Effect of experimental torsion of the spermatic cord on sustentacular cells in the guinea-pig testis

Torsion of the spermatic cord is not an extremely rare occurrence among prepubertal and adolescent boys. Although it is known that torsion of the spermatic cord may lead to germ cell degeneration in the affected as well as in the contralateral testis, nothing is known regarding the response of sustentacular cells to this condition. During the present investigation, we studied the effect of experimental torsion on the sustentacular cells of guinea pig testes. Light-microscopic examination revealed that, although all types of germ cells, except a few spermatogonia, were degenerated in the guinea pig testes with torsion, sustentacular cells did not degenerate. This observation was confirmed from the quantitation data which indicated that the number of these cells remained unchanged when compared to the control and/or the contralateral testis of the same animal with unilateral torsion. Therefore, sustentacular cells of the damaged testis from guinea pigs can be used as reference cells for germ cell quantitation. The striking ultrastructural change in the sustentacular cells of damaged testes was characterized by the presence of well-developed annulate lamellae, which was not reported before in any other rodent species. Lobulated nuclei, numerous tight junctional complexes and lysosomes were other characteristic features of the sustentacular cells of damaged testes.     

Craniometric studies of the upper jaw as aid in population differentiation

10 selected midfacial dimensions were measured on each of 711 skulls from 4 anthropologically different populations and tested for their usefulness for the characterization of populations. The palate height cannot be recommended as a distinctive feature because of its considerable variability within the single groups. According to the problems under study, sagittal, and transversal midfacial dimensions are suited for classification into groups.     

Three-dimensional organisation of the vasculature of the rat spermatic cord and testis

Summary The vascular architecture of the rat testis and spermatic cord was studied by a corrosion cast technique combined with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and light microscopy. The casts preserve the endothelial impressions of the vessels and enable them to be differentiated into the various vascular components. Frequent arterio-arterial anastomotic arcades and occasional arterio-venous anastomotic channels are seen. A well defined hexagonal pattern of intertubular and peritubular vessels surround the seminiferous tubules. Prominent large endothelial nuclei protrude into the arterial lumina at branching sites, but their functional significance is not known. The outermost vascular layer of the testis consists of large veins, venules, and capillaries, but lacks any arterial branches; it also contains loosely arranged veno-venous anastomotic networks. We have named this vascular layer the sub-albugineal venous plexus. The testicular artery increases in luminal diameter as it approaches the testis. The periarterial capillary plexus, which lies between the pampiniform plexus and the testicular artery, is drained by two types of venules.     

Lipopolysaccharides of the motile aeromonads; core oligosaccharide analysis as an aid to taxonomic classification

Twelve motile Aeromonas strains have been examined with respect to the hexose and heptose monosaccharide residures present in the core region of their cell wall lipopolysaccharides. These strains were divided into three distinctly separate groups on the basis of the various combinations of hexose and heptose residues. The assignment of a strain to any one of the three groups furnishes a distribution which is substantially the same as that recently reported in a computerbased numerical analysis. All strains tested which were previoulsy named A. liquefaciens fall into the same group.     

Fungal cellulases as an aid for the saccharification of cassava

Culture broths of cellulolytic fungi were used together with commercial amylases to enhance the saccharification of cassava starch slurry. It was found that the addition of appropriate concentration of the cellulases Trichoderma viride and a soil isolated Basidiomycete, increased both the rate of sugar formation and the degree of solubilization, and decreased the viscosity of the hydrolyzates. Owing to the improvement of the rheological properties of the must, and the additional sugar produced, an increased ethanol yield would be expected from the alcoholic fermentation of this hydrolyzate.     

