In the present paper, we describe the ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of the notocotylid Notocotylus noyeri (Joyeux, 1922) by means of transmission electron microscopy. The mature spermatozoon of N. noyeri exhibits the general pattern described in the majority of digeneans: two axonemes of the 9 + "1" pattern of the Trepaxonemata, nucleus, mitochondria, parallel cortical microtubules, spine-like bodies and ornamentation of the plasma membrane. The glycogenic nature of the electron-dense granules was evidenced applying the test of Thiéry. The ultrastructural features of the spermatozoon of N. noyeri present some differences in relation to those of the Pronocephalidea described until now, but confirm a general pattern for the Notocotylidae, namely a spermatozoon with two mitochondria and an anterior region with ornamentation of the plasma membrane associated with spine-like bodies. The posterior extremity of the spermatozoon exhibits only some microtubules after the disorganisation of the second axoneme. The present study confirms that some ultrastructural characters of the sperm cell such as the presence or absence of lateral expansions, the number of mitochondria and the morphology of both anterior and posterior spermatozoon extremities are useful for phylogenetic purposes within the Pronocephaloidea. Thus, unlike notocotylids, pronocephalids exhibit external ornamentation and a lateral expansion in the anterior spermatozoon region. Moreover, notocotylid spermatozoa present two mitochondria, whereas pronocephalid spermatozoa exhibit a single mitochondrion. Finally, pronocephalids are characterised by a type 2 posterior spermatozoon extremity, whereas notocotylids exhibit a type 3 posterior spermatozoon extremity., Papa Ibnou Ndiaye, Jordi Torres, Catarina Eira, Vladimir V. Shimalov, Jordi Miquel., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The surface structures and gland cells of the posterior rosette organ of Gyrocotyle urna Grube et Wagener, 1852, a member of the group presumed to be the most basal of the tapeworms (Cestoda: Gyrocotylidea), was studied by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Surface structures on the outer (oriented away from the intestinal wall) and inner (in contact with the intestinal wall) rosette surfaces differ from each other and represent a transitional form between microvilli and microtriches typical of tapeworms (Eucestoda). The inner surface of the rosette possesses numerous glands. On the basis of the size and electron-density of their secretory granules, three types of unicellular gland cells can be distinguished. The least common type (Type I) is characterized by the production of small, round, electron-dense granules of about 0.3 µm in diameter, whereas another type of secretion (Type II) is formed from homogenous, moderately electron-dense, spheroidal granules of about 0.7 µm in diameter. The most common type of glands (Type III) is recognized by a secretion comprising large, elongate, electron-dense granules of about 1 µm long and 0.5 µm broad. The secretory granules of the three types of the glands are liberated by an eccrine mechanism and the gland ducts open via small pores on the inner rosette surface. The complex of secretory glands of the posterior rosette of G. urna is similar to those in the anterior attachment glands of monogeneans (as opposed to the types of glands present in other helminth groups). However, the tegumental surface structures of Gyrocotyle are supporting evidence for the relationship between the Gyrocotylidea and Eucestoda.
The ultrastructure of three types of unicellular scolex gland cells in adult cestode Bothriocephalus claviceps (Goeze, 1782) is described. The first type - apocrine gland cells transport their secretion (small rounded electron dense granules) via thin ducts into the tegument where it accumulates as projections on the body surface. The second type - eccrine gland cells press out their secretion (large oval electron dense granules) through ducts which open to the exterior surface of the tegument. The third type - microapocrine gland cells transport their secretion (large rounded electron dense granules) through thin cytoplasmic processes into the distal cytoplasm of the tegument. The secretory discharge occurs by means of évaginations of the outer tegumental plasmalemma and their subsequent detachment. The possible functions of the scolex gland cells are discussed.
A systematic study of the ultraviolet spectra of the Algol-like semidetached binary stars is described. Revision of the traditionally accepted spectral types has been found necessary in most cases toward earlier spectral types. Superionized emission lines seen at total eclipses show interesting differences in intensities.
High resolution UV spectroscopic observations of the binary symbiotic star AG Peg obtained with the IUE satellite in the periode 1978-81 are analyzed. The variability of the fluxes and the radial velocities of emission lines accordingto orbital phase are presented, The observaions support a binary model with mass transfer from a hot rotationaly unstable subdvarf to a cool M giant.
This review critically examines the ecological costs and benefits of ultraviolet vision in European owlflies. On the one hand it permits the accurate pursuit of flying prey, but on the other, it limits hunting to sunny periods. First the physics of detecting short wave radiation are presented. Then the advantages and disadvantages of the optical specializations necessary for UV vision are discussed. Finally the question of why several visual pigments are involved in UV vision is addressed.
