Quantitative analysis of LacCer/CDw17 in human myelogenous leukaemic cells

LacCer/CDw17 is the most abundant GSL in neutrophils. The cell-surface and intracellular presence of LacCer was determined quantitatively using anti-CDw17 mAbs in a flow cytometry assay. The quantified alterations in the level of CDw17 antigen expression are consistent with alterations in LacCer content, determined chemically. Our results show that CDw17 antigen expression defines successive stages in the maturation of the myeloid cell. The assessment of cell-surface and intracellular CDw17 expression may be useful in evaluating neutrophil physiological status.     

Protein homeostasis,regulation of energy production and activation of DNA damage-repair pathways are involved in the heat stress response of Pseudogymnoascus spp.

Proteome changes can be used as an instrument to measure the effects of climate change, predict the possible future state of an ecosystem and the direction in which is headed. In this study, proteomic and gene ontology functional enrichment analysis of six Pseudogymnoascus spp. isolated from various global biogeographical regions were carried out to determine their response to heat stress. In total, 2122 proteins were identified with high confidence. Comparative quantitative analysis showed that changes in proteome profiles varied greatly between isolates from different biogeographical regions. Although the identities of the proteins that changed varied between the different regions, the functions they governed were similar. Gene ontology analysis showed enrichment of proteins involved in multiple protective mechanisms, including the modulation of protein homeostasis, regulation of energy production and activation of DNA damage and repair pathways. Our proteomic analysis did not show any clear relationship between protein changes and the strains' biogeographical origins.     

A new dicrocoeliid from the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus (Rodentia: Microtidae) from Poland

A new dicrocoeliid trematode, Brachylecithum glareoli n. sp., is described from the biliary ducts of the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus, in southwest Poland. This is the first dicrocoeliid species described in rodents from Poland. It is characterized mainly by the maximum body width at the level of the vitellaria; large, longitudinally oval testes; round, or transversely oval, ovary that is smaller than the testes; vitellaria located in the midbody; cirrus sac dorsally overlapping ventral sucker, but never reaching beyond half of its length; and large, distinctly elongated eggs.     

Non-omnia moriantur—toxicity of mancozeb on dead wood microarthropod fauna

The effect of Dithane M-45 (dithiocarbamate fungicide; active substance: mancozeb) was studied on microarthropod fauna inhabiting dead wood. Although the exposure was almost never 100% lethal for the majority of observed taxa, almost all (Mesostigmata, Oribatida, some Uropodina, Actinedida, Collembola and Diplopoda) showed very high correlation between concentration of the fungicide and mortality (r > 0.86). Only Stigmaeidae showed low correlation (r = 0.293). For the majority of taxa LC₅₀ values were close to the concentrations used during agrochemical activities in woods. Only Trachytes aegrota showed full susceptibility to the fungicide within the range of recommended field concentrations used in forestry (characterised by the low LC₉₅ value). Tolerance of mesostigmatid and oribatid mites was found to differ between juveniles and adults, but not consistently. Related Uropodina species varied in susceptibility to the fungicide.     

Consensus of the Polish Society of Endocrinology. Presurgical somatostatin analogs therapy in acromegaly

Consensus statement of the Polish Society of Endocrinology, regarding presurgical somatostatin analogs in acromegaly has been presented. It is suggested to administer depot somatostatin analog (Octreotide LAR at the dose 20 mg and then 30 mg or equivalent doses of Lanreotide Autogel 90/120 mg every 4 weeks) in order to normalize or suppress to a maximal extent GH and IGF-1 concentrations. The period of therapy in case of microadenoma would be at least 3 months (targets: biochemical improvement, reduced risk of disease's complications, perioperative risk reduction, inhibition of tumor growth). The period of therapy in case of macroadenoma would be at least 6 months, until maximal possible reduction of GH and IGF-1 concentrations (targets: tumor shrinkage, biochemical improvement, reduced risk of disease's complications, perioperative risk reduction). Using an uniform approach in a group, as numerous as possible, of treated patients would allow objective evaluation of long-term efficacy of the treatment.     

Inhibitors of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: substituted derivatives of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid and 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acid

Six derivatives of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid and 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acid were synthesized. The compounds were tested both as inhibitors of buckwheat phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (in vitro) and as inhibitors of anthocyanin biosynthesis (in vivo). (+/-)-2-Amino-4-bromoindane-2-phosphonic acid was found to be the strongest inhibitor from investigated compounds. The results obtained are a basis for design of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase inhibitors useful in the enzyme structure studies in photo labelling experiments.