Evoked potentials of the medulla oblongata of the skate in response to stimulation of lateral line nerves

The characteristics of the bioelectrical reactions of structures of the medulla oblongata connected with lateral line electro- and mechanoreceptor were investigated in acute experiments on skates under urethane anesthesia. The parameters of the evoked potentials (EP) are characteristic of each of the lateral line nerves studied. A comparison of the characteristics of the fast and slow components of the EP obtained by stimulation of nerves of the medulla oblongata makes it possible to state a hypothesis concerning the presynaptic origin of the fast and the postsynaptic origin of the slow components of the EP. A dependence of the magnitude of the EP on the amplitude of the stimulus and on the location of the active electrode was found. The location of the focus of maximum activity was determined for each of the nerves investigated. A correlation was established between some parameters of the bioelectrical reactions of the medulla oblongata and the morphophysiological properties of the fibers which make up the nerves studied. The results obtained make it possible to assume the presence in the medulla oblongata of spatially arranged structures responsible for the development of the bioelectrical effects in response to stimulation of the lateral line nerves of fish.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 284–292, May–June, 1971.     

Differentiation of the Shoot Apex and its Relationship to the Development of the Vegetative Organs in Spring Wheat (Yu-Chung-Hung and Kansu 96) under Conditions of Different Soil Water Contents

1. In each stage of the differentiation of the growing cones of these two varieties of wheat, their morphological characters are the same as of the general wheat, their fourth stage being the sign of the beginning of their reproductive structures. 2. The sequence of the differentiation in the development of spikelets is as follows: first the outer glume, then the inner glume, the lemma of the first flower, the primordium of the first flower, the lemma of the second flower and finally the primordium of second flower, etc.; while it is the palea, the stamens, the pistil and the lodicules for the flower part. 3. The differentiations of the primordiums of stamens and pistil start at the same time as the appearance of the awn. 4. It was found that in Kansu 96 the rate of the differentiation of the growing cones is more rapid, its volume bigger, the number of its spikelets and flowers, the chance of fruitification and its yield higher, than those of Yu-Chung-Hung, but the average individual weight of the grain is lower than that of the latter. 5. The rate of the differentiation of the growing cones will be slowed, and the numbers of spikelets, flowers and grains increased if a high moisture content of soil is present. The shape of the spike is grand and close under irrigation, but under drought it is slender and soft. Although the yield of Yu-Chung-Hung is lower than that of Kansu 96, but it appears to have a higher hydronasty than the latter. 6. It was shown in our investigation that the Kansu 96 appears to be of drought resistance. 7. Under normal conditions and in the same variety, the appearances of the leaf and the node of the stem, and the developmental phases of plants may be suggested as an indication of the differentiation of the growing cones. It is recommended that they can be used as a field crop.     

Neuronal expression of mutations affecting primarily glia in the mouse: studies in the dysmyelinated and convulsive mutant quaking

1. Various aspects of the noradrenergic system in the brain of the dysmyelinating convulsive mutant mice quaking have been examined. 2. Determination of the endogenous contents of noradrenaline and its metabolite 3-methoxy 4-hydroxyphenyl-ethyleneglycol (MOPEG), as well as measurement of the electrically-evoked release of (3H)-noradrenaline shows an increased noradrenergic activity in the brain of the mutants, when compared to non convulsive controls of the same strain. 3. Ontogenic development of alpha adrenergic receptors indicate that an increased density of alpha-2 sites precedes the appearance of the first convulsions by approximately one week. 4. Anatomical determination of the number of noradrenergic neuronal cell bodies in the locus coeruleus shows a hyperplasia of this nucleus in the mutants. 5. Electrolytic coagulation of the locus coeruleus inhibits the convulsions of the quaking mice. 6. These results suggest that an alteration of the embryonic differentiation of the locus coeruleus, which gives rise to the majority of brain noradrenergic neurons, provokes a hyperactivity of this neuronal system, thereby triggering the convulsions of the quaking mutant mice. 7. The possible involvement of other neurotransmitter systems in the convulsions of these mutants, together with the nature of the relationship between neuronal abnormalities and dysmyelination phenomenon, are discussed.     

