Determination of normal blood biochemistry (electrolytes and non-electrolytes) values in mature Huso huso in spring

Knowledge of fish haematology can provide information supportive of a wide variety of uses. These studies have generally been used as an effective and sensitive index to monitor physiological and pathological changes in fish, especially in the management of endangered species such as Huso huso. In this study, 12 biochemical parameters in mature H. huso were measured. Serum samples of 40 H. huso (20 males and 20 females) were analysed, and their serum parameter values were determined as median (percentiles) in males and females, respectively: Na, 162.70 (160–164.75) and 141.10 (156–144.9 mmol/l); K, 3.2 (2.75–3.35) and 3.1 (2.75–3.85 mmol/l); Ca, 9.6 (7.8–11) and 9.7 (8.6–10.9 mg/dl); P, 14.7 (12.65–15.65) and 12.1 (11.25–13.95 mg/dl); glucose, 176 (124.5–234.5) and 173 (147.5–212 mg/dl); triglyceride, 770 (607.5–872) and 750 (664.5–842 mg/dl); bilirubin, 0.67 (0.575–0.825) and 0.61 (0.525–0.745 mg/dl); TOP, 3.2 (2.85–3.45) and 3.6 (3–3.8 g/dl); albumin, 1.4 (1.3–1.6) and 1.6 (1.2–1.85 g/dl); cholesterol, 286 (202–289.5) and 239 (202–308 mg/dl); creatinine, 0.13 (0.11–0.14) and 0.11 (0.9–0.15 mg/dl) and BUN, 15.2 (12.3–17.6) and 17.7 (15.7–19.55 mg/dl). The concentration of P was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in males than in females and levels of BUN and TOP in females was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in male fish.     

Analysis on reassortment of rotavirus NSP1 genes lacking coding region for cysteine-rich zinc finger motif

Summary.  Rotavirus clones A5–10 and A5–16 isolated from a bovine rotavirus strain A5 possess NSP1 gene which has a point mutation generating a nonsense codon and a 500 base-deletion, respectively. As a result, the two A5 clones encode truncated NSP1 product which lacks cysteine-rich region forming zinc finger motif. In order to analyze reassortment of these mutated NSP1 gene with RNA segments from heterologous strains, we investigated a number of reassortant clones derived from coinfection with either A5–10, A5–16 or a reference strain A5–13 (possessing intact NSP1 gene) and either simian rotavirus SA11 or human rotavirus KU. In coinfection with SA11 and A5–13, selection rates of A5–13 segments in reassortants ranged approximately from 20 to 70% (46% for NSP1 gene). In contrast, in the reassortment between SA11 and A5–10 or between SA11 and A5–16, selection rates of NSP1 gene from A5–10 and A5–16 were only 1% (one clone) and 0%, respectively. In reassortants from crosses KU × A5-clones, selection rate of A5–13 NSP1 gene decreased to 15%, while 11 reassortants with A5–10 NSP1 gene (31%) and one reassortant with A5–16 NSP1 gene (2%) were isolated. Reassortants with A5–10 NSP1 possessed a single gene (segment 9 or 11) from KU in the genetic background of A5–10. One reassortant clone (cl-55) with A5–16 NSP1 gene possessed KU gene segments 3, 4, and 8–11. When single-step growth curves were compared, the reassortant cl-55 showed almost identical growth curve to that of KU, while KU showed a better replication than A5–16. These results indicated that although A5–10 or A5–16 NSP1 gene encoding the truncated NSP1 is selected into reassortants much less efficiently than normal NSP1 gene, the reassortants with the mutated NSP1 gene and RNA segments from heterologous strains normally replicated in cultured cells. Thus, cysteine-rich region of NSP1 was not considered essential for genome segment reassortment with heterologous virus. Accepted August 29, 1998 Received July 6, 1998     

The parasitism of fish from Lake Constance – a comparison of present and earlier data

