Evolutionary Advantages of Participation of Vasopressin instead of Vasotocin in Regulation of Water–Salt Balance in Mammals

In experiments on non-anesthetized Wistar white rats there was studied reaction of kidney to an intramuscular injection of arginine vasotocin or arginine vasopressin at doses from 0.001 to 0.05 µg/100 g body mass on the background of a water load. Water (5 ml/100 g body mass) was administered through a catheter into stomach to suppress secretion of endogenous antidiuretic hormone (ADH). In experiments with water administration, diuresis increased due to a decrease of osmotic permeability of renal tubules and to excretion of osmotically free water, with the constant clearance of sodium ions. Injection of 0.05 µg arginine vasopressin led to a marked decrease of diuresis due to a rise of reabsorption of osmotically free water without elevation of excretion of osmotically active substances. Injection of the same dose of arginine vasotocin resulted in no increase of diuresis; however, reabsorption of osmotically free water and excretion of osmotically active substances including sodium ions were more pronounced. Hence, both vasotocin and vasopressin increased osmotic permeability of the tubular epithelium, but vasotocin, unlike vasopressin, promoted reduction of reabsorption of sodium ions and their loss with urine. A suggestion is made that one of the reasons for replacement in mammals of the molecular ADH forms (vasotocin by vasopressin) was the absence of the pronounced natriuretic effect in arginine vasopressin. This was of crucial significance to preserve sodium ions in the organism, to maintain water–salt balance in animals adapted to the terrestrial life, and to provide not only osmo-, but also volumoregulation.     

Biotransformation of Digitoxin in Cell Cultures of Capsicum frutescens in the Presence of β-cyclodextrin

Cell suspension cultures of Capsicum frutescens accumulated digoxin, purpureaglycoside A and other unknown derivatives when digitoxin, a cardiac glycoside, was used as a precursor. The feeding of digitoxin complexed with &#103 -cyclodextrin increased the accumulation of digoxin, purpureaglycoside A and other unknown derivatives. Control cultures (without digitoxin) did not produce any of these metabolites. The growth of cells was affected by both digitoxin as well as digitoxin- &#103 -cyclodextrin. The accumulation of purpureaglycoside A and digoxin reached a maximum of 1241 and 374 &#119 g 100 ml &#109 1 culture on the 6th and 2nd day, respectively, which was 3.9 and 4.5 fold higher than cultures treated with digitoxin alone (sampled on the 13th day). The other unknown derivatives formed in digitoxin- &#103 -cyclodextrin fed cultures were 15 times higher than digitoxin alone fed C. frutescens cultures. The addition of glucose to digitoxin- &#103 -cyclodextrin treated cultures increased the accumulation of purpureaglycoside A which reached a maximum of 3589 &#119 g 100 ml &#109 1 culture after 12 h incubation, which was a 2.9 fold increase over cultures treated with digitoxin- &#103 -cyclodextrin alone.     

Mode of action of sulfoxides in preventing loss of activity of 11β-hydroxylase in cultured bovine adrenocortical cells

Previously, loss of 11β-hydroxylase activity when adrenocortical cells are incubated with the pseudosubstrate cortisol was found to be reduced when the concentration of oxygen was lowered, or when butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or dimethyl sulfoxide (Me₂SO) were included in the medium. In the present experiments, we tested the hypothesis that Me₂SO protects 11β-hydroxylase by scavenging OH^? radicals. Substances known to react with OH^? at high rates and non-toxic enough to be used at concentrations of 10–100 mM, including several alcohols, benzoate and radioprotectant thiols, did not prevent loss of activity of 11β-hydroxylase in the presence of 50 μM cortisol. Two of the alcohols, ethanol and glycerol, as well as Me₂SO, were radioprotective in cultured bovine adrenocortical cells. Therefore free OH^? radicals do not appear to be involved in loss of 11β-hydroxylase activity. When sulfoxides other than dimethyl sulfoxide were tested for their ability to protect 11β-hydroxylase in the presence of cortisol, several aryl sulfoxides, particularly dibenzyl sulfoxide, as well as dipropyl sulfoxide, were active at concentrations to $\text{1}\text{200}$ of that required for Me₂SO. Previously, we have demonstrated that 11β-hydroxylase inhibitors, particularly metyrapone, effectively protect against loss of 11β-hydroxylase activity in the presence of pseudosubstrates and therefore we examined whether sulfoxides may act by directly inhibiting 11β-hydroxylase. Me₂SO showed an ED₅₀ for inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase activity of > 1 M, in contrast to its ED₅₀ for protection of 34 mM. For metyrapone, however, the ED₅₀ for inhibition of the enzyme (250 nM) was close to that for protection of activity (270 nM). The other sulfoxides showed ED₅₀-values for inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase that were substantially higher than the ED₅₀-values for protection. Sulfoxides may have a mixed mode of action in protection of 11β-hydroxylase activity, as previously shown for phenols; they may protect by radical scavenging, but may also need to bind close to the active site of the enzyme where destructive radicals may be formed.     

