Changes in trace reactions of sensorimotor cortex and putamen neurons as affected by haloperidol

Experiments on conscious rabbits were made to elaborate motor conditioned reflexes through pairing stimuli with electrocutaneous reinforcement applied every 30 s. Neuronal activity in the sensorimotor cortex and putamen was recorded during formation and reproduction of the conditioned reflexes before and after haloperidol injection (0.2 mg/kg i. v.). In the putamen, haloperidol increased the number of neurons exhibiting trace conditioned activity and made the intensity and duration of these processes rise. The changes seen in the sensorimotor cortex were opposite in nature. Inhibition of trace conditioned activity in the sensorimotor cortex depended mainly on the decreased amplitude of the reaction conditioned component. The role of the dopaminergic system in the interaction of the neostriatum and sensorimotor cortex and in formation and reproduction of trace conditioned activity of both the structures is discussed.     

Changes in the properties of adenylate cyclase from guinea pig lungs in tuberculosis

Changes in the properties of adenylate cyclase from the lungs of tuberculotic guinea pigs were revealed. The number of beta-adrenergic receptors in the lungs was found to be reduced by 30% at the second and by 70% at the third stage of the disease. The degree and the value of Ka for adenylate cyclase activation by isoproterenol remained thereby unchanged. The basal activity of adenylate cyclase was increased by 20% against the control level at the second stage and decreased by 20% at the third stage of the disease. At these periods, the stimulating effects of guanylyl imidodiphosphate, NaF and forskolin on lung adenylate cyclase were diminished. The experimental results point to the significant role of the enzymes of cAMP metabolism and reflect the course of the tuberculosis process in experimental animals.     

Obtaining monoclonal antibodies to Bordetella pertussis antigens

The immunization of mice with the protein fraction of B. pertussis strain 305 has made it possible to obtain hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to B. pertussis antigens. Ascitic fluids containing monoclonal antibodies react in the ELISA in high titers and actively agglutinate B. pertussis strains 305 and 475.     

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is not effective in releasing calcium from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum microsomes

Regulation of many cell systems has been shown to be mediated by Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate which causes a release of calcium from intracellular sites. We have shown that release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum microsomes was not stimulated by IP3. The phorbol ester, TPA, also had no effect on Ca2+ release or Ca2+ ATPase activity. Thus, it is unlikely that the breakdown of polyphosphatidylinositides serves as a second messenger to mediate release of Ca2+ in skeletal muscle.     

Neurospecific proteins in human malignant brain tumors

The content of neurospecific proteins S-100, GFA and D2 was measured in malignant cerebral tumors by electrophoresis with the use of monospecific antisera. Concomitant measurement of proteins S-100 and GFA is a more reliable diagnostic criterion as to the tumor histogenesis than study of each protein alone. D2 protein appeared to be the most stable specific marker.