[Calcification of atherosclerotic plaques and assessment of their stability].

Presented herein is a review of the literature concerning mechanisms of calcification of atherosclerotic plaques (ASP), showing molecular mechanisms of interaction of processes of calcification with the factors inducing instability of ASPs (anti-inflammatory cytokines, neoangiogenesis, increased level of matrix metalloproteinases, etc.), also describing the effect of the value of volume of scope of calcification on stability of ASPs, followed by discussing the problems related to the role of biominerals (hydroxyapatite calcium phosphate) and Mn2+ in calcification of ASPs and their impact upon stability of the plaque.

[Effects of transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells, expressing VEGF and FGF2 genes, into the area of spinal cord traumatic lesion].

Effects of immediate single transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCB-MC) transfected with recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) genes into the area of injury were studied on the model of rat spinal cord dosed contusion at TVIII level. UCB-MC transfected with EGFP-N2 plasmid were transplanted into the rats of the control group under similar conditions. The presence of EGFP- labeled cells were traced in white matter during 21 days after transplantation at a distance no less than 10 mm in rostral and caudal directions from the nearest point of the injection.

[Posttraumatic changes of rat spinal cord after transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells transfected with VEGF and FGF2 genes].

Using the model of the rat spinal cord dosed contusion injury at T8 level, cross sectional area of the pathological cavities was measured and the number of myelinated nerve fibers was calculated in the outer zones of white matter after immediate single injection in the damaged area of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCB-MC) transfected with plasmid with vegf and fgf2 genes. UCB-MC transfected with pEGFP-N2 plasmid with egfp gene of enhanced green fluorescent protein were injected into the rats of control group under similar conditions. By Day 30 after the injection of UCB-MC transfected with vegf and fgf2 genes, total cross-sectional area of the cavities in outer zones of white matter at a distance of 3 mm caudally from the epicenter of the injury was reduced more than twice as compared with that found in control group.

[Satellite cells of the sensory neurons after different types of sciatic nerve trauma in rat].

The reaction of satellite cells (SC) and the changes in their numbers were studied in rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia using the models of sciatic nerve crush, transection and ligation. After the nerve transection, the neurons surrounded by two layers of SC were found. This was accompanied by the increased SC branch thickness and contact area due to invaginations into neuronal perikarya.

[RNA-interference in the regulation of axonal transport].

Until now, in the world since literature, there has been no direct evidence indicating that RNA-interference controls local protein synthesis in the mammalian motor neuron axons. In the present review we have summarized the results on intraaxonal protein synthesis, its role in the axonal transport, and mechanisms regulating local protein synthesis in the axoplasm. The new mechanisms regulating axonal transport based on RNA-interference presented in the review let us discuss the questions about pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative diseases.

[Protein synthesis in the axon].

According to one of the doctrines of neuroscience, protein synthesis in neuronal cells takes place only in the perikaryon and dendrites. The first indirect evidence on the possibility of protein synthesis in the axon appeared a long time ago, but convincing proof of protein synthesis in that compartment of the neuron was obtained only recently. Axoplasm contains numerous cytoskeletal and cytosolic proteins which are carried by slow axonal transport.

[Survival and phenotypic characterisctic of axotomized dorsal root ganglion neurons].

Using indirect inmunohistochemical method, the expression of Bcl-XL and Bax, anti- and proapoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family, as well as of cytokine IL-1beta were studied to demonstrate the role of these substances in apoptosis regulation of sensory neurons of different subpopulations after the severance of their peripheral processes. For comparison of the capacity of these neurons to survive after central and peripheral axotomy, the expression of high-molecular component of neurofilament triplet NF200 and isolectin B4 (IB4) binding were studied. At day 30 after central axotomy, the total number of neurons in LIV-LV ganglia of rat was not changed, but the number of NF200+ neurons was decreased.

[Post-traumatic survival in different subpopulations of sensory neurons].

An expression of high molecular component of neurofilament triplet NF200 (marker of neurons forming A-fibers) and binding of isolectin B4 (IB4) was examined immunohistochemically in LIV-LV dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons after ligation or transection of the sciatic nerve in rat. NF200 immunoreactivity was detected in 15% of all neurons in DRG of intact rats. Ligation of sciatic nerve caused a two-fold decrease in number of NF200-positive neurons by 90th day after nerve injury, however in animals treated with peripheral nerve regeneration stimulator xymedon the number of surviving NF200-positive neurons was increased by 50.

[Interaction of sensory neurons and satellite cells during stimulation of the nerve regeneration].

Using the model of pharmacological stimulation of rat sciatic nerve regeneration, the effect of pyrimidine derivative ximedon on survival of different populations of LIV-LV dorsal root ganglion neurons, their expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein and number of neurons surrounded by vimentin-positive satellite cell, was studied. 90 days after nerve cutting, ximedon was found to reduce posttraumatic death of neurons having both medium-sized and large perikarya by 35.5% and 42.

[Neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain].

