Erosion of the foramen transversarium of the axis. Anatomical observations

Six hundred foramina transversaria (FT) of the axis vertebrae of 4 population groups were examined for the presence of erosion of the lateral articular mass. Of these, 127 (21%) and 72 (12%) presented with moderate and marked erosion, respectively. Evidence is presented incriminating the tortuosity of the vertebral artery as well as congenital factors in the etiology of the erosion of the FT. Attention is drawn to the possible correlation between angulation of the transverse process of the axis and erosion of the FT.     

Exocoelomic internal hernia: elucidation of Papez's concept.

Two internal herinias of the intestines were found in adult males. One was a large translucent avascular membranous sac contining the small intestine from the duodenojejunal flexure to a point 6 in. proximal to the ileocaecal junction. The other was a peritoneal sac enclosing the small intestine, appendix, caecum and 6 in. of the ascending colon. The mesenteric and colic vessels were normal. Both hernias conformed to PAPEZ's concept of the so-called paraduodenal hernia that the hernial sac is derived from the umbilical coelom. The authors suggest that most of the so-called paraduodenal hernias are derived from the embryonic umbilical peritoneal diverticulum rather than from the peritoneal recesses or mesentery of the colon.     

Scanning electron microscopic study of the capillary loops in the dermal papillae. Skin of the hand of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata)

The microvasculature of the skin of the hand of Japanese monkeys was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy of corrosion casts. The vasculature of all areas of the skin of the hand was examined and divided into three structures excluding the nail bed: (1) In the ball of the finger, the typical structure of the capillary loops was studied. Capillary loops were formed out of not just one capillary vessel, but two or three vessels. Each capillary vessel arose and divided into several branches at the papilla, and they became descending limbs. After the loop passed a hairpin turn, the descending limbs were 1.5 times larger than the ascending limbs in the intrapapillary portion, and they became extrapapillary venules. The descending limbs connected with the postcapillary venules in the postpapillary portion and with the horizontal network. The postcapillary venules fused with each other (1-5 loops) to form the primary and secondary venous arcades. (2) In the thenar eminence, the capillary loops were a little lower, and their grooves were wider than in the ball of the finger. The characteristic structure in this area was the interpapillar capillary network. (3) In the lateral side of the finger, the number of capillary loops formed by the arterial capillary network of the subepidermal layer was smaller. The capillary loops here had the lowest height and a simple structure.     

Neuronal pathways from low-threshold muscle and cutaneous afferents innervating tail to trunk muscle motoneurons in the cat

We studied neuronal pathways from low-threshold muscle (group I, II) and cutaneous afferents (group A(alpha)beta) innervating the tail to motoneurons innervating trunk muscles (m. iliocostalis lumborum and m. obliquus externus abdominus) in 18 spinalized cats. Stimulation of group I muscle afferents produced excitatory postsynaptic potentials or excitatory postsynaptic potentials followed by inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in all motoneurons innervating the m. iliocostalis lumborum which showed effects (32%), and predominantly inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in motoneurons innervating the m. obliquus externus abdominus (47%). Stimulation of group I+II afferents produced significant increases of the incidence of motoneurons showing postsynaptic potentials (the notoneurons innervating the m. iliocostalis lumborum, 87%; the motoneurons innervating the m. obliquus externus abdominus, 82%). The effects of low threshold cutaneous afferents were bilateral, predominantly producing inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in motoneurons innervating both muscles. These results suggest that neuronal pathways from muscle afferents to back muscle motoneurons mainly increase the stiffness of the trunk to maintain its stability, while those to abdominal muscles help to extend the dorsal column by decreasing their activities. The results also indicate that neuronal pathways from cutaneous afferents to trunk motoneurons functionallY disconnect the tail from the trunk.     

Curative property of Withania somnifera Dunal root in the context of carbendazim-induced histopathological changes in the liver and kidney of rat.

The liver and kidney of rat underwent severe histopathological lesions when treated with a single bolus dose of carbendazim, a fungicide, particularly affecting the hepatocytes and the renal corpuscles, respectively. The effects appear to be manifestations of the microtubule-disrupting activity of carbendazim. Treatment of carbendazim-treated rats with the powder of tuberous root of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) for 48 days resulted in complete cure of these organs. The results indicate that Withania somnifera would be an effective curative for carbendazim-induced histopathological changes in the liver and kidney.     

Bottom and near-bottom fishes of the upper continental slope of the eastern Sea of Okhotsk

Biomass of bottom and near-bottom fishes in the eastern Sea of Okhotsk has been calculated using results of a bottom trawl survey performed in the summer 2010 through depths of 200?C1000 m. Obtained data are compared with the results of investigations performed in compatible water areas during the same season of 1989 and 1997. Biomass variability patterns of major species have been revealed for the period of more than two recent decades. The bathymetric and spatial distribution of major fish species has been revealed using the modern information. Species are listed whose commercial catches could be enlarged.     

Seasonal Evolution of the Quality of Fresh Glasshouse Tomatoes under Mediterranean Conditions, as Affected by Air Vapour Pressure Deficit and Plant Fruit Load

Changes in yield and quality of fresh tomatoes in response toair vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and plant fruit load werestudied under Mediterranean summer conditions. Plants thinnedto three or six fruits per truss were grown in two compartments,one at a VPD below 1.5 kPa, the other without VPD control. Theseasonal trend in fruit yield and quality was assessed fromApril to September by weekly measurement of number, fresh weightand dry matter content of harvested fruits, together with theoccurrence of blossom-end-rot (BER) and cracking. On two occasions,in July and September, sugar and acid content was measured atthree ripening stages. The seasonal decrease in fresh yieldwas attenuated at low VPD, because of higher individual fruitfresh weight, especially at low fruit load. Low VPD decreasedoccurrence of BER but like low fruit load, it increased fruitcracking. Fruit dry matter content was lower at low VPD, butwas unaffected by fruit load. Sugar content and the ratio ofsugars:acids was increased at high VPD and low fruit load, withinteractive effects depending on season and ripening stage.The influence of VPD on acid content differed with fruit loadand also changed during ripening and between seasons. Resultsshowed that water was the main limiting factor for growth offruits picked in July; at this time, reducing fruit load topromote mean fruit size had negative effects on BER and cracking.Reducing VPD reduced BER but had a negative effect on crackingand diluted both the dry matter and sugar content. For fruitsharvested later in summer, these negative effects were attenuatedbecause fruit growth was also carbon limited. Copyright 2000Annals of Botany Company Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., tomato, water and carbon stress, yield, quality, dry matter, sugar, acid, BER, volatile composition