Influence of selected plant amines on probing behaviour of bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.).

The study aimed to quantify the influence of common plant polyamines and tyramine on probing behaviour in the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.). Electrical penetration graphs (DC) were used to monitor the probing and feeding behaviour of R. padi exposed to the amines agmatine, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine and tyramine. The study results showed that the analyzed amines tended to shorten the stylet activity of aphids in the gels (as indicated by the g-C pattern), prolong the duration of non-probing behaviour (g-np pattern) and decrease salivation into the gels (g-E1pattern) and ingestion from the gels (g-G pattern). The 10 mM concentration of the studied amines, especially cadaverine, reduced or completely inhibited aphid ingestion. The obtained results demonstrate that plant amines participate in plant defence responses to R. padi through disturbance of its probing behaviour and the intensity of such effects is concentration dependent.

Stabilometric evaluation of equilibrium in patients with damage to the cervical spine.

The purpose of the present article is the stabilometric evaluation of patients with disorders of the cervical spine. The research involved 106 persons with spinal damage in the cervical segment due either to degenerative disease or traumatic injury. The examinations, performed on a Freyss stabilometric platform, involved the evaluation of particular parameters of platform movement. Head torque was also measured by using a special attachment. Improvement in posture coordination was demonstrated in the period from one month to one year after surgical fixation of the spine, as was the negative impact of an orthopedic collar on vestibulospinal reflexes. The results here recorded are associated with changes in cervical proprioception, reliably evaluated by comparing traditional platform movement results with the parameters used to evaluate shifts is head position.

Visuoocular reflexes in presbyvertigo.

Using electronystagmography, we tested 100 patients (ages 65-80 years) manifesting the clinical signs of presbyvertigo, for the purpose of demonstrating their visuoocular reflexes. We administered not only simple optokinetic and eye-tracking stimuli but caloric modification of each one as well (with contrary directed optokinetic trace movement). The results were compared with those obtained in a group of 40 healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 25 years. In the older group, we observed a statistically significant increased frequency of asymmetry of optokinetic nystagmus and pathological patterns revealed by the eye-tracking test and caloric modification of both the optokinetic and eye-tracking tests. We discuss the hypothetical predominant localization of age-dependent changes, with emphasis on the disturbances of visual-vestibular integration, on the basis of data obtained from anamnesis and other electronystagmographic findings.

[Electronystagmographic and videonystagmographic studies in cerebello-pontine angle tumors]. / Diagnostyka elektronystagmograficzna i videonystagmograficzna w guzach kata mostowo-mózdzkowego.

Otoneurological investigations were carried out in 24 patients with cerebello-pontine angle tumors demonstrated in computed tomography. Standardized history taking was followed by electronystagmographic and videonystagmographical tests. In no case correct electrophysiological results were obtained. Eye-tracking test and gaze nystagmus were most frequently abnormal and together with other data these abnormalities indicated the location of the process. A more extensive use of videonystagmography was postulated.

Electronystagmographic study in chronic schizophrenia.

The authors reached the neurological and psychiatric diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia in 20 patients after examination of both vestibulooculomotor and visuooculomotor reflexes on electronystagmography. The type and intensity of the disease were established on adequate scales, and the entire group was tested in the remission stage, during the absence of psychotic signs. Electronystagmographic study, particularly the eye-tracking test with caloric modification, revealed the significant pathology of optokinetic nystagmus. The disturbances of the suppression effect of fixation on caloric nystagmus were observed in one-half the cases. Caloric stimulation demonstrated no case of canal paresis and a very small amount of directional preponderance.

[Vestibular findings in children's epilepsy]. / Badania narzadu przedsionkowego u dzieci z padaczka.

