Ultrastructure of interstitial cells of Cajal at the gastro-oesophageal junction of the monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

The ultrastructure of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the oesophagus of the monkey resembled that described in the oesophagus of other mammalian species but differed in their paucity and almost lack of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, caveolae and filaments. The plasmalemma of the ICC was in close contact (20- to 30-nm gaps) with that of smooth muscle cells. This may occasionally take the form of a desmosome, but gap junctions have not been observed. Vesiculated axon profiles, containing large granular or agranular vesicles were in close contact (20- to 30-nm gaps) with the plasmalemma of ICC. In a few vesiculated profiles a presynaptic density could be recognized. The intercalation of the ICC between the vesiculated axon profiles and the smooth muscle cells suggest a role in oesophageal motility. Between 3 and 21 days following bilateral vagotomy some ICC showed regressive changes such as increased electron density and shrinkage of the cytoplasm, crowding of the organelles and dissolution of the nuclear chromatin material. Axon profiles in the vicinity of the affected ICC contained glycogen granules suggesting injury. In late stages, the number of ICC and smooth muscle contacts was reduced. The results suggest that the vagus nerves exert a trophic influence on the ICC and that the intercellular relationships between ICC and smooth muscle cells possess a degree of plasticity. It is tentatively suggested that these vagal effects may be mediated via the oesophageal myenteric ganglia.     

Ellesmeris sphenopteroides,gen. ET SP. NOV., a new zygopterid fern from the Upper Devonian (Frasnian) of Ellesmere,N.W.T., Arctic Canada

A new fern-like fossil plant is described from the lower Upper Devonian of southern Ellesmere Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The plant occurs in an Archaeopteris-dominated flora preserved in the Nordstrand Point Formation (Mid-Late Frasnian) near Bird Fiord. The plant has a pinnate vegetative system with three branch orders and laminate sphenopteroid pinnules. Primary pinnae usually diverge from the main axis in distichous pairs (quadriseriate), but can depart singly (biseriate). Each primary pinna bears a basal catadromic aphlebia. Anatomically, the plant exhibits a mesarch, bipolar protostele that is ribbon- to clepsydropsoid-shaped in the main axis. Primary pinna traces are also initially bipolar and crescent-shaped, but may become four-ribbed before dividing into a pair of bipolar traces. The morphology and anatomy of this plant are nongymnospermous and are most similar to Zygopteridales (particularly Rhacophytaceae and Zygopteridaceae). The Frasnian age of Ellesmeris shows that laminated foliage had evolved in some zygopterid ferns much earlier than previously recognized. The Sphenopteris-like pinnules of Ellesmeris indicate the need for caution when attributing such a convergent foliar design to other plant groups, such as the Devonian gymnosperms.     

Scanning electron microscopic studies of the vasa vasorum of thoracic aortas

Using hot alkaline solution, the elastic laminae were extracted from aortas and observed with scanning electron microscopy. Vascular structures were found in the elastin layers of the tunica media in descending thoracic aortas of sheep, dogs, and pigs, and these tube-like structures were filled with elastomer which was injected through the heart of the animal in vivo. Sub-intimal microvessels were also found to be filled with the elastomer and it is concluded that vasa vasorum can exist close to the internal elastic lamina in these animals.     

Ultrastructure of the epithelial cells of the ventral prostate from the hopping mouse Notomys alexis

The large ventral prostate of the hopping mouse has abundant secretory units whose epithelial cells vary in height and which often have nuclei in the apical region of the cell. TEM observations indicated two epithelial cell types in which some unusual features occurred. Type A cells had granular endoplasmetic reticulum (GER) whose membranes often formed intracytoplasmic confronting cisternae. Type B cells had more fragmented and vesiculated GER with sparse ribosomes and less frequently also intracytoplasmic confronting confronting cisternae. In the latter cells, two types of granules were found, one of which was derived from the Golgi and the other possibly directly from the GER. Type A cells only had one type of granule present. A highly convoluted membrane was also found at the basal region in many of the cells. The significance of these unusual ultrastructural features has yet to be ascertained.     

Histological demonstration of capillaries, interstitial space and muscle fibers in heart and skeletal muscle with fluorescent dyes

A method is described which allows a clear demonstration of capillaries and muscle fibers in the heart and skeletal muscle of experimental animals. The fluorescent dyes fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and lissamine rhodamine B 200 (RB 200) were conjugated with a protein of high (gamma-globulin) and low (myoglobin) molecular weight, respectively, and were intravitally injected into the vascular system of rats. FITC globulin distributes itself in the intravasal space and RB 200 myoglobin in the extracellular. In histological sections the capillary lumina and the borderlines of the muscular fibers can be clearly identified and quantitatively evaluated because of the selective fluorescence in the respective structures.     

