Foveal Damage Due to Subfoveal Hemorrhage Associated with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

To investigate the functional and morphologic prognoses of eyes with subfoveal hemorrhage from acute branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and to examine the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) on these prognoses, we assessed 81 eyes with acute BRVO, of which 38 did not receive IVR [IVR(-) group], and 43 were treated with IVR [IVR(+) group] for macular edema. The foveal morphologic changes were examined via optical coherence tomography (OCT). At initial examination, 63 eyes exhibited subfoveal hemorrhage. At final examination, the defect lengths in the foveal external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid lines in these eyes were longer, and final VA was significantly poorer, compared with eyes without subfoveal hemorrhage. In comparisons between the final measurements in eyes with subfoveal hemorrhage in the IVR(-) and IVR(+) groups, while there were no differences in initial ocular conditions, final VA was significantly better in the IVR(+) group. The defects in the ELM and ellipsoid lines in the IVR(+) group were shorter than those of the IVR(-) group (p = 0.002 in both). Final VA was correlated with the defect lengths of foveal ELM and ellipsoid lines in both the IVR(-) and IVR(+) groups (both p < 0.001). In addition, the defect lengths of foveal ELM and ellipsoid lines were closely correlated with the duration of subfoveal hemorrhage (both p < 0.001). BRVO-associated subfoveal hemorrhage caused damage to the foveal photoreceptors, and visual dysfunction. However, IVR improved these prognoses, by accelerating the absorption of the subfoveal hemorrhage.     

Scanning electron microscopy of photoreceptor cells in the light- and dark-adapted retina of Haplochromis burtoni (Cichlidae,Teleostei)

Summary The photoreceptor layer in the retina of Haplochromis burtoni (Cichlidae, Teleostei) was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Three types of receptors were identified: rods, single-cones and double-cones. The three-dimensional arrangement of these photoreceptors is described in the light- and dark-adapted retina. The surface of the inner segment of the photoreceptor cells displays fine vertical fissures which give rise to slender processes. These so called calycal processes which are of different lengths in rods and cones, surround the beginning of the smooth-surfaced outer segment. The myoid, the contractile part of the receptor, which is located beneath the ellipsoid, was examined in the single-cones of the dark-adapted retina. It is a slender structure with surface infoldings. The myoid, studied by transmission electron microscopy, contains bundles of parallel myofilaments, which are thought to be contractile.This investigation was supported by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Sonderforschungsbereich 51-E/10)     

General method for calculating helical parameters of polymer chains from bond lengths,bond angles,and internal-rotation angles

Helical conformations of infinite polymer chains may be described by the helical parameters, d and θ (the translation along the helix axis and the angle of rotation about the axis per repeat unit), _pi (the distance of the ith atom from the axis), d_ij, and d_ij (the translation along the axis and the angle of rotation, respectively, on passing from the ith atom to the jth). A general method has been worked out for calculating all those helical parameters from the bond lengths, bond angles, and internal-rotation angles. The positions of the main chain and side chain atoms with respect to the axis may also be calculated. All the equations are applicable to any helical polymer chain and are readily programmed for electronic computers. A method is also presented for calculating the partial derivatives of helical parameters with respect to molecular parameters.     

Studies on the microstructure of bile salt aggregates in aqueous n-alkanol solutions by Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) measurements on two bile salt micelle systems sodium cholate (NaC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) each 0.1 M in the absence and presence of 0.05 M 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol and 1-octanol were carried out in D20 at ambient conditions (25 degrees C). The scattering cross-section as a function of wave vector transfer (Q) showed the presence of correlation peaks characteristic of strong inter micellar interactions. The correlation peak positions were shifted to low Q values in the presence of n-alkanols for both NaC and NaDC micelles. Best fit curves of SANS were produced by applying Hayter-Penfold analysis considering monodisperse ellipsoid model for the micelles. The best fits were found for constant semi-minor axis = 8A with an increasing semi-major axis for increasing n-alkanol chain lengths. The micellar growths in presence of n-alkanols were studied using the ESR correlation time measurements on suitable spin probe incorporated micelles. The growth parameter and the hydrodynamic radii values were found to be agreeable with SANS data. Intermicellar interaction potentials seem to increase with the Cn of n-alkanols.     

