The influence of myo-inositol on the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 area in kainate treated rats

The ultrastructure of neurons, synapses and astrocytes of hippocampal CA1 area in rats was investigated 14 days after: systemic injection of kainic acid and kainic acid and myo-Inositol. After injection of kainic acid numerous neurons with superficial and deep ultrastructural changes of cytoplasmic organelles were described. Among synapses numerous forms with osmiophilic active zone and single synaptic vesicles, also presynaptic terminals with core vesicles were often seen. After kainic acid + myo-Inositol injection the cells with superficial changes of organelles dominated and the synapsoarchitectonics of the area was close to normal. Thus, electrono-microscopic data indicate possible neuroprotective (antiepileptic?) features of myo-Inositol.     

Phenolic substances of brown algae and their antioxidant activity

The composition and content of phenolic substances were studied in 14 species of marine brown algae of the Canary Islands littoral (Spain). The highest content of phenolic substances was found inCystoseira compressia andSargassum furcatum. A high antioxidant activity was found in florotannin isolated fromCystoseira sp.     

Chicoric and chlorogenic acids in various plants growing in Georgia

Chicoric acid was isolated from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Wigg.) leaves by column chromatography. Conditions for HPLC analysis of chicoric and chlorogenic acids were optimized. These acids were assayed in some plants growing in Georgia. The optimum conservation temperature for the preservation of chicoric and chlorogenic acids in leaves of dandelion and bilberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) was determined.     

Formation of spatial short-term memory in 18-54-month old children

The development of the spatial short-term memory (SSTM) in children aged 18-54-months was assessed by performance of the inverted delayed-response task (IDR). A child perceived the localization of a target object in one of the two containers (left or right) situated on a table in front of the child. The distance between the containers was 30 cm. Then the child was escorted to the opposite side of the table so that the target object that was earlier in the left container seemed to be in the right one. After the rotation, in 74% of cases children at the age of 18-24-months failed to localize the object correctly despite the presence of various reference objects in the room. Percent of correct responses increased with age. Children aged 24-54-months performed the IDR better in the presence of reference objects than in their absence. The preschool children at the age of 48-54-months correctly localized the object in 70% of cases even in the absence of the experimental reference objects. The results of this experiment demonstrate the stages of the SSTM development in children.     

Phenol compounds from brown algae and their antioxidant activity

The composition and content of phenolic substances were studied in 14 species of marine brown algae of the Canary Islands littoral (Spain). The highest content of phenolic substances was found in Cystoseira compressia and Sargassum furcatum. A high antioxidant activity was found in florotannin isolated from Cystoseira sp.     

Chicoric and Chlorogenic Acids in Plant Species from Georgia

Chicoric acid was isolated from dandelion (Taraxacum officinaleWigg.) leaves by column chromatography. Conditions for HPLC analysis of chicoric and chlorogenic acids were optimized. These acids were assayed in some plants growing in Georgia. The optimum conservation temperature for the preservation of chicoric and chlorogenic acids in the leaves of dandelion and bilberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylosL.) was determined.