Serum copper and zinc in industrial centers in Slovakia

The association between serum copper and zinc concentrations and age, sex, and other risk factors of cardiovascular disease in randomly selected adult volunteers aged 19–59 were investigated. There was a positive relationship between copper and age in both sexes, but zinc was negatively correlated with age in males only. Serum zinc was positively related to HDL-cholesterol in males. Serum copper was positively related to total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol but negatively correlated to HDL-cholesterol in males. A positive relationship to body mass index was observed in females only. Subjects have been divided into a control group and a group with marked risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The levels of zinc were not different, whereas the levels of copper in both males and females were significantly higher in the risk group. Our results suggested a positive relationship between serum copper and cumulation of more factors of cardiovascular disease, however, their causal effect in humans has to be investigated further.     

Variations in plasma zinc in older men and women

The study evaluated the biological and analytical variance in plasma zinc from 36 adults 60–88 yr of age. Blood samples were taken by finger-prick from each subject on d 1, 2, 3, 8, and 15. Days 1, 2, and 3 were selected to describe daily variation; 1, 8, and 15 were selected to describe weekly variation. Plasma Zn was analyzed by flame atomic absorption using a microinjection technique. Variation was partitioned into analytical, intraindividual, and interindividual components using analysis of variance. The interindividual variability was generally greater than the intraindividual variability. The variability for plasma zinc was about 30% and was substantially greater than reported for younger populations. This variability could not be attributed to the covariates examined, including zinc intake from food and supplements, serum albumin, and C-reactive protein. The variability would affect the accuracy of plasma zinc status based on a blood sample collected on a single day. With the microtechnique used in this study, 8 sample days would be needed to estimate plasma Zn with 95% confidence level and 20% level of accuracy.     

Subcellular localization of ribonuclease isoenzymes in tobacco mesophyll protoplasts and their changes induced by infection of PVY

Changes in the content and subcellular localization of ribonuclease isoenzymes were determined in mesophyll protoplasts prepared fromNicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun from healthy and potato virus Y (PVY) infected plants. Intact chloroplasts, mitochondria and soluble cytosolic proteins were obtained after protoplast disintegration by means of differential centrifugation. The 1 000g pellet from healthy protoplasts contained 7.3 %, the 15 000g pellet 13.5 % and 15 000g supernatant 82.1 % of the total activity of ribonucleases. The 1 000g pellet from infected protoplasts contained 10.4%, the 15 000g pellet 10.0% and 15 000g supernatant 89.6 % of the total activity of ribonucleases. The activity of these enzymes in infected protoplasts was enhanced in crude homogenate to 137.0 % (P<0.001), in 1 000g pellet to 194.8 % (P<0.001), in 15 000g pellet to 101.3 % (NS), and in 15 000g supernatant to 149.4 % (P<0.001) of that in healthy noninoculated protoplasts.     

Cryptorchidie et cancer du testicule

A history of cryptorchidism is the only risk factor for testicular cancer that can be considered unequivocally established. The rate of cryptorchidism at age 3 months appears to have increased over the 30 years from 1.7% to 3.2%. From a review of the literature, the overall proportion of testicular cancer patients with a history of cryptorchidism is approximately 10%. Case-control studies indicate that the relative risks of testicular cancer associated with a history of cryptorchidism are about 6. Prevalence of testicular cancer in patients with a history of cryptorchidism could range between 2% and 3%, as reported in studies from North European Countries. Orchidopexy itself or age at orchidopexy seem to have no effect on the subsequent risk of testicular cancer; however, data from the literature are somewhat discrepant. But orchidopexy does seem to influence the histologic type of malignancy, with a lower frequency of seminoma. The developement of non invasive techniques is badly needed to allow population screening for testicular cancer.     

