Origin of the mitotic spindle in onion root cells

Summary Immunofluorescence studies on microtubule arrangement during the transition from prophase to metaphase in onion root cells are presented. The prophase spindle observed at late preprophase and prophase is composed of microtubules converged at two poles near the nuclear envelope; thin bundles of microtubules are tracable along the nuclear envelope. Prior to nuclear envelope breakdown diffuse tubulin staining occurs within the prophase nuclei. During nuclear envelope breakdown the prophase spindle is no longer identifiable and prominent tubulin staining occurs among the prometaphase chromosomes. Patches of condensed tubulin staining are observed in the vicinity of kinetochores. At advanced prometaphase kinetochore bundles of microtubules are present in some kinetochore regions. At metaphase the mitotic spindle is mainly composed of kinetochore bundles of microtubules; pole-to-pole bundles are scarce. Our observations suggest that the prophase spindle is decomposed at the time of nuclear envelope breakdown and that the metaphase spindle is assembled at prometaphase, with the help of kinetochore nucleating action.     

Effect of Rifampin on the Development of Ribonucleic Acid Bacteriophage Qβ

The drug rifampin, when added at the time of infection, inhibits synthesis of the phage Qbeta. Both viral ribonucleic acids and viral proteins are made in nearly the same amount as in the absence of rifampin, but the rate of assembly into phage particles is low.     

Chromosome movements in chloral hydrate treated endosperm cells in vitro

The influence of chloral hydrate on endosperm cells of Haemanthus katherinae was studied. Four types of mitotic disturbances were described: a) Normal bipolar mitosis with one or few chromosomes lying out of the metaphase plate. Bipolar mitoses are sometimes arrested in anaphase and followed by the formation of a restitution nucleus. b) Tri — or multipolar anaphases. c) Diffuse anaphase movements i.e., active anaphase movements without distinct poles followed by the formation of multipolar phragmoplasts and cell walls. d) C-mitosis resembling the effect of colchicine. Some aspects of the described phenomena were discussed.     

Multiplicity of Cell Wall Degrading Glycosidic Hydrolases Produced by Apple Infecting Botrytis cinerea

It was shown that Botrytis cinerea, an isolate infecting apples, secreted in vivo and in culture a variety of glycosidic hydrolases with substrate specificity towards the polysaccharides of cell walls. The following enzymes were partially separated by column chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B: two cellulases, three xylanases, one arabinanase, polygalacturonase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, β-galactosidase, β-mannosidase and α-galactosidase. The activity of glycosidic hydrolases tested was strongly inactivated by NBS and weaker by PCMB, tetranitromethan, dibromoacetophenon and Fe³+, The results indicate synergistic action of the obtained cellulase, xylanase, polygalacturonase and arabinanase in apple cell wall degradation.     

Contribution of small heat shock proteins to muscle development and function

Investigations undertaken over the past years have led scientists to introduce the concept of protein quality control (PQC) systems, which are responsible for polypeptide processing. The PQC system monitors proteostasis and involves activity of different chaperones such as small heat shock proteins (sHSPs). These proteins act during normal conditions as housekeeping proteins regulating cellular processes, and during stress conditions. They also mediate the removal of toxic misfolded polypeptides and thereby prevent development of pathogenic states. It is postulated that sHSPs are involved in muscle development. They could act via modulation of myogenesis or by maintenance of the structural integrity of signaling complexes. Moreover, mutations in genes coding for sHSPs lead to pathological states affecting muscular tissue functioning.     

Coexpression of CD1a, langerin and Birbeck's granules in Langerhans cell histiocytoses (LCH) in children: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies

Langerhans cell histiocytoses (LCH) represent rare diseases of unclear etiology and pathogenesis. Most of the cases include children, 1 to 15 years of age, and various organs are involved (bones, skin, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow and other). The diagnosis of LCH used to be established by biopsy of the inflamed tissue and demonstration of expression of markers specific for Langerhans cells: CD1a and langerin. The diagnosis can be ultimately confirmed by demonstration of Birbeck's granules in the electron microscopy. The present study was aimed at immunocytochemical demonstration, in the examined LCH material (skin, bones, lymph nodes), of the specific antigen expression and at comparing it with the presence of Birbeck's granules. In the examined 11 cases co-expression of CD1a with langerin and with the presence of Birbeck's granules was noted. Also in all examined biopsies the expression of S-100 protein on inflammatory cells was found. The results corroborate the usefulness of immunocytochemical studies on CD 1 a and langerin expression in diagnosis of LCH.     

Microbial transformation of baicalin and baicalein

As a result of microbial transformation of baicalin and baicalein the products of 4′-hydroxylation of the B ring, O-methylation at C-6, and both O-methylation at C-6 and hydroxylation at C-4′ were obtained. Transformations of baicalin were accompanied by the reaction of hydrolysis.     

Occurrence of the aacA4 gene among multidrug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from bronchial secretions obtained from the Intensive Therapy Unit at University Hospital in Bialystok, Poland

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the aacA4 gene in a population of multidrug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from bronchial secretions obtained from the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU). Twelve MDR isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility and the presence of the aacA4 gene. In this study, 58.3% of the strains contained (6')-Ib' aminoglycoside acetyltransferase gene. All of the studied strains (aacA4-positive and aacA4-negative) were susceptible only to colistine (100%). Among other antibiotics, the lowest resistance rates were those shown against ceftazidime (14.3% to 20%) and imipenem (28.6% to 40%). Our studies frequently revealed the presence of the aacA4 gene as a factor responsible for resistance; it is probable that other mechanisms of resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics also occurred.