In-focus electron microscopy of frozen-hydrated biological samples with a Boersch phase plate.

We report the implementation of an electrostatic Einzel lens (Boersch) phase plate in a prototype transmission electron microscope dedicated to aberration-corrected cryo-EM. The combination of phase plate, C(s) corrector and Diffraction Magnification Unit (DMU) as a new electron-optical element ensures minimal information loss due to obstruction by the phase plate and enables in-focus phase contrast imaging of large macromolecular assemblies. As no defocussing is necessary and the spherical aberration is corrected, maximal, non-oscillating phase contrast transfer can be achieved up to the information limit of the instrument. A microchip produced by a scalable micro-fabrication process has 10 phase plates, which are positioned in a conjugate, magnified diffraction plane generated by the DMU. Phase plates remained fully functional for weeks or months. The large distance between phase plate and the cryo sample permits the use of an effective anti-contaminator, resulting in ice contamination rates of <0.6 nm/h at the specimen. Maximal in-focus phase contrast was obtained by applying voltages between 80 and 700 mV to the phase plate electrode. The phase plate allows for in-focus imaging of biological objects with a signal-to-noise of 5-10 at a resolution of 2-3 nm, as demonstrated for frozen-hydrated virus particles and purple membrane at liquid-nitrogen temperature.

[Injuries of the urinary bladder]. / Povrede mokracnog mjehura.

The authors analyse 32 patients with injuries of the urinary bladder treated in Clinical Hospital Centre "Firule" in the period from 1976 to 1988 (Figure No 1). There were: 10 contusions of the bladder (31%), 5 extraperitoneal ruptures (16%), 16 intraperitoneal ruptures (50%), and 1 combined extra and intraperitoneal rupture (3%). The isolated injuries of the bladder are rare. Extraperitoneal ruptures most of them are connected with the pelvic fractures. The intraperitoneal ruptures of the bladder were connected with splenic rupture in 7 cases, with the rupture of the rectum in 1 case, with the vaginal rupture in 1 case, with the rupture of the aorta in 1 case, with the rupture of the ovarian cyst in 1 case and with the rupture of the ileum in 1 case. All the patients with the urinary bladder rupture were operated, what got sufficient drainage of the urine, and drainage of the perivesical space and closure of the defect of the bladder.

[Injuries of the diaphragm examined from 1976 to 1988]. / Povrede dijafragme posmatrane kroz period od 1976-1988, godine.

The authors review 28 patients with the diaphragmal injury treated at the Surgical Clinic of the Clinical hospital centre "Firule" Split in the period from 1976 to 1988. The distribution of the injuries in consideration of age and sex, the most frequent lesions of the organs connected with the diaphragmal injury, number of the patients in different years as the structure inside this group of the patients is shown.

[Permanent decrease in immune function in patients with splenectomy for trauma]. / Dugotrajno smanjena imuna funkcija kod pacijenata splenektomiranih zbog traume.

The authors describe the peripheral blood analyses in patients splenectomized for trauma in consideration on the concentration of the immunoglobulins total complement CH50 levels, T and B lymphocyte populations and compare this with the control group. The levels of the IgM were significantly decreased (p0.001) in splenectomised while the levels of the IgA and IgG were significantly increased (for IgA - p0.001, for IgG p0.01). Total lymphocyte count averaged 54501999 in splenectomized, with number of T cells 2463930 and B lymphocyte 460236. The control group showed total lymphocyte count 460236. The control group showed total lymphocyte count 520235 (p0.001) with number of T cells 314147 (p0.001) and number of B cells 7434 (p0.001), what is significantly less than in splenectomized population. The level of total complement CH50 in splenectomized population was 11216 (p0.01), what is significantly less than in the control group 12515. These data demonstrate persistent abnormalities in immune function and suggest a possible explantation for the increased rizu of sepsis in this group of patients.