Oogenesis in Vimba vimba (L. 1758) from Drawieński National Park (NW Poland)

The objective of the studies was to analyse the process of oogenesis in vimba from a non-migratory population living in the waters of Drawieński National Park in north-west Poland. The character of spawning of this species is an obstacle in determining the right moment to catch spawners or developing artificial spawning biotechniques. Previtellogenesis of vimba begins about six months after hatching and lasts three years. The trophoplasmatic growth of oocytes (October-March/April) begins when carbohydrate vesicles appear near the nuclei oocytes of sexually mature females (aged 4+). Just before spawning, granulated, lipoprotein-like substances are cumulated. The resorption of pre-ovulation corpora lutea (non-ejected oocytes) and post-ovulation corpora lutea (ruptured theca folds and follicles) begins in the ovary of vimba in the middle of June. These were observed in histological cross sections for about two to three months. Describing the process of oogenesis can provide a foundation for developing practical applications in aquaculture aimed at preserving the biodiversity of the park's waters and this critically endangered species of the Polish ichthyofauna.     

The relationship between airborne pollen and fungal spore concentrations and seasonal pollen allergy symptoms in Cracow in 1997–1999

The investigation of airborne pollen and fungalspore concentrations was carried out in Cracowbetween 1997–1999. For this study thevolumetric method has been employed (Burkard).At the same time the clinical diagnosis ofpollen allergy in 40 patients was obtained onthe basis of an interview, positive skin pricktests with pollen extracts and increasedspecific IgE level. An increase in seasonalallergy symptoms in all patients occurred fromthe middle of May to the middle of August.Eighty eight percent of the patients (35 out of40) were sensitive to Poaceae pollen and about50% of them were additionally sensitive totree and herb pollen excluding grasses. Forpatients with additional allergy to tree pollenthe seasonal symptoms started at the end ofMarch (Betula) while for patients withadditional allergy to herb pollen it wasextended to the middle of September (Artemisia).Five people out of 40 revealed positive skinreactions to Alternaria spores and anincrease in specific IgE level. Positive skinreaction to Cladosporium spores with noincrease in specific IgE level occurred in 2patients. The increase in seasonal allergysymptoms in people sensitive to Alternariaspores noted in July and August could becaused not only by these spores but also byPoaceae pollen.     

Thioridazine induces erythrocyte stomatocytosis due to interactions with negatively charged lipids

Despite the fact that thioridazine is used clinically as a neuroleptic drug, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its biological effects, in particular about its interactions with membranes. In the present work we investigate the influence of thioridazine on model and cell membranes, using calorimetry, DPH fluorescence polarization measurements, studies of haemolysis and scanning electron microscopy. The experiments show that thioridazine interacts with lipid bilayers and intercalates into bilayer structure. We found that erythrocyte stomatocytosis induced by the drug might be related to preferential interaction of thioridazine with charged lipids.     

Elongation factor 2 as a target for selective inhibition of protein synthesis in vitro by the novel aromatic biasamidine

By the formation of cGMP the NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase plays a key role within the NO/cGMP signaling cascade involved in vascular regulation and neurotransmission. The prosthetic heme group of the enzyme acts as the NO sensor, and binding of NO induces conformational changes leading to an up to 200-fold activation of the enzyme. The unexpected fast dissociation half-life of NO of a few seconds is fast enough to account for the deactivation of the enzyme in biological systems. YC-1 and its analogues acting as NO sensitizers uncovered a new pharmacologically and conceivably physiologically relevant regulatory principle of the enzyme.Two existing isoforms of the heterodimeric guanylyl cyclase (₁₁, ₂₁) are known that are functionally indistinguishable. Up to now, the NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase has been considered as a soluble enzyme. However, recent evidence about the ₂₁ isoform interacting with a PDZ domain of the postsynaptic scaffold protein PSD-95 suggests that the ₂ subunit directs a membrane association of this isoform. The interaction with PSD-95 locates the ₂₁ isoform in close proximity to the NO-generating NO synthase thereby enabling the NO sensor to respond to locally raised NO concentrations.     

The fenestrin antigen in submembrane skeleton of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila is proposed as a marker of cell polarity during cell division and in oral replacement

Tetrahymena thermophila cells have two types of polarized morphogenesis: divisional morphogenesis and oral reorganization (OR). The aim of this research is the analysis of cortical patterns of immunostaining during cell division and in OR using previously characterized antibodies against fenestrin and epiplasm B proteins. During cell division, the anarchic field of basal body proliferation of the new developing oral apparatus (AF) showed concomitant strong binding of the fenestrin antigen and withdrawal of a signal of the epiplasm B antigen. At a specific stage, the fenestrin antigen also appeared as a character of the anterior cortex pole, with a co-localized decrease in the detected epiplasm B antigen. The fenestrin antigen also showed a polarity of duplicating basal bodies in ciliary rows. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling experiments were performed in the absence and presence of an inhibitor of activity of serine/threonine kinases, 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) as an inducer of the oral replacement process. In the presence of 6-DMAP, one class of cells started OR, and some others were trapped and affected in cell division. Both types of cells showed an instability of oral structures and formed enlarged primordial oral fields. These anarchic fields (AFs) bind the fenestrin antigen, with disappearance of epiplasmic antigen staining. Only one protein (about 64 kDa) is detected in western blots by the anti-fenestrin antibody and it accumulated in 6-DMAP-treated cells that are involved in uncompleted morphogenetic activity. At a defined stage of oral development, both during cell division and in OR, the fenestrin antigen served as a marker of polarity of the cell of the anterior pole character.