The effect of various types of portocaval anastomoses and hepatic artery ligation on the metabolism of hepatic mitochondria in rats

The results of investigations are presented concerning the disorders of metabolism of mitochondria isolated from the liver of rats after various operations on the portal vein and hepatic artery. The mitochondria were studied after end-to-side portocaval anastomosis (PCA), end-to-side anastomosis of the mesenteric vein to the inferior caval vein (M-PCA) and after hepatic artery ligation. The investigations were carried out 3.5 months after these operations. The obtained results showed that the greatest and most significant statistically dissociation of oxidative phosphorylation and reduction of oxygen uptake developed in the mitochondria isolated from rats after M-PCA anastomosis. Simultaneously conducted investigations of citrulline production by suspension of mitochondria failed to demonstrate any changes in the urea cycle.     

The Life History of Chactas reticulatus Kraepelin, 1912 (Scorpiones, Chactidae), with a Comparative Analysis of the Reproductive Traits of Three Scorpion Lineages in Relation to Habitat

An account is given of the life history, growth, population densities, habitat, reproductive systems, courtship and mating, litter size and sex ratio, iteroparity, molting and development of the scorpion Chactas reticulatus Kraepelin. These same traits are compared in three distinct scorpion lineages, buthid, chactid and ischnurid in relation to habitat characteristics. Correlations are drawn between reproductive and adaptative strategies, and it is suggested that if non-buthid scorpions may present some homogeneity as equilibrium species, buthid scorpions are not necessarily opportunistic species. Many groups can be characterized within the buthids, and these different lineages show variable ecological requirements.     

Über die feinere Histologie des Nervengewebes in der Membrana tympani,Membrana tympani secundaria und Mucosa der Paukenhöhle von Mensch und Hund

Zusammenfassung Mit der Silbermethode nach Bielschowsky-Gros, der Methylenblau-Vitalfärbung und der Markscheidenfärbung nach Benda Spielmeyer wurde das Nervengewebe in der Membrana tympani, in der Membrana tympani secundaria und in der Schleimhaut des Cavum tympani bei Mensch und Hund untersucht. Es wurden keine Schnitte, sondern Totalpräparate verwendet.     

Application of Empirical Wave Run-Up Formulas to the Polish Baltic Sea Coast

Advanced, multidimensional models are typically applied when researching processes occurring in the nearshore. Relatively simple, empirical equations are commonly used in coastal engineering practice in order to estimate extreme wave run-up on beaches and coastal structures. However, they were mostly calibrated to the characteristics of oceanic coasts, which have different wave regime than a semi-enclosed basin like the Baltic Sea. In this paper we apply the formulas to the Polish Baltic Sea coast. The equations were adjusted to match local conditions in two test sites in Międzyzdroje and Dziwnówek, where beaches are under continuous video surveillance. Data from WAM wave model and coastal gauge stations were used, as well as precise measurements of the beaches'' cross-sections. More than 600 run-up events spanning from June to December 2013 were analysed, including surges causing dune erosion. Extreme wave run-up R_2% was calculated and presented as a percentage value indicating what part of the beach was inundated. The method had a root-mean-square error of 6.1 and 6.5 percentage points depending on the test site. We consider it is a fast and computationally undemanding alternative to morphodynamic models. It will constitute a part of the SatBałtyk Operating System-Shores, delivering forecasts of wave run-up on the beaches for the entire Polish coastline.     

Weitere histologische Beobachtungen über die vegetative Innervation des membranösen Labyrinthes

Zusammenfassung Das vegetative Nervensystem entwickelt in allen Abschnitten des membranösen Labyrinths einen intramuralen Plexus. Die marklosen Nervenfasern dieses Plexus entstammen den Gefäßnerven, beim Hund auch den intramuralen Ganglienzellen. Letztere lassen sich den beiden Dogielschen Zelltypen zuordnen und besitzen häufig auffallend randständige Kerne.Das subepitheliale Neurofibrillengeflecht bildet die letzte Endausbreitung des intramuralen Nervensystems im Innenohr. Durch spärliche Anastomosen zwischen den Neurofibrillen kommt ein weitmaschiges Netzwerk zustande.Im Vestibularapparat des Hundes kommen direkt unter dem Epithel besonderes gebaute Kapillare-Gefäßknäuel, Glomeruli vasculosi vor. Besondere, vermutlich dem vasoregulatorischen System zugehörige Nervenfasern versorgen die Glomeruli vasculosi.Der morphologische Charakter des im Plexus marginalis vorhandenen Endgeflechtes der Neurofibrillen zeugt sehr wahrscheinlich für seine Zugehörigkeit zum vegetativen Nervensystem.     

Mapping QTLs for resistance against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Globodera pallida</Emphasis> (Stone) Pa2/3 in a diploid potato progeny originating from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum spegazzinii</Emphasis>

A "F1" diploid population between Solanum tuberosum 2 x and the wild Solanum spegazzinii was studied. It segregated for resistance against the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida derived from the wild species. The inheritance had a quantitative nature. Linkage maps of AFLP and RFLP markers were constructed for both parents. Three QTLs were identified on the map of the resistant parent on chromosomes V, VI and XII, respectively. The first one had a major effect and explained more than 50% of the total variance of resistance. It is located in a cluster of resistance genes and may be the same locus as Gpa which has been described formerly. The two others explained about 20% of the total variance each. The QTL on chromosome XII is also in a cluster of resistance genes, and in an orthologous position with resistance genes against nematodes in tomato and pepper.     

