Role of copper in the relaxant action of S-nitrosothiols in the rat anococcygeus muscle

1. The effects of copper chelators were investigated on the relaxant actions of the S-nitrosothiols S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), the non-S-nitrosothiol nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), free radical NO (NO-) and the nitrergic neurotransmitter in rat isolated anococcygeus muscle. 2. Cumulative additions of GSNO (0.01-100 µmol/L), SNAP (0.001-10 µmol/L), SNP (0.001-1 µmol/L) and NO. (0.5-5 µmol/L) and electrical field stimulation (EFS; 1-5 Hz, 10 s) of nitrergic nerves in preparations precontracted with guanethidine (10-30 µmol/L) and clonidine (0.01-0.3 µmol/L) produced concentration-dependent relaxations. 3. The Cu[I] chelator neocuproine (10-30 µmol/L) produced concentration-dependent inhibitions of the relaxations to GSNO and SNAP. At 30 µmol/L, neocuprinone had no effect on relaxations to SNP (0.001-1 µmol/L), NO- (0.5-5 µmol/L) or EFS (1-5 Hz, 10 s). 4. The Cu[II] chelator cuprizone (30 µmol/L) slightly and significantly enhanced relaxations to GSNO and NO-, but had no effect on relaxations to SNAP, SNP or EFS. 5. In conclusion, the results indicate that Cu[I], but not Cu[II], may be involved in the relaxant actions of GSNO and SNAP in the rat anococcygeus muscle

Ultrasonography: a method used for pregnancy imaging of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra)

Ultrasound imaging has more frequently been used in veterinary medicine of amphibians and reptiles. In this study, we have verified the usefulness of ultrasound imaging in pregnancy determination of the fire salamander Salamandra salamandra. We have also undertaken to estimate the number of larvae and their developmental stage directly in the oviducts. Three gravid females from Lower Silesia (southern Poland) were examined. Due to the small size of the scanned animals, and the particular arrangement of embryos in the oviducts and ultrasound beams dispersal, the method proved to be inaccurate. Therefore, the minimum number of well-visualized larvae was determined. The maximum number of larvae was established on the basis of the visible fragments of embryos. After birth, we found that the number of larvae born was included in the „min-max” range in only one case. In the remaining two salamanders the number of larvae was higher than estimated in 3 to 7 individuals. The results showed that ultrasound imaging allows the minimum number of larvae in salamander; oviducts to be specified. However, total length measurements were possible only for single and clearly visible embryos

Location of invasive Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) (Wied, 1838) in Zachodniopomorskie Province (NW Poland)

Wody Polski zasiedla jeden rodzimy gatunek żółwi - żółw błotny (Emys orbicularis Linnaeus, 1758), którego najczęściej izolowane populacje na terenie niemal całej Europy sukcesywnie zmniejszają swoje zasięgi. Oprócz powszechnej i postępującej degradacji ich wodnych oraz lądowych siedlisk, w obrębie niektórych stanowisk na ich kondycję wpływa także pojawienie się obcych gatunków zwierząt, w tym żółwia czerwonolicego (Trachemys scripta elegans Wied, 1838). W artykule przedstawiono wyniki obserwacji miejsc bytowania żółwi czerwonolicych na terenie województwa zachodniopomorskiego poczynione w latach 2008-2015. Dotychczas gatunek ten znany był ze stanowisk zlokalizowanych na terenie niemal całej Polski, ale brak było konkretnych doniesień o jego bytowaniu w północno-zachodniej części kraju. W ostatnich latach w tej części kraju notuje się wzrost liczby doniesień stwierdzających występowanie tego gatunku. Dokonane obserwacje uzupełniają informacje na temat rozmieszczenia tego gatunku w Polsce.Polish waters populated by a native species of turtles - pond turtle (Emys orbicularis Linnaeus, 1758), who is the most isolated population in nearly all European countries gradually reduce their ranges. In addition to the universal and progressive degradation of water and land habitats within certain positions on their condition also affects the appearance of alien species, including red - eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans Wied, 1838). The article presents the results of observations of living red - eared slider in West Pomerania province made in 2008-2015. So far, this species was known for his positions located throughout almost the entire Poland, but there were no specific reports of its be-ing in the northwestern part of the country. In recent years in this part of Poland there has been an increase in the number of reports of the occurrence of this species. The observations are supplemented by information on the distribution of this species in Poland