The mitogenic effect of insulin isolated from the mammalian brain on Swiss 3T3 cells]

Mitogenic properties of the insulin derived from pig brain were compared with the action of pancreatic (standard) pig insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) using the culture of Swiss 3T3 cells. The brain insulin, likely as the pancreatic insulin, induced uptake of 14C-thymidine by resting cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentration of 0.5-2.0 micrograms/ml in culture medium. However, at equal concentrations of these hormones the proliferating effect of the brain insulin appeared to be 2-fold higher than the effect of the pancreatic hormone. At the same time the mitogenic action of both hormones was lower than that of EGF (10 ng/ml). The additive effect of the brain insulin and EGF, administered in combination, was more pronounced than the effect of the pancreatic insulin combined with EGF. The data obtained suggest a possible participation of brain insulin in the process of nerve cell proliferation.     

Estimation of spatio-morphofunctional characteristics of presynaptic terminals in the lateral zone at the base of the dorsal horn

This article further develops a statistical/stereological model for estimating 3-dimensional population characteristics of cell elements based on analysis of random (2-dimensional) cross section of planes. This model was used to conduct morphometric electron microscope research on presynaptic terminals (PT) at lateral sites at the base of the dorsal horn of the cat spinal cord. Estimated distributions of PT volumes were thus found, as well as areas of PT axolemma with "corrugation" size of synaptic zones (AZ), and estimates of mean numbers of AZ on a 3-dimensional PT and statistical parameters of AZ location in relation to the point at which the axon passes into the synaptic bouton.Dnepropetrovsk State University. A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 6, pp. 803–811, November–December, 1990.     

Circulation of excitation waves in a model medium containing unexcitable obstacles

The 3D structure of the heart tissue of Wistar rats from different age groups has been reconstructed by light microscopy of consecutive series of semithin sections. At the histological resolution level, connective tissue segments in the myocardium of aged (18 months) animals were found, while in the myocardium of young (2 months) animals no connective tissue segments were observed. A mathematical model and the results of the 3D reconstruction were used to simulate the formation of excitation wave circulation in the myocardium. The values of conductivity and the excitability threshold, and the pulse frequency rates were found at which the disturbances of the heart rhythm resulting from the excitation wave circulation are predicted by the mathematical modeling.     

Role of the synaptic microenvironment in functional modification of synaptic transmission

Experiments on hippocampal slices showed that perfusion with a dextran solution more effectively facilitates AMPA-mediated transmission in structurally complex synapses of mossy fibers of Shaffer collaterals. Estimates for changes in the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in the close vicinity of a reconstructed synapse during the action potential development are obtained. The results together with data about the rather small (0.5 μm) characteristics distance between neighboring synapses showed that the probability of mutual intersynaptic influence via the microenvironment is high. A probable functional role of such influences is discussed.     

Effect of chronic administration of antidepressants on the binding of 3H-imipramine with mouse brain synaptic membranes

Subchronic (14 days) administration of chlorimipramine and zimelidine, and a new morpholine derivative produces different effects on 3H-imipramine binding with synaptic membranes of the mouse brain. Chlorimipramine increases the concentration of the binding sites (Bmax), zimelidine raises both the Bmax and the dissociation constant, while the new morpholine derivative does not significantly change these characteristics. It has been demonstrated that the changes in the Bmax that occur during prolonged administration of chlorimipramine depend on the method for the obtaining of membrane brain preparations.     

Mathematical modeling of the spatial distribution of the pollen produced by genetically modified crops

We present and analyze the results of mathematical simulation of pollen spreading from a field sown with genetically modified plants. Factors responsible for genetic isolation of such fields are discussed.     

Differences in the characteristics of opiate and catecholaminergic receptors of the striatum and cerebral cortex of rats of Fisher-344 and WAG/GSto strains may cause differences in reinforced action of morphine]

It has been shown that Fischer-344 rats more than WAG/GSto inbred rats preferred to consume the solution of morphine. In intravenous self-administration testing, Fischer-344 rats had a higher rate of reinforced responses that resulted in morphine infusion. Bmax values for mu- and alpha 2-adrenoreceptors were significantly higher in the cortex of WAG/GSto rats. The sensitivity of the serotonin and dopamine receptors in the cortex and striatum of WAG/GSto rats was lower than that in Fischer-344 rats. These findings suggest that the difference between morphine consumptions in two inbred rat strains may be due to individual genetic patterns determining opioid and catecholamine receptors binding in the brain.