Histoenzymorphology of β-D-glucuronidase in cortical granules in oocytes of some representative vertebrates

Summary Histoenzymorphologic investigations on -D-glucuronidase in cortical granules in oocytes of some representative vertebrates revealed interesting differences in localisation of the enzyme in the two techniques employed using 8-hydroxyquinoline -D-glucosiduronic acid and naphthol AS-BI -D-glucosiduronic acid as substrates. In the former a nonspecific localisation in the entire cytoplasm of the oocytes excepting nucleus was evident whereas in the latter the cortical granules alone exhibited intense activity. To some extent this difference could be accounted for on the basis of yolk content of the eggs. -D-glucoronidase-rich lysosomal cortical granules were found in the amphibian, reptilian and avian oocytes whereas mammalian oocyte cortical granules were devoid of this enzyme. -D-glucuronidase in cortical granules was sensitive to low concentrations of Hg⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, glucuronic and mucic acids. Other histochemical evidence for the lysosomal nature of the cortical granules is presented and discussed. -D-glucuronidase seems to have a role in ovum-nutrition and activation which, thus, make a new addition to the existing knowledge of physiological role of -D-glucuronidase and lysosomes.Dr. A. T. Varute — Research Project guide.     

Conservation of Orchids in China

China,as one of the most important Range States of orchids in the world, has about 1300 species with abundant varieties of orchids. However, owing to over, abuse harvest and illegal trades, the wild populations of these species have declined dramatically, even bringing some species to the edge of extinction. In response to such challenges, the Chinese     

Alteration in virulence characteristics of biofilm cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in presence of Tamm-Horsfall protein

Summary Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein is the most abundant protein in human urine. The present investigation was planned to study the effect of Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) on elaboration of virulence factors by biofilm cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was observed that with increase in concentration of THP from 10 to 50 μg/ml there was significant enhancement in elaboration of all the virulence factors by biofilm cells of P. aeruginosa. However, with further increase in concentration of THP from 50 to 70 μg/ml, significant decrease in elaboration of all the virulence traits was observed. Implications of these findings in relation to urinary tract infections caused by P. aeruginosa have been discussed.     

Conservation of Orchids in China

China, as one of the most important Range States of orchids in the world, has about 1300 species withabundant varieties of orchids. However, owing to over, abuse harvest and illegal trades, the wild populations ofthese species have declined dramatically, even bringing some species to the edge of extinction. In response to such challenges, the Chinese government has put conservation of orchids as a priority agenda, taking a series of Innovative and effective measures to protect the orchids in the wild.[第一段]     

Variations in Quercus sp. pollen seasons (1996–2011) in Poznań, Poland,in relation to meteorological parameters