Commercial fish (perch, roach, bream, dace, and burbot) were caught below Langenargen in 1988–1990. Their infestation with cestodes and digenean trematodes was studied. The results were compared with earlier data. The infestation of perch with Diplostomum spathaceum and Ichthyocotylurus variegatus noted in 1988–1990 had increased as compared with that observed in 1974–1976. The infestation of perch with Triaenophorus nodulosus seen in 1990 had increased as opposed to that noted in 1988. The infestation of bream with D. spathaceum and of perch and roach with Tylodelphys clavata observed in 1988–1990 had remained the same as that seen in 1974–1976. The infestation of perch with D. spathaceum noted in 1988–1990 had decreased as opposed to that reported for 1974–1976. The infestation of bream, dace, and burbot with T. clavata noted in 1988–1990 had decreased as compared with that observed in 1974–1976. The infestation of perch with T. nodulosus seen in 1988/1989 had decreased as opposed to that noted in 1974–1976. All three cyprinids studied as well as the burbot had been less intensively infested in 1988–1990 than in 1974–1976. Only perch had been more intensively infested in 1988–1990 than in 1974–1976, especially with D. spathaceum and I. variegatus. Received: 7 March 1997 / Accepted: 15 May 1997     

First Valence,Then Arousal: The Temporal Dynamics of Brain Electric Activity Evoked by Emotional Stimuli

The temporal dynamics of the neural activity that implements the dimensions valence and arousal during processing of emotional stimuli were studied in two multi-channel ERP experiments that used visually presented emotional words (experiment 1) and emotional pictures (experiment 2) as stimulus material. Thirty-two healthy subjects participated (mean age 26.8 ± 6.4 years, 24 women). The stimuli in both experiments were selected on the basis of verbal reports in such a way that we were able to map the temporal dynamics of one dimension while controlling for the other one. Words (pictures) were centrally presented for 450 (600) ms with interstimulus intervals of 1,550 (1,400) ms. ERP microstate analysis of the entire epochs of stimulus presentations parsed the data into sequential steps of information processing. The results revealed that in several microstates of both experiments, processing of pleasant and unpleasant valence (experiment 1, microstate #3: 118–162 ms, #6: 218–238 ms, #7: 238–266 ms, #8: 266–294 ms; experiment 2, microstate #5: 142–178 ms, #6: 178–226 ms, #7: 226–246 ms, #9: 262–302 ms, #10: 302–330 ms) as well as of low and high arousal (experiment 1, microstate #8: 266–294 ms, #9: 294–346 ms; experiment 2, microstate #10: 302–330 ms, #15: 562–600 ms) involved different neural assemblies. The results revealed also that in both experiments, information about valence was extracted before information about arousal. The last microstate of valence extraction was identical with the first microstate of arousal extraction.     

A comparison of two Hilbert spectral analyses of heart rate variability

The present paper compares the performance of two Hilbert spectral analyses when applied to a synthetic RR series from a nonstationary integral pulse frequency modulation model and to real RR series from a dataset of normal sinus arrhythmia. The Hilbert–Huang transformation based on empirical mode decomposition is compared to the presently introduced Hilbert–Olhede–Walden transformation based on stationary wavelet packet decomposition. The comparison gives consistent results pointing to a superior performance of the Hilbert–Olhede–Walden transformation showing 33–163 times smaller deviations when estimating the instantaneous frequency traces of the synthetic RR series. Artificial fluctuations caused by mode mixing in the Hilbert–Huang spectrum are seen in both the synthetic and real RR series. It can be concluded that the instantaneous frequencies and amplitudes estimated by the Hilbert–Huang transformation should be interpreted with caution when investigating heart rate variability.     

