Neuron ultrastructure was studied in layers III-V of rat brain neocortex 24 hours after intraperitoneal (n=3) or intravenous (n=3) injection of cell-free DNA (7.7×10 -5 g/kg body weight). A plastic restructuring of nuclear chromatin, nucleolar hypertrophy, deep invaginations of nuclear envelope, hyperplasia of mitochondria and their close contact with other organelles and the nucleus, formation of cytoplasmic tubulovesicular bodies which may promote enhanced synaptic vesicle transport to presynaptic axonal terminals, activation of astrocyte glia were found. The data obtained suggest that injection of cell-free DNA lead to pronounced ultrastructural reorganization in neocortical neurons directed to protein synthesis activation, enhancement of synaptic transmission efficiency, as well as intensification of energy metabolism, that may contribute to reparative and compensatory restorative processes in cerebral ischemic pathology.

The distribution of callosal cells in the visual cortical layers of intact cats (n=7) and cats with experimentally induced strabismus (n=10) and monocular deprivation (n=5) was studied after microiontophoretic injection of horseradish peroxidase into the ocular-dominance columns in areas 17, 18 and the transition zone 17/18. It was found that in cats with impaired binocular vision, the callosal cells were located deeper in layers of II/III, and higher - in layer IV, as compared to those in intact cats. Also in cats with impaired binocular vision, the proportion of callosal cells in layer IV was increased, while in layers II/III it was reduced as compared to intact cats. The most pronounced changes were noted in monocular deprived animals. These findings suggest an important role of sensory input in the formation of the callosal neurons layer distribution.

Using the morphometric method, neuron profile field areas and the density of neurons and gliocytes were measured in amygdala basolateral nucleus in left and right hemispheres of the brain in 6 men and 6 women aged 19 to 55 years. Women showed a tendency towards hemispheric asymmetry of the indices studied with their greater values found in left hemisphere. In the group of men, the opposite tendency to hemispheric asymmetry was found: greater values of the indices studied were detected in right hemisphere.

Motor neuron and synapse ultrastructure in the somatic area of oculomotor nerve nuclei (cranial nerve III nuclei) was studied in C57 Black/6 mice. It was shown that that axodendritic and axosomatic synapses were characterized by rounded subjunctional bodies, located at the postsynaptic side of the synaptic contact at some distance from postsynaptic density. At the site of the subjunctional densities, the synaptic gap was expanded to 30 μm. In the same synapse, the synaptic gap could be reduced twice or more. Axosomatic and axodendritic synapses occured on spines. On the soma and dendrites of motoneurons, en passant type of synapses were found. No gap junctions were observed.

Immunohistochemical methods for the demonstration of tyrosine hydrolase (TH) and neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were used to study the distribution of catecholaminergic and nitroxidergic vasomotor neurons respectively, in the nuclei of the medulla oblongata and the pons of 12 Wistar rats. Most often the expression of TG was found in neurons located in the nucleus and several reticular nuclei (gigantocellular, paragigantocellular, caudal pons nucleus), but the proportion of immunoreactive neurons did not exceed 8-14%. In the other nuclei (reticular parvocellular nucleus and oral pons nucleus, spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve) the value of this parameter ranged from 1 to 3%. In a large group of nuclei with proven vasomotor function such neurons were constantly not detected. In the structures with high content of catecholaminergic neurons, nNOS-positive cells-were found, as a rule, in fewer numbers than in the nuclei with a limited number of TH-positive neurons.

The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of cholinergic and nitroxidergic neurons in the spinal cord (SC) of adult and newborn rats. Using immunohistochemical demonstration of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), cervical portions of SC were studied in newborn (n=5) and adult (n=5) Wistar rats. It was found that ChAT-positive neurons were localized in the anterior horns of the SC, while individual cells were located in of SC posterior horns, in the central gray matter and at the boundary of VI-VII Rexed laminae. Nitroxidergic neurons were located in the superficial layers of SC posterior horns of grey matter, in the central gray matter and in the area of VI-VII Rexed laminae. It is found that SC of newborn and adult rats contained cholinergic neurons expressing NOS. Detection of cells containing both enzymes already at postnatal Day 1, suggests that they were formed in rat SC during prenatal ontogenesis

The research was performed on 15 non embalmed bodies and 32 abdominal complexes of adult individuals. The comparative study of variant anatomy of splenic ligaments and architectonics of arteries passing through them was carried out to substantiate the mobilization of splenopancreatic complex. Anatomical and angiographic restudied were carried out using preparation, morphometry, injection of gastric, pancreatic and splenic vascular bed with red lead suspension. It was established that the form and sizes of splenic ligaments and their interrelation with the branches of the splenic artery were variable. The minimal and maximal sizes of gastrolienal, phrenicosplenic and splenocolic ligaments differed 2-3 times. In most cases, spleen was fixed in abdominal cavity by many short ligaments. It was shown that architectonics and topography of main branches of spleen artery were determined by morphometric characteristics of the spleen proper and its ligaments. The knowledge of splenic ligament variant anatomy allows a new perspective to approach to substantiate different methods of the mobilization of spleno-pancreatic complex during surgical operations on organs of the upper part of the peritoneal cavity and organ-preserving surgery of the spleen.

The uterine tissues of female rats (n=30) with a scarred myometrium were examined by methods of light microscopy after the delivery. 1.5-2 months after the delivery no significant differences in the parameters of blood and lymph flow in the deep layers of the endometrium, myometrium and the myometrial scar tissue were found between the intact rats, nulliparous rats with a scarred uterus, rats that gave birth after laparotomy only and those that gave birth under the conditions of myometrial scar. In the course of pregnancy and labor activity, the damage of the tissues was observed not in the uterine scar proper, but at its borders with the myometrium. This is supported by the old hemorrhages and lymphostasis phenomena, greater number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages and erythrocytes. In determining the indications and contraindications to vaginal childbirth in women with scarred uterus it is necessary to examine not only the scar proper, but also its border with the myometrium. The myometrial scar by itself, is not an absolute contraindication to vaginal delivery, the natural delivery is feasible in the absence of cavities with liquid and hemorrhages in the tissues of the uterine scar and at its border with myometrium.

