Expression of estrogen receptor (ER) -α and -βtranscripts in the neonatal and adult rat cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb

INTRODUCTIONEstrogen has been known to exert extensive effects via estrogen receptor (ER) on diverse physio-logical and develoPmental functions of the brain[1,2]. It has been observed that the distribution ofthe classical ER subtype-a (ERa) and the recentlycharacterized novel ER subtype--fi (ERg), and theirexpression patterns (ERcr/ERfi) vary greatly amongvarious brain regions[1, 3]. These evidences suggestthat each ER subtype may play a different role inestrogen's effects on the br…     

Nitric Oxide Storage in the Cardiovascular System

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive substance with short lifetime. In conditions of a living organism NO can be bound by the complexes used for transport and intracellular storage of NO. The main biological forms of NO store include S-nitrosothiols and dinitrosyl iron complexes capable of interconversion. The NO store formed by these complexes in the vascular wall, on the one hand, provides for protection from excessive free NO after its overproduction and, on the other hand, can be an additional NO source when it is deficient. Apparently, the efficiency of NO storage is genetically determined and corresponds to the inherited level of NO production in the organism. Controlled modulation of formation and dissociation of the NO store is a promising trend for further investigation.     

Changes in energy metabolism and contractile function of the heart during development of focal necroses of the myocardium

It has been established that the changes in hypophysial-adrenal reactions, metabolism and cardiac structures and functions have a phasic character. The study of the biorhythm of eosinophil blood level has allowed the determination of the temporary parameters of damage and recovery phases.     

Influence of adaptation to stressor effects on bioelectrical activity, contractile function and resistance of the papillary muscles to the excess of intracellular calcium

In experiments on papillary muscles of rats it was established that adaptation to stressor effects increases resistance of the myocardium to contracture effects and restricts depression of electrophysiological parameters caused by the excess of calcium. Such adaptation decreased contracture by 6.5 times. On the next stage it was established that adaptation restricts depression of electrophysiological parameters of cardiomyocytes with the action of large concentrations of calcium. Possible mechanism of cardiac protector effect of adaptation to stressor effects is being discussed.     

Molecular genetic mapping of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">sy1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">sy9</Emphasis> asynaptic genes in rye (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale cereale</Emphasis> L.) using microsatellite and isozyme markers

Studies of phenotypical expression of synaptic mutations in combination with the localization of corresponding genes on a genetic map permit individual stages of the meiotic process to be differentiated. Two rye asynaptic genes, sy1 and sy9, were mapped with the use of microsatellite markers (SSR) in the pericentromeric regions of the long chromosome arms 7R and 2R, respectively. The sy9 gene cosegregated with two SSR markers Xscm43 and Xgwm132. The asynaptic gene sy1 was mapped within the interval between the isozyme locus Aat2 and two cosegregating loci Xrems1188 and Xrems1135 that are located at a distance of 0.4 cM proximally and 0.1 cM distally with respect to the gene lous. Possible evolutionary relationships of the mapped genes with homeological loci of the Triticeae species and more distant cereal species, such as maize and rice, are discussed.     

Factor inhibiting gonocyte division in the testes of the rabbit fetus

A factor of protein nature selectively inhibiting the division of gonocytes was isolated from the extracts of testes of the 27 and 29 day old rabbit foetuses by the method of gel-chromatography with Sephadex G-100. Its molecular mass equals 30 000. This factor is also present in the testes of newborn, one month old and adult rabbits. It appears to be involved in the local mechanisms of regulation of spermatogenesis, unlike inhibin acting via the central mechanisms affecting the FSH and LH secretion by the pituitary.     

Carrion flies of forensic interest: a study of seasonal community composition and succession in Lisbon,Portugal

Information on Diptera community, seasonality and successional patterns in every geographical region is fundamental for the use of flies as forensic indicators of time of death. In order to obtain these data from the Lisbon area (Portugal), experiments were conducted during the four seasons of the year, using piglet carcasses as animal models. Five stages were recognized during the decomposition process. The stages, besides visually defined, could be separated taking into account the occurrence and abundance of the specific groups of Diptera collected. In general, the bloated stage recorded higher abundance and species‐richness values. Seventy‐one species were identified, belonging to 39 families, in a total of 20 144 adult Diptera collected. Autumn yielded the highest values of species richness, whereas winter had the lowest. In all seasons of the year, Calliphoridae was the dominant family; Muscidae and Fanniidae were very abundant as well. Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy, Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Lucilia ampullacea Villeneuve, Lucilia caesar (Linnaeus), Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Calliphoridae), Hydrotaea ignava (Harris), Muscina prolapsa (Harris), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp) (Muscidae), Piophila megastigmata McAlpine, Stearibia nigriceps (Meigen) (Piophilidae) and Nemopoda nitidula (Fallén) (Sepsidae) were revealed to be very important members of the Diptera community collected. The necrophagous behaviour, demonstrated by their immatures, using carrion as a food source makes them useful forensic indicator species. Also of relevance is the presence of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), S. nudiseta and P. megastigmata, foreign species established in the local carrion communities. This study also marks the first record of S. nudiseta in Portugal.