Dissection, Staining, and Mounting of the Embryos of Conifers

A statement is given of the advantages of this special technic and its place in embryological investigations, including directions for selecting the proper stages in collecting conifer cones and ovules, their methods of dissection from living material and their preservation for later dissection. The choice of dissecting microscopes and dissecting instruments, as well as directions for staining embryos with phloxine which may be combined with slow dehydration in glycerin, or for staining with Delafield's or Heidenhain's hematoxylin which may be followed by the glycerin dehydration are described. Glycerin affords a convenient break for a temporary stopping place in this technic.

Directions are given for transfer from glycerin thru 95% and absolute ethyl alcohol into other solvents such as diaphane solvent, essence of euparel or an easily prepared sandarac solvent. Other mounting media which have been used for conifer embryos are discussed—glycerin jelly, Venetian turpentine and Canada balsam—emphasizing the special advantages found in the media employing sandarac.     

Coincidence of chronic lymphadenosis and lymphogranulomatosis]

A case is reported on the joint presence of chronic lymphatic leukaemia and lymphogranulomatosis in a 58 years old patient. 5 years after diagnosis and therapy of lymphadenosis a lymphogranulomatosis existing in addition to lymphadenosis was discovered by autopsy. Previously a change of symptoms had occurred. This became evident in the regression of palpable lymph node swellings as well as leukocytosis and lymphocytosis, in a change of the differential blood picture and the presence of periodic subfebrile temperatures. Problems connected with these double neoplasias are briefly outlined and discussed.     

Studies on the seasonal biochemistry of the Northern krillMeganyctiphanes norvegica in the Kattegat

A well defined pelagic population of the Northern krill,Meganyctiphanes norvegica was sampled annually at a specific location in the Skandinavian Kattegat, and the major biochemical components were measured. Protein and lipid were the main constituents and underwent the most pronounced seasonal changes, clearly correlated to the prevailing supply of food organisms. The amount of lipid increased to a maximum of 48% of the dry weight towards winter, out of phase with gonad maturation, and therefore interpretable as deposition of overwintering reserves. Utilisation of stored reserves proceeds over winter, with loss of lipid, and decrease in weight but not in length. Comparison with literature data showed similarities with other krill populations from different geographical locations. The biochemical components ofEuphausia superba, the key organism of the marine Antarctic ecosystem, resembled those ofM. norvegica. Special polar adaptations are not obviously expressed in the proximate biochemical composition.     

Anaerobic hydrolysis of beet pulp — Discontinuous experiments

Pressed beet pulp has been fermented in batch experiments by adapted mixed cultures under anaerobic conditions. Hydrolysis of the constituents proceeds in two stages, first pectin and pentosans, then cellulose are degraded. These reactions limit the overall process, whereas the formation of organic acids, mainly acetic, propionic and butyric acid, proceeds more readily.     

The effect of indomethacin on spontaneous and human menopausal gonadotropin induced pressure changes in the tissue and arterial vascular system from human ovaries perfused in vitro

Eight human ovaries were perfused in a closed recirculating system with a semisynthetic, hemoglobin-free medium. Arterial and intraovarian pressures were recorded simultaneously. In three experiments spontaneous pressure changes were noticed. In five experiments pressure changes were induced with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) (approximately 70mIU/ml follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and 40mIU/ml luteotrophic hormone (LH) II. IRP-hMG). Frequency and amplitude of pressure changes in the arterial system and fluctuations in tissue pressure were reduced with indomethacin (20 micrograms/ml). In one experiment 40 micrograms/ml indomethacin had been used. In spite of the high dose of indomethacin arterial and tissue pressure changes were not abolished in all experiments. Therefore it is assumed that vascular and tissue activities are not mediated by prostaglandins only.