Association of Brain Weight Value with Morphometric and Histochemical Properties of Cortical Neurons and Higher Nervous Activity Parameters in Rats in Prepubertal Period

We compared thickness of the neocortex, morphometric and histochemical characteristics of neurons in frontoparietal and parietal lobes and hippocampal field I in animals from great litters with lower brain weight (group 1) and from small (artificially reduced) litters with higher brain weight (group 2). It was found that the thickness of the neocortex in the frontoparietal and parietal lobes does not differ in the compared groups, while the size of neuronal cytoplasm in layer II of the frontoparietal and parietal lobes and in layer V of the frontoparietal lobe in group 2 animals was lower than in group 1. Nuclei of cortical neurons in layer II of the parietal and frontoparietal lobes and in frontoparietal lobe layer V in group 2 animals were smaller than in group 1. Neuronal nucleoli in group 2 animals were also smaller than in group 1 rats. RNA concentration in neuronal cytoplasm in the hippocampus and neocortex of group 2 rats was higher than in group 1 animals. NADPH-dehydrogenase activity in neurons of parietal lobe (layer II) and hippocampus in group 2 rats was lower than in group 1 animals, NADH-dehydrogenase activity was lower in parietal lobe layer II neurons. Group 2 rats demonstrated increased number of hanging down, sniffing, movements, entries into open and closed arms, and lower immobility time in the elevated plus-maze test.     

Involvement of clusterin and the aggresome in abnormal protein deposits in myofibrillar myopathies and inclusion body myositis

Myofibrillar myopathies (MM) are characterized morphologically by the presence of non-hyaline structures corresponding to foci of dissolution of myofibrils, and hyaline lesions composed of aggregates of compacted and degraded myofibrillar elements. Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is characterized by the presence of rimmed vacuoles, eosinophilic inclusions in the cytoplasm, rare intranuclear inclusions, and by the accumulation of several abnormal proteins. Recent studies have demonstrated impaired proteasomal expression and activity in MM and IBM, thus accounting, in part, for the abnormal protein accumulation in these diseases. The present study examines other factors involved in protein aggregation in MM and IBM. Clusterin is a multiple-function protein which participates in Abeta-amyloid, PrP(res) and a-synuclein aggregation in Alzheimer disease, prionopathies and a-synucleinopathies, respectively. gamma-Tubulin is present in the centrosome and is an intracellular marker of the aggresome. Moderate or strong clusterin immunoreactivity has been found in association with abnormal protein deposits, as revealed by immunohistochemistry, single and double-labeling immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, in MM and IBM, and in target structures in denervation atrophy. Gamma-Tubulin has also been observed in association with abnormal protein deposits in MM, IBM, and in target fibers in denervation atrophy. These morphological findings are accompanied by increased expression of clusterin and gamma-tubulin in muscle homogenates of MM and IBM cases, as revealed by gel electrophoresis and Western blots. Together, these observations demonstrate involvement of clusterin in protein aggregates, and increased expression of aggresome markers in association with abnormal protein inclusions in MM and IBM and in targets, as crucial events related to the pathogenesis of abnormal protein accumulation and degradation in these muscular diseases.     

Phosphorylation of tau and alpha-synuclein in synaptic-enriched fractions of the frontal cortex in Alzheimer's disease, and in Parkinson's disease and related alpha-synucleinopathies

Phosphorylation of tau and phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein are crucial abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and alpha-synucleinopathies (Parkinson's disease: PD, and dementia with Lewy bodies: DLB), respectively. The presence and distribution of phospho-tau were examined by sub-fractionation, gel electrophoresis and Western blotting in the frontal cortex of cases with AD at different stages of disease progression, PD, DLB pure form and common form, and in age-matched controls. Phospho-tauSer396 has been found in synaptic-enriched fractions in AD frontal cortex at entorhinal/transentorhinal, limbic and neocortical stages, thus indicating early tau phosphorylation at the synapses in AD before the occurrence of neurofibrillary tangles in the frontal cortex. Phospho-tauSer396 is also found in synaptic-enriched fractions in the frontal cortex in PD and DLB pure and common forms, thus indicating increased tau phosphorylation at the synapses in these alpha-synucleinopathies. Densitometric studies show between 20% and 40% phospho-tauSer396, in relation with tau-13, in synaptic-enriched fractions of the frontal cortex in AD stages I-III, and in PD and DLB. The percentage reaches about 95% in AD stage V and DLB common form. Yet tau phosphorylation characteristic of neurofibrillary tangles, as revealed with the AT8 antibody, is found in the synaptic fractions of the frontal cortex only at advanced stages of AD. Increased phosphorylated alpha-synucleinSer129 levels are observed in the synaptic-enriched fractions of the frontal cortex in PD and DLB pure and common forms, and in advanced stages of AD. Since tau-hyperphosphorylation has implications in microtubule assembly, and phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein at Ser129 favors alpha-synuclein aggregation, it can be suggested that synapses are targets of abnormal tau and alpha-synuclein phosphorylation in both groups of diseases. Tau phosphorylation at Ser396 has also been found in synaptic-enriched fractions in 12-month-old transgenic mice bearing the A53T alpha-synuclein mutation.     

