On the scientific,medical, dental and educational value of collections of human skeletons

Having been approached from time to time by various museum, university and governmental authorities in Australia, California and Scotland, I have set down some brief notes on the scientific, medical, dental and educational importance and value of collections of recent human skeletons drawn from populations in all parts of the world. This article does not pretend to completeness. It has been set down in the hope that it may be of assistance to those officiers in charge of such collections and who may be pondering upon the worthwhileness of such collections being retained and maintained.     

Detection of major genes for susceptibility to leprosy and its subtypes in a Caribbean island: Desirade island.

To determine the nature of the genetic component controlling susceptibility to leprosy and its subtypes, complex segregation analysis, by means of the POINTER strategy, was performed on 27 multigenerational pedigrees from Desirade, a Caribbean island where leprosy is highly prevalent. The results are consistent with the presence of a recessive or codominant major gene controlling susceptibility to leprosy per se and nonlepromatous leprosy, respectively. Under the major-gene model, tests of homogeneity to check for internal consistency of the sample and to compare subsamples according to an epidemiological criterion, the place of residence of the probands, were conducted; results of none of these tests were significant. However, we have noted that information on 3 generations (nuclear families with a pointer to the sibship) is of major importance for detecting major gene(s). Besides, the discrepancy in the results obtained in separate analyses of the family subsamples defined by the place of residence of the probands is discussed in terms of possible genetic and/or environmental differences. Referring to experimental data and previous studies, we suggest that the gene for susceptibility to leprosy per se and that for susceptibility to nonlepromatous leprosy might be different, acting at successive stages of the immune response to infection with Mycobacterium leprae.     

Perinatal anti-androgen treatment and genotype affect the mesotelencephalic dopamine system and behavior in mice

Sex and strain differences in tyrosine hydroxylase activity (TH) of brain dopamine systems have been reported for mice. To investigate if there might be a causal relationship between perinatal androgen secretion and regional mesotelencephalic TH activity, BALB/cJ and C57BL/6ByJ male mice were treated perinatally with cyproterone, a steroidal anti-androgen (or vehicle), and orchiectomized at 1 month of age. Two-way analysis of variance indicated significant treatment and strain effects in the mesencephalon and tuber olfactorium: perinatal cyproterone treatment lowered TH activity, and BALB/cJ had higher regional TH activities than those of C57BL/6ByJ. The most prominent behavioral effects of cyproterone treatment were found in the expression of scratching, which was considerably increased in both strains. Possible implications of these results are discussed.     

Chromosome-damaging effects of heraclenin in human lymphocytes in vitro

Heraclenin, a furocoumarin with an epoxide group in its side chain, was analyzed to see if it induced structural chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in human lymphocytes in vitro. The results were compared directly with those of imperatorin, which differs from heraclenin only in lacking an epoxide group. An equally strong clastogenic effect was found for both heraclenin and imperatorin: the number of metaphases with breaks was increased in both cases by approximately a factor of 6. Heraclenin produced a considerable dose-dependent increase in the SCE rate, i.e., by about 60 induced SCEs/metaphase, whereas imperatorin induced only about 4 SCEs/metaphase. The results are discussed with respect to the occurrence of structural aberrations, which are primarily due to the basic furocoumarin structure itself, whereas the large increase in the SCE rate produced by heraclenin is most probably significantly influenced by its epoxide group.     

Superoxide Radical-Mediated Alteration of Synaptosome Membrane Structure and High-Affinity γ-[14C]Aminobutyric Acid Uptake

Mouse cortical synaptosomal structure and function are altered when exposed to hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HPX/XOD)-generated active oxygen/free radical species. The structure of both the synaptic vesicle and plasma membrane systems are altered by HPX/XOD treatment. The alteration of synaptic vesicle structure is exhibited by a significant increase in the cumulative length of nonsynaptic vesicle membrane per nerve terminal. With respect to the nerve terminal plasma membrane, the length of the perimeter of the synaptosome is increased as the membrane pulls away from portions of the terminal in blebs. The functional lesion generated by HPX/XOD treatment results in a reduction in selective high-affinity gamma-[14C]aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake. Kinetic analysis of the reduction in high-affinity uptake reveals that the Vmax is significantly altered whereas the Km is not. Preincubation with specific active oxygen/free radical scavengers indicates that the super-oxide radical is directly involved. This radical, most probably in the protonated perhydroxyl form, initiates lipid peroxidative damage of the synaptosomal membrane systems. Low-affinity [14C]GABA transport is unaltered by the HPX/XOD treatment. The apparent ineffectiveness of free radical exposure on low-affinity [14C]GABA transport coupled with its effectiveness in reducing high-affinity transport supports the idea that two separate and different amino acid uptake systems exist in CNS tissue, with the high-affinity being more sensitive (lipid-dependent) and/or more energy-dependent (Na+,K+-ATPase) than the low-affinity system.     

