Changes In Cellular Components Research Articles

Development, Cellular Growth, and Function of the Avian Oviduct. II. A Comparative Study on the Changes of Cellular Components in each Region of the Domestic Fow1 (Gallus domesticus) Oviduct during a Reproductive Cycle

The levels of cellular components in each region of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) oviduct at various stages of a reproductive cycle (developing, laying, and regressing) were compared. There were differential growth patterns in each region of the oviduct (infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina) during a reproductive cycle. The magnum weight, relative to other regions of the oviduct, increased most rapidly during development and growth, and decreased in a similar manner during regression of the oviduct. Development and growth of the oviduct were primarily associated with hyperplasia (increase in total DNA), and to a lesser extent with cellular hypertrophy (dry matter/DNA). Regression of the oviduct was essentially a reversal of the developing oviduct: both total DNA and ratios of dry matter/DNA decreased.The highest ratios of RNA/DNA and protein/DNA were found in the laying-hen oviduct, particularly in the magnum and isthmus. The magnum and isthmus of the laying hen, being actively involved with the formation of secretory soluble and insoluble proteins, respectively, also had the highest respective ratios of soluble protein/DNA and insoluble protein/DNA. The infundibulum, uterus, and vagina, consisting mainly of connective tissue and musculature, are not actively involved in the formation of secretory proteins. These regions of the laying-hen oviduct had low ratios of RNA/DNA and protein/DNA. All regions of the functionally quiescent developing and regressing oviducts had similar and low ratios of RNA/DNA and protein/DNA.The levels of soluble nonprotein nitrogen, when expressed on a cell unit basis, also tended to parallel those of protein while lipid levels remained relatively constant for all regions of the oviduct throughout the various stages of the reproductive cycle.

Intracellular substrates for endogenous metabolism during long-term starvation of rod and spherical cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes.

Cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes, harvested during growth as spheres and as rods, were starved by shaking at 30 C in phosphate buffer for 30 days, during which time they maintained 100% viability. Changes in cellular components and the activity of specific enzyme pathways were monitored. A glycogen-like polysaccharide comprised 40% of the dry weight of growing spherical cells and 10% of the dry weight of rod cells. This material was utilized at approximately the same rate, on a percentage basis, during starvation of both cell forms. The rods degraded intracellular protein at approximately twice the rate of the spheres. At the end of 30 days, the rods had degraded 40% and the spheres 20% of their initial content of protein. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was degraded significantly more rapidly in the rods. After 30 days starvation, 85 and 32% of the initial RNA of rods and spheres, respectively, had been depleted. Magnesium ion followed this same general pattern; the rods lost 65% and the spheres 45% of their initial content during 28 days of starvation. Deoxyribonucleic acid increased by 20% during the first few hours of starvation of both cell forms and then remained constant. The ability of glucose-, succinate-, and 2-hydroxypyridine (2-HP)-grown cells to oxidize glucose remained constant during 14 days of starvation. The ability of succinate-grown cells to oxidize succinate decreased rapidly during the first few hours of starvation to a rate which remained constant for 14 days. Cells adapted to growth on 2-HP completely lost their ability to oxidize this substrate after 3 days starvation.

Bone marrow evaluation in patients with fever of unknown origin

Bone marrow examination is commonly requested investigations in cases of fever of unknown origin, irrespective of alteration in hematological parameters. More than 200 etiologies are associated with fever of unknown origin, and they are broadly divided into infectious, neoplastic, collagen vascular diseases, miscellaneous and undiagnosed. Many of these conditions directly or indirectly affect bone marrow. Marrow may show changes in cellular components, interstitium or in the blood vessels depending on the underlying local or systemic conditions. The three main hematopoietic cell lines may show variable hyperplasia, hypoplasia or aplasia of one or more than one cell lines, and occasionally dyspoiesis. Interstitium may show fibrosis, gelatinous transformation, or infiltration by abnormal cells. Amyloid deposits may be seen around blood vessels. Marrow may also show granulomas, infectious agents or neoplastic cells. Various reactive changes can be seen in the bone marrow in neoplastic, infectious and in connective tissue diseases. Infectious agents can be cultured from the marrow aspirate or can be demonstrated in marrow. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v2i3.6029 JPN 2012; 2(3): 231-240

