Adhesins of immunoglobulin-like superfamily from earthworm Eisenia foetida

1. From the biologically active extract (G-90) isolated from the tissue homogenate of Eisenia foetida immunoglobulin-like structures were isolated and named G-90/4. 2. G-90/4 in nanogram concentrations stimulated cell proliferation more than did the original G-90. It lyses cells in microgram concentrations. 3. G-90/4 acts as an adhesion molecule between the receptors of adjacent cells. 4. The increase in proliferative activity was accompanied by the elevation of cytoplasmic protein containing tyrosine. 5. Immunohistochemical analyses confirm immunoglobulin-like transmembrane structures in the connective and muscular tissues of E. foetida.

Fibrinolytic and anticoagulative activities from the earthworm Eisenia foetida

Biologically active glycolipoprotein complex (G-90) isolated from whole earthworm tissue extract shows anticoagulative and fibrinolytic activities. We isolated two tyrosine like serine peptidases with molecular masses of 34 kDa (P I) and 23 kDa (P II), respectively. P I peptidase is autocatalytically degraded to P II. Both peptidases exhibit fibrinolytic and anticoagulative activities. The activity of P I is much higher. P I in concentration of 10(5) ng ml-1 of plasma shortened the physiological time of fibrin clot lysis by 54% and completely inhibited blood clotting at a concentration of 10(3) ng ml-1 of venous blood.

Intravenous immunoglobulin preparations as immunomodulatory agents

Certain immunopathologic conditions, such as hypersensitivity and autoimmune diseases, are characterized by quantitative and/or qualitative alterations of immune reactions. It is now believed that such immunologic disturbances generate from inadequate internal control and regulation of immunologic reactivity. Important member of the complex regulatory network that supervises an immune response are antibodies themselves. Since antibody is bifunctional molecule, its regulatory action deals with two separate molecular structures denoted as Fab and Fc portion. By Fab fragment, antibody interferes with the reaction with antigens, or participates in the regulatory idiotype/antiidiotype interactions. Fc-mediated regulation includes influence on complement activation cascade, formation and clearance of immune complexes, phagocytosis, ADCC activity, T- and B-cell function, cytokine profile, etc. In general, antibody triggers immune reactions, but also has the capacity to suppress them. Exogenous antibodies are likely to elicit similar effects on immune processes. Actually, it has been demonstrated that intravenously given immunoglobulins, particularly high-dose IgG, effectively combat harmful immune response in some chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Hence, preparations of immunoglobulins for intravenous use (IVIG) can be considered as an immunomodulatory agent. To achieve the property of modulating the immune response, IVIG products must contain intact (7S) IgG molecule and maintain sufficient concentrations in plasma.

[The antiphospholipid syndrome--yesterday, today, tomorrow]

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS), is defined as the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) associated with clinical phenomena of arterial or venous thrombosis, recurrent spontaneous abortions and thrombocytopenia. APLA represent the family of antibodies of different specificity. They are mostly directed to various anionic phospholipids (cardiolipin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidyl acid and phosphatidyl ethanolamine). The part of APLA is directed towards epitope at the structurally changed beta-2-GPI, the so-called anti beta-2-GPI antibodies and the hypothesis was established that the subgroup of APLA was directed towards complex of beta-2-GPI with the phospholipids and oxidized lipoproteins of high and very low density. This could explain the clinically observed association of mutual onset of thrombosis and atherosclerosis. The most frequent target tissues for APLA are endothelial cells, thrombocytes, monocytes, natural anticoagulant system and placenta. APLA can be detected in a serum with one of the following assays: testing of lupus anticoagulant presence, determination of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) concentration by ELISA and by testing the false positivity of VDRL test (standard test for syphilis). The pathological base for so-called vasculopathy in APLS are arterial and venous thrombosis. Clinical manifestations of APLS are mainly the result of blood vessels' occlusion but the thrombotic mass deposition on the surface of the heart valves may also occur. Clinically APLS can be divided into primary and secondary one, and manifestations of the secondary APLS are mainly expressed in the patients with SLE. Some clinical and serological variants of primary APLS were also described. The tendency for thrombotic process as a crucial characteristic of the syndrome and the lack of inflammation, imposes the choice of antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapy.

