Use of molecular DNA probes in the diagnosis of mucoviscidosis-- analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in 22 high-risk families]

The results of DNA analysis with the aid of specific molecular probes are discussed. DNA analysis involved 22 families of a high risk of cystic fibrosis. A significance of the obtained results in genetic counselling is also discussed. DNA analysis enabled detection or exclusion of cystic fibrosis gene carrier state in patient's relatives. DNA analysis proved fully informative in case of 17 families being a base to offer these families prenatal diagnosis of the disease in the I trimester of pregnancy, if such a family plans conception, and to accept this diagnostic technique.     

Contribution to the knowledge of the savanna and forb-rich communities of Pinar del Rio Province (Cuba)

Phytosociological analysis of savanna and forb-rich communities in the Pinar del Rio Province was done in the area of Remates de Guane; one locality lies on the seashore in the western part of the province. Altogether six associations were distinguished. Five of them, viz.Sclerio curtissii-Centelletum erectae, Schultezio guianensis-Rhynchosporetum fascicularis, Cassio diphyllae-Hypericetum stypheloidis, Polygalo squamifoliae-Dichromenetum seslerioidis andPhyllantho juncei-Aristidetum, all newly described in this paper, are classified into the order ofAcoelorapho-Colpothrinacetalia Bal.-Tul. inBal.-Tul. etCapote 1985 with two alliances. One association, thePaspalo debilis-Asteretum grisebachii Bal.-Tul. etCapote 1992, was put into the order ofAsteretalia grisebachii Bal.-Tul. inBal.-Tul. etCapote 1992 with one alliance bound to inland moving dunes. The plant composition reflects soil quality, above all the water regime. Very interesting is the presence of theByrsonimo crassifoliae-Andropogonetalia teneris-species in the association ofPolygalo-Dichromeneteum seslerioidis indicating the rich presence of stones in the upper part of the soil profile.     

Specific recognition of the neuronal cell surface by an antiserum raised plasma membrane preparations of immature rat cerebellum

A brain specific antiserum was prepared by immunizing rabbits with a crude membrane fraction from 8-day old rat cerebella. In immunofluorescence studies the antiserum labeled the perikarya and processes of cultured cerebellar neurones. In contrast, other cell types, encountered in cerebellar cultures including astrocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts, were consistently unstained. The antiserum when used in crossed immunoelectrophoresis with Triton X-100 solubilized brain extracts reacted predominantly with one antigen that could be identified as the D2 protein.This paper is dedicated to Dr. Derek Richter on his seventy-fifth birthday.     

A new savanna-like community of the sierra del rosario mountains,Cuba

This communication describes a new savanna-like community, theBletio purpureae-Andropogonetum gracilis Balátová-Tulá?ková etR. Capote ass. nov., found in the woodless eastern part of the Sierra del Rosario Mountains (western part of Cuba). From the phytosociological point of view, it belongs to the allianceAchlaenion piptostachyae Balátová-Tulá?ková all. nov., the orderAchlaenetalia piptostachyae Balátová-Tulá?ková ord. nov., and the classSclerio baldwinii-Andropogonetea gracilis Balátová-Tulá?ková cl. nov. In the area under study four subassociations were distinguished: theBletio-Andropogonetum typicum Balátová-Tulá?ková et.R. Capote subass. nov., theB.-A. rhynchosporetosum fascicularis Balátová-Tulá?ková etR. Capote subass. nov., theB.-A. cassietosum aeschynomenes Balátová-Tulá?ková etR. Capote subass. nov., and theB.-A. stenandrietosum droseroidis Balátová-Tulá?ková etR. Capote subass. nov.     

Beitrag zur Kenntnis der chemischen Zusammensetzung derPhragmiti-Magnocaricetea und derAgropyro-Rumicion-Arten

Zwanzig Pflanzen der KlassePhragmiti-Magnocaricetea (Kennarten der einzelnen pflanzen-soziologischen Einheiten) und des VerbandesAgropyro-Rumicion crispi wurden den chemischen Analysen unterzogen. Die Pflanzenproben wurden auf den Wiesen der Trockengebiete S-Mährens und der SW-Slowakei gesammelt, u. zw. aus den pflanzensoziologisch, definierbaren Einheiten (Assoziationen der VerbändePhragmition, Caricion gracilis, Caricion rostratae undAgropyro-Rumicion). Die Resultate wurden mit der chemischen Zusammensetzung der in anderen Gebieten vorkommenden Pflanzen verglichen. Es zeigten sich Zusammenhänge zwischen der genetisch bedingten chemischen Zusammensetzung bestimmter Artengruppen und den Eigenschaften des Substrats. In diesem Sinne gibt es allgemeine Unterschiede zwischen den VerbändenCaricion gracilis undCaricion rostratae. Die Arten desAgropyro-Rumicion zeigen im Durchschnitt engere Bindung an die Gesellschaften desCnidion-Verbandes als an dasCaricion gracilis.     

Studies on hemolysis of human erythrocytes by linoleic acid

The results presented in this paper show that lysis of human erythrocytes by linoleic acid is not caused by peroxidation of the fatty acid. Peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and scavengers of O ₂ ⁻ and OH had no effect on the lysis while catalase showed only marginal inhibition suggesting that O ₂ ⁻ , OH, O ₂ ⁻ and H₂O₂ do not play any direct role in hemolysis by linoleic acid. Generators of H₂O₂ inhibited the lysis completely and methemoglobin cells were more resistant to hemolysis by linoleic acid. The fatty acid did neither bind to nor fomed complex with red cell ghosts. Membrane oxidation of sulphydryl groups was also not involved in the lysis. Β-Carotene, retinol and bile salts enhanced the lysis, while, cholesterol but not cholesterol acetate, inhibited it. Taurocholate-pretreated cells were more susceptible to linoleic acid lysis. These observations suggested-that lysis by linoleic acid may be due to its detergent property.     

Cytological detection of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase

An attempt was made to demonstrate poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cytologically. In vitro incorporation from the nucleotide, [³H]NAD was detected in frozen sections of onion embryo and meristematic tissue by autoradiography. In meristematic tissue, there was a correlation between the number of cells displaying intensein vitro incorporation from [³H]NAD and cytological DNA polymerase activity. Performed enzymes effecting a distinct incorporation from [³H]NAd were localized in the nuclei of all tissues of the ungerminated seed except the endosperm. Evidence for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase has been obtained for the first time from higher plant cells and localized cytologically.