A NEW STRUCTURALLY PRESERVED PENNSYLVANIAN CORDAITEAN POLLEN ORGAN

Permineralized specimens of the pollen organ Gothania (Hirmer) consist of a primary axis bearing pollen cones in the axils of bracts that are four ranked. The bilaterally symmetrical primary axis consists of a uniform parenchymatous pith surrounded by up to 15 endarch-mesarch axile bundles. The cortex is two-parted and consists of an inner zone of subepidermal fibers. Bract traces arise from the ends of the ellipsoid stele. Traces to the cones are derived from the open ends of the stele, and at higher levels form a centrarch-medullated vascular system. Each pollen cone is constructed of up to 25 helically arranged scales, each vascularized by a single trace that may dichotomize. Scales are elongate and broad, and histologically composed of mesophyll parenchyma and fibrous layers. Stomata are restricted to the adaxial surface between rows of fibers. Up to 10 distal scales may be fertile, each with 4 elongate pollen sacs at the tip. Large monosaccate grains of the Felixipollenites-type are densely packed in each pollen sac. The well-preserved specimens of Gothania provide an opportunity to compare this genus with pollen cones assigned to the genus Cordaianthus, and to relate isolated plant organs to the Cordaitales.     

Coccidian Parasites from Iowa Turtles: Systematics and Prevalence*

SYNOPSIS. A survey of 22 Western Painted Turtles (WPT), Chrysemys picta belli Gray; 2 Map Turtles (MT), Graptemys geographica Le Sueur; 8 False Map Turtles (FMT), Graptemys pseudogeographica Gray; 26 Illinois Mud Turtles (IMT), Kinosternon flavescens spooneri Smith; and 5 Spiny Softshell Turtles (SST), Trionyx spiniferus Le Sueur, revealed the presence of 10 species of coccidia. The species found, the shape and average length-width dimensions (in micrometers) of their oocysts, and the respective hosts from which they were isolated were as follows: Eimeria chrysemydis Deeds & Jahn, slightly pear-shaped (27.6 × 17.0), from 5 WPTs; Eimeria delagei marginata Deeds & Jahn, markedly pearshaped (22.1 × 17.6), from 2 WPTs, 1 MT, and 3 FMTs; Eimeria graptemydos sp. n., broadly ellipsoid to subspherical (12.6 × 11.4), from 10 WPTs, 2 MTs, and 5 FMTs; Eimeria lutotestudinis sp. n., broadly ellipsoid to subspherical (11.9 × 10.8), from 4 IMTs; Eimeria mascoutini sp. n., broadly ellipsoid to subspherical with outer surface of oocyst wall mammillated (14.0 × 11.9), from 2 SSTs; Eimeria mitraria (Laveran & Mesnil), asymmetrically ellipsoid, bearing 1 or 2 conical projections at the polar end and 2 or 3 at the antipolar end (10.0 × 7.6), from 7 WPTs, 1 MT, 3 FMTs, and 4 IMTs; Eimeria pseudogeographica sp. n., narrowly ellipsoid to slightly ovoid (19.5 × 13.5), from 5 WPTs and 3 FMTs; Eimeria tetradacrutata sp. n., spherical to subspherical with outer surface of oocyst wall mammillated (19.5 × 19.2), from 1 WPT; an Eimeria sp. narrowly ellipsoid, bearing 2 conical projections at the polar end and 2 at the antipolar end (23.8 × 13.2), from 1 MT; and Mantonella hammondi sp. n., conical to narrowly ellipsoid, bearing 1 conical projection at the polar end and 2 or 3 at the antipolar end (14.3 × 7.1), from 1 IMT. The overall infection rate for the 63 turtles examined was 54.0%.     

