Ability of detergents digitonin (Dg), Triton X-IOO (TX), sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and Zwittergents 3-12 (Z-12), 3-14 (Z-14), and 3-16 (Z-16) to fragment unstacked thylakoid membranes was tested in French beán (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves differing in age. The power of selected detergents to initiate fragmentation did not differ with different Chemical structure and molecular size of detergents, but it was controlled more probably by their molecular charge and shape. Unfavourable was the presence of positive charge and the absence of alkyl chain in detergent molecule. Membrane fragments obtained after the action of individual detergents on agranal thylakoids were separated on a Percoll gradient. Separated fractions were characterized by their chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl a/b and Chl/protein ratios, position of absorption maximum (A^gx) i” spectral region and ratios of intensities of fluorescence emission bands. Since separation of no Chl-protein was achieved, no priority of detergent binding to any membrane component occurred under the conditions ušed. Fractions of similar density, products of the action of low concentrations of different detergents on the chloroplasts from leaves of the same age, differed in their characteristics. Low concentrations of detergents fragmented agranal membranes in a pattem which changed during leaf ontogeny. Only Z-16 had an increased capacity to extract proteins from membrane; this was probably promoted by the presence of 16-C alkyl chain.
Thyroid hormones (TH) are powerful modulators of heart function, but their arrhythmogenic effects are less elucidated. We have examined both acute and long-term action of TH on the heart susceptibility to the ventricular fibrillation (VF) and on the heart ability to terminate VF and restore a sinus rhythm. Triiodothyronine (T3) was applied in the range of 10-9-10-6 mol/l in acute experiments using isolated perfused aged (14-month-old) guinea pig hearts. L-thyroxine (T4) was applied in the dose of 50 μg/100g/day to young (3-month-old) and aged (20-month-old) rats for 2 weeks. The T4 treatment resulted in an increased susceptibility of young, but not adult rat hearts to a hypokalemia induced VF and facilitated a spontaneous sinus rhythm (SSR) restoration in the latter group. The acute T3 administration in the range of 10-9-10-7 mol/l significantly decreased the susceptibility of an isolated heart to an electrically induced VF and also facilitated the sinus rhythm restoration. The SSR restoration was, however, not affected by 10-6 mol/l concentration of T3, which also led to an increased VF susceptibility. Results indicate that TH can affect the susceptibility of the heart to VF and its ability to restore the sinus rhythm via acute (non-genomic) and long-term (genomic) actions. Furthermore, an anti- and pro-arrhythmic potential of TH appears to be age- and dose-dependent., V. Knezl, T. Soukup, Ľ. Okruhlicová, J. Slezák, N. Tribulová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Thyroid nodules are a very frequent pathology among common population. Despite the vast majority of them are of benign origin, the incidence of thyroid cancer is currently rather rising. Although there are several risk factors of thyroid cancer and several clinical, ultrasound, biochemical and molecular diagnostic markers, the exact mechanisms of thyroid oncogenesis and the linkage between thyroid nodule ultrasound appearance and its biological character remain unclear. While ionizing radiation is the only one well-known risk factor for thyroid cancer, the significance of some others remains unclear. The aim of our review was to discuss some not completely known pathophysiological mechanisms involved in thyroid oncogenesis as hypothyroidism, mutations of genes regulating cell proliferation, thyroid autoimmunity and pregnancy and to describe pathophysiological background of some ultrasound markers of thyroid cancer (size, echogenicity, vascularization, calcifications and stiffness). Better knowledge in this field is crucial for development of novel diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches. For exampl e, the analysis of BRAF, RAS and other mutations in cytological samples may help to distinction between follicular thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid adenoma and may signific antly decrease the number of unnecessary surgery among patients with thyroid nodules. Alternatively, the different malign cells growth, angiogenesis, destructions of thyroid follicles, reparative changes, growth retardation, fibrosis and increased interstitial fluid pressure implicate the typical ultrasound appearance of papillary thyroid cancer (hypoechogenicity, irregular vascularization, microcalcifications, stiffness) which is essential to catch the suspicious nodules on the basis of their ultrasound appearance among large amount of benign nodules., J. Krátký, H. Vítková, J. Bartáková, Z. Telička, M. Antošová, Z. Límanová, J. Jiskra., and Obsahuje bibliografii