Activity of Mg2+-ATPase and cytochrome c-Oxidase in microsporocytes and anther wall during microsporogenesis inLarix europaea D.C.

Studies have been made on the activity of two mitochondrial enzymes, Mg²⁺ ATPase (E.C.3.6.1.3.) and cytochrome c-oxidase (E.C.I.9.3.2.) in microsporocytes and somatic cells of anther in larch. The material for study were homogeneous fractions of microsporocytes from 15 stages of meiosis and the attendant anther somatic cells. The results have demonstrated that cells undergoing meiosis exhibit considerable mitochondrial metabolic activity. It is characterized by considerable variations in the activity level of both enzymes studied. The level and dynamics of variations of Mg²⁺-ATPase and cytochrome c-oxidase activity in microsporocytes are clearly different from those in the anther somatic cells. The cytochrome c-oxidase activity in microsporocytes throughout microsporogenesis is higher compared with that in the anther wall cells, whereas the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity in microsporocytes averagesca. one half that in the anther somatic cells The dynamics of activity variations of the enzymes under study suggests enhanced mitochondrial metabolism in the period of middle diplotene and young dyad. This result supports the thesis following from our earlier studies that the middle diplotene and young dyad constitute specific metabolic switches in microsporogenesis in larch.     

Arterial supply of the choriocapillaris of anuran amphibians (Rana temporaria,Rana esculenta)

Summary The pattern of the vascular supply to the choroid of the frog eye was studied in toto with the use of the injection-replication-SEM technique. The choroid of anuran amphibians is composed mainly of the choriocapillaris. In both species studied (Rana temporaria, Rana esculenta), an independent arterial supply to the choriocapillaris supplemented that from the ciliary arteries. This additional vascular route arises from the optic artery, a separate branch of the arteria infundibularis superficialis. The optic artery, accompanied by its vein within the vascular sheath of the optic nerve, joins the rich arterial capillary network of the choriocapillaris and supplies the posterior pole of the ocular bulb. The superficial capillary network displays a dense collar around the entrance of the optic nerve into the eye and is composed of a circular meshwork of small capillaries, several layers deep. More peripherally, however, it becomes single layered. This capillary network, as a whole, establishes numerous connections with the adjacent choriocapillaris at the posterior pole of the ocular bulb. In anuran amphibians the complex arrangement of both arterial systems supporting the choriocapillaris may be regarded as a more complete equivalent of the short posterior ciliary arteries of mammals.     

The superficial vascular hyaloid system in the eye of the frogs,Rana temporaria and Rana esculenta

Summary The angioarchitecture of the superficial vascular hyaloid system (membrana vasculosa retinae) of the frog eye was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. The terminal vessels form a single-layered sheath intimately adjacent to the vitreal side of the avascular retina. The hyaloid system is subdivided by the ventral venous trunk into three central areas: the dorsal, the temporo-ventral, and the naso-ventral area. Toward the ora serrata, the hyaloid system is bordered by an arterial ring, and by nasal and temporal venous branches forming more or less complete hemicircles. A vascular zone composed of several tongue-like sectors establishes an inter-connection between the peripheral vascular rings and the central areas of the fundus. The arterial blood is supplied from the arterial ring. The drainage of the hyaloid system is provided via two routes: (1) the Y-shaped ventral trunk collects blood from the central areas, (2) the two peripheral venous branches drain the tongue-like sectors. The vessels within the dorsal area follow preferentially a dorso-ventral meridional direction. This densely capillarized territory corresponds in localization to the area centralis retinae. The ultrastructure of microvessels of the hyaloid system is characterized by features typical for capillaries of the central nervous system.     

