Different Profile of mRNA Expression in Sinoatrial Node from Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat

BackgroundExperiments in isolated perfused heart have shown that heart rate is lower and sinoatrial node (SAN) action potential duration is longer in streptozotocin (STZ)–induced diabetic rat compared to controls. In sino-atrial preparations the pacemaker cycle length and sino-atrial conduction time are prolonged in STZ heart. To further clarify the molecular basis of electrical disturbances in the diabetic heart the profile of mRNA encoding a wide variety of proteins associated with the generation and transmission of electrical activity has been evaluated in the SAN of STZ-induced diabetic rat heart.Conclusions/SignificanceCollectively, this study has demonstrated differences in the profile of mRNA encoding a variety of proteins that are associated with the generation, conduction and regulation of electrical signals in the SAN of STZ-induced diabetic rat heart. Data from this study will provide a basis for a substantial range of future studies to investigate whether these changes in mRNA translate into changes in electrophysiological function.     

Development of nanostructured phosphorite: Study of the safety of application

A nanostructured mineral food supplement with a particle size of 60.0–120.0 nm was manufactured from phosphorite by ultrasonic dispersion. It was found that intragastric administration of nanostructures phosphorite to mice is relatively safe: clinical signs of intoxication appeared after a single administration of the preparation only at a dose of 90 mg/kg; a dose of 150 mg/kg caused death of 8% of mice, in which injuries of organs of the gastrointestinal tract were observed. When the preparation was administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intraperitoneally, small phosphorite conglomerates and inflammation of the surrounding tissues and organs were observed at the injection site. Death of 25% of animals was observed in the group of mice which received intraperitoneal injections of nanophosphorite at a dose of 200 mg/kg.     

Feeding of benthophagous fish in the Chogray Reservoir

Data on feeding of the bream Abramis brama, roach Rutilus rutilus, and white bream Blicca bjoerkna in Chogray Reservoir in 2010 and 2012 are presented. The main diet of bream consists of Chironomidae, and the diet of roach and white bream consists of the bivalve mollusk Dreissena polymorpha.     

Amplitude−temporal characteristics of a supershort avalanche electron beam generated during subnanosecond breakdown in air and nitrogen

The amplitude?temporal characteristics of a supershort avalanche electron beam (SAEB) with an amplitude of up to 100 A, as well as of the breakdown voltage and discharge current, are studied experimentally with a picosecond time resolution. The waveforms of discharge and SAEB currents are synchronized with those of the voltage pulses. It is shown that the amplitude?temporal characteristics of the SAEB depend on the gap length and the designs of the gas diode and cathode. The mechanism for the generation of runaway electron beams in atmospheric-pressure gases is analyzed on the basis of the obtained experimental data.     

Some features of horizontally oriented low-current electric arc in air

The properties of an electric arc operating in open air at currents of lower than 1 A were studied experimentally. The rod cathode was oriented horizontally. Cylindrical rods and plane plates either installed strictly vertically in front of the cathode end or tilted at a certain angle served as the anode. It is shown that, with such an electrode configuration, it is possible to form a discharge channel much longer than the electrode gap length. Regimes of regular oscillations are revealed, and conditions for their appearance are established. The electric field strength in the arc column and the electron temperature near the anode are calculated.     

A computational reaction–diffusion model for biosynthesis and linking of cartilage extracellular matrix in cell-seeded scaffolds with varying porosity

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - Cartilage tissue engineering is commonly initiated by seeding cells in porous materials such as hydrogels or scaffolds. Under optimal conditions, the...     

Characteristics of X-ray Emission from a Micropinch Discharge at Different Polarities of the Discharge Electrodes

Plasma Physics Reports - The measurement technique and results are presented from studies of the X-ray spectra and X-ray yield from micropinch discharge plasma in a low-inductive vacuum spark...     

High-Speed Recording of Vacuum Arc Discharge Images in the Optical Range

Plasma Physics Reports - Switching of a short vacuum gap with an auxiliary discharge over the surface of a dielectric has been studied via high-speed recording of images of discharge plasma...     

Delivery of CRISPR/Cas Components into Higher Plant Cells for Genome Editing

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - CRISPR/Cas genome editing of plants is realized in three basic variants, including knockout mutations as indels, insertion of alien DNA fragments, and base...     

Adaptations of Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae) Fruits Grown at Different Altitudes

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Cytophysiological adaptive features of apple fruits (Malus domestica Borkh.) were examined as a function of growth altitude—300, 500, 700, and 1200 m...