Ontogeny of the Behavior of Strombus maculatus (Gastropoda: Strombidae)

The ontogeny of strombid behavior was studied by observing thebehavior of Strombus maculatus veligers collected from the planktonand reared past metamorphosis to adults, and by observing juvenilestrombids collected in the field. Complete adult modal actionpatterns (MAP's) associated with locomotion, feeding, and rightingof overturned shells are performed by S. maculatus juvenilesimmediately after metamorphosis. There are changes in the frequencyof the use of certain MAP's which are associated with variationsin shell shape and size. The unique strombid escape response to molluscivorous gastropods(Conns spp.) is not released until juvenile S. maculatus arethree weeks past metamorphosis and two millimeters in shelllength. At that stage, the complete response is released uponthe first encounter with a predator. Experience with a predatordoes not seem to lower the age or size criteria. During ontogeny there is a trend toward an increasing complexityof behavior which is paralleled by an increasing complexityof neural structure and general morphology. There are majorsteps in the ontogeny of strombid behavior which probably coincidewith neural and morphological stages.     

POLYCYTHEMIA VERA—Peripheral Vascular Manifestations

The presenting manifestations of polycythemia vera are often complications involving the vascular system. These include myocardial infarction, cerebro-vascular accidents and ischemic changes in the extremities.The concept of increased atherogenesis in cases of polycythemia vera has been questioned. A possible mechanism by which small, otherwise subclinical atheromatous plaques produce ischemic symptoms in patients with polycythemia vera is discussed. The blood in polycythemic patients has been shown to have an increased viscosity resulting in a prolonged circulation time. If a small atheromatous plaque is present in association with increased blood viscosity, this combination may well produce ischemic symptoms. This explains why treatment of polycythemia vera, with restoration of blood to normal viscosity, often reverses the patient''s ischemic symptoms.Two cases of polycythemia vera here reported, in which the presenting manifestations were gangrenous extremities, emphasize the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment of polycythemia vera. In the first case, early recognition and treatment of polycythemia vera successfully reversed the ischemic changes in the extremities, while failure of early recognition and treatment in the second case resulted in two major amputations.     

STUDIES OF NATIVE GLYCOGEN ISOLATED FROM SYNCHRONIZED TETRAHYMENA PYRIFORMIS (HSM)

Native glycogen was isolated from Tetrahymena pyriformis (HSM) by isopycnic centrifugation in cesium chloride density gradients. A density of 1.62 to 1.65 was isopycnic for glycogen. Most of the banded glycogen existed as 35 to 40 mµ particles which had a sedimentation coefficient of 214. These particles were composed of aggregates of 2 to 3 mµ spherical particles. Extraction of glycogen with hot alkali reduced the sedimentation coefficient of native glycogen from 214 to 64.7 and the particle diameter from approximately 40 to 20 mµ and smaller. Cell division was synchronized by a repetitive 12-hour temperature cycle, and glycogen was measured at several times during the cell cycle. The temperature cycle consisted of 9.5 hours at 12°C and 2.5 hours at 27°C. Approximately 90 per cent of the cells divided during the last 1.5 hours of the warm period. The carbohydrate/protein ratio of cells at the end of the cold period was 0.27 and was reduced slightly during the warm period. Glucose was incorporated into glycogen during both periods, although the rate of incorporation was greater during the warm period. No preferential incorporation on the basis of particle size was noted. Incorporation was measured in both native glycogen and KOH-extracted glycogen. Tetrahymena glycogen is compared with rat liver glycogen previously isolated by similar procedures, and the significance of using combined rate-zonal and isopycnic centrifugation for isolating native glycogen is discussed.     

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THE OXYNTIC CELL IN THE GASTRIC GLANDS OF THE BULLFROG (RANA CATESBIANA) : I. The Non-Acid-Secreting Gastric Mucosa

