Psb28 protein is involved in the biogenesis of the photosystem II inner antenna CP47 (PsbB) in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

The role of the Psb28 protein in the structure and function of the photosystem II (PSII) complex has been studied in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The protein was localized in the membrane fraction and, whereas most of the protein was detected as an unassembled protein, a small portion was found in the PSII core complex lacking the CP43 antenna (RC47).

Role of the PsbI protein in photosystem II assembly and repair in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

The involvement of the PsbI protein in the assembly and repair of the photosystem II (PSII) complex has been studied in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Analysis of PSII complexes in the wild-type strain showed that the PsbI protein was present in dimeric and monomeric core complexes, core complexes lacking CP43, and in reaction center complexes containing D1, D2, and cytochrome b-559.

[Primary aldosteronism in gravidity].

Endocrinology and obstetrics have one thing in common--diagnosis and treatment endocrine diseases in gravidity. These are modified by physiological changes in gravidity, often missing data and tests in normal condition and the influence of diagnosis and treatment on the pregnant female and fetus have also to be taken into consideration. If diagnosis of primary aldosteronism is suspected, suprimed plasmatic renin activity is determinant indicator (disregarding arterial hypertension, hypokaliaemia, hyperkaliuresis and proteinuria) as well as ultrasound diagnostics or adrenal gland diagnostics means magnetic resonance imaging.

Localization of the PsbH subunit in photosystem II from the Synechocystis 6803 using the His-tagged Ni-NTA Nanogold labeling.

The PsbH protein belongs to a group of small protein subunits of photosystem II (PSII) complex. This protein is predicted to have a single transmembrane helix and it is important for the assembly of the PSII complex as well as for the proper function at the acceptor side of PSII. To identify the location of the PsbH subunit, the PSII complex with His-tagged PsbH protein was isolated from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.

Accumulation of the D2 protein is a key regulatory step for assembly of the photosystem II reaction center complex in Synechocystis PCC 6803.

Accumulation of monomer and dimer photosystem (PS) II reaction center core complexes has been analyzed by two-dimensional Blue-native/SDS-PAGE in Synechocystis PCC 6803 wild type and in mutant strains lacking genes psbA, psbB, psbC, psbDIC/DII, or the psbEFLJ operon. In vivo pulse-chase radiolabeling experiments revealed that mutant cells assembled PSII precomplexes only. In DeltapsbC and DeltapsbB, assembly of reaction center cores lacking CP43 and reaction center complexes was detected, respectively.

[Dehydrdoepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosteron-sulfate and insulin in acute myocardial infarct].

The authors discuss the relationship between dehydroepiandsoterone, its sulphate conjugate and insulin and ischaemic heart disease in patients with acute myocardial infarction. In the examined group of patients they found lower values of dehydroepiandosterone and its sulphate in men, lower values of dehydroepiandosterone in women as compared with mean values with regard to age and a close inverse correlation of insulin and dehydroepiandrosterone and insulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Whether dehydroepiandosterone is the "missing link" of hyperinsulinaemia and arterosclerosis is so far only a theoretical issue.

Primary aldosteronism caused by aldosterone-producing adenoma in pregnancy--complicated by EPH gestosis.

Pregnancy in conjunction with primary aldosteronism is an unusual occurrence. We report a 28-year-old woman who presented with mild hypertension and hypokalemia as manifestations of primary aldosteronism caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma in the left adrenal gland during pregnancy. Although the diagnosis was straightforward, the patient refused to undergo the proposed operation during the second trimester of her pregnancy.

[The polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance].

The insulin resistance syndrome and the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) appear to have some following coincidences: the existence of subclinical acanthosis nigricans in PCOS hyperinsulinemic women, correlation of insulin levels and free testosterone, insulin-like growth factor I binding protein (IGFIBP), and sex-hormone binding globulin. Insulin and IGFI act synergically with luteinizing hormone increasing the activity of cytochrome P450c17 and its enzymatic activity in the adrenals. The decrease in IGFI level and IGFI receptors in the ovarian granulosa cells reduce the steroids aromatisation.

[Initial experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy].

We present the first experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy, which was in Slovakia introduced to the surgical practice on March 3, 1996. We analyse first seven patients who underwent completed laparoscopic adrenalectomy (five leftsided, two right-sided). Four patients had cortex adenoma (clinically 2 incidentalomas and 2 Cishing syndroma), three patients had cortex hyperplasia (clinically Conn syndroma).

[Successful treatment of agranulocytosis caused by carbimazole using recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor].

The authors describe a patient with hyperthyroidism who developed after three weeks' treatment with carbimazole agranulocytosis and the condition was complicated by septic shock. The authors used for treatment in addition to antibiotics and corticoids, for the first time in their practice, human recombinant granulocyte macrophage colonies stimulating factor (rHuGM-CSF) which produced a very favourable effect. In the meantime the patient was prepared for goitrectomy, operated and discharged in a satisfactory condition to have ambulatory treatment.

[Hyperandrogenic states in women (polycystic ovary syndrome) and insulin resistance].

In the submitted paper the authors try to explain the relationship between hyperinsulinism as the cause and the polycystic ovary syndrome as the consequence of hyperinsulinism. This takes place via the insulin like growth factor I, the luteinizing hormone, sex binding hormone globulin, insulin like growth factor I binding protein and growth hormone. By varying interactions of the regulatory hormones gradually the granulosa cells are destroyed and replaced by androstendione producing thecal and stromal cells with impaired folliculogenesis.

[Primary hyperaldosteronism, problems in diagnosis and therapy in clinical practice].

The paper summarizes data from the recent literature on pathogenetic variants of primary hyperaldosteronism, screening, diagnosis and therapy of this secondary form of arterial hypertension. On examples from their own practice the authors draw attention to the that the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is not always as straightforward as might appear from the literature. The solution is simple, effective screening in every hypertensive patient by examination of the kalaemia before treatment of arterial hypertension is started.