The morphology of the cerebellar nuclei of Galago and Tupaia

The cerebellar nuclei of the lesser bushbaby (Galago senegalensis) and the tree shrew (Tupaia glis) were studied. The cerebellar nuclear grey of Galago is divisible into a medial nucleus, a nucleus interpositus anterior, a nucleus interpositus posterior, and a lateral nucleus. The lateral nucleus is slightly concave medially suggestive of a primitive hilus. The interpositus nucleus is divided into anterior and posterior portions by a delicate lamina of fibers. The medial cerebellar nucleus is an irregular mass of cells located dorsal to the fourth ventricle. The cerebellar nuclear grey of Tupaia is also divisible into a medial nucleus, a nucleus interpositus anterior, a nucleus interpositus posterior, and a lateral cerebellar nucleus. The medial cerebellar nucleus is located dorsal to the fourth ventricle. The nucleus interpositus anterior and nucleus interpositus posterior are joined together and with the lateral nucleus in the caudo-ventral region. The NIA and NIP have an anterior-posterior relationship to each other and the lateral nucleus has no apparent undulations suggestive of early sacculations. The configuration of the cerebellar nuclei of Tupaia more closely resembles the more primitive patterns of the rat, hedgehog, and mole than those of Galago or other primates.     

The loss of transportable plutonium deposits from the macrophages of the rat femoral bone marrow

Conclusion The results showed that plutonium may be retained in bone marrow macrophages for a considerable time. Consequently, plutonium deposits in these cells may substantially irradiate components of the surrounding bone marrow and cells on bone surfaces. In red bone marrow these include the radiation sensitive cells which give rise to leukaemia. If follows that bone marrow deposits of plutonium resulting from the turnover of contaminated bone are likely to be important in radiation protection dosimetry. The period of plutonium retention in the bone marrow was found to exceed that in the liver.In addition to the above the results of this study suggest that the autoradiographic methods used to measure the plutonium content of the bone marrow are likely to be suitable for studying those factors which may affect the rate of loss of alpha-emitters from this tissue. These factors include the iron status, sex, and age of the animal and effects of drugs and radiation on the cells.     

Are elderly people living alone an at risk group?

OBJECTIVE--To test the hypothesis that elderly people living alone are an at risk group with a high level of morbidity that makes high demands on health and social services. DESIGN--Secondary analysis of data from a community survey of 239 people aged 75 and over, identified from general practitioners'' age-sex registers. SETTING--Nine practices in the London boroughs of Brent and Islington. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Scores on the mini-mental state examination; stated satisfaction with life; assessment of mobility; numbers of diagnoses of major physical problems; numbers of prescribed drugs taken; urinary incontinence; alcohol consumption; contacts with general practitioners and hospital outpatient and inpatient services; contact with community health and social services. RESULTS--There were significantly more women among those living alone (93/120 (78%) v 63/119 (53%); p < 0.0005) and the median age of elderly people living alone was higher (81 v 80; p < 0.04). Those living alone and those living with others showed no significant differences in measures of cognitive impairment, numbers of major physical diagnoses, impaired mobility, or use of general practitioner or hospital services. Stated satisfaction with life was somewhat higher in those living alone. Elderly people living alone were significantly more likely to have contact with chiropody, home help, and meals on wheels services and less likely to have someone they could contact in an emergency or at night. Living alone increased the likelihood of contact with one or more community health professionals (district nurses, health visitors, or chiropodists) considered as a group and also increased the likelihood of contact with social services as a whole. There was a tendency for more of those living alone than those living with others to have home visits from their general practitioners, but there were no significant differences in contact with hospital services between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS--Elderly people living alone do not have an excess of morbidity compared with those living with others and do not seem to be an at risk group requiring specifically targeted assessments. More help is needed to provide elderly people living alone with a point of contact in case of emergency.