Afferent and efferent connections of cortical transplants implanted into the damaged sensorimotor area of the cerebral cortex of mature rats

Afferent and efferent connections of the transplant, implanted in the previously damaged sensorimotor area of the mature rat cerebral cortex have been studied by means of axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. For 5 months after transplantation neural axons of the transplant are capable to reach the caudo-putamen and thalamic structures, while connections with the spinal cord are absent. The afferent connections of the transplant are minimal and belong only to the neighbouring areas of the cortex and the caudo-putamen of the recipient brain. Presence of efferent projections to the striate and thalamic structures demonstrates specificity of the projections formed; this can be a morphological base for restoration of the functions lost after the damage of the sensorimotor area of the cortex in mature animals.     

Ice premelting during differential scanning calorimetry

Premelting at the surface of ice crystals is caused by factors such as temperature, radius of curvature, and solute composition. When polycrystalline ice samples are warmed from well below the equilibrium melting point, surface melting may begin at temperatures as low as -15 degrees C. However, it has been reported (. Biophys. J. 65:1853-1865) that when polycrystalline ice was warmed in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) pan, melting began at about -50 degrees C, this extreme behavior being attributed to short-range forces. We show that there is no driving force for such premelting, and that for pure water samples in DSC pans curvature effects will cause premelting typically at just a few degrees below the equilibrium melting point. We also show that the rate of warming affects the slope of the DSC baseline and that this might be incorrectly interpreted as an endotherm. The work has consequences for DSC operators who use water as a standard in systems where subfreezing runs are important.     

Novel endoribonuclease activity of 26S-proteasomes from A-431 cells

Our analysis detected in 26S proteasomes of human A-431 cells a strong endoribonuclease activity, degrading cytoplasmic high-molecular-mass RNA, particularly, specific mRNAs. Enzymatic nature of this activity has been confirmed, and the optimal conditions studied. This endonuclease activity of proteasomes has not been earlier observed. Proteasome involvement in the stability control of specific messenger RNA molecules is suggested, and proteasome participation in the coordinated control of various stages of gene expression is discussed.     

Immunocorrection of the physiologic status of white rats by sidnofen conjugates with bovine serum albumin

The effect of immunisation by covalent conjugates of known psychostimulant and antidepressant sydnophen with bovine serum albumin (BSA) on behaviour, formation of conditioned reflex reactions and alcoholization of white rats has been studied. The immunization of sydnophen with BSA by conjugates permits to obtain a long-term alteration of the emotional status: suppression of behavioral activity, learning and alcohol attraction of rats similar in some elements to the action of neuroleptic drugs. The direction of these alterations is opposite to ones caused by the action of sydnophen. It gives possibility to consider fruitful the conception on the ways of long-term immunocorrection of the physiological status of organism.     

Dynamics of balanced polymorphism morphs in blue rock pigeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Columbia livia</Emphasis>

Analysis of the 30-year dynamics (from 1978 to 2008) of phenotype frequencies in the Moscow blue rock pigeon population revealed changes in the frequency distribution of several plumage color phenotypes. The frequency of the melanistic phenotype decreased as a result of the decrease in the total population size and, consequently, population density in colonies. This decrease in the pressure of the melanistic phenotype led to increased proportions of wild-type and aberrantly colored birds throughout the town and an increased frequency of transitory phenotypes in the central region. A predominance of one phenotype suppressed genetic diversity of plumage color phenotypes. The changes in the phenotype distribution in populations were associated with changes in the social structure of the human population. As the feeding resources grew poorer because of social anthropogenic factors, the pigeon population size decreased. This decrease in population size changed the phenotype frequencies, which was considered to be an adaptive response of the population to environmental changes.     

The cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus cells: implications for degeneration and regeneration of the intervertebral disc

Introduction

The aims of these studies were to identify the cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and to determine the relationships between NP cell cytokine and chemokine production and the characteristic tissue changes seen during intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration.

Methods

Real-time q-PCR cDNA Low Density Array (LDA) was used to investigate the expression of 91 cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from degenerate human IVDs. Further real-time q-PCR was used to investigate 30 selected cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from non-degenerate and degenerate IVDs and those from IVDs with immune cell infiltrates (‘infiltrated’). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for four selected cytokines and chemokines to confirm and localize protein expression in human NP tissue samples.

Results

LDA identified the expression of numerous cytokine and chemokine associated genes including 15 novel cytokines and chemokines. Further q-PCR gene expression studies identified differential expression patterns in NP cells derived from non-degenerate, degenerate and infiltrated IVDs. IHC confirmed NP cells as a source of IL-16, CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 and that protein expression of CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 increases concordant with histological degenerative tissue changes.

Conclusions

Our data indicates that NP cells are a source of cytokines and chemokines within the IVD and that these expression patterns are altered in IVD pathology. These findings may be important for the correct assessment of the ‘degenerate niche’ prior to autologous or allogeneic cell transplantation for biological therapy of the degenerate IVD.     

Above‐ and belowground linkages in Sphagnum peatland: climate warming affects plant‐microbial interactions

Peatlands contain approximately one third of all soil organic carbon (SOC). Warming can alter above‐ and belowground linkages that regulate soil organic carbon dynamics and C‐balance in peatlands. Here we examine the multiyear impact of in situ experimental warming on the microbial food web, vegetation, and their feedbacks with soil chemistry. We provide evidence of both positive and negative impacts of warming on specific microbial functional groups, leading to destabilization of the microbial food web. We observed a strong reduction (70%) in the biomass of top‐predators (testate amoebae) in warmed plots. Such a loss caused a shortening of microbial food chains, which in turn stimulated microbial activity, leading to slight increases in levels of nutrients and labile C in water. We further show that warming altered the regulatory role of Sphagnum‐polyphenols on microbial community structure with a potential inhibition of top predators. In addition, warming caused a decrease in Sphagnum cover and an increase in vascular plant cover. Using structural equation modelling, we show that changes in the microbial food web affected the relationships between plants, soil water chemistry, and microbial communities. These results suggest that warming will destabilize C and nutrient recycling of peatlands via changes in above‐ and belowground linkages, and therefore, the microbial food web associated with mosses will feedback positively to global warming by destabilizing the carbon cycle. This study confirms that microbial food webs thus constitute a key element in the functioning of peatland ecosystems. Their study can help understand how mosses, as ecosystem engineers, tightly regulate biogeochemical cycling and climate feedback in peatlands