The aim of this study is to supply detailed information about oak (Quercus sp.) pollen seasons in Poznań, Poland, based on a 16-year aerobiological data series (1996–2011). The pollen data were collected using a volumetric spore trap of the Hirst design located in Poznań city center. The limits of the pollen seasons were calculated using the 95 % method. The influence of meteorological parameters on temporal variations in airborne pollen was examined using correlation analysis. Start and end dates of oak pollen seasons in Poznań varied markedly from year-to-year (14 and 17 days, respectively). Most of the pollen grains (around 75 % of the seasonal pollen index) were recorded within the first 2 weeks of the pollen season. The tenfold variation was observed between the least and the most intensive pollen seasons. These fluctuations were significantly related to the variation in the sum of rain during the period second fortnight of March to first fortnight of April the year before pollination (r = 0.799; p < 0.001). During the analyzing period, a significant advance in oak pollen season start dates was observed (?0.55 day/year; p = 0.021), which was linked with an increase in the mean temperature during the second half of March and first half of April (+0.2 °C; p = 0.014). Daily average oak pollen counts correlated positively with mean and maximum daily temperatures, and negatively with daily rainfall and daily mean relative humidity.     

The pollen season dynamics and the relationship among some season parameters (start,end, annual total,season phases) in Kraków,Poland, 1991–2008

The dynamics of 15 taxa pollen seasons in Kraków, in 1991–2008 was monitored using a Burkard volumetric spore trap of the Hirst design. The highest daily pollen concentrations were achieved in the first half of May, and they were caused mainly by Betula and Pinus pollen. The second period of the high concentrations took place from the middle of July to the end of August (mainly Urtica pollen). Tree pollen seasons were shorter (18–24 days) in comparison with the most herbaceous pollen seasons (73–89 days), except at Artemisia and Ambrosia seasons (30 and 24 days, respectively). The season phases (percentyles) of the spring and late-summer taxa were the most variable in the consecutive years. The highest annual sums were noted for Urtica, Poaceae (herbaceous pollen seasons) and for Betula, Pinus, Alnus (tree pollen seasons), and the highest variability of annual totals was stated for Urtica, Populus, Fraxinus and the lowest for Ambrosia, Corylus, Poaceae. For the plants that pollinate in the middle of the pollen season (Quercus, Pinus and Rumex), the date of the season start seems not to be related to the season end, while for late pollen seasons, especially for Ambrosia and Artemisia, the statistically negative correlation between the start and the end season dates was found. Additionally, for the most studied taxa, the increase in annual pollen totals was observed. The presented results could be useful for the allergological practice and general botanical knowledge.     

Flowering phenology and potential pollen emission of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia</Emphasis> species in relation to airborne pollen data in Poznań (Western Poland)

Artemisia pollen is an important allergen in Europe. In Poznań (Western Poland), three Artemisia species, A. vulgaris, A. campestris and A. absinthium, are widely distributed. However, the contributions of these species to the total airborne pollen are unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the flowering phenology and pollen production of the three abovementioned species and to construct a model of potential Artemisia pollen emission in the study area. Phenological observations were conducted in 2012 at six sites in Poznań using a BBCH phenological scale. Pollen production was estimated by counting the pollen grains per flower and recalculating the totals per inflorescence, plant and population in the study area. Airborne pollen concentrations were obtained using a Hirst-type volumetric trap located in the study area. Artemisia vulgaris began to flower the earliest, followed by A. absinthium and then A. campestris. The flowering of A. vulgaris corresponded to the first peak in the airborne pollen level, and the flowering of A. campestris coincided with the second pollen peak. The highest amounts of pollen per single plant were produced by A. vulgaris and A. absinthium. A. campestris produced considerably less pollen, however, due to its common occurrence, it contributed markedly (30 %) to the summation of total of recorded pollen. A. vulgaris is the most important pollen source in Poznań, but the roles of two other Artemisia species cannot be ignored. In particular, A. campestris should be considered as an important pollen contributor and likely might be one of the main causes of allergic reactions during late summer.     

