Experience-Dependent Color Constancy in Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

We investigated the ability to recognize the color of surfaces in fish (Poecilia reticulata), bred from birth in conditions of artificial light with constant spectral content. The capacity for color constancy significantly deteriorated when compared that to the control group. Further alteration of lighting conditions and transfer into natural daylight conditions restored the suppressed function to its normal level. We suggest that the color constancy function belongs in the visual system-response functions, the full development of which requires the accumulation of individual visual experience

Цитопротекторная активность феновина в митоген-активированных клетках Jurkat

Department of Anatomy, Tbilisi State Medical UniversityThe aim of the study: to establish the cytoprotective ability of the application of Phenovine to mitogen-activated Jurkat cells’ modeling systems. Experiments were conducted on intact and PHA-stimulated Jurkat cells and in conditions of coincubation of intact and PHA-stimulated cells. Cytoprotectiv activity of Phenovine was established according to coefficients of viability of the cells and apoptosis intensity, calculated on the basis of the data from the MTT test. Based on the analysis of experimental data, it was concluded that the viability of Jurkat cells decreases (apoptosis intensity increases), while the rising ratio of activated and nonactivated cells in the incubation medium ([Jurkat]PHA/[Jurkat]intact). Therefore, Phenovin increases viability of PHA-stimulated Jurkat cells and prevents their apoptosis.Целью работы явилось исследование цитопротекторной активности феновина на митоген-активированных клетках Jurkat. Эксперименты проводились на интактных, PHA-стимулированных клетках Jurkat и в условиях совместной инкубации интактных и стимулированных клеток. Цитопротекторная активность феновина определялась по значению коэффициентов жизнеспособности клеток и интенсивности их апоптоза, которые рассчитывались из данных МТТ теста. На основании анализа результатов исследования сделано заключеиие, что жизнеспособность клеток Jurkat уменьшается, интенсивность апоптоза увеличивается, с увеличением соотношения PHA-стимулированных и не стимулированных клеток Jurkat в среде инкубации ([Jurkat]PHA/[Jurkat]интактные). Феновин увеличивает жизнеспособность PHA-стимулированных клеток Jurkat и предотвращает апоптоз

Selected acute phase CSF factors in ischemic stroke: findings and prognostic value

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Study aimed at investigation of pathogenic role and prognostic value of several selected cerebrospinal fluid acute phase factors that can reflect the severity of ischemic brain damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ninety five acute ischemic stroke patients were investigated. Ischemic region visualized at the twenty fourth hour by conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Stroke severity evaluated by National Institute Health Stroke Scale. One month outcome of disease was assessed by Barthel Index. Cerebrospinal fluid was taken at the sixth hour of stroke onset. CSF pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were studied by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Nitric Oxide and Lipoperoxide radical were measured by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. CSF Nitrate levels were detected using the Griess reagent. Statistics performed by SPSS-11.0.</p> <p><b>Results</b></p> <p>At the sixth hour of stroke onset, cerebrospinal fluid cytokine levels were elevated in patients against controls. Severe stroke patients had increased interleukin-6 content compared to less severe strokes (P < 0.05). Cerebrospinal fluid Electron Paramagnetic Resonance signal of nitric oxide was increased in patients against controls. Severe stroke group had an elevated Electron Paramagnetic Resonance signal of lipoperoxiradical compared to less severe stroke. Cerebrospinal fluid nitrate levels in less severe stroke patients were higher than those for severe stroke and control. Positive correlation was established between the initial interleukin-6 content and ischemic lesion size as well as with National Institute Health Stroke Scale score on the seventh day. Initial interleukin-6 and nitrate levels in cerebrospinal fluid found to be significant for functional outcome of stroke at one month.</p> <p><b>Conclusion</b></p> <p>According to present study the cerebrospinal fluid contents of interleukin-6 and nitrates seem to be the most reliable prognostic factors in acute phase of ischemic stroke.</p

When pliers become fingers in the monkey motor system

The capacity to use tools is a fundamental evolutionary achievement. Its essence stands in the capacity to transfer a proximal goal (grasp a tool) to a distal goal (e.g., grasp food). Where and how does this goal transfer occur? Here, we show that, in monkeys trained to use tools, cortical motor neurons, active during hand grasping, also become active during grasping with pliers, as if the pliers were now the hand fingers. This motor embodiment occurs both for normal pliers and for "reverse pliers," an implement that requires finger opening, instead of their closing, to grasp an object. We conclude that the capacity to use tools is based on an inherently goal-centered functional organization of primate cortical motor areas

Exp Brain Res DOI 10.1007/s00221-010-2329-9 RESEARCH ARTICLE Responses of mirror neurons in area F5 to hand and tool grasping

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