Effect of lithium chloride on ethanol uptake by rats

A selective uptake of ethanol by presenting its 5% solution as the only source of fluid was elaborated in rats for 2 months. It was found that lithium chloride injected intravenously in a dose of 35 mg/kg twice per 24 hours for 14 days depressed the ethanol preference causing a motivation inversion whose mechanism was associated with the changes in the activity of the hypothalamic centres of the neuroendocrine regulation. A possibility of lithium salts in the therapy of chronic alcoholism is discussed.     

The dynamics of forming an active defensive reflex in cats]

Active defensive reflexes were elaborated in cats with pain stimulations of the forepaw by means of an electrical pricking device with a target attached to it. The elaboration was carried out during action of a flickering light used for the convenience of the EEG analysis. Repeated pain stimulation led to elaboration of an aggressive attacking reaction, chiefly manifested in the paw striking the target. At the beginning of the elaboration, passive-defensive reactions were manifest, which did not completely disappear even after formation of a stable attacking reflex. Two types of active defensive reflexes were elaborated: A-type reflex which helped the animal to get rid of the pain stimulation at the very beginning; B-type reflex which prevented the pain stimulation. The difference beteween these two types is discussed.     

Revised Systematics of Holospora-Like Bacteria and Characterization of “Candidatus Gortzia infectiva”, a Novel Macronuclear Symbiont of Paramecium jenningsi

The genus Holospora (Rickettsiales) includes highly infectious nuclear symbionts of the ciliate Paramecium with unique morphology and life cycle. To date, nine species have been described, but a molecular characterization is lacking for most of them. In this study, we have characterized a novel Holospora-like bacterium (HLB) living in the macronuclei of a Paramecium jenningsi population. This bacterium was morphologically and ultrastructurally investigated in detail, and its life cycle and infection capabilities were described. We also obtained its 16S rRNA gene sequence and developed a specific probe for fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments. A new taxon, “Candidatus Gortzia infectiva”, was established for this HLB according to its unique characteristics and the relatively low DNA sequence similarities shared with other bacteria. The phylogeny of the order Rickettsiales based on 16S rRNA gene sequences has been inferred, adding to the available data the sequence of the novel bacterium and those of two Holospora species (Holospora obtusa and Holospora undulata) characterized for the purpose. Our phylogenetic analysis provided molecular support for the monophyly of HLBs and showed a possible pattern of evolution for some of their features. We suggested to classify inside the family Holosporaceae only HLBs, excluding other more distantly related and phenotypically different Paramecium endosymbionts.     

Systemic organization of functional interhemisphere asymmetry. Mirror asymmetry

The systemic organization of hemispherical asymmetry at the behavioral, neurophysiological, and biochemical levels was studied. An interconnection and hierarchic coordination of the parameters of different levels were revealed, which are confirmed by multiple correlations between them. An interrelation between the processes of peroxidation of brain membrane lipids, the level of direct current potential, and the behavior of animals was shown. A significant difference in correlations between right-hander and left-hander animals was found.     

Further studies on the Paramecium aurelia species complex in Greece

The strains collected in Athens and the city of Egina, the Island of Egina were identified as P. primaurelia. This is the first information about finding of P. primaurelia in Greece.     

Computational and QSAR study of the alkylnaphthyl ketones adsorption on silver-ion stationary phase

The chromatographic behaviour of α- and β- alkylnaphthyl ketones at different temperatures on the silver-loaded stationary phase is described based on the QSRR model. Complexation via an oxygen atom is favoured over the interaction through the aromatic fragment. The QSRR model and DFT/MP2 studies suggest that retention times of alkylnaphthyl ketones on silver-containing stationary phases are determined primarily by the dipole moment, length of the alkyl substituent and concentration of modifier in the mobile phase.     

Localization of human brain areas activated for chaotic and ordered pattern perception

The aim of our work was to localize cortical areas involved in the processing of incomplete figures using functional MRI (fMRI) for 8 healthy volunteers (18-30 year old) with the did of anatomical and fMRI fast imaging technique: echo planar imaging (EPI), whole brain scan (36 slices) matrix 64 x 64, 3.7 second. We used 1.5 T MR-scanner and BOLD-method (Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent), based on distinctions of magnetic properties of hemoglobin. Fast imaging technique on modern MR-scanners with > or = 1.5 T provides precise statistical maps of oxygenation increase with high spatial resolution. For test stimuli we used matrix of Gabor grating. We used two types of 10 x 10 matrices with chaotic and ordered orientation of Gabor gratings. The size, brightness and contrast of the stimuli were identical. The chaotic and ordered patterns activated different brain areas. We establish that ordered patterns activated only primary visual cortex - V1 and V2, (BA17-18), wheareas chaotic patterns activated in addition primary visual cortex, the V3,V4,V5 (BA19) of the occipital cortex and the area 7 of parietal area (BA7) classification. Decision making for that task is localized in prefrontal and frontal cortex, including (BA 6, 9, 10).     

Nocodazole inhibits macronuclear infection with Holospora obtusa in Paramecium caudatum

Summary. Holospora obtusa is a Gram-negative bacterium inhabiting the macronucleus of the ciliate Paramecium caudatum. Experimental infection with H. obtusa was carried out under nocodazole treatment. Nocodazole has been shown to cause disassembly of the cytoplasmic microtubules radiating from the cytopharynx and postoral fibers in P. caudatum. Treatment with this drug did not prevent the ingestion of both prey bacteria and H. obtusa, but it reduced the phagosome number and affected cyclosis. In situ hybridization revealed infectious forms of this endobiont very close to the macronucleus, but never inside it. These results indicate that disassembly of microtubules does not impair transportation of the infectious forms of H. obtusa in the cytoplasm, but that it completely blocks the invasion of the nucleus by the bacteria. Correspondence and reprints: Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Biology and Soil Sciences, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya naberezhnaya 7/9, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia.