Catalase-like crystals in parathyroid gland cells of Rana temporaria L.

Summary Crystalline inclusions in parathyroid gland cell nuclei of Rana temporaria were studied by electron microscopy using a specimen tilting stage. Images were analysed by optical diffraction. Results were compared with X-ray and electron microscopic data of trigonal bovine liver catalase to which a striking resemblance of the inclusions was found.We are grateful to Professor R. Mosebach (Giessen) for discussions, to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for a grant (La 229/4) and instruments and to Messrs. Spindler & Hoyer, Göttingen and Messrs. Rank Precision Instruments, Nürnberg for putting apparatus at our disposal and performing diffraction photographs.     

Determination of Root Exudates in a Steril Continuous Flow Culture. II. Short-Term and Long-Term Variations of Exudation Intensity

The exudate production of alfalfa under the conditions of the sterile flow culture was quantitatively measured. In the first 40 days 3.10⁻³ μmoles amino-N, 2.5 μequivalents of organic acids and approximately 10⁻⁴ μmoles of reducing sugars were liberated per plant and per day into the percolating nutrient solution. The amino acid concentration in the outflow varies according to a daily periodicity. The exudation of a colored substance also shows daily periodical variations. This pattern is different from the pattern of the amino acid exudation, however, and directly coupled to shoot illumination. Short-term 2,4-dinitrophenol additions to the nutrient lower the liberation of amino acids into the percolating solution.     

Deutungsversuch zur Nahrungsaufnahme eines schnabelverletzten Austernfischers(Haematopus ostralegus)

Zusammenfassung Eine MitteilungFlints über die Nahrungsaufnahme eines schnabelverletzten Austernfischers (Gefangenschaftsvogel) gab Anlaß zu einigen Gedanken darüber, welche angeborenen Verhaltensweisen dem Vogel bei der Erfindung seiner neuen Methode von Nutzen gewesen sein können. — So wird das Aufspießen von Brocken in der Futterschüssel mit dem Erbeuten von Muscheln und Krabben durch Aufspießen verglichen und das Herausschleudern des Bissens als Versuch gedeutet, einen Fremdkörper loszuwerden. Das beachtliche Hinstoßen des Brockens zu einer Rinne im Käfigboden wird als Surrogat für einen im Freileben vorkommenden zielgerichteten Nahrungstransport angesehen und im schließlichen Versenken des überstehenden Schnabelteils in der Rinne zum Fassen der Nahrung wird das normale Nahrungsstochern der Art erblickt. — Es wird eine Hypothese zur mutmaßlichen Entstehung der verblüffenden Umorientierung entwickelt.

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Summary A short note byFlint about the feeding habits of an Oystercatcher(Haematopus ostralegus) in captivity with only three quarters of his under bill gave reason for reflections which of the innate motor patterns of the species might have helped the bird in finding its new method. — At first a morsel of food in the tray is stabbed with the upper bill. This is compared with the stabbing of mussels and crabs. The morsel is then flung out of the tray in the way of getting rid of annoying matter. After this the bit is pushed along the floor towards a slit and right across it. This remarkable performance seems to be a substitute for an oriented food transport directed to a special place occurring under full scope conditions. The sinking of the beak into the cleft in order to seize the food at last may be identical with the usual probing for worms. — A conjecture is given as to how this bewildering reorganization of feeding habits might have come into being.

     

Zytologische Beobachtungen an der hyperplastischen Nebennierenrinde des Menschen

Summary Clinical observations and the light and electron microscopic appearance of the adrenal cortex are described in a case of Cushing's disease associated with adrenocortical hyperplasia and a basophilic adenoma of the pituitary gland. The electron microscopic investigation concentrates upon the occurrence of osmiophil material in the different cytoplasmic compartments of the cell type rich in organelles and relatively poor in paraplasmic inclusions. It seems that the observation of osmiophil material in the perinuclear space, the mitochondrial matrix, Golgi vacuoles, and cytoplasmic vesicles has been made possible by a rather long fixation in Wohlfarth-Bottermann's chromium-osmium fixative. Mitochondria and related particles (named X-Einschlüsse) may contain a light center with a few dense filaments and masses resembling those described by other authors as being of deoxyribonucleic acid nature. Relatively large Golgi complexes are found, sometimes in close topographic relation with a centriole. A large population of osmiophil bodies (lipid droplets, pigment granules, microbodies) is described. Apart from these findings the cytoplasmic organization in the tissue studied is similar to that of the adrenal cortex as described in other mammals. The observations are discussed with respect to hypotheses about lipid droplet formation and to the possibility of artifacts due to preparation procedures.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. med. W. Bargmann zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet. — Herrn Prof. Dr. E. Uehlinger, Direktor des Pathologischen Instituts der Universität Zürich, danken wir für die Überlassung des Materials und für die freundlicherweise zur Verfügung gestellte pathologisch-anatomische Diagnose, dem Schweizerischen Nationalfonds für die Unterstützung und Frau Jäger, Mlle. Challamel und Herrn Krieger für die Ausführung der histologischen und photographischen Arbeiten.     

Zur Elektronenmikroskopie der Kerneinschlüsse im menschlichen Nebenhodenepithel

Zusammenfassung Es werden verschiedene Typen von Einschlußkörperchen im Karyoplasma der Epithelzellen des menschlichen Nebenhodenepithels beschrieben. Die verschieden strukturierten Kerninklusionen werden als eine Differenzierungsreihe aufgefaßt. Sie beginnt mit kleinen rundlichen Körperchen aus feinfädigem Material und führt über die Ausbildung von Anhäufungen dichter homogener Kugeln zu großen Vakuolen wechselnden Inhaltes.

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Summary Different types of inclusion bodies are described in the karyoplasm of the epithelial cells of the human epididymis. The structural differences between these inclusions are interpreted as being indicative of consecutive stages in the process of their formation. Thus small, spherical bodies consisting of a fine fibrous material are believed to be the initial stages in the formation of the inclusion bodies whereas the dense, homogenous globules are thought to represent a later stage. Large vacuoles containing different materials are regarded as the final stage in this process of differentiation.

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Herrn Professor Dr. W. Bargmann zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

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