Study of the genesis of pathological EEG patterns in tumor and traumatic lesions of the human brain

Computer-assisted superimposition of the equivalent dipole sources (EDSs) of the main pathological EEG patterns with the results of computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed for patients with organic CNS lesions. The greatest degree of structural determination was revealed for local and lateralized (in a traumatic injury) slow waves, whose EDSs mapped to the perifocal zone of the injury focus. The EDSs of epileptiform patterns could be located in the zone of damaged brain substance or in the intact hemisphere (when the limbic structures were damaged), reflecting the formation of secondary functional foci in the latter case. Bilateral paroxysmal patterns were more frequently determined by the functional state of the medial brain structures. The EDSs of pathological (diencephalic, hippocampal) activity were closely associated with the corresponding anatomical brain structures, although without a strict dependence on the degree of their morphological intactness.Translated from Fiziologiya Cheloveka, Vol. 31, No. 1, 2005, pp. 24–32.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Boldyreva, Sharova, Koptelov, Shchepetkov, Nikitin, Kornienko, Fadeeva.     

Synthetic analogues of the montanine-type alkaloids with activity against apoptosis-resistant cancer cells

In a search of small molecules active against apoptosis-resistant cancer cells, a skeletal rearrangement of alkaloid haemanthamine was utilized to generate a series of compounds possessing the alkaloid montanine ring system. The synthesized compounds were found to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells resistant to apoptosis at micromolar concentrations. Selected compounds were also active against patient-derived glioblastoma cells expressing stem-cell markers. This is the first report describing the preparation of synthetic analogues of the montanine-type alkaloids with antiproliferative activity. The compounds prepared in the current investigation appear to be a useful starting point for the development of agents to fight cancers with apoptosis resistance, and thus, associated with poor prognoses.     

A key for the identification of larvae of brachyuran and anomuran crabs in spring plankton of Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

A key for the identification of zoeae of brachyurans (Oregoniidae, Cheiragonidae, Varunidae) and anomurans (Anomura: Lithodidae), including commercial species, in spring plankton of Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) was elaborated. Data on the hatching time and the duration and conditions of occurrence of brachyuran and anomuran larvae in this region are provided.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (Mif) expression in the mouse placenta

Background  

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has special pro-inflammatory roles, affecting the functions of macrophages and lymphocytes and counter-regulating the effects of glucocorticoids on the immune response. The conspicuous expression of MIF during human implantation and early embryonic development also suggests this factor acts in reproductive functions. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate Mif expression by trophoblast and embryo placental cells during mouse pregnancy.     

The larvae of the spider crab Pisoides bidentatus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1873) (Decapoda: Majoidea: Pisidae) reared under laboratory conditions

Larval development of the spider crab, Pisoides bidentatus (A.Milne-Edwards, 1873) (Decapoda: Majoidea: Pisidae), inhabitingthe Russian waters of the Sea of Japan is described and illustratedfor the first time from larvae reared in the laboratory. Thedevelopment included two zoea and one megalopa, thus followingthe typical pattern in the Majoidea. At a temperature of 20–22°Clarval development of P. bidentatus took from 9 to 13 days.The comparative analysis revealed that the larvae of two Pisoidesspecies differ in numerous characters whereas zoea of P. bidentatusand Pugettia quadridens belonging to different families arenearly identical. According the larval characters, P. bidentatusand P. quadridens should be assigned to one genus. The larvaldata lend the support to revision the taxonomic position ofP. bidentatus.     

Unprecedented C-2 arylation of indole with diazonium salts: Syntheses of 2,3-disubstituted indoles and their antimicrobial activity

A novel reaction of indole with aryldiazonium salts leading to the formation of 2-aryl-3-(arylazo)indoles was discovered. The products were found to possess potent anti-MRSA and anti-LLVRE activities. The SAR studies indicate that the potentially metabolically labile azo functionality can be replaced with ether oxygen and thioether sulfur atoms without any loss of activity.     

Morphology and ultrastructure of the uterus of Lineolepis scutigera (Dujardin, 1845) Karpenko, 1985 (Cestoda,Cyclophyllidea, Hymenolepididae) in formation of uterine capsules

The microanatomy and ultrastructure of the uterus in different stages of ontogenesis were studied in a cyclophyllidean cestode Lineolepis scutigera. In the early stages, developing embryos lie freely in the cavity of a single unbroken uterus, which is later fragmented into separate compartments. As a result, numerous spherical uterine capsules are formed; each of them contains one formed egg. Capsules represent a fragmented but actively functioning uterus. Muscular cells containing numerous lipid inclusions are located around them. In the final stages, placenta-like relationships are formed between eggs and the epithelium of capsules. A comparative morphofunctional analysis of uterine capsules in cestodes is presented. Attention is paid to the formation of close interactions between the uterine epithelium and developing eggs.