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Notes: Summary The endocrine pancreatic tissue from patients with severe primary chronic pancreatitis (n=6), secondary chronic pancreatitis due to duct obstruction by carcinoma (n=6) and non-diabetic, non-pancreatitic controls (n=4) was studied qualitatively and quantitatively using specific immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Grouping of variously sized islets in the sclerotic tissue (sclerosis islets), islet neoformation by ductuloinsular proliferation, and intrainsular fibrosis were the main qualitative findings. Immunocytochemical quantitation of the distribution of insulin (B), glucagon (A), somatostatin (D) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) producing cells revealed a significant relative increase in the number of A cells and a decrease in the number of B cells of the sclerosis islets in primary chronic pancreatitis (B-44.1±9.3%:A-38.3±2.4%:D-8.6±5.1%:PP-4.6±4.1%) as well as in secondary chronic pancreatitis (B-38.0±14.3%:A-38.4±19.0%:D-9.1±5.8%:PP-14.5±23.4%) compared with controls (B-71.1±8.1%:A-24.3±5.5%:D-8.0±2.8%:PP-0.5±0.4%). The number of PP cells was significantly increased in primary chronic pancreatitis only. It is suggested that scarring of the exocrine pancreas affects islet composition, probably by impairment of the local circulation and of glucose diffusion, thus leading to reduction of the number and glucose sensitivity of B cells. The hyperplasia of A and PP cells appears to be a secondary phenomenon due to the loss of B cells.

Notes: Summary The present case report is concerned with a clinico-pathological study, including ultrastructural investigation, of a rare and uncommon laryngeal tumour, a chemodectoma, in a 62 year old patient. There have been 23 cases of laryngeal chemodectomas reported in the literature, and only three of them, including our own report, were investigated by electron microscopy. The tumours arise from the superior and inferior laryngeal nonchromaffin paraganglia or possibly from Kultschitzky-cells of the normal bronchial mucosa. Ultrastructurally they have all the characteristics of apudomas whose parent cells (the APUD-cells), usually show endocrine function and probably have their origin in the neural crest. The tumours show an aggressive type of behaviour, despite usually benign histological features when compared to chemodectomas at other sites in the head and neck region. Surgery is thus the therapy of choice.

Notes: Summary Two pingueculae combined with pterygia were studied by light and electron microscopy. Hyaline degeneration of the collagen, dark staining granular, von Kossa negative concretions and elastotic material were observed in both conditions together with marked changes in the fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes and the basement membrane of conjunctival capillaries and small veins. The elastotic material is similar to that observed in solar elastosis, where the collagen fibers are less severely damaged. Chronic sun exposure of the pericorneal conjunctiva may damage endothelial cells primarily and disturb vascular exchanges. This would result in accelerated degeneration and regeneration of endothelial cells, in thickening of the basement membrane and, secondarily, disturbed metabolism of fibroblasts with alterations of the collagen and elastic fibers.

Notes: Summary Histological, immunhistochemical and electronmicroscopic studies of 12 human, scintigraphically “cold”, thyroid adenomas with specific cytological differentiation identified four different cell types: oxiphil cell, clear cell, ergastoplasm-rich cell and mitochondrion-rich cell. The oxiphil tumor cell can be recognized light-microscopically by its large size and its eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. Most of these cells do not produce thyroglobulin. The ultrastructural characteristics of oxyphil cells are principally mitochondria in great numbers and many large lysosomes. Clear cell adenomas show a trabecular growth pattern. The tumor cells have an abundance of cytoplasm which contains small acidophilic granules. Immunhistochemically we were able to demonstrate thyroglobulin in small amounts within cytoplasmic granules and more extensively within the follicle lumina. Electronmicroscopically we observed a large number of smooth surfaced vacuoles of varying size, extraordinary large lysosomes and occasional cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, the latter probably corresponding to the immune-histochemically identified thyroglobulin granules. The ergastoplasm-rich-cell adenomas, which to the best of our knowledge have not been previously described, show a predominantly micro-to normofollicular architecture histologically without intrafollicular colloid. The cytoplasm of the ergastoplasm-rich cells reveales a strong positive thyroglobulin-staining reaction. The fine structure of these cells is characterized by the abundance of cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The mitochondrion-rich-cell adenomas exhibited a microfollicular structure with an intensive acidophilic granular staining at the basal part of the tumor cells. Immunhistochemically and electronmicroscopically we found some morphologic and functional features which differentiate these cells from the oxyphil cell. Thyroglobulin was located predominantly in the apical portion of the cytoplasm in the mitochondrion-rich cells without sharp demarcation from the luminar thyroglobulin. Electron microscopically fewer basal and laterally located mitochondria were seen in mitochondrion-rich cells compared with oxyphil cells. As we could not find any sign of functional activity in the oxyphilic, clear cell and ergastoplasm-rich cell adenomas we analysed those aspects of the lysosomal system not concerned with the enzymatic digestion of thyroglobulin.

Notes: Summary Clear cell tumors of the salivary glands are monomorphic clear cell adenomas, clear cell carcinomas, clear cell variants of acinic cell and mucoepidermoid tumours, sebaceous cell tumors, salivary duct carcinomas and pleomorphic adenomas with clear cell sectors. At the light microscopical level the descriptive term of the clear cell comprises cell types of different origin and functional importance which can be differentiated by cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The following cell types were analysed precisely: indifferent duct cells (small formation of organelles, desmosomes), storing striated duct cells (glycogen granules, multiple mitochondrias, basal labyrinth), myoepithelial cells (myofilaments, pinocytosis vesicles, lipofuscin granules, hemidesmosomes), goblet cells (mucous vacuoles, basal endoplasmatic reticulum), sebaceous cells (lipid droplets, microvilli, desmosomes) and clear acinic cells (electron pale secretory granules, small mitochondrias, small golgi apparatus). Clear cell tumor types of the salivary gland region which primarely do not derive from the salivary gland tissue must also be included in the differential diagnoses. These are metastases of hypernephroid renal carcinomas, paragangliomas, glomus tumors of Masson, granular cell tumor and alveolar soft-part sarcomas.

