The antidepressant-like effect of Ocimum basilicum in an animal model of depression

We investigated the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum (OB) essential oils for treating depression related behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes caused by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice and to explore the mechanism underlying the pathology. Male albino mice were divided into four groups: controls; CUMS; CUMS plus fluoxetine, the antidepressant administered for pharmacological validation of OB; and CUMS plus OB. Behavioral tests included the forced swim test (FST), elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the open ?eld test (OFT); these tests were performed at the end of the experiment. We assessed serum corticosterone level, protein, gene and immunoexpression of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) as well as immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ki67, caspase-3 in the hippocampus. CUMS caused depression in the mice as evidenced by prolonged immobility in the FST, prolonged time spent in the open arms during the EPM test and reduction of open field activity in the OFT. OB ameliorated the CUMS induced depressive status. OB significantly reduced the corticosterone level and up-regulated protein and gene expressions of BDNF and GR. OB reduced CUMS induced hippocampal neuron atrophy and apoptosis, and increased the number of the astrocytes and new nerve cells. OB significantly increased GFAP-positive cells as well as BDNF and GR immunoexpression in the hippocampus.     

Characteristics of the EEG power and coherent structure of term and premature children during the first postnatal year

Objective of the study involved characteristics of the spectre of the EEG power and coherent structure in children of different degree of maturity in the first month of their postnatal development. 32 children were divided into three groups: 1) 38-41 weeks (11 children); 2) 34-36 weeks (12 children); 3) 30-33 weeks (9 children). At the moment of the study the children's chronological age was as follows: in the 1st and 2nd groups--19 +/- 1, in the 3rd group--30 +/- 4 days. In the 1st group (mature children), a considerable power of delta- and theta-range frequencies was registered as compared with the 2nd and 3rd groups. In the 1st group children, a central gradient of power of the delta and theta frequencies was noted as well as a central-occipital one for alpha-frequencies. In the 2nd group (34-36 weeks), a lesser power of the delta-, theta- and alpha-frequencies was noted as well as a smoothed central gradient of these frequencies as compared with the 1st group. In the 3rd group, the power of delta-frequencies in frontal leads and power of alpha-frequencies in most EEG leads did not differ from those in the 1st group, and an obvious frontal gradient of delta-frequency power was noted as well as the frontal-central one for the theta- and alpha-frequencies. In all the groups, three foci of coherent interaction among the brain areas were registered: anterior, central and posterior. The coherence of biopotentials was registered on the frequencies of delta-, theta- and alpha-ranges. The maximum level of coherence was registered in the delta-range. In immature children, as compared with mature ones, a higher level of coherence was registered in the theta- and alpha-frequencies.     

Productivity of forests in the Eurosiberian boreal region and their potential to act as a carbon sink –- a synthesis

Based on review and original data, this synthesis investigates carbon pools and fluxes of Siberian and European forests (600 and 300 million ha, respectively). We examine the productivity of ecosystems, expressed as positive rate when the amount of carbon in the ecosystem increases, while (following micrometeorological convention) downward fluxes from the atmosphere to the vegetation (NEE = Net Ecosystem Exchange) are expressed as negative numbers. Productivity parameters are Net Primary Productivity (NPP=whole plant growth), Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP = CO₂ assimilation minus ecosystem respiration), and Net Biome Productivity (NBP = NEP minus carbon losses through disturbances bypassing respiration, e.g. by fire and logging). Based on chronosequence studies and national forestry statistics we estimate a low average NPP for boreal forests in Siberia: 123 gC m^–2 y^–1. This contrasts with a similar calculation for Europe which suggests a much higher average NPP of 460 gC m^–2 y^–1 for the forests there. Despite a smaller area, European forests have a higher total NPP than Siberia (1.2–1.6 vs. 0.6–0.9 × 10¹⁵ gC region^–1 y^–1). This arises as a consequence of differences in growing season length, climate and nutrition. For a chronosequence of Pinus sylvestris stands studied in central Siberia during summer, NEE was most negative in a 67-y old stand regenerating after fire (– 192 mmol m^–2 d^–1) which is close to NEE in a cultivated forest of Germany (– 210 mmol m^–2 d^–1). Considerable net ecosystem CO₂-uptake was also measured in Siberia in 200- and 215-y old stands (NEE:174 and – 63 mmol m^–2 d^–1) while NEP of 7- and 13-y old logging areas were close to the ecosystem compensation point. Two Siberian bogs and a bog in European Russia were also significant carbon sinks (– 102 to – 104 mmol m^–2 d^–1). Integrated over a growing season (June to September) we measured a total growing season NEE of – 14 mol m^–2 summer^–1 (– 168 gC m^–2 summer^–1) in a 200-y Siberian pine stand and – 5 mol m^–2 summer^–1 (– 60 gC m^–2 summer^–1) in Siberian and European Russian bogs. By contrast, over the same period, a spruce forest in European Russia was a carbon source to the atmosphere of (NEE: + 7 mol m^–2 summer^–1 = + 84 gC m^–2 summer^–1). Two years after a windthrow in European Russia, with all trees being uplifted and few successional species, lost 16 mol C m^–2 to the atmosphere over a 3-month in summer, compared to the cumulative NEE over a growing season in a German forest of – 15.5 mol m^–2 summer^–1 (– 186 gC m^–2 summer^–1; European flux network annual averaged – 205 gC m^–2 y^–1). Differences in CO₂-exchange rates coincided with differences in the Bowen ratio, with logging areas partitioning most incoming radiation into sensible heat whereas bogs partitioned most into evaporation (latent heat). Effects of these different surface energy exchanges on local climate (convective storms and fires) and comparisons with the Canadian BOREAS experiment are discussed. Following a classification of disturbances and their effects on ecosystem carbon balances, fire and logging are discussed as the main processes causing carbon losses that bypass heterotrophic respiration in Siberia. Following two approaches, NBP was estimated to be only about 13–16 mmol m^–2 y^–1 for Siberia. It may reach 67 mmol m^–2 y^–1 in North America, and about 140–400 mmol m^–2 y^–1 in Scandinavia. We conclude that fire speeds up the carbon cycle, but that it results also in long-term carbon sequestration by charcoal formation. For at least 14 years after logging, regrowth forests remain net sources of CO₂ to the atmosphere. This has important implications regarding the effects of Siberian forest management on atmospheric concentrations. For many years after logging has taken place, regrowth forests remain weaker sinks for atmospheric CO₂ than are nearby old-growth forests.     