Ultrastructure of a Sarcocystis sp. infecting skinks of the genus Agama

Macroscopically visible sarcocysts were observed in the skeletal muscles of naturally infected skinks of the genus Agama (infection rate 11.3%). Sarcocysts were described by means of transmission electron microscopy. These cysts measured 0.03–0.25 × 0.38–1.7 mm (mean 0.12 × 1.1 mm). Typical mature cysts were bordered by a primary cyst wall that measured 2.4–5.3 μm (mean 3.9 μm) and was folded into a few nonbranched finger-like protrusions measuring 0.7–1.5 × 1.0–2.5 μm (mean 1.2 × 1.5 μm). These protrusions contained granular elements, but filaments and tubular elements were not observed. A relatively thick, homogeneous tape was observed just underneath the primary cyst wall, measuring 0.5–1.0 μm (mean 0.8 μm) and containing a granulated ground substance in which filaments and tubular elements were not observed. Metrocytes measured 3.1–5.5 × 4.2–7.2 μm (mean 4.0 × 5.8 μm) and merozoites measured 1.2–3.3 × 4.4–8.6 μm (mean 2.6 × 7.5 μm). The fine ultrastructural characteristics of both metrocytes and merozoites were similar to those described for many Sarcocystis species and were generally nonspecific. Received: 21 February 2000 / Accepted: 1 March 2000     

Identification of chromosomal regions linked to premature myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of whole-genome searches

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a complication of coronary artery disease and the leading cause of death in the Western world. MI is considered a distinct phenotype with an increased genetic component for its premature type. MI’s exact inheritance pattern is still unknown. Genome searches for identifying susceptibility loci for premature MI produced inconclusive or inconsistent results. Thus, a genome search meta-analysis (GSMA) was applied to available genome search data on premature MI. GSMA is a non-parametric method to identify genetic regions that rank high, on average in terms of linkage statistics across genome searches unweighted or weighted by study size. The significance of each region’s average and heterogeneity, unadjusted or adjusted by neighbouring average simulated ranks, was calculated using a Monte Carlo test. The meta-analysis involved five genome searches in Caucasians. Eight regions (6p22.3–6p21.1, 14p13–14q13.1, 13q33.1–13q34, 5p15.33–5p15.1, 8q13.2–8q22.2, 1p36.21–1p35.2, 12q24.31–12q24.33, 8q24.21–8q24.3) were found to have significant average rank by either unweighted or weighted analyses. In addition, region 8q24.21–8q24.3 produced significant low heterogeneity (P _unadjusted=0.03 and P _adjusted=0.05). Four regions (6p22.3–6p21.1, 14p13–14q13.1, 8q13.2–8q22.2, 8q24.21–8q24.3) were not identified by the individual studies. The meta-analysis suggests that these four regions should be further investigated for genes that confer susceptibility to MI.     

A ribosomal protein gene cluster is encoded in the mitochondrial DNA of Dictyostelium discoideum: UGA termination codons and similarity of gene order to Acanthamoeba castellanii

We sequenced a region of about 14.5 kb downstream from the ribosomal protein L11 gene (rpl11) in the mitochondrial DNA (54±2 kb) of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. Sequence analysis revealed that eleven ribosomal protein genes and six open reading frames (ORFs) formed a cluster arranged in the order: rpl11–orf189–rps12–rps7–rpl2–rps19–orf425–orf1740–rpl16–rpl14–orf188–rps14–rps8–rpl6–rps13–orf127–orf796. This order was very similar to that of homologous genes in Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondrial DNA. The N-terminal region of ORF425 and the C-terminal region of ORF1740 had partial similarities to the S3 ribosomal protein of other organisms. The termination codons of rpl16 and orf188 were UGA, which has not hitherto been found in genes encoded in D. discoideum mitochondrial DNA. Received: 28 August 1997 / 2 January 1998     

Characterization of formation and trace rhythm reproduction by rabbit hippocampal neurons during early and late ontogeny