20 children between ages 6 and 15 who suffered from epilepsy classified according to suggestions of International League Against Epilepsy to partial seizures evolving to generalized seizures were tested otoneurologically. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency and location of vestibular disturbances coexisting with the disease. Subjective and objective (using electronystagmography--ENG--and videonystagmography--VNG) otoneurological study was performed. Dizziness was noted in most cases. Nobody demonstrated normal ENG/VNG recordings and the character of the pathology suggested its central origin. Eye-tracking proof and optokinetic nystagmus (cortical and subcortical) revealed to be most helpful during diagnostic procedures. No correlation between the location of EEG pathological patterns and ENG pathological signs was proved.

[Electrophysiological examination (ENG, EEG) in Alzheimer's disease]. / Badania elektrofizjologiczne (ENG, EEG) w chorobie Alzheimera.

The aim of the study was the electronystagmographic and electroencephalographic examination in patients with clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that visual-oculomotor and vestibulo-oculomotor disturbances have had the central origin. ENG and EEG examination showed the lesions of both frontal and temporal cortes in these patients.

Experimental hemispherectomy and hemicerebellectomy and their influence on vestibular habituation.

The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of hemispherectomy and hemicerebellectomy on acquisition and retention of vestibular habituation in pigeons. The habituation training was performed using a rotatory test. The frequency of head nystagmus and postural reflexes was examined before and after acquisition of habituation and some days later, for the evaluation of the retention process. Our results suggested that the hemispherectomy did not inhibit the acquisition of habituation but retention of this phenomenon was shorter at that time. The hemicerebellectomy made it impossible to reveal the vestibular habituation.

[Cases of posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms]. / Przypadki tetniaków tetnicy mózdzkowej tylnej dolnej.

The authors described two cases of aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) successfully operated on. The possibilities of surgical approaches and methods of obliteration of the aneurysm and review of PICA aneurysms in the literature are presented.

[Tissue plasminogen activator (T-PA) and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in patients after head injury]. / Tkankowy aktywator plazminogenu (T-PA) i inhibitor aktywatora plazminogenu (PAI-1) u chorych po urazach czaszkowo-mózgowych.

The following factors of fibrinolysis: tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) play an important role in patients after trauma. Their possible mechanisms in head-injured patients remain unknown. We studied the maintenance of those markers of fibrinolysis in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of 19 patients after severe head injury (initially GCS less than 8 p) without intracranial haematoma. We measured changes of the level of t-PA antigen and PAI-1 activity in days 0-3, 4-6 and later. T-PA antigen level in the plasma was higher than normally (4-8 ng/ml). T-Pa was present in the cerebrospinal fluid, but its level reached only 30% of the plasma level. In the days following injury the t-PA antigen level decreased. The PAI-1 activity in the plasma was normal (0-15 IU/ml). However, its activity in csf was high and reached, 80% of the plasma level and systematically increase in the following days particularly in patients who died. PAI-1 activity can be connected with the presence of damaged brain tissue and its necrosis and its increase can be a marker of poor prognosis.

[Cases of "delayed" subdural posttraumatic hygromas]. / Przypadki "odroczonych" pourazowych wodniaków podtwardówkowych.

The authors present 6 cases of uni- or bilateral subdural hygromas that appeared a few weeks following severe head injury. Such hygromas were named by the authors as "delayed" ones. Surgical evacuation of hygroma resulted in patient's status improvement in all 6 cases, based on well-known theories of posttraumatic hygromas origin, the authors try to explain patomechanism of the "delayed" hygromas.

[Otolaryngologic symptoms from tumors of the posterior cranial fossa]. / Objawy otolaryngologiczne w guzach tylnego dolu czaszki.

The aim of the paper was the estimation of the otolaryngological signs in the patients with the tumor of posterior cranial cavity. Each one was underwent the otoneurological diagnosis inclusive of electronystagmography. The most frequent symptoms we noticed were headache, vertigo together with cerebellar signs and disorder of the VII, VIII and IX-th cranial nerves, The ENG seemed to be a useful method in a localizing process of intracranial damages.