Relationship between oxygen and glucose consumption by transplanted tumors in vivo

Summary The in vivo consumption of oxygen and glucose was studied in relation to growth in Walker Carcinoma 256, Hepatoma 5123, and Fibrosarcoma 4956 transplanted in rats. Glucose not eliminated as lactate or carbon dioxide in the efferent blood was presumed to be retained by the tumor. The retention was so high that growth alone could not account for it. As an alternative, the elimination of glucose by the tumors in some unknown manner is suggested. The weight-doubling times of the tumors were independent of oxygen consumption and lactate production. The tumors needed oxygen to survive; there was no indication, however, that in vivo tumor metabolism shifted from respiration to glycolysis when the supply of oxygen was deficient. The opposite was found to be true: glucose consumption and lactate elimination were in direct proportion to the oxygen utilized and a lack of oxygen blocked both of them. The fraction of glucose transformed into lactate was maximal during insulin-induced hypoglycemia. These glucose-starved tumors did not produce lactate during glucose refeeding despite a large glucose utilization. Neither lack of oxygen nor large glucose consumption appeared to be the dominant causes of in vivo lactate production by tumors. Experimental increases in the lactate content of subcutaneous tissue could be obtained in the absence of any tumor. The possibility that glycolysis is related to changes of cellular components not necessarily involved in the neoplastic process is suggested.

The Experimental Intoxication of Sheep with Sporidesmin, A Metabolic Product of Pithomyces chartarum: III.—Some Changes in Cellular Components and Coagulation Properties of the Blood, in Serum Proteins and in Liver Function

SUMMARY Sporidesmin was administered to sheep at the rate of 0.5 mg., 0.8 mg. and 1.0 mg./kg. bodyweight. The blood cellular picture was followed in sheep dosed at the intermediate and higher levels. While no significant change was noted in the erythrocyte values during the course of the experiments, a diphasic increase of neutrophil leucocytes was observed and its probable significance is discussed. Changes in blood “prothrombin” time and clot retraction were noted, but it is considered unlikely that these changes play a significant role in the course of the disease. Serum protein levels were followed in sheep dosed with 1.0 mg./kg. and the changes found gave good indication of progressing liver injury. The elevated levels of total serum protein found were mainly due to increased values for (β-and γ-globulin; serum albumen levels fell during the course of the experimental disease. Of the 5 liver function tests examined, the strong-iodine flocculation test and the thymol and zinc-sulphate turbidity tests were found to indicate liver injury in the second phase of the disease. Liver excretory function was determined by measuring bromsulphthalein clearance rate throughout the disease in 4 sheep dosed with sporidesmin at 1.0 mg./kg. Impairment of excretory function was observed to occur during 2 well-defined phases of the induced disease and its likely implications are examined.

Biochemical and cytological changes accompanying growth and differentiation in the roots of Zea mays.

The apical meristem of the root affords an excellent material with which to study changes in cellular components accompanying growth and differentiation. The ontogeny of cytoplasmic particles can be followed, since the younger cells are constantly dividing and reforming new cytoplasm. Electron microscope pictures of these newly formed cells reveal a dense background of microsomal granules and small, thin walled vesicles of the endoplasmic reticulum. Two types of mitochondria are noted and, as the cells enlarge, mitochondria regarded as immature can no longer be seen, but only mitochondria with well developed cristae. The development of these cristae was found to be associated with an increase in respiration of the tissue as well as with increased rates of oxidation and phosphorylation of isolated mitochondria. As the cells grow and mature, the mitochondria make up an increasing percentage of the total cytoplasmic protein, and this increase probably accounts to a great extent for the increase in tissue respiration. Concomitantly, there is a decrease in microsomal granules. All these changes have been verified by electron microscope pictures of cells in situ, chemical analysis of isolated particulates, and metabolic studies of tissue and isolated fractions.