The formation and reproduction of memory traces by hippocampal neurons were studied and a relationship between the number of presented series of periodical electrocutaneous stimulation and degree of trace acquisition of the rhythm, on the one hand, and rabbit age (6–30 days, 1, 4–5, and 7 years), on the other, was detected. The hippocampus of 6–7-day and 7-year-old rabbits is characterized by low neuron activity and inability to trace acquisition of rhythm. The pulse frequency and trace acquisition of the rhythm in animals aged 8–14 days and 4–5 years (middle age) formed slower than in adult animals (after 2–4 stimulation series on days 2–4 of experiment) and could not be reproduced on the next day without reminding. In rabbits aged 25–30 days and 1 year the basal activity reached the optimum level and trace acquisition of rhythm was observed after 1–2 series on days 1–2 of experiment and was reproduced without reminding on the next day. The detected physiological stages are in good correlation with the morphochemical organization of the rabbit hippocampus at the stages of early and late ontogeny. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 3, pp. 254–257, March, 2007     

Determinants of the energy cost of front-crawl swimming in children

The aim of the present study was to define the determinants of the energy cost of swimming (Cs) in children. Eleven healthy children [mean (SD) age: 12.42 (0.53) years] who practised 7.5–8.5 h·week^–1 volunteered to take part in this study. Anthropometric dimensions such as height (H), body mass (BM), hydrostatic lift (HL) and body surface area (SA) were measured. Forty-eight hours later when maximal oxygen consumption ( ) had been measured during 400 m of front-crawl swimming, Cs was measured over 200 m for three submaximal swimming speeds (0.9, 1.0 and 1.1 m·s^–1). Oxygen consumption (Douglas bag method), stroke frequency (SF) and stroke length (SL) were calculated during the last 50 m of each 200 m. The mean (SD) of the young swimmers was 2.19 (0.38) l·min^–1 at a maximal aerobic velocity of 1.19 (0.03) m·s^–1. The values of for Cs at 0.9 m·s^–1, 1.0 m·s^–1 and 1.1 m·s^–1 were 29.27 (3.13) ml·m^–1, 30.25 (3.68) ml·m^–1 and 32.91 (3.59) ml·m^–1, respectively. There was a significant increase in Cs with increasing swim speed. In addition, SF increased with velocity when SL remained constant. The values for SF at 0.9 m·s^–1, 1.0 m·s^–1 and 1.1 m·s^–1 were 31.28 (4.36) strokes·min^–1, 34.10 (5.09) strokes·min^–1 and 38.31 (5.90) strokes·min^–1, respectively. No significant correlation was obtained between Cs and the anthropometric or stroking parameters. It was concluded that for young swimmers, anthropometric characteristics, SF and SL are not good predictors of Cs in front-crawl swimming, and that further studies are needed to explore the influence of underwater torque on Cs in prepubertal children. Electronic Publication     

Genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinase 12 and 13 genes are implicated in endometriosis progression

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may contribute to endometriosis.We tested whether eight functional polymorphisms of these genescould modify the risk of endometriosis. METHODS: In this case–control study, 227 endometriosis and 241controls were genotyped for MMP1 –1607 1G/2G, MMP2 –1575G/A (MMP2.1), –1306 C/T (MMP2.2), MMP3 –1612 5A/6A,MMP7 –153 C/T (MMP7.1), –181 A/G (MMP7.2), MMP12–82 A/G and MMP13–77 A/G. Association between MMPgenotypes and superficial (SUP), deep infiltrating (DIE) andendometriomas (OMA) was tested for each polymorphism separately,using unconditional logistic regression and then for combinedgenotypes, using the combination test. RESULTS: When considering all cases, MMP2 polymorphisms were found tobe significant, mainly due to DIE (P = 0.023). A small differencebetween SUP and controls was found for MMP7.2 (P = 0.032) andMMP12 (P = 0.035), in the absence of correction for multipletesting. Using the combination test, the best association whencomparing SUP with controls was obtained for MMP12–MMP13(P = 0.004) for the combined genotype A/G–A/A (odds ratio= 27.60, 95% confidence interval: 2.80–272.40). CONCLUSIONS: These data show a potential role for MMP12 –82 A/G andMMP13 –77 A/G combined polymorphisms in superficial endometriosis.As no association was found with deep infiltrating endometriosis,this combination of polymorphisms might protect from a morein-depth penetration of tissues.     