[Rational for the use of human immunoglobulins in clinical practice]

The Clinic for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of the Military Medical Academy, with the participation of the hosts and experts from eminent Yugoslav institutions, in April 1997 organized the symposium on two current and trendy subjects from clinical immunology: "Antiphospholipid syndrome" and "The use of polyvalent intravenous immunoglobulins in the clinical praxis". This paper summarizes the contemporary knowledge about the structure and biological activity of immunoglobulins, methods for their production, different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of two types (5S and 7S) IVIG preparations, etc. We pointed out three basic groups of indications for IVIG clinical use: 1) substitutional therapy in the primary and secondary immunodeficiencies; 2) adjuvant therapy for severe infections; 3) immunomodulation in autoimmune diseases. Particular emphasis was put on currently known mechanisms of immunosuppressive action of IVIG in autoimmune diseases. Except for presently accepted indications for their use (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and Kawasaki syndrome) we mentioned about 40 different diseases in hematology, neurology, rheumatology and other branches of medicine, from neonatology to transplantology, in which IVIG had shown some efficacy. Possibilities of different therapeutic modalities and the choice of diverse pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects, benefit the very wide spectrum of diseases, while minimal incidence of adverse effects suggested them to be the therapy of the future in the clinical practice.

Antiphospholipid syndrome in systemic connective tissue diseases

Clinical manifestation and immunoserological features of secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS) were analyzed in this paper in 107 patients with systemic connective tissue diseases. In the group of patients with confirmed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) were positive in 43/93 (46.23%), while in 50/93 (53.76%) they were negative. Among aPL positive patients, 33/43 (76.74%) had clinical manifestations of SAPS, while 10 patients (23.26%) were without any clinical manifestations. The most frequent manifestations of SAPS associated with SLE were: arteriovenous thrombosis in 20/43 (46.51%), thrombocitopenia in 15/43 (34.88%) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in 7/43 (16.27%). In our patients, rare manifestations of SAPS associated with SLE were recurrent fetal loss (1 case), livedo reticularis (1 case), transversal myelitis (2 cases), neuropathy (2 cases) and aseptic endocarditis (Libman-Sacks) (5 cases). Among 7 patients, with Sjögren's syndrome, clinically manifested SAPS was observed in 2, while in other 5 only increased aPL levels were found, as well as in patients with systemic vasculitis-3, MCTD-2 and Sy. Sjögren with vasculitis-1. One RA patient had thrombosis of v. cava inferior. In majority of patients with clinically present SAPS the levels of both examined immunoglobulin isotypes (IgG + IgM) were decreased-21/40 or 52.5%, while isolated increase of IgG was found in 14 (35%) and isolated increase of IgM in 5 (19.22%) patients. In three out of five patients with Libman-Sacks only LA test was positive. This investigation have shown that arterial and venous thromboses are the most common manifestations of SAPS in SLE. Every blood vessel may be involved (from arteriolae to the aorta and from postcapilar venules to the v. cava).

Tuning of a nonanalytical hierarchical control system for reaching with FES

Point-to-point functional movements involve simultaneous shoulder and elbow joint rotations. In able-bodied subjects these movements are fully automatic, and feed-forward control ensures the synergistic activity of many muscles. Synergy between joint rotations was defined and described as a scaling between joint angular velocities [19]. Similarly, subjects who can control their shoulder movements may be assisted in reaching tasks by functional electrical stimulation (FES) of elbow extensor muscles. The synergistic control paradigm can be implemented in real-time by employing a hierarchically structured production-rules method. The use of production-rules necessitates the acquisition of knowledge and the assembly of a rule-base. A nonparametric technique was designed for the identification of the rules. The identification process was divided into two phases: determination of the scaling parameters, and determination of the stimulation parameters. The scaling parameters, needed for the coordination of movements, were determined in able-bodied subjects. Those depend exclusively on the initial and target positions of the hand. The number of scalings could be reduced by dividing the workspace into 12 zones. The stimulation parameters, needed for the execution of movements, were determined in subjects with paralyzed elbow extensor muscles by identifying triplets: elbow angular velocity, elbow angular acceleration (velocity increments), and the corresponding pulse durations for various classes of movements and loads attached to the hand.