石蜡包埋胰腺癌组织中DPC4基因改变的检测

目的 研究石蜡包埋胰腺癌组织中ＤＰＣ４基因的改变。方法 用聚合酶链反应－单链构象多态性分析（ＰＣＲ－ＳＳＣＰ）银染技术检测４６例石蜡包埋胰腺癌组织中ＤＰＣ４基因的缺失和突变。结果 ＤＰＣ４基因第１、２、３、４、８和１１外显子的纯合性缺失率为１３／４６（２８．３％）,具体分布为１例在第１１外显子;１例在第１、２、３、４、８和１１外显子的纯合性缺失率为１３／４６（２８．３％）,具体分布为１例在第１１外     

Effects of infant rat fostering in artificially formed litters on the development of brain, adrenals and gonads

Morphometric and histochemical properties of neurons in the frontoparietal and parietal lobes and CA1 hippocampal area, thickness of the neocortex, histochemical and morphometric properties of adrenals and gonads, and concentrations of sex hormones were compared in 40-day rats fostered in artificially formed (experimental group) and natural (control) litters. Animals of the experimental group had lower body and brain weight, thickness of the neocortex in the parietal lobe, sizes of nuclei and cytoplasm of layer 2 and layer 5 neurons of the frontoparietal and parietal lobes and in the hippocampus, lower NADPH-dehydrogenase activity in the hippocampus, and lower NADH- dehydrogenase activity in layer 2 neurons of the parietal lobe in comparison with control rats. RNA concentration in neuronal cytoplasm in neocortex and hippocampus was higher in rats from experimental group, than in animals from the control group. Higher estradiol concentration, higher activity of 3β-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase in thecal cells of ovarian follicles were found in females from experimental group; decreased testicle weight, reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules, reduced activity of 3β-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase in Leydig’s cells, and trend forward lowering of testosterone concentration were found in males from experimental group.     

Morphometric study of ultrastructural changes in oligodendroglial cells in the postmortem brain in endogenous psychoses

A qualitative and quantitative electron microscopic study of oligodendroglial cells was performed in autoptic (4-6.5 hours after death) prefrontal area 10 in 16 cases of schizophrenia, 6 cases of bipolar affective disorder and 16 normal controls, as well as in the caudate nucleus in same schizophrenic and control cases. The signs of reactive, regressive, and progressive changes of oligodendroglia were described in endogenous psychoses. ANOVA demonstrated a significant decrease in the area of the nucleus, in the volume density of euchromatin, in the volume density and count of mitochondria in oligodendroglial cells in the caudate nucleus and prefrontal area. In affective psychosis, there was a significant reduction in the area of the nucleus and in the volume density of euchromatin and slight changes in cellular organelles. No correlation between the changes and the postmortem interval, age, and neuroleptic therapy, as well as the most pronounced changes in oligodendroglial cells in subgroups of continuous schizophrenia and those with predominantly negative symptoms suggest the involvement of abnormal oligodendroglial cells in the pathogenesis of endogenous psychoses.     

Expression of NGF and trkA mRNA in song control and other regions of the zebra finch brain

We used in situ hybridization to measure the expression of NGF and trkA mRNA in the zebra finch brain at posthatch day 11 (P11), P25, and in adulthood. Expression of NGF and trkA was restricted to specific areas of the telencephalon in the adult zebra finch brain. Interestingly the expression of NGF and trkA overlapped in most brain regions, suggesting that NGF acts at sites close to cells that synthesize it. In song regions of adults, both NGF and trkA were clearly expressed in lMAN, HVC, and RA in males and in lMAN and RA in females. At P11, NGF and trkA mRNA were detected only in RA in both sexes. At P25, when sex differences in lMAN and RA begin to emerge, NGF mRNA was expressed in lMAN and RA in both sexes and trkA was detected at low levels in lMAN in both sexes. Whereas the level of trkA expression in RA of males at P25 was consistently low but detectable, expression in females was not detected. The volume of RA defined by NGF was significantly larger in males than females at P25. We also found a tendency for the intensity of NGF in RA to be higher in males than in females at P25, although the difference was not statistically significant. The presence of NGF and trkA mRNA in RA and lMAN at P25 suggests that they may participate in sexually dimorphic neural development of RA and lMAN, possibly by participating in sex-specific cell survival.     

