Epidemiological studies regarding the effects of air pollution

Studies on large samples of the population are an indispensable prerequisite for investigations into the validity and reliability of threshold levels stipulated for atmospheric pollutants purity under real conditions. Children represent suitable groups for such studies, also in the context of meaningful and effective prophylaxis. Epidemiological studies conducted over several years show that there are differences between the anthropometric, hematological and immunological parameters of subjects living in regions with major pollution loads and in so-called "clean air" regions. Conclusions are drawn regarding the work performed by national hygiene authorities, and a method is proposed for the continuation of epidemiological studies in qualitatively and quantitatively differently loaded regions as a contribution to establishing a uniform register of effects.     

Heat shock proteins in bacilli.

Five strains of bacilli, including a nonsporulating strain, when heat shocked, accelerated the synthesis of a specific subset of proteins. The major heat shock protein in all bacilli had a molecular weight of 66,000. The response persisted for at least 40 min and could be eliminated upon a shift down to 37 degrees C.     

Fine structure of the ‘hindgut’ of the two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae,with special reference to origin and function

The ultrahistology of the hindgut of the spider miteTetranychus urticae is described, a new terminology of the histological portions, based on the presence and absence of cuticle, is presented, and functional characteristics are discussed.The alimentary canal of the spider mite consists of the cuticle-lined foregut (pharynx, esophagus, esophageal valve), a cuticle-free midgut, and a cuticle-lined hindgut with anal slit. The portions of the midgut are the ventriculus with three cranial and two caudal caeca, and the posterior midgut with two distinct cell types. Both portions are separated by a sphincter. The anterior lateral walls of the -shaped posterior midgut which terminates in the dorsal region of the ventriculus show histological variability. Cells are either asymmetrical with long apical projections (=typical transporting epithelium) or show resorptive characteristics and storage products (=resorptive epithelium). The dorsal and posterior lateral epithelium consists of flat glandular cells containing large granular secretion grana. It is suggested that these cells synthesize mucoid substances for the facilitation of excretion transport.The differentiation and function of the posterior midgut epithelium are discussed with respect to the formation of different elimination products.     

Morphology and ecology of the kalyptorhynchTyphlopolycystis rubra (Plathelminthes), an inmate of lugworm burrows in the Wadden Sea

Typhlopolycystis rubra, a new species of the taxon Polycystididae (Plathelminthes, Kalyptorhynchia), is described. The red species is characterized by copulatory hard structures which consist of a proximal girdle and 2 similar sized stylets.T. rubra occurs in intertidal sand near the island of Sylt in the North Sea. Here, it is virtually confined to the lowest parts of lugworm (Arenicola marina) burrows, where it aggregates in the coarse grained sand around the feeding pocket areas. This is an extremely narrow spatial niche within the sulfide layer of sediment. Population size over a period of 7 years is the most constant one among all species of Plathelminthes living on the tidal flat. The ability ofT. rubra to endure unsuitable conditions inside a cyst may contribute to this remarkably low population variability.     

Use of the rectus abdominis muscle flap to reconstruct an elbow defect

A superiorly based rectus abdominis muscle flap was successfully used to reconstruct an infected elbow wound with exposed bone and metal screws. We could find no previous report describing the use of this muscle to cover elbow defects.     

A new species of Rhynchoidomonas Patton, 1910 (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatina) from Operophtera brumata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Summary A new species of Rhynchoidomonas Patton was observed in a single adult male winter moth, Operophtera brumata (L.) from England. Intracellular amastigotes, and extracellular epimastigotes and trypomastigotes with an undulating membrane and free flagellum, were present. All stages had a large, reniform kinetoplast. As transmission of the flagellate between generations of winter moths by ingestion of infected faeces is a virtual impossibility, it is suggested that the flagellate's true host may have been a dipteran parasitoid and that an egg, surface-contaminated with the flagellate, was oviposited into or ingested by a winter moth larva. If the parasitoid had died, this flagellate infection could have been carried over to the adult moth. ac]19830601     

The conformational analysis of oligosaccharides by H-NMR and HSEA calculation

The application of 1H-nuclear Overhauser enhancement, 1H-spin-lattice-relaxation-time and 1H-chemical shift measurements for the assessment of the conformational preferences of oligosaccharides are briefly reviewed. It is demonstrated that additivity rules, for the correlation of the chemical shifts of similar hydrogen atoms in different oligosaccharides, can be useful in the conformational analysis of oligosaccharides when the differential chemical shifts are greater than 0.1 ppm. These often can be attributed to specific interunit deshielding of a hydrogen atom by an oxygen atom with which it is in strong nonbonded interaction. HSEA calculations are used to demonstrate that differential chemical shifts of less than 0.1 ppm can have origins that are not significant to the overall conformational preferences of the oligosaccharides which are being compared. Both shielding and deshielding effects can arise from a change in the orientation of a substituent group as the result of the introduction of a sugar on a neighboring unit. It is demonstrated that substituent groups, such as hydroxymethyl and acetamido groups, on occasions, should be treated in HSEA calculations as freely rotating about their linkage to a pyranose ring.     

Evidence for transmembrane modulation of the ligand-binding site of the hepatocyte galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific receptor

The ligand-binding activity of the galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific receptor (Gal/GalNAc receptor) present on the surface of hepatocytes can be modulated under a number of conditions in the intact cell. The carboxylic acid ionophores monensin and nigericin inhibit endocytosis by the Gal/GalNAc receptor in a concentration-dependent manner. Monensin at a concentration of 100 microM reduces the number of binding sites for asialo-orosomucoid and a tri-branched glycopeptide (F2) 5-10-fold; however, the number of Gal/GalNAc receptor subunits detected at the cell surface by a competitive radioimmunoassay and by immunoprecipitation of surface labeled receptor is not significantly altered. Replacement of NaCl in the medium with either N-methylglucamine or sorbitol to isotonicity also inhibits binding and endocytosis. The monensin, nigericin, N-methylglucamine, and sorbitol treatments have in common the ability to alkalinize the cytosol of the hepatocyte. None of these agents has any effect on binding by the isolated Gal/GalNAc receptor nor is the intracellular pH shift of such a magnitude that it would alter binding by the isolated Gal/GalNAc receptor. This has led us to conclude that the ligand-binding properties of the Gal/GalNAc receptor at the cell surface can be modulated in a transmembrane fashion by events other than those involving pH or Ca2+ regulation at the ligand-binding site itself. Such transmembrane modulation of ligand binding by the Gal/GalNAc receptor may provide a rapid and efficient mechanism for mediating ligand release and immediate return of the receptor to the cell surface.