Contribution of cardiogenic oscillations to gas exchange in constant-flow ventilation

The contribution of cardiogenic oscillations to gas exchange during constant-flow ventilation was examined in 11 dogs. With the use of two variations of cardiopulmonary bypass to maintain the systemic and pulmonary circulation, the influence of cardiogenic oscillations was removed by arresting the heart. Cardiac arrest by ventricular fibrillation was associated with a mean decrease in alveolar ventilation of 43% in five dogs on right and left heart bypass. However, successful defibrillation and return of the prearrest level of alveolar ventilation could not be achieved; thus we studied six dogs on left heart bypass. Alveolar ventilation decreased an average of 37% with cardiac arrest, and defibrillation resulted in a return of alveolar ventilation to 81% of the prearrest value. These results are consistent with previous predictions that cardiogenic oscillations are an important mechanism of gas transport during constant-flow ventilation.     

Modulation of the serotonin S2-receptor in brain after chronic lithium

In vivo effects of chronic lithium administration on dopaminergic and serotonergic receptor binding were studied in the striatum and cerebral cortex of the rat. [³H]Domperidone was used as the ligand for the dopaminergic receptor, and [³H]ketanserin for the serotonergic system. Long-term ingestion of lithium (2–3 months) resulted in high levels of lithium in the cerebral cortex and significantly higher potassium levels; the sodium content remained at normal levels. The kinetic constants (K _d andB _max) of [³H]domperidone binding sites measured in the striatum did not show any deviation from control values, but the receptor concentration (B _max) of [³H]ketanserin binding sites was significantly reduced in the cerebral cortex of lithium-treated rats. The apparent dissociation constant (K _d) was not changed. The results indicate that the serotonergic component of the [³H]spiperone binding site, which we had previously found to be affected by chronic lithium treatment and which was shown by Peroutka and Snyder (1) to be the 5-HT₂ receptor, is selectively affected by lithium.Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Eduardo De Robertis.     

Direct effects on the membrane potential due to "pumps" that transfer no net charge

The effects of active ionic transport are included in the derivation of a general expression for the zero current membrane potential. It is demonstrated that an active transport system that transfers no net charge (nonrheogenic) may, nevertheless, directly alter the membrane potential. This effect depends upon the exchange of matter within the membrane between the active and passive diffusion regimes. Furthermore, in the presence of such exchange, the transmembrane active fluxes measured by the usual techniques and the local pumped fluxes are not identical. Several common uses of the term “electrogenic pump” are thus shown to be inconsistent with each other. These inconsistencies persist when the derivation is extended to produce a Goldman equation modified to account for active transport; however, that equation is shown to be limited by less narrow constraints on membrane heterogeneity and internal electric field than those previously required. In particular, it is applicable to idealized mosaic membranes limited by these requirements.     

Zur Ethologie von Putzsymbiosen einheimischer Süßwasserfische im natürlichen Biotop