Survey of intestinal parasites in stray dogs in the Madrid area and comparison of the efficacy of three anthelmintics in naturally infected dogs

Using routine coprological methods, 1161 faecal samples from animal shelters located in Madrid (Spain) were analysed, showing a 28% prevalence for different intestinal parasites: Giardia duodenalis (7%), Cystoisopora spp. (3.8%), Toxocara canis (7.8%), Toxascaris leonina (6.3%), Ancylostomidae (4%), Trichuris vulpis (3.3%), Taenidae (2.9%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.9%). The therapeutic efficacies of mebendazole at a dose of 22 mg/kg once daily for 3 days, fenbendazole at a dose of 50 mg/kg once daily for 3 days and a drug combination of febantel–pyrantel–praziquantel at a dose of 15–5–5 mg/kg once were valuated and compared by collecting faecal samples on days 9 and 16 post-treatment from naturally infected dogs in field-trial conditions. From the infected dogs (321 dogs), 150 animals were selected for the study. Distribution randomly divided the animals into three study groups of ten dogs per parasite and per treatment group: group A, mebendazole; group B, fenbendazole and group C, febantel–pyrantel–praziquantel. The therapeutic efficacy against ascarids and ancylostomids (days 9–16) was very high (75–100%) for the three groups: for T. canis, 100% in group A, 80–100% in group B, 97–100% in group C; for T. leonina, 98–100% in group A, 100% in group B, 92–94% in group C and for ancylostomids, 100% in group A, 99–100% in group B, 90–100% in group C. On the other hand, the highest efficacy against Taenidae infections was in group B (90–100%), followed by groups C (73–91%) and A (70–90%).     

Weibull distribution in physiological investigations

Conclusions 1. The systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in populations of practically healthy persons and patients is distributed according to the Weibull law (three-parameter distribution; P<0.05). 2. For a practically healthy population of persons the confidence limits of the DP are 50–95 mm Hg (P≤0.05), SP 93–153 mm Hg (P≤0.05). 3. For coronary disease patients the confidence limits for DP are 63–115 mm Hg and for SP 102–166 mm Hg (P≤0.05). In rheumatic heart disease patients these limits are equal to 55–106 mm Hg for DP and 95–160 mm Hg for SP (P≤0.05). Translated from Meditsinskaya Tekhnika, No. 3, pp. 8–12, May–June, 1986.     

Luminal transport step of para-aminohippurate (PAH): transport from PAH-loaded proximal tubular cells into the tubular lumen of the rat kidney in vivo