Morphofunctional state of the adrenal glands in albino rats under conditions of toxic stress caused by cadmium salt in winter and summer periods

We studied the morphology and function of the adrenal glands in male and female albino rats in cadmium intoxication during winter and summer periods (January and July). In animals of the control group, sex-related differences in the total area of the adrenal glands and in the size of their zones were revealed. In females, zones of adrenal gland were larger than in males. In winter months, these differences were most pronounced. Analysis of seasonal differences in the area of the adrenal glands in males revealed no significant differences in winter and summer months. Irrespective of the season and gender, cadmium chloride treatment led to an increase in the size of the adrenal glands. Cadmium salts caused more pronounced functional strain in males in winter months and in females in summer.     

Age-linked changes in the activity of enzymes of the tricarboxylate cycle and lipid oxidation, and of carnitine content, in muscles of the rat

The activities of citrate synthase, NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase were measured in homogenates of soleus, diaphragm and heart muscles of the rat, in an attempt to define potential tricarboxylate cycle activity and its response to aging. Activities were significantly decreased in 24-month animals versus 6-month controls in every case (except 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase in heart muscle). Age-linked decrements were greatest in the soleus and least in heart. Cytochrome oxidase was measured as an index of total respiratory chain activity and decreased significantly in each case, with the smallest decrease in the heart. Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and 3-hydroxyacyl-Co-A dehydrogenase were measured as an index of beta-oxidative activity; the former decreased in soleus and diaphragm, the latter in soleus and heart, with the decrease in the soleus being the greater. Carnitine acetyl- and palmitoyltransferases were measured, together with the muscle content of carnitine and acylcarnitine, as determining the potential rate of entry of acyl groups into the mitochondria for oxidation. Carnitine acetyltransferase activity was decreased with age in each of the muscles, but to the greatest extent in the heart. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase was decreased in both soleus and diaphragm. Carnitine content was decreased most in the soleus and the heart and to a lesser extent in the diaphragm. It is concluded that there is a generalized decline in oxidative activity in all of these muscles with age, on the basis of wet weight; this occurs to the greatest extent in the soleus and to the least extent in the heart. There is, in addition, a specific deficiency in the ability to oxidize fatty acids, relative to other substrates, in heart muscle.     

Subcellular and regional location of “brain” proteins BASP1 and MARCKS in kidney and testis

Proteins BASP1 and MARCKS are abundant in axonal endings of neurons. Similarly to brain-specific protein GAP-43, BASP1 and MARCKS are reversibly bound to the plasma membrane. These proteins control both actin polymerization and actin cytoskeleton binding to the membrane. Performing these functions, BASP1 and MARCKS take part in growth cone guidance during development and in neurotransmitter secretion in adults. These activities predetermine the pivotal role of BASP1 and MARCKS in learning and memory. BASP1 and MARCKS were also found in non-nerve tissues, in particular, in the kidney and testis. Evidently, the physiological roles of these proteins differ in different tissues. Correspondingly, their intracellular location and activities may not be similar to those in neurons. In this paper, we analyze subcellular fractions (cytoplasm and nuclei) of rat kidney and testis with the purpose of determining the intracellular location of BASP1 and MARCKS. Western blots demonstrated that in these tissues, as in the brain, both proteins are present in the cytoplasm of the cell. According to our immunohistochemical study, BASP1 and MARCKS are specifically distributed in the tissues studied. In kidney, both proteins are present in cells located in glomeruli. In the testicular tubules, BASP1 is mainly expressed at the late stage of spermatogenesis (in spermatids) and is preserved in mature spermatozoa, while MARCKS appears equally during all stages of spermatogenesis. MARCKS is not found in mature spermatozoa. The results indicate that study of functions of BASP1 and MARCKS in the kidney and in the reproduction system holds much promise.     