The distribution of BrKα/RbKα peak intensity ratio in human whole blood samples

A preliminary study was conducted to compare the BrKα/RbKα peak intensity ratio in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and healthy subjects (controls) in Isreal. Blood samples were obtained from 61 CRC patients and 124 controls. The controls represent a normal population from different areas in Israel. Three hundred microliters of wet whole blood samples were analyzed by the EDXRF method. A weighted mean of 2.45±0.38 Br/Rb ratio was obtained for CRC patients, as compared with 3.28±0.40 Br/Rb ratio for controls. The mean value for controls represents only 112 subjects, since 12 individuals of the control group suffered from some other diseases and therefore were not included for the mean value calculation in this group. The results indicate that the Br/Rb ratio in CRC patients is significantly lower (p<0.05) than in controls. No significant difference was found in Br/Rb ratio correlated to age and sex. It was not possible to draw final conclusion concerning the relationship between the Br/Rb ratio and the malignancy stage, since there was a relatively small number of cases in each stage under investigation.     

Plant radioresistance and DNA repair efficiency inChlamydomonas reinhardtii andPisum sativum

This paper compares the repair of DNA single strand breaks (ssb) induced by γ-radiation in two strains ofChlamydomonas reinhardtii (137C/+/ and UVS-I) and three lines ofPisum sativum (NN 131, 198, 140) differing in the degree of radioresistance. DNA ssb in cells exposed to γ-rays (50, 100, 200, 500 Gy) were measured by electrophoresis and alkaline unwinding method with subsequent chromatography on hydroxyapatite immediately after irradiation and after 30 min of post-irradiation incubation at 25°C. An increase of double-strand DNA (in%) was found in cells after 30 min post-irradiation incubation.C. reinhardtii strains displayed an equal level of DNA degradation and repair efficiency in the DNA single strand breaks. The radioresistant line N 198 ofP. sativum is characterized by a lower level of induced DNA ssb and higher efficiency of repair of these breaks as compared with less radioresistant lines NN 131 and 140.     

Effects of inorganic arsenicals on DNA synthesis in unsensitized human blood lymphocytes in vitro

Effects of inorganic arsenicals on DNA synthesis in unsensitized human blood lymphocytes were biphasic: The chemicals at very low concentrations enhanced DNA synthesis, whereas higher concentrations inhibited DNA synthesis. The concentrations of arsenicals at which the maximum stimulating effect was found were 1×10^?5 M, 1×10^?6 or 2×10^?6 M, and 0.8×10^?6 or 1×10^?6 M for sodium arsenite exposure of 1 h, 3 d, and 6 d, respectively; for sodium arsenate, 1× 10^?5 M, 1×10^?5 M, and 2×10^?6 or 5×10^?6 M, respectively. Arsenicals must be present for the entire 6-d culture period to produce maximum stimulation of DNA synthesis in human lymphocytes. The longer exposure of the lymphocytes to arsenicals, the lower the concentrations of arsenicals at which the maximum stimulating effect on DNA synthesis was found. Stimulating effect of trivalent arsenic (sodium arsenite) on DNA synthesis was stronger than pentavalent arsenic (sodium arsenate), and the stronger the effect of trivalent arsenic than pentavalent, the longer exposure of the cells to the chemicals. Both sodium arsenite and sodium arsenate stimulated DNA synthesis in human lymphocytes to a lower degree than phytohemagglutinin (PHA).     

Le syndrome de Klinefelter chez l'enfant

Klinfelter syndrome was first described in adult males with gynecomastia, azoospermia and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Children with the 47, XXY karyotype demonstrate few clinical findings so Klinefelter syndrome is rarely diagnosed until adult life. Besides children who have been diagnosed during prenatal genetic testing, in infancy a male with 47, XXY (or variants: 46, XY-47, XXY; 48, XXXY; 48, XXYY, 49, XXXXY) may be found while undergoing evaluation of micropenis, hypospadias, cryptorchidism or facial anomalies. The older child may present with learning disabilities, behavior disorders or tall stature. At the time of puberty, the clinical picture includes small testes, gynecomastia and an eunuchoid habitus. Early diagnosis of Klinefelter syndrome must be performed since it has been demonstrated that early treatment with androgens may ameliorate many aspects of the clinical symptoms and attenuate or prevent behavioral and psychiatric disorders associated with 47, XXY males.     