Notes: Summary The fine structure of the different cell types constituting a primary malignant giant cell tumor of bone has been studied and the localization of acid phosphatase in relation to the subcellular organelles been demonstrated. Three distinct cell types with characteristic ultrastructural features were observed: giant cells, fibroblast-like cells, and cells with abundant lipid inclusions and mitochondria. Certain differences were noted between these three cell types and their counterparts in benign giant cell tumors of bone (described in a separate report). The enzyme histochemical and morphological data suggested that the giant cells in the malignant tumor might possess a more active and expansive lysosomal apparatus than corresponding cells in the benign variant.

Notes: Summary An electronoptical study has been made of eleven placentae from cases of materno-fetal rhesus incompatibility. The characteristic findings are focal, but sometimes quite extensive, syncytial necrosis, retention of normal pinocytotic and secretory activity in the non-necrotic syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblastic hyperplasia, thickening of the trophoblastic basement membrane, immature-type endothelial cells in the fetal villous vessels and thickening or lamination of the capillary basement membranes. The pathogenesis of many of these changes is not clear but there is no evidence that they are immunologically mediated. It is suggested that the syncytial necrosis may be due to narrowing of the intervillous space as a result of increased villous size, that the cytotrophoblastic hyperplasia is a response to the syncytial damage and is responsible for the changes in the trophoblastic basement membrane and that the fetal capillary changes are indicative of endothelial cell damage due, possibly, to fetal anaemia. Despite the damage suffered by the placenta in materno-fetal rhesus incompatibility there is little evidence of impaired functional efficiency.

Notes: Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the qualitative and quantitative changes of ACTH-cells in the rat after application of a specific and a non-specific stimulus. A CRF-analog (lysin-vasopressin) and a prostaglandin (prostaglandin E1) were used. 40 rats were injected lysin-vasopressin or prostaglandin E1, respectively, for 4 weeks. The pituitary glands were investigated by means of light microscopy, electron microscopy and morphometry. Activation of the ACTH-cells could be observed after use of both substances, the effect of lysin-vasopressin being more intense than that of prostaglandin E1. Enlargement of the nucleus, the cytoplasm and the organelles involved in hormone-production and -transport were found and verified by morphometry. Additionally an increase in number of the cells could be demonstrated. Prostaglandin influenced not only ACTH-cells, but also other cells of the anterior pituitary.

Notes: Summary The fine structural localization of nonspecific alkaline phosphatase was elucidated in two giant cell tumors of bone using lead as capturing ion and Β-glycerophosphate as substrate in the incubation solution. Lead phosphate precipitate — indicating presence of alkaline phosphatase — was demonstrated on the plasma membranes, and the membranes bordering vesicles and vacuoles of presumed endocytotic nature, in giant cells and type 1 stromal cells (fibroblast-like cells). The findings support the view that stromal cells type I and giant cells are histogenetically related.

Notes: Summary An electron microscope investigation has been carried out on needle biopsies of the iliac crest of 8 patients suffering from primary hyperparathyroidism. A marked increase in bone resorption was the most conspicuous finding. It was due both to increased osteoclastic activity and to periosteocytic osteolysis. The osteoclasts had a more strongly developed brush border and contained more cytoplasmic vacuoles than those in controls. Many osteocytes were found within enlarged, irregular lacunae, and were surrounded by a space containing amorphous, granular and filamentous material. Their mitochondria were sometimes calcified. Osteoblasts were more active than in controls as shown by the developed rough ergastoplasmic cysternae and thick osteoid borders found near some of them. The osteoid tissue, however, was uncalcified; ultrastructurally, lack of the calcification front and incomplete matrix calcification were demonstrable. Mast cells, and osteoclast- and macrophage-like giant cells were often found in the fibrotic marrow spaces. These results confirm that both the resorption and the formation of bone are stimulated in hyperparathyroidism. The calcification process is delayed and often remains incomplete.

Notes: Summary An ultrastructural comparison of 8 cerebellar astrocytomas and 4 optic gliomas shows that the morphological patterns of both tumor-groups are identical. The confusion in nomenclature of these tumors is discussed and reasons for a preference for the term “pilocytic astrocytomas” are given. Further, pilocytic astrocytes seem to be a special, phylogenetically older, group of glial cells.

Notes: Summary The mantle edge of the freshwater pulmonate snailsLymnaea stagnalis andBiomphalaria pfeifferi was investigated with histochemical and ultrastructural methods. The mantle edge gland, which is involved in shell formation, consists of the periostracal groove and the belt. This belt appears to be composed of various regions. In the area of the periostracal groove a number of subepithelial gland cell types occur; these release their products into the groove. Between the groove cells ciliated free nerve endings terminate; the corresponding perikarya occur in the subepidermal connective tissue. Also in the posterior belt region free nerve endings were observed between the epithelial cells; in addition, a particular type of subepithelial gland cell was found in this area. The epithelial cells of this part of the belt have the ultrastructural characteristics of ion and water transporting cells; they are probably involved in calcium deposition and resorption. The possible role of the free nerve endings and of the subepithelial gland cells is discussed.