Demonstration of alpha1-antitrypsin in paraffin sections of hepatoma and cirrhosis

Summary Alpha₁-antitrypsin has been examined in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver specimens from Greek patients with cirrhosis (35 cases) and hepatoma (55 cases) by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Ring-like AAT globules were found in the non-neoplastic cells in 12% of the cases of hepatoma and in 11% of the cases of cirrhosis. Atypical globules were seen in neoplastic cells in 5.4% of the cases of hepatoma and in 17% of the cases of liver cirrhosis. A diffuse fine granular pattern of AAT distribution was present in 31% of the cases of hepatoma in the neoplastic cells and in 27% of those in the nonneoplastic cells. The relatively high incidence of ring-like AAT-globules, and of atypical globules in cases of hepatoma and cirrhosis is not in agreement with the extremely low gene frequency of Z allele in a Greek population of patients with cirrhosis and hepatoma. Thus, there is some doubt whether AAT-globules in the liver represent a histopathologic marker of genetically determined AAT deficiency. A relationship between AAT deposits and the degree of differentiation of hepatoma was noted in this series. AAT-positive cells were found in 55% of moderately differentiated, in 29% of highly differentiated and in 20% of poorly differentiated hepatomas.     

食管癌血管内皮生长因子和受体的表达及在癌转移中的作用

目的观察人食管癌组织和淋巴管中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF-C)及其受体-3(VEGFR-3)的表达,探讨食管癌的淋巴道转移机制。方法取临床手术切除的食管癌组织,用免疫组化方法检测人食管癌早期和进展期癌细胞或淋巴管对VEGF-C及其VEGFR-3的表达情况。结果在食管癌的癌细胞中可见VEGF-C阳性表达,阳性颗粒主要定位于肿瘤细胞胞浆内。淋巴管内皮细胞仅见VEGFR-3阳性表达,VEGFR-3在血管和癌细胞中也存在少量阳性表达。进展期食管癌VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的表达率和表达强度均强于早期。结论食管癌癌细胞VEGF-C的表达和淋巴管内皮细胞上VEGFR-3的表达均与肿瘤进展呈正相关,推测VEGF-C通过受体VEGFR-3促进食管癌组织淋巴管生成,从而引起癌淋巴道转移。     

Globin chain precipitation, deranged iron metabolism and dyserythropoiesis in some thalassaemia syndromes

Electron microscope studies of the erythropoietic cells have revealed two morphologically distinct types of intracellular inclusion in homozygous beta-thalassaemia and HbH disease, presumably reflecting different appearances of precipitated alpha- and beta-chains, respectively. Inclusions resembling those seen in homozygous beta-thalassaemia are also seen in HbE/beta-thalassaemia and to a lesser extent in heterozygous beta-thalassaemia. Dyserythropoietic changes including those indicative of deranged iron metabolism, are seen in some erythropoietic cells in all of the above-mentioned thalassaemia syndromes. Several of these changes are most prominent in homozygous beta-thalassaemia and HbE/beta-thalassaemia, less marked in heterozygous beta-thalassaemia and least prominent in HbH disease. There are gross disturbances of proliferation and protein biosynthesis in erythroblasts in homozygous beta-thalassaemia but not in HbH disease and this difference is reflected in a much greater degree of ineffective erythropoiesis in the former than in the latter. Results of studies into the relationship between the extent of alpha-chain precipitation in individual cells and both the disorder of proliferation and of protein biosynthesis are consistent with the view that these functional disturbances are related to the presence of precipitated alpha-chains and/or an expanded intracellular soluble alpha-chain pool. Some alpha-chains precipitate on centrioles and, presumably, thereby interfere with mitosis. The biochemical changes in the cell membrane of thalassaemic erythroblasts which result in their recognition and phagocytosis by macrophages remain to be determined.     

Survey of atopic dermatitis and skin barrier functions in Japanese and Chinese school students]

BACKGROUND: The comparative studies of the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and skin barrier functions in Japanese and Chinese were performed. METHODS: Clinical investigations were performed in 68 elementary school students in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region and 67 students in Yixing, Jiangsu Province in China, and 99 students in Nishinomiya, Hyogo in Japan. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance were measured. Questionary survey about bathing frequency was also performed for students in Lhasa, Yixing and Osaka. RESULT: The prevalence rate of atopic dermatitis was 0% in Lhasa, 2.63% in Yixing, 4.26% in Nishinomiya. TEWL of students in Nishinomiya was higher than that in Yixing and Lhasa. Capacitance of students in Lhasa was lower than that in Nishinomiya and Yixing. The frequency of taking a bath in Lhasa was about 2.2 times per month and fewer than that in Nishinomiya and Yixing. CONCLUSION: There was tendency that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis increased according to increase of TEWL. It was thought that more investigations are necessary whether the development of habitat and environment influence the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and skin barrier function.     