[The results of the surgical treatment of post-traumatic orbital apex syndrome]. / Ocena wyników leczenia pourazowego zespolu szczytu oczodolu.

The subject of the work was critical analysis of the various surgical methods of treatment of posttraumatic orbital apex syndrome. The results of treatment are similar regardless of method. The time of operation has the main significance for the return of visual function.

[Otoneurological syndromes after cervical injuries]. / Zespoly otoneurologiczne po urazach kregoslupa szyjnego.

The aim of the work was the examination of vestibular and visual disturbances in patients after whiplash injury of the neck. The authors are of the opinion, that estimation of peripheral and central vestibular disorders are useful for defining of the clinical state of these patients.

[The prognostic values and correlations between Hockaday's (EEG) and Nathanson-Bergman's (ENG) scales in the context of new definition of death]. / Wartosci prognostyczne i wzajemne korelacje skali GCS, Hockaday'a (EEG) i Nathansona-Bergmana (ENG) w kontekscie nowej definicji smierci.

A group of 92 patients being under treatment in Intensive Care Unit of Neurosurgery Clinic in Bydgoszcz were observed using EEG, ENG and neurological findings. The eeg patterns, classified by Hockaday's scale, were related to the clinical stage, described using Glasgow Coma Scale, and the ENG patterns (Nathanson-Bergman's scale). Unfavourable prognosis was indicated by appearance of IV and V stage on Hockaday's scale and the caloric test seemed to mark the moment of complete breakdown of all brain-stem functions. The present paper demonstrated the value of EEG- and ENG patterns in description and forecasting of patients in coma.

[The prognostic value of EEG and ENG recording in deep coma]. / Wartosc prognostyczna badania elektroencefalograficznego i elektronystagmograficznego w glebokich stanach nieprzytomnosci.

The eeg and eng test were performed in 53 patients admitted in deep coma. The eeg patterns was analysed using Hockaday's scale and the eng test was appreciated by Nathanson-Bergman's scale. It was noticed that grade IV and V by Hockaday's scale and stage IV by Nathanson-Bergman's scale suggested malignant prognosis. Grade III in Hockaday's scale and stage II in Nathanson-Bergman's scale were unrelated to prognosis.

Rapid and precise micro-methods for quantitating active components in commercial bone scintigraphy kits--I. Stannous tin.

Stannous tin-diphosphonate u.v. absorbing complexes have been quantitated at appropriate wavelengths in the presence of an excess of diphosphonate ligand and chloride ions, under a nitrogen atmosphere. Results in the range of 10-80 x 10(-9) At-g of Sn(II) per sample were obtained within 2 min, with a coefficient of variation of 0.7%.

Rapid and precise micro-methods for quantitating active components in commercial bone scintigraphy kits--II. Diphosphonates.

Two parallel, independent micro-methods for diphosphonate determination are presented. These procedures are based on the interference of diphosphonate with the formation of cation-morin (3,5,7,2',4'-pentahydroxyflavone) complexes. In the spectrophotometric method, a change of the absorbance of thorium-morin complex is used as a measure of diphosphonate concentration. In the fluorimetric method, a decrease of the fluorescence of aluminium-morin complex is used. Both methods: (1) quantitate methylene-diphosphonate in the range of 5-40 x 10(-9) M with a coefficient of variation of less than 1%; (2) are specific and interference-free in commercial kits control; (3) are operative with other diphosphonates; and (4) are adaptable to the analysis of chromatographic eluents.

Iron-binding fragments from the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of human lactoferrin.

Digestion of lactoferrin with pepsin at pH3.0 gave an iron-binding half-molecule that represents the C-terminal part of the native protein. Tryptic or chymotryptic digestion of 30%-iron-saturated lactoferrin yielded the N- and C-terminal half molecules, which could be separated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. The N- and C-terminal fragments did not show any immunological cross-reaction. The carbohydrate of lactoferrin was distributed equally between the two fragments.