Structural specializations of the cornea and retina at the dorsal rim of the compound eye in hymenopteran insects

Summary Structurally specialized ommatidia at the dorsal rim of the compound eyes of honey bees have been shown to be indispensable for polarized skylight navigation. In this study numerous other hymenopteran genera belonging to various superfamilies are shown to exhibit similar specializations in this part of the eye: (1) The cornea is penetrated by pore canals, which affect the optics of the ommatidia by scattering the light falling into the eye. In Andrena and Ammophila the cornea contains extensive cavities. (2) Each retinula contains 9 long receptor cells as opposed to 8 long ones in the adjacent dorsal area, and the rhabdom area is increased by a factor of up to 2. In all ant species examined there are no corneal but only retinal specializations at the dorsal rim of the eye. They include a specially shaped rhabdom as in Cataglyphis, in which polarization vision has also been demonstrated.     

Dependency of Antarctic zooplankton species on ice algae‐produced carbon suggests a sea ice‐driven pelagic ecosystem during winter

How the abundant pelagic life of the Southern Ocean survives winter darkness, when the sea is covered by pack ice and phytoplankton production is nearly zero, is poorly understood. Ice‐associated (“sympagic”) microalgae could serve as a high‐quality carbon source during winter, but their significance in the food web is so far unquantified. To better understand the importance of ice algae‐produced carbon for the overwintering of Antarctic organisms, we investigated fatty acid (FA) and stable isotope compositions of 10 zooplankton species, and their potential sympagic and pelagic carbon sources. FA‐specific carbon stable isotope compositions were used in stable isotope mixing models to quantify the contribution of ice algae‐produced carbon (α_Ice) to the body carbon of each species. Mean α_Ice estimates ranged from 4% to 67%, with large variations between species and depending on the FA used for the modelling. Integrating the α_Ice estimates from all models, the sympagic amphipod Eusirus laticarpus was the most dependent on ice algal carbon (α_Ice: 54%–67%), and the salp Salpa thompsoni showed the least dependency on ice algal carbon (α_Ice: 8%–40%). Differences in α_Ice estimates between FAs associated with short‐term vs. long‐term lipid pools suggested an increasing importance of ice algal carbon for many species as the winter season progressed. In the abundant winter‐active copepod Calanus propinquus, mean α_Ice reached more than 50% in late winter. The trophic carbon flux from ice algae into this copepod was between 3 and 5 mg C m^?2 day^?1. This indicates that copepods and other ice‐dependent zooplankton species transfer significant amounts of carbon from ice algae into the pelagic system, where it fuels the food web, the biological carbon pump and elemental cycling. Understanding the role of ice algae‐produced carbon in these processes will be the key to predictions of the impact of future sea ice decline on Antarctic ecosystem functioning.     

右美托咪定复合丙泊酚在清醒气管插管中的麻醉效果及对呼吸和循环的影响

目的:探讨右美托咪定复合丙泊酚应用于清醒气管插管的麻醉效果及对呼吸和循环的影响。方法:选择我院2015年1月~2016年12行清醒气管插管患者80例,按麻醉方式分组,每组40例,对照组采用丙泊酚麻醉诱导,研究组麻醉诱导予以右美托咪定复合丙泊酚。比较两组麻醉效果、呼吸和循环的变化及并发症的发生情况。结果:研究组插管时间、Ramsay评分、耐受良好、插管成功率、呼吸次数、分钟通气量、心率、平均动脉压均显著高于对照组(P0.05),潮气量、去甲肾上腺素、皮质醇、并发症总发生率均明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:右美托咪定复合丙泊酚用于清醒气管插管的麻醉效果确切,可使有效减轻对呼吸和循环的影响。     

Unconventional ultraviolet sensitivity spectra of Ascalaphus (Insecta,Neuroptera)

