Histoplasmosis in Montreal During the Fall of 1963, with Observations on Erythema Multiforme

Although Montreal is in an endemic area, significant clinical histoplasmosis with systemic manifestations has been, until recently, infrequently diagnosed. However, since the autumn of 1963, 31 cases of clinically significant histoplasmosis have been seen by the authors. These were divided into two groups: (1) patients in whom the diagnosis was established on the basis of histological and/or cultural demonstration of the fungus; (2) patients in whom the diagnosis was based on a positive histoplasmin skin test, a complement fixation antibody titre of 1:32 or greater and compatible clinical and radiological findings. An additional group of 11 patients who presented with erythema multiforme was investigated and a heretofore unrecognized relationship between histoplasmosis and erythema multiforme was established.     

Renal Disease Secondary to Metabolic Disorders or Physiological Deficiency States

Significant alterations in the structure and functions of the kidney are caused by a number of metabolic disturbances and deficiencies of physiological substances. These include intercapillary glomerulosclerosis, gout, hypercalcemia, hereditary cystinuria, potassium depletion, pyrophosphates deficiency, vitamin D deficiency and liver disorders. Some of these metabolic disorders are secondary to drug ingestion.     

The Latex Serologic Test for Syphilis—A New Screening Procedure

A new macroscopic screening test for syphilis, the Latex-sts test, is extraordinarily simple. After inactivation of the patient''s serum for 30 minutes at 56°C the test is performed by mixing the patient''s serum with latex particles coated with cardiolipin and a protein fraction obtained from the non-pathogenic Reiter strain of Treponema pallidum. Two to three minutes after mixing, the result of the test is observed on a ringed serologic plate. The sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the new test are equivalent to those of the qualitative Venereal Disease Research Laboratory tube test. The advantages of the Latex-sts are that it can be done in a short time, it is simple and it requires a minimum of laboratory equipment. The coated latex particles are stable for 12 months.     

STUDIES ON THE LIFE CYCLE AND TAXONOMY OF LIGNIERA VERRUCOSA

Miller , Charles E. (A. and M. College of Texas, College Station.) Studies on the life cycle and taxonomy of Ligniera verrucosa. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(10): 725–729. Illus. 1959.—A study of the roots of Veronica persica Poir. and V. hederaefolia L. plants infected with Sorosphaera veronicae Schroeter revealed intracellular cystosori and zoosporangial sori of Ligniera verrucosa. The zoosporangial phase of this species has been heretofore unknown. The plasmodia of L. verrucosa occur in root hairs, and other epidermal and sub-epidermal cells of the roots. Zoosporangial and cystosoral plasmodia are indistinguishable until cleavage has started. It is thought that plasmodia produced during early infection develop into zoosporangia, while those produced later develop into resting spores. Zoospores discharged from zoosporangia may reinfect host cells developing there into zoosporangial or cystosoral plasmodia. No evidence for any sexual process was observed. The spherical zoosporangia making up a single zoosporangial sorus may be interconnected; a single discharge pore may serve to liberate zoospores from different zoosporangia. In the Plasmodiophorales the classical basis for generic distinction has been the arrangement of the resting spores in the sorus. Ligniera, because of the supposedly uncharacteristic nature of its cystosori, has been suggested as a host-variety of Sorosphaera. A comparative study of the cystosori and zoosporangia of Ligniera and Sorosphaera growing in a single host has led to the conclusion that these genera should be considered distinct.     

A study of the hatching process in aquatic invertebrates. XVI. Events of eclosion in Calopsectra neoflavellus Malloch (Diptera,Tendipedidae). XVII. Hatching in Argulus megalops Smith (Crustacea,Branchiura)

Summary Hatching in the tendipedid, Calopsectra neoflavellus involves first a slow uptake of water by the embryo during development, whereby it increases in size and comes to fill entirely the space within the chorion. After completion of embryonic development, the prolarva increases still more in size by swallowing and absorbing water. Internal pressure thus generated results in the bursting of the chorion. The larva then frees itself by active movements.In the branchiuran, Argulus megalops, hatching is similar to that previously described for Copepoda, in that an inner egg membrane swells osmotically and splits the outer chorion. Subsequent bursting of the inner membrane throws the larva nearly out of the egg, but final emergence is by active struggle of the larva.

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Zusammenfassung Das Ausschlüpfen von Calopsectra neoflavellus enthält erstens eine langsame Wasseraufnahme durch den Embryo, wodurch der Embryo wächst und das Wasser den ganzen Raum zwischen Embryo und Chorion füllt. Nach Vollendung der Entwicklung quillt der Embryo noch mehr auf durch den Schluckakt und Aufnahme des Wassers. Dann zerreisst das Chorion durch den intraovularen Druck. Endlich befreit sich die Larve durch Sträuben.In Argulus megalops (Branchiura) gleicht das Ausschlüpfen dem vorher dargestellten für den Copepoden. Eine innere Membran schwillt osmotisch und zerreisst; das Chorion dann zerreist auch die innere Membran selbst and wirft die Larve nahezu aus dem Ei hinaus, aber die schliessiiche Befreiung geschieht durch Sträuben.

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Supported by National Science Foundation grant GB-219, entitled A study of hatching and of the ecology of egg masses of aquatic invertebrates.