Notes: Abstract Distribution and retention of mercury and selenium was studied in rats exposed repeatedly to HgCl2 injections (0.5 mg Hg/kg to the tail vein every other day) and intragastrically to Na2SeO3 (0.5 mg Se/kg every day), applying combined and separate administration of these metals for 2 weeks. Whole-body retention of mercury in the presence of selenium was augmented by 20% and that of selenium in the presence of mercury by 4% with respect to the administered dose. Combined administration of mercuric chloride and sodium selenite brought about damage to the epithelial cells of renal proximal convolutions and formation of protein casts in their lumen. These changes had the same pattern as those induced by administration of mercuric chloride alone, but the intensity was lower. Submicroscopic studies revealed that repeated combined administration of sodium selenite and mercuric chloride did not completely abolish the mercury-induced mitochondrial swelling and contributed to chromatin destruction in the hepatocyte nuclei.

Notes: Summary Two different types of colloid milium are characterized on the basis of clinical and genetical parameters. In order to establish morphological criteria allowing a differentiation also at microscopic levels comparative histopathological, histo- and immunochemical as well as ultrastructural investigations were performed in a case of juvenile and a case of adult colloid milium. The following results were obtained: In juvenile colloid milium the colloid material is deposed in direct apposition to the basal epidermal layers and can be found also in suprabasal position within the epidermis. No actinic elastosis is present in the periphery of the deposits but they exhibit a green birefringency by investigation of Congo-red stained frozen sections in polarized light. Immunoglobulins, complement and fibrin can be demonstrated within the deposits by direct immunofluorescence. Electron microscopy reveales a fibrillar ultrastructure of the colloid masses, which contain numerous melanin granules and desmosomes. Therefore the colloid material in the juvenile type is most likely of epidermal origin. In adult colloid milium the colloid is usually separated from the epidermis by a band of connective tissue elements containing a considerable amount of elastin. The surrounding superficial dermis frequently exhibits elastotic changes. Congo-red reaction is only weakly positive and no dichroisms can be found. Direct immunofluorescence reveals no specific staining, but a blue autofluorescence of the material. Ultrastructurally, the adult colloid represents mainly finely granular material, with only few microfilaments. The masses are situated in the dermis, often near duplicated vascular basement membranes and in close apposition to active fibroblasts. Thus, the colloid material seems to be of dermal origin. The microscopic findings strongly indicate, that the two different types of colloid milium indeed represent different entities, discernable not only by clinical or genetic but also by histomorphologic parameters.

Notes: Summary The authors have studied pigmentary changes of skin and hair due to the presence of the “nude” gene in pigmented species (C 57 Bl. 6J, C 3H). Morphological (histology, electron microscopy) and biochemical (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of tyrosinase activities) studies showed that the pigmentary alterations of the “nude” mice were related to the hair cycle and hair growth wave pattern. In fact, in the “nude” mice the hair follicles evolves cyclically similarly to mice of normal coat. In depigmented skin, the hair follicles were in the resting phase and no soluble tyrosinase could be demonstrated.

Notes: Summary A 61-year old woman developed a tumourous nodule in her left leg. Fifteen years ago a similar tumour had been removed in the same localization. Histological examination performed on biopsy material showed bundles of predominantly fusiform tumour cells with nuclear pleomorphism and many mitotic figures. Electron microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma by demonstration of the ultrastructural characteristics of smooth muscle cells. Cellular differentiation showed various degree ranging from smooth muscle cell type to dedifferentiated edematous tumour cells with scanty myofilaments. An important finding was the demonstration of multiple accumulated centrioles.

Notes: Summary During an endemic appearance of chancroids (26 cases) in Berlin (West) coccobacilli were disclosed in biopsies by electron microscopy. The bacteria were aggregated predominantly in groups in the extracellular space. Their cell wall is approximately 120 Å thick and trilaminar as in Gram-negative bacteria. Concerning the cell wall structure and the cytoplasmic composition, the detected coccobacilli are identical to culturally grown Haemophilus ducreyi obtained from chancroids.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructural changes during development and metamorphosis in the liver ofXenopus laevis have been investigated. In this species it was found that developmental processes, which ultimately lead to the formation of bile canaliculi, can be detected in the liver anlage as early as stage 35. While the wall of the primary liver cavity is thrown into folds which form the liver parenchyma, the bile canaliculi are formed (st. 36–38). Secretion into the lumen of the bile canaliculi was not found to occur before stage 47 and IDP-ase activity could not be detected in the bile canaliculi before stage 49. The intra- and extrahepatic portions of the hepatic duct system were found to be formed during the stages 40–41. The formation of the duct system involves cellular degeneration in the lumen of the future ducts. These processes are described in detail. The glycogen content of the developing hepatocytes received particular attention during the course of this study. It was found that after depletion of the embryonal glycogen the hepatocytes are completely free from glycogen during the stages 43–45. At stage 46, after the begin of feeding, beta as well as alpha particles of glycogen appear in the hepatocytes. These first reappearing glycogen particles are formed without the participation of SER membranes, in areas which are loaded with RNA particles. It was found that only after the synthesis of glycogen had been initiated SER membranes started to proliferate in the hepatocytes, where they were mostly found intermingled with glycogen particles. From stage 54 on, where the liver glycogen content was found to be 0.2%, the glycogen content of the liver almost continuously increased until it reached a temporary peak of 10% at the end of metamorphosis. These findings strongly contrast results reported for other amphibia, which at the end of metamorphosis have depleted their glycogen content completely. Details of the ultrastructural changes occuring during development of the hepatocytes, are also reported in this paper.

Notes: Summary The structural organization of the ependymal and macroglial components of the central field of the spinal cord of postmetamorphic ribbed newts has been reinvestigated using elaborate fixation procedures for transmission electron microscopy. All along the central canal, the ependymal cells display ultrastructural features that strongly suggest a secretory activity. Infrequent mitotic images, occurring spontaneously among the ependymal cells, were observed. The tightly compacted periependymal stratum contains two types of glial cells: 1. oligodendrocytes, also observed outside this stratum as neuronal satellites, and 2. radial astrocytic cells, whose somata, exclusively located in the periependymal stratum, send their processes to the subpial lamina. The intercellular relationships between ependyma, oligodendrocytes and astrocytic cells are illustrated to show the continuity of the neuroepithelial configuration. Morphologic clues for identifying the cells of the central field of the urodele spinal cord are given. A gradient of differentiation of the oligodendroglial components could be postulated. In normal conditions, the astroglial differentiation is permanently arrested at the stage of radial glia. Some considerations concerning regeneration in the urodele spinal cord are submitted.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructural analysis of the adenohypophysis in the male Chinese quail reveals seven different types of granular cells, and agranular folliculo-stellate cells. The cell types are assumed to be endocrine cells and are classified as: Type I cells (presumptive LH-gonadotrophs), with dilated endoplasmic reticulum, perinuclear spaces, and granules of 150–260 nm; Type II cells (presumptive FSH-gonadotrophs), with regularly-shaped cytoplasmic cisterns and small granules (80–150 nm); Type III cells (presumptive thyrotrophs), very close in appearance to the type II cells of normal birds; Type IV cells (presumptive prolactin cells), with very large secretory granules (up to 400 nm), Type V cells (presumptive corticotrophs), with abundant and electrondense granules (160–300 nm); Type VI cells, with irregularly-shaped granules; Type VII cells (presumptive somatotrophs), with abundant granules (130–220 nm) and less cytoplasmic structures. Cytological characteristics of the nucleus, and more particularly the presence of a Feulgen-positive nucleolus with a very particular ultrastructure are here reported. It is proposed that heterospecific associations of Chinese quail cells with chick cells can be used in embryological work for the study of cellular interactions.

Notes: Summary Primary tissue cultures of human gliomas were treated with cytochalasin B (0.5–60 μg/ml for 90 min). Cell motility was inhibited irreversibly in glial tumour cells, but the effect was reversible on the mesenchymal cells growing in culture in the lower dose range. Cell adhesion was considerably reduced as the dose was increased, as was the capacity for cells to spread on a surface from suspension. Low concentrations of cytochalasin B caused negligible cell death and little disruption of cell ultrastructure. However, increases in dose were accompanied by a greater predominance of rough endoplasmic reticulum and inclusions and aggregation of microfilament bundles. As seen by scanning electron microscopy, cytochalasin B caused the withdrawal of peripheral cell borders, disappearance of ruffles and the breakdown of cytoplasmic lamellae. Charateristic surface blebs and folds appeared in their place. By comparison, colchicine (1–10 μg/ml) caused a less marked and non-specific reversible reduction in cell motility on both glial and mesenchymal cells. No significant change in cell adhesion or spreading took place even at high doses, although at all concentrations gross disruption of the cell surface took place with changes in ultrastructure characterised by loss of cytoplasmic microtubules and aggregation of 10 nm filaments.

Notes: Summary Electron microscopic analysis of primary cultures derived from larvalXenopus liver has shown that these cells, although they form only two-dimensional aggregates, retain and presumably also develop structural characteristics typical of liver parenchyma cells, such as bile canaliculi with microvilli and epithelial junctional complexes. As judged from structural criteria, primary cultures contain 80–90% hepatocytes. In contrast to the intact tissue, primary cultures showed excessive development of microfilaments, however. Incorporation of labeled amino acids has revealed further that the capacity for protein synthesis is maintained in culture and that synthesis of liverspecific protein albumin is maintained in vitro, even in liver cultures derived from thyrostatic tadpoles. This latter result suggests that initiation of albumin synthesis in the larval liver is probably not dependent upon thyroid hormones but rather reflects the protodifferentiated state of this tissue.

Notes: Summary The egg-shell of Japanese quail was studied by several techniques. Semithin sections (1μm thick) of non-decalcified shell were observed by normal and polarized light microscopy. Thin sections of non-decalcified shell, examined by transmission electron microscopy, permitted us to observe the forms and dimensions of crystals of calcite within different layers of the shell: mammilary layer, layer of cones, palissade layer and surface crystal layer. There appears to be two distinct zones in the layer of cones as well as in the superficial crystal layer. Electron microdiffraction revealed the orientation of calcite crystals in the columns. Some crystal defects (twins?) were described and the possibility of their artefactual formation during ultramicrotomy is discussed. Localization of Ca, Mg, P and S were made by X-ray microanalysis of semithin sections. This technique shows that shell membranes, and chiefly the true cuticle, are also mineralized but, in these layers, minerals are not crystallized. Otherwise the distribution of Mg is not uniform throughout the shell thickness; it is less concentrated in the external zone of the layer of cones. These results together with observation of developing shells by scanning electron microscopy allowed us to propose a scheme for shell organization of the quail egg. This organization was related with decalcification which occurs during hatching.

Notes: Summary A single subcutaneous injection of Oriental hornet venom into black mice led to the development of a subcutaneous nodule which showed no change during the period of 1 year. Study of the ultrastructure revealed an accumulation of lymphocytes and lymphoblasts and a few plasma cells with formation of Russel bodies. In addition, a few melanin-containing macrophages and macrophages filled with cellular debris were found. This reaction is compared to other pseudolymphomatous reactions in the dermis.

