Localization of pectins in the pollen tube wall of Ornithogalum virens L. Does the pattern of pectin distribution depend on the growth rate of the pollen tube?

Monoclonal antibodies that recognize pectins were used for the localization of esterified (JIM7) and acidic, unesterified (JIM5) forms of pectin in pollen tube walls of Ornithogalum virens L. (x = n = 3). The results indicated that the distribution of the two forms of pectin in the pollen tube wall depended on the medium (liquid or solid) used for pollen germination. In pollen tubes grown in the liquid medium, the localization of JIM7 was limited to the very tip of the pollen tube, whereas the localization of JIM5 indicated a uniform distribution of unesterified pectins in the very tip of the tube and along the subapical parts of the tube wall. In tubes germinated on the medium stabilized with agar (1-2%) the localization of JIM7 and JIM5 indicated the presence of both forms of pectin in the tube tip and along the whole length of the pollen tube wall in a ring-like pattern. Thus, the localization of esterified pectins in the sub-apical part of the pollen tube wall, below the apex of the tube, is described for the first time. Measurements of the growth rates of pollen tubes growing on the two types of medium indicated that oscillations in tube growth rate occur but these do not coincide with the pattern of pectin distribution in the tube wall. Our results complement the previous data obtained for the localization of JIM5 and JIM7 in pollen tube walls of other plant species. (Y.-Q. Li et al. 1994, Sex Plant Reprod 7: 145-150) and provide new insight into an understanding of the construction of the pollen tube wall and the physiology of pollen grain germination.

The first caldesmon-like protein in higher plants.

Using anti-caldesmon polyclonal and monoclonal (raised against the N-terminal fragment of chicken gizzard caldesmon) antibodies, a plant caldesmon-like protein, 107 kDa as determined by SDS-gel electrophoresis, has been identified based on Western blotting of total extracts of Ornithogalum virens pollen tubes. Biochemical investigations showed common properties of this protein with animal caldesmon--it binds to actin and, in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, to calmodulin. In contrast to animal caldesmon, this plant cell counterpart is relatively resistant to proteolysis by endogenous proteases and sensitive to heat treatment. Our results show the presence of a caldesmon-like protein in higher plants for the first time.

[Changes in gastric mucosa and Helicobacter pylori infection in young health volunteers]. / Zmiany w blonie sluzowej zoladka i zakazenie Helicobacter pylori u mlodych, zdrowych ochotników.

They examined 114 young health volunteers to establish a frequency of inflammation of gastric mucous membrane and(or) duodenal bulbous, a frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection and interdependence between infection and inflammation, smoking and nourishment. They evaluated a frequency and intensity of inflammation in antrum, fundus and duodenal bulbus and present of Helicobacter pylori using an urease test and microscopic examination. They noted in young inhabitants of Warsaw, appearance of asymptomatic gastritis in more than 53% cases, an inflammation of duodenal bulbus in 34% and H.pylori infection in 50% cases.

Hypoglycemia: a major problem in the management of diabetes in the elderly.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and causes of hypoglycemia requiring hospitalization of diabetic patients treated with insulin or oral antidiabetic agents. From 1975 to 1989, 20,978 patients were treated in the Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases of the Warsaw Medical School; review of their records disclosed that severe hypoglycemia was the cause of admission in 236 cases (1.12%). Two hundred patients (74 older than 60 years) were treated with insulin and 36 (28 older than 60 years) with oral agents. The most frequent cause of hypoglycemia was dietetic error (123 cases), followed by excessive physical effort (55 cases), error in the dose of hypoglycemic drug (22 cases), and alcohol abuse (13 cases). Hypoglycemia was the cause of death in 13 patients (8 aged over 60 years). In another 24 patients (17 aged over 60 years), exacerbation of ischemic heart disease was observed. Serious injuries with bone fracture were experienced by 11 patients (7 aged over 60 years). We conclude that hypoglycemia is still a serious risk for the life and health of diabetic patients treated with insulin or oral agents, especially those in advanced age. For this latter group of patients, more liberal criteria of metabolic control seem to be justified.

[Inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa of patients with idiopathic non-ulcer dyspepsia and the effect of colloid bismuth treatment on the course of inflammation]. / Zmiany zapalne blony sluzowej zoladka u ludzi z idiopatyczna dyspepsja niewrzodowa oraz wplyw leczenia bizmutem koloidalnym na przebieg zapalenia.

