Altered allocation to roots and shoots in the endophyte-infected seedlings of Puccinellia distans (Poaceae)

Endophytes play an important role in ecological and evolutionary processes in plants and have marked economic value. Seed-transmitted fungal endophytes are conventionally regarded as mutualistic symbionts, but their fitness consequences for the offspring of the host are not clear. Puccinellia distans infected with the fungus Epichloë typhina (E+) produces seeds that are several times smaller than normal (E-). This observation suggests that the E+ seedlings face a developmental disadvantage. Our growth chamber experiments compared the germination rates of the small E+ and large E- seeds of P. distans and examined the biomass allocation of seedlings to roots and shoots. The E+ seedlings germinated more slowly and maintained shorter shoots and a smaller root biomass for 30-50 days after sowing. Despite this disadvantage, the E+ plants more quickly increased their total size, attaining a larger shoot and whole-plant biomass. The shoot:root biomass ratio increased more rapidly through time in the E+ seedlings, attaining a value nine times higher in the E+ than the E- group 50 days after sowing. Such differences between the E+ and E- seedlings were not explained by the growth allometry between shoots and roots. The seedlings of P. distans infected with the Epichloë endophyte were initially handicapped by their postponed emergence, but this disadvantage was quickly overcome by their superior growth capacity. The decrease in the relative allocation to roots may indicate that endophytes increase the performance of roots as resource-acquiring organs and/or reduce the role of roots in protection against herbivores.

Optimal allocation of resources to growth and reproduction: Implications for age and size at maturity

The schedule of growth and reproduction is crucial to maximization of fitness. Models of optimal allocation of limiting resources are useful tools for predicting age and size at maturity - key components of fitness - for all lifestyles. Early models considered annual plants. Recently, they have been generalized to other short-lived organisms and also to perennials in which growth and reproduction schedules following maturation can be predicted. A review of existing models shows that differences in trophic conditions and mortality are the main sources of inter- and intraspecific variation in size.

Cell size as a link between noncoding DNA and metabolic rate scaling

Accumulation of noncoding DNA and therefore genome size (C-value) may be under strong selection toward increase of body size accompanied by low metabolic costs. C-value directly affects cell size and specific metabolic rate indirectly. Body size can enlarge through increase of cell size and/or cell number, with small cells having higher metabolic rates. We argue that scaling exponents of interspecific allometries of metabolic rates are by-products of evolutionary diversification of C-values within narrow taxonomic groups, which underlines the participation of cell size and cell number in body size optimization. This optimization leads to an inverse relation between slopes of interspecific allometries of metabolic rates and C-value. To test this prediction we extracted literature data on basal metabolic rate (BMR), body mass, and C-value of mammals and birds representing six and eight orders, respectively. Analysis of covariance revealed significant heterogeneity of the allometric slopes of BMR and C-value in both mammals and birds. As we predicted, the correlation between allometric exponents of BMR and C-value was negative and statistically significant among mammalian and avian orders.

[Noise from a car airbag as a cause of acute acoustic trauma]

A case of acute acoustic trauma in 32 year male, caused by a noise from car airbag, was described. The symptoms occurring directly after the airbag shot were tinnitus and hearing loss in right ear. Patient was admitted to ENT Clinic in Gdańsk just after 5 months after an accident. Treatment--vasodilatators and oxygen hyperbaric therapy--was ineffective. Review of literature, concerning the side effects of car airbag shot, was made. A mechanism of airbag action was presented as a source of short time noise.

[Long term result of treatment of laryngeal carcinoma (1981-1990)]

Long term results were evaluated on the basis of the epidemiological and clinical analysis of 386 patients treated surgically because of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in the ENT Department, Medical University of Gdańsk between 1981-1990. Full recovery was achieved in 52.3% of patients, failure was found in 26.9%. In the treatment evaluation the following factors were taken into account: the age of patients, T and N classification and clinical staging, primary location of the tumour. The treatment results, concerning the years 1981-1990 were compared to the ones obtained in our clinic in 1971-1980; it has been stated that the differences between the percentage of recoveries and the failures are statistically unimportant.