 Proximal tubular cells were loaded for 10 s with [³H]para-aminohippurate ([³H]PAH) by microperfusing the peritubular capillaries with Ringer solution containing 0.05 mmol/l PAH. Immediately thereafter [³H]PAH influx from cells into a column of equilibrium solution injected into the oil-filled tubular lumen was measured by re-aspirating the fluid after 1–10 s of contact time. The rise of luminal PAH concentration within 2 s of contact time was almost linear, reaching a luminal / capillary concentation ratio of 1.6 after 2 s and of 3.2 after 5 s. The 2-s PAH concentration ratio was not changed when different manoeuvres were applied to depolarize proximal tubular cells. Also, the 2-s PAH concentration ratio was not influenced by varying the luminal pH from 6.0 to 8.0 or the luminal Cl^–concentration from zero to 134 mmol/l or when either 5 mmol/l urate or 25 mmol/l lactate was in the luminal perfusate. A decrease in the 2-s PAH concentration ratio, i.e. trans-inhibition, was observed when 25 or 50 mmol/l HCO₃ ^–(–50%) was in the luminal perfusate. Trans-inhibition was also seen with 5 mmol/l of the following substituted benzoates: 2-hydroxy-benzoate (–58%), 2-methoxy-benzoate (–46%), 2-hydroxy-benzoate-acetyl ester (–36%), 2-hydroxy-3,5-dinitro-benzoate (–48%), 3,5-dichloro-benzoate (–49%), and 2,3,5-trichloro-benzoate (–45%). No effect was seen with benzoate, 3-hydroxy-benzoate, 2-chloro-benzoate, 2-nitro-benzoate, 2,5-dinitro-benzoate, 3-sulfamoyl-benzoate and 4-sulfamoyl-benzoate. However, analogues of the latter two compounds possessing two additional side groups, such as furosemide and piretanide, or a hydrophobic moiety, such as probenecid, were inhibitory (by –62, –41 and –49% respectively). Phenoxyacetate had no effect; however, it inhibited if in addition it had three chloro groups, as in 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetate (–71%) or a hydrophobic carbamoyl side group, as in mersalylic acid (salyrgan, –75%). Benzene-sulfonate trans-inhibited (–33%), as did phenolsulfonphthalein (phenol red, –39%) and sulfofluorescein (–55%). However, the trans-inhibitory effect of the corresponding carboxy-compounds was absent (phenolphthalein) or weaker (fluorescein, –42%). The trans-inhibitory effect of the uricosurics ethacrynic acid (–53%), tienilic acid (–55%) indacrinone (–72%) and benzbromarone (–42%) could be attributed to two chloro or bromo side groups on the benzene ring. Other trans-inhibiting uricosuric substances were indomethacin (–42%), sulfinpyrazone (–38%), losartan (–80%) its metabolite EXP 3174 (–55%), and AA 193 (–65%). These organic acids, with pKa values between 2.8 and 4.9, possess chloro and sulfin groups, as well as heterocyclic 5-ring and hydrophobic ring or chain areas. No significant effect was seen with 5 mmol/l PAH, 2-oxo-glutarate, DIDS, cGMP, prostaglandin E₂, cortisol, benzylamiloride, pyrazinoic acid and 25 mmol/l lactate. Our data indicate that in situ the secretory luminal PAH transport proceeds in a non-rheogenic fashion, per exclusionem by anion exchange. The observed trans-inhibition of PAH secretion seems to correlate with the affinity for the luminal PAH transporter and, for uricosuric substances, with their uricosuric potency. Received: 15 October 1996 / Received after revision: 17 December 1996 / Accepted: 18 December 1996     

Description of a new species of Dolichorchis (Digenea, Diplostomidae) in the cocoi heron, Ardea cocoi (Aves, Ardeidae), from Argentina

Dolichorchis lacombeensis sp. nov., a digenean parasite of the gut of the cocoi heron, Ardea cocoi (L.), is described as a new species from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. This new species most closely resembles D. buteii and D. tregenna in the distribution of the vitelline follicles, which reach the intestinal bifurcation in the forebody. D. buteii can be distinguished from D. lacombeensis sp. nov. by the distribution of the vitelline follicles in the hindbody, which are concentrated in midline, by the presence of a sphincter in genital pore and by the size of holdfast organ and posterior testis, which are larger, (240–400 × 176–240 and 315–464 × 240–410 μm, respectively). D. tregenna differ from the new species by their larger measurements (pseudosuckers’ length 90–100, pharynx 52–90 × 50–70 and eggs 89–104 × 48–68 μm).     