[Dynamic graciloplasty in the treatment of severe fecal incontinence--2 case reports]

Severe fecal incontinence is a serious problem not only for the patient whose quality of life is diminished, but also for the surgeon, who sometimes has difficulties how to manage all the aspects of this complicated condition. Conservative treatment is often ineffective, while operative sphincter repair is feasible only when anal sphincter is relatively functional and conserved. Dynamic graciloplasty is a method where functional anal neosphincter is constructed by transposing m. gracilis and wrapping it around the anal canal with subsequent implantation of electric neurostimulator and electrodes. Relatively good continence can be achieved with this technique, especially in-patients where all other therapeutic options failed. We present two patients, 25 and 21 years old, operated on our department, both suffered from severe fecal incontinence from the time they were born. They were interviewed, underwent a physical examination and evaluated by anal manometry, defecography and electromyography. Severe fecal incontinence was revealed (18 and 20, according to the Continence grading scale). In both cases, Gamma graciloplasty was performed. At first patient, implantation of the neurostimulator was performed 8 months after graciloplasty, while in second case, both graciloplasty and implantation of the electrodes with neurostimulator were performed at the same time. Postoperative recovery was uneventful in both cases. There was minor infection of the perineal wound in one patient. Electrostimulation training program was started on 9th postoperative day in both cases. Functional results were revealed by questionnaire and anal manometry. The quality of life was significantly improved in both cases, with good continence and psychological recovery. Anal manometry revealed increased anal contraction pressure comparing with preoperative basal and squeeze pressures. Dynamic graciloplasty is a relatively new; high specialized method in treatment of intractable, fecal incontinence. It is safe and reliable procedure in hands of an well-experienced surgeon, if well indicated and performed.

[Dermatopolymyositis and overlap syndromes]

Clinical characteristics and immunoserological features of patients with overlap myositis treated in Clinic for Rheumatology of Military Medical Academy in the period 1978-1996 are presented in the study. Retrospective and partially prospective study included 16 patients with the diagnosis of dermatopolymyositis associated with some other systemic disease of connective tissue (SDCT) in overlap syndrome. There were 12-females of average age 37.33 years and 4 males of average age 52.25 years. Complete laboratory investigation included the determination of muscular enzymes values. Immunoserological analyses were also performed (RF, Le cells, ANA, ICs, immunoglobulins, cryoglobulins and complement), EMNG examination of pelvis and shoulder and pH examination of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscles. The combination of the diseases was found in 11 patients, 7 were with PSS, 2 with SLE, 1 with RA and one with PAN. Three diseases were associated in 4 patients, SLE and RA in 2, PSS and RA in 1, thyroiditis and sicca complex in 1. Five-fold combination of disease was found in 1 patient. More frequent occurrence of fever, polyarthritis, skin manifestations, Raynoud's phenomenon, the involvement of serosas, lungs and heart, histological finding of skin and/or muscle vasculitis and larger presence of ANA, ICs, hypergammaglobulinemia and hypocomplementemia pointed out the dominant disorder of humoral immunity which was most probably connected with associated SDCT.

Fibrinolytic activity of earthworms extract (G-90) on lysis of fibrin clots originated from the venous blood of patients with malignant tumors

u-PA is secreted by the most malignant tumors. As a response to u-PA synthesis surrounding cells synthetize inhibitors of plasminogen activators for tissue protection. Plasminogen activators were found also in earthworm tissue. From the tissue homogenate of earthworm Eisenia foetida the glycolipoprotein mixture named G-90 was isolated. It contains two serine proteases (P I, P II) with fibrinolytic and anticoagulative activities. The fibrinolytic activity of G-90, P I and P II was tested in an in vitro euglobulinic test applied to fibrin clot from blood plasma of patients suffered from malignant tumors. G-90 and above-mentioned proteases applied in this study showed euglobulinic time proportionally with the concentrations of added substances. The influence of G-90 on the fibrinolysis rate does not depend only on its concentration, but depends too on histological type of tissue (organ) where the malignant tumors are located. Enzyme P I and P II do not show this activity.

Automatic segmentation of intravascular ultrasound images: a texture-based approach

Extraction of blood vessel boundaries from intravascular ultrasound images is essential in the quantitative analysis of cardiovascular functions. In this study, we are presenting a completely automated procedure for determining blood vessel borders. This approach uses textural operators to separate different tissue regions and morphological processing to refine extracted contours. The method was tested in a set of 29 intravascular ultrasound images obtained in vivo. To assess the performance of the method, we have compared the automatically processed images with the manual tracings, using three different criteria: correlation coefficient, match ratio, and relative error of computed shape parameters. In both contour detection and shape parameters estimation, the proposed method yielded consistently good results. Due to its robustness and accuracy, this approach is appropriate for clinical use, whereas computational efficiency of the method facilitates low-cost implementation.