Hominid femoral neck length

Human femoral neck length has a positive allometric or isometric relationship with total femoral length as shown by the reduced major axis slope based on logarithmic regression. The relatively long femoral neck lengths of Australopithecus cannot be explained solely as a consequence of small body size (contra Wolpoff, '78).     

Anisotropic rotation in nucleic acid fragments: significance for determination of structures from NMR data

Proton-proton relaxation rate constants depend on the angle between the internuclear vector and the principal axis of rotation in symmetric top molecules. It is possible to determine to rotational correlation times of the equivalent ellipsoid for DNA fragments from a knowledge of the axial ratio and the cross-relaxation rate constant for the cytosine H6-H5 vectors. The cross-relaxation rate constants for the cytosine H6-H5 vectors have been measured in the 14-base-pair sequence dGCTGTTGACAATTA.dTAATTGTCAACAGC at four temperatures. The results, along with literature data for DNA fragments ranging from 6 to 20 base pairs can be accounted for by a simple hydrodynamic equation based on the formalism of Woessner (1962). The measured cross-relaxation rate constant is independent of position in the sequence and is consistent with the absence of large amplitude internal motions on the Larmor time scale. All the data can be described by a simple hydrodynamic model, which accounts for the rotational anisotropy of the DNA fragments and allows the correlation time for end-over-end tumbling to be determined if the approximate rise per base pair is known. This is the correlation time that dominates the spectral density functions for internucleotide vectors and is significantly different from that calculated for a sphere of the same hydrodynamic volume for fragments containing more than about 14 base pairs. This method therefore allows NOE intensities used for structure calculation of nucleic acids to be treated more rigorously. Offprint requests to: A.N. Lane     

Two new species of Steccherinum (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) from Taiwan

Steccherinum cremicolor and S. elongatum are described and illustrated as new species from Taiwan. Steccherinum cremicolor is characterized by strictly resupinate basidiocarps, a fimbriate margin, short spines, generative hyphae dominating in the trama and subiculum, encrusted skeletocystidia, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Steccherinum elongatum has strictly resupinate and membranaceous basidiocarps, bearing fairly long spines, generative hyphae-dominated subiculum, elongated skeletocystidia, and ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores.     

Three new species of Inonotus (Basidiomycota, Hymenochaetaceae) from China

Three new species of Inonotus are described and illustrated. Inonotus acutus sp. nov. is characterized by having small, thin basidiocarps with a strongly contracted base, a sharp and undulate pileus margin, ventricose hymenial setae, and ellipsoid, yellowish to yellow-brown, slightly thick-walled basidiospores. Inonotus chrysomarginatus sp. nov. differs in having an annual to perennial growth habit, pileate basidiocarps with a distinctly yellowish buff to golden-yellow margin, distinct setal hyphae and hooked hymenial setae, and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, pale yellowish, slightly thick-walled and weakly cyanophilous basidiospores. Inonotus rigidus sp. nov. is distinguished by its resupinate and hard rigid basidiocarps, the honey-yellow pore surface, and smaller pores; microscopically, it has ellipsoid, yellowish brown and thick-walled basidiospores, and lacks both setal hyphae and hymenial setae. An identification key to the Chinese species of Inonotus sensu stricto is provided.     

MEASURING THE HYDRAULIC DIAMETER OF A PORE OR CONDUIT

A method for estimating the hydraulic diameter of a pore or conduit having a noncircular opening is presented with special reference to plant anatomy. An ellipse or a rectangle is inscribed within the opening, and the length of the short axis (a) is measured. The hydraulic diameter (D_h) is estimated for the ellipse (D_h = 1.4a) or rectangle (D_h = 2a). Use of these equations often gives a more accurate estimate of the hydraulic diameter of a pore or conduit than does averaging the lengths of the short and long axes (D_h = [a + b]/2, b is the long axis) or assuming that the opening is circular (D_h = a). A table of the error in each method is included, and the errors inherent in the use of D_h are discussed. Because fewer measurements are required, estimation based on the measurement of one axis is much faster than calculation using both the short and long axes. The equations and table should permit anatomists and physiologists to rapidly determine the best method for estimating the hydraulic diameter of a pore or conduit, and to more accurately and quickly estimate the hydraulic diameters of large numbers of openings. However, because of potential pitfalls in applying theoretical fluid dynamics equations to real-world functional anatomy, botanists must ensure that their applications of hydraulic diameter are appropriate in each case.     

