Influence of salinity fluctuations on the embryonic and larval development of pike <Emphasis Type=Italic>Esox lucius</Emphasis> (Esocidae)

It has been revealed that fluctuations of salinity within the ecological norm positively affect the embryonic and larval development in pike Esox lucius. Within the optimal range of salinity (0?2‰ with fluctuation period of 12 h), compared to the constant optimal salinity (2‰), the growth and development rate accelerate, the survival rate of embryos and larvae increase especially during the critical stages of development, and the variability of sizes of embryos and larvae decreases.     

Experimental study of Grippferon antiviral activity against Mexican pandemic influenza virus A/H1N1/2009 in vitro

Analysis of the efficacy of Grippferon vs. the reference drugs Realdiron and Reaferon-EC against the influenza virus A(H1N1)/2009 in susceptible static cell cultures showed that in the concentrations tested it was efficient in inhibition of the virus cytopathic activity and generation of specific hemagglutinin.     

Effect of latitude on adolescents living in the north

The latitude factor was shown to have a physiological effect on a growing body of adolescents aged 14–15 years even at a 3-degree difference in the latitude of residence. In adolescents living at 65°N, compared to those living at 62°N, the tolerance of hypoxemia, recovery of hemodynamics after short-term exercise, and their physical health level were decreased, attention switching was slower, and hypoxic events were more pronounced. Sex-related differences in several parameters and body features typical for northerners were revealed in adolescents living in the north.     

Influence of small doses human interferon-alpha intranasal injection on behavior of rats of different age

Behavior of young (3-4 month old) and ageing (12-15 month old) rats was studied during chronic intranasal application of low doses (10 ME or 350 ME) of human interferon-alpha (HIA). In ageing rats HIA did not affect dynamics (days 0th, 8th and 16th) of (a) locomotive and (b) investigative activity in the "open field" test and in two-side defensive conditioning, and (c) decreased anxiety ("open field", "light-darkness" test). In young rats HIA (a) increased locomotive activity by 16th day (it decreased in control), (b) investigative activity did not change (in control it decreased by 8th day; "open field" test), (c) anxiety decreased in the "open field" and increased in "light-darkness" tests, (d) development of conditioned reflex improved (during 2nd learning session in 5 days after the first one). Thus, small doses of HIA differently affected behavior of rats depending on the age and experimental situation. However, both HIA doses changed rats' behavior in the same direction. We suggest that chronic low doses of HIA can regulate different aspects of behavior, but not suppress activity as it is commonly thought. This regulation can be performed via modulation of neuro-immuno-endocrine complex.     

Present state of in vitro and in vivo studies on efficacy of medical nonspecific protective agents with respect to genotype IV coronavirus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome

The results of the in vitro studies on the efficacy of medical nonspecific protective agents from various pharmacological groups showed that some drugs, such as velferon, alferon, betaferon, ribavirin and lopinavir were active against TOPC virus, that permitted to recommend them for estimation of their activity on laboratory animals. The data on the in vivo activity of pharmacological drugs with respect to TOPC virus are rather scanty and it is difficult to predetermine their efficacy. The danger of TOPC virus latent circulation among wild animals in China requires research of new efficient medical agents for protection of the people from the pathogen in the Russian Federation.     

Effects of human cultural neuronal and mesenchymal stem cells on the rat learning and brain state after acute hypoxia

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of neurotransplantation of cultural neural stem cells (NSC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on the rat behaviour and brain state after acute hypoxia. It was shown that development of two-way avoidance defensive conditioning in a shuttle box improved in rats-recipients with NSC, but not MSC as compared to control. Both the transplants of NSC and transplants of MSC exert neuroprotective influence on the rat brain. NSC both in vitro (before transplantation) and in vivo (on day 27 after transplantation) gave rise to all neural cell types: stem/progenitor cells, precursors of neurons and glia, neurons and glial cells. MSC population in vitro and in vivo (on day 10 after transplantation) consisted of fibroblast-like cells which were eliminated by day 20 after transplantation and were surrounded by reactive glia. We suggest that effects of NSC may be connected with their good survival and potential to differentiate into neurons and with trophic influence on the brain of recipient, whereas MSC only have possible positive trophic effect at early stages after transplantation.