Neuroprotective effect of chronic verapamil treatment on cognitive and noncognitive deficits in an experimental Alzheimer's disease in rats

It is well known that disturbance of calcium homeostasis has a significant role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our recent data suggest that acute treatment with the calcium antagonist verapamil can improve some behavioral deficits in an experimental model of AD. Therefore, the present study was done to establish the effect of chronically administered verapamil on cognitive and noncognitive behavior of rats with bilateral electrolitical lesions of nucleus basalis manocellularis (NBM)--an animal model of AD. The NBM lesions produce a deficit in performance of diverse behavior tests: active avoidance (AA), low level of fear (the open field test) as well as aggressive (the test of foot-shock induced aggression) and depressive (the learned helplessness test) behavior. Verapamil (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg i.p.) or saline solution (1 ml/kg i.p.) were injected 24 hr after the lesion of NBM and then repeatedly administered during the next 8 days (twice a day). Performance of the two-way active avoidance test, the open field test, the foot shock-induced aggression test and the learned helplessness test were done on day 4 after the last verapamil or saline treatment (day 13 after the lesion). Verapamil in doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg significantly ameliorated the deficit in the performance of AA, the open field behavior, and the depression, but not the aggressive behavior. The obtained beneficial effect of chronic administered verapamil suggests that the regulation of calcium homeostasis during the early period after NBM lesions might be a reasonable way to prevent the behavioral deficits in an experimental model of AD.

Contribution to the pathogenesis of radiation-induced injury to large arteries

We report a case of a 35-year-old man who died of a brain infarct 20 months after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the tonsil with metastases to the cervical lymph nodes. Histology revealed mild atherosclerosis, necrotizing vasculitis, and occlusive thrombosis of the internal carotid artery. Significant changes were observed in the vasa vasorum: swelling and detachment of the endothelium, subendothelial oedema, hyaline change, fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel walls with mononuclear cellular infiltration, accompanied by focal haemorrhages and chronic inflammation in the periadventitial soft tissue. We believe that these changes of the vasa vasorum and necrotizing vasculitis are causally related and that vasculitis represents focal ischaemic necroses with inflammatory reaction. Our findings support the hypothesis, based on experimental studies, that injury to the vasa vasorum is an important mechanism in the development of radiation-induced vasculopathy of large arteries. They also suggest an evolution of the injury to the vasa vasorum and periadventitial tissue from the early lesions described in our patient, to late stages resulting in dense periadventitial fibrosis as reported previously. We suggest that injury to the vasa vasorum and the consequent ischaemic lesions of the arterial wall are morphological features distinguishing radiation-induced arterial injury from spontaneous atherosclerosis.

Open field behavior in nucleus basalis magnocellularis-lesioned rats treated with physostigmine and verapamil

The present study was done to investigate and compare the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine (0.030, 0.045, 0.060 and 0.075 mg/kg sc) and Ca-antagonist, verapamil (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg sc) on open field behavior in male Wistar rats with bilateral electrolytic lesions of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). NBM-lesions produced a significant increase and decrease of ambulation and number of inner squares entered, and defecation, respectively, with no influence on grooming in rats exposed to novel environment. Physostigmine and verapamil in all tested doses, given 30 min before the test did not affect the open field behavior in control animals. In contrast to that, physostigmine (0.045, 0.060 and 0.075 mg/kg) and verapamil (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) significantly reduced ambulation and number of inner squares entered in NBM-lesioned rats. Also, physostigmine in a dose of 0.060 mg/kg significantly decreased defecation and in doses of 0.060 and 0.075 mg/kg the grooming, as well. On the other hand, verapamil only in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg significantly increased defecation. It could be concluded that lesions of NBM in rats induced disturbances in the open field behavior, which might be successfully ameliorate by physostigmine and verapamil treatment.