The spectral sensitivity of 21 eye preparations of Ascalaphus (Libelluloides) macaronius (Insecta, Neuroptera) has been re-measured using an up-to-date spectral scan method. 1. Dorso-frontal and ventro-lateral eyes have different spectral characteristics with peaks of sensitivity at 329 ± 8 nm (n = 15) and 343 ± 4 nm (n = 5) (P = 0.002), respectively. 2. The absorbance of the visual pigment layer, K, determined from the shape of the spectral sensitivity curves is 1.3 ± 1.8(n = 15) for dorso-frontal eyes and – 1.0 ± 0.3(n = 5) for ventrolateral eyes, thus implying higher selfscreening in the dorso-frontal eyes and narrowing of the spectral sensitivity curves as regards to a template visual pigment in ventro-lateral eyes. 3. Plotting K versus spectral sensitivity peak wavelength _max revealed an inverse correlation between these variables with K = 42.5 – 0.126 _max at r = 0.88(n = 19). 4. Extracts of ommochromes and carotenoids (Figs. 4 to 6) do not allow to account for the above diversity of optical properties of the Ascalaphus eye (Fig. 7).Abbreviations SSC spectral sensitivity curve - DF dorso-frontal eye - UV ultraviolet - VL ventro-lateral eye     

抗病小麦对脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇的脱毒及产物的生物活性

抗赤霉病小麦品种苏麦3号、繁9能转化镰刀菌毒素脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)成产物X,而感病小麦品种宁麦6号、徐州21无转化能力。产物X对小麦黄化芽鞘的伸长生长无抑制作用,而对禾谷镰刀菌分生孢子的萌发有明显抑制。说明抗性小麦品种对赤霉病菌毒素的脱毒是小麦重要的抗赤霉病机制。     

Characterisation of columnar neurons and visual signal processing in the medulla of the locust optic lobe by system identification techniques

We describe visual responses of seventeen physiological classes of columnar neuron from the retina, lamina and medulla of the locust (Locusta migratoria) optic lobe. Many of these neurons were anatomically identified by neurobiotin injection. Characterisation of neuronal responses was made by moving and flash stimuli, and by two system identification techniques: 1. The first-order spatiotemporal kernel was estimated from response to a spatiotemporal white-noise stimulus; 2. A set of kernels to second order was derived by the maximal-length shift register (M-sequence) technique, describing the system response to a two-channel centre-surround stimulus. Most cells have small receptive fields, usually with a centre diameter of about 1.5°, which is similar to that of a single receptor in the compound eye. Linear response components show varying spatial and temporal tuning, although lateral inhibition is generally fairly weak. Second-order nonlinearities often have a simple form consistent with a static nonlinear transformation of the input from the large monopolar cells of the lamina followed by further linear filtering.Abbreviations LMC large monopolar cell - LVF long visual fibre - RF receptive field - SMC small monopolar cell - SVF short visual fibre     

多烯磷脂酰胆碱胶囊联合复方益肝灵胶囊治疗抗结核药物致肝损伤患者的临床疗效

目的:研究多烯磷脂酰胆碱胶囊联合复方益肝灵胶囊治疗抗结核药物致肝损伤患者的临床疗效。方法:选取2014年4月到2015年4月我院收治的抗结核药物致肝损伤患者150例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组75例,两组均继续行抗结核治疗,对照组给予常规保肝药物治疗,研究组给予多烯磷脂酰胆碱胶囊联合复方益肝灵胶囊保肝治疗,比较两组临床疗效,治疗前后谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)以及r-谷氨酰转移酶(r-GT)。结果:研究组有效率为89.3%显著高于对照组的73.3%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组治疗后AST、ALT以及r-GT显著低于治疗前,且治疗后研究组AST、ALT以及r-GT均显著低于对照组,比较差异均具有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:多烯磷脂酰胆碱胶囊联合复方益肝灵胶囊治疗抗结核药物致肝损伤具有较好临床疗效,能增强对肝脏的保护作用。     

The ontogeny of facultative superposition optics in a shrimp eye: hatching through metamorphosis

