Differences in the concentration of erythrocytes and the hematocrit value in the blood in relation to the location of the vessels and the intensity of the blood flow

The experiments in adult rabbits revealed that in the blood flowing in cerebral veins the red cell concentration and hematocrit are much greater than in the veins of hind legs of the same animals. In blood samples taken from the heart these values are higher than in those taken from the hind leg, but usually lower than in blood samples taken from the brain. Under conditions of reduced cerebral blood flow (ischemia) the red cell concentration and hematocrit in the brain vessels decrease significantly as compared to the control conditions. Thus, the red cell distribution in arterial branching sequence is irregular, depending both on the localization of the vascular bed and the blood flow rate in it.     

Changes in the size of the nucleoli of the Purkinje cells in the canine cerebellum in the postresuscitation period

The changes in the size of Purkinje cell (PC) nucleolus in the lateral and medial cerebellum zones were studied in dogs with different degree of neurologic status recovery after clinical death of various etiology and duration. PC always possess one nucleolus in the control and experimental groups. In the case of complete neurologic status recovery of animals the area of PC nucleolus increases in both zones studied, irrespective of the cause of clinical death. In the case of neurologic disorders the increase in PC nucleolus area is clearly expressed only in the medial zone of the cerebellum, being insignificant in the lateral zone. It is suggested that adaptive characteristics of PC are distinct in the two compared zones, which leads to greater PC vulnerability in the lateral zone during deep hypoxia.     

On the homology between the X and the Y chromosomes of the Chinese hamster

The chiasmatic association of the heteromorphic sex chromosomes in the spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster was observed in squash and/or air-dried preparations. The pairing arm of the Y was invariably its short arm. Although the X in diakinesis did not show distinct long and short arm as in mitotic metaphase, the DNA replication patterns of the sex chromosomes in spermatogonia suggested that the distal segment of the long arm of the X is homologous to the short arm of the Y.     

On the diversity of the Cladocera in the tropics

The mythical concept of an impoverished tropical cladoceran fauna is refuted. On a planetary scale, around half of the cladoceran species presently known occur exclusively in the tropics-subtropics, often with considerable restriction to particular geographical subzones. On a regional (political) scale, the situation is often unclear because of the continued fragmentary nature of studies, and because political units are not a good basis for biogeographical comparisons. At the finest level of resolution (lake-perlake comparisons), there appears to be an upper limit of c. 50 cladoceran species per individual lake. No significant difference between lakes in the temperate zone and in the tropics could be established here. Daphnia is largely absent from the tropics, but is replaced by more Sidids, Moinids, and Bosminids, such that the average cladoceran community in the limnetic zone of a tropical lake is not characterized by less species but rather by lower population densities. This, in turn, is considered a consequence of higher prevalent predation levels in the tropics.     

Reflection in the electrical activity of the brain of the activities of the mechanisms regulating the functional state

On the basis of analysis of the results of author's studies and literature data, theoretical notions are developed, according to which spatial-temporal organization of cortical biopotentials is a result of activity of nonspecific different level systems subtly regulating current alertness in conformity with needs of the actual and forthcoming activities. In the hierarchy of regulating systems, in conditions of alertness, nonspecific thalamic and midbrain system is leading. Activity of these regulation levels provides in alertness for formation and destruction of functional neuronal ensembles which realize elementary informational transformations. The role is emphasized of asynchronous processes in the central nervous system activity.     

Changes since the turn of the century in the fish fauna and the fisheries of the Oslofjord