神经生长因子受体TrkA在新生鼠、幼鼠及成鼠脊髓表达差异的研究

为了探讨神经生长因子 ( NGF)受体 Trk A在新生鼠、幼鼠及成鼠脊髓的分布状况、进而分析 NGF的作用机制 ,用免疫组化技术检测了新生鼠、幼鼠及成鼠脊髓 NGF受体 Trk A的表达。结果显示 ,新生鼠脊髓前角运动神经元只有胞核 Trk A表达明显 ,胞浆及胞膜无表达 ,中间带、背角均无表达。幼鼠前角运动神经元胞浆 Trk A表达明显 ,胞核少量表达 ,胞膜无表达 ;部分中间带、背角神经元胞浆有表达。成鼠前角运动神经元胞浆及部分胞膜都有 Trk A表达 ,胞核无表达 ,中间带、背角神经元胞浆以及胶质细胞也明显表达。推论 ,新生鼠时胞核中 Trk A可与配体结合引起神经元的生物效应 ;成鼠 Trk A则主要作为一种膜受体与配体结合而发挥生物效应     

Immunohistochemical localization of components of the immune barrier in the olfactory mucosae of salamanders and rats.

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to investigate the cellular distribution of components of the secretory immune system, including secretory immunoglobulin, secretory piece, and J chain, as well as other immunoglobulins and nonspecific defense factors in the olfactory mucosae of salamanders and rats. In the salamander, secretory immunoglobulin M, and J chain were localized in duct and acinar cells of Bowman's glands, in B lymphocytes, and in sustentacular cells in immature regions of the olfactory mucosa. Lactoferrin and lysozyme were also present in Bowman's glands, in sustentacular cells in immature regions of the olfactory mucosa, and in blood cells in the lamina propria. Olfactory nerve section resulted in the presence of increased numbers of secretory immunoglobulin-immunoreactive B lymphocytes and in an altered distribution of IgM, secretory piece, and lactoferrin. In the rat, secretory immunoglobulin A and J chain were localized in duct and acinar cells of Bowman's glands and in B lymphocytes in the lamina propria. Secretory piece could be demonstrated in Bowman's glands only in rats that had a prior viral infection. Other defense factors, localized in the lamina propria, included IgG in the connective tissue stroma and in B lymphocytes, IgD-immunoreactive B lymphocytes, and IgE-immunoreactive cells that were identified as mucosal mast cells. Lactoferrin and lysozyme were present in serous acinar cells of Bowman's glands and in blood cells. These results demonstrate that the olfactory mucosa is protected from pathogenic invasion by the secretory immune system as well as other immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and lysozyme.     

甘肃东乡族成人非脂肪组织体成分的生物电阻抗分析

目的利用生物电阻抗分析法,分析甘肃东乡族成人非脂肪组织体成分变化特点。方法采用横断面整群分层随机抽样方法,应用体成分分析仪,测量491例甘肃省东乡族自治县20岁以上东乡族成人非脂肪组织体成分指标。结果甘肃东乡族成年男性去脂体重、骨量、肌肉、蛋白质、体液量及构成比均高于女性(P0.01),且男性各年龄组的骨量、肌肉量、蛋白质、体液量均高于女性(P0.01)。骨量、肌肉量在同一性别中随年龄变化趋势相同,男性均在40岁年龄组达峰值后下降;女性先降后升,在40岁年龄组达峰值后又下降。男性的蛋白质在30岁年龄组达峰值后下降;女性的蛋白质呈持续下降状态。男女性的躯干肌肉量分别在50岁年龄组和40岁年龄组达峰值后下降。男女性的双上肢肌肉量、体液量均在40岁年龄组达峰值后逐渐下降。男性的双下肢肌肉量除在40岁年龄组稍有回升,总体呈下降趋势;女性的双下肢肌肉量呈持续下降状态。男女性的细胞内液量均先降后升,在40岁年龄组达峰值后又下降。男女性的细胞外液量分别在50岁年龄组和40岁年龄组达峰值后稍有下降。结论甘肃东乡族成年男性的非脂肪组织体成分高于女性。随着年龄的增长,非脂肪组织体成分均发生变化,除双上肢肌肉量、体液量、细胞内液外,其余体成分的变化趋势均存在性别差异。总体呈现出,东乡族成年女性非脂肪组织体成分量少于男性,部分无峰值呈持续下降或达峰值早,下降早,达峰值后下降趋势缓于男性的特点。     