The fine structure of the oxyntic cell from the gastric glands of the bullfrog was studied in lead hydroxide—stained sections of gastric mucosa fixed in buffered osmium tetroxide and embedded in n-butyl methacrylate. The oxyntic cell in non-acid-secreting stomachs (gastric juice pH, 7.4–7.8) is characterized by: (a) numerous closely packed smooth surfaced vesicular and tubular profiles disposed randomly in the cell; some of these elements show interconnections making it possible to identify this component with smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticula of certain other cell types, (b) a small percentage of rough surfaced profiles characteristic of endoplasmic reticula possessing RNP particles on the outer membrane surfaces, (c) a Golgi complex consisting of multiple isolated non-polarized arrays of smooth surfaced parallel elongated profiles and associated vesicular elements, (d) a sparse granular component (140 A) scattered freely in the cytoplasmic matrix, (e) numerous mitochondria with a dense matrix and containing an unusually large number of closely approximated cristae, (f) a number of zymogen granules consisting of either a dense body limited by a membrane or surrounded by a halo of less dense material which is in turn limited by a membrane, and (g) a number of granules (~260 A) containing several smaller granules (~80 A) identified presumably as glycogen. Intracellular canaliculi were not observed. Instead the free surface of the oxyntic cell facing the lumen of the gastric gland shows a complicated plication of the plasma membrane. Intercellular canaliculi are seen frequently between adjacent oxyntic cells. The walls of these canaliculi are made up of folded and ruffled cell membranes. The basal surface of the cell also exhibited this type of configuration. Occasional smooth surfaced profiles are seen communicating with the free surface, the wall of an intercellular canaliculus, or the basal surface of the cell. Although nerve endings were not found in association with oxyntic cells, unmyelinated nerves were observed in the vicinity of the gastric glands.     

Cerebrovascular Occlusive Disease—Experience with Panarteriography in 300 Consecutive Cases

Three hundred patients with cerebrovascular occlusive disease have had cerebral angiographic examination at the Veterans Administration Hospital, San Francisco, in the last five years. The present technique consists of preliminary visualization of the aortic arch and the major extracranial branches, followed by selective study of the subclavian and carotid arteries as necessary for evaluation of the intracranial circulation.Nine major complications occurred (an over-all incidence of 3 per cent). Two patients died after angiography and seven had major neurologic deficits persisting for more than 24 hours. Three of these patients had permanent damage, but four recovered completely.One-third of the patients had extracranial disease and one-third had intracranial disease. No significant lesion was found in the remainder. In the 212 patients with lesions, multiple lesions were common, the average number being three. Six patients had brain tumors and five had aneurysms.The mechanism of the stroke could be ascertained readily in most of the patients, but the extent of the disease and the resulting symptoms varied considerably. Several patients with occlusion of most of the cerebral vessels had minimal symptoms, while others had catastrophic symptoms but only minimal findings at arteriography.     

The Site Specificity of Two Species of Gregarina in Tenebrio molitor Larvae

The site specificity of the apicomplexans Gregarina cuneata and Gregarina sleini , in larval Tenebrio molitor was investigated. Gregarina cuneata was found to inhabit the anteriormost region of the larval midgut, while G. steini was restricted to the posterior portion of the intestine. The site specificity of the pair was conserved in single and concurrent infections. Interspecific interactions do not seem to be presently responsible for the resource partitioning by the 2 gregarine species. Key words. Gregarina, site specificity, Tenebrio molitor.     

Carbon Dioxide Effects on Carbohydrate Status and Partitioning in Rice

The atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration has beenrising and is predicted to reach double the present concentrationsometime during the next century. The objective of this investigationwas to determine the long-term effects of different CO₂ concentrationson carbohydrate status and partitioning in rice (Oryza sativaL cv. IR-30). Rice plants were grown season-long in outdoor,naturally sunlit, environmentally controlled growth chamberswith CO₂ concentrations of 160, 250, 330, 500, 660, and 900µmolCO₂ mol¹ air. In leaf blades, the priority between the partitioningof carbon into storage carbohydrates or into export changedwith developmental stage and CO₂ concentration. During vegetativegrowth, leaf sucrose and starch concentrations increased withincreasing CO₂ concentration but tended to level off above 500µmolmol^–1 CO₂. Similarly, photosynthesis also increased withCO2 concentrations up to 500µmol mol^–1 and thenreached a plateau at higher concentrations. The ratio of starchto sucrose concentration was positively correlated with theCO₂ concentration. At maturity, increasing CO₂ concentrationresulted in an increase in total non-structural carbohydrate(TNC) concentration in leaf blades, leaf sheaths and culms.Carbohydrates that were stored in vegetative plant parts beforeheading made a smaller contribution to grain dry weight at CO₂concentrations below 330µmol mol^–1 than for treatmentsat concentrations above ambient Increasing CO₂ concentrationhad no effect on the carbohydrate concentration in the grainat maturity Key words: CO₂ enrichment, starch, sucrose