Role of limbic-neocortical mechanisms in the formation of experimental alcoholism in the rat

The role of the amigdalar complex and the hippocampus as well as their interaction with the hypothalamus in a formation of attraction to alcohol was studied in 40 rats. After electrolytic lesions of the hippocampus and the amigdalar complex at early stages of alcoholization the inhibition of development of this pathologic attraction occurred however with subsequent dynamical reorganization of the structural and functional mechanisms of alcoholic motivation and with duplication of the triggering links. Important role of the limbico-neocortical relations was revealed in a development of behavioural and emotional-vegetative disturbances accompanying experimental alcoholism.     

The effect of some antiinflammatory drugs on collagen of rat fibrous cartilage

The use of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the cyanogen bromide derived peptides from fibrous cartilage collagens enabled to calculate type I to type II collagen ratio in this tissue. Some of the investigated drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, colchicine) changed this ratio without having a significant effect on total collagen content in fibrous cartilage.     

Protection of Human Pancreatic Islets from Lipotoxicity by Modulation of the Translocon

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. Elevated free fatty acids (FFAs) may impair beta cell function and mass (lipotoxicity). Altered calcium homeostasis may be involved in defective insulin release. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the major intracellular calcium store. Lipotoxicity induces ER stress and in parallel an ER calcium depletion through unknown ER calcium leak channels. The main purposes of this study is first to identify one of these channels and secondly, to check the opportunity to restore beta cells function (i.e., insulin secretion) after pharmacological inhibition of ER calcium store depletion. We investigated the functionality of translocon, an ER calcium leak channel and its involvement on FFAs-induced alterations in MIN6B1 cells and in human pancreatic islets. We evidenced that translocon acts as a functional ER calcium leak channel in human beta cells using anisomycin and puromycin (antibiotics), respectively blocker and opener of this channel. Puromycin induced a significant ER calcium release, inhibited by anisomycin pretreatment. Palmitate treatment was used as FFA model to induce a mild lipotoxic effect: ER calcium content was reduced, ER stress but not apoptosis were induced and glucose induced insulin secretion was decreased in our beta cells. Interestingly, translocon inhibition by chronic anisomycin treatment prevented dysfunctions induced by palmitate, avoiding reticular calcium depletion, ER stress and restoring insulin secretion. Our results provide for the first time compelling evidence that translocon actively participates to the palmitate-induced ER calcium leak and insulin secretion decrease in beta cells. Its inhibition reduces these lipotoxic effects. Taken together, our data indicate that TLC may be a new potential target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.     

Augmented chemoreceptor reflex tonic drive in early human hypertension and in normotensive subjects with family background of hypertension

The study was carried out in 30 subjects with mild primary hypertension and in 82 normotensive age-matched volunteers, 18-20 years of age. Hyperoxia test was used to withdraw the tonic chemoreceptor reflex drive. The following circulatory and respiratory effects of short lasting hyperoxia were observed in the hypertensive group and in most of the normotensive subjects yet with a family background of hypertension: a decrease in the mean arterial pressure, in total peripheral vascular resistance, and in forearm vascular resistance, and a significantly greater reduction of the resting ventilation as compared to the normotensive group. Our results suggest that the augmented arterial chemoreceptor drive is one of the mechanisms responsible for the elevated arterial blood pressure and total peripheral resistance in early human hypertension. The positive response to hyperoxia test in healthy subjects with a family background of hypertension suggests a familial occurrence of the hyperactivity of the arterial chemoreceptors.     

