How should we interpret and distinguish subsidiary cells?

The concept of subsidiary cells is discussed in the light of the existing literature correlating ontogeny arid mature structure. The protodermal origin of each epidermal component is illustrated and explained and the status of the ontogenetic classifications of these components has been analysed and discussed. Terminology is also defined and discussed.     

Quantitative infrared spectroscopy of lipids in solution: II. Novel polar solvent systems.

In the second part of this series, previous solvent limitations in infrared studies are discussed and novel polar solvent systems for the analysis of nonpolar and polar lipids described. Limitation of potassium bromide windows for infrared cells are discussed. The use of calcium fluoride cells with crude lipids is discussed. Problems related to hydrogen bonding of lipid solutes in various solvent systems are discussed as well as hydrogen-deuterium exchange in biologically important lipids.     

Compartmentalization of regulatory proteins in the cell nucleus

The cell nucleus is increasingly recognized as a spatially organized structure. In this review, the nature and controversies associated with nuclear compartmentalization are discussed. The relationship between nuclear structure and organization of proteins involved in the regulation of RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes is then discussed. Finally, very recent data on the mobility of these proteins within the cell nucleus is considered and their implications for regulation through compartmentalization of proteins and genomic DNA are discussed.     

Epidemiologic situation of West Nile fever in Russia in 2010

Problem of tropical arbovirus infection--West Nile fever (WNF)--spread in Russian Federation is discussed. Biology of WNF is discussed, WNF sources and reservoir are characterized. WNF outbreaks in Russia during the past 2 decades are presented in detail. Outbreaks of different years, possible causes and epidemiology are discussed. Features of WNF clinical course during various outbreaks and WNF diagnostic problems are presented.     

The sliding filament model of muscle contraction. I. Quantum mechanical formalism

The quantum mechanical analog of work is defined and discussed by using a simple hypothetical molecular machine, thus enabling the introduction of clearly defined ideas which are necessary for a molecular discussion of biological machines such as the contractile machinery in striated muscle. The problem of control of such quantum machines is discussed and shown to be possible using the concept of a stimulated transition. The problem of “reversibility” is also discussed and shown to have a satisfactory solution for the orders of magnitude of the forces and velocities involved in muscular contractile machinery.     

Dermal Chromatophoies

SYNOPSIS The pigmentation of poikilotherms is based upon thepresence of deimal chiomatophoies melanophores, lndophores,and xanthophores The form function, and composition of eachchromatophore type is discussed, and variations n melano somecomposition are described Recent theories about the mechanismof melanosome movement are discussed The role of mdophores inpigmentation processes is described and their impoitance instructural coloration is evaluated Interrelationships of thepigmentary organelles of all three chromatophores are discussed,and evidence is piesented that they have a common origin Associationsof pigment cells with themselves or with other elements of theintegument are described as i basis for chromatophore function     

The functional morphology of the praying mantis forelimb (Dictyoptera: Mantodea)

The structure and function of the forelimbs of praying mantids are discussed. A large spine on the femur and the spine on the end of the tibia were shown experimentally to be important in the capture of unrestrained flies. These spines may function to narrow the gap through which a fly may escape while the tibia is closing on the femur. Some of the spines on the femur are hinged at their base; the structure, properties and possible functions of these spines are discussed.
Similar hinged spines are reported on the lorelimbs of Stomatopoda (CrustaceaI but were not found in the Mantispidac (Neuroptera:Insecta). The variation of forelimb structure within the Mantodea is briefly discussed. The theory that the optimum prev size can be predicted from the geometry of the mantid forelimb is critically discussed.     

Population Dynamics and Environmental Variability

SYNOPSIS. A model relating environmental variability and populationvariability is proposed and discussed. The model strongly emphasizesthe importance of the different consequences of erratic andregular environmental variability, which are discussed fromboth the theoretical and empirical viewpoints. Data on populationvariability for six species in three communities (temperateintertidal, subtropical intertidal, and oligotrophic lake benthic)are presented and discussed in the context of the model. Ingeneral, environmental variability and population variabilityare trongly correlated. The impact of erratic environmentalvariability is apparent in one community.     

