Ultrastructure of the sporophyte foot-gametophyte vaginula complex inTimmiella barbuloides (Brid.) Moenk

The sporophyte foot of the mossTimmiella barbuloides consists of an unistratose epidermis of transfer cells, a parenchymatous cortex, and a small central strand consisting only of hydroids. The parenchymatous tissue of the vaginula develops one layer of transfer cells opposite the foot, whose lower extremity extends into the gametophyte stem's central strand. From the bottom to the top of the foot the ultrastructure of the sporophyte transfer cells shows some gradual changes that appear related to a functional specialization of these cells. According to a centripetal gradient, the quantity of plastid starch progressively lessens in both vaginula parenchyma and foot cortex. the observed morphological patterns suggest that in the foot-vaginula complex nutrients are translocated radially up to the sporophyte central strand.     

Pelvic visceral arteries of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)]

40 pelvic preparations of rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus) were bilaterally studied by dissection under the stereomicroscope and angiography. The arterial pattern of the pelvis, i.e. origin and branching of the umbilical, urogenital and internal pudendal arteries (visceral branches), is described. The main characteristics observed are as follows: (1) The umbilical artery is permeable in adults and gives origin to the cranial vesical artery and a caudal branch that irrigates the pelvic urogenital organs and, eventually, the rectum, with six patterns of branching in both sexes. (2) Usually, the urogenital artery is the continuation of the visceral branch of the internal iliac artery. In 1 animal, unilaterally, it arises from the median sacral artery. In 12 animals (6 bilaterally and 6 unilaterally) the urogenital artery is absent. When present, it forms two branches, a cranial and a caudal one, that irrigate of the urogenital organs in both sexes. (3) The internal pudendal artery is the direct continuation of the internal iliac artery and gives to rise to some visceral branches that irrigate the penis, bulbourethral gland and rectum (with six patterns of branching) in males, and the vagina, clitoris and rectum (with three patterns of branching) in females.     

A Sphincter in the Pulmonary Artery of the Frog Rana temporaria and Its Influence on Blood Flow in Skin and Lungs

A sphincter is described in the a. pulmonalis in the frog Rana temporaria. The sphincter begins abruptly where the pulmonary artery branches off from the a. pulmo-cutanea. It is constricted by vagal stimulation and acetylcholine. It also contracts actively when the lungs are artificially collapsed and opens when the lungs are inflated. It is suggested that previously reported fibers in the vagus nerve, which come from stretch receptors in the lungs, act as the afferent reflex arch. When the pulmonary artery constricts, the cutaneous artery and vein are distended by increased pressure which contributes to increased cutaneous flow. The sphincter therefore seems to play an important role in the adjustment of circulation to exclusive cutaneous respiration as for instance in submerged, wintering frogs. It is suggested that the decrease of pulmonary flow in such situations causes increased mixing in the heart and, perhaps, complete break-down of the double circulation. In frogs with exclusive skin respiration this would seem to be a functional necessity. Sphincters of similar location in turtles seem to be homologous with the one in Rana.     

Arysulfatase A modulation with pH in multiple sulfatase deficiency disorder fibroblasts.

It has been observed that multiple sulfatase deficiency disorder (MSDD) fibroblasts contained from profoundly deficient to near normal amounts of arylsulfatase (ARS) A depending on the medium in which they were cultured. Our present findings show that the major factor determining the enzyme level is the pH of the medium during growth. In media which became acidic or was maintained at low pH (less than 7), the cells expressed the enzymopathy, while in high pH media (7.4), the cells produced enzyme. The high and low enzyme states were reversible. The ARS A deficiency in MSDD must, therefore, be a secondary manifestation of a mutation in another system.     

46,XX/46,XX,del (10) (p13)/47,XX,+r/47,XX,del (10) (p13), + r mosaicism and partial trisomy 10p phenotype (author's transl)]

The mosaicism 46,XX/46,XX,del(10)(p13)/47,XX, +r/47,XX,del(10)(p13), +r was found in the lymphocytes and the fibroblasts of a patient with the following : profound mental retardation; craniofacial dysmorphism with frontal bossing, fine eyebrows, a large hypoplastic nasal bridge, prognathism of the upper jaw, thick lips; a long and thin neck; congenital heart disease; skeletal malformations, with club feet; and hypotonia and lax ligaments. These malformations, compatible with the trisomy 10p syndrome, suggest that the supernumerary ring chromosome was composed of 10p material. An increase of HK1 and GOT1 activities was found. This is in favour of a partial trisomy of chromosome 10. The relative frequencies of the clones constituting the mosaic vary from tissue to tissue and with time.     

Clavispora,a new yeast genus of the Saccharomycetales

In Candida lusitaniae van Uden et do Carmo-Sousa (1959), strains of opposite sex have been found. Cells of the opposite mating types conjugate and form asci with one to four clavate spores. These are easily liberated from the ascus. The type strain of Candida obtusa (Dietrichson) van Uden et do Carmo-Sousa ex van Uden et Buckley (1970) also produces ascospores after mating with one of the strains of Candida lusitaniae. As clavate ascospores are unknow in yeasts, a new genus, Clavispora, is proposed with Clavispora lusitaniae spec. nov. as type species.     

Lipid metabolism in the newborn genetically obese (fa/fa) rat

Compared to its lean litter mate (Fa/--) the Zucker rat (fa/fa) develops obesity without hyperphagia in the first week of lite. It is characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy and higher lipid content in adipose tissue. In vitro utilization as well as in vitro oxidation by diaphragm of palmitic acid was decreased in 1 week old Zucker rat.     

Late ventricular fibrillation following successful resuscitation from postinfarction cardiogenic shock with intraaortic balloon pumping

Early ventricular fibrillation occurs in approximately 5% of patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction. Although late ventricular fibrillation (> 48 hours postinfarction) may occur in stable patients, it occurs more commonly when severe left ventricular power failure is present. We have encountered late ventricular fibrillation in three of 42 (7%) patients treated with intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) for profound cardiogenic shock secondary to myocardial infarction. These patients progressed to our hemodynamic Class A prior to weaning, and were thought to be stable prior to IABP removal. They were the only ones who expired after achieving Class A status. The episodes of late ventricular fibrillation occurred after the patients had been successfully weaned from IABP and were free of arrhythmias. This experience suggests that prolonged antiarrhythmic therapy may be indicated for postinfarction patients who have had ventricular dysrhythmias during IABP support.