Using wintergreen oil for mounting mosquito larvae: a safer alternative to xylene

Permanent mounting of fourth instar mosquito larvae is essential for identifying Aedes spp. This procedure requires extensive exposure to xylene, a clearing agent in the mounting process. We investigated wintergreen oil as a substitute for xylene. Five hundred larvae were mounted on slides to evaluate shrinkage or expansion of specimens after clearing using xylene or wintergreen oil. We examined the ventral brush and siphonal hair tufts for species identification and for preservation of morphological characteristics after clearing specimens in xylene or wintergreen oil. Shrinkage of the length of whole larvae and width of the head, thorax and abdomen after mounting was significantly greater after clearing with xylene than with wintergreen oil. The length of the comb scale nearest the ventral brush was similar for both clearing agents. The clarity of the specimens after mounting was improved by clearing with wintergreen oil, but the integrity of the ventral brush and siphonal hair tufts were similar for both clearing agents.     

Changes in spectral coherent characteristics of EEG in the early postpartum period in mothers with anxious and depressed mood

Postpartum EEG spectral and coherence characteristics were estimated in mothers with or without postpartum depressions. In mothers without affective disorders the power of oscillations in the delta, theta, and alpha 1 frequency bands was increased as compared to controls. Intrahemispheric EEG coherence between the left frontal and adjacent derivations in the delta and theta bands and interhemispheric coherence in the central areas was increased and decreased over the remaining cortical surface. These changes led to a significant decrease in EEG asymmetry. It is suggested that during normal postpartum the influence of the limbicodiencephalic and lower brainstem structures on the cortex is augmented and a certain kind of dominanta is formed. In mothers with postpartum depressions the EEG alpha-band power was lower than in the control and normal groups, coherence changes in the delta and theta bands diminished the EEG asymmetry. The insufficiency of limbicodiencephalic influence and impairment of adaptive brainstem reactions are suggested to be responsible for problems in the formation of maternal dominanta, which results in the development of postpartum depressions.     

Consequences of selection in highly inbred <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> strains

The results of three long-term breeding and genetic experiments with Drosophila melanogaster performed at different times are summarized. Selections for different fitness components led to similar results. The data on the concentration of viability mutations in the inbred strains LA, LA⁺, and LA^? after 400 generations of selection and the strain ULA during its breeding are presented for the first time. The results of studying the genetic heterogeneity and spontaneous mutational process in Drosophila inbred strains comply with the idea of M.E. Lobashev that “a change in the direction of selection or acceleration of its rate is always accompanied by a concurrent increase in mutational variation.”     

Comparative analysis of the infant EEG at gestation term 30-42 weeks

The research involved comparison of characteristics of the power spectrum, index, coherence of the EEG at preterm and full-term infants of the first month of life. 6 groups of children are surveyed: (1) 30-32, (2) 33-34, (3) 35-36, (4) 37-38, (5) 39-40, (6) 41-42 weeks of gestation; each group consisted of 10 children. Capacity of delta frequencies was high in the 5th group. Capacity of theta frequencies was high in the 3rd group. The index of theta frequencies was high in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups. Capacity of alpha frequencies was hagh in the 2nd group. The index of alpha frequencies was high in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups. Indexes and of beta1- and beta2-frequencies were higher in the 1st, 2nd and 4th groups. The maximum quantity of coherent delta, theta and alpha frequencies was in the 6th group. In the 2nd group, in comparison with 5th group, were more coherent delta frequencies in the occipital and occipital-central areas. The results obtained show that the spectrum of capacity, indexes and coherence of the EEG depend on term of gestation at the moment of birth but this dependence has nonlinear character.     

Consequences of selection in highly inbred Drosophila strains

The results of three long-term breeding and genetic experiments with Drosophila melanogaster performed at different times are summarized. Selections for different fitness components led to similar results. The data on the concentration of viability mutations in the inbred strains LA, LA+, and LA- after 400 generations of selection and the strain ULA during its breeding are presented for the first time. The results of studying the genetic heterogeneity and spontaneous mutational process in Drosophila inbred strains comply with the idea of M.E. Lobashev that "a change in the direction of selection or acceleration of its rate is always accompanied by a concurrent increase in mutational variation".