The changes in the numerical density of macrophages of maternal (basal decidua) and fetal (Kashchenko-Hofbauer cells) origin were studied in the placenta of women with opportunistic (Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis) and pathogenic (Chlamydia trachomatis) urogenital microflora. Histological study of placenta was performed and CD68immunoreactive cells were detected immunohistochemically in the basal decidua and in the chorionic villi obtained during artificial abortions for non-medical reasons in the 6-8th week of pregnancy (n=136). The results showed no changes in the numerical density of macrophages of maternal origin and a significant decrease in the numerical density of macrophages in the stroma of the chorionic villi, which was associated in Chlamydial infection with a delayed, and in Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma infection - with an accelerated development of the villous tree.

The aim of the study was to establish general patterns and morphological characteristics of the parapatellar structures of the knee joint in canids: dogs of factory breeding - Caucasian shepherd dog (n=15), Central Asian shepherd dog (n=14), poodle (n=9), the toy Terrier (n=13), Yorkshire Terrier (n=14) and Steppenwolf (n=17) and foxes (n=7) obtained from natural biocenoses. Subtle anatomical dissection was conducted and macroscopic evaluation of the structures was performed together with light microscopic analysis of serial histological sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrofuchsin-fuchselin. Comparative analysis of the parapatellar cartilages allowed to establish both common regularities and breed-specific signs of their structure, that resulted from the impact of biomechanics of the locomotor behavior of the animals. In all the investigated canids parapatellar cartilages were formed by fibrous cartilaginous tissue with a predominance of fibrous structures over the cellular component and they could be divided into 3 zones - superficial, medial and deep. The peculiarities of the fibroarchitectonics of collagen bundles in each of them correspond to the nature of the pattern of biomechanical loads applied. Micromorphological studies performed show that parapatellar cartilages can act as compensatory devices, leveling functional overload of the quadriceps femoris in the extension phase of the knee joint.

To assess the effect of orthopedic lengthening on proliferative activity of chondrocytes in the articular cartilage, dosed tibial lengthening by 28 mm was performed in 15 dogs at the rate of 1 mm/day divided into 4 sessions. Experiment time-points - 28 days of distraction, 30 days of fixation in the apparatus and 30 days after the apparatus removal. Methods of light microscopy of paraffin sections, immunohistochemistry, histomorphometry of semithin epoxide sections were used. At the end of distraction, the preferential concentration of Ki-67 marker was detected in the upper layers of the intermediate zone, while focal distribution was noted in the superficial and deep zones of articular cartilage of femoral condyles. Upon completion of lengthening, a stable increase in the number of chondrocytes was noted in the superficial and intermediate zones but not in the deep cartilage zone as compared with the intact group (n=5).

Histogenesis of bone tissue was studied in 25 adult mongrel dogs under conditions of automatic shin lengthening by the technique of transosseous distraction osteosynthesis with the daily rate of 3 mm in 120 repeats using the methods of light, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, immunohistochemistry and morphometry. During the distraction period, cellular heteromorphism and proliferative activity of the cells of connective tissue interlayer and periosteum were clearly detected in the interfragmental diastasis. In the post-distraction period, the reduction of cellular heteromorphism and the increase of the biosynthetic activity of the osteoblastic cells were observed while the provisional endosteal bone regenerate of normotrophic type with the signs of organotypic reorganization was formed. Intramembranous osteogenesis was noted at all the stages of the experiment. The organ-specific nature of the newly formed bone occured by 30 days after the apparatus removal. Bone tissue plasticity and the conditions of high-fractional distraction allow to increase the daily rate of leg lengthening up to 3 mm, as well as to provide the formation of weight-bearing bone part during 45 days, thereby reducing by 31% the duration of the period of fixator use for shin lengthening in comparison with that one adopted in classic technique with the daily rate not exceeding 1 mm.

The aim of this study was to determine somatotypological characteristics of 4619 rural schoolchildren (RSC) aged 7-17 years, resulting from the rate of biological development and conditions of residence. It was found that most RSC had age-appropriate rate of development. Among the extreme variants most frequently recorded were: retarded rate of maturation in boys and anticipatory rate of maturation rate in girls. RSC of asthenoid somatotype were characterized by the lag of biological age from the calendar age, while RSC of muscular and digestive body types, on the contrary, had an accelerated development. RSC had somatotypological characteristics that distinguished them from the urban schoolchildren, which is due to the specific conditions of life, in particular, agricultural activity that promotes physical activity and prevalence of schoolchildren with muscular somatotype among both boys and girls. However, equal proportions of children with digestive constitution among urban and RSC highlight the negative impact of factor of nutrition.

This paper compares the results of application of various methods of histochemical and immunohistochemical staining of mast cells (MC) in human myocardium after formalin fixation and paraffin embedding of the material. It was shown that the optimal methods for description of their structure were toluidine blue staining and and Giemsa stain, while alcian blue staining represented the most suitable histochemical method for MC counting. In combination with immunohistochemical detection of synaptophysin, it could be used for identification of co-localization of MC and nerve terminals in the myocardium. Combined staining of MC with alcian blue and safranin is not suitable for human formalin-fixed myocardial MC. Immunohistochemical techniques of MC tryptase and chymase demonstration appear to be more sensitive when compared with histochemical methods, and allow the most comprehensive quantitative description of human myocardial MC population.