Summary Compound eyes of larval and first postlarval grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis) were studied with light and electron microscopy following adaptation to darkness or bright light. Larvae have well-developed apposition eyes, including 3 main types of accessory screening and reflecting pigments and a fourth class of putatively reflective granules recently described in adult shrimps. Rhabdoms contain orthogonally layered microvilli, and by the last larval stage, 8 retinular cells. Ocular accessory pigments in both light- and dark-adapted larvae are distributed much like those of light-adapted adults, but the distal mass of reflecting pigment is concentrated dorsally in larvae and ventrally in adults. Since larvae swim upside-down, reflecting pigment is oriented downward in all developmental stages and may function for countershading. Light and dark adaptational migrations of all 3 major accessory pigments commence abruptly at metamorphosis to the first postlarva. Upon dark adaptation in postlarvae, superposition optics remain impossible because (1) distal screening pigment migrates only slightly, (2) no clear zone has developed, and (3) the crystalline cones remain circular in cross section. Nevertheless, a slight improvement in photon catch is expected due to extensive redistributions of reflecting pigment and retinular cell screening pigment granules.

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Über die Ultrastruktur des Komplexauges von Daphnia pulex

Zusammenfassung Die Komplexaugen von erwachsenen Daphnien (Daphnia pulex) und deren Verankerung wurden elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Das Auge enthält 4 Bau-Elemente: 1. Deckzellen, 2. Interzellularsubstanz, 3. Linsenzellen und 4. pigmenthaltige Receptorzellen. Ihre Ultrastruktur wird beschrieben.Da die lichtbrechende Substanz als kompakter Körper innerhalb der Linsenzellen liegt, gehört der Linsenkörper zum euconen Typ. Er wird von aufgereihten Mitochondrion umgeben, ist nicht durch eine Membran vom Cytoplasma getrennt und zeigt eine nach innen zunehmende Elektronendichte.Die zentral gelegene, sehr dichte Zone grenzt basal an das Rhabdomer, nur durch die Zellmembran von ihm getrennt. Das Rhabdomer besteht aus Mikrovilli, die durch close contacts miteinander verbunden sind. Desmosomen-ähnliche Haftstrukturen zwischen Linsen- und Receptorzellen kommen in der Nähe der Rhabdomere vor. Aus den jeweils 8 Receptorzellen eines Ommatidiums entspringen basal 8 Neuriten, die zunächst durch eine Basalmembran, im Bereich des Hilus außerdem durch einen Gliafortsatz aus dem Ganglion opticum gebündelt werden. Das ganze Auge ist an der Körperoberfläche (Cuticularzellen und Cuticula) durch einen Halteapparat aufgehängt, der aus spezialisierten Zellen und Basalmembran-artigem Material besteht.

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On the ultrastructure of the compound eye of daphnia pulex

Summary Compound eyes of adult Daphnia pulex and their connection with the integument have been examined electron microscopically. The eye contains four elements: 1. covering cells, 2. intercellular substance, 3. lense cells and 4. receptor cells containing pigment. Their ultrastructure is described. Since the light refracting medium forms a compact lense body within the cytoplasm of lense cells it belongs to the eucone type. Though being surrounded by threaded mitochondria the lense body is not separated from the cytoplasm by a membrane. Electron density increases towards its center. At its basal part the central zone being covered only by a plasma membrane borders on the rhabdomer, the microvilli of which show close contacts between each other. There are desmosome-like contacts between lense and receptor cells at the periphery of the rhabdomer. 8 receptor cells each giving off 1 neurite build up the ommatidium. The 8 neurites of one ommatidium are bundled by a basement membrane and a glial process originating from the optic ganglion. The eye in toto is tied to the integument (cuticular cells, cuticula) by a complicated supporting apparatus, which consists of specialized cells and basement membrane-like material.

     

Ca++-induced structural changes in photoreceptor microvilli of diptera

Summary When the compound eyes of the fly Lucilia are fixed for electron microscopy with glutaraldehyde in common buffer solutions, artefactual whorls are liable to be formed from the photoreceptor microvilli. The whorls result from two factors: (i) a prolonged time interval prior to osmication, such as the overnight primary fixation or wash at 4° C commonly used in studies of compound eyes; (ii) as little as 1–2 mM Ca⁺⁺ in the primary fixative and wash solutions. Osmication after short (1 h) glutaraldehyde fixation at 4° C, or omission of Ca⁺⁺ and addition of 2 mM EGTA, prevent whorl-formation. In the tipulid fly Ptilogyna, similar artefacts are produced, but are confined to the distal zone of the microvilli that sheds during turnover.