The changes in pigment-protein composition of chloroplasts in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp seedlings grown under control and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) enhanced radiation at various temperatures were studied. The chlorophyll-protein (CP) complexes isolated from seedlings after 60 h of continuous UV-B enhanced radiation treatment showed temperature-dependent changes in their levels. At 10 ^C, well marked CPI, CP2a, CP47, CP2 and free pigment bands were seen in UV-B treated seedlings while control seedlings had no detectable green bands. UV-B enhanced radiation decreased the level of CPI, CP2a and CP2 complexes which was more pronounced at 20 and 30 °C than at 40 oC. The analysis of chloroplast polypeptides revealed a drastic decrease in the levels of 55, 47, 33, 25, 23, 22 and 17 kDa polypeptides in UV-B treated seedlings at 20 and 30 oC, and marginal decrease in the levels of 47, 43 and 16 kDa polypeptides at 40 ^C. In contrast to this, at 10 oC large increase in many polypeptides was noticed in UV-B treated seedlings.
Effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation on ultrastructure, total cellular protein, and PS2 proteins D1 and D2 of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 cells was studied. The scanning electron micrographs showed UV-B radiation induced bending of the cells. The transmission electron micrographs revealed disorganization and shift in thylakoid lamellar structure to one side of the cell. The cellular phycocyanin/chlorophyll ratio decreased with increasing UV-B treatment and due to this the colour of cells turned light-green. No apparent change in total cellular proteins was evident, but the contents of two major proteins of PS2, D1 and D2, showed decline due to UV-B irradiation, although to different extent. and Sanjay Chauhan, Ritu Pandey, Gauri S. Singhal.
A crop legume Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp.) and a wild legume Crotalaria juncea L. were evaluated for their relative responses to the oxidative stress injury induced by various doses of UV-B radiation (UV-B, 280-315 nm; 0, 1.0, 1.4, 4.7, and 6.0 kJ m-2 d-1). A dose-dependent damage in lipid peroxidation was determined as an index of membrane injury caused by UV-B. The impact was significantly higher in V. unguiculata than in C. juncea. The specific activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase increased directly proportional to UV-B doses. However, the activities of these enzymes were significantly higher in V. unguiculata than in C. juncea indicating that V. unguiculata was inflicted with more severe oxidative stress injury under UV-B. In C. juncea the glutathione reductase and ascorbate oxidase activities were 35 and 40 % greater than in V. unguiculata, respectively. Further, the non-enzymatic antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione, and their reduced/oxidizes ratios in C. juncea were much greater than V. unguiculata indicating C. juncea has an inherently greater antioxidative potential than V. unguiculata. Thus C. juncea is better adapted to oxidative stress than V. unguiculata by means of efficient cellular antioxidant mechanisms helping to combat the photooxidative stress injury elicited by UV-B.
The present study attempts to determine how some physiological and reproductive functions of olive tree (Olea europaea L., cv. Koroneiki) respond to enhanced UV-B radiation or heat. Enhanced UV-B radiation was applied to (1) three-year-old potted plants in an open nursery (corresponded to ca. 16% ozone depletion), and (2) in vitro cultured pollen samples (220 μmol m-2 s-1, PAR = 400-700 nm + UV-B at 7.5, 15.0, or 22.5 kJ m-2 d-1). Potted olive plants were also subjected to high temperature (38 +- 4°C) for 28 h to mimic heat levels regularly measured in olive growing areas. A significant effect of UV-B on photosynthetic rate was observed. However, enhanced UV-B radiation did affect neither chlorophyll nor carotenoid content, supporting previous reports on hardiness of the photosynthetic apparatus in olive. Increased superoxide dismutase activity was observed in UV-B-treated olive plants (+ 225%), whereas no effect was found in the plants under heat stress. Neither UV-B and nor heat did affect H2O2 accumulation in the plant tissues. However, the same treatments resulted in enhanced lipid peroxidation (+ 18% for UV-B and + 15% for heat), which is likely linked to other reactive oxygen species. The increased guaiacol peroxidase activity observed in both treatments (+ 32% for UV-B and + 49% for heat) is related to the defense against oxidative membrane damage. The observed reduction in pollen germination (20-39%) and tube length (11-44%) could have serious implications on olive yields, especially for low fruit-setting cultivars or in years and environments with additional unfavorable conditions. UV-B and heat effects described here support the hypothesis that plant response to a given stressor is affected by the overall context and that a holistic approach is necessary to determine plant strategies for climate change adaptation., G. C. Koubouris, N. Kavroulakis, I. T. Metzidakis, M. D. Vasilakakis, A. Sofo., and Obsahuje bibliografii