The intrinsic Cl–conductance of mouse kidney cortex brush-border membrane vesicles is not related to CFTR

 Brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were prepared from whole Balb/c mice kidneys by a Mg²⁺ precipitation technique. The presence of an intrinsic Cl^–conductance co-expressed with Na⁺/glucose cotransport was inferred by the anion dependence of [¹⁴C]glucose uptake and overshoot with inward Na⁺-anion gradients. In Na⁺-equilibrated conditions, an inside-negative membrane potential difference (p.d.) produced by an inward Cl^–gradient alone was capable of driving intravesicular [¹⁴C]glucose accumulation. The apparent anion conductance had a selectivity of Br^– = I^– = Cl^– >  F^–>> gluconate, was inhibited by 0.5 mM 5-nitro-2- (3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) but was unaffected by 0.5 mM 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene 2,2′-disulphonate (DIDS). BBMV were isolated from mice in which the CFTR gene had been disrupted by a termination mutation (–/–) and compared with normal litter mates (+/+) and heterozygotes (–/+)[18]. [¹⁴C]Glucose uptake in NaCl media was significantly greater than glucose uptake in Na gluconate media for all three genotypes measured at 20 s: for homozygous –/– animals [¹⁴C]glucose uptake was increased by 2.80 ± 0.53 fold in Cl^–media compared to gluconate media, n = 6; for wild-type +/+, by 2.16 ± 0.53 fold, n = 8; and for heterozygous +/– animals, by 2.17 ± 0.45 fold, n = 8. The observation of a Cl^–-dependent component in BBMV isolated from homozygous –/– mutant animals shows that the chloride conductance in these vesicles cannot be due to cftr expression. Received: 27 August 1996 / Received after revision: 28 February 1997 / Accepted: 2 May 1997     

Vestibuloprotective and antiamnestic properties of adrenocorticotropic hormone fragments and their analogs

It is established that low-intensity electromagnetic waves of superhigh frequency and motion sickness induce in rats a retrograde amnesia revealed in the passive avoidance test. Fragments of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (4–10) and (5–10), ORG-2766 [ACTH (4–9) analog], and a domestic ACTH (4–10) analog, ACTH (4–7)-Pro-Gly-Pro (semax), in doses of 0.05–0.1 mg/kg significantly weaken the anamnestic effect of both extreme factors. Semax and ORG-2766 also possess a marked anti-motion sickness activity. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, Nulo 6, pp. 634–636, June, 1995 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Information Entropy Measure for Evaluation of Image Quality

This paper presents a simple and straightforward method for synthetically evaluating digital radiographic images by a single parameter in terms of transmitted information (TI). The features of our proposed method are (1) simplicity of computation, (2) simplicity of experimentation, and (3) combined assessment of image noise and resolution (blur). Two acrylic step wedges with 0–1–2–3–4–5 and 0–2–4–6–8–10 mm in thickness were used as phantoms for experiments. In the present study, three experiments were conducted. First, to investigate the relation between the value of TI and image noise, various radiation doses by changing exposure time were employed. Second, we examined the relation between the value of TI and image blurring by shifting the phantoms away from the center of the X-ray beam area toward the cathode end when imaging was performed. Third, we analyzed the combined effect of deteriorated blur and noise on the images by employing three smoothing filters. Experimental results show that the amount of TI is closely related to both image noise and image blurring. The results demonstrate the usefulness of our method for evaluation of physical image quality in medical imaging.     

Assessment of contractility in intact ventricular cardiomyocytes using the dimensionless 'Frank-Starling Gain' index

This paper briefly recapitulates the Frank–Starling law of the heart, reviews approaches to establishing diastolic and systolic force–length behaviour in intact isolated cardiomyocytes, and introduces a dimensionless index called ‘Frank–Starling Gain’, calculated as the ratio of slopes of end-systolic and end-diastolic force–length relations. The benefits and limitations of this index are illustrated on the example of regional differences in Guinea pig intact ventricular cardiomyocyte mechanics. Potential applicability of the Frank–Starling Gain for the comparison of cell contractility changes upon stretch will be discussed in the context of intra- and inter-individual variability of cardiomyocyte properties.