Effect of low-dose radiation on the main organs of erythro-and lymphocytopoiesis in the human fetus

The liver, thymus, and blood of 31 human fetuses of 6–32 weeks of gestation obtained from parents who are permanent residents in radionuclide-contaminated regions are studied by histological methods. The pathological effect of environmental factors on fetal liver and thymus development are shown. Both the liver hemopoiesis and thymic lymphocytopoiesis are inhibited. In the thymus and increased secretion in the stromal epithelium is associated with the formation of specific microtubules. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, No. 5, pp. 548–551, May, 1995 Presented by N. K. Permyakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Development of interneuronal synapses between anterior horn neuroblasts of the human spinal cord in early prenatal development (seventh to ninth weeks of gestation)

Synaptogenesis in presumptive anterior horn cells of the spinal cord (C4-T3) was studied by electron microscopy in early human prenatal development. The morphological stages of synaptogenesis were traced and the minimum structural organization of the synapse corresponding to the onset of its functional activity was identified. The possible mechanisms of synaptogenesis are postulated.Laboratory of Development of the Peripheral Nervous System, Institute of Human Morphology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 233–235, February, 1977.     

Count and heterogeneity of human fetal blood lymphocytes in the course of fetal development

Blood specimens from 89 human embryos and fetuses were analyzed by immunological methods during gestation weeks 4–40. All formed elements circulate in fetal blood starting from week 13 of gestation. Lymphocytes predominate among blood leukocytes, because normally lymphocytosis is an inherent, feature of blood. T cells and their subpopulations: active T lymphocytes, Tγ lymphocytes, and theophylline-sensitive and risistant, cells are present. B lymphocytes are represented by cells with immunoglobulins M and G, zero cells, and large granular lymphocytes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126., No. 9, pp. 331–333, September, 1998     

Development of endocrine and lymphocytopoietic functions of the thymus in human embryogenesis

The endocrine function of the thymus develops earlier than lymphocytopoietic. Thymalin is produced by epithelial cells in the thymus primordium. It is released into the blood and regulates differentiation of T lymphocytes in the liver, the initial hemopoietic organ. The hormonal and lymphopoietic functions of human thymus are united on weeks 7.5–8 of embryonic life. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 10, pp. 453–456, October, 2000     

Comparative analysis of cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) genes among Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. fetus strains

The cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) gene clusters of Campylobacter coli strain Co1-243 and C. fetus strain Col-187 were cloned and sequenced to understand the importance of Cdt as a virulence factor. The cdt genes of C. coli and C. fetus consist of three closely linked genes termed cdtA, cdtB, cdtC whose sizes are 774, 801, and 570 bp, and 702, 798, and 546 bp, respectively. The homologies of each subunit of cdt genes between C. jejuni and C. coli, C. jejuni and C. fetus, or C. coli and C. fetus are 59.6%, 40.3%, or 46.5% for cdtA, 70.2%, 62.4%, or 61.3% for cdtB, 61.3%, 52.3%, or 50.1% for cdtC, respectively. Colony hybridization assay revealed that the genes homologous to the cdtABC gene were distributed in all 27, 19, 20 strains of C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. fetus, respectively, isolated from patients and animals in species-specific manner. Furthermore, nucleotide sequence of the cdt operon, including flanking region, of 10 strains of each species indicated that though the size of the cdtB gene was conserved in each species, those of cdtA and cdtC genes varied particularly among C. coli strains. Amino acid residues demonstrated to be important for toxin activity in CdtB, corresponding to H152, D185, D222, D258, H259 in Cj-CdtB, were also conserved in Cc-CdtB and Cf-CdtB. The cdt gene cluster was located in different sites among different species but in the same site of genomes of the same species. Cdt activity produced by C. jejuni and C. fetus varied among strains, however, any C. coli strains exhibited Cdt activity on HeLa cells. These data indicate that the cdt gene may have a potential for virulence factor at least in C. jejuni and C. fetus.     

Activity of growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 in cultured human pituitary adenoma cells and its interaction with growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin

Experiments on primary cultures of human pituitary adenoma cells producing growth hormone (GH) or GH and prolactin showed that similarly to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) synthetic hexapeptide GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP) directly enhance secretion of GH but not of prolactin by human pituitary cells. The effect of various doses of GHRP and GHRH applied in combination was additive or slightly synergistic in nature. Somatostatin inhibits secretion of GH induced by GHRP, GHRH, or their combination. A dissociation is found between the inhibitory effects of somatostatin on basal and stimulated GH secretion. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 2, pp. 207–212, February, 1998     

Morphology of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of allografted cadaveric human kidneys in the late periods after transplantation

The histological structure of 13 allografted cadaveric kidneys was studied after remaining in the body of the recipients for between 121 days and 3 years 10 months. The structure of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) in grafted kidneys with a well preserved structure was essentially indistinguishable from that of JGA of the control kidneys. This conclusion is supported by the results of karyometric investigation and of counting the juxtaglomerular index. During the development of considerable destructive and degenerative changes in the allografted kidney, partial or complete involution of JGA may take place.Laboratory of Pathomorphology, Institute of Transplantation of Organs and Tissues, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 615–618, May, 1978.     