ACID-BASE RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE AVIAN EGG

1. In the newly laid egg of the domestic fowl the pH values of the albumen and yolk are about 7.6 and 6.0 respectively. 2. When the egg is stored in air there is a loss of carbon dioxide from the albumen and the pH of this fluid rises to a maximum value of about 9.5. A large proportion of the carbon dioxide which remains in the albumen is in the form of carbonate. 3. In the fertile incubated egg the pH of the albumen attains a maximum value within a period of about 2 days; the albumen then becomes less alkaline and it is nearly neutral by the end of the second week. The increasing acidity of the albumen can be attributed to (a) the secretion of hydrogen ions by the blastoderm and (b) the output of carbon dioxide by developing tissues. 4. During the first 2 weeks of incubation the pH of the yolk progressively increases to a maximum value of about 7.5: there is then a tendency for the pH of this fluid to fall and the yolk that is retained within the body of the hatched chick is slightly acidic. 5. The embryo may never come into direct contact with either the albumen or the yolk when the pH of these fluids are high and low respectively. At the beginning of embryonic development the blastoderm is separated from the albumen by the vitelline membrane and from the yolk by a layer of subgerminal fluid with a maximum pH of about 7.8. The vitelline membrane ruptures on day 4 but by this time the embryo is bathed in amniotic fluid with a pH of about 7.5. 6. The pH of amniotic fluid falls from a maximum value of about 7.5 during week I to a minimum value of about 6.5 during week 2. Amniotic fluid is a simple solution of salts until day 12; albumen then begins to flow into the amniotic cavity and the buffering capacity of amniotic fluid increases. 7. The principal end-product of nitrogenous metabolism in the chick embryo is uric acid and about 100 mg of this substance are deposited within the allantoic cavity. The pH of allantoic fluid may exceed 7.5 during week 1 but falls to 6.0 or below after day 13. 8. The tension of carbon dioxide within the egg is determined by the ratio of the rate of carbon dioxide production by the embryo to the permeability of the shell towards carbon dioxide. For the greater part of the period of incubation the permeability of the shell towards carbon dioxide is constant. Thus, as the carbon dioxide output of the embryo increases, the carbon dioxide tension within the egg rises. 9. The pH of the blood can be defined in terms of the ratio of the bicarbonate concentration to the carbon dioxide tension. There is a progressive increase in the carbon dioxide tension of the blood during the period of incubation but the pH is maintained at about 7.4 by an increase in bicarbonate concentration. 10. Part of the increase in bicarbonate is due to the removal of hydrogen ions from carbonic acid by haemoglobin. There is also a large influx of bicarbonate into the blood, but the source of this bicarbonate is not known; the evidence that renal mechanisms are involved is inconclusive and it is probable that the embryo utilizes the enormous potential store of bicarbonate in the egg shell.     

高寒草甸退化对鹅绒委陵菜克隆生长特征的影响

为了揭示高寒草甸典型匍匐茎克隆植物对不同生境的生态适应对策,验证生境适应假说,并为高寒草地的退化演替机理研究提供依据,以调查统计和比较样地法研究了江河源区高寒草甸退化对鹅绒委陵菜克隆生长特征的影响。研究表明,重度退化草甸的植物群落结构、功能以及土壤特征发生了明显的变化,继而对鹅绒委陵菜无性系的克隆生长行为和形态特性产生了影响。高寒草甸退化后鹅绒委陵菜的匍匐茎增多,分支强度加大。退化草甸内鹅绒委陵菜的基株高度小于未退化草甸,根长大于未退化草甸,基株的叶片数目问没有明显差别。退化草甸的分株高度显著小于未退化草甸,而分株叶数大于未退化草甸,根长小于未退化革甸且差异不显著。未退化草甸内鹅绒委陵菜无性系的问隔子长度、粗度和匍匐茎长度大于退化草甸,间隔子平均数目少于退化草甸,差异都不显著。随着鹅绒委陵菜无性系匍匐茎数目的增加,不论重度退化草甸与未退化草甸,用于鹅绒委陵菜克隆繁殖的能量投资也逐渐增加。鹅绒委陵菜在未退化草甸用于克隆繁殖的能量投资比例高于退化草甸,其中未退化草甸内鹅绒委陵菜基株的干重占无性系总生物量的比例略低于退化草甸,分株和匍匐茎的干重占无性系总生物量的比例高于退化草甸。高寒草甸退化对鹅绒委陵菜克隆生长特征的这些影响,与植物群落结构和功能的变化导致生境变异密切相关,是其对高寒草甸退化导致的资源和生境差异的反应,也是对资源利用达到的最合理状态,是一种选择适应的结果,有利于克隆繁殖潜力的发挥。同时为生境适应假说提供了又一例证。     