[Metastases to cervical nodes from unknown primary tumor]

The authors presented clinical analysis of 19 patients with cervical nodes metastases from an unknown primary site, treated in Department of Otolaryngology Medical University of Gdańsk in the period from 1981 to 1998. As the primary site of cancer was not found, basing on histopathological and clinical examination 4 patients underwent surgical treatment and in 15 patients combined therapy was applied. In two cases primary tumor was found in lung and trachea after a four months of treatment initiation. Treatment failure was observed in 12 cases, 7 patients survived, 2 of them over 4 years.

[Cranial osteomas of atypical localization]

Osteomas have a very characteristic localisation and frequency of occurrence. Based on a representative materials the authors present literature review in which the sequence of occurrence of osteomas in paranasal sinuses is described. A very rare occurrence of osteomas out of the paranasal sinuses is stressed and the hypothesis of development of osteomas in the sinuses and latter migration of osteomas from sinuses to nasal cavities or orbit is mentioned. Three cases of untypical size and localization of osteomas are presented, in two cases the tumors have develop primary outside the paranasal sinuses and in one case the osteoma was present in both frontal sinuses and in the ethmoid labyrinth.

[Bone mineralization and calcium/phosphate metabolism in children with nephrotic syndrome]

The study was carried out in 20 children aged 6-18 years receiving long-term corticosteroid treatment for nephrotic syndrome. In these children densitometric evaluation of bone by DEXA method (total body and spine) and ultrasound measurement of heel were performed. Moreover, basic parameters of calcium-phosphate metabolism were determined. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were diagnosed in 6/20 (30%) patients. Disturbances of bone mineralisation were accompanied by hyperhydroxyprolinuria, hypercalciuria, hypocalcemia and also by some clinical symptoms. The results of these pilot investigations point at necessity periodical assessment of bone mineralisation and calcium-phosphate metabolism in children with nephrotic syndrome receiving corticosteroid treatment.

[CD3-CD25 lymphocyte population and blood serum Il-2R in children with liponephrosis]

It has been suggested that the immune system is involved in the development of lipoid nephrosis. The aim of the study was to estimate whether an elevated serum concentration of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is caused by increased expression of IL-2 receptors on the surface of lymphocytes T (CD3+CD25+). 20 children with lipoid nephrosis and 15 healthy children served as control were evaluated. T cell subpopulations were assayed with flow cytometry, using monoclonal antibodies. The concentration of sIL-2R was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients with lipoid nephrosis had elevated serum levels of sIL-2R compared with healthy controls. Although the subpopulation of T cell CD3+CD25+ was decreased in nephrotic children. These results could testify against direct contribution of T cell immune response in the pathogenesis of lipoid nephrosis.

[Nodular toxoplasmosis as a diagnostic and therapeutic problem]

Enlargement of lymph nodes of the neck, slightly elevated body temperature and discomfort are symptoms characteristic of many illnesses. One of these can be toxoplasmosis. Because the rarity of its occurrence, sometimes toxoplasmosis may be last to be recognized. In many cases absence of specific additional examination guidelines can contribute to several problems with correct diagnosis. At the present time, the most reliable sample analysis methods are the examination of levels of antibodies IgG and IgM, and the histopathological verification. The authors also indicate that varying therapeutic effects using prophilactic treatment and insufficient additional examination could lead to diagnostic problems.

Complex phase tracing method for fringe pattern analysis

We present what we believe to be a novel complex phase tracing method for fringe pattern analysis related to the phase-locked loop idea. The image with deformed complex fringes is analyzed with lexicographic scansion that leads directly to the investigated phase without unwrapping. Robustness of the procedure is ensured by the delay mechanism in the process of calculating the reference value. A numerical model and examples of application of the presented method are given.