Correlation of prolactin concentration with levels of other hormones and with ultrastructural morphometric parameters of the testes in the human fetus

Consideration is given to the correlations between variations of the prolactin concentration and other hormonal parameters in the human embryonic period. The interrelation between the prolactin concentration and ultrastructural parameters of the testes is also traced. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 6, pp. 654–656, June, 1995 Presented by O. V. Volkova, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Opioid peptides improve human fetal nervous tissue survival after cryopreservation in culture

The study was carried out on the 18–20-week human fetal brain by culturing organotypic and dissociated cells of the cerebral cortex and the corpora quadrigemina area. Tissue viability was assessed from the formation of growth cones and neuroglial bundles, as well as of glial cell formation. The study showed that after tissue freezing in organotypic cultures, viable cells were detected in not more than 10% of grafts. The addition of opioid peptides noticeably (by 1.3–2 times) increased the number of surviving cells. This regularity was not observed in dissociated cultures. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 4, pp. 408–411, April, 1994     

Age-specific effects of insulin on the secretion of somatotropic hormone

It is shown that insulin is able to alter the secretion of somatotropic hormone directly at the level of the pituitary. The direction of the regulatory effect of insulin depends on the age of the animals donating the pituitary cells, while the intensity of the effect of insulin is largely modulated by glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, № 3, pp. 304–306, March, 1994 Presented by Yu. A. Pankov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.     

Morphology of cortical structures in cerebral ischemia and its combination with audiogenic seizures

Studies of the sensorimotor and auditory areas of the brain in rats after ligation of the left common carotid artery reveal polymorphous alterations in cortical vessels, neurons, and glial cells. Compensatory reversible alterations constitute the largest group. In cerebral ischemia combined with audiogenic seizures dystrophic and destructive alterations in cortical elements become more significant. Alterations in cortical structures after bilateral ligation of the common carotid arteries are more pronounced than those occurring after unilateral occlusion. During the postseizure period after ligation of both arteries, dystrophic and destructive alterations become more severe, while reparative processes are inhibited. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 9, pp. 331–334, September, 1994 Presented by O. S. Adrianov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Asymmetry of human brain in early embryogenesis under normal and pathological conditions

The effect of some developmental abnormalities on the morphogenesis of human brain asymmetry during early embryonic stages was studied. Insignificant predominance of the left hemisphere (1–3%) was revealed in human embryos. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 10, pp. 442–444, October, 2000     

Morphology of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of allografted human kidneys in the early periods after transplantation

In the early stage of existence of the allografted kidney in the recipient, hyperplasia of cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus — epithelioid-modified cells of the afferent arteriole and of Goormaghtigh's cells (the lacis) — is observed. These changes are combined with elevation of the juxtaglomerular index, and in conjunction with the results of karyometric investigation, they are evidence of activation of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the allografted human kidney during the first month after transplantation.Group for Cytology and Tissue Culture, Laboratory of Pathological Morphology, Institute of Transplantation of Organs and tissues, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. P. Avtsyn.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 8, pp. 1005–1007, August, 1976.     

The relationship between the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing

OBJECTIVE:

This study was designed to investigate a possible relationship between the duration of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.

INTRODUCTION:

The oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing are independent from each other but may be related.

METHODS:

We used videofluoroscopy to evaluate 30 healthy volunteers between 29 and 77 years of age who swallowed 5- and 10-ml liquid and paste boluses in duplicate. The duration of the oral phase, pharyngeal transit, and pharyngeal clearance were measured.

RESULTS:

There were no differences in oral or pharyngeal transit times between the liquid and paste boluses or between the volumes of 5 and 10 ml (p>0.40). The pharyngeal clearance time for the paste bolus (0.48±0.27 s) was longer than for the liquid bolus (0.38±0.11 s, p = 0.03) with no difference between the volumes of 5 and 10 ml. There was no significant correlation between the oral transit time and the duration of pharyngeal transit for the liquid (5 ml, Spearman''s coefficient ρ: −0.14; 10 ml, ρ: 0.18) or the paste (5 ml, ρ: 0.08; 10 ml, ρ: 0.10). The correlation between the oral transit time and the pharyngeal clearance time was not significant for the liquid bolus (5 ml, ρ: 0.31; 10 ml, ρ: 0.18), but it was significant for both the 5 ml (ρ: 0.71) and 10 ml (ρ: 0.64) paste boluses.

DISCUSSION:

The relationship between the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing can be affected by bolus consistency.

CONCLUSION:

There is a correlation between the duration of oral transit and the duration of pharyngeal clearance during the swallowing of paste boluses.     

