Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; tom 49, nr 2

The recently discovered JAK2 V617F point mutation, found in 50–60% of ET patients, has been reported to be associated with a higher risk of thrombotic events. In this study, we explored if JAK2 V617F mutation, or coexisting thrombophilic and hemostatic risk factors, contributed to these complications...

We have previously found that the weak base 4-aminopyridine induces Brownian motion of acidic organelles around which vacuoles are formed, causing organelle traffic disorder in neurons. Our present study investigated the characteristics of vacuoles induced by weak bases (NH4Cl, aminopyridines, and chloroquine) using mouse cells. Individual vacuoles included acidic organelles identified by fluorescent protein expression...

The current study aims to determine the involvement of cellular responses in combating Giardia intestinalis invasion. The study group consisted of 44 women and 18 men, aged 18–72 years, infected with G. intestinalis. The diagnosis was established based on laboratory investigations (examination of stool, choloscopy, GSA-65)...

Lipotubuloids, structures containing lipid bodies and microtubules, are described in ovary epidermal cells of Ornithogalum umbellatum. Microtubules of lipotubuloids can be fixed in electron microscope fixative containing only buffered OsO4 or in glutaraldehyde with OsO4 post-fixation, or in a mixture of OsO4 and glutaraldehyde...

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and murine X-linked muscular dystrophy (mdx), its murine model, are characterized by muscle damage and muscle weakness associated with inflammation and new vessel formation. Caveolins, dystrophin-associated proteins, are involved in the pathogenesis of DMD, because increased numbers of caveolae are found in DMD and mdx hindlimb muscles...

Thyroid hemiagenesis (TH) is characterized by the congenital absence of one thyroid lobe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the calcium-phosphate balance in TH. Twenty patients with TH and 20 controls with a bilobed thyroid were studied. Serum concentrations of total calcium, parathormon and calcitonin were measured. Additionally, the immunohistochemical expression of calcitonin, chromogranin A (chA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was evaluated in surgical specimens from patients with TH and controls...

We studied the glycopatterns and ultrastructure of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) of the egg of the Apennine yellow-bellied toad Bombina pachypus, by light and electron microscopy in order to determine structure, chemical composition and function. Histochemical techniques in light microscopy included PAS and Alcian Blue pH 2.5 and 1.0, performed also after b-elimination...

The aim of this study was to selectively profile the activation status of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-associated oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in ovarian cancer specimens, healthy ovaries and benign ovarian tumors, including endometrial cysts...

In various tissues, glucocorticoids (GCs) are known to downregulate glucose transport systems; however, their effects on glucose transporters (GLUTs) in the placenta of a diabetic rat are unknown. Glucocorticoid hormone action within the cell is regulated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Thus, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between GR and glucose transporter expression in the placenta of the diabetic rat...

Limited information indicates that the regulatory factor X1 (RFX1), the prototype member of the transcription factor RFX family, may play a role in the central nervous system. Our recent study showed that knockout of the Rfx1 gene led to early embryonic death. In the present study, we showed that heterozygous Rfx1+/– mice were fertile and grew normally...