A comparison of the quality of UHT milk and its plant-based analogs.

The aim of this study was to compare selected physical (density) and physicochemical (color, pH, titratable acidity) properties and the fatty acid profile of dairy UHT milk and its plant-based analogs, i.e., almond, soy, rice, oat, and coconut beverages. Ten products of each type were analyzed in each group. UHT milk was characterized by higher values of color lightness (L*) and titratable acidity than all plant-based milk alternatives, higher yellowness (b*) than rice drink, higher density than almond drink, and higher pH than rice and coconut drinks. In comparison with UHT milk, all plant-based beverages were characterized by higher redness (a*), soy drink was characterized by higher values of b* and chroma (C*), and almond and soy drinks had higher pH values. In the group of non-dairy beverages, the values of b* and C* were highest in soy drink, and the value of a* was highest in almond drink. Almond drink had the highest pH value, and soy and coconut drinks had the highest titratable acidity. Rice drink had higher density than oat, soy and almond drinks. The indicators characterizing the nutritional value of fat were considerably lower in coconut drink and dairy milk than in the remaining products. The values of UFA/SFA, MUFA/SFA, and DFA/OFA ratios and the indicator of nutritional value were highest in rice drink. The PUFA/SFA ratio and the total content of EFAs were highest in soy drink, and the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was highest in almond drink.

Enhanced expression of IFI16 and RIG-I in human third-trimester placentas following HSV-1 infection.

The innate immune response in the placenta depends on the ability of maternal immune cells and fetal trophoblast cells to detect and eliminate invading pathogens through germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). In the present study, we analysed the transcripts and protein expression of interferon (IFN)-inducible protein (IFI)16, melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), RIG-I-like receptor (RIG-I) and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 in third-trimester human placentas and investigated cytokine profiles generated during herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) infection. Decidual and chorionic villous biopsies (38-42 weeks of gestation) were obtained from healthy women immediately after a caesarean section. The expression of the DDX58 (RIG-I), IFIH1 (MDA5), IFI16 and TLR3 transcripts was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Extracellular cytokine and PRRs levels were then quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). All examined PRRs genes, including DDX58, IFIH1, IFI16 and TLR3, were expressed constitutively at the mRNA and protein levels in the placental biopsies. The concentration of the IFI16 protein was increased in HSV-1-infected decidual and chorionic villous explants compared to those of mock-infected tissues (P = 0·029). Higher protein expression levels of RIG-I in both the maternal and fetal parts of the placenta were found (P = 0·009 and P = 0·004, respectively). In addition, increased production of IFN-ß by HSV-1-infected tissues was noticed (P = 0·004 for decidua, P = 0·032 for chorionic villi). No significant differences in the IFN-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels were found. These results showed that HSV-1 infection can enhance the expression of IFI16 and RIG-I proteins in the human term placenta.

Impaired virus replication and decreased innate immune responses to viral infections in nasal epithelial cells from patients with allergic rhinitis.

The aim of this study was to assess the immune response to parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3), rhinovirus 1B (RV1B) and intracellular Toll-like receptors (TLR) agonists in nasal epithelial cells (NECs) from patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy controls. NECs were obtained from eight patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 11 non-atopic healthy controls (HC) by nasal scraping, grown to confluence and exposed to PIV3, RV1B infection or TLR-3 and TLR-7/8 agonists. Interferon (IFN)-λ1, IFN-α, IFN-ß and regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES) release into the cell culture supernatants was assessed at 8, 24 and 48 h upon infection or 8 and 24 h after stimulation with poly(I:C) and R848. mRNA levels of IFNs, RANTES, interferon regulatory transcription factor (IRF)3, IRF7 and viral gene copy number were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PIV3 but not RV1B replication 48 h after infection was significantly lower (P < 0·01) in NECs from AR patients compared to HC. PIV3 infection induced significantly less IFN-λ1 (both protein and mRNA) in NECs from AR compared to HC. IFN-ß mRNA expression and RANTES protein release and mRNA expression tended to be smaller in AR compared HC cells in response to both viruses. Stimulation with TLR-3 agonist [poly (I:C)] induced similar IFN-λ1 and RANTES generation in AR and HC subjects. Viral infections in NECs induced IRF7 expression, which correlated with IFN and RANTES expression. These data suggest that virus proliferation rates and the immune response profile are different in nasal epithelial cells from patients with allergic rhinitis compared to healthy individuals.

Distribution of cytoskeletal elements in the ovarioles of Mutilla sp. (Insecta, Hymenoptera).

The ovaries of Mutilla sp., as those of other hymenopterans, consist of meroistic-polytrophic ovarioles. Within each ovariole, a terminal filament, a germarium, and a vitellarium can be distinguished. The germaria contain numerous dividing and/or differentiating groups (clusters) of germ cells. The vitellaria are composed of several, linearly arranged, ovarian follicles; each follicle consists of an oocyte and a group of nurse cells. Distribution of cytoskeletal elements (microfilaments and microtubules) throughout the ovarioles of Mutilla sp. has been studied on whole mount preparations stained with rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin and FITC-labelled anti-tubulin.

Structure of ovaries in two collembolans, Allacma fusca and Arrhopalites coecus (Hexapoda, Entognatha).