The effect of excitation on the rate of respiration in the liverwort Conocephalum conicum

Simultaneous measurements were taken of the electrical activity and the rate of respiration of thalli of Conocephalum conicum L. stimulated electrically and mechanically (by cutting). The measurements of the rate of respiration employed a modified Warburg apparatus for O₂ consumption and an infra-red gas analyzer with computer recording and data processing for CO₂ evolution. The action potential, produced by either a cut (a damaging stimulus) or an electrical stimulus (a non-damaging stimulus), caused a transient rise in the rate of respiration. The course of changes in the rate of respiration depends on the character of the excitation and the area of the thallus covered by it. If stimulation does not produce excitation, the increase in the rate of respiration does not take place, regardless of the magnitude and type of the stimulus applied.     

Q fever in a 5-year-old girl

The first case of Q fever in Poland in a 5-year girl is presented. A girl is inhabitant of the Lublin region where this disease is of endemic character. Q fever was diagnosed on the base of the clinical examinations and serological tests. The course of the disease was acute. Doxycycline and lincomycin were given. A short time lapse between the treatment and eradication of Coxiella burnetii antigen indicates rather spontaneous recovery.     

Psychological sequelae of abdominal stoma and the value of informing the patients and their families

Results of investigations carried out in a 500-person group of patients with stoma and their practical applications are discussed. 1. Despite operational shock, the majority of patients is able to adopt to the new situation and develop different life-style. 2. Rehabilitation facilities pre-operational management and provides an information on stoma before surgery. Postoperative management should consider psychosocial aspects of the stoma. 3. An important role in rehabilitation process play: preparation of the patients' families before the surgery including information on the diagnosis, prognosis and planned therapy. 4. Persons who underwent the same surgery and continue active life may favourably contribute to the postoperational care of patients with stoma. Activity of so-called patients clubs plays also positive role.     

Effect of treatment with enalapril maleate on the levels of circulating catecholamines, beta endorphins, prostaglandins, and concentration of sodium in erythrocytes in patients with essential hypertension

An effect of enalapril maleate on the activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and sympathetic reactivity, erythrocyte prostaglandin and sodium levels as well as blood beta-endorphin was investigated in 28 patients with the essential arterial blood hypertension. It was found that enalapril maleate significantly increased plasma renin activity, decreased plasma norepinephrine and its 24-hour excretion, and decreased erythrocyte beta-endorphin and sodium levels. Blood epinephrine and aldosterone levels and their daily excretion remained unchanged similarly to prostaglandins. The above results suggest that a decrease in sympathetic system activity and intracellular sodium concentration may play a role in the hypotensive action of enalapril maleate related to the inhibition of angiotensin II formation.     

Stages of B-lymphocyte differentiation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blasts phenotype was determined in 61 children with the acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Non-T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was diagnosed in 51 children. Stages of blasts differentiation were determined with the aid of monoclonal antibodies set using alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase technique. Blasts in 50 patients belonged to B subpopulation confirmed by the presence of panB CD19 and CD22 antigens. Common antigen was seen in 76.5% of the examined patients with non-T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cases of non-T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia were divided into 8 subgroups depending on the antigens of B-cells differentiation. An identification of pre-B subgroups of the acute lymphoblastic leukemia indicates heterogenicity of the acute lymphoblastic leukemias in childhood and enables their classification into groups corresponding to the early stages of lymphoblasts maturation.     

Effect of long-term treatment with guanfacine on selected humoral metabolic indices in patients with primary hypertension

An effect of the treatment with guanfacine on the activity of the adreno-sympathetic system, beta-thromboglobulin, beta-endorphin, and blood lipids was studied in 30 patients with the primary arterial blood hypertension. It was found that guanfacine significantly decreases plasma noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine. Moreover, it decreases the excretion of noradrenaline, adrenaline and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylglycol. These effects correlate with the drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A decrease in plasma renin activity was also observed. It correlated with the blood pressure drops. Guanfacine increased beta-endorphin levels while beta-thromboglobulin, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels remained unaffected. The authors suggest that the hypotensive effect of guanfacine is related to the decrease in adreno-sympathetic system activity and plasma renin activity and no effect on the erythrocyte activity and lipids metabolism.