A study of the cerebral region of the visual system in the pulmonata

The distribution of central axons of receptor cells of the eyes and the locations of neurons sending axons into the optic nerves were studied in the cerebral ganglia of the pulmonate mollusksLymnaea stagnalis andHelix sp. by the method of axonal transport of cobalt chloride injected via the optic nerves. Afferent fibers of these nerves form terminal ramifications (chiefly dorsally) in the middle part of the cerebral ganglion. Some of them pass through the commissure to the symmetrical region of the opposite cerebral ganglion. Neurons innervating the eyes are located in several regions of both cerebral ganglia. InLymnaea they are distributed near the point of entry of the optic nerve, in the region of the commissure, the mesocerebrum, and the posterior part of the ganglion. InHelix these neurons are found in the same regions except in the posterior part of the ganglion. In electrophysiological experiments responses of neurons in these parts of the cerebral ganglion to adequate stimulation of the eye were recorded. Differences in the character of responses and also the presence of neurons indifferent to stimulation of the eye are evidence of the functional heterogeneity of these areas. This suggests that morphologically separate visual centers do not exist in the cerebral ganglion of the Pulmonata. Neurons giving specific responses to stimulation of the eye and evidently belonging to different levels of the visual system (afferent or efferent divisions) are closely connected both with each other and with cells of other functional systems.A. A. Ukhtomskii Physiological Research Institute, A. A. Zhdanov Leningrad State University. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 179–184, March–April, 1982.     

DOES THE KINETICS OF TRYPSIN DIGESTION DEPEND ON THE FORMATION OF A COMPOUND BETWEEN ENZYME AND SUBSTRATE

1. The velocity of hydrolysis of gelatin by trypsin increases more slowly than the gelatin concentration and finally becomes nearly independent of the gelatin concentration. The relative velocity of hydrolysis of any two substrate concentrations is independent of the quantity of enzyme used to make the comparison. 2. The rate of hydrolysis is independent of the viscosity of the solution. 3. The percentage retardation of the rate of hydrolysis by inhibiting substances, is independent of the substrate concentration. 4. There is experimental evidence that the enzyme and inhibiting substance are combined to form a widely dissociated compound. 5. If the substrate were also combined with the enzyme, an increase in the substrate concentration should affect the equilibrium between the enzyme and the inhibiting substance. This is not the case. 6. The rate of digestion of a mixture of casein and gelatin is equal to the sum of the rates of hydrolysis of the two substances alone, as it should be if the rate is proportional to the concentration of free enzyme. This contradicts the saturation hypothesis. 7. If the reaction is followed by determining directly the change in the substrate concentration, it is found that this change agrees with the law of mass action; i.e., the rate of digestion is proportional to the substrate concentration.     

The protein arrestin as a regulator of the phototransduction process and as a factor of pathogenesis of the eye diseases

In the first part of the paper, the results of the investigation of the rhodopsin arrestin interaction are presented. The results were mainly obtained with the technique of the selective labelling of the rhodopsin and arrestin SH-groups and the rhodopsin limited proteolysis. These results are discussed in the frame of the latest data on the three-dimensional structure of arrestin. In the second part of the paper, results of the antigenic properties of arrestin (S-antigen) and its role in the pathogenesis of the retina diseases are summarized. The data on the role of the autoimmune processes in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy are presented. We have also described the results of the use of the elaborated technique of the immune diagnostics in the prognosis of the diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of the premature babies.     

Responses of dorsal and ventral thalamic neurons to visual stimulation in Emys orbicularis tortoises]

Extracellular studies have been made on the background activity and reactions to visual stimuli in neurons of nucleus rotundus and nucleus suprapeduncularis of the thalamus in the tortoise E. orbicularis. Reactions of on-off type to diffuse light flashes were recorded predominantly in both of the nuclei, whereas specific reactions to movement stimuli were found in the neurons of n. rotundus. The receptive area of the neurons in both of the nuclei involves all the visual field of one or both of the eyes. The structure of the receptive area of the neurons of n. suprapeduncularis is relatively homogeneous, whereas the receptive area of the neurons in n. rotundus exhibits a zone with an increased excitability under the horizontal meridian. After a damage of tectum opticum, the heterogeneity of the receptive areas and the specific responses to movement in cells of n. rotundus disappeared, while thresholds of the reactions increased. In the neurons of n. suprapeduncularis homogeneous structure of the receptive area remained unaffected, the thresholds of the reactions being increased as well.     