The ovaries of both investigated species are of the polytrophic-meroistic type. They are sac-shaped and not divided into individual ovarioles. Two compartments: the germarium and vitellarium can be discerned within each ovarial sac. The germaria are localized laterally and contain relatively numerous germ cells. In the vitellaria, synchronously developing oocyte-nurse cell complexes occur. In each complex, 3 morphologically, and presumably functionally distinct categories of nurse cells can be distinguished. Follicular cells do not form a continuous follicular epithelium; they are filled with synthetically active organelles and secretory vacuoles. Morphology of the egg envelopes of A. coecus is also described.

rDNA amplification in previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes of symphylans (Arthropoda, Myriapoda).

Tube-shaped ovaries of symphylans house numerous developing oocytes that are accompanied by somatic follicular cells. Oocyte nuclei (germinal vesicles) are relatively large and ovoid. During early previtellogenesis they contain compact spherical bodies and lampbrush chromosomes immersed in a translucent karyoplasm. Fluorescent labeling with DAPI and propidium iodide has revealed the presence of both DNA and RNA in the spherical bodies. As previtellogenesis advances, small RNA- and AgNOR-positive nucleoli bud off from these bodies. Full-grown nucleoli consist of coarse-granular material and comprise electron-transparent vacuoles. Our results suggest that in symphylan germinal vesicles amplification of rDNA genes takes place, and that the spherical bodies represent accumulations of extrachromosomal rDNA (rDNA bodies) after commencement of transcriptional activity.

Accessory nuclei in the oocytes of the cockoo wasp, Chrysis ignita (Hymenoptera: Aculeata).

In the oocytes of Chrysis ignita, accessory nuclei (AN) arise before yolk formation, during advanced previtellogenesis. Two categories of AN, small (SAN) and large (LAN) can be distinguished at this stage of development. Both AN categories contain two dense, morphologically distinct inclusions (termed A and B) immersed in a translucent matrix. AN are exclusively located in the cortical (peripheral) ooplasm. Moreover, LAN are asymmetrically distributed also along the antero-posterior axis of the oocyte, and occur preferentially in the anterior pole periplasm. In contrast, the distribution of SAN is uniform throughout the periplasm.

Structure of ovarioles in adult queens and workers of the common wasp, Vespula germanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).

The ovaries of the common wasp, Vespula germanica are polytrophic-meroistic and consist of 2-3 (workers) or 7 (queens) ovarioles. The ovarioles are differentiated into three regions: a terminal filament, a germarium, and a vitellarium. The germaria of both castes consist of two zones: an anterior zone of germ-cell cluster formation and a posterior one of germ-cell cluster differentiation. The vitellaria comprise 4-6 (workers) or 7-10 (queens) ovarian follicles (egg chambers). Each chamber consists of an oocyte and about 60 isodiametric nurse cells (trophocytes). The egg chambers have been arbitrarily classified into four developmental categories: early and late previtellogenic, vitellogenic, and choriogenic. The process of oogenesis in workers proceeds only up to the onset of the late previtellogenesis. Neither vitellogenic nor choriogenic egg chambers were observed in this caste. During early and late previtellogenesis the envelope of the oocyte nucleus proliferates and becomes highly folded. This process leads to the formation of characteristic organelles, termed accessory nuclei (AN). Although AN arise in the oocytes of both queens and workers, their number in the latter caste is always considerably lower. At the onset of the late previtellogenesis AN start to migrate towards the periphery of the oocyte where they reside till the end of oogenesis. The physiological state of the worker ovaries is discussed in the light of the presented results.

[Role of toxoplasmosis in the development of central nervous system lesions in children]. / Die Rolle der Toxoplasmose für die Entstehung von Schädigungen des Zentralnervensystems bei Kindern.

Because of the high degree of infestation in women capable of bearing children in Europe (70 to 80%) with Toxoplasma gondii the authors have studied all babies admitted for clinical treatment at the institute of Paediatrics in Lublin for clinical and serological indications of a connatal toxoplasmosis. In the period between January 1977 and December 1978, 133 babies showed positive findings. The most frequently occurring findings were lesions of the central nervous system (hydrocephalus 21 X, microcephaly 8 X, porencephaly 18 X, convulsions and psychomotor retardation 11 X, subdural hygroma and haematoma 34 X, encephalomeningitis 7 X). Intracranial calcifications within the classical triad were only found in two cases. Other internal lesions without cerebral deficiency symptoms were found in 18 children. The authors point out the possible connection between vascular lesions caused by toxoplasmosis and subdural effusions. One might think of both permeability disturbances and direct vascular lacerations. The treatment consisted in repeated punctures, trepanations and antibiotics (Spiramycin, Daraprim, Orisul). The serological proof of the presence of toxoplasmosis may well lag behind the clinical symptoms.

[Subdural hygroma in infants with congenital toxoplasmosis (author's transl)]. / Die subduralen Hygrome bei den Säuglingen mit angeborener Toxoplasmose.

Cytological examination of the fluid from subdural hygromas revealed congenital Toxoplasmosis in 14 of 43 infants (32,5%). Conversely, subdural hygroma was a significant clinical symptom in 42 cases of congenital Toxoplasmosis. In 9 cases trophozoites or cystes of Toxoplasma Gondii were found in the subdural fluid, and in 4 of these in the cerebrospinal fluid as well. Since serological investigations in young infants and particularly severe infections often remain inconclusive the cytological examination of cerebrospinal fluid is emphasized importance of.