Vol 154, No 4 (2018)

Objective - to study thedendrite structure and formation in goldfish Mauthner neurons under the conditions of neurotoxic action of the 25-35 beta-amyloid fragment and long-term optical or vestibular stimulation of goldfish, which affects the afferent inputs to these neurons. Materials and methods.The study was performed on Mauthner neurons of the goldfish fry (n=13) by the methods of light and electron microscopy. The identification of individual dendrites and the determination of their volumes and synaptic structure were carried out using the virtual 3D images of Mauthner neurons obtained from 3 μm serial sections. The functional state of Mauthner neurons was assessed indirectly on the basis of fish the motor lateralization. Results. Under the influence of beta-amyloid application in combination with subsequent long-term sensory stimulation, the volume of ventral dendrites of Mauthner neurons was decreased, their ultrastructure was damaged, and a portion of synapses degenerated. The degeneration of more active neurons was more significant as compared with less active ones. Newly formed medial dendrites had larger volume and less injured ultrastructure of synapses, than those of the ventral dendrites. In the synapses of the same type, localized on ventral and medial dendrites, the sizes of specialized contacts didn’t differ. Conclusions. Medial dendrite formation is a compensatory response to the dystrophy of ventral dendrites caused by experimental interference

Objective - with the use of postvital and intravital methods of investigation, to study the patterns of branching and morphometric characteristics of the celiac trunk, its main branches and aberrant arteries, the most significant atypical variants and frequency of their occurrence. Material and methods. The results of multi-phase spiral computed tomography angiography of 100 patients, digital subtraction angiography of 100 patients were retrospectively analyzed, cadaveric material of adults (76 objects), 16 corrosion preparations were studied, a total of 292 observations. The level of deviation of the celiac trunk from the abdominal part of the aorta, the morphometric characteristics of the celiac trunk and its branches, the branching pattern and frequency of typical and atypical variants of branching of the celiac trunk and its main branches, their aberrant arteries were estimated. Results. In most cases, the celiac trunk arose at the level of the intervertebral discs TXII-LI (76 %), with a range from TXII to LII. The length and diameter of the celiac trunk and its branches were characterized by a wide range of differences between the minimum and maximum values. In 83 % of the observations, the celiac trunk had a typical pattern of trifurcation, atypical variants were represented by bifurcation (14.7 %), quadrifurcation (1.3 %), pentafurcation (0.3 %), absence of trunk (0.3 %), as well as various variants of branching with the presence of aberrant arteries (9 %). Multiphase spiral computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography demonstrated high intravital efficiency in displaying various branching patterns of the celiac trunk and its branches. The knowledge of anatomical variants helps to plan the operation at the preoperative stage, and can reduce the incidence of complications and risk of iatrogenic lesions during surgical intervention. Conclusions. The celiac trunk and its branches have a wide range of variant anatomy concerning its topography, branching pattern and the presence of aberrant arteries.

Objective - to study the structural and biomechanical characteristics of blood neutrophils after exposure to titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Materials and methods. Blood neutrophils obtained from 20 healthy donors of both sexes aged 20 to 22 years were studied in vitro before and after exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles. Using atomic force microscopy, structural and biomechanical characteristics of neutrophils (diameter, cell height, roughness, stiffness) were examined. Results. The structural changes of neutrophils after exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles were observed which consisted of decline of cell diameter and an increase of neutrophil height, rigidity and degree of roughness of their surface. Conclusion. The changes in the structural and biomechanical properties of neutrophils observed indicate the possible cytotoxic effect of TiO2 nanoparticles.

Objective - to study the morphological and cytochemical characteristics of the duodenal epitheliocytes of villi and crypts in 10- and 45-day offspring of rats developing under conditions of antenatal alcoholization. Materials and methods. The structure of the duodenal mucosa was examined in 15 rats aged 10 and 45days that were born from the mothers which received 15 % ethanol solution during the whole pregnancy. 16 rats born from the mothers that drank water during their pregnancy, served as a control. Morphometric methods were used to evaluate the height of the epithelial cells, the thickness of the brush border, the area and perimeter of the nuclei. Histochemical study included the demonstration and the assessment of glycoprotein, sialomucine, RNP content as well as of alkaline, acid phosphatase and oxidoreductases activities. Results. A decrease of the height of the epithelium of villi and crypts was detected in experimental animals, together with a reduction in the size of nuclei of their epitheliocytes. Cytochemical parameters demonstrated multidirectional changes, mainly in the epithelial cells of the villi. Conclusions. Antenatal alcoholization causes significant histological and cytochemical changes in the microvillous epithelial cells of the duodenal villi and crypts that persist during the postnatal period.

Objective is to study the variability of the parameters of the width of the dental arches of the upper jaw in physiological occlusion of permanent teeth in people with dolichomorphic form of the skull. Materials and methods. The morphometric parameters of the width of the dental arches of the upper jaw have been studied. The work was performed on 28 preparations of skulls of people of both sexes of mature age with physiological occlusion of teeth and dolichomorphic form of the skull. The width of the dental arch was measured between canines, premolars and molars. Results. The maximal value of the width of the dental arch in both men and women was observed in the region of the second molars from the vestibular side. The minimal value of the parameters studied was detected in the region of canines on the palatal side. The exponent of the width of both the vestibular and palatal dental arches increased from the level of the canines to the molar level. In the molar region, this increase was not so pronounced. Conclusions. The study of the dental arch width parameters performed in men and women showed no significant general regularities of their structure.

Objective - to study the body composition in adult women of different age groups in the Yaroslavl region. Materials and methods. The body composition was examined in 10805 women aged 20 to 79 years by bioimpedanceometry. Results. The steady increase in body weight, absolute lean mass, absolute and relative fat mass was found with increasing age. The relative values of lean and skeletal muscle mass decreased throughout the observation period. The most pronounced changes in body composition occurred in women aged 30-39 years and 50-59 years. More than 80 % women after 60 years had high and very high fat mass. Conclusions. Age changes of various components of body composition were associated with their percentage redistribution: the relative fat mass increase was followed by the decrease in relative value of other components. Overweight, obesity, negative changes in the body composition of women increased with age.

The review presents data of modern Russian and foreign literature on the morpho-functional changes in the vertebrate reproductive system after exposure of their habitat to heavy metal compounds. The data presented in the review indicate the multilateral negative effect of heavy metal compounds on the vertebrate reproductive system. The evidence shows the direct and mediated negative impact of heavy metal compounds on the organism of animals and humans. In vertebrates, a disturbance of the reproductive system morphogenesis is observed, the gonads demonstrate marked destructive changes in the developing germ cells and their resorption. In the ovaries, the rapid depletion of the follicular reserve was noted. In the testes, the amount of connective tissue was increased due to a reduction of the proportion of generative structures, together with the frequent incidence of convoluted seminiferous tubules with a destruction of seminiferous epithelium. In the lumen of the tubules, polynuclear giant cells appeared, while in the tubular wall the increased permeability of blood-testis barrier was observed. Simultaneously, the decrease of fertilizing capacity of male and female gametes was detected. These morphological and functional changes in the reproductive system of animals were observed in association with reproduction activation (reduction of the age of puberty, the increase in the proportion of individuals participating in reproduction). The extent of damage of the reproductive system varies considerably in different species, indicating the presence of species adaptation to the adverse effects of heavy metal compounds.