Techniques and high resolution DNA size markers for pulsed field gel electrophoresis

High resolution DNA size markers are described for pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). These markers provide resolution of 10–20 kbp over a size range from 10 kbp to more than 400 kbp and are produced by partial restriction digestion of lambda phage DNA concatemers (λ ladder). High resolution markers extending to over 400 kbp are made by partial restriction digestion of λ ladder embedded in agarose. Detailed methods are described for marker production and for DNA separation by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoresis. These markers and methods are useful for a variety of high resolution DNA mapping by PFGE.     

Characterization of mitochondrial DNA topoisomerase I fromNeurospora crassa

DNA topoisomeraseI isolated from the lower eukaryoteNeurospora crassa mitochondria was characterized. Molar mass of the enzyme in the native state is 120 kDa and 60–65 kDa when denatured. The pH optimum of the enzyme is 7.8 and the KCl optimum concentration is 40 mmol/L. This topoisomerase is independent of ATP and Mg²⁺. N-Ethylmaleimide, 4-chloromercuribenzoate, SDS, guanidinium chloride, polyethylene glycol, heparin and ethidium bromide inhibit its activity, while novobiocin, nalidixic acid, Triton X-100 and chloroquine do not. Polyamines, and histone, H1 stimulate the topoisomerase activity. We classify this DNA topoisomerase as typeI and eukaryotic. Conversion of the topoisomerase to a nonspecific endonuclease at increased temperature is proposed.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in copper deficiency I

The effect of nutritional copper (Cu) deficiency on the antiinflammatory activity and pharmacokinetics of aspirin (ASA) was investigated in rats. Male, weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a Cu-deficient (CuD) or Cu-sufficient (CuS) diet for 49–50 d. The antiinflammatory activity of ASA was studied using the carrageenan-induced paw edema (CPE) test. ANOVA analyses of edema volumes at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 21 h postcarrageenan indicated significant differences between groups. The percent inhibition of edema due to ASA treatment in CuS was lower than that in CuD rats at 5 h, AUC_5h, and AUC_21h. ASA was found to be significantly more effective in inhibiting the CPE in CuD rats when compared to the CuS rats. Thus, we hypothesized that the increase in ASA's antiinflammatory activity in CuD rats was a result of a decrement in its elimination during nutritional Cu deficiency. The elimination of ASA in CuD and CuS rats was studied using an iv dose of 200 mg/kg. Concentrations of ASA and salicylic acid (SA) were determined in blood; whereas the concentrations of SA, salicylic phenol-glucuronide (SPG), and salicyluric acid (SUA) were determined in urine by HPLC. The results of the pharmacokinetic analyses from blood and urinary data indicated no significant differences in the disposition of ASA between CuD and CuS rats. For instance, the total body clearance for ASA (mean±SD, mL/min/kg) was 37.9±9.4 and 38.5±13.9 (p>0.05); and the volume of distribution (Vd) for ASA (mean±SD, mL/kg) was 385.5±110.3 and 397.1.1±137.9 (p>0.05) for CuD and CuS groups, respectively. Thus, contrary to our hypothesis, the enhanced antiinflammatory activity of ASA in CuD rats does not appear to be mediated via a decrement in the elimination of the drug. In addition, plasma ASA-esterase activity was found to be independent of Cu nutritional status.     