Notes: Abstract The photosynthetic bacterium,Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, can be grown phototrophically (light, anaerobiosis), of chemotrophically (dark, aerobiosis). In the first case, it contains intracytoplasmic membranes with photosynthetic pigments. When shifted from phototrophy to chemotrophy these membranes disappear in an unknown fashion. In the present experiment, samples were taken for electron microscopy, cell density and bacteriochlorophyll determinations after shift from phototrophy to chemotrophy. The density of intracytoplasmic vesicles was measured on micrographs. During the first 2h growth is very slow and the ultrastructure remains unaltered. As growth resumes, the vesicles disappear at a rate which implies that they are not incorportated into the cytoplasmic membrane, nor actively digested, but remain intact and become increasingly diluted in the cytoplasm as the culture grows. The size of the vesicles was estimated to about 500 Å. The number of vesicles in phototrophically grown cells was calculated to about 575 per cell, and after 6h chemotrophic growth to about 100. The areas of the cytoplasmic and intracytoplasmic membranes are roughly calculated.

Notes: Abstract The mode of spore differentiation in a strain of Streptomyces melanochromogenes was followed by analysis of ultrathin sections of sporulating aerial hyphae at various stages of sporogenesis. A special accent was laid on the formation of the sporulation septum and its alterations in the course of spore delimitation and separation. Distinct differences in formation and substructure have been observed between the cross walls of vegetative hyphae and the sporulation septa. Cross walls of vegetative hyphae are formed in a way typical for Gram-positive bacteria by a centripetal annular ingrowth of cytoplasmic membrane, on which wall material immediately is deposited. The development of the sporulation septa is characterized by the accumulation of amorphous material in addition to the newly synthesized wall layer inside the invaginating cytoplasmic membrane. This amorphous septal material will later be decomposed presumably by two lytic systems which cause the separation of the spores. The central region of the finished sporulation septum is perforated by microplasmodesmata. Spores are released by a break down of the surface sheath. The complete spores are enveloped by a twolayered cell wall and the spiny surface sheath.

Notes: Summary Ultrastructural studies were done on cells from original tumors and from short time cultures of mouse thymic lymphomas experimentally induced by chronic exposure to diphenyl-hydantoin. The tumors appeared in mouse strains with low (C57Bl) and high (SJL/J) susceptibility to spontaneous lymphoma development and were not observed in a resistant strain (C3Hf). Thymic lymphoma development was usually preceded by increasing lymphoreticular atrophy followed by progressive reticulohistiocytic hyperplasia, and subsequently spread to other tissues. Morphologically the tumor was characterized as a lymphoblastic lymphoma. Abnormal cell changes in the original tumors and cultured cells, and the presence of murine C-type particles in the cultured cells but not in the original tumors, are discused in relation with the disturbance of immune system and the lymphoma enhancement produced by diphenyl-hydantoin.

Notes: Abstract Heat-shock of macroconidia of Neurospora crassa at 46°C followed by shift-down to 25°C determines premature conidiogenesis. The nuclei and cytoplasm of heat-treated, swollen conidia contain spots of a dense material especially concentrated around the nucleolus in short time treated ones. In the first proconidium apically budding on the enlarged tip of the premature conidiophore, small vesicles are peripherally spread. A few such vesicles are later seen lining the initially simple septum separating the proconidial units into conidia. The doubling of this interconidial septum is surface viewn as a thick annulus. Disarticulation of the conidial units intervenes along a septal furrow of electroluscent material. Interconidial continuity through the septal pores is transiently insured by a connective which is ruptured for final liberation of the conidia.

Notes: Summary 3 biopsies of 3–5 week-old nodular lesions in 2 patients with socalled swimming-pool (aquarium-) granuloma have been examined by electron microscopy. The cytohistological spectrum simultaneously comprises acute exudative as well as chronic proliferative phenomena. Epithelioid cells and collagen producing fibroblasts already conspicious in 3 week-old granuloma. According to the cytological composition the Mycobacterium marinum granuloma represents a high-turnover granuloma with immunogenic origin. It is comparable to mycobacterial diseases in the presence of well developed cell mediated immunity (Lupus vulgaris, tuberculoid leprosy). Degrading mycobacteria have been rarely detected in phagocytes and are compared with viable bacilli in macrophages of experimentally infected mice. Curved and annular parallel membranes (“worm-like structures”) in the cytoplasm of transformed macrophages and in fibroblasts presumably originate from the membranes of endoplasmic reticulum. Cord-like structures with transverse bands (periodicity 170–180 Å) in the lumen of RER of some fibroblasts are interpreted as intracellularly aggregated collagen precursors.

Notes: Summary Collagen metabolism in granulating wounds of rat skin was studied with biochemical, isotopic and electron microscopical methods. Deposition of collagen in rat skin wounds was not only the result of an increase in collagen synthesis but it was also caused by a decrease in collagen degradation. Our investigations showed significant differences in the collagen turnover at different times of wound healing. Decreased collagen catabolism at the early stages of wound healing contributed decisively to collagen accumulation in the wound area. At later stages, during wound contraction and remodelling of the scar, the rate of collagen degradation rose. The above-mentioned results are discussed in the context of general criteria of scar formation.

Notes: Summary Craniopharyngiomas are tumors of the suprasellar area, which are often cystic, encapsulated and slow-growing. Certain of these tumors can behave in an aggressive manner and either invade surrounding structures or recur. In order to determine characteristics which may aid in distinguishing typical from atypical lesions, a study of biopsy and tissue culture specimens from 25 human craniopharyngiomas was undertaken. Tissue culture observations reveal two distinct cell populations. Typical lesions grew in culture in an orderly epithelial pattern and had desmosome-tonofibril aggregates and smooth surface topography demonstrable by electron microscopy. In the atypical tumors the cell growth was irregular, with mitotic activity, cholesterol crystals and features characteristic of neoplastic transformation, such as surface microvilli, an increase of cytoplasmic basophilia, size and number of nucleoli and retraction of cytoplasm. Correlation with the clinical status of the patients suggests that tumors of the four patients which exhibited atypical features in culture behaved more aggressively.