Amplitude and phase relationship between alpha and beta oscillations in the human electroencephalogram

The relationship between the electro-encephalographic (EEG) alpha and beta oscillations in the resting condition was investigated in the study. EEGs were recorded in 33 subjects, and alpha (7.5–12.5 Hz) and beta (15–25 Hz) oscillations were extracted with the use of a modified wavelet transform. Power, peak frequency and phase synchronisation were evaluated for both types of oscillation. The average beta—alpha peak frequency ratio was about 1.9–2.0 for all electrode derivations. The peak frequency of beta activity was within 70–90% of the 95% confidence interval of twice the alpha frequency. A significant (p<0.05) linear regression was found between beta and alpha power in all derivations in 32 subjects, with the slope of the regression line being ≈0.3. There was no significant difference in the slope of the line in different electrode locations, although the power correlation was strongest in the occipital locations where alpha and beta oscillations had the largest power. A significant 1∶2 phase synchronisation was present between the alpha and beta oscillations, with a phase lag of about Π/2 in all electrode derivations. The strong frequency relationship between the resting beta and alpha oscillations suggests that they are generated by a common mechanism. Power and phase relationships were weaker, suggesting that these properties can be modulated by additional mechanisms as well as be influenced by noise. A careful distinction between alpha-dependent and alpha-independent beta activity should be considered when making statements about the possible significance of genuine beta activity in different neurophysiological mechanisms.     

Experimental and clinical aspects of laser destruction of adenohypophysis

Focal destruction of the adenohypophysis by Nd:YAG laser does not destroy other structures of the hypothalamo-pituitary region. During reparative regeneration, the focus of coagulation necrosis after laser destruction of the adenohypophysis is replaced by cicatricial tissue. A method for surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas was developed. The efficiency, safety, and low traumatism of this method were confirmed in 87 patients. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 7, pp. 113–116, July, 2000     

Experimental and clinical aspects of laser destruction of adenohypophysis

Focal destruction of the adenohypophysis by Nd:YAG laser does not destroy other structures of the hypothalamo-pituitary region. During reparative regeneration, the focus of coagulation necrosis after laser destruction of the adenohypophysis is replaced by cicatricial tissue. A method for surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas was developed. The efficiency, safety, and low traumatism of this method were confirmed in 87 patients. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 7, pp. 113–116, July, 2000     

Simulation of fibre density in single-fibre electromyography and its relationship to macro-EMG

To elucidate the relationship between various morphological motor unit parameters and electrophysiological findings obtained with single-fibre EMG (fibre density, FD) and macro-EMG, computer simulations were performed. FD and macro-MUP amplitude varied in parallel when fibre loss, fibre loss and corresponding motor unit territory shrinkage or fibre atrophy were simulated. When fibre loss and compensating reinnervation were produced the FD increased whereas the amplitude of the macro-MUP was unchanged. A discrepancy between the relative changes in these two EMG parameters seems to indicate uneven fibre distribution within the motor unit territory.     

Superoxide dismutase activity in the brain of rats prenatally treated with lead

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity in the brain of offspring of female rats treated with various concentrations of lead at various periods before and during pregnancy was reduced, which indicated disturbances of the antioxidant system. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 12, pp. 667–669, December, 1999     

Molecular characterization of sweet potato leaf curl virus isolate from China (SPLCV-CN) and its phylogenetic relationship with other members of the Geminiviridae

A Sweet potato-infecting sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) isolated in China was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR products amplified from DNA-A were cloned and sequenced. The isolates of SPLCV from China(SPLCV-CN)has a genome organization similar to that of monopartite begomoviruses. The DNA-A had two ORFs (AV1 and AV2) in the virion sense and four ORFs (AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC4) in the complementary sense, separated by an intergenic region (IR) containing a conserved stem-loop motif. Three incomplete direct repeat iterons were also found within the IR. The presence of AV2 ORF supports the relationship of SPLCV-CN to the Old World gemimiviruses. Sequence comparisons showed that the DNA-A sequence of SPLCV-CN were closely related to those of sweet potato leaf curl Georgia virus-[16] (SPLCGV-[16]), Ipomoea yellow vein virus (IYVV-SI), and sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) with nucleotide sequence identity ranging from 88% to 91%. Comparison of individual encoded proteins between SPLCV-CN and that of three other SPLCV isolates showed the coat protein (AV1) shared the highest amino acid sequence identity (93%–96%), suggesting the coat protein of these viruses may have identical ancestor. The relationships between SPLCV-CN and other whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses were investigated by using phylogeny of derived AV1, AC1, and AV2 amino acid sequences. In all phylogenetic trees, SPLCV-CN clustered with three other isolates of SPLCV. The analyses revealed that the four isolates of SPLCV have coat proteins which are unique from its counterparts from both the Old World and New World. The present of AV2 and phylogenic analysis of AC1 suggest that SPLCV is more close to begomoviruses from the Old World but isolates of this virus seems to form a separate subset. An erratum to this article can be found at