Summary 1. The material for this study is drawn from two sources, (a) investigations of the fish fauna in the inner Oslofjord between 1897 and 1967, (b) fish landing statistics available since 1872 at the Oslo fish market.2. The investigations of the fish fauna reveal that 4 species of fish — 2 sharks and 2 arctic bullheads — have disappeared from the deep waters of the Oslofjord where they were known to exist in 1897. We assume that unfavourable conditions, great changes in temperature or lack of oxygen in the stagnant deep water to which these species belonged have been injurious to their propagation and survival.3. The annual fluctuations in the landed quantities of fish are great, but nevertheless there exists a marked decreasing trend since about 1930; total landings in recent years are less than 1/10 of what they were 30 or 40 years ago.4. The fluctuations in the landings of cod, herring and mackerel are studied in some detail. Three periods (of 20 to 22 years' duration) from 1872 to 1932 show increasing average landings of cod: 44, 57, and 74 tons respectively; in the period 1933 to 1955 landings decreased to an average of 16 tons per year. The effect of fluctuating year classes is discussed.5. The landings of herring and mackerel were very good between 1911 and 1919 or 1920 with a maximum of 1500 tons of herring and 800 tons of mackerel. In the following years there was a trend of decrease with a few years of moderately good landings. Mature mackerels are immigrating into the fjord for feeding and spawning, while mature herrings, to a major extent, are supposed to belong to a local stock. The highest landings of both species are due to extremely great catches of young fish, and the success of the fishery in any one year, therefore, dependent of a successful spawning and hatching one ort two years before.6. In conclusion, the attention is drawn to the fact that there are reasons to believe that the profuse growth of bacteria in the polluted waters seems to be injurious to the hatching of fish eggs and to the survival of fish larvae (Dannevig 1945,Oppenheimer 1955).

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Veränderungen der Fischfauna und der Fischerei des Oslofjords seit der Jahrhundertwende

Kurzfassung Das Material zu dieser Untersuchung stammt aus zwei Quellen: (a) vier Untersuchungen über die Fischfauna des Oslofjords im Zeitraum zwischen 1897 und 1967, und (b) Statistiken für den Zeitraum von 1872 bis 1964 über die Fischmengen, die im inneren Oslofjord gefangen und an die Fischhalle in Oslo geliefert worden sind. Ein Vergleich der Resultate mit den vier Untersuchungen über die Fischfauna zeigt, daß vier Arten von Tiefwasserfischen aus dem inneren Oslofjord völlig verschwunden sind, nämlichEtmopterus spinax, Somniosus microcephalus, Artediellus uncinatus undIcelus bicornis, die beiden zuletzt genannten wahrscheinlich schon vor 1930. Eine Anzahl anderer Arten, die früher häufig waren, sind jetzt selten. Statistische Erhebungen über die im Oslofjord gefangenen Fische lassen erkennen, daß die Erträge seit den zwanziger und dreißiger Jahren stark zurückgegangen sind. Gleichzeitig hat die Zahl der Fischer abgenommen. Es wird die Schlußfolgerung gezogen, daß die Veränderungen des Oslofjords sich besonders in den letzten 30 Jahren für mehrere Fischarten als schädigend erwiesen haben. Diese Auffassung wird unterstützt durch die Untersuchungen vonDannevig (1945) undOppenheimer (1955), die gezeigt haben, daß die reiche Bakterienflora des Oslofjords für die Entwicklung der pelagischen Fischeier schädlich ist.

     

Individual variability in the structure of the walls of the principal trunks of the subcutaneous veins of the lower extremities of the human fetus

Certain regional peculiarities are noted in the development process of the human principle trunks of the subcutaneous veins during antenatal period. In the fetuses of all ages the wall thickness of the subcutaneous veins is the greatest in the femur, and the middle tunic is better developed in the shin. The vein structure depends on the type of architectonics: at the magistral type (86%) the walls in the large and minor subcutaneous veins are thick with well developed smooth myocytes and connective tissue fibers; at the reticulate type (14%) the walls are thin, their elements are poorly developed. When there is mentioned varicosity of the lower extremity veins in the parents' anamnesis, in fetuses (57%) all the tunics in the venous wall develop more poorly, there is retardation in formation of smooth myocytes and in maturation of collagen fibers. This results in less amount of contractile structures in the middle tunic and optic density of collagen is less manifected.     

