Reduced angiotensinogen expression attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy in mice

A novel approach was employed to assess the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) to obstructive nephropathy in neonatal mice having zero to four functional copies of the angiotensinogen gene (Agt). Two-day-old mice underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) or sham operation; 28 days later, renal interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were quantitated. In all Agt genotypes, UUO reduced ipsilateral renal mass and increased that of the opposite kidney. Renal interstitial collagen increased after UUO linearly with Agt expression, from a fractional area of 25% in zero-copy mice to 54% in two-copy mice. Renal expression of transforming growth factor-β1 was increased by ipsilateral UUO in mice expressing Agt, but not in zero-copy mice. However, the prevalence of atrophic tubules due to UUO did not vary with Agt expression. Blood pressure was not different in all groups, except for a reduction in sham zero-copy mice. We conclude that a functional RAS is not necessary for compensatory renal growth. This study demonstrates conclusively that angiotensin regulates at least 50% of the renal interstitial fibrotic response in obstructive nephropathy, an effect independent of systemic hemodynamic changes. Angiotensin-induced fibrosis likely is a mechanism common to the progression of many forms of renal disease

Location of renin-angiotensin system components in the hypoglossal nucleus of the rat

10.1016/S0167-0115(01)00260-9Regulatory Peptides1011-351-57REPP

Socio-psychological issues of resocialization of convicts to imprisonment: Domestic and international experience

Currently the recidivism rate in Ukraine. This indicates failure to achieve the goal of punishment – correction of the convict. The purpose of the article is to research the problems of resocialization of convicts, taking into consideration the psychological characteristics of the person serving the sentence. The subject of research: the subject of research is the resocialization of convicts. The following scientific methods were used to study the international experience of resocialization of convicts, to prove the hypotheses, to formulate conclusions: dialectical method, monographic method, logical method, comparative method, generalization method, system and structural method. The results of the research: it was found out that serving a certain term of imprisonment or life imprisonment affects convicts and leads to a change in their psychology in completely different ways. It is proved that the process of resocialization should be set up during the selection of convict’s type and size of punishment (taking into account the circumstances of the case, the perpetrator personality and criminogenic risks that may contribute to recidivism), continue during punishment (using training, work and communication, and providing psychological support to overcome possible psychological crises) and finish after the release from penitentiary institutions (with control over the released, employment assistance or the provision of temporary residence)