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Biomedical subjects

J R Ferrer

Publications and source records attributed to J R Ferrer.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Ultrastructural observations of the tegument of Postorchigenes gymnesicus (Digenea: Lecithodendriidae).

The tegument of Postorchigenes gymnesicus has been studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The general body tegument is spinous and contains mitochondria, biconcave disc-shaped vesicles bounded by an unitary membrane and displaying a protein content, and scarce spherical bodies. The tegument covering specialized body regions is aspinous. Few vesicles were evident in the tegument covering the suckers and oesophagus, being more abundant in the metraterm and cirrus where the tegument is thicker. Laurer's canal has a thick tegument with sparse vesicles, mostly arranged close to the apical membrane. A direct association was evident between the basal lamina underlying the spines and the muscular subtegumental fibres, suggesting a motile character for the spine.

Animals↗

[Importance of Tarebia granifera in the control of a population of Biomphalaria peregrina introduced in Cuba].

It was observed that the Tarebia granifera plays a significant role in the control of a Biomphalaria peregrina population introduced in a permanent water body. The densities of this planorbid, which had reached high levels, were notably reduced by two important events: an increase of the water level due to heavy rains, and the introduction of the competitor, whose effectiveness had been tested in a different habitat. Knowledge on the ecology and biology of the competitor and the host in permanent water bodies helped to elaborate the measures of control which led to the reduction of the host densities while those of the competitor increased.

Animals↗

Influence of the nontarget mollusc Marisa cornuarietis on the hourly cercarial production of Schistosoma mansoni from Biomphalaria glabrata.

A comparative study of hourly cercarial productivities of Schistosoma mansoni from infected Biomphalaria glabrata was carried out in the presence of either healthy B. glabrata (control) or healthy Marisa cornuarietis (experimental). The results showed that, with M. cornuarietis, almost all the hourly cercarial productivities increased by a factor varying from 1.3 to 2.5 without modification of the shedding period.

Animals↗

Nicotine administration to rats: methodological considerations.

The effects of nicotine on normal physiological function are of increasing concern. Preliminary to studies on the effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine, we examined methods of administering nicotine to rats. Drinking water containing nicotine was not palatable to rats and was an unsatisfactory method in our hands, producing weight loss and large decreases in fluid intake. Administration of nicotine in a complete liquid diet produced better results but the data suggest that oral administration of nicotine may interfere with absorption of some nutrients. Osmotic mini-pumps were found to be the best mechanism of nicotine delivery of those tried. There were no significant effects on food or water intake nor on weight gain, particularly when using a short term anesthetic for pump implantation. Plasma nicotine and cotinine levels were directly correlated to dose of nicotine delivered. Plasma nicotine levels similar to levels reported in humans were obtained.

Administration, Oral↗

Ontogeny of dopamine, serotonin and spirodecanone receptors in rat forebrain--an autoradiographic study.

Sections from freshly frozen neonatal rat brain, ages 0-21 days, were incubated with [3H]spiperone (SP). Initial studies characterized the binding sites for SP in terms of association and dissociation rates, saturability and pharmacology. The binding sites were found to be predominantly dopamine D2 receptors in sections centered in the striatum and these receptors were similar to receptors in adult brain. Autoradiographic studies using in vitro techniques examined the anatomic distribution of [3H]SP binding sites. Using domperidone, ketanserin and (+)butaclamol it was possible to differentiate dopamine D2, serotonin S2 and spirodecanone receptors. Dopamine receptors were found at birth in striatum and nucleus accumbens and increased in density with age. In the first two weeks postnatally there was an apparent dorsolateral to ventromedial gradient in the striatum. Serotonin S2 receptors were found in the cortex, lateral olfactory tubercles and nucleus accumbens and claustrum. These receptors increased in density with age but to a much lesser extent than dopamine receptors. Spirodecanone receptors were first apparent in the piriform cortex by day 5. They became very dense with age in particular regions, i.e., layer II of cortex, piriform cortex, medial olfactory tubercles, lateral septum and in patches in the nucleus accumbens. These studies delineate with a high resolution at an anatomical level the major receptor sites for neuroleptic drugs in the developing rat forebrain. They describe the developmental pattern of these receptors and provide a basis for further studies on their control and function during development.

Animals↗

Ontogeny of the rat striatum: correspondence of dopamine terminals, opiate receptors and acetylcholinesterase.

The ontogeny of dopamine terminals, mu opiate receptors and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in rat striatum were examined during the first two weeks postnatally using fluorescence histochemistry, autoradiography and AChE stain, respectively. The most dense regions of all three markers were superimposable, particularly in the dorsal third of the striatum, as long as the dense regions could be clearly visualized. This anatomic overlapping of markers for three neuronal systems suggests an important and distinct relationship between these neuronal systems during development in addition to that already seen in adult tissue.

Acetylcholinesterase↗