Comparison of mayfly (Ephemeroptera) taxocenes of permanent and intermittent Central European small streams via species traits

The recurrent drying out of small streams in past decades has shown an urgent need to pay attention to the impact of global climate change. The objectives of this study were to describe the effect of drying out on the composition of the mayfly taxocene and evaluate the relevance of individual species traits for survival of mayflies to drying out. The mayfly taxocenes of two model localities, one at an intermittent and one at a permanent brook, were investigated in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Compared with the permanent stream, the taxocene of the intermittent stream was short of nine species, foremost rheobionts and high oxygen demand species. To explain further differences between both stream types in survival and recolonisation ability, 15 species traits were evaluated. These included so-called “ecological traits” (e.g., habitat and substrate range, density, distribution, current velocity adaptation) and “biological traits” connected with life cycle and larval/adult adaptations. Species showing the highest number of advantageous traits (with only exception of Electrogena sp. cf. ujhelyii — species of taxonomically unclear status) were able to successfully survive under the unfavourable conditions of the intermittent brook. Biological traits considered more important in many respects seem to be good predictors for assessing sensitivity to extreme temperature changes, hydrological regime fluctuations and the survival/recolonisation ability of species in exposed habitats.     

The Welfare of Bears in Zoos: A Case Study of Poland

The welfare of captive bears became a big issue of concern in Poland when a case of a bear being ill-treated became a high-profile case in the media. This case created a challenge to verify, study, and understand the main problems associated with bear keeping so that zoos could significantly improve the conditions in which they keep bears or ensure they keep bears at the minimum required standards. The results presented here are from 1 of the few countrywide studies of captive bear conditions conducted in all the captive institutions in Poland that keep bears. Thirteen institutions kept bears at the time of the study (2007–2009), including 54 individuals of 5 species. Major welfare problems were identified, and the results have been used to challenge zoos to address the changes required and focus the government's attention on areas that require legislative improvement.     

Floral meristems as a source of enhanced yield and quality of DNA in grasses

Floral meristems of Lolium and Festuca grasses give a 5- to 19-fold enhancement in yield of extracted DNA in comparison with leaves. Meristems also provide highly pure DNA samples. The method could be useful for applications in molecular genetics in many species of the Gramineae. Received: 14 April 1998 / Revision received: 8 June 1998 / Accepted: 10 July 1998     

Design,synthesis and cardiovascular evaluation of some aminoisopropanoloxy derivatives of xanthone

A series of aminoisopropanoloxy derivatives of xanthone has been synthesized and their pharmacological properties regarding the cardiovascular system has been evaluated. Radioligand binding and functional studies in isolated organs revealed that title compounds present high affinity and antagonistic potency for α₁-(compound 2 and 8), β-(compounds 1, 3, 4, 7), α₁/β-(compounds 5 and 6) adrenoceptors. Furthermore, compound 7, the structural analogue of verapamil, possesses calcium entry blocking activity. The title compounds showed hypotensive and antiarrhythmic properties due to their adrenoceptor blocking effect. Moreover, they did not affect QRS and QT intervals, and they did not have proarrhythmic potential at tested doses. In addition they exerted anti-aggregation effect. The results of this study suggest that new compounds with multidirectional activity in cardiovascular system might be found in the group of xanthone derivatives.     

Physiological Responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Matricaria chamomilla</Emphasis> to Potassium Nitrate Supply and Foliar Application of Ethephon

The study is focused on changes in metabolism of Matricaria chamomilla, caused by potassium nitrate (KNO₃) supplement and foliar application of an ethylene releaser—ethephon (ET). ET-treated plants were irrigated with 0, 9, 18 or 27 mmol of KNO₃ during 1 week and simultaneously treated with ET. The same procedure was followed with ET non-treated plants, where an equal amount of distilled water was sprayed on leaves. Nitrogen addition into soil substrate caused considerable increment in dry matter content, nitrate accumulation and amino acids synthesis. After ET application, a positive correlation between KNO₃ supply and stress-related parameters, such as superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde was found. Experimental conditions led to a sharp decrease in herniarin level, which was accompanied with increasing content of its glycosidic precursors in ET-treated plants. The observations indicated that higher doses of nitrate suppressed the stimulation effect of ET on the production of salicylic acid and umbelliferone, metabolites, which are involved in stress responses in plants. In the case of umbelliferone, ET strongly induced its accumulation in comparison with ET non-treated variants.