Direct innervation of the mantle edge gland by neurosecretory axons in Helisoma duryi (Mollusca: Pulmonata)

The mantle edge gland of Helisoma duryi is innervated by neurosecretory axons from the pallial nerves. Synaptoid contacts occur between axons and gland cells, and there is ultrastructural evidence for the release of neurosecretory material. The mantle edge gland contributes to the deposition of periostracum during shell formation, and direct neurosecretory innervation may control shell growth and regeneration.     

A shortcut method for estimation of Escherichia coli in Sewage and receiving water

A simplified method not yet widespread in Scandinavia for the assessment of E. coli in sewage and recipients with McConkey broth for 24 hours at 44 degrees C is recommended. 87 pairs of samples were examined at 37 degrees C and later at 44 degrees C, and directly at 44 degrees C. Also the reduction of the incubation time from 48 to 24 hours was studied. Direct incubation gave a loss of half a tube per sample, while shortening of the incubation period from 48 to 24 hours gave a smaller loss. The proposed alteration of the procedure for the examination of sewage and recipients means a slight loss of precision but this is more than compensated for by the possibility of examining more samples. The survey of the recipients can therefore be better and the control more effective.     

Evaluation of the intraepithelial lymphocyte count in the jejunum in childhood enteropathies

Intraepithelial lymphocyte counts were evaluated in 131 jejunal mucosal biopsies taken from children with a small intestinal enteropathy arising from a variety of causes including coeliac disease, (untreated, after gluten withdrawal, and during subsequent challenge), giardiasis, cow's milk protein intolerance, and 'intractable diarrhoea'. The counts were compared with those from the biopsies of children referred for investigation but in whom no gastrointestinal disease was demonstrated and from healthy siblings of children with coeliac disease, investigated during a family study. Children with coeliac disease showed a raised count which fell after gluten withdrawal as has been demonstrated by others in adults. Lymphocytic infiltration of the epithelium increased rapidly during gluten challenge in such children, while no change was seen in those children proven ultimately not to have coeliac disease by the usually recognized criteria. In other enteropathies the range of counts was wide, overlapping with both normal and coeliac groups and indicating the nonspecificity of lymphocytic infiltration of the gut epithelium. The findings are discussed in relation to their significance and to further avenues of investigation to determine their possible diagnostic value in confirming the diagnosis of coeliac disease during gluten challenge.     

The functional organization of the posterior lateral nucleus of the rat hypothalamus

It has been demonstrated that the posterior lateral thalamic nucleus of the rat receives information from the visual, somatic and auditory systems. Some of the neurons (63%) have a convergent input from these systems, although these neurons exhibit functional specificity with respect to the predominant inhibitory influence of the background activity of one of the sensory systems investigated. The other part of the neurons (37%) receives information only from the visual or somatic system, these neurons exhibiting excitatory phasic reaction to sensory stimuli.     

Oxygen intake and walking speed before and after total hip replacement

The objective of the study was to evaluate the walking ability and the energy cost of walking in patients before and after total hip replacement. The oxygen intake and the maximum walking speed were measured immediately before and 6 months after operation in 25 patients. Although the oxygen intake did not change significantly in most patients it was decreased in those patients who before surgery had had the worst walking capacity. The average maximum walking speed almost doubled in the 25 patients.     

A new quinoline-carbamate aphicide

We found that it was nearly impossible to apply the quinoline-carbamate aphicide per os by means of synthetic diets, owing to its high feeding-deterrent-effect. After application via the roots of the host plant, this systemic compound is deposited on the leaf surface. The results suggest that the toxic effect is not the result of the oral uptake of phloem sap, but of the tarsal contact with the toxicant. Sensitivity of aphids to this compound and LD50-values were determined after topical applications.     

Iliac apophysitis and stress fractures in adolescent runners

Twenty-one cases of overuse injury to the iliac crest apophysis is presented. It can be a significant cause of disability to the adolescent middle and long distance runner. All cases resolved with 4 to 6 weeks of rest.     

Pulse NMR of Casein Dispersions

The spin-spin relaxation time, T₂, of skimmilk, sodium caseinate dispersions and milk ultrafiltrate was measured as a function of pH and temperature using pulse proton NMR. The T₂ shows a maximum around pH = 5.2 for skimmilk, decreases with decreasing pH for sodium caseinate dispersions and is independent of pH for milk ultrafiltrate. For all systems studied T₂ increases with temperature, but, the extent of increase depends on the system. It is concluded that the T₂ of casein dispersions is mainly determined by factors determining the state of aggregation of the caseins. Apart from affecting the extent of aggregation of the casein particles, micellar calcium phosphate probably contributes also directly to the measured T₂.     

D1 and D2 dopamine receptor mediation of amphetamine-induced acetylcholine release in nucleus accumbens

To assess the interaction of dopamine and acetylcholine systems in the rat nucleus accumbens in response to direct D-amphetamine administration, in vivo microdialysis measures of acetylcholine were used during reverse dialysis of amphetamine alone and in combination with D1 and D2 receptor antagonists SCH 23390 and sulpiride, respectively. During a 15-min exposure to amphetamine (50 microM) in the nucleus accumbens, acetylcholine increased to 33% above pre-infusion levels, became maximal at 15 min post-infusion (+41%) and gradually returned to baseline levels by 60 min post-amphetamine. Conversely, amphetamine (1 mM) administration caused a biphasic change in acetylcholine release with a trend toward a decrease (-14%) during exposure followed by a significant increase (+36%) at 30 min post-amphetamine that returned to baseline levels by 60 min after infusion. The increases observed during amphetamine (50 microM) exposure and during recovery from amphetamine (1 mM) were both blocked by co-administration with the D1 antagonist, SCH 23390 (10 microM), but not with the D2 antagonist, sulpiride (10 microM). Co-infusion of sulpiride eliminated the trend toward reduced acetylcholine release observed during 1 mM amphetamine whereas co-administration of SCH 23390 potentiated this decrease. A possible tonic D1 facilitation of nucleus accumbens acetylcholine release was indicated by the consistent reductions in acetylcholine release observed during infusion of SCH 23390. These results suggest that amphetamine administration in the nucleus accumbens induces a bidirectional change in acetylcholine release that is dependent on dose and opposing effects of nucleus accumbens D1 and D2 activation. In general, relatively low doses of amphetamine administered into the nucleus accumbens caused an increase in acetylcholine release that was dependent on dopamine D1 receptors whereas higher doses of amphetamine resulted in a D2-mediated decrease.