Functional arterio-venous anastomoses between the testicular artery and the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord of rams

Blood flow to the testis, haemoglobin oxygen saturation and testosterone concentration in arterial and venous testicular blood vessels were studied in Texel rams in the breeding and non-breeding season. Blood flow in the proximal and distal testicular artery was measured electromagnetically. The mean flow in the proximal testicular artery was 18.5 ml/min and in the distal testicular artery 7.5 ml/min, and there was no detectable seasonal influence. Haemoglobin oxygen saturation and testosterone concentration were measured in the saphenous artery and vein, the distal testicular artery and vein, and in the proximal testicular vein. The haemoglobin oxygen saturation in the proximal testicular vein was significantly higher than in the distal testicular vein in both seasons. The mean testosterone concentration was significantly lower in the proximal testicular vein than in the distal testicular vein in both seasons. Based on haemoglobin oxygen saturation and testosterone data, it was calculated that between 28 and 46% of the testicular arterial blood was bypassing the testis and was directly flowing through arterio-venous anastomoses towards the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord of conscious rams. In anaesthetized rams 55 and 64% of the blood was flowing directly from the testicular artery to the pampiniform plexus based on blood flow data. Transfer of testosterone and oxygen by passive diffusion from the testicular artery to the pampiniform plexus and vice versa in the spermatic cord was not detected.     

Computerized interactive morphometry as an aid in the diagnosis of pleural effusions

A morphometric study of cytologic preparations from patients with benign and malignant (mesothelioma and carcinoma) pleural effusions is reported. The routine cytologic smears from these specimens were studied with a new system of video-based computerized interactive morphometry (CIM) that allows the measurements of real-time images of cell profiles by the simple procedure of touching the two extreme points of a diameter of interest on a touch-sensitive screen. For each cell, the nuclear profile diameter (NPD) and the cytoplasmic profile diameter (CPD) are measured and categorized into classes with 2-microns intervals; the NPD/CPD ratio is also calculated. The mean NPD is calculated for the specimen after measurement of 100 cells. The data were interpreted by two independent methods: a statistical method of discriminant analysis that classifies the lesions as benign, carcinoma or mesothelioma and provides a probability statement of membership in a particular diagnostic class and an ad-hoc algorithm that categorizes the effusions as benign or malignant based on hierarchic analysis. A data base derived from study of the first 24 cases was constructed and utilized for the test classification of the second 24 cases, which were treated as specimens of unknown diagnosis. The discriminant analysis correctly classified 21 of the 24 test cases into their proper diagnostic groups. The algorithm for a computer-generated pathologic diagnosis correctly identified 47 of the 48 cases as benign or malignant. The technical advantages of video-based CIM over the existing morphometric methods are discussed.     

Root peroxidase isoenzymes as an aid in Citrus breeding and taxonomy

Summary A rapid method for differentiating between Citrus clones as well as between zygotic and nucellar plants has been developed. It is based on determination of peroxidase isoenzyme patterns in small root samples. Ten to 14 bands could be distinguished, in contrast to the small number of bands present in leaves. Tetraploid seedlings gave uniform patterns closely resembling the diploid, while triploids showed segregation in isozyme pattern.Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan (Israel).This research was supported by the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation, Grant No. 204/020.     

Bacteriological tests as an aid in the management of dental caries in Iceland

The activities of three natural coumarins, xanthotoxin and bergapten (fromAmmi majus, Umbelliferae) and psoralene (fromFicus cycomorus, Moraceae), were tested against mycelial growth and aflatoxin production of a toxigenic strain ofAspergillus flavus grown in a rice/corn steep liquor medium. Two other natural chromones, khellin and visnagin (fromAmmi visnaga) were also compared. Complete inhibition of aflatoxin release occurred with either xanthotoxin or khellin at 5 mM. The other three compounds also at 5 mM reduced aflatoxin to 12 to 16% of its original concentration. The mould growth was only slightly inhibited by all the compounds used.     

Heat shock proteins as an aid in the treatment and diagnosis of heat stroke

It is now well established that induction of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) protects the cell or tissue against a second otherwise lethal exposure to heat, a phenomenon known as thermotolerance. Because of this protective role, HSP72 is potentially useful in the treatment of heat illnesses, which range from relatively benign disorders such as heat cramps to heat stroke, which can be life threatening. This review discusses various ways in which HSP72 might be used in the diagnosis and treatment of the heat illnesses. This includes methods to induce HSP72, analysis of HSP72 in the cells and tissues of heat stroke patients, and screening methods to detect individuals who may be heat intolerant.