Biocompatibility and degradation of poly(ether-ester) microspheres: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Microspheres of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic poly(ether–ester) copolymer were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and degradation. The microspheres prior to and after sterilization were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity. The in vivo biocompatibility of the poly(ethylene glycol) terephthalate and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEGT/PBT) microspheres was evaluated subcutaneously and intramuscularly for 24 weeks in rabbits. The in vivo degradation of the microspheres was studied microscopically and compared to the in vitro degradation. The in vitro and in vivo studies showed the biocompatibility of the microspheres of both the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic PEGT/PBT copolymer. Extracts of these microspheres showed no cytotoxic reactivity in the in vitro cytotoxicity test. Sterilization of the microspheres by gamma irradiation did not affect the cytotoxicity. PEGT/PBT microspheres injected subcutaneously and intramuscularly in rabbits showed a mild tissue response in vivo, in terms of the inflammatory response, the foreign body reaction and the granulation tissue response. Although an in vitro degradation experiment showed a decrease in molecular weight due to hydrolysis, the in vivo degradation of the microspheres was slower than previously published.     

Effect of neonatal exposure to 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine on life span,estrus function and tumor development in rats — an argument in favor of the mutation theory of aging?

Outbred LIO rats were exposed to subcutaneous injections (3.2 mg) of a synthetic analogue of thymidine, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd), on days 1 and 3, or days 1, 3, 7 and 21 of postnatal life. The mean life span decreased by 31% and 38% in male and by 14% and 27% in female rats that received 2 and 4 injections of BrdUrd, respectively, in comparison to untreated controls. The opening of the vagina was delayed, whereas age-related changes in the length of the estrous cycle and in the incidence of persistent estrus and/or anestrus were observed earlier in BrdUrd-injected female rats than in untreated ones. Inhibition of compensatory ovarian hypertrophy induced by hemiovariectomy at the age of 3 months was found in females exposed neonatally to BrdUrd as compared to untreated rats, while the uterus weight increase induced by the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin was similar in both control and BrdUrd-treated infantile rats. These data suggest that exposure to BrdUrd in early life impairs pituitary gonadotropic function in female rats. It was also shown that neonatal administration of BrdUrd to rats doubles the incidence of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes in comparison to controls and is followed by a dose-related increase in tumor incidence. Our observations on the decrease in mean and maximum life span, acceleration of age-related changes in reproductive system function, increase in chromosome aberration and tumor incidence and decrease in tumor latency in rats exposed to BrdUrd in early life suggest that this model could be used as a model of accelerated aging and that some of the results can be interpreted as arguments in favor of the mutation theory of aging.     

Renal blood flow in twins

The aim of this preliminary study was the estimation of renal blood flow in 16 premature newborns from twin pregnancies with mean body weight 1270 g and mean gestational age 29 weeks. In control group we have 16 singleton newborns with mean gestational age 29 weeks and mean birth weight 1240 g. In both intervention and control group we have the similar clinical symptoms. The renal blood flow was carried out in the first day of life with the Acuson 128 XP Colour Doppler using the 6 and 7 MHz linear transducer. The renal blood flow parameters-PI, RI, Vmax, Vmin Vmean were measured in right and left renal arteries in theirs courses from the aorta to the renal hilus, by color sinal. In the investigation group the mean value of RI in right and left renal artery was 0.88. Mean PI in right vessel was 1.67 and in left 1.56. Mean V min in right and in left artery was 0.03 and mean V max in right artery was 0.34 and in left 0.33. Mean value of mean velocity in right vessels was 0.18 and in left 0.19. In control group we observed in right artery mean value of PI 1.74 and in left 1.6. Mean RI was 0.86 and 0.86 in right vessel in left vessel. Mean V min was 0.05 in right and 0.04 in left artery. Mean V max was 0.37 in right and 0.34 in left artery. Mean value of V mean was 0.19 in right artery and 0.18 in left artery. Using the student, Mann-Whitney and Shapiro-Wilk tests we have not observed statistically significant difference of Doppler parameters between control and investigation group and between the left and right artery. Although in newborns with broad PDA we noted significant higher value of RI (0.97, 0.98) than in newborns without PDA (0.78, 0.81).