Pollen calendar for Vigo, North-West Spain (1995)

This is the first data from a pollen survey in Vigo, an Atlantic city in northwest Spain. The pollen calendar for Vigo is presented, as well as the pollination period for the nine most important allergenic plants. Through 1995, 30 083 pollen grains belonging to 52 taxa, were recorded using the Lanzoni VPPS 2000 volumetric spore-trap. The most relevant taxa found were: Urticaceae,Pinus, Poaceae andQuercus (75% of the total pollen),Betula, Castanea, Cupressaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Ericaceae, Myrtaceae,Olea, Plantago, Platanus andRumex (21%), and the final 4% was distributed mainly among pollen types, such as:Corylus, Alnus, Fabaceae, Compositae,Artemisia andCedrus. Of the total annual pollen count, 56% was found in March and April. Another, secondary peak was recorded in June corresponding to the flowering period of herbaceous species. The high pollen total of Urticaceae (7625 grains, 25% of the total) should be highlighted. The percentages ofOlea europaea (565 grains) should be noted as well, taking into account its geographical distribution.     

Variations and trends of birch pollen seasons during 15 years (1996–2010) in relation to weather conditions in Poznań (western Poland)

Birch (Betula) pollen seasons were examined in relation to meteorological conditions in Poznań (1996–2010). Birch pollen grains were collected using a volumetric spore trap. An alternate biennial cycle of birch pollen season intensity was noticed in Poznań. The main factors influencing birch pollen season intensity were average daily minimum temperatures during the second fortnight of May and the month of June one year before pollination as well as the intensity of the pollen season of the previous year. Most of the pollen grains are recorded during the first week of the season; the number of pollen grains recorded at this time is positively correlated with mean maximum temperature and negatively correlated with daily rainfall. The significant effect of rainfall in reducing the season pollen index was noticed only during weak pollen seasons (season pollen index <?mean). In addition, mean daily maximum temperature during the first two weeks of the birch pollen season markedly influences its duration. No significant trends in duration and intensity of the pollen season were recorded, however, a slight tendency towards early pollination was observed (?0.4 days/year, p?=?0.310).     

Analysis of airborne allergenic pollen spectrum for 2009 in Timişoara, Romania

The objective of this investigation was to identify the overall pollen types and, more particularly, the allergenic pollen content in the investigated area and then to explore their seasonal variations. The measurement point was located in the Timi?oara city, Romania. A Lanzoni volumetric trap was used for sample collection. Duration of the pollen season of allergenic plants and respective variation in airborne pollen concentration are presented in the pollen calendar for the year 2009. Among the identified pollen of 23 types, 20 were allergenic: Taxaceae/Cupressaceae, Alnus sp., Fraxinus sp., Betula sp., Corylus sp., Carpinus sp., Salix sp., Populus sp., Ulmus sp., Juglans sp., Quercus sp., Pinaceae, Tilia, Poaceae, Urticaceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Rumex sp., Plantago sp., Artemisia sp., Ambrosia sp. These species prevail throughout almost the entire pollen season, from February–October, accounting for 87.03 % of the total pollen count. The greatest diversity of pollen types is detected in the months of spring. The summer months were characterized mostly by non-arboreal pollen types. In late summer and early autumn, Ambrosia airpollen was the most abundant in the atmosphere. The relationships between pollen concentrations and nine meteorological parameters are presented too. To analyze the correlation between pollen data and variables, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used. The correlation analysis of daily pollen counts and meteorological parameters showed that arboreal pollen and non-arboreal pollen counts were significantly correlated with temperature. The prevalence of pollen sensitization resulted to be very high in our patients with respiratory symptoms.     

Seasonal fluctuations of the airborne pollen spectrum in Murcia (SE Spain)

During six consecutive years (1993–1998), aBurkard volumetric pollen trap was continuouslyoperated to sample pollen from the air of thecity of Murcia. The aim of the study was toelucidate the spectra of airborne pollen andthe variations during the year, and toelaborate a pollen calendar. This time spanincludes the end of the period with severedrought from 1990–1995, which particularly affected the south-eastern region of Spain.The total sum of daily average pollenconcentrations amounted to 148,645 pollen grainsbelonging to 93 different taxa. A daily averageof 74 pollen grains/m³ and 11 taxa wererecorded, with maxima of 1157 and 27respectively. The total pollen amountregistered in a year correlated with yearlyrainfall, but there was no relation with meanannual temperature. As for annual fluctuations,there seemed to be no influence by totalrainfall or temperature. Spring and winter werethe seasons with the highest pollen counts andpollen diversity.From the 93 identified taxa, 36 are included inthe pollen calendar. Noteworthy findings are:(i) the presence of Thymelaeaceae,Robinia, Betula, Castanea,Zygophyllum, Caryophyllaceae andCannabis, (ii) a long pollen season ofChenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Urticaceae,Poaceae, Arecaceae and Plantago, (iii)the occurrence of summer, autumn and winterflowering of Artemisia, (iv) the lateappearance of Corylus pollen, and (v) theminor presence of Casuarina pollen duringthe mid winter and late spring.     