Zusammenfassung Erstmals konnten Putzsymbiosen zwischen Süßwasserfischen im natürlichen Biotop beobachtet werden. Die sowohl intra-als auch interspezifischen fakultativen Symbiosen wurden bei Bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus), Laube (Alburnus alburnus), Schleie (Tica tinca), sowie bei juvenilen Rotaugen (Rutilus rutilus), Rotfedern (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) und Flußbarschen (Perca fluviatilis) festgestellt. Bei Übertragung der Putzstimmung im Schwarmverband kann ein Putzen im Kollektiv auftreten, wo jeder jeden putzt bzw. dazu auffordert. Das Ausgangsverhalten zum Geputztwerden ist die Einstellung der Lokomotion (Putzstarre), wobei die beobachteten Süßwasserfische im Gegensatz zu marinen Fischen selbst in der Aufforderungsstellung kompensatorische Flossenbewegungen durchführen. Diese einleitende Reglosigkeit kann bereits Putzen durch den Partner auslösen, dessen Bereitschaft mit zunehmender Schrägstellung des Putzkunden gesteigert wird. Das Kopfabwärtsstehen erfolgt durch passives Absinken des Körpervorderteiles, woraus sich stammesgeschichtlich das aktive Schräg-bis Kopfstehen als Aufforderungssignal entwickelt haben dürfte (Laube, Rotfeder, Rotauge). Wahrscheinlich kann die steile Aufforderungsstellung durch Selbstdressur und durch Nachahmen individuell gelernt werden. Fische, die auffordernde Partner anschwimmen, nehmen bei diesen häufig statt zu putzen ebenfalls die Aufforderungsstellung ein; entweder durch Stimmungsübertragung, oder das Anschwimmen erfolgte bereits in der Erwartung, dort ebenfalls geputzt zu werden. Selten treten Kopfzucken (Alburnus) oder Körperrütteln (Scardinius) als wahrscheinlich zusätzliche Aufforderungssignale auf. Attrappenversuche zeigen, daß alle Details des auffordernden Fisches realisiert sein müssen, um als Aufforderung zu wirken, was auf einen gelerten Auslösemechanismus schließen läßt. Die juvenilen Flußbarsche zeigen als Aufforderung neben leichter Schrägstellung ein Zeitlupen-Scheuern vor dem Partner im freien Wasser, was aus dem Verhalten des Normalscheuerns der selbständigen Körperreinigung abzuleiten ist, wobei der Bitterling Zwischenstufen aufweist (Schein-Scheuern).Ein weit ausholender Schwansschlag, möglicherweise ein ÜbersprungverhaIten, löst die Spannung der Putzstarre. Diese überbetonte Intentionsbewegung zum Schwimmstart läßt noch keinen Ansatz zur Signalbildung erkennen. Zu denken wäre an das Körperschütteln mancher Putzkunden tropischer Meere, um die spezialisierten Putzerfische fortzuschicken. Diese fehlen jedoch im einheimischen Süßwasser, wodurch auch das Überwiegen der Putzaufforderungen gegenüber der Putztätigkeit verständlich wird.

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Summary Cleaning symbioses are described for the first time between fresh water fishes in their natural habitat. The symbioses are only facultative and were observed intra-and intorspecifically between members of the species Rhodeus amarus, Alburnus alburnus, Tinca, tinca and juvenile Rutilus rutilus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus and Perca fluviatilis.When the motivation to become cleaned is transmitted within a school of fish, mutual cleaning and inviting each other is common. The first stage in cleaning behaviour is cessation of movement and maintenance of a rigid posture which in these species of fish—contrary to marine species—is accompanied by compensatory fin movements.The more vertical the motionless posture of a fish the more active is the cleaning response of the partner. The vertical position is attained by passive sliding down of the head part. This form of display may be learned individually by imitation and (or) by trial and error.Fish approaching an inviting partner very often assume the invitation posture themselves instead of starting with the cleaning activity. This may be explained by transmission of the mood of invitation or because the invitation display raises the expectation in the approaching fish to become cleaned. Occasionally the invitation display is enhanced by head jerks (in Alburnus) or by body wriggling (in Scardinius).Tests with dummies prove that all details of the invitation pattern have to be fulfilled in order to make it acceptable as such by the partner. This points towards a learned releasing mechanism. Juveniles of Perca fluviatilis, besides assuming a slightly oblique posture, also show an additional feature of the invitation display by slow rubbing motions in front of swimming partners. This sslow motion rubbing may have developed from the normal cleaning behaviour which consists in rubbing the body against the ground. Intermediate stages between these two functions of rubbing motions are shown by Rhodeus amarus (apparent rubbing).The motionless posture of invitation is broken by a large beating of the tail, which may be a displacement activity. This exaggerated intention movement has, however, not yet evolved into a social signal, comparable, for example, to the body shaking of some marine fish by which these induce their cleaners to leave. There are no specialized cleaning fishes in fresh water which explains the dominance of invitation dispays over cleaning activities.