A remarkable feature of peripheral olfactory projections in mammals is the convergence of axons from olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing the same odorant receptor (OR) into the same glomeruli. There is mounting evidence that the ORs play critical roles in glomerular formation. However, it remains unclear how the OR exerts its function of sorting axons into homogeneity. We and others have shown previously that activation of the G-protein/cAMP signaling cascade underlies glomerular formation. Here, we further investigated whether establishment of the mature glomerular array requires adenylyl cyclase 3 (AC3), a key component of the OR-mediated cAMPdependent signaling cascade. We found robust AC3 expression in both OSN cilia and axons during the period of active glomerular formation in neonatal mice. Examination of OR-tagged mice in an AC3 knock-out background revealed that the absence of AC3 drastically and differentially perturbed the formation of several representative glomeruli. Furthermore, heterogeneous glomeruli innervated by axons of multiple OSN populations persisted in such mice well into adulthood. In addition, reproducible aberrations in axonal projections in AC3Ϫ/Ϫ mice appeared to correlate with the activation of specific OR loci, regardless of the expressed receptor sequence, suggesting that OR expression is but one factor in determining OSN axonal projections. Together, our results indicate that cAMP signaling is critical for axonal sorting and the establishment of axonal identity.

Different factors are involved in the development of thrombocytopenia in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. Significant correlation was detected between the number of megakaryocytes in bone marrow and platelet count (r = 0.485, p = 0.002, n = 37) and significant difference between the number of megakaryocyte in patients with normal platelet count (>200000/μl) and patients with marked thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100000/μl). All patients in the latter group (n = 15) had a relatively low number of megakaryocytes. Low but significant reverse correlation was found between the level of platelet‐associated IgG (PA‐IgG) and platelet count (r = – 0.249, p = 0.024, n = 82) and significant difference between the mean levels of PA‐IgG in the groups of patients with platelet count > 200000/μl and < 100000/μl. PA‐IgG were increased in 46% of patients in the total group and in 65% of patients with platelet count < 100000/μl. The correlation between platelet count and PA‐IgG was about 2 times higher in splenectomized (r= – 0.549, p = 0.005, n = 24) than nonsplenectomized patients. All splenectomized patients with platelet count < 100000/μl (n = 8) had a significant increase in PA‐IgG. Serum antibodies were detected in only 7% of tested patients. This group was characterized by severe thrombocytopenia (in 6 of 10 patients – platelet count <50000/μl) and a high incidence of haemorrhages (in 5 of 10 patients). Thus the depression of platelet production was suggested to be the basic cause of thrombocytopenia in lymphoproliferative disorders. Involvement of immune mechanisms was revealed in a large number of patients and correlated with a deeper and more complicated thrombocytopenia.

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The article presents results of the development of a method for improving metabolic processes in immature piglets. In order to achieve the purpose of the research, pharmacological preparations were selected taking into account the nature of changes in metabolic processes in piglets in a state of acquired immaturity. For this purpose, effects of riboflavin, Vicasol, potassium succinic acid and their combinations were determined separately. It was established that feeding immature piglets with acid potassium (0.125 g) combined with riboflavin (2.5 mg) and vicasol (0.3 g) for 18-21 days improves metabolic processes, ensures the growth and development of animals. Increased development of macroergs decreases the levels of lactic acid and fatty acids, restores semipermeable properties of cell membranes and mitochondria, improves the conjugation of respiration processes with oxidative phosphorylation. Metabolic processes become improved; values of the parameters reach those of mature animals. The method of improvement of metabolic processes in piglets in a state of postnatal immaturity is simple, does not require special equipment and technology. Its implementation removes 100% of the animals from the state of immaturity and increases their live weight by 42.8; the average daily gain is 33.1, the safety level is 39.7%.