Notes: Summary A case of dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum, a rare disorder with unknown etiology and pathogenesis, was studied ultrastructurally. The intranuclear inclusions identified were not seen to be of viral origin. The ultrastructural characteristics of the abnormal cells support the prevailing theory that these cells represent hypertrophied granular neurons.

Notes: Summary Three cases of choroid plexus papilloma were studied by light and electron microscopy. All had the typical papillary pattern, and, in addition, two exhibited solid areas of tumor growth which predominated in one case. PAS positive (diastase resistant) and argyrophilic cytoplasmic inclusions were present in all three tumors but were particularly abundant in the predominantly solid one. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions appeared as irregularly shaped structures containing lipid droplets, filamentous material and microtubules, and resembled the “silver bodies” of Biondi found in normal choroid plexus. Along with other ultrastructural features of normal choroid plexus, these cytoplasmic inclusions may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of papillary tumors involving the ventricular system.

Notes: Summary A small-cell neoplasm in the left temporal lobe of a 10 and a half year old boy was studied by light and electron microscopy. Routine sections of the mass showed a differentiating neuroblastoma with Homer Wright rosettes, several foci of immature neoplastic neurons (ganglion cells), many mitoses, arcas of necrosis and tumor vessels showing endothelial proliferation. Ultrastructurally, most cells resembled early fetal neuroblasts and also were similar to those in murine and peripheral human neuroblastomas.

Notes: Summary Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed on muscle biopsies from three siblings with congenital nemaline myopathy. Histological studies revealed type I fibre atrophy and type II fibre paucity. Ultrastructural studies of intramuscular nerves showed that the axonal diameters were very narrow compared with the width of myelin lamellae. Granular or membranous osmiophilic material occurred in the adaxonal Schwann cell cytoplasm and had a periodicity of 33–38Å. The neuromuscular junctions showed degenerative features such as glycogen granules or myelin figures in 27.1% of total terminal axons. The secondary synaptic clefts were markedly decreased in number and short in length. Myotendinous junction-like structures were found in 5.5% of the muscle fibres near the neuromuscular junctions, and often near sites of fibre-splitting. Rods in nemaline myopathy might be caused as a result of longitudinal splitting and disruption of fibres due to deficient regeneration of the muscle fibres associated with neurotrophic abnormalities.

Notes: Summary Two cases of oncocytic adenoma occurring in the pituitary are reported. Both were men aged 40 and 50 years respectively and there was no evidence of endocrine abnormality. In both the tumours many cells showed abundant acidophilic finely granular cytoplasm which had not stained positively with PAS-orange G stain. Electron microscopically the cells contained numerous mitochondria associated with marked reduction of other cytoplasmic organelles including the secretory granules.

Notes: Summary Focal brain edema limited to one cerebral hemisphere was produced by ultraviolet irradiation of the exposed cortex. Tissue water content was determined by the gravimetric method which allows microsampling. Therefore, the spread of edema around the small necrotic area could be mapped more precisely than by determination of dry weight which calls for larger samples. As early as 30 min following irradiation, hyperemia and swelling of the brain are observed under the operating microscope. This correlates with venous stasis, hyperemia, and broadened perivascular spaces around venules and large capillaries accompanied by a marked rise in the specific weight of the tissue. After 4 h an edema front can be observed spreading from the perinecrotic zone in which there is a marked rise in endothelial cell vesicular activity. Edema reaches maximum levels in the deep white matter at 48 h post irradiation with normalisation of the tissue water content after 96 h. The velocity at which the edema front spreads from the cortex to the periventricular area lies in the range of 0.25 mm/h. Edema reabsorption coincides with signs of retrograde micropinocytosis in endothelial cells.

Notes: Summary A 24-year-old woman was found comatose after 2 days of cephalalgia and vomiting. An immediate diagnosis of carbon monoxyde poisoning was disclaimed when blood carbon monoxyde was found to be 1.75 ml/100. A diagnosis of acute intracranial hypertension led to trephination with ventricular punction and brain biopsy on the third day. The patient died on the eleventh day. Ultrastructural study of biopsy tissue showed nearly normal cortex, and injured white matter, with disrupted or destroyed myelin and pycnotic oligodendroglia in contrast with nearly normal axons, astrocytes, and capillaries. Autopsy showed a typical semioval center myelinopathy. After discussion of the histotoxic, vascular, and edema theories for myelinopathy pathogenesis, primary oligodendrogial lesion is considered, and correlated with the diphasic evolution often observed in the course of carbon monoxyde myelinopathy.

Notes: Summary Cartilaginous cells of aged newts (Triturus cristatus) were studied during hind limb regeneration. The electron microscope was used to study the structure and distribution of chromatin in the cell nuclei, while the DNA content of the chromatin was measured by means of a scanning cytophotometer. Changes in the ultrastructure of the cytoplasm during regeneration were also studied. It was observed that the structure and distribution of chromatin in the activated cell is greatly modified. In the non-activated cell of the aged newt, the chromatin is found highly condensed and distributed peripherally close to the nuclear membrane. In contrast, in the activated cells, the chromatin is much less condensed and is distributed throughout the nucleus. Moreover, cytoplasmic vacuoles, found only in the non-activated aged cells, disappear and an increase in the mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum is also observed. Changes in the nuclear structure are observed prior to the cytoplasmic modifications. It is interesting to note that the process of activation induces structural changes in the aged cells which make these cells appear to be structurally identical to the young cells. This process of rejuvenation takes 3–5 days in the newt. We suggest that these structural changes of the chromatin and cytoplasm in the aged cells are necessary to increase the metabolic activity which precedes cell division. It may also explain why regeneration takes a longer time in the aged animals than in the young ones.