[The effect of water pipelines on the quality of drinking water]

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of various pipelines on drinking water quality. For the study carried out in Warsaw buildings were chosen in which the installations were made of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, copper and steel. Water samples were taken from the sites of water leading to the buildings and from the highest floors, if possible. Physicochemical studies included determination of turbidity, colour, odour, pH, hardness, chlorides, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, oxidation, manganese, iron, lead, cadmium, copper and zinc content. Bacteriological tests included determination of total microorganism count at 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C, total number of sporing bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The hydro-biological testing of water samples included quantitative and qualitative analysis of macroscopic and microscopic plant and animal organisms. All studies were carried out according to Polish Standards and the methods of the State Institute of Hygiene. The results of the physicochemical, bacteriological and hydro-biological tests failed to show any effect of the material of pipelines on the quality of drinking water in the range of the determined parameters.

[Malignant tumors of the parotid gland]

The authors presented 72 cases of malignant parotid gland tumors treated in ENT Dept. in Medical University of Gdańsk in years 1970-1990. The most frequent tumors were: carcinoma planoepitheliale, adenocarcinoma et carcinoma muco-epidermale. Particular analysis of TNM stage, histopathological findings and therapy of described cases may be helpful in improving the treatment results.

[Intraoperative ultrasonography of brain tumors]

The 6-years results are described of intraoperative ultrasonic imaging of the brain tumors and are compared with the results of preoperative computerized tomography. On the basis of 169 cases it was shown that the lesions well visible in preoperative CT (with or without contrast) were also well delineated in USG. In cases of presence in CT with or without contrast of extensive isodense or hypodense area, USG could localize in all patients the tumor with suggestion of its morphology. Intraoperative ultrasonic investigation is a valuable method supplementing preoperative diagnostic procedures, facilitating the localization of isomorphic tumors, reducing brain traumatization and making possible control of radical removal of the lesions.

[Clinical usefulness of auditory brainstem responses in patients with sensorineural and mixed hearing loss]

The brain stem response (ABR) and pure tone audiometry was recorded in to patients: 23 with sensorineural and 17 with mixed hearing loss. The control group included 10 males and 10 females. The presented method (ABR) shows to be very useful for objective estimating the level of hearing lose and location of failure in auditory pathways. Particular statistics analysis of obtained results (wave V latency-intensity function) shows high correlation with a pure tone audiometry.

[A case of epidermal cyst of the 3d cerebral ventricle]

The author presents a case of epidermal cyst of the third ventricle in a female aged 19 years with dramatically rapidly increasing clinical symptoms. Surgical removal of the tumour gave full success and complete cure of the patient.

Optimal allocation of energy to growth and reproduction

The optimal allocation of energy to growth and reproduction is considered for three different cases, i.e., a single reproduction (semelparity), reproduction through repeated discrete clutches, and continuous reproduction. The problem reduces to optimizing age and size at maturity. The best strategy is to continue growth until the change of production rate with respect to increasing body size, multiplied by life expectancy for those attaining adulthood and reproducing successfully, is greater than one. The time at which semelparous species reproduce may also be optimized; for the other modes of reproduction only physiological factors or seasonality can limit the maximum age. A brief growing season or high mortality rate are factors leading to early maturity and small adult body size.

[Late recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage after strengthening the aneurysm wall with aneuroplastic]

Two patients are presented in whom repeated subarachnoideal haemorrhages developed 4 and 13 years after operations for intracranial aneurysms including strengthening of aneurysm wall with aneuroplastic. The patients were reoperated on by microsurgery. In both cases it was possible to clip the aneurysm after removing aneuroplastic.

Influence of the male on provoked ovulation in immature female mice

Acceleration of ovulation in juvenile females by exposure to the male and injection of gonadotrophins was investigated. The male-induced ovulation in CBA/kw and outbred females was observed only after injection of PMSG. Exposure to the male and injection of HCG did not evoke this effect. Our results indicated that the presence of a male stimulates LH release from the pituitary of juvenile females. Pheromonal reaction of the females was affected by the age and body weight of the tested animals. Most sensitive were females of CBA/kw strain 21-day-old, outbred 21-day-old, 10.0-12.0 g and 24-day-old, 7.5-9.5 g.