EEG spatial organization during intense hyperventilation (cyclic breathing): II. EEG correlates of psychovisceral phenomena

EEG correlates of two main effects of long-term hyperventilation (cyclic breathing similar to rebirthing), namely, psychotic manifestations and sensations in internal organs, are considered. Standard EEGs of 44 subjects were recorded and subsequently treated by multiparametric methods. It was shown that, in the case of psychotic phenomena (hallucinations, visual and auditory images, different scenes, virtual travels, out-of-body experiences, etc.), the changes in the spatial organization of bioelectric potentials as compared with the baseline have different patterns than in the case of sensations in internal organs. The changes are observed in the frontal regions of the cortex: a decrease in spatial synchronization (linear processes) during an increase in spatial disarray (nonlinear processes) of bioelectric potentials and the intensifying of high-frequency β activity. If sensations in internal organs appear, a decrease in the above parameters was observed in the right hemisphere and in posterior cortical areas. The data are discussed from the viewpoint of qualitative specificity of changes in functional states during an altered state of consciousness with manifestations of different psychovisceral phenomena.     

Biosynthetic features and properties of xylose isomerases from Arthrobacter nicotianae, Escherichia coli, and Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica

The characteristics of xylose isomerase biosynthesis in the bacteria Arthrobacter nicotianae BIM B-5, Erwinia carotovora subsp atroseptica jn42xylA, and Escherichia coli HB101xylA have been studied. The bacteria produced the enzyme constitutively. Out of the carbon sources studied, D-glucose and D-xylose were most favorable for the biosynthesis of xylose isomerase in E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica, but the least appropriate in terms of the enzyme production efficiency in E. coli. Minimum and maximum levels of xylose isomerase formation in A. nicotianae were noted, respectively, during D-xylose and sucrose utilization. An addition to the D-xylose-containing nutrient medium of 0.1–1.5% D-glucose did not affect the enzyme synthesis in A. nicotianae, but suppressed it in Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica (by 7% at the highest concentration) and Escherichia coli (by 63 and 75% at concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0%, respectively). The enzyme proteins produced by the bacteria exhibited the same substrate specificity and electrophoretic mobility (PAGE) as xylose isomerase A. nicotianae, although insignificant differences in the major physicochemical properties were noted.     

Cell adhesion molecule in the hexactinellid Aphrocallistes vastus

Abstract. The Hexactinellida sponge Aphrocallistes vastus contains a soluble aggregation factor (AF) whose purification has been described in this communication. It is characterized by a S°_20.w value of 37 and a buoyant density of 1.45 g/cm³. The AF is a glycoporteinaceous particle composed of three major protein species; no core structure could be visualized. In the presence of Ca²⁺, the AF causes secondary aggregation of single cells. The aggregation process is temperature, pH, and ionic strength independent within a broad range. Evidence is presented indicating that two (or more) AF molecules are required for the establishment of a stable cell: cell interaction. In contrast to the AFs from demosponges, the hexactinellid AF functions species-unspecifically.     

New species of Passiflora subg. Plectostemma and subg. Tacsonia (Passifloraceae)

Five new species of Passiflora subgenera Plectostemma and Tacsonia from Ecuador are described, viz. P. discophora, P. monadelpha, P. subpurpurea, P. hirtiflora and P. sanctaebarbarae . Section Discophora of subg. Plectostemma is proposed.