Patient-specific acetabular shape modelling: comparison among sphere,ellipsoid and conchoid parameterisations

The shape of the human acetabular cup was commonly represented as a hemisphere, but different geometries and patient-specific shapes have been recently proposed in the literature. Our aim was to test the limits of the sphericity assumption by comparing three different parameterisations, namely the sphere, the ellipsoid and the rotational conchoid. Models of hip surfaces, reconstructed from CT scans taken from Caucasian race cadavers and patients, were automatically processed to extract the acetabular surface. Two separate analyses were carried out on the overall acetabular shape, including both the acetabular fossa and the lunate surface (case A) and acetabular cup represented by the lunate surface only (case B). Nonlinear gradient-based and evolutionary computation approaches were implemented for the fitting process. Minor differences from the three idealised geometries were detected (median values of the fitting errors < 1 mm). Nonetheless, the sphere fitting was found to be statistically different from both the ellipsoid (p < 2.50e ? 10) and the conchoid (p < 1.07e ? 09), whereas no statistical difference was detected between the ellipsoid and the conchoid for case A. Significance of the difference between ellipsoid and sphere (p < 4.55e ? 12) and between conchoid and sphere (p < 1.93e ? 11) was found for case B as well. Interestingly, for case B statistical difference was detected between the ellipsoid and the conchoid. In conclusion, we synthesise that the morphology of the overall acetabular cup can be parameterised both with an ellipsoid shape and with a conchoid shape as well with superior quality than the simple sphere. Differently, if one considers just the lunate surface, better fitting results are expected when using the ellipsoid.     

Absence of phyB inhibits hypocotyl elongation in dark-grown Ih cucumber seedlings: an active role for PrB

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings carrying the long hypocotyl (Ih) mutation, which confers a lack of B-type phytochrome (phyB), were significantly shorter than their near-isogenic wild-type counterparts when grown in complete darkness. Relative growth rates determined for 5 mm hypocotyl regions were lower in Ih seedlings in all growing regions, and the zone of elongation was less extensive in Ih hypocotyls. Digital imaging microscopy revealed that the pattern of epidermal cell lengths along the stem axis differed between the Ih mutant and the iso-genic wild-type. These findings (and the fact that experiments were conducted under conditions where phytochrome photoconversion to the far-red-absorbing form does not occur) suggest that the red-absorbing form of phyB (PrB) is an active positive regulator of development in etiolated plants.     

Solution properties of synthetic polypeptides. II. Sedimentation and viscosity of poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate in dimethylformamide

Nine samples of poly-γ-benzyl-L -glutamate (PBLG), ranging in M?_w from 19,000 to 410,000, were examined viscomctrically and by ultracentrifugation with dimethylforma-mide (DMF) at 25°C. as helicogenic solvent. The data for [η] and s₀ (limiting sedimentation coefficient) as functions of M?_w were fitted well by the theories for a rigid prolate ellipsoid of revolution whose major axis increases linearly with M?_w, but whose minor axis is independent of M?_w. This implies that the overall shape of the PBLG molecule in DMF is represented by a straight cylinder whose cross section is independent of its length. The length per monomeric residue h evaluated from [η] is about 1.3 A., whereas that from s₀ is about 1.6 A. No adequate explanation for this difference in h can be found at present. More serious is the fact that these hydrodynamically evaluated values of h are appreciably larger than, the value obtained from our light-scattering measurements reported previously. All these values of h from our studies are not consistent with the value characteristic of the α-helix, for which h is 1.5 A. The concentration dependence of s₀ was found to agree well with the recent theoretical prediction of Peterson for cylindrical macromolecules.     

