Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with left ventricular aneurysm and normal coronary arteries: Case study indicating genetic tendencies of cardiomyopathy

A 50-year-old man presented with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOC) associated with a left ventricular aneurysm and normal coronary arteries. His history revealed no evidence of myocardial infarction or atypical angina. Physical examination disclosed HOC but did not suggest the presence of an aneurysm. Although the patient was treated medically, heart failure ensued, and he died suddenly while working his farm. Subsequent investigation of the patient's family revealed that three of his five children were also affected by cardiomyopathy, which was especially pronounced in the eldest, a 22-year-old man. The possible hemodynamic relationship between HOC and left ventricular aneurysm is discussed, along with probable indications. The role of left ventricular aneurysm is also presented in relation to the natural history of the disease.     

OPTIMUM N:P RATIOS AND COEXISTENCE OF PLANKTONIC ALGAE1

The optimum atomic ratio of N to P, the ratio at which one nutrient limitation changes over to the other, was determined in seven species of freshwater planktonic algae. The ratio varied over a wide range among species; the average for these species was 17. If the cellular nutrient ratios in marine species are comparable with those in freshwater organisms, Redfield's ratio of 15 is remarkably close to the average. Cellular N:P ratios varied over a 24-h period under a light:dark cycle. The variation of the optimum ratio between species and diel change in cellular N:P ratios within a species could play an important role in population dynamics by enhancing the probability of coexistence of species.     

Mast cell-lysosomal cationic protein interaction: effects of metabolic inhibitors and decay of activated cells on enhanced fluorescence of anilinonaphthalene sulfonate

It has been shown earlier that the interactions of the isolated rat peritoneal mast cells with cationic protein from rabbit neutrophil lysosomes (band 2 protein) can be studied using anilinonaphthalene sulfonate (ANS) as a fluorescent probe. In the present communication, binding of ANS dye to the mast cells interacting of histamine release by metabolic inhibitors was found to have no effect on enhancement of ANS fluorescence. On the other hand, inhibition of histamine release at high concentration of Ca2+ (14.4 mM) was accompanied by the decrease in enhance fluorescence. In the presence of 7.2 mM of Sr2+, the release of histamine was enhanced with small but significant increase in ANS fluorescence. The cells heated to 42 degrees C partially lost their capacity to release histamine without the loss of enhanced fluorescence. The mast cells interacting with B2 at 10 degrees C for various time intervals showed time-dependent loss in histamine releasing capacity with concomitant loss in enhanced fluorescence. These studies suggest that the enhancement of ANS fluorescence is associated with the early events of the cell membrane caused by interaction of B2 with the cells. The extracellular cations significantly influence this early event.     

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF OOSPORE GERMINATION IN PYTHIUM APHANIDERMATUM

Transmission electron microscopy was used in an examination of dormant and germinating oospores of Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzp. Predominant cytoplasmic components of the dormant oospore were a single, centrally located globule and numerous storage bodies surrounding the globule. The lipid nature of the central globule and storage bodies was indicated by the examination of Br₂-treated and untreated, fixed specimens. Three layers of the oospore wall were distinguished. During the early stages of oospore germination, the central globule developed incurvatures and became partially surrounded by vacuoles. The thick middle layer of the wall showed a change in staining properties and became thin in the region of germ tube emergence. Germlings incubated on corn meal agar differed substantially from those incubated in nutrient broth during the later stages of germination. The role of vacuoles and vesicles in the utilization of storage reserves during germination is discussed.     

Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during activity in snakes

Summary Oxygen consumption and blood lactate concentration in the snakesColuber constrictor, Crotalus viridis, Lichanura roseofusca andMasticophis flagellum and whole body lactate concentration inCrotalus viridis andMasticophis flagellum were determined under standard conditions and after a bout of maximal activity induced by a 5 min period of mechanical stimulation. Observations were made atT _b=35°C inColuber, Crotalus, andMasticophis and 32°C inLichanura. Maximal oxygen consumption inColuber andMasticophis was twice that ofCrotalus and 4 x that ofLichanura (Fig. 1). Post-active whole body lactate concentration inMasticophis was twice that ofCrotalus (Fig. 2). Immediately post-active and 30 min post-active blood lactate concentration inColuber andMasticophis was 1.5 x and 3.5 x that ofCrotalus andLichanura, respectively (Fig. 3). These data support conclusions that: (a) maximal energy production by these snakes correlates well with their respective modes of predation and defense, the highly active predatorsColuber andMasticophis being capable of the greatest net energy production during activity; (b)Coluber andMasticophis exhibit aerobic scopes as high or higher than any other comparably sized reptile heretofore investigated; (c) weight specific anaerobic metabolism probably does not decrease with increasing body size in reptiles; (d) anaerobic metabolism provides >50% of net energy production during five minutes of activity in all species examined (Table 1).     

Flow rates of components in digesta of pigs prepared with re-entrant cannulas in the proximal duodenum and terminal ileum, and fed semipurified, hard wheat, and soft wheat diets.

Four pigs prepared with re-entrant cannulas in the proximal duodenum and terminal ileum were used to study flow rates of total digesta, insoluble dry matter, nitrogen, and amino acids entering and leaving the small intestine. The pigs received a semipurified diet, a hard wheat diet, or a soft wheat diet. These were approximately isonitrogenous. A higher rate of passage of digesta through the proximal duodenum and terminal ileum were measured in pigs receiving the hard wheat diet. Peak flow of digesta at the duodenum of all pigs occurred at 1 h post feeding. Peak flow of digesta at the ileum occurred at 9 h post feeding on the soft wheat diet, but somewhat earlier on the hard wheat and semipurified diet. More nitrogen and essential amino acids flowed in the solid fraction of duodenal digesta during the first 2 h post feeding for the wheat diets and 4 h post feeding for the semipurified diet. It was concluded that flow rate of most nutrients from the stomach and through the small intestine of pigs is modified by the composition and texture of the food ingested. It is postulated that efficiency of mixing of digesta with digestive secretions in the stomach is a major factor influencing rate of flow.     

Infection of the heart cockle, Clinocardium nuttallii, from Yaquina Bay,Oregon, with an endosymbiotic alga

Clinocardium nuttallii from Yaquina Bay, Oregon, were found to harbor an endosymbiotic alga. Some aspects of this relationship are presented. The areas of infection include the siphon, mantle, and occasionally the foot. C. nuttallii under 2 years old are not infected; the incidence and intensity of the infection increases in the older age groups. For all ages the incidence averages 35%. Pigment composition, morphology, and growth characteristics of the alga are similar to those found in the genus Chlorella. In situ, the algae form dense, sometimes massive colonies but do not appear to cause any host reaction or enfeeblement. The thick layers surrounding the algal cells in situ, the dense colonies, and the in vitro reaction to host extract suggest the alga is parasitic. However, the presence of chloroplasts, the location of the algal cells only in illuminated tissue, the seemingly unhampered reproduction in situ, and the eventual adaptation to mineral medium suggest the alga is a facultative parasite. Experimental infection was achieved by feeding mature uninfected cockles a diet of only symbiont cells. In vitro observations found the symbiont cells readily engulfed by host blood amoebocytes. It is believed that the animal acquires the infection through phagocytosis of the symbiont cells and subsequent diapedesis across epithelial barriers by host amoebocytic cells.     

The effect of density and mutual interference by a Predator: A laboratory study of predation by the Nudibranch Coryphella rufibranchialis on the hydroid Tubularia larynx

The nudibranch Coryphella rufibranchialis (JOHNSTON) feeds on a variety of hydroids, including Tubularia larynx Ellis & Solander. Experiments in which density of prey and predators were altered showed that more prey were eaten as prey density increased. However, more prey were consumed at low predator densities, presumably because of mutual interference among nudibranchs at the higher predator densities. The number of prey consumed per nudibranch was maximal with low predator densities and a ratio of 25–50 polyps per predator. Coryphella seems to show an opportunistic feeding strategy involving solitary predators rapidly depleting hydroid colonies and moving on to new colonies.