Electron-microscopic and immunocytochemical analyses of Weibel-Palade bodies in the human umbilical vein during pregnancy

Summary The present study was done to elucidate the biological significance of the Weibel-Palade body of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Quantitative determinations of these endothelial-specific granules throughout pregnancy revealed that their numbers and size per cell profile were maintained at low levels from 12 to 19 weeks of gestation; then both rapidly increased from 33 weeks to full term. This increase coincided with the development of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in the number of endothelial cell pinocytotic vesicles. Light-microscopic peroxidase anti-peroxidase and electron-microscopic protein A-gold techniques provided evidence that factor VIII-related antigen was localized in the Weibel-Palade bodies. Furthermore, in vitro treatment of incubated umbilical vein tissue with compound 48/80, a histamine releaser, induced degranulation of Weibel-Palade bodies from the endothelium. The present study indicates that Weibel-Palade bodies are storage sites of both histamine and factor VIII-related antigen and have an important role in the obliteration of this vessel.     

The inner German Bight — an ecologically sensitive area as indicated by the bottom fauna

The muddy sediments of the sublittoral area of the inner German Bight are inhabited by a specialized macrofauna with few species. Long-term investigations on community and population dynamics have shown that the majority of this fauna are very susceptible to environmental stress (e. g. oxygen deficiency), and that the impoverishment trend recorded in 1977 has continued. The special hydrographic conditions of the inner German Bight, especially a long flushing time and the possibility of thermohaline stratifications, together with its function as a sediment trap are discussed. It is proposed that such areas should be considered as sensitive, and hence be protected from avoidable additional stress, e. g. introduction of wastes. This proposal is discussed with regard to the dangers arising from the view that muddy areas enriched with organic matter are inhabited by organisms preadapted to the decomposition of additional waste matter.     

Early growth and final yield of autumn sownVicia faba L cultivars given different forms of fertiliser N over winter

Summary Between 3 Nov. 1983 and 9 Apr. 1984, six applications of fertiliser N (ammonium, nitrate or urea) were given to four autumn sown (26 Oct. 1983)Vicia faba L cultivars, Banner Winter (BW) and Maris Beagle (MBg), cold tolerant cultivars normally sown in the autumn, and Herz Freya (HF) and Maris Bead (MBd), cold sensitive cultivars more commonly sown in the spring. The effects of additional N were determined by comparison with plants given zero-N (controls). Application of N, regardless of form, had no effect on % emergence at the first sampling (15 Dec. 1983); >90% for BW, MBg and HF, but only 40–60% for MBd. At this time the dry weight, carbon content and nitrogen content of all cultivars was approximately 20% less than that of the seed on planting. No more plants emerged after 15 Dec. 1983. Between 15 Dec. 1983 and 20 Feb. 1984, all cultivars, regardless of N treatment, showed little change in dry weight, carbon content and nitrogen content but the proportion of total plant dry weight, carbon content and nitrogen content in the cotyledons decreased while the proportions in root, stem and leaf tissue increased. On 20 Feb. 1984 there were no N effects. All cultivars but especially BW and MBg, showed progressive increases in dry weight, carbon content and nitrogen content during the period 20 Feb. 1984 to 8 May 1984. Pooled results for all four cultivars indicated that on 8 May 1984, plants given ammonium and urea had a greater dry weight, carbon content and nitrogen content than controls. At harvest (1–3 Sep. 1984), BW and MBg outyielded (g dw seed m⁻²) HF and MBd. Pooled results for all cultivars indicated that application of N regardless of form gave increased yield and an increased N concentration (mg N g⁻¹ dw) in the seed.     

Results of the study of bird droppings collected in the Lithuanian SSR for the purpose of searching out tularemia epizootics

There are practically no records of cases of tularemia among humans in the Lithuanian SSR. Nevertheless, the mass sero-allergic survey of the population for tularemia, carried out 10-12 years ago, showed that 2.3% of the adult population in the Republic had had contacts with the causative agent of this infection. The work was aimed at the determination of the present activity of the foci of tularemia. During 6 years in 22 rural districts 2582 samples of avian excrements, containing bones and wool of small animals, were collected and studied by means of the antibody neutralization test (ANT). In 132 (5.1 +/- 0.4%) excrement samples collected on the territory of 12 districts Francisella tularensis antigen was detected. The average ANT titer was 45.2, the maximum titer (10 excrement samples) reached 1: 160. The study revealed the existence of the natural foci of tularemia in Lithuania at present, but their activity proved to be low. The most unfavorable situation was found to exist in western districts of the Republic.     

Methods for study of mutations and mutagenesis in human lymphocytes

Detailed methods are presented for measurement and study of in vivo mutations and in vitro mutagenesis in human lymphocytes. The methods described include preparation of conditioned medium containing interleukin-2, enumeration of mutant clones, in vitro mutagenesis, and expansion of mutant clones for further study.     

Cytosolic protein phosphotyrosine phosphatases from rabbit kidney. Purification of two distinct enzymes that bind to Zn2+-iminodiacetate agarose

Cytosolic protein phosphotyrosine (PPT) phosphatase was measured using a new substrate, Tyr(32P)-labeled bovine serum albumin. Kidney was found as a particularly rich tissue source of PPT-phosphatase activity, containing twice as much as liver and over 10-fold more than brain, heart, lung, or skeletal muscle. An affinity column of Zn2+-iminodiacetate agarose adsorbed up to 60% of the PPT-phosphatase present in kidney extracts. Subsequent chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose separated the phosphatase into two peaks, labeled I and II, that had Mr = 34,000 and 37,000, respectively, upon gel filtration with Sephadex G-75 Superfine. Overall purification of 850- and 1100-fold was achieved with a net 4% yield. Both phosphatases hydrolyzed p-nitrophenylphosphate as well as the protein substrate in the presence of EDTA. Peak I phosphatase activity displayed a neutral pH optimum, had an absolute requirement for sulfhydryl compounds, and was sensitive to trypsin, whereas Peak II activity had an acidic pH optimum and was active without mercaptans. The two proteins also gave different fragmentation patterns by gel electrophoresis after digestion with S. aureus V8 protease. The results show that multiple forms of PPT phosphatase specifically interact with Zn2+ and provide a basis for further structural and functional comparisons among different members of the phosphoprotein phosphatase family.