Effect of early deprivation of visual evoked potentials of rabbit cerebral cortex under conditions of dark and light adaptation

Rabbits raised in the dark revealed a significant decrease in amplitude and an increase in temporal parameters of the main components of evoked potentials (EP) to diffuse flashes under dark adaptation, as well as a facilitation of the postprimary components and intensification of the sensory after-discharge. In contradistinction to normal, the deprived animals exhibited no augmentation of the amplitude of the EP primary positive phase at higher intensity of the flahses or any significant decrease in the EP amplitude under light adaptation conditions. It is suggested that early deprivation brings about a decrease in the number of elements reacting to a specific stimulation, especially of elements working in photopic conditions; the decrease in the number of activated afferent inputs in the visual cortex due to deprivation reduces the effectiveness of the processes of successive inhibition; at the same time there is an increase of synchronic influences of the thalamic inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex.     

Celiacography in the diagnosis of stomach cancer

Selective celiacography after the Seldinger technic was performed in 24 patients with stomach pathology (cancer, ulcer, leiomyoma, cicatricial deformation of the stomach). Angiographic symptoms in gastric cancer are found to be mostly similar with those in ulcer and an inflammatory process. Celiacography fails to form an adequately precise judgement on the degree of gastric cancer local speed.     

Effect of preparations of messenger RNA from the spleens of immunized rats on antibody synthesis in rat lymphosarcoma

Messenger RNA was isolated from spleen polysomes of rats immunized with sheep red cells, two methods being employed: a sorption of mRNA on on membrane filters, and poly(U)-cellulose affinity chromatography. The rat transplantable lymphosarcoma cells treated with this RNA started hemolysine synthesis which persisted throughout many cell generations in transplantation of the tumor. The probability is discussed of m-RNA not only functioning as a template for antibody synthesis but also deblocating appropriate genes in recipient cells.     

Inactivation of short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase from pig liver by 2-pentynoyl-coenzyme A

2-Pentynoyl-CoA is a mechanism-based inactivator of the flavoprotein short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from pig liver. Inactivation is associated with the formation of an intermediate absorbing at 800 nm and results in the incorporation of 0.86 +/- 0.13 molecules of radiolabeled inhibitor per subunit. A rapid procedure was devised to isolate the labeled peptide. A glutamate residue was identified as the target of 2-pentynoyl-CoA treatment and proved homologous to the proposed catalytic base, GLU376, in the corresponding medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase sequence. These results are discussed in terms of the lack of conservation of this glutamate residue in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase enzyme family.     

The development of the blood hyperviscosity syndrome in patients with a history of pulmonary artery thromboembolism

Examination of 64 patients with prior pulmonary artery thromboembolism revealed high blood viscosity in 88% of males and 77% of females. Polycythemia and disturbed erythrocyte deformability were the causes of increased blood viscosity. The degree of disturbed blood viscosity correlated with the degree of hemodynamic disorders. The development of the blood hyperviscosity syndrome was determined by the extent of the affected lungs rather than by the duration of the disease.     

The stress-protective effect of a new derivative of n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids

It has been established that prophylactic oral administration of the new derivative of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids--P-55 in a daily dose of 0.2 g/kg during 30 days prevents some morphological and physiological manifestations of the chronic stress-syndrome in white rats. There were normalized body and some internal organs weights, content and distribution of ascorbic acid in the adrenal tissue; decreased intensity of gastric ulcerogenesis. The behaviour of animals became more quiet. It is concluded that the preparation P-55 has a stress-protective effect during its prophylactic administration.