The areas of northern Poland are typical examples of recently formed post-glacial landscapes with a very large number of small ponds. Phycology of these ponds has been seldom studied, especially when compared to data collected from lager post-glacial lakes. The aim of our study was to determine the importance of small ponds to the biodiversity of algae.In 1996-2002 and 2012-13, we carried out phycological studies in 20 small ponds located in fields and forests. During the study period, we recorded the presence of 503 taxa of algae. The flora of algae was unique in each pond. Another important and frequent observation was the total and rapid “rebuilding” of algal flora.Statistical analyses revealed some other important facts, including the importance of small ponds to algal biodiversity. The average number of taxa recorded during the studies of individual water reservoirs was 56, thus much less than usually recorded in typical large lakes. But when we take the large number of small ponds into consideration, it appears that they represent more than 97% of the populations of algae and for this reason they are important to the biodiversity of algae.
Two polymorphisms of platelet glycoprotein Ib, VNTR and Thr/Met(145), regarded as the possible inherited risks factors for thromboembolic complications, have been suggested to underlie platelet response to activating stimuli. This study examined the functional significance of these polymorphisms in platelet reactivity and sensitivity to aurintricarboxylic acid (the antagonist of von Willebrand factor, vWF). To evaluate platelet function at low and high flow conditions we monitored the ristocetin-induced and vWF-mediated aggregation of isolated platelets and the platelet function analyzer collagen/ADP closure time (PFA-100 CT(CADP)), which reflects platelets' ability to adhere and aggregate in whole blood. Aurintricarboxylic acid significantly reduced ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50)=3.5+/-1.9 microM). At the concentration of 100 microM it also markedly prolonged PFA-100 CT(CADP) (up to 147+/-32 s vs. 94+/-17 s in control). The efficacy of this antagonist in the inhibition of vWF-mediated platelet agglutination was approximately 1.5-fold higher in the VNTR B/Met145(+) carriers than in VNTR B/Met145(-) carriers ( P<0.05). Otherwise, no significant differences occurred between VNTR B/Met(145)-positive and B/Met(145)-negative individuals in the prolongation of closure time by ATA. These findings indicate that under certain experimental conditions VNTR-B and Met(145) alleles may contribute to the increased platelet sensitivity to some antagonists of platelet natural ligands.
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