trypanosomes (Trypanosoma) and cryptobians (Cryptobia) of carp and tench in the leech Piscicola geometra

The paper presents the results of studies of the development of trypanosomes and cryptobiae of carp and tench in Piscicola geometra. The paper describes an unknown way of reproduction by means of fusion of individuals and formation of cystlike bodies, the subsequent development of which results in a special form schizogony with a formation of rosettes.     

Cyclic ADP-ribose: a novel Ca2+-mobilising second messenger.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) was discovered as a potent Ca2+-mobilising natural compound in sea urchin eggs. Recently, cADPR was reported to stimulate Ca2+ signalling in several higher eukaryotic cell systems (e.g., smooth and cardiac muscle cells, neuronal cells, adrenal chromaffin cells, macrophages, pancreatic acinar cells and T-lymphocytes). The following aspects of the role of cADPR as a Ca2+-mobilising second messenger are reviewed: coupling of metabolism of cADPR to stimulation of receptors in the plasma membrane, properties and pharmacology of Ca2+ release by cADPR and the involvement of cADPR in Ca2+ entry.