Department of Protein Structure and Function--Volodimir Oleksandrovich Bielitser School of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. Studies on structure of fibrin fiber structure and mechanism (1975-1987

In this short historical review the records about foundation and research activity of the Department of Structure and Function of Protein--school of V. A. Belitser, Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine are presented. V. A. Belitser was the founder and indispensable chief of the department since the date of its creation (1944) till 1987. The main research interests (1975-1987) of the department were focused at the investigation of structure, biological function of the fibrinogen-fibrin system, mechanisms of the network assembly and of the fibrin fibers structure. Studying the molecular mechanisms of the fibrin fiber assembly, it was shown that the specificity of the building structure was shown is determined by the specific reactive sites with strong affinity of the molecules. The activity of the sites was investigated on protein molecules as well as the fragments. The physical nature of the bonds created by the active sites, that appearing during in the process of fibrinogen activation by thrombin, was revealed. Examination of the fibrin assembly in cooperation with electronmicroscopists and studies of the complex formation between active fragments and fibrin monomer were summarized. Both the fibrin monomer polymerization and protofibril lateral association are presented as two stages in the assembly of the fibrin network. In the research of the domain fibrinogen structure the specific sites of the fibrin assembly in each of the domains were found. COOH-terminal regions of the A alpha-chains play independent part in the fibrinogen and fibrin. That is why it is relevant to consider them as alpha C-domains. In the free fibrinogen molecules (in solution) these domains are responsible for globular shape, they are linked to domains D intramolecularly. When fibrin assembly takes place, alpha C-domains play significant carriage role in fibrin molecules interaction, linking to domains D intermolecularly. The model of the fibrinogen molecule structure and the general scheme of the fibrin fibers network formation were proposed. Physico-chemical basics of a biological structure assembly were elucidated using the process of the fibrin self-assembly as an example. Much attention was devoted to the problems of practical medicine. The quantitative methods of fibrinogen, soluble fibrin and active fibrin/fibrinogen fragments estimation in blood plasma were developed.     

The preparation of protected fragments of lysozyme for semisynthesis.

This paper reports the development of methods for preparing tryptic fragments of hen's-egg lysozyme in an appropriate state of protection for use in the chemical synthesis of modified polypeptides. 1. We describe the cleavage of the disulphide bridges of the enzyme and the simulatneous protection of the liberated thiol groups by S-sulphonation. Lysozyme resisted the usual conditions for this reaction. We have confirmed the stability of the S-sulphonyl group to the conditions met in peptide synthesis. 2. We describe the reversible protection of the amino groups of the enzyme by reaction with various anhydrides of 1,2-dicarboxylic acids. We conclude that 2-methylmaleic anhydride and exo-cis-3,6-endoxo-delta4-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride are unsuitable for our purpose but that maleic anhydride can, in spite of certain drawbacks, be used. 3. We describe the tryptic cleavage of the thiol- and amino-protected protein and the separation of the fragments. 4. We describe the reversible protection of the carboxylic acid groups (including the specific deprotection of the alpha-carboxyl group), the imidazolyl group and the aloph-amino groups of the fragments. Several alternative groups have been evaluated for most of these purposes. The side-chain amides did not present any serious problem of libility, 5. We describe experiments on the stability of the side chain of tryptophan, both protected by formylation and unprotected, to the acid conditions needed for the deprotection of the other functional groups in the peptide. We conclude that protection of tryptophan is unnecessary. We suggest that most of the methods described are of general application in peptide semisynthesis by fragment condensation. An Appendix is included to which points 6-ll appertain...     

Australopithecine taxonomy and phylogeny in light of facial morphology

The beginning of specialization characterizing the robust australopithecines is manifested in almost every aspect of the masticatory system of Australopithecus africanus. Of particular significance is the presence of two massive bony columns on both sides of the nasal aperture that support the anterior portion of the palate. These columns--the anterior pillars--are viewed as a structural response to the greater occlusal load stemming from the beginning stages of molarization of the premolars and exerted on the more anterior part of the dental arcade. In A. africanus the molarization process is, indeed, just in its initial phase, but the still considerable protrusion of the palate relative to the more peripheral facial frame increases the need for pillars. The anterior pillars and the advancement of the inferior part of the infraorbital plate (the origin of the masseter) play a major role in molding the facial topography of A. africanus. The absence of the pillars and the common position of the masseteric origin lead us to define the face of A. afarensis as the most primitive of the australopithecines and allow us to discriminate between its facial morphology and that of A. africanus. The presence of anterior pillars in the face of the latter places it clearly in the robust australopithecine clade.     

THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUBSTRATE CONCENTRATION ON THE RATE OF HYDROLYSIS OF PROTEINS BY PEPSIN

1. It is pointed out that the apparent exceptions to the law of mass action found in enzyme reactions may be found in catalytic reactions in strictly homogeneous solutions. 2. These deviations in the rate of reaction from the law of mass action may be explained by the hypothesis that the active mass of the reacting substances is not directly proportional to the total concentration of substance taken. 3. In support of this suggestion it is shown that for any given concentration of pepsin the relative rate of digestion of concentrated and of dilute protein solutions is always the same. If the rate of digestion depended on the saturation of the surface of the enzyme by substrate the relative rate of digestion of concentrated protein solutions should increase more rapidly with the concentration of enzyme than that of dilute solutions. This was found not to be true, even when the enzyme could not be considered saturated in the dilute protein solutions. 4. The rate of digestion and the conductivity of egg albumin solutions of different concentration were found to be approximately proportional at the same pH. This agrees with the hypothesis first expressed by Pauli that the ionized protein is largely or entirely the form which is attacked by the enzyme. 5. The rate of digestion is diminished by a very large increase in the viscosity of the protein solution. This effect is probably a mechanical one due to the retardation of the diffusion of the enzyme.     

Role of specific and nonspecific thalamic nuclei in the genesis of some slow rhythms of the human electrocorticogram

An electrocorticographic method of recording after-potentials in response to electrical stimulation of the thalamic nuclei in limbic structures during stereotaxic operations was developed. Altogether 42 patients undergoing operations for subcortical hyperkinesia, pain syndromes, and Kozhevnikov's epilepsy were investigated. The character of the cortical after-discharges in response to stimulation of the ventro-oral nuclear complex (V.o.) and the centrum medianum (Ce) of the thalamus and the amygdala differs in its character. These differences affected the area of spread of after-synchronization of the slow rhythms in regions of the hemispheres, the duration of the bursts of after-activity, and the expression of the accompanying autonomic responses. During the after-response to electrical stimulation of V.o. a relatively local after-synchronization of the slow rhythms in the ECoG was observed in the premotor area on the side of stimulation. The off-response to electrical stimulation of Ce, by contrast with V.o. was bilateral synchronization of the slow rhythm, coinciding in some cases with the appearance of bradypnea, bradycardia, and vasomotor and pilomotor responses. The most marked autonomic responses, associated with long volleys of after-hypersynchronization of slow waves or epileptoid discharges, were observed after stimulation of the amygdala. Problems connected with the mechanisms of after-synchronization of the cortical rhythm and the role of the various thalamic and limbic structures in these mechanisms are discussed.N. N. Burdenko Institute of Neurosurgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 227–235, May–June, 1973.     

Immunoenzyme analysis of the change in the expression of class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex under the influence of interferon preparations

The interferons (IFN's) are natural regulators of the immune response. This quality of IFN depends to a large extent on their capacity to change the expression of the antigens of the second (II) class of the Major Histocompatibility Complex. The most effective modulator of the expression of the antigens of the class II MHC is beta-IFN. The aim of this work is to explore with the aid of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) peculiarities of an action of the preparations alpha- and beta-IFN's of a man on the expression of the antigens of the second class on macrophages of mice with using monoclonal antibodies to the products of subregions I-A and I-E MHC. As a result of exploration we have the following: both preparations IFN's (leukinterferon and beta-IFN) reinforce the expression of the antigens of the second class on the macrophages of mice spleens. With combined influence preparation alpha-IFN and beta-IFN show interweakened effect on the expression of the antigens of the class MHC. Exposed regularities of the expression have the same type for products of subregions I-A and I-E H-2 of mice complex. ELISA is the sensible method of determination of a level of the expression of the antigens of the class II MHC on the cell's populations.     

