Proportions and variability in the Indian lorises: Bone weight observations onLoris tardigradus lydekkerianus andNycticebus coucang

Thirty uniformly prepared, disarticulated complete skeletons of adultLoris tardigradus lydekkerianus andNycticebus coucang have been weighed for preliminary study of the weight relations between different major skeletal parts. In these forms, combined relative weight of the precaudal vertebrae, ribs and sternum surpasses the averages for the rest of the skeletal parts. The weight of the skull equals one-fifth of the total skeletal weight inLoris andNycticebus. The weight of the skeletons of the limbs (including the shoulder girdle and the hip bones) contributes less than half of the total skeletal weight in lorises. The bones of the upper limbs are lighter than those of the lower limbs in the 2 series examined.Loris andNycticebus are distinguished by having the proportionately heaviest axial skeleton and skull and the lowest relative weights of the bones of the 4 limbs. The combined relative skeletal weight of the upper and lower limbs ranges between 45.34 and 50.01 inLoris andNycticebus. The relative weight of the skeletons of the hands and feet are almost similar to the corresponding weights in the 2 series.As far as the weights of the different skeletal parts are concerned, there is no relative asymmetry in the 2 series ofLoris andNycticebus examined.     

Adhesive apparatus in certain Indian hill stream fishes

The results of a detailed study on the adhesive apparatus of Indian hill stream cyprinid and sisorid fishes are presented. The structure of the mental suctorial disc in the genus Garra is described. Histological study of the mental region of Crossocheilus and Psilorhynchus has also been made and compared with the mental disc of Garra . The muscles of the disc which control its movements in bringing a partial vacuum during adhesion have been investigated. The complexity of the geniohyoideus muscles in Garra is interesting. Variations in the degree of development and histological modifications of the mental disc are exhibited by the fishes of the genus Garra .
A thoracic adhesive apparatus in the form of longitudinal or transverse ridges and grooves is present in the sisorids, Laguvia, Glyptothorax and Pseudecheneis except Gagata . A close study has revealed that the adhesive apparatus of the catfishes works mainly on the principle of friction. The variations in shape, size and location of the adhesive apparatus in various species are correlated to their respective habitats.
Structural variation in the adhesive apparatus of Pseudecheneis is maximum in comparison to that in Laguvia and Glyptothorax . It is discovered that the modifications are associated with the presence of multi-spinous layers, formation of caps by the basal or holdfast cells and with the transformation of loose areolar tissue into thick collagenous dermis. The presence of a pad of adipose tissue in the region of the adhesive apparatus has been reported and its physiological significance as a source of stored food suggested.
The anterior part of the protractor ischii muscle is modified to control the action of the adhesive apparatus. In Pseudecheneis , besides the m. protractor ischii, the ventral part of m. mesioventral is also associated with the adhesive apparatus.     

Kinetics of serotonin in platelets in essential hypertension.

In a study of the kinetics of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in platelets in 26 hypertensive subjects with a mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 153.9 +/- 26.9 and 106.9 +/- 9.1 mm Hg respectively, it has been observed that in hypertensive platelets there was a marked decrease in 5-HT uptake and content, an increase in 5-HT efflux and an accompanying increase in Plasma 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels. Regression analysis of the data indicated a significant correlation between rise in diastolic blood pressure and these changes in 5-HT kinetics.