Cytophotometric analysis of the cell population composition of the the preoptic area of the hypothalamus in the common frog

DNA contents in squashed cells of the adult frog hypothalamic preoptic region (HPR) were measured using the Feulgen and UV cytophotometry techniques. The histone-DNA ratio in the cell nucleus was determined by means of a combined Feulgen-heparin-Alcian blue staining procedure. The nuclei of the vast majority of HPR cells have a diploid DNA content. However, in cells of this group the mean values of DNA amount and the distribution range were always higher than those in hepatocytes used as a diploid standard. Such a heterogeneity in DNA content in the diploid part of HPR cell population could apparently suggest some differences in the nuclear chromatin arrangement to be always higher in spring before the frog spawning, and it seems to be characteristic of this type of cells. About 1 per cent of cells with hyperdiploid surplus of DNA (H2c cells) as well as of tetraploid cells (4c and 2c X 2 cells) is found in HPR in frogs sacrificed both in winter and in summer. The quota of these cells has no reference either to the frog's age or to the annual cycle. The fact that the mean DNA values in H2c and 4c cells are much higher than in the standard cannot be explained by the presence of different amounts of nuclear proteins only. It is suggested that at least some part of the highest DNA values may be due to an actual extra DNA synthesis in a small constantly existing pool of HPR cell population.     

Drainage of the prelymphatics of the brain via the adventitia of the vertebral artery

Carbon particles injected into the cortex of the cerebellum of the rat were found in the Virchow-Robin spaces of the adjacent capillaries, and in the adventitia of the cerebellar artery, basilar artery and vertebral artery--both inside and outside the skull. They were also found in some portions of the deeper cervical lymph nodes. However, while tracers injected into the cerebral hemispheres are drained via the tissue channels in the adventitia of the internal carotid arteries, tracers injected into the cerebellar hemispheres are drained via those of the vertebral arteries.     

Assessing the Physiological State of the Fucoids from the Barents Sea Littoral by the End of the Polar Night

Methods of amperometry and potentiometric titration were used to follow dark respiration (DR) and apparent photosynthesis (AP) in the fucoids Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol, Fucus vesiculosus L., and F. serratus L. from the Barents Sea littoral by the end of the 40-day-long polar night. The macroalgae were shown to manifest species-specific low rates of photosynthesis and respiration. However, in spite of their low photosynthetic status due to the effects of subzero temperature and prolonged low or zero illumination, the macroalgae have been able to restore DR and AP to the initial level already by the day 9; the ability to restore AP depended on the level of illumination. The study of the changes in the carbonate–bicarbonate system in the light and darkness demonstrated that the macroalgae grown in darkness, in contrast to those grown in twilight, could absorb bicarbonate in darkness; however, they lost this capacity after two-day-long illumination at an irradiance of 7 mol/(m² s). Bicarbonate uptake in darkness and the capacity to restore the systems of photosynthesis and respiration in fucoid cells are discussed in the context of algal energy metabolism under the polar night conditions.     

Understanding the role of the cytoskeleton in the complex regulation of the endothelial repair

Actin microfilaments and microtubules are important cytoskeletal proteins that regulate endothelial repair through alterations in cell shape and through regulation of cell migration following wounding of the endothelium. Upstream pathways have been identified in the regulation of actin and microtubule organization, especially small GTPases. Recently, there have been numerous proteins suggested to be capable of regulating interaction between microtubules and microfilaments to mediate microtubule regulation of endothelial repair, an important process in limiting injury to the artery wall and in reducing the extent of arterial disease. If disrupted, a rapid repair mechanism is important in reestablishing the integrity of the endothelium in order to reestablish its function as a macromolecular barrier, a thromboresistant surface, and a biologically active tissue. Strategies to improve repair should alter the pathobiology of the atherosclerotic plaque and thus improve the prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis.     