The concept of the CNS cell composition stability has recently undergone significant changes. It was earlier believed that neurogenesis in the mammalian CNS took place only during embryonic and early postnatal development. New approaches make it possible to obtain new results overriding the dogma that neurogenesis is impossible in the adult brain.

[Neural stem cells in the brain].

Stem cells in the central nervous system were usually considered as relevant for evaluation only in embryonic time. Recent advances in molecular cloning and immunological identification of the different cell types prove the presence of neurogenesis of the new neurons in adult mammals brains. New neurons are born in two areas of the mammal and human brain--sybventricular zone and subgranular zone of dentate gyrus.

[Apoptosis in the nervous system].

Apoptosis (from Greek apoptosis, i.e., falling of leaves) is the phenomenon of programmed cell death, which plays an important role in the normal embryonic development and maintenance of homeostasis of the differentiated tissues of adult organisms.

[Sensory neurons and Schwann cells during pharmacologic stimulation of the nerve regeneration].

Using the model of rat sciatic nerve transection and crush injury we studied influence of pyrimidine derivative xymedon on efficacy of regeneration of myelinated axons, number and phenotype of surviving sensory neurons (expressing GAP-43 and Bcl-2) and Schwann cells (S100, GAP-43, PCNA) on the 7th, 15th, 30th, 60th and 90th day after nerve injury. We found out that xymedon counteracts posttraumatic death of sensory neurons, stimulates regeneration of myelinated fibres and proliferation of Schwann cells.

[The development, phenotypic characteristics and communications of Schwann cells].

The Schwann cell is one of the major cell types in vertebrate peripheral nervous system. The Schwann cell precursors are derived from the neural crest and migrate along the growing axons towards their ultimate localization. Recently obtained data regarding expression of different molecules (S100 protein, myelin proteins, low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor, GAP-43, adhesion molecules) and particularly transcription factors SCIP and Krox-20 allowed to precisely characterize lineage for myelinating and non myelinating Schwann cells and their phenotypes.

[Drug stimulation of the peripheral nerve regeneration].

A comparative study of the effects of xymedone, riboxin, and piracetam upon the regeneration of myelinated axons and the number of surviving sensory neurons in spinal ganglia L4-L5 was studied on the model of sciatic nerve transection in rats. The three drugs decrease the number of neurons entering the posttraumatic apoptosis. Riboxin and xymedone stimulate the regeneration of myelinated axons, the latter drug being more effective and producing a 21.

[The regeneration of nerve fibers after low-intensity laser irradiation].

Efficiency of myelinated fibres regeneration was studied in affecting the nerve by different lasers. 890 nm wave length irradiation 0.33 J/cm2 in dose irradiation was shown not to influence the quantity of myelinated fibres regenerating in the nerve distal region.

[The factors supporting peripheral nerve regeneration].

At present work the special mechanisms for stimulating influence of the growth cone mobility extracellular regulators upon peripheral nerve fibers regeneration were passed in review. An important role played by the system of neuron-Schwann cell informational interactions and the GAP-43 neurospecific protein, that is known to affect specifically the axonal growth cone while nerve fibers regeneration, was mentioned. There's considerably less data available on the grave problem of physical factors and various neuroplastic approaches influence upon nerve regeneration.

[Contractile activity and sensitivity of smooth muscle cells of the small intestine to agonists in acute ileus].

The impact of acute ileus on the contractility and sensitivity of small intestinal smooth muscle cells to acetylcholine and histamine, as well as possible recovery of smooth muscle cells after removal of 3-hour acute ileus were studied. The contractility of small intestinal smooth muscle cells and their sensitivity to the agonists decreased in proportion to the duration of acute ileus only in the strangulated portion of the bowel. Removal of 3-hour acute ileus resulted in a stepwise recovery of the contractility and sensitivity of small intestinal smooth muscle cells to the agonists in the adducting, strangulated, and abducting portions.

[The effect of sympathetic denervation on the structure, contractility and electrical activity of the smooth-muscle cells in the cat nictitating membrane].

The nucleus and soma of sympathetically denervated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the cat nictitating membrane were found to be enlarged. The number of free ribosomes was dramatically increased and a disintegration of microfilaments was found. The functional changes involved spontaneous or agonist-induced generation of APs.

[Immunocytochemistry of keratins in the tongue mucosa of rats].

C12 and E2 monoclonal antibodies to keratins stained taste bud cells of foliate papillae as well as the cells of the associated glands. H4 monoclonal antibody to keratin reacted with the surrounding epithelial cells and did not react with the taste bud cells. The results show that the keratin subtype differs between taste bud and surrounding epithelial cells.

[Immunocytochemistry of keratins in the mucous membrane of the rat tongue].

C12 and E2 monoclonal antibodies to keratins stained taste bud cells of foliate papillae as well as the cells of the associated glands. H4 monoclonal antibody to keratin reacted with the surrounding epithelial cells and did not react with the taste bud cells. The results show that the keratin subtype differs between taste bud and surrounding epithelial cells.