Cold restraint-induced gastric lesions in individual- and group-stressed rats

The aim of the present study was to 1) determine the intensity of cold restraint-induced gastric lesions and core body temperature in single- and group-stressed rats, and establish a correlation between them; and 2) determine the influence of visual contact among animals during cold restraint on development of gastric stress ulcer. Therefore, adult male Wistar rats were put into individual or group restraint boxes (composed of two, three, six or nine single boxes) with or without possibility of visual contact and then exposed 2 hr to the cold (4 degrees C). Core body temperature was measured just before and after cold restraint using a digital rectal thermometer. The results showed that: 1) single stressed animals expressed significantly higher ulcer index than those stressed in group of three, six and nine rats; 2) there was no significant difference in degree of hypothermia among rats exposed to various group paradigms; and 3) there was no significant difference in ulcer index among animals stressed in conditions with or without visual contact. An absence of significant difference in ulcer index between single and paired stressed rats implies that three is the lowest number of animals per group at which an influence of group size on behavioral and adaptive mechanisms in rats exposed to cold restraint becomes manifest.

Learning and memory in nucleus basalis magnocellularis-lesioned rats after transplantation of fetal frontal cortex

The effect of fetal frontal cortex transplantation on behaviour performance was examined in adult male Wistar rats with lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). Compared to intact and sham-operated controls, the rats tested ten or twenty days after bilateral electrolytic lesions of NBM exhibited the significant learning and memory impairments (acquisition and performance of two-way active avoidance) whereas spontaneous motor activity was not significantly altered. The animals which received allotransplants of fetal frontal cortex (from 18-day gestational rat fetuses) into NBM, two ("early" transplantation-NBM-ET) or ten ("delayed" transplantation-NBM-DT) days after lesioning, respectively, manifested the complete amelioration of noticed impairments when tested ten days after transplantation procedure. Corresponding sham-transplants groups (NBM-SET and NBM-SDT) showed only slightly improvement of acquisition but not performance of two-way active avoidance. The ability of the transplants to restore learning and memory in the NBM lesioned rats suggests that graft of fetal frontal cortex can functionally influence neuronal activity of the lesioned host brain.

[Reiter's syndrome--analysis of 187 patients]

The study included 187 patients with positive diagnosis of Reiter's syndrome (RS) examined and treated in the Clinic of Rheumatology of Military Medical Academy in the period of 26 years (1970-1995). There were 176 males and 11 females (16:1) aged from 12 to 65 (average age 28.5) years. The disease diagnosis was made upon the clinical finding of at least two of four RS main features: acute urogenital or enteral infection, arthritis, ophthalmic and mucocutaneous changes. Family disease occurrence was noticed in 5, and juvenile type in 6 patients. HLA-B27 antigen was present in 81.5% patients. In 74.3% patients the urogenital disease type was determined, in 18.2% enterocolitic and in 7.5% initial causative agent was not discovered. Three or two RS main signs were present in approximately same number of patients (42.2% and 42.6%) while all the four disease signs were found in 15% patients. Acute or subacute course was found in 43.8%, recurrent in 34.2% and chronic in 22% patients. Clinically, the disease was revealed in locomotor system, most frequently as the asymmetric oligoartritis localized in lower extremities. Sacroiliac arthritis, partial or more frequently asymmetric mutual, radiologically confirmed, was present in 18.2% patients. Only one patient was with sacroiliitis without peripheral arthritis, pain in heel was present in 31.5%, and dactilitis, more frequently in the feet, in 13.9% patients. Radiological changes were found in 51.8% patients, most frequently in sacroiliac joints and heel bone. Chlamydia trachomatis or genital mycoplasma were isolated in synovial fluid of 33.3% (6/18) patients. The most frequent urogenital change was urethritis (56.7), ophthalmic--conjunctivitis (46.5), and mucocutaneous--balanitis (12.3). Positive damage of heart and kidneys by primary disease was found in 2, i.e. 4 patients, and possible in 7, i.e. 14 patients. No differences in RS clinical demonstration among sexes were observed. Besides conventional therapy, in only 26 (13.9%) patients were applied drugs out of the basic group, so as the radiation synovectomy and surgical methods of treatment.