On the ontogeny of the haptor and the evolution of the Monogenea

Data on the ontogeny of the posterior haptor of monogeneans were obtained from more than 150 publications and summarised. These data were plotted into diagrams showing evolutionary capacity levels based on the theory of a progressive evolution of marginal hooks, anchors and other attachment components of the posterior haptor in the Monogenea (Malmberg, 1986). 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hooks are assumed to be the most primitive monogenean haptoral condition. Thus the diagrams were founded on a 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hook evolutionary capacity level, and the evolutionary capacity levels of anchors and other haptoral attachement components were arranged according to haptoral ontogenetical sequences. In the final plotting diagram data on hosts, type of spermatozoa, oncomiracidial ciliation, sensilla pattern and protonephridial systems were also included. In this way a number of correlations were revealed. Thus, for example, the number of 5 + 5 marginal hooks correlates with the most primitive monogenean type of spermatozoon and with few sensillae, many ciliated cells and a simple protonephridial system in the oncomiracidium. On the basis of the reviewed data it is concluded that the ancient monogeneans with 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hooks were divided into two main lines, one retaining unhinged marginal hooks and the other evolving hinged marginal hooks. Both main lines have recent representatives at different marginal hook evolutionary capacity levels, i.e. monogeneans retaining a haptor with only marginal hooks. For the main line with hinged marginal hooks the name Articulon-choinea n. subclass is proposed. Members with 8 + 8 hinged marginal hooks only are here called Proanchorea n. superord. Monogeneans with unhinged marginal hooks only are here called Ananchorea n. superord. and three new families are erected for its recent members: Anonchohapteridae n. fam., Acolpentronidae n. fam. and Anacanthoridae n. fam. (with 7 + 7, 8 + 8 and 9 + 9 unhinged marginal hooks, respectively). Except for the families of Articulonchoinea (e.g. Acanthocotylidae, Gyrodactylidae, Tetraonchoididae) Bychowsky's (1957) division of the Monogenea into the Oligonchoinea and Polyonchoinea fits the proposed scheme, i.e. monogeneans with unhinged marginal hooks form one old group, the Oligonchoinea, which have 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hooks, and the other group form the Polyonchoinea, which (with the exception of the Hexabothriidae) has a greater number (7 + 7, 8 + 8 or 9 + 9) of unhinged marginal hooks. It is proposed that both these names, Oligonchoinea (sensu mihi) and Polyonchoinea (sensu mihi), will be retained on one side and Articulonchoinea placed on the other side, which reflects the early monogenean evolution. Except for the members of Ananchorea [Polyonchoinea], all members of the Oligonchoinea and Polyonchoinea have anchors, which imply that they are further evolved, i.e. have passed the 5 + 5 marginal hook evolutionary capacity level (Malmberg, 1986). There are two main types of anchors in the Monogenea: haptoral anchors, with anlages appearing in the haptor, and peduncular anchors, with anlages in the peduncle. There are two types of haptoral anchors: peripheral haptoral anchors, ontogenetically the oldest, and central haptoral anchors. Peduncular anchors, in turn, are ontogenetically younger than peripheral haptoral anchors. There may be two pairs of peduncular anchors: medial peduncular anchors, ontogentically the oldest, and lateral peduncular anchors. Only peduncular (not haptoral) anchors have anchor bars. Monogeneans with haptoral anchors are here called Mediohaptanchorea n. superord. and Laterohaptanchorea n. superord. or haptanchoreans. All oligonchoineans and the oldest polyonchoineans are haptanchoreans. Certain members of Calceostomatidae [Polyonchoinea] are the only monogeneans with both (peripheral) haptoral and peduncular anchors (one pair). These monogeneans are here called Mixanchorea n. superord. Polyonchoineans with peduncular anchors and unhinged marginal hooks are here called the Pedunculanchorea n. superord. The most primitive pedunculanchoreans have only one pair of peduncular anchors with an anchor bar, while the most advanced have both medial and lateral peduncular anchors; each pair having an anchor bar. Certain families of the Articulonchoinea, the Anchorea n. superord., also have peduncular anchors (parallel evolution): only one family, the Sundanonchidae n. fam., has both medial and lateral peduncular anchors, each anchor pair with an anchor bar. Evolutionary lines from different monogenean evolutionary capacity levels are discussed and a new system of classification for the Monogenea is proposed.In agreeing to publish this article, I recognise that its contents are controversial and contrary to generally accepted views on monogenean systematics and evolution. I have anticipated a reaction to the article by inviting senior workers in the field to comment upon it: their views will be reported in a future issue of this journal. EditorIn agreeing to publish this article, I recognise that its contents are controversial and contrary to generally accepted views on monogenean systematics and evolution. I have anticipated a reaction to the article by inviting senior workers in the field to comment upon it: their views will be reported in a future issue of this journal. Editor     