Selected biostatistical aspects of the validation of in vitro toxicological assays

An overview is presented on selected biostatistical aspects of the validation of in vitro toxicological assays. Primarily, the statistical analysis of single assays is discussed. Several approaches are compared for the possible non-monotonic dose-response relationship with a priori unknown shapes. The use of confidence intervals instead of p values for toxicologically appropriate decision making is explained. New methods are discussed for demonstrating interlaboratory similarity for dose-response designs are discussed. For validation, the inappropriateness of the concordance coefficient is shown, and sensitive and specificity as well as predictive values are proposed as alternatives. The problem of the missing gold standard is highlighted.     

Numerical approaches to lake classification with special reference to macrophyte communities

Summary Various approaches to the classification of S. Swedish lakes on the basis of their macrophyte composition are discussed. A main division is made between species or life-form, and synusia or community approaches. Three steps in the classification are discussed: primary clustering of sites to arrive at a local classification, secondary classification of clusters of sites to arrive at general community types and classification of lakes according to their community composition.The estimation of species performance is discussed and a logarithmic transformation advocated. The analysis of belt transects is suggested as a satisfactory general approach.Some problems regarding synusial independence and possible synusial interactions are mentioned. A survey of boundary types in lakes is given.Examples are given of classifications based on single life-forms and life-form combinations. Helophyte community composition of lakes is effectively shown by a combination of classification and ordination. The idea of aquatic community complexes is discussed with reference to the recent sigma-syntaxon approach in phytosociology.Nomenclature follows Lid (1974).     

Diagnosis of prostatic leiomyosarcoma with fine needle aspiration cytology

A case of prostatic leiomyosarcoma initially diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology is reported. The cytologic findings on prepared smears are described. The value of a cell block preparation of the aspirate in establishing a definite diagnosis is discussed, and the differential diagnosis is briefly discussed.     

Nonparametric Comparison of Longitudinal Response Patterns from Paired Samples Using Configural Frequency Analysis

Nonparametric methods of Configural Frequency Analysis (CFA) for comparing longitudinal response patterns are discussed. Characteristics of diagonally symmetric frequency distributions are mapped with hypotheses on the locus of treatment effects. Test statistics for the analysis of local dependencies are discussed. In particular, applications to paired samples are considered. A biomedical example is given from research on the effects of spasmolytic drugs. Local CFA-testing is compared with global testing. Alternative strategies of testing and the respective underlying assumptions are discussed.     

Malic enzymes of higher plants: characteristics, regulation, and physiological function

The characteristics and distribution of the malic enzyme in plants is discussed as well as those features which appear to be limited to the plant NAD malic enzyme. Regulation of the malic enzyme as it relates to the physiological roles of this enzyme is also discussed.     

Theory of reversible denaturation of globular proteins.

A theoretical method is developed by which the character of the process of protein denaturation (e.g., whether or not it is of the all-or-none type) can be discussed in terms of conformation of native proteins and the forces stabilizing it. An important role is played by a quantity S(H): entropy of a protein molecule in solution in the conformational states with a given value of enthalpy H. It is demonstrated that the all-or-none type denaturation of proteins is a rather direct consequence of the globularity and specificity of the native conformations. Denaturations with significant intermediate states are discussed. Denaturations induced by added denaturants are also discussed.     

Variation in anther and pollen morphology in Leucaena Benth. (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

Variation in anther and pollen morphology is described and illustrated for species of Leucaena and a selection of species from closely related genera. This is discussed in relation to the variation found in the closely related genera of the informal Leucaena, Dichrostachys and Xylia groups of the tribe Mimoseae. A number of characters for cladistic analysis are identified and putative homologies assessed. Preliminary taxonomic conclusions about the status and relationships of L. multicapitula are discussed. Mode of anther dehiscence is also described and illustrated. The observation of persistent intact tapetal membranes after anther dehiscence in some species of Leucaena is discussed in relation to pollen unit.     

The physiology of iron,transferrin, and ferritin

The role of transferrin in iron metabolism is evaluated, both with regard to iron uptake by transferrin and to iron uptake from transferrin by different cells. The heterogeneity of serum transferrin is described and the implications of the heterogeneity are discussed. The composition of ferritin is given and the value of serum ferritins are discussed.     

Onychophora in invertebrate conservation: priorities, practice and prospects

The rationale of promoting onychophorans as target taxa in invertebrate conservation is discussed. Current knowledge relevant to onychophoran conservation is outlined and gaps are identified. The prospects for conserving onychophorans are discussed, and priorities suggested.