Comparative studies on the adhesiveness of granulocytes of guinea pig and man

Summary The high affinity of granulocytes of guinea pig and man to glass surfaces is modified by serum. Native serum contains both an adherence-promoting activity, which is related to complement, and components which reduce the adhesiveness of granulocytes. These components are stable at 56°C for 30 min and are tightly bound to the glass surface. -Lipoproteins are candidates for this adherence reducing ability of serum. Adherence promotion by native serum is mediated by coating the glass surface with C3b/C3bi. Human granulocytes from the peripheral blood adhered to glass surfaces coated by native human or guinea pig serum with C3b/C3bi to almost the same extent as in the presence of native serum, but on guinea pig granulocytes elicited in the peritoneal cavity, a cell surface metalloproteinase degraded the C3b/C3bi, thus reducing the adhesiveness of these cells. This proteinase was inhibited by MgEDTA, DTT, and 1,10-phenanthroline, whereby the high adhesiveness of granulocytes was restored to C3b/C3bi-coated glass.Abbreviations BA benzamidine hydrochloride - BTS Bacillus thuringiensis subtoxicus - DTT dithiothreitol - EAC -amino-caproic acid - gp guinea pig - LDL low density lipoproteins - SEM scanning electron microscopy     

Heterostyly in the Canarian endemic Jasminum odoratissimum (Oleaceae)

Jasminum odoratissimum is a Madeira and Canary Islands endemic showing classic heterostyly, i.e. with long-styled flowers with anthers at a low level in the corolla tube and short-styled flowers with anthers at a high level in the corolla tube. Short-styled flowers have large pollen, whereas long-styled flowers have small pollen. The two types are present in equal frequencies in the population.     

The basic organization of the Plathelminthes

The basic organization of the Plathelminthes is summarized. Special attention is given to epidermal structures, musculature, extracellular matrices, nervous system and sensory structures, digestive system, totipotent stem cells, protonephridia, reproductive system and life cycle. The latest common ancestor of the Plathelminthes lacked any parenchymal cells and tissues; Plathelminthes do not represent Parenchymia. Discussions concerning the relationships of the Plathelminthes with other Metazoa must be based on the characteristics of the plathelminth stem species.     

Modified sperm ultrastructure and some data on spermiogenesis in Provortex tubiferus (Plathelminthes,Rhabdocoela): phylogenetic implications for the Dalyellioida

Summary Spermatozoa of Provortex tubiferus are thread-shaped, totally enclosed by peripheral microtubules and devoid of cilia or flagella. A peripheral layer of dense bodies underlies the cortical microtubules. Roundish mitochondria are arranged in a single row in the middle region of the sperm body. A special feature is documented in the appearance of a perinuclear condensation consisting of leaflet-like compartments. Such a perinuclear condensation is not known for any other species of the Plathelminthes. This characteristic may have functional roles in the locomotion and stabilization of the filiform aciliary spermatozoon. During spermiogenesis, two centrioles in a diplosome configuration differentiate near each nucleus of an early spermatid. With proceeding sperm maturation, a structure resembling an intercentriolar body is formed as typical for the taxon Trepaxonemata. However, axonemes are not differentiated and the intercentriolar body becomes disorganized. It is hypothesized that the Provorticinae (with Provortex) and the Graffillinae (with Paravortex) constitute a new monophylum with the autapomorphy special type of aciliary spermatozoon. The Provorticidae and the Graffillidae, respectively, are non-monophyletic groupings; the Kirgisellinae, Pseudograffillinae and Bresslauillinae do not belong to the monophylum Provorticinae + Graffillinae.Abbreviations ccp cone-shaped cell process - cm cortical microtubules - ct centriole - cy cytophore - db dense bodies - mi mitochondrion - n nucleus - pn perinuclear condensation     

Paddle cilia and discocilia — Genuine structures?

Kinocilia of epidermal sensory cells in fixed marine Turbellaria often terminate as flattened biconcave discs. The distal part of the ciliary axoneme curves back upon itself forming a 360 degree loop which is enveloped by the plasmalemma. In living animals this structure can be induced by the addition of sodium cacodylate, monobasic sodium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate, sucrose, calcium chloride, or formaldehyde to the sea water. Specimens treated with sodium chloride, glutaraldehyde, or osmium tetroxide do not show modified cilia. In animals prepared for EM at low temperature and with a buffered hypotonic fixative less kinocilia are modified than in animals treated with a buffered iso- or hypertonic fixative and at a higher temperature. It is assumed that the unusually shaped cilia, described as "paddle cilia" or "discocilia" in other invertebrates, do not represent a genuine but an artificial structure.     

Terpen-derivate aus Senecio-arten

Investigation of about 50 Senecio species has afforded many new substances, in addition to known compounds. Present in these plants are 23 fura