Antigens of Amblyomma americanum ticks recognized by repeatedly infested sheep

Sera were taken from 3 sheep that had been infested 5 times with Amblyomma americanum and that exhibited manifestations of humoral depression to homologous antigens and anti-tick resistance. Proteins extracted from the intestine or salivary glands of unfed ticks or salivary glands from partially (3-day) fed ticks were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. Antigens recognized by the sheep in the same materials before and after each infestation were analyzed by western blots. The sheep responded to 44 antigens. Nine to 23 antigens were recognized by the preinfestation sera and the sera of 2 gnotobiotic sheep. Four antigens (34,000, 36,500, 38,000, and 115,000 MW) were revealed conspicuously by the serum of the first infestation but very weakly or not at all by the sera of the third infestation onward. Two antigens (35,500 and 29,000 MW) from fed salivary glands were revealed only by sera taken after manifestations of resistance had appeared. These antigens may be responsible for anti-tick protection. The 29,900 MW antigen was present also in salivary extracts of Boophilus microplus.     

Altered longevity‐assurance activity of p53:p44 in the mouse causes memory loss,neurodegeneration and premature death

The longevity‐assurance activity of the tumor suppressor p53 depends on the levels of Δ40p53 (p44), a short and naturally occurring isoform of the p53 gene. As such, increased dosage of p44 in the mouse leads to accelerated aging and short lifespan. Here we show that mice homozygous for a transgene encoding p44 (p44^+/+) display cognitive decline and synaptic impairment early in life. The synaptic deficits are attributed to hyperactivation of insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‐1R) signaling and altered metabolism of the microtubule‐binding protein tau. In fact, they were rescued by either Igf1r or Mapt haploinsufficiency. When expressing a human or a ‘humanized’ form of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), p44^+/+ animals developed a selective degeneration of memory‐forming and ‐retrieving areas of the brain, and died prematurely. Mechanistically, the neurodegeneration was caused by both paraptosis‐ and autophagy‐like cell deaths. These results indicate that altered longevity‐assurance activity of p53:p44 causes memory loss and neurodegeneration by affecting IGF‐1R signaling. Importantly, Igf1r haploinsufficiency was also able to correct the synaptic deficits of APP_695/swe mice, a model of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Changes in serum T4, T3 and TSH concentrations in newborns and infants with congenital goiter from the Mazovia region.

Thyroid function was investigated in a group of 61 newborns with congenital goiter before starting the therapy with thyroid hormones. The group included 19 girls and 42 boys, of which 27 were of age not exceeding one week (group I), 19 were between the first and the second week (group II), and 15 were between the second week and the third month of life (group III). The concentrations of the thyroid hormones were determined by radioimmunoassay. The values obtained have been compared with the local reference range obtained for the newborns of the Mazovia region. The values remaining outside the reference range were found in 47.5% of the newborns studied. The elevated values of TSH were observed mainly in group I newborns (12 from 27); among group II newborns there was only one with the elevated values, and none among the newborns of group III. thyroxine (T4) values were lowered in 14 among 27 newborns of group I, and in 2 among 19 newborns of group II; all T4 values were normal in group III. The percentage of the elevated values of triiodothyronine (T3) was higher in older newborns (group III). The elevated level of T3 accompanied by the lowered level of T4 with the normal or moderately elevated level of TSH is characteristic for the adaptation to the deficiency of iodine. There is preferential secretion of T3 aimed at maintaining euthyreosis. The elevated levels of T3 found in 30% of newborns with untreated goiter suggest an intrauterine deficit of iodine as a cause of the goiter appearance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular analysis of introgressive breeding in coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

Nineteen arabica coffee introgression lines (BC₁F₄) and two accessions derived from a spontaneous interspecific cross (i.e. Timor Hybrid) between Coffea arabica (2n=4x=44) and C. canephora (2n=2x=22) were analysed for the introgression of C. canephora genetic material. The Timor Hybrid-derived genotypes were evaluated by AFLP, using 42 different primer combinations, and compared to 23 accessions of C. arabica and 8 accessions of C. canephora. A total of 1062 polymorphic fragments were scored among the 52 accessions analysed. One hundred and seventy-eight markers consisting of 109 additional bands (i.e. introgressed markers) and 69 missing bands distinguished the group composed of the Timor Hybrid-derived genotypes from the accessions of C. arabica. AFLP therefore seemed to be an extremely efficient technique for DNA marker generation in coffee as well as for the detection of introgression in C. arabica. The genetic diversity observed in the Timor Hybrid-derived genotypes appeared to be approximately double that in C. arabica. Although representing only a small proportion of the genetic diversity available in C. canephora, the Timor Hybrid obviously constitutes a considerable source of genetic diversity for arabica breeding. Analysis of genetic relationships among the Timor Hybrid-derived genotypes suggested that introgression was not restricted to chromosome substitution but also involved chromosome recombinations. Furthermore, the Timor Hybrid-derived genotypes varied considerably in the number of AFLP markers attributable to introgression. In this way, the introgressed markers identified in the analysed arabica coffee introgressed genotypes were estimated to represent from 9% to 29% of the C. canephora genome. Nevertheless, the amount of alien genetic material in the introgression arabica lines remains substantial and should justify the development of adapted breeding strategies. Received: 2 February 1999 / Accepted: 12 May 1999