Live biospeckle laser imaging of root tissues.

Live imaging is now a central component for the study of plant developmental processes. Currently, most techniques are extremely constraining: they rely on the marking of specific cellular structures which generally apply to model species because they require genetic transformations. The biospeckle laser (BSL) system was evaluated as an instrument to measure biological activity in plant tissues. The system allows collecting biospeckle patterns from roots which are grown in gels. Laser illumination has been optimized to obtain the images without undesirable specular reflections from the glass tube. Data on two different plant species were obtained and the ability of three different methods to analyze the biospeckle patterns are presented. The results showed that the biospeckle could provide quantitative indicators of the molecular activity from roots which are grown in gel substrate in tissue culture. We also presented a particular experimental configuration and the optimal approach to analyze the images. This may serve as a basis to further works on live BSL in order to study root development.

Alergia ao polen de gramineas no Brasil. / Allergy to grass pollen in Brazil

Quarenta e quatro pacientes portadores de alergopatias respiratorias foram estudados com a finalidade de se verificar a incidencia de sensibilidade ao polen de gramineas (Melinis minutiflora, capim-gordura).O extrato utilizado foi preparado pelo proprio autor. Com modificacao importante da tecnica de preparo padrao e exina polinica foi "quebrada" com o intuito de se obter extrato mais rico em substrato antigenico. Verificou-se que 15,9% dos pacientes apresentavam testes cutaneos positivos Entretanto, a nao-correlacao do surgimento ou exacerbacao dos sintomas com a estacao polinica e a negatividade dos testes de janela epidermica e de transformacao linfoblastica nestes pacientes nao permitem afirmar ainda os resultados obtidos como clinicamente significantes. O autor sugere que os estudos de sensibilizacao polinica no Brasil nao devem ser abandonados e que outros extratos de polens de gramineas que nao os de capim-gordura, devem ser analisados

Skin reaction in Callithrix jacchus penicillata to phytohemagglutinin.

Sixty marmosets (Callithrix jacchus penicillata) were intradermally tested with phytohemagglutinin. It was possible to classify this population into three groups on the basis of the reactions: 1. negatives, 2. those which showed just local hemorrhage, and finally 3. a group which developed a wheal as well as hemorrhage. The biopsy at the site of the reaction demonstrated several microscopic foci. This finding contrasted with the homogeneous cellular infiltration found in the human controls.

Dust mites. A 1-year study.

Mattress dust was collected by out-patients attending hospital for respiratory allergic problems. The dust mites were counted in "pool" samples of 100 mg. Each sample represented a single month's collection. The mites were classified according to family: Pyroglyphidae and Cheyletidae. Those not belonging to either of these two families were classified as "other mites". Temperature and humidity during the period of the study showed no correlations with the number of mites. There was a statistically significant correlation between the various mite groups.

Atomospheric pollen counts in Brasilia, Brazil.

Daily pollen counts were made in Brasília DF, Brazil, from February 9, 1973 to February 9, 1974. Just one pollen season was perfectly delineated: a grass season. Two weeds, Smilax and Aristolochia, showed some regularity, with a few number of pollen granules. Tree pollens belonging to the Rosaceae family presented a similar behaviour.

Relationship between serum immunoglobulin, inhalation bronchial challenges and skin tests in severe asthmatics.

The relationship among inhalation bronchial challenge tests, skin tests, total serum immunoglobulin E, A, M, and G values were investigated. Positive correlation between the results of the inhalation bronchial challenges and IgG and negative correlation between the value of IgG and IgA were found but no other correlations.