Hydrocephalus is an intractable disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cerebral ventricles. There are many cases in both human and animals; however, the cause and mechanism of its development is not clearly understood. In this study, differences of cerebral ventricles in 5 inbred mice strains (MRL/MpJ, C57BL/6, C3H/He, DBA/2 and BALB/c) were investigated by histological techniques to determine the possibility of a new animal model for hydrocephalus. Our analysis showed that significant differences in the volume and the surface area of lateral ventricles in the 5 inbred strains, with MRL/MpJ mice having the largest lateral, third, aqueduct and fourth ventricles. In addition, when MRL/MpJ mice were compared to BALB/c mice on 0 day after birth, the former already had larger lateral ventricles than the latter. Although there was no significant difference in the ratios of ependymal cell types in MRL/MpJ mice and BALB/c mice, the number and the diameter of lipid droplets in MRL/MpJ mice were, interestingly, smaller than those in BALB/c mice. It is well known that ependymal cells absorb nutritional substances in CSF by endocytosis, suggesting the possibility that their decrease may relate to the larger cerebral ventricles in MRL/MpJ. In conclusion, MRL/ MpJ mice have greater volumes in cerebral ventricles than other strains and may be useful for a model showing high susceptibility to hydrocephalus.

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) is a pleiotropic cytokine with both pro- and antiinflammatory properties, depending on its environment and concentration. The present study evaluated the effects of orally-delivered TGF-beta1 on mice parenterally-infected with various protozoan parasites. We report that while orally-administered TGF-beta1 seems to confer partial protection against murine chronic babesiosis and acute trypanosomosis, no beneficial clinical effects were observed against acute babesiosis, malaria or toxoplasmosis. Taken together, these preliminary data suggest that the systemic effects conferred by exogenous TGF-beta1 could be parasite species-specific. The variations in different parasitic infections could be due to (i) intrinsic differences between parasite species and/or strains in their ability to induce production of immunosuppressive molecules and/or (ii) differences in mechanisms governing host protection against different parasitic infections.

Mx1 (Myxovirus resistance protein) and Oas1b (Oligoadenylate synthetase-1), induced by type 1 interferon (IFN), play a role in early antiviral innate immunity by inhibiting the replication of viruses. In mice, Mx1 and Oas1b confer resistance to the infection of orthomyxoviruses including influenza viruses and flaviviruses including West Nile viruses, respectively. Laboratory mice have been used to study the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of these virus infections; however, it is possible that they are not a suitable model system to study these viruses, since most of the inbred laboratory mouse strains lack both genes. It has been reported that feral mouse-derived inbred strains show resistance to the infection of these viruses due to the presence of intact both genes. In this study, we generated congenic strains in which the Mx or Oas locus of the MSM/Mx (MSM) mouse was introduced to the most widely used mouse strain, C57BL/6J (B6). B6.MSM-Ms mice showed resistance to the infection of influenza virus but not of West Nile virus. On the other hand, B6.MSM-Oas mice showed resistance to the infection of West Nile virus but not of influenza virus. Our results indicate that Mx1 and Oas1b show highly antiviral specificity in mice possessing the same genetic background. Therefore, these congenic mice are useful for not only infection study but also investigation of host defense mechanism to these viruses.

To characterize the roles of C-peptide in vascular homeostatic processes, we examined the genes regulated by C-peptide in LEII mouse lung microvascular endothelial cells. Treatment of the cells with C-peptide increased the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) mRNA dose-dependently, accompanied by an increase in JNK1 protein content. Prior treatment of the cells with PD98059, an ERK kinase inhibitor or SB203580, a p38MAPK inhibitor, abrogated the C-peptide-elicited JNK1 mRNA expression. These results indicate that C-peptide increases JNK1 protein levels, possibly through ERK- and p38MAPK-dependent activation of JNK gene transcription.

Rabies virus (RV) is highly neurotropic and migrates to the neuronal soma by retrograde axonal transport from nerve terminals, after which it is taken by anterograde axonal transport to be finally released into the central nervous system (CNS) from which it disseminates, resulting in lethal encephalitis. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are crucial in the initial events of the infection by RV since they can act as a gate for the viral entrance into the CNS. In the present study, we examined cell tropism of RV and the roles of neuronal cytoskeletal components in the production of viral nucleoprotein (N protein) using cultured nerve cells and non-neuronal cells from DRG of newborn mice. Our in vitro study demonstrated a low propagation rate of RV in nerve cells, susceptibility of non-neuronal cells to RV, and independence of cytoplasmic synthesis of viral N protein from the neuronal cytoskeleton. The present study also suggests that Schwann cells should be considered as another possible candidate supporting RV propagation.