Sampling of sentinel lymph nodes: a simulation study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of various slicing schemes on the detection of metastases in lymph nodes. STUDY DESIGN: Use of an advanced computer simulation tool. RESULTS: Bisectioning along the longitudinal axis is an inadequate approach. Slicing ellipsoid lymph nodes along their longitudinal axis also results in a lower rate of detecting metastases since metastatic deposits have a predilection to localize subcapsularly. CONCLUSION: Ellipsoid lymph nodes must be sliced perpendicular to the longest axis to increase the rate of detecting metastases.     

Two new species of Exobasidium causing Exobasidium diseases on Vaccinium spp. in Japan

Two new Exobasidium species on Vaccinium spp. in Japan are described and discussed. Exobasidium kishianum, which causes Exobasidium leaf blight on V. hirtum var. pubescens and V. smallii, is characterized by its ellipsoid to ovoid basidiospores with (0–)1–3 septa. Its systemic infection is also observed. Exobasidium inconspicuum, causing Exobasidium leaf blister on V. hirtum var. pubescens, is characterized by its obovoid or ellipsoid to oval basidiospores with 0–4 septa. Mode of germination of the basidiospores is by germ tube in both species. Contribution no. 199, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan     

A series expression for the surface area of an ellipsoid and its application to the computation of the surface area of avian erythrocytes

Knowledge of the surface area of cells is necessary for biophysical studies in which the permeability coefficient of a cell-type for a solute is defined. Under the microscope, avian erythrocytes have the appearance of an oval discus usually with a central elongated nucleus. The dimensions of these cells have been obtained for a large range of species over the past century. However, estimates of the surface areas have been obtained using mathematically simplistic models such as flattened circular cylinders. We modelled red cells of the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) as ellipsoids using the previously published dimensions to obtain the three semi-axis lengths. Although the mathematical expression for the volume of an ellipsoid is well known, an expression for the surface area is not. We present a general expression for the surface area of an ellipsoid that is a power series involving elliptic integrals and functions; the latter being rapidly evaluated by computer using standard series expressions. Our estimates of area are compared with earlier ones and those obtained by numerical integration of the surface.     

Four new species and a new Chinese record of the nectrioid fungi

Four new species belonging to Bionectria, Calonectria, Haematonectria and Neonectria on plant substrates collected from nature reserves in southern and central China are described. Bionectria truncata has smooth perithecia of a flattened to shallow discoid apex, clavate asci with an apical ring, and ellipsoid, smooth to spinulose ascospores. Calonectria dicephalospora is characterized by pyriform perithecia with a warted surface, clavate asci with a simple apex and long, narrow stalk, and fusoid ascospores with a cap-like appendage at each end. Haematonectria lushanensis possesses warted perithecia which are laterally collapsing when dry, cylindrical asci with a simple apex, and ellipsoid, spinulose ascospores. Neonectria dinghushanica is distinguishable by subglobose perithecia with a warted surface, clavate asci, and striate ascospores. Morphological features of these new species are described comprehensively and compared with their related fungi. Neonectria castaneicola is recorded as new to China.     

Mitochondrial dynamics and its responds to proteasome defection during Picea wilsonii pollen tube development

Tip growth of pollen tubes is essential for higher plant sexual reproduction and has been proposed to be highly regulated by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway (UPP). The dynamics of mitochondria and the functions of the UPP on mitochondrial dynamics during pollen tube development are still poorly understood. In the present study, using real‐time laser scanning and transmission electron microscope, it was revealed that mitochondria in Picea wilsonii, are either ellipsoid or filamentous with various lengths. Time‐lapse images indicated that the two forms of mitochondria interconvert frequently through opposite process of fusion and fission. Examination of mitochondrial morphology during four key stages of in vitro pollen tube development revealed a link between mitochondrial remodeling and the process of pollen tube elongation. We also report that MG132, a specific proteasome inhibitor, not only strongly disturbed the mitochondrial remodeling but also significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential during pollen tube development. This finding provides new insight into the function of the proteasome in tip growth of pollen tubes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.