A proline-rich polypeptide complex (PRP) influences inducible nitric oxide synthase in mice at the protein level.

A proline-rich polypeptide complex (PRP) with immunoregulatory and procognitive properties showed a beneficial effect in Alzheimer's disease (AD) when administered orally in the form of Colostrinin(R) tablets. The mechanism of action of PRP/Colostrinin in AD has not been yet clarified. It is known that oxidative stress enhances neurodegenerative processes. It was previously shown that the PRP regulates the secretion of cytokines and inhibits NO and O(2)(-) release in cell cultures. Since the results on isolated cells or cell lines frequently do not reflect events in vivo, the effect of PRP on NO release and iNOS protein synthesis in mice treated with LPS was studied. The PRP did not induce the production of NO. However, in the presence of PRP applied 6h after LPS, about 40% inhibition of NO release was observed. This effect was accompanied by lower iNOS protein expression in peritoneal cells. In the liver sections of mice treated with PRP 6h after LPS application, the number of iNOS-positive cells was significantly reduced. These results indicate that PRP can act as a regulator of inflammatory processes. The inhibition of iNOS activity/expression could be one of the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of PRP/Colostrinin in AD.

Embryology at the Universities of Lwow and Wroclaw.

Embryological research at the University of Wroclaw covers hormonal control of metamorphosis, primarily invertebrate embryology and gametogenesis, vertebrate myogenesis and the developmental impact of external factors. Developmental studies at the University of Wroclaw are a continuation of those conducted at the former Jan Kazimierz (Johannes Casimirus) University in Lwow before World War II. The Wroclaw embryological school is best characterized as comparative embryology which approaches embryonic development experimentally as well as through the analysis of its natural diversity.

[Macrophages and the expression of endothelin in sulphur dioxide induced bronchitis in rats]]. / Makrofagi i endotelina w zapaleniu oskrzeli wywolanym inhalacjami SO2 u szczurów.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of SO2 on bronchial mucosa in rats. Our interest was focused on macrophages function and expression of endothelin. 20 animals were used in the study; 5 of them constituted the control group, 15 of them were submitted to long term SO2 irritation. In animals exposed to SO2 the BALF evaluation revealed the increase of inflammatory cells concentration: neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes. Electron microscope examination demonstrated that macrophages from study group were activated in comparison with healthy rats. Immunoreactive endothelin was found in bronchial specimens and mainly in alveolar macrophages (we used a computer-assisted system of image analysis). The expression of endothelin was significantly increased in study group in comparison with control group.

Ultrastructure, distribution, and transovarial transmission of symbiotic microorganisms in Nysius ericae and Nithecus jacobaeae (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae: Orsillinae).

The organization of the symbiotic system (i.e., distribution and ultrastructure of symbionts) and the mode of inheritance of symbionts in two species, Nysius ericae and Nithecus jacobaeae belonging to Heteroptera: Lygaeidae, are described. Like most hemipterans, Nysius ericae and Nithecus jacobaeae harbor obligate prokaryotic symbionts. The symbiotic bacteria are harbored in large, specialized cells termed bacteriocytes which are localized in the close vicinity of the ovaries as well as inside the ovaries. The ovaries are composed of seven ovarioles of the telotrophic type. Bacteriocytes occur in each ovariole in the basal part of tropharium termed the infection zone. The bacteriocytes form a ring surrounding the early previtellogenic oocytes. The cytoplasm of the bacteriocytes is tightly packed with large elongated bacteria. In the bacteriocytes of Nysius ericae, small, rod-shaped bacteria also occur. Both types of bacteria are transovarially transmitted from one generation to the next.

Ovary structure in a presocial insect, Elasmucha grisea (Heteroptera, Acanthosomatidae).

First generation egg clusters of Elasmucha grisea are more closely guarded than second generation clusters. The ovaries of this species are structured to enhance this behavior. The population of E. grisea from S-W Poland breeds in the spring (May-June) and late summer (July-August). The second generation clutches contain fewer eggs and are destroyed 3-4 days after oviposition by predators and parasitoids. The ovary structure in the studied species differs from that found in other Heteroptera. The average number of ovarioles per ovary is 24 while in the other investigated species the number of ovarioles per ovary is 6-7. Lateral oviducts are elongated and the ovarioles are arranged in a pennate pattern. Each ovariole contains only one growing ovarian follicle. Differentiation of the ovarioles and ovarian follicles is synchronised thus enabling simultaneous oviposition. A comparative analysis of the ovary structure during the life cycle, particularly the presence of atresive ovarian follicles in the ovarioles of egg- and nymph guarding females, as well as the shape and structure of the apical part of the tropharium all support the hypothesis of cooperation between females in E. grisea. A similar ovary structure has been observed in the Coccoidea (Hemiptera, Homoptera) which indicates presocial behavior.

Structural and functional diversification of follicular epithelium in Coreus marginatus (Coreidae: Heteroptera).

Follicular cells in Coreus marginatus are diversified into two main subpopulations of different cell morphology, ultrastructure, distribution of F-actin and ionic communication between oocyte and follicular cells. Cells forming the insert between the operculum and the bottom of the egg envelope and, subsequently, a circle of micropylar processes were retarded as compared to the developmental advancement of follicular cells in the equatorial part of ovarian follicle. Pinocytotic and vitellogenic activity in the ooplasm adjoining the insert cells were lower than in other regions. The inhibition of vitellogenesis in the neighbourhood of insert cells, which were not in ionic contact with the ooplasm, supports the hypothesis that there is a relation between follicular cell development and the regional intensity of vitellogenesis in heteropteran ovarian follicles.

F-actin, beta-tubulin, aldolase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in heteropteran ovarioles--I. Immunocytochemical investigations of whole-mounted ovarioles.

The distribution of F-actin, beta-tubulin, aldolase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) in ovarioles of four heteropteran species (Ilyocoris cimicoides, Coreus marginatus, Lygus pratensis, and Notostira elongata) was investigated biochemically and immunocytochemically. Aldolase was found to be uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm of trophocytes and follicular cells, with the highest concentration in prefollicular cells. Its concentration in follicular cells increased during differentiation and reached a peak in ovarian follicles at the stage of late choriogenesis. FBPase was observed in the cytoplasm (weak reaction) and on cell borders (strong reaction) of both germ line and somatic cells. No FBPase or aldolase signal was observed on the F-actin trophic core mesh or on stress fibers.