Hormone-like product of vascular tissue stimulating starch accumulation in pith explants of kale and endogenous cytokinins

When stem explants of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var.medullosa), containing pith parenchyma and a strip of vascular tissue, were cultured on simple sucrose medium, a hormone-like factor was transported from the vascular tissue to the adjacent pith, where it stimulated accumulation of starch. Similarly, up to a sevenfold increase of starch content in explants could be induced by cytokinins added to the culture medium. The relative stimulatory effect of several cytokinins (5×10^?6 M) and hormone-like product of vascular tissue (HPVT) in a typical experiment were: control (1.0), trans-zeatin (6.7), HPVT (6.2), N⁶-[2-isopentenyl]adenine (5.4), transzeatin riboside (5.2), N⁶-[2-isopentenyl]adenosine (5.4), kinetin (3.6), 6-benzylaminopurine (3.5), and adenine (2.1). Concentration of endogenous cytokinins was determined using ELISA (trans-zeatin, N⁶-[2-isopentenyl]adenine and their ribosides) andAmaranthus bioassay (total cytokinins). No effect of vascular tissue on the level of endogenous cytokinins in explants was found. The results support the conclusions of previous experiments that the HPVT stimulating starch accumulation is not a cytokinin.     

Diversity in two candidate malaria vaccine antigens in different Indian strains ofPlasmodium falciparum

Polymorphism in two malarial antigens, merozoite surface antigen-1 (MSA-1) and ring erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA), has been characterized in four different Indian strains ofPlasmodium falciparum. The Indian strains were obtained from two malaria endemic regions of India, viz. Surat (Gujarat) and Delhi, and established in culture. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against different domains of these antigens were used in the study. In MSA-1 a novel intragenic crossover was detected in the central conserved domain in two of the Indian strains. The repeat domain of RESA was found to be absent in the two strains ofP. falciparum isolated from Surat. These differences in immunoreactivity have been extended to the DNA level by appropriate PCR studies. MSA-1 and RESA are candidate vaccine antigens and these diversities will have an important bearing on the design of a suitable malaria vaccine.     

Alteration of spermatozoal structure and trace metal profile of testis and epididymis of rat under chronic low-level X-ray irradiation

This study investigates the short-term as well as long-term effects of low-level X-ray irradiation on the Spermatozoal structure and trace metal (Zn, Fe, Cu, and Cd) contents in the testis and epididymis of whole-body irradiated albino rats. Male rats were exposed to 0.675, 1.350, 2.700, and 4.050 cGy of X-ray intermittently in 45, 90 180, and 270 equal fractions (each fraction of 0.015 cGy s^?1), respectively. SEM study had revealed numerous fusiform swelling in sperm tail in most of the x-irradiated groups. Moreover, in 2.700 and 4.050 cGy dose groups, the tail sheath of several sperm were eroded out. In the TEM study, damage in microtubules of sperm tail in 4.050 cGy irradiated group was noted. The AAS study showed a transient increase in Zn content in 0.675 and 1.350 cGy dose groups, but its concentration was decreased in 2.700 and 4.050 cGy dose groups. Fe concentration was increased in all the cases in comparison to that of control group. Nevertheless, Cu and Cd contents were increased mostly in 2.700 and 4.050 cGy doses. Thus present findings probably throw some light regarding mammalian response threshold at low-level X-ray irradiation. Moreover, it raises questions regarding the validity of “safe dose ionizing radiation.”     

In vitro selection and characterization of a callus line ofVigna radiata resistant to NaCl,KCl and Na2SO4

A salt mixture resistant (SMR) cell line ofVigna radiata (L.) Wilczek was isolated by selection on agar solidified PC-L2 medium supplemented with NaCl, KCl and Na₂SO₄ (8∶1∶1) equimolar to 300 mol m^?3 NaCl, a concentration inhibitory to the wild-type non-selected cells (salt mixture sensitive, SMS). This line retained its resistance after subculture for 3 passages (3 months) on normal medium. The SMR line grew significantly better than SMS line at all the levels of salts, though less in saline medium than the SMR on normal medium. The growth of SMR line was significantly higher than that of SMS line under KCl stress. However, both the lines responded similarly to Na₂SO₄ at a concentration higher than 100 mol m^?3. The SMR line was found to be more sensitive to NaCl than SMS line. The SMR line under salt mixture stress maintained lower levels of Na⁺ and higher levels of K⁺ than SMS line. The SMR line failed to regenerate shoots, although rhizogenesis was observed on PC-L2 medium containing salt mixture (300 mol m^?3).     