Dissymmetry of the origins of the roots of the spinal cord in the dog

The spinal cord in 25 non-inbred dogs has been studied macro-microscopically. The dissymmetry in the arrangement level in the right and left root bases on the dorsal surface of the spinal cord is much greater than on the ventral surface. The same as in the human being, the dissymmetry is the greatest in the thoracic part (as compared to other spinal parts). On the ventral surface of the spinal cord both along the anterior and posterior margin of the root bases, there is a right-sided dissymmetry (with cranial shift); on the dorsal surface it is present only at the roots along the posterior margin. The dissymmetry of the dog spinal cord is quantitatively estimated along its whole extension.     

Tubular networks in the terminal endings of the visual receptor cells in the human,the monkey,the cat and the dog

Summary A tubular network was found in the terminal endings of the visual receptor cells in the human, the monkey (Macaca mulatta), the cat and the dog. These tubules are arranged in close groups in the vicinity of the synaptic lamellae and the invaginated dendrites. According to the form, diameter, density of the tubules and to the consistence of the network formed by them one can distinguish at these places an initial type (type I), a transitory (type II) and a vesicular one (type III). In the the type III branching, bizarre forms are frequent. The diameter of all the tubules reaches 500–600 Å, their density and walls being the same as in the synaptic vesicles.Similar networks also occur in the axons of the visual receptor cells of the monkey.

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Zusammenfassung In den Endigungen der Photorezeptorzellen von Mensch, Affe (Macaca mulatta), Katze und Hund kommen aus Tubuli bestehende Komplexe vor. Organellenartig in geschlossenen Gruppen angeordnet, liegen sie in Nähe der synaptischen Lamellen und der invaginierten Dendriten. An diesen Stellen kann man nach Form, Durchmesser, Dichte und Konsistenz der von den Tubuli gebildeten Komplexe drei Typen unterscheiden: 1. einen initialen (Typus I), 2. einen Übergangstypus (Typus II) und 3. einen vesiculären Typus (Typus III). In letzterem kommen häufig verzweigte, bizarre Formen vor. Der Durchmesser sämtlicher Tubuli erreicht 500–600 Å. Ihre Dichte und ihre Wand gleicht denen der synaptischen Vesikel.Ähnliche Komplexe fanden wir auch in den Axonen der Photorezeptorzellen vom Affen.

     

Characteristics of the ovum cleavage and the importance of the preblastula phase in the embryogenesis of the Nematoda

The figure of tetrahedron is formed in certain species of Plectus and in Tobrilus gracilis at the stage of 4 blastomeres rather than a rhombus which is formed in most highly organized nematodes. The analysis of the Nematoda's embryogenesis allows to conclude that tetrahedron, rhombus as well as some other figures play the role of preblastula sustaining the most expedient disposition of the first blastomers for transition to the formation of the blastula. With the increasing organization of nematodas the tetrahedron preblastula turns into a rhombic, linear-rhombic and at last in aphelenchoid-tylenchoid one. The character of the distribution of structural elements of organs and tissues of the definitive animal in the cytoplasm of the egg of Plectus and Tobrilus confirms the rightness of the division of the class of nematodas into subclasses Enoplia and Chromadoria rather than subclasses Adenophorea and Secernentea.     

Changes in the circulatory bed of the muscles of the hindlimb after their transplantation to the perineum and the formation of the anal sphincter

After investigations performed concerning the hemomicrocirculatory bed of the m. gracilis, m. rectus femoris, m. adductor longus and m. semitendinosus in 100 dogs transplanted on the perineum in order to form the rectal closing apparatus, according the technique elaborated, it has been stated that reaction of the blood bed of the muscle flaps in all experimental series is identical. During the restorative process of the disturbed hemocirculation in the muscle flap and in the intestinal closing apparatus built, certain phasesness in development of adaptive reactions is observed, that corresponds to the known syndrome "economization" microcirculation.     

