Comparative chemical anatomy of the brain: concepts and methods

The study of neuropeptides represents an appropriate playground for comparative and evolutionary research. Comparative analysis can give insight into the conservative pattern of intercellular transmission molecules, possibly bound both to some evolutionary antiquity and to cellular constraints. In the same time it can teach us how modulation has occurred at molecular, cellular, multicellular levels in order to give the species-specific functional organization. Using some examples from vertebrate central neurons system (CNS) immunocytochemical analyses, the results so far obtained suggest the rise of a new comparative chemical neuroanatomy. The rationale of "what" and "why" we are comparing is, however, needed in order to understand constancy, heterogeneity or else trends toward complexity in the distribution of neuropeptides.     

Morphometric diffusing capacity and functional anatomy of the book lungs in the spider Tegenaria spp. (Agelenidae)

The presence of both book lungs and a tracheal system in many spiders raises the question of the functional significance of this double respiratory system. The present physiological and morphometric study of the house spider (Tegenaria spp.) reveals that the diffusing capacity (Dto₂) of the lungs alone suffices during rest and following exercise to meet measured rates of oxygen consumption (documentclass{article}pagestyle{empty}begin{document}$ mathop {rm V}limits^{rm.} $end{document}o₂) at driving pressures (ΔPto ₂) similar to those calculated for vertebrate lungs. During moulting ΔPto ₂ may rise to more than double the vertebrate values, implying the possible insufficiency of book lungs during this critical life phase. Resting documentclass{article}pagestyle{empty}begin{document}$ mathop {rm V}limits^{rm .} $end{document}o₂ is greatest (92 mm³/h · g) during the early morning and lowest (66 mm³/h · g) near midday: during moulting documentclass{article}pagestyle{empty}begin{document}$ mathop {rm V}limits^{rm .} $end{document}o₂ rises to 278.7 mm³/h · g. In spiders recovering from exercise documentclass{article}pagestyle{empty}begin{document}$ mathop {rm V}limits^{rm .} $end{document}o₂ is consistently greater than during rest: neither value is significantly reduced by blockage of the tracheal stigmas. Regression calculations of morphometric values for a hypothetical 100-mg Tegenaria yield a total lung volume of 0.578 mm³, a pulmonary surface area of 69.8 mm², and a surface-to-volume ratio of 120.89 mm²/mm³. In spite of the similar thickness of the chitinous and hypodermal components of the air-hemolymph barrier (each ca. 0.2 μm in nonmoulting animals), the low permeability of chitin for oxygen makes this layer the greater barrier to diffusion. For a 100-mg specimen Dto₂ is 3.5 mm³/h · torr: similar to that of a turtle (Pseudemys) on a gram-body weight basis.     

Cancer of the larynx; the advantages of more conservative treatment

Properly administered irradiation therapy for cancer of the larynx in properly selected cases can be successful. Reported herein is the case of a woman 49 years of age with a Grade 3 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, who at first was scheduled for radical operation but was treated by irradiation therapy with an estimated total dose of 5292 r given in 29 treatments. The tumor and all subjective and objective symptoms disappeared. The patient was still well when last observed a year later.     

Contributions to the morphology,anatomy, and karyology ofRhabdodendron,and a reconsideration of the systematic position of theRhabdodendronaceae

Rhabdodendron macrophyllum (Spruce ex Benth.)Huber andR. amazonicum (Spruce exBenth.)Huber differ in several anatomical and morphological characters (secretory cavities, hypoderm, peltate hairs, internodal region and petiole). A position of the monotypicRhabdodendronaceae in theCentrospermae as recently suggested is hardly supported: Peltate hairs, lysigenous secretory cavities and spicular cells in the leaves, multilacunar nodes, chromosome number (R. macrophyllum: n = 10; first count for the genus resp. family), ± simultaneous (or slightly centripetal) development of the androeceum, anacrostyly and two ovules in the unicarpellate gynoeceum, apparent disc, monotelic racemes, and data available from literature (pollen, sieve tube plastids) clearly indicate a close affinity toRutaceae, and even make the family rank ofRhabdodendron questionable.     

Training doctors and surgeons to meet the surgical needs of Africa.

An audit of the operations performed and the use of anaesthesia over one year at the University Teaching Hospital, two provincial hospitals, and five district or church hospitals in Zambia was carried out. The aim of the audit was to determine what proportion of operations required full surgical training and to collect information on which recommendations for training surgeons in central Africa could be based. Of the 21,245 operations performed, 18,401 (86.4%) were found not to be complex, and the procedures could be taught to non-surgeons. General anaesthesia was used often, but if more doctors were trained to give local and regional anaesthesia more necessary surgery could be performed.     

The sphenoid sinus, clinical anatomy of approaches to the pituitary region

Sphenoidal sinus, clinical anatomy: mean values of measurements and research. The ostium of the sinus is situated 4.8 mm paramedian, 4 mm behind the sphenoid sinus with a width of 13.8 mm. Conchal types were estimated in 3%, presellar types in 23.8%, sellar types in 28.6% and postsellar sinuses in 47.6%. The ostium of the sphenoid sinus has a distance to the anterior wall of the Sella turcica mean = 14.6 mm. Included are length values of the sinus, the prominences in the side wall, and the recessus. Our results are discussed with the results of earlier researchers.     

Mitochondrial physiology and pathology; concepts of programmed death of organelles, cells and organisms

The review summarizes the present state of our knowledge concerning alternative functions of mitochondria, namely energy conservation in forms of protonic potential and ATP, thermoregulatory energy dissipation as heat, production of useful substances, decomposition of harmful substances, control of cellular processes. The recent progress in understanding of some mitochondrion-linked pathologies is described. The role of reactive oxygen species in these processes is stressed. Possible mechanisms of programmed death of mitochondrion (mitoptosis), cell (apoptosis) and organism (phenoptosis) are considered. A concept is put forward assuming that mitoptosis is involved in some types of apoptosis whereas apoptosis can be a part of a phenoptotic cascade. It is hypothesized that septic shock, as well as the stress-induced brain and heart ischemic diseases and cancer, exemplify mechanisms of phenoptosis purifying population, community of organisms or kin from dangerous or useless individuals.