Investigation of acute and subacute toxicity of formulations of elecampane (Inula helenium) (herbal infusion, tincture, liquid and dry extracts) by the example of experimental white mice of both sexes ( body weight - 18-20 g) and white rats (body weight - 180-200 g) was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. In course of studies there were analyzed behavior (excitation or depression), physical activity, habitus, appetite, degree of reaction revelation to exogenous irritants, presence of shivering, cramps, paresis, comatose state, time and character of intoxication, dates of animal death). Results of the toxicological experiments showed that the developed preparative forms of elecampane could be referred to the substance hazard category 4, i.e. low-hazardous substances (lethal dose (LD) sub(50) more than 5000 mg/kg live weight). Median lethal dose of tincture was 14043 mg/kg for mice and 12684 mg/kg for rats. Median lethal dose of liquid extract was 13230 mg/kg for mice and 12285 mg/kg for rats

Investigation of acute sub-acute toxicity of preparative forms (herbal infusion, tincture liquid extract and pulvis) of marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) by the example of laboratory animals was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. White mice of both sexes with body weight of 18-20 g and white rats with body weight of 180-200 g were used in the experiment. Experimental preparations were administrated on empty stomach after 12 hours of absolute diet. The animals were supervised in course of 14 days. All changes in behavior were registered. Calculations of parameters of acute and average toxicity of all analyzed forms were presented. Research results showed that all analyzed preparative forms could be referred to the substances hazard category 4 (low-hazardous substances) with lethal dose 50 more than 5000 mg/kg of live weight. It was determined that the analyzed preparative forms proved to be highly effective against strongylatosis (Strongylata) of gastro-intestinal tract of sheep and calves

Results of studies of acute and chronic toxicity of control samples of long acting boluses on the basis of fenbendazole for the treatment of strongylatosis (Strongylata) of gastro-intestinal tract of cattle realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus were presented. White rats and mice were used for studying of acute and chronic toxicity of the prolonged anthelmintic. The preparation was tested in doses of 400; 800; 1200; 1600; and 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Prolonged anthelmintic was administrated introgastrally in the form of suspension. Preparation was reduced to fragments before application. White rats with body weight of 80-100 g were divided in three groups and were used for testing. Bolus of prolonged activity was reduced to fragments and mixed with feed before application. Rats ate the preparation during 30 day in dozes of 250 mg/kg, 375 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg. Study of acute toxicity of preparation established that LD0 for white mice was 400 mg/kg; LD16 - 620 mg/kg; LD50 - 1080 (1062,7 / 1097, 3) mg/kg; LD84 - 1660, LD100 - 200 mg/kg. Signs of animal toxicosis were revealed in shakiness, depression, whiteness of visually accessible mucous coat, cramps. Catarrhal-haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and numerous effusions of blood on mucous coat of digestive tract were established at postmortem examination. There were no morphological changes in tissues of lungs, heart, liver and nephros. Eating of prolonged anthelmintic with feed during 30 days did not render toxicological influence on rats. There were no signs of intoxication, physiological deviations and no animal death. Research results showed that the analyzed prolonged anthelmintic could be referred the substance hazard category 3

Evaluation of pathogenicity of Paenibacillus alvei culture obtained from a dead bee brood from Berezinsky Biosphere Nature Reserve was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus by an example of 30-day old white male mice with body weight of 16-18 grams. Experimental animals were infected with European foul brood (Paenibacillus alvei) intraperitoneally. Research results showed that bacteria Paenibacillus alvei after the intraperitoneal infection with various amount of microbial cells did not cause mouse death; i.e. it was not pathogenic for white mice. In course of the realized observations over the laboratory mice after introduction of infection there were stated no changes in mice behavior and overall condition. There were no visible pathologicoanatomic changes in internal organs. After the bacteriologic examination of internal organs and blood there were isolated pure cultures of Paenibacillus alvei

Studying of toxicity of enterosorbent produced the basis of mixture of filtering pulvis of perlite, kizelgur and activated carbon was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus by the example of healthy white mice of both sexes with body weight of 18-25 grams. Animals were divided in three groups. The tested substance was entered insitu to ventricle on an empty stomach after 12-hours of absolute diet. The first group animals were administrated the enterosorbent in doze of 5 g/1 kg, the second group animals - 2,5 g/1 kg. Glucose content increased from 3,8 +/- 0,47 to 4,3 +/- 0,17 mmol/l on the 30-th experimental day and decreased on 8,2 % on the 60-th experimental day. Cholesterin and triglyceride content lowered on 9,5 % and 11,1 %,respectively. Enzymes concentration of aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase decreased from 120,0 +/- 3,87 up to 117,0 +/- 2,58 units/l and from 396,3 +/- 3,78 to 345,3 +/- 2,97 units/l, respectively. Urea increased from 3,7 +/- 0,16 to 3,9 +/- 0,17 mmol/l on the 30-th experimental day. Research results showed that mixture of filtering pulvis after the single oral administration in dose of 2,5-5 g/1 kg did not cause mice death. The analyzed mixture could be referred to the class of low-toxic substances. The mixture did not have irritation action and did not render chronic toxic action on the experimental mice