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.     

Effects of Photoperiod and Maturity Genes on Plant Growth, Partitioning, Radiation Use Efficiency, and Yield in Soyabean [Glycine max(L.) Merrill] 'Clark'

Plants of four isolines of soyabean [Glycine max(L.) Merrill]‘Clark’, viz‘L71-920’ (maturity genecomplemente₁e₂e₃ ), ‘L80-5914’ (E₁e₂e₃), ‘Clark’(e₁E₂E₃), and ‘L65-3366’ (E₁E₂E₃), were grown inshort (12.25 h d ^{- 1}natural light) and long days (12.25 h d^{- 1}natural light supplemented with 2.75 h d ^{- 1}low-irradianceartificial light) from first flowering to maturity in a polythenetunnel maintained at 30/24°C (day/night). Whereas therewere few differences among the isolines grown in short days,in long days the dominant alleles increased crop duration, biomassand seed yield substantially. Increases in biological and economicyield were not solely a consequence of longer crop duration:the dominant alleles also increased crop growth rate and radiationuse efficiency in long days (from 1.3 g MJ ^{- 1}total radiationine₁e₂e₃ to 2.8 g MJ ^{- 1}inE₁E₂E₃ ). Greater radiation use efficiencyresulted from a relatively longer leaf area duration, betterdistribution and orientation of a larger mass of leaves withinthe canopy, and smaller partitioning of assimilates to reproductivestructures. The work reveals the substantial effects of thethree lociE₁ / e₁, E₂/ e₂and E₃/e₃ on the response of plantgrowth, as well as development, to environment. Their relevanceto crop adaptation is discussed. Copyright 2000 Annals of BotanyCompany Glycine max(L.) Merrill, soyabean, maturity genes, flowering, phenology, growth, yield     

Extracellular secretion of levansucrase from Zymomonas mobilis in Escherichia coli

Secretion of levansucrase from Zymomonas mobilis in Escherichiacoli by glycine supplement was investigated. A significant amount of levansucrase (about 25% of total activity) was found in intact whole-cells. Cell fractionation experiments showed that levansucrase was found both in the periplasmic space and in the cytoplasmic fraction of E. coli. None or only trace amounts of levansucrase was detected in the extracellular culture broth at 24 h of cultivation and it accrued with the increasing concentration of glycine in the culture medium and duration of the culture period. Optimal glycine concentration for the maximum secretion of levansucrase was in the range of 0.8-1%, in which approximately 20-50% of levansucrase was released into the extracellular fraction at 24 h of cultivation, although glycine retarded the bacterial growth.     

The Expanded mtDNA Phylogeny of the Franco-Cantabrian Region Upholds the Pre-Neolithic Genetic Substrate of Basques

The European genetic landscape has been shaped by several human migrations occurred since Paleolithic times. The accumulation of archaeological records and the concordance of different lines of genetic evidence during the last two decades have triggered an interesting debate concerning the role of ancient settlers from the Franco-Cantabrian region in the postglacial resettlement of Europe. Among the Franco-Cantabrian populations, Basques are regarded as one of the oldest and more intriguing human groups of Europe. Recent data on complete mitochondrial DNA genomes focused on macrohaplogroup R0 revealed that Basques harbor some autochthonous lineages, suggesting a genetic continuity since pre-Neolithic times. However, excluding haplogroup H, the most representative lineage of macrohaplogroup R0, the majority of maternal lineages of this area remains virtually unexplored, so that further refinement of the mtDNA phylogeny based on analyses at the highest level of resolution is crucial for a better understanding of the European prehistory. We thus explored the maternal ancestry of 548 autochthonous individuals from various Franco-Cantabrian populations and sequenced 76 mitogenomes of the most representative lineages. Interestingly, we identified three mtDNA haplogroups, U5b1f, J1c5c1 and V22, that proved to be representative of Franco-Cantabria, notably of the Basque population. The seclusion and diversity of these female genetic lineages support a local origin in the Franco-Cantabrian area during the Mesolithic of southwestern Europe, ∼10,000 years before present (YBP), with signals of expansions at ∼3,500 YBP. These findings provide robust evidence of a partial genetic continuity between contemporary autochthonous populations from the Franco-Cantabrian region, specifically the Basques, and Paleolithic/Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups. Furthermore, our results raise the current proportion (≈15%) of the Franco-Cantabrian maternal gene pool with a putative pre-Neolithic origin to ≈35%, further supporting the notion of a predominant Paleolithic genetic substrate in extant European populations.