Localisation of NADPH-diaphorase-positive structures in the thymus of the rat, mouse and rabbit.

Localisation of the diaphorase activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH-d), acting as a marker of nitric oxide synthesis (NOS), was studied in the thymus of the rat, mouse and rabbit. The NADPH-d-active cells observed in the rat thymus were irregular in shape with numerous projections and were located on the boundary between the cortex and the medulla. The NADPH-d--active cells in the thymus of the mouse were located predominantly in the medulla.

Influence of a single gamma-irradiation on rat microflora.

Changes in leukocyte counts and in the gut microflora of laboratory rats irradiated with single whole-body dose of gamma rays (5.0 Gy) were determined. The number of leukocytes was lower especially 1 and 2 weeks after irradiation.

[Adrenal cortex hormones in the mother and fetus in premature labor].

In a group of 126 pregnant women with imminent premature delivery between the 20th and 37th week of gestation where after weekly intervals the serum cortisol and corticosterone levels from the cubital vein was assessed, it was revealed that in the group of women who aborted or had a premature delivery, as well as in women who had the delivery in term the corticoid values vary greatly: cortisol between 370 and 500 nmol/1 and corticosterone 70 to 240 nmol/1. In both groups there is a marked difference in final values. The latter have in women with premature deliveries a rising trend and in the group where pregnancy proceeded successfully to term a declining trend.

[The effect of prolonged starvation on changes in the activity of selected adaptive enzymes in rat liver].

Male rats of Wistar SPF stain (Velaz Prague) were used to investigate the influence of prolonged starvation on changes in the activity of selected adaptive enzymes in the liver and corticosterone in serum. Analyses were carried out on days 1,2,3,5 and 7 of starvation. The activity of tyrosine aminotransferase significantly increased in the period between days 2 and 5 of starvation, after which a decrease to the level of satiated animals was observed in the terminal period.

Thymus lipids in continuously irradiated rats.

Male Wistar rats were irradiated continuously with a daily dose of 0.19 Gy (120 days), 0.57 Gy (90 days) and 0.