Colchicine Neurotoxicity Demonstrates the Cholinergic Projection from the Supracommissural Septum to the Habenula and the Nucleus Interpeduncularis in the Rat

Colchicine injections in the supracommissural septum of the rat caused degeneration of several neurons in the nucleus triangularis septi and the nucleus septofimbrialis. The lesions resulted in significant decreases of choline acetyltransferase in the habenula (-34%) and in the nucleus interpeduncularis (-36%), thus demonstrating the existence of a major cholinergic projection to these nuclei from the supracommissural septum. A large fall in choline acetyltransferase was also noticed in the dorsal hippocampus as a consequence of colchicine damage to the fimbria-fornix fibers crossing the injected area.     

Interrelationship of the mediator receptors in the terminals of the afferent nerves of the cornea of the eye]

In local application of substances with a mediator action (adrenaline, acetylcholine, histamine) and blockers of specific receptors (dihydroergotoxin, inderal, atropine and of subcutaneous dimedrol) together with dicaine it was possible to reveal a distinct presence in the cornea of the eye of the mediator receptors capable of influencing one another. Pharmacological analysis permitted a supposition to be made that there were two receptor systems in the sensory nerve endings of the cornea; these systems were in reciprocal inhibitory relations; due to this their regular influence on the processes of excitation and inhibition is effected in the sensory nerve ending.     

On the origin of the genetic code and the stability of the translation apparatus

An “error theory” is developed which can be applied to determine the stability of a macromolecular translation machinery which reproduces itself. It is shown that the overall effects of a multitude of possible error versions of macromolecules can be treated statistically, and that such a statistical approach is of considerable usefulness in the theoretical treatment of complex macromolecular systems. The theory is developed within the context of a detailed treatment of the “frozen accident” hypothesis for the origin of the genetic code. A model is described which permits some thermodynamic characterization of the components involved in the code nucleation. The model also proves useful in resolving a stability “paradox” described by Orgel, which relates to the translation stability in present-day organisms and mechanisms of ageing. It indicates that any experimentally found decrease in translation accuracy with age is probably not due to an inherent instability in the translation apparatus. Relevant experiments are suggested.     

兔主动脉前庭自律细胞与窦房结电生理特性的比较

为进一步阐明左心室流出道(主动脉前庭)自律细胞的特性,及其与窦房结细胞的异同,本实验利用常规的玻璃微电极细胞内记录技术,观察了一些离子通道阻断剂分别对离体兔窦房结起搏细胞与左心室流出道慢反应自律细胞的电生理特性的影响,重点探讨了这两种自律细胞的0期、4期去极离子流的异同。结果表明:(1)用1μmol/L维拉帕米(verapamil,VER)灌流后,窦房结及主动脉前庭自律细胞的动作电位幅值(APA)、0相最大除极速率(V_(max))、最大舒张电位(MDP)绝对值、舒张期除极速率(VDD)、自发放电频率(RPF)均明显下降,复极90％时间(APD_(90))延长(P<0.05)。(2)用180μmol/L氯化镍(NiCl_2)灌流,两自律细胞的VDD均明显下降;APA、V_(max)和RPF也显著降低,且窦房结细胞的APD_(90)明显延长。(3)给予2 mmol/L 4-氨基吡啶(4-AP)后,窦房结及主动脉前庭自律细胞的VDD均明显增快,MDP绝对值、APA和V_(max)显著下降,APD_(90)明显延长(P<0.05)。(4)给予2 mmol/L氯化铯(CsCl),两自律细胞的VDD及RPF均明显变慢。结果提示:(1)主动脉前庭自发慢反应电位的0相、4相去极离子流及复极离子流均与窦房结优势起搏细胞相似。(2)主动脉前庭起搏细胞Ca~(2+)内流为其0相主要去极离子流,复极过程主要由K~+外流引起,4相自动除极以K~+外流衰减为主,另外