Detection of plum pox virus in leaves and aphids by SIBA and DAS-ELISA assays

The slot-immunobinding assay (SIBA) was adapted for detection of plum pox virus (PPV) and compared with DAS-ELISA. SIBA was easy to perform and as sensitive as DAS-ELISA in detection of various PPV isolates in herbaceous and woody plants, but not in aphids (Myzus persicae).     

Indications d’une étude méiotique dans l’infertilité masculine

Meiotic investigation is rare in male infertility. Now, some mutations affecting spermatogenesis exhibit characteristic cytogenetic figures, whereas testicular histology does not show specific aspects of this pathology. In male infertility with abnormal somatic caryotype, the aim of meiotic survey is to find the mechanisms inducing spermatogenic failure, and thus to lead to a better understanding of normal spermatogenesis. In addition to cytogenetic techniques, meiosis is also investigated by electron microscopy and molecular biology. Also, we think that a larger place must be grant to meiotic study in male infertility evaluation when the indication of testicular histopathology was settled.     

Cytological relationships of selected species ofPanicum L.

The cytological investigation of 12 taxa ofPanicum L. revealed that the vast majority of them have the basic number x=9 at different ploidy levels. The basic number x=8 was recorded only in the tetraploid speciesP. maximum with 2n=32. The diploid number 2n=18 was encountered inP. capillare, P. laevifolium, P. antidotale andP. coloratum (2) with 3B-chromosomes recorded in the latter species. The tetraploid chromosome number 2n=36 was found to exist inP. miliaceum, P. miliare, P. coloratum (1) andP. virgatum. The hexaploid number 2n=54 was recorded inP. bulbosum, P. dichotomiflorum andP. esculentum. The karyotypes of all accessions were mostly symmetrical and mainly comprised of meta- and submetacentric chromosomes with little variation in length among them within each karyotype. Investigation of chromosome association during metaphase I of meiosis revealed that the frequency of bivalents/cell was the highest among all investigated diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid accessions. Univalents were also frequently encountered in various accessions. These results may indicate that segmental alloploidy has been the major process by which polyploid species have originated.     

Flavin excretion from roots of iron-deficient sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The characteristics of flavin excretion from iron-deficient sugar-beet roots have been studied. Roots from iron-deficient sugar beet excreted flavins when plants were allowed to decrease the pH of the nutrient solution, but not when plants were grown in nutrient solutions buffered at high pH. As shown by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, the two major flavins whose excretion was induced by iron deficiency were different from riboflavin, FMN and FAD. These flavins have been identified as riboflavin 3′-sulfate and riboflavin 5′-sulfate by electrospray-mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, infrared spectrometry and¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance. We have characterized the time courses of accumulation of the different flavins in the nutrient solution and considered several possible roles for flavin excretion in iron acquisition.     

Trace-elements status in camels

Data relating to trace-elements status in camels is scarce, from both a clinical and biochemical point of view. Clinical deficiency or toxicity has rarely been described in this species. However, there is a some evidence that camels are sensitive to trace element disorders in the same way as other ruminants. For example, copper deficiency in camels has been reported in East Africa. Normal plasma level is comparable to cattle (70–120 mg/100 mL). Camels appear to maintain zinc levels at a lower value than other domestic ruminants (<60μg/100 mL). Iron metabolism is more active in the liver than in the spleen. Data concerning manganese levels are possibly unreliable. Some cases of selenium deficiency (white muscle disease) have been reported. No data are available for cobalt status in camels. Finally, camels appear to be more sensitive to iodine deficiency than the other domestic ruminants.