[Cyclosporin A in the treatment of Behçet's disease]

The results of Cyclosporin A treatment of 15 patients with Behçet's disease were examined in the study--9 females (aged from 32 to 34 years, mean 33 years) and 12 males (aged from 25 to 55 years, approximately 34.33 years). Among them, the majority were with chorioretinitis (10/15 or 66.6%). Besides chorioretinitis two patients were simultaneously with iridocyclltis, while in three the whole nervous system was affected (meningoencephalitis, simultaneously pyramidal syndrome with the signs of extrapyramidal lesion and consciousness disorder in one patient). In one patient myocarditis was revealed, and the one was with deep aphtous ulcer. The approximate daily dose was 5 mg/kg in 13 patients, and 7.5 mg/kg/d in 2 patients. For that, the level of the drug in blood elevated from 79 to 380 ng/ml, approximately 170 ng/ml. The effect was favourable in 12 patients (complete restraint of the disease evolution), partial in 2 patients (slowing of the disease course) while it was incomplete in one patient for the interruption of the therapy 15 days after its beginning.

Effect of physostigmine and verapamil on active avoidance in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease

The present study was performed to investigate and compare the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine (0.045, 0.060 and 0.075 mg/kg sc, 30 min before the tests) and Ca-antagonist, verapamil (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg sc, 30 min before the tests), on two-way active avoidance (AA) learning (acquisition and performance) in nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM)-lesioned rats. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of NBM induced significant decrease of acquisition and performance of AA responses in rats. Physostigmine (0.060 mg/kg) significantly improved only acquisition of AA, while verapamil (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) significantly improved both type of AA behavior in NBM-lesioned rats. These results suggest that altered calcium homeostasis might play significant role in pathogenesis of experimental induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that administration of calcium antagonist such as verapamil might successfully ameliorate disturbances of learning and memory appeared after lesions of NBM.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses following lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis in the rat

The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether electrolytic lesions of nucleus basalis magnocellularis--NBM (an animal model of Alzheimer's disease--AD) may influence humoral and cellular immune responses in adult male Wistar rats. For this purpose intact control (IC), sham-operated (SO) and NBM-lesioned rats were divided into two main groups: (1) rats immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) for plaque-forming cell (PFC) response and anti-SRBC agglutinins, and (2) rats immunized with bovine serum albumin in complete Freund's adjuvant (BSA-CFA) for anti-BSA antibody production, Arthus and delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction to BSA. PFC responses and anti-SRBC agglutinins as well as diameter and expression of edema/induration of Arthus/delayed skin reaction and titer of anti-BSA antibody were significantly lower in NBM lesioned rats (compared to IC and SO). The results showed that in NBM-lesioned rats both the humoral and cellular immune responses were suppressed.

Changes of Schwann cell antigenic profile after peripheral nerve injury

Axons and Schwann cells (SC) in the peripheral nerve (PN) are in permanent interaction. Both myelin-forming SC (MSC) and nonmyelin-forming SC (NMSC) have a defined antigenic phenotype. Four weeks after PN transection, the proliferating SC in the distal stump lose some of their antigens, they start to display antigenic profile of NMSC and, in addition, to reexpress nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-rec) and growth associated protein (GAP-43), two antigens of their precursor cells. It can be assumed that migrating SC may differ in their antigenic profile in regard to resident proliferated SC in denervated distal nerve stump. We found that many SC specific antigens (S-100 protein, glial fibrilary acidic protein-GFAP, NGF-rec, GAP-43) are down-regulated in migrating SC as compared to SC proliferating in situ in the absence of axons.

Behavioral and adaptive status in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease in rats

Ten days after bilateral electrolytic lesions of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) we tested behavioral (spontaneous motor activity, acquisition and performance of two-way active avoidance, fear-response in open field test, foot shock induced aggression, depression-response in learned helplessness test) and adaptive status (body temperature at standard, hot and cold environment as well as cold restraint-induced gastric lesions) in adult male Wistar rats. Compared to intact control and sham-operated rats, the bilateral NBM-lesioned rats showed the significant impairment of learning behavior and reduced fear, aggression and depression as well as altered body temperature at standard and stressed conditions. Namely, it was established that body temperature in NBM-lesioned rats was significantly lower at standard laboratory conditions, but in these rats body temperature significantly was raised after exposing to cold and hot environment. On the other hand, spontaneous motor activity and number and length of cold restraint-induced gastric lesions (erosions and petechiae) in NBM-lesioned rats were similarly to those in both controls. It could be concluded that NBM plays a significant role in cognitive, emotional and adaptive processes in the rats.