The studies were aimed at the assessment of the coexistence of non-ulcer dyspepsia with chronic gastritis and Campylobacter pylori infection, and of the effect of therapy with De-Nol on the course of such disease. The studies involved 50 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Prior to and after the treatment with De-Nol samples of the mucosa collected from the antrum and corpus of the stomach have been examined histologically with urease test indicating C. pylori infection. Chronic gastritis of the antral mucosa membrane and/or mucosa of the corpus of the stomach has been found in 36 patients, and normal mucosa in 14 patients. Therapy with De-Nol produced statistically significant improvement. Totally histological improvement has been noted in 77.1% of patients with inflammation of the antral mucous membrane and in 64.3% of patients with inflammation of the corporeal gastric mucosa. Campylobacter pylori has been eradicated in all patients with chronic gastritis. De Nol eliminates or significantly lowers an inflammation in the antrum and/or corpus of the stomach. Its action is related to the eradication of Campylobacter pylori infection.

[Effect of colloid bismuth treatment on Campylobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa and the clinical course of non-ulcer dyspepsia]. / Wplyw leczenia bizmutem koloidalnym na zakaåenie blony sluzowej zoladka przez Campylobacter pylori i przebieg kliniczny idiopatycznej dyspepsji niewrzodowej.

There are suggestions, that the idiopathic non-ulcer dyspepsia is related to the chronic gastritis type B coexisting with C. pylori infection. Presented studies were aimed at the assessing of an effect of the treatment with De-Nol on the course of the idiopathic non-ulcer dyspepsia of C. pylori infection. Gastroscopic examination was performed in 52 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia before and after the treatment with De-Nol administered for 4-8 weeks. Campylobacter pylori was isolated from 71% of patients with idiopathic non-ulcer dyspepsia. An infection was eradicated in 97.4% of patients treated with De-Nol. The number of dyspeptic episodes decreased in by 96% of patients, including 33% of patients in whom total recovery was noted. De-Nol was well tolerated. De-Nol is highly effective in the eradication of C. pylori and produces clinical improvement in the majority of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

[Comparative assessment of the biological effects of semisynthetic human insulin and porcine insulin in healthy subjects]. / Porównanie dzialania biologicznego pólsyntetycznej insulny ludzkeij i insuliny wieprzowej u ludzi zdrowych.

The purpose of the study was the assessment of certain biological effects of semisynthetic human insulin compared with the presently used monocomponent preparations of porcine insulin made by the same producer. The study was carried out in a group of 10 healthy subjects (7 men and 3 women) twice: during a loading test with porcine insulin, and then during a similar test with human insulin. Both insulins were administered intravenously in doses of 0.075 units/kg body weight The physiological reactions associated with hypoglycaemia were noted, including subjective experiences and hormonal responses, among them those of glucagon, growth hormone, prolactin, adrenaline, noradrenaline and C-peptide. Semisynthetic human insulin administered intravenously was found to exert an identical hypoglycaemic effect as porcine insulin. However, it was observed that the action of porcine insulin was associated with more pronounced symptoms and more intense physiological reactions (tachycardia, body temperature fall) and a striking increase of prolactinaemia, in relation to semisynthetic human insulin.

[Glucose tolerance disorders in patients with cancer of the colon]. / Zaburzenia tolerancji weglowodanów u chorych na raka jelita grubego.

Relating to the Williams' report suggesting twofold higher incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients with the cancer of the colon, the study aiming at comparing an incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients with stomach, lung, and colon malignancies were carried out. Coexistence of the above listed neoplasms with diabetes mellitus type II was assessed in patients hospitalized at the Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of the Internal Diseases, Medical Academy in Warsaw within 1978-1986. Moreover, glycaemia and insulinemia curves were plotted following oral glucose load (75 g) in 16 patients with the cancer of the colon and 15 patients without malignancy. Only patients with body weight not exceeding 10% of the normal body weight, without history of diabetes mellitus and not treated with corticosteroids were classified for the study. Mean glycaemia and insulinemia values did not differ statistically in the investigated groups except statistically significantly higher serum insulin level in patients with cancer of the lung in the thirties minute of the test. Differences statistically significant were also not observed in retrospective analysis. However, an incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients with the cancer of the colon was 10.5% being higher than mean incidence of diabetes mellitus in this age group. Moreover, glucose load test has shown tolerance abnormalities in 4 patients with cancer of the colon, 1 patient with cancer of the lung, and 1 patient without malignancy. The obtained results indicate tendency to higher incidence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders in patients with cancer of the colon.