Mandibulogram as a measure of stereotyped behavior in the rat

A proposal of a device for continuous monitoring of the movements of the rat's mandible is outlined. Its utility in experimental psychopharmacology is suggested for monitoring of the effect of neuroleptics and antidepressants on oral stereotypies as induced by CNS stimulants.     

Effect of the heteroatom x in the catalytic system ZnR2/o- or m-HXC6H4XH on the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with propylene oxide

A series of new catalytic systems ZnEt₂/cocatalyst were prepared and their activity in the alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide with propylene oxide was studied. The systems ZnEt₂/m-HXC₆H₄XH (mole ratio 1:1) system (X = NH, S) were chosen to elucidate the influence of the heteroatom on the activity of the catalytic system. The obtained results were discussed in terms of the influence of the basicity of the heteroatom and of its hybridization on the structure and association of the catalyst molecule.     

Spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT) in diagnosis of diseases of macula--own results

In this paper general information about spectral optical coherent tomography (SOCT) is presented. SOCT was used in diagnosis of choroidal neovascularization (16 eyes), central serous chorioretinopathy (4 eyes), macular hole (8 eyes), epiretinal membrane (3 eyes) and familial dominant drusen (2 eyes). In all cases SOCT examination revealed new data useful in detailed diagnosis. SOCT is a valuable complementary examination to fluorescein and indocianine green angiography in diagnosis of macula diseases.     

The influence of dopamine injected into the lateral geniculate body on flash visual evoked response in rats

PURPOSE: Numerous neurotransmitters and neuromodulators operating on all levels of the visual system, influence the parameters of cortical evoked response. The aim of this study was to find the influence of dopamine (DA) injected into the lateral geniculate body (nucleus) on flash visual evoked response (FVEP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiments were performed on adult Wistar rats. They were implanted with 1 caniula conducted into the lateral geniculate body and 2 electrodes: active under the skull on dura mater in occipital region of brain and reference one on the skull in the interorbital region. FVEPs curve before and after injection into the lateral geniculate body 0.9% NaCl and DA were analyzed. RESULTS: DA in the lateral geniculate body causes increasing latency and amplitude of FVEP peaks. CONCLUSIONS: Dopamine in the lateral geniculate body can improve visual perception in the occipital cortex.     

Application of Color Doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of the blood flow in the ocular vessels in patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy--the preliminary report

PURPOSE: Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is one of the most common causes of acute loss vision in the middle-aged and elderly persons. It occurs due to hypoperfusion in the short posterior ciliary arteries supplying the optic nerve head. The aim of our study was evaluation of the usefulness of colour Doppler ultrasonography in diagnostics of AION. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Color Doppler imaging of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery and posterior ciliary arteries were performed in 10 patients with clinically evident AION. The peak-systolic velocity (PSV), end-systolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI) were measured. RESULTS: No significant differences in the mean values of PSV, EDV and RI of ophthalmic arteries and posterior ciliary arteries between the affected and non-affected eyes were found. Reduction of mean flow velocities as well as significantly increased resistance index were observed in the central retinal artery in eyes with AION. CONCLUSIONS: The Color Doppler findings in the ciliary arteries do not reflect the ischemic changes in patients with AION. It is probably due to anatomical limitation of this method in evaluation of the blood flow in posterior ciliary arteries supplying the optic nerve head. Abnormal blood flow parameters in the central retinal artery are secondary changes due to optic disc oedema.     

Mathematical model describing thickness changes of concentration boundary layers controlled by polymeric membrane parameters and concentration Rayleigh number

In the paper, by applicating the classic definition of concentration Rayleigh number and the second Kedem-Katchalsky equation, there was deriven the equation of the fourth degree, which makes thicknesses (deltah and deltal) dependent on the concentration difference (Ch-Cl), concentration Rayleigh number (Rc), membrane permeability parameters (omega, xi s) and solutions (Dl, Dh), physico-chemical parameters of solutions (v(l), v(h), rho l, rho h, delta rho/deltaC), temperature (T) and gravitational acceleration (g). On the basis of the obtained formula for isothermal conditions (T = const) and constant gravitational field (g = const), there were calculated non-linear dependencies delta h = f(Ch-Cl)(Rc, zeta s), delta h = f (Rc)((Ch-Cl),zeta s) and delta h = f(delta s)((Ch-Cl),Rc).     

Study on the volume flows through polymeric membranous dressing with silver ions

The volume flows through double-layer polymeric membranous dressing, formed by three types of theromoplastic polymeric fibers called Textus Bioactive were studied. The first layer contains two types of fibers: the polymeric fibers containing hydrophobic core and hydrophilic surfaces with silver zeolite and hydrophilic super absorbing polymers (SAP). The second layer of membrane contains third type of polymeric fibers, arranged parallel to surface's skin, creating a net, which prevents membranous dressing from sticking to treated wound. The pressure characteristics of the volume flux were determined and it was stated that the value of this flux is dependent on the value of hydrostatic pressure difference (deltaP) and the concentration difference (deltaC) of solutions separated by membrane. Experimental results show that the membranous dressing Textus Bioactive posses the rectifying properties with reference to volume flows. These properties occurs above a threshold value of deltaC. Using the Kedem-Katchalsky equations, the model of the volume flows through membranous dressing Textus Bioactive was made.     

A comet assay study reveals that aluminium induces DNA damage and inhibits the repair of radiation-induced lesions in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Although it is known that many metals induce DNA damage and inhibit DNA repair, information regarding aluminium (Al) is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with Al and the impact of Al on the repair of DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation. Cells were treated with different doses of aluminium chloride (1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 microg/ml AlCl(3)) for 72 h. The level of DNA damage and of apoptosis was determined by the comet assay. The level of oxidative damage was determined by the application of endonuclease III and formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase. The results on apoptosis were confirmed by flow cytometry. Based on the fluorescence intensity, cells were divided into cohorts of different relative DNA content that corresponds to G(1), S and G(2) phases of the cell cycle. Our results revealed that Al induces DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner, however, at the dose of 25 microg/ml the level of damage declined. This decline was accompanied by a high level of apoptosis indicating selective elimination of damaged cells. Cells pre-treated with Al showed a decreased repair capacity indicating that Al inhibits DNA repair. The possible mechanisms by which Al induces DNA damage and inhibits the repair are discussed.