Transport of airborne pollen into the city of Thessaloniki: the effects of wind direction, speed and persistence

We examined the effect of the wind vector analyzed into its three components (direction, speed and persistence), on the circulation of pollen from different plant taxa prominent in the Thessaloniki area for a 4-year period (1996–1999). These plant taxa were Ambrosia spp., Artemisia spp., Chenopodiaceae, Corylus spp., Cupressaceae, Olea europaea, Pinaceae, Platanus spp., Poaceae, Populus spp., Quercus spp., and Urticaceae. Airborne pollen of Cupressaceae, Urticaceae, Quercus spp. and O. europaea make up approximately 70% of the total average annual pollen counts. The set of data that we worked with represented days without precipitation and time intervals during which winds blew from the same direction for at least 4 consecutive hours. We did this in order to study the effect of the different wind components independently of precipitation, and to avoid secondary effects produced by pollen resuspension phenomena. Factorial regression analysis among the summed bi-hourly pollen counts for each taxon and the values of wind speed and persistence per wind direction gave significant results in 22 cases (combinations of plant taxa and wind directions). The pollen concentrations of all taxa correlated significantly with at least one of the three wind components. In seven out of the 22 taxon-wind direction combinations, the pollen counts correlated positively with wind persistence, whereas this was the case for only two of the taxon-wind speed combinations. In seven cases, pollen counts correlated with the interaction effect of wind speed and persistence. This shows the importance of wind persistence in pollen transport, particularly when weak winds prevail for a considerable part of the year, as is the case for Thessaloniki. Medium/long-distance pollen transport was evidenced for Olea (NW, SW directions), Corylus (NW, SW), Poaceae (SW) and Populus (NW).     

Aprpaoches to airborne pollen in SE spain. First survey in murcia: one year of pollen monitoring (1993–94)

First data from a pollen survey carried out in the city of Murcia (SE Spain) are given in this paper. Using a Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap, daily slides were prepared and 80 pollen types belonging to 51 families andAlternaria spores were identified and counted. Special attention was paid to 14 relevant taxa: Cupressaceae,Pinus, Genisteae,Olea, Morus, Acer, Platanus, Plantago, Quercus, Urticaceae, Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae,Artemisia andAlternaria. The main sources of airborne particles wereAlternaria (27.7%), Cupressaceae (13.5%),Olea (9.36%), Chenopodiaceae (8.31%) and Urticaceae (5.8%). Annual variations in pollen abundance and length of the flowering seasons are given for individual species and are related to environmental factors. Results indicate a main pollen season from March to June and a second minor season in September to October. The relatively high concentrations of Genisteae and the appearance of anArtemisia winter season were noted.     

Airborne pollen calendar of the central region of Bursa (Turkey)

This report describes qualitatively and quantitatively the level of pollen in the atmosphere in the central region of Bursa. Turkey. In 1991, the season of maximum pollen concentration was from April to June, with a prevalence of arboreal pollen during the initial months, and of pollen from herbaceous plants in the latter months. During the year of research, 24 taxa of arboreal and 12 taxa of herbaceous pollen grains were collected and identified. In the region investigatedPinus, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae,Abies nordmanniana, Platanus orientalis, Olea europaea, Gramineae, Urticaceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae,Artemisia and Compositae were responsible for the greatest amounts of pollen. Some important allergenic pollens such asOlea europaea, Gramineae and Urticaceae were also found in high concentration. In this study, a pollen calendar for the region is presented.