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Adult neurogenesis is a flexible process that depends on the environment and correlates with cognitive functions. Cognitive functions are impaired by various factors including space flight conditions and reduced physical activity. Physically active life significantly improves both cognition and the hippocampal neurogenesis. Here, we analyzed how 3-day simulated microgravity caused by hindlimb unloading (HU) or dynamic foot stimulation (DFS) during HU can affect the hippocampal neurogenesis. Adult Wistar rats were recruited in the experiments. The results demonstrated a decrease in the number of doublecortine (DCX) positive neural progenitors, but proliferation in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus was not changed after 3-day HU. Analysis of the effects of DFS showed restoration of neural progenitor population in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. Additionally, we analyzed activity of the cRaf/ERK1/2 pathway, which is one of the major players in the regulation of neuronal differentiation. The results demonstrated inhibition of cRaf/ERK1/2 signaling in the hippocampus of HU rats. In DFS rats, no changes in the activity of cRaf/ERK1/2 were observed. Thus, we demonstrated that the process of neurogenesis fading during HU begins with inhibition of the formation of immature neurons and associated ERK1/2 signaling activity, while DFS prevents the development of mentioned alterations.

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Reliable methods are needed to detect the presence of tobacco components in tobacco products to effectively control smuggling and classify tariff and excise in tobacco industry to control illegal tobacco trade. In this study, two sensitive and specific DNA based methods, one quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay and the other loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, were developed for the reliable and efficient detection of the presence of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) in various tobacco samples and commodities. Both assays targeted the same sequence of the uridine 5′-monophosphate synthase (UMPS), and their specificities and sensitivities were determined with various plant materials. Both qPCR and LAMP methods were reliable and accurate in the rapid detection of tobacco components in various practical samples, including customs samples, reconstituted tobacco samples, and locally purchased cigarettes, showing high potential for their application in tobacco identification, particularly in the special cases where the morphology or chemical compositions of tobacco have been disrupted. Therefore, combining both methods would facilitate not only the detection of tobacco smuggling control, but also the detection of tariff classification and of excise.

Using Fura-2AM microfluorimetry, we have shown for the first time that preincubation of macrophages with methyl-β-cyclodextrin, inducing cholesterol extraction from membranes and raft disruption, leads to significant inhibition of thapsigargin-induced store-dependent Ca entry in rat peritoneal macrophages. In contrast, macrophage treatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin after Ca entry mechanisms were activated by store depletion by thapsigargin application leads to potentiation of subsequent store-dependent Ca entry. The results suggest that intact lipid rafts are necessary for the activation but not the maintenance of store-dependent Ca entry in macrophages.

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The nigrostriatal system composed of the dorsal striatum and the substantia nigra (SN) is highly involved in the control of motor behavior. Various extremal and pathological conditions as well as social isolation may cause an impairment of locomotor function; however, corresponding alterations in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway are far from full understanding. Here we analyzed the effect of 3-day hindlimb unloading (HU) and social isolation (SI) on the key players of dopamine transmission in the nigrostriatal system of CD1 mice. Three groups of mice were analyzed: group-housed (GH), SI, and HU. Our data showed a significant decrease in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the SN and dorsal striatum of HU mice, but only in comparison with SI group that suggested attenuation of dopamine synthesis in response to HU, while TH phosphorylation was reduced in comparison with both GH and SI animals. SI also led to a decrease in TH phosphorylation in the dorsal striatum that pointed on an impact of isolation too. Expression of dopamine receptors D1 in the dorsal striatum of HU mice was increased suggesting a compensatory response, but the activity of downstream signaling pathways involving PKA and CREB was inhibited. But in the dorsal striatum of SI mice, expression of DA receptors and activity of downstream signaling was not affected. Obtained data let us to conclude that combination of short-term HU and isolation impaired dopamine transmission in the nigrostriatal system.