Reduced synthesis of basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

In diabetes, certain basement membranes become thicker yet more porous than normal. To identify possible changes in the basement membrane, we have grown the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor, a tissue that produces quantities of basement membrane in normal mice and in streptozotocin-treated, insulin-deficient, diabetic mice. The level of laminin, a basement membrane-specific glycoprotein, and the level of total protein were slightly elevated in the diabetic tissue. In contrast, the level of the basement membrane specific heparan sulfate proteoglycan was only 20% of control. The synthesis of this proteoglycan was also reduced in the diabetic animals, while the synthesis of other proteoglycans by tissues such as cartilage was normal. The synthesis of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan in diabetic animals was inversely related to plasma glucose levels showing an abrupt decrease above the normal range of plasma glucose. Insulin restored synthesis to normal but this required doses of insulin that maintained plasma glucose at normal levels for several hours. Since the heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the basement membrane restricts passage of proteins, its absence could account for the increased porosity of basement membrane in diabetes. A compensatory synthesis of other components could lead to their increased deposition and the accumulation of basement membrane in diabetes.     

Cell surface changes and enzyme release during hypoxia and reoxygenation in the isolated, perfused rat liver

We examined the effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation in isolated, perfused rat livers. Hypoxia induced by a low rate of perfusion led to near anoxia confined to centrilobular regions of the liver lobule. Periportal regions remained normoxic. Within 15 min, anoxic centrilobular hepatocytes developed surface blebs that projected into sinusoids through endothelial fenestrations. Periportal hepatocytes were unaffected. Both scanning and transmission electron microscopy suggested that blebs developed by transformation of preexisting microvilli. Upon reoxygenation by restoration of a high rate of perfusion, blebs disappeared. Other changes included marked shrinkage of hepatocytes, enlargement of sinusoids, and dilation of sinusoidal fenestrations. There was also an abrupt increase in the release of lactate dehydrogenase and protein after reoxygenation, and cytoplasmic fragments corresponding in size and shape to blebs were recovered by filtration of the effluent perfusate. We also studied phalloidin and cytochalasin D, agents that disrupt the cytoskeleton. Both substances at micromolar concentrations caused rapid and profound alterations of cell surface topography. We conclude that hepatic tissue is quite vulnerable to hypoxic injury. The morphological expression of hypoxic injury seems mediated by changes in the cortical cytoskeleton. Reoxygenation causes disappearance of blebs and paradoxically causes disruption of cellular volume control and release of blebs as cytoplasmic fragments. Such cytoplasmic shedding provides a mechanism for selective release of hepatic enzymes by injured liver tissue.     

New subspecies ofSparganium erectum L. from Iran

From the Caspian coastal region of Iran a new taxon,Sparganium erectum L. subsp.mazanderanicum Ponert, is described and illustrated. This new subspecies in some of its characters is near toSparganium erectum L. subsp.microcarpum (Neumann)Domin (with its east distribution trend); in other characters it is near toSparganium erectum L. subsp.neglectum (Beeby)Schinz etThell. (with ist south distribution trend). A comparative table of diacritical characters of these three subspecies is appended.     

On the validity of the genusDactylococcopsis (Cyanophyceae)

Summary The genusDactylococcopsis Hansg. 1888 (Cyanophyceae) is based on the typeD. rupestris, which was later identified as a green algae. Most of the many species described later were also placed to other groups of algae. Several authors even doubted about the existence of the genus. As, however, some species of Cyanophyceae correspond to the original generic diagnosis, the name Dactylococcopsis Hansg. ex R. et F.Chod. 1925 has been proposed as a nomen conservandum, and a new type (D. smithii R. et F.Chod.) has been defined. Further speciesD. linearis Geitl. 1935 and D.Planctonica Teil. 1942 has been unambiguously described till now.     

Chromosome counts of some Mongolian plants

The paper gives the chromosome numbers of 45 species from 72 Mongolian localities, belonging to the genera:Amygdalus, Asparagus, Astragalus, Cancrinia, Caragana, Chamaerhodos, Chelidonium, Chesneya, Dianthus, Hypecoum, Lathyrus, Lilium, Oxytropis, Papaver, Potentilla, Schizonepeta, Sibbaldia, Thermopsis, Trifolium, Trigonella, Vicia. Chromosome morphology of three species ofChamaerhodos and taxonomical remarks on some other species are added. A new combinationSibbaldia sericea (Grubov) Soják is proposed.     

Attempt at quantitative analysis of interindividual variability in stress response of leucocyte levels in mice from the viewpoint of control theory

Summary The authors studied the dependence between the ability of systems regulating the level of peripheral leucocytes to damp the fluctuations of this level, occurring under conditions of repeated stressing of the organism by non-specific stress factors (isolation, starvation, handling for blood withdrawal) and the tolerance of the organism to the action of ionizing radiation (summary exposure to X-rays leading to death at repeated irradiation). This regulatory ability was expressed with the aid of the slope (coefficientb) of regression between the leucocytary valuesx _i, fluctuating in time, and the subsequent differences _i ( _i =x _i+1–x _i ). The highest tolerance to lethal action of radiation is correlated to such a regulatory behaviour of the organism at which the time necessary for adaptation of the system is shortest. The authors point out the suitability of the employed regulatory characteristic for the quantitative study of adaptability and resistance of the organism and its relatedness to the damping ratio, used in the automatic control theory.     

Kymatocalyx Herz. in Mittelamerika

Summary A second species of the hitherto monotypic genusKymatocalyx Herz. is described and figured in detail. The new combinationKymatocalyx dominicensis (Spruce) comb. nova is proposed.