Notes: Summary The comparison of ultrastructural and ultrastructural-morphometric findings in spiral ganglion cells subsequent to broad band noise with 105 dB SPL over a period of 40 min demonstrates that there are morphometric changes of the cytoarchitecture of granular ganglion cells even without evident ultrastructural changes. Morphometric analyses shows a significant extention of the volume proportion of mitochondria per unit volume cytoplasm. The volume and the surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the volume of the free ribosomes and the average single volume of the nucleoli increase per granular ganglion cell. The physiologic significance of these changes is discussed. The results show that changes of the cytoarchitecture of granular spiral ganglion cells are earlier detected by morphometry than by ultrastructural description.

Notes: Summary Ultrastructural study of a malignant meningioma revealed an organelle complex composed of: (1) A band-like densification of the cell cytoplasm adjacent to and in contact with the cell membrane. (2) An arciform filament immediately subjacent to it, with concavity directed away from the cell membrane. (3) A row of regularly spaced ribosomes located in the concavity, but at some distance from the arciform filament. (4) A pericellular condensation of interstitial ground substance. Occasionally, a second, thinner filament was seen “threading” the ribosomes together. Its morphology was consistent with that described for messenger RNA. It is suggested that the ribosomes are engaged in the synthesis of proteins for other portions of the organelle complex and that the ultimate role of the specialized unit would be that of an attachment device.

Notes: Summary The organization of the tegmental reticular nucleus of von Bechterew (TRN) has been analyzed in Nissl and Golgi material, by fluorescence histochemistry, and by electron microscopy. In the albino rat, the TRN situated in the ventral paramedian midbrain and pontine reticular formation, contains two principal types of neurons. The first is a population of large multipolar neurons (40–80 μm diameter) with abundant Nissl substance and 4–7 smooth dendrites which may extend up to 500 μm in length. The second is medium-sized fusiform neurons (14–40 μm diameter) with less Nissl substance and two primary dendrites that originate from each pole of the soma and have a more closely ramifying dendritic field. Fluorescence histochemistry demonstrates that serotonin neurons constitute one component of the medium-sized neuron group. A third neuronal type, infrequently encountered at the outer margins of the nucleus, corresponds to the large, multipolar isodendritic neurons (soma diameter 40–80 μm) of the pontine reticular formation. Ultrastructural analysis of the TRN also demonstrates large and medium sized neurons which are present, together with numerous large dendritic trunks, between bundles of myelinated axons traversing the TRN in both rostrocaudal and transverse planes. This distinctive arrangement produces the appearance of “gray islands” between myelinated axon bundles. Within these areas, abundant synaptic terminals occupy a large proportion of the available terminal space on the surface of dendrites and perikarya, particularly of the large type of neuron. Two types of synaptic terminals are encountered; S-type synapses contain lucent spherical synaptic vesicles and F-type synapses contain flattened lucent vesicles. In addition there is a small number of synaptic terminals with scattered 100–120 nm diameter dense core vesicles in a population of smaller pleomorphic vesicles. These account for no more than 10% of the synaptic terminal population.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of the corpora allata of 29 Leucophaea ovariectomized in the nymphal stage and maintained up to an adult age of 28 months was examined. In general, the subcellular morphology of these glands has much in common with that of normal female controls examined at the height of their activity. In addition, the most “typical”of the gonadectomy cases show certain distinctive features that are either absent or much less prominent in unoperated controls. Of primary interest is the striking abundance of smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum observed in many but not all of the castrates. Since this organelle is implicated in the biosynthesis of juvenile hormone, the factor normally responsible for yolk deposition, its increase, together with certain additional ultrastructural features, is indicative of an exceptionally high rate of hormone production. An explanation for the putative hyperactivity displayed to various degrees by the experimental animals may well be the constancy of the demand on their corpora allata, since removal of the ovaries abolishes the afferent signals in response to which, in the intact female, the brain turns off these glands during the long periods of gestation. That the synthetic effort may eventually level off, even in the absence of regular inhibitory stimuli, is suggested by the corpora allata of those castrates, the ultrastructure of which reflects moderate activity or possibly further regression

Notes: Summary The compound eyes of the mesopelagic euphausiid Thysanopoda tricuspidata were investigated by light-, scanning-, and transmission electron microscopy. The eyes are spherical and have a diameter that corresponds to 1/6 of the carapace length. The hexagonal facets have strongly curved outer surfaces. Although there are four crystalline cone cells, only two participate in the formation of the cone, which is 90–120 μm long and appears to have a radial gradient of refractive index. The clear zone, separating dioptric structures and retinula, is only 90–120 μm wide. In it lie the very large oval nuclei of the seven retinula cells. Directly in front of the 70 μm long and 15 μm thick rhabdom a lens-like structure of 12 μm diameter is developed. This structure, known in only a very few arthropods, seems to be present in all species of Euphausiacea studied to date. It is believed that the rhabdom lens improves near-field vision and absolute light sensitivity. Rod-shaped pigment grains and mitochondria of the tubular type are found in the plasma of retinula cells. The position of the proximal screening pigment as well as the microvillar organization in the rhadbdom are indicative of light-adapted material. The orthogonal alignment of rhabdovilli suggests polarization sensitivity. Behind each rhabdom there is a cup-shaped homogeneous structure of unknown, but possibly optical function. Finally, the structure and the function of the euphysiid eye are reviewed and the functional implications of individual components are discussed.

Notes: Summary The organisation of the ventral epidermis organisation was followed throughout ontogenesis in Rana ridibunda. Epidermis of tadpoles with 2–3 limbs was organised into two layers: a stratum germinativum consisting of elongated columnar cells, and an outer stratum corneum consisting of two types of cuboid cells. Two types of cells can be distinguished; they are a light (clear) cell and a dark (dense) cell. In the 4-legged tadpoles the stratum corneum cells start to flatten and a replacement layer appeared underneath. A well-defined stratum germinativum is found and within it, epidermal glands. Moulting took place for the first time in tadpoles just before metamorphosis, and a well-organised stratum granulosum was formed still containing the two main types of epidermal glands. The flask cells appear in the juveniles for the first time, greatly increasing in numbers in the adult epidermis.

Notes: Summary Ultrastructural changes in pinealocytes were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in mice exposed to low temperatures at 0° C or 5° C for 30 or 60 min. A quantitative estimation of the granulated vesicles of about 100 nm diameter in pinealocytes demonstrated that the number of these vesicles per pinealocyte in mice exposed to cold at 0° C or 5° C increased remarkably as compared with that of the controls. This finding indicates that cold stimuli may activate the formation of the granulated vesicles in pinealocytes. In mice exposed to cold at 0° C for 60 min, granulated vesicles were often found in groups close to the plasma membrane of the pinealocyte cell bodies or processes, indicating the release of the vesicle content into the extracellular spaces. Additionally, the pinealocytes of the mice exposed to cold at 0° C for 60 min were characterized by the frequent occurrence of lysosome-like bodies and filaments. The development of these structures in response to severe cold may represent a depressed functional state of pinealocytes.

Notes: Summary The follicle cells of Foucartia squamulata are involved in the formation of both vitelline membrane and chorion. Precursors for these egg coverings are synthesized by the rough endoplasmic reticulum and condensed within dictyosomes. The vitelline membrane and the chorion appear on the oocyte surface simultaneously, which is an unusual phenomenon for insects. The follicular epithelium has not been found to contribute to vitellogenesis in the species under study.

Notes: Summary At the onset of previtellogenesis, the oocytes of Acerentomon gallicum begin to grow and increase their content of organelles. The nuage material in the oocytes at first increases in amount, then declines gradually to disappear completely from oocytes that have attained 50 μm in diameter. During the growth period, new dictyosomes, mitochondria and ribosomes appear. Numerous vesicles become detached from the cell membrane and subsequently fuse into cisternae, thus forming extensive complexes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In oocytes with diameters between 50 and 100 μm the Golgi complexes show a considerable increase in activity, and many lamellar bodies arise from mitochondria that have undergone specific transformation.

Notes: Summary Two types of neurosecretory fibers, designated as Type 5 and Type 6 axons, in the sinus gland of the freshwater prawn, Palaemon, establish contact with other neurosecretory axons by means of synaptic junctions. This finding strongly supports the view that release of some neurohormones from the eyestalk may be regulated by neurosecretory neurons through synaptic transmission.

Notes: Summary The papillary muscle of the heart of adult white mice is investigated. Intrafibrillarly located leptomeric fibrils, frequently encountered in the Z-band region of the myofibrils. The leptomeric fibrils are always running in a transverse direction and often in close proximity to the transverse tubules (which are also located at this level). There seems to be a close connection between the dense striae of the leptofibrils and the Z-bands of ordinary myofibrils. The leptomeric fibrils are spindle-shaped and have a length varying between 0.6 and 1.2 μm. The banding periodicity of the fibrils is approximately 0.16 μm. Occasionally desmosomes are observed in the T-tubule system.

Notes: Summary Ultrastructural examination of the posterior pituitary of the garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus L.) was carried out at different times in the annual cycle of this hibernating rodent. Obvious differences between experimental groups have not been observed, and the results presented here must be considered as general features of the garden dormouse posterior pituitary. Neurosecretory axons and endings can be divided into two types, according to different aspects of neurosecretory granules (NSG) and microvesicles (MV). One type contains spherical NSG with homogeneous cores and round MV. In the other type, NSG have various, often elongated, shapes. Their content shows two types of crystalline structures and most of the MV have flattened aspects. As it is very unlikely that this duality in NSG is a result of an artefact of fixation, three hypotheses are presented as explanation. The duality of NSG might be related either to their hormonal content (oxytocin or vasopressin) or to their degree of maturation. Moreover, both explanations may be valid. In the species studied, pituicytes often contain concentric lamellar structures of the endoplasmic reticulum (whorls), the significance of which remains obscure.

Notes: Summary In concert with studies of the effects of various pharmacologic inhibitors of corticosteroidogenesis on adrenocortical morphology, U-8113, an analog of amphenone B, was administered daily to Sprague-Dawley rats for 7, 14, 21 or 30 days. The primary morphological responses involved increases in adrenal weight, width of zona fasciculata, width of zona reticularis, intracellular lipids, mitochondrial size, mitochondrial vacuolation and crystalline-like inclusions, small coated vesicles, lysosomes, autophagic vacuoles and cholesterol ester clefts. In particular, the increases in lysosomes, coated vesicles and autophagic vacuoles containing morphologically altered mitochondria were considered reflective of mechanisms designed to maintain cellular integrity amidst functional impairment. Lipid analysis revealed marked increases in cholesterol esters and phospholipids, supportive of morphological observations. When permitted a 14 day recovery period following either 14 or 30