Effects of vanadate, N2 and light on the membrane potential of motor cells and the lateral leaflet movements of Desmodium motorium

The lateral leaflets of Desmodium motorium (Houtt.) Merr. exhibit ultradian up- and down movements, which are paralleled by oscillations of the membrane potential of motor cells in the pulvinus. By different treatments we have tested the hypothesis that both that both oscillation-types are causally related. The reactions of the leaflet movement and the membrane potential were evaluated by the following approaches. (1) Application of vanadate. an inhibitor of the proton pump in the plasmalemma. and N₂ suppressed leaflet movements and finally arrested the leaflet in the lower position. Before the oscillations damped out, a strong lengthening in period was found. This indicates that the pump is part of the ultradian clock. A period lenthening and a final suppression of the rhythm by vanadate was also seen in the extracellular electric potential of the pulvinus. Intracellular recordings in situ showed that vanadate application depolarized the motor cells. (2) Light of high fluence rates diminished the amplitude of the oscillations of the membrane potential of single motor cells and shortened the period. The same effects were observed when monitoring the lateral leaflet movement. The leaflet always moved towards the direction of the light. whether it was applied from the abaxial or from the adaxial part of the pulvinus. (3) When light was applied to the pulvinus of lateral leaflets. which had spontancously stopped moving in an upper position. oscillations were induced transiently. This effect was also found for the membrane potential of motor cells in the pulvinus. - Our results thus provide further evidence that the membrane potential controls the volume state of the motor cells in the pulvinus of lateral leaflets of Desmodium motorium .     

Interaction between D-amino acid oxidase and small molecules.

1. From the standpoint of monomer-dimer equilibrium of hog kidney D-amino acid oxidase [EC 1.4.3.3] and the interaction between the enzyme and small molecules, the effect of pH on the binding of p-aminobenzoate to the monomer and dimer of the enzyme was studied by kinetic methods and spectrophotometric titration. 2. The maximum binding number of p-aminobenzoate to the dimer is two molecules, and there is no interaction between the two active sites of the dimer (i.e., no cooperativity) over the range of pH from 6.5 to 10. 3. The affinity of the dimer for p-aminobenzoate is several times higher than that of the monomer at pH 6.5-10, and consequently p-aminobenzoate induces dimerization in the equilibrium state of D-amino acid oxidase. The interaction energy of two subunits of the dimer is stabilized by the binding of p-aminobenzoate by 1-2 kcal/mole over the pH range studied. 4. The binding sites of the quasi-substrate, p-aminobenzoate, in the dimer and the intersubunit binding site of the dimer are clearly different, because p-aminobenzoate induces dimerization of the enzyme. 5. The pK values of ionizing groups in the free monomer and the free dimer which participate in the binding of the competitive inhibitor, p-aminobenzoate, are approximately the same, 8.7, as determined from the pH dependence of the affinity of the inhibitor for the enzyme. Furthermore, no pK for the enzyme-inhibitor complex in the pH range 6.5-10 was observed. 6. There is no interaction between the two ionizing groups of the dimer during protonation-deprotonation, because a theoretical equation involving no cooperativity between the two ionizing groups in the dimer explains the results well.     

Influence of afferent impulses from the nerves of the anterior limbs on the insertion neurons of the lumbar section of the spinal cord

In anesthetized cats in conditions of muscular relaxation we have studied the participation of the interneurons of the lumbar section of the spinal cord in the interaction of the FRA systems of the fore and hind limbs. Using microelectrodes we have made extra- and intracellular recordings of the potentials. It has been shown that from the flexor afferents of the fore limbs both facilitating and inhibitory influences are transmitted. The former are expressed in increased frequency of the background impulse activity of the neurons, in the appearance of evoked responses of the "silent" cells and intensification of the test responses for short time intervals with paired heteronymous stimulation. The inhibitory influences prevail over the facilitating and are manifest in depression of the background activity and evoked segmental responses of the neurons. The maximum inhibition of the segmental responses was noted for intervals of 40–140 msec. The duration of inhibition varied from 100–500 msec and more. Depending on the intensity and duration of the inhibitory influences two groups of interneurons have been isolated. The role of the pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms in the transmission of inhibitory influences from the afferents of the fore limbs on the afferents of the hind limbs is discussed.Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 235–242, November–December, 1969.     

Histological and histochemical studies of the mammary gland innervation in cattle (Bost taurus L.)]

With histological and histochemical methods the innervation of the mammary gland of the cow was studies. The skin of the udder has a weak innervation in contrast to the test. In the district of the basement of the gland body nerve stems enter in the teat. In the skin of the teat only isolated free nerve terminals are found. Intraepithelial nerve terminals are missed. In the middle layer of the teat round the blood vessels bundles of nerve fibers and many organs of nerve terminals were shown. The organs of nerve terminals are typical of the teat and present mechanical receptors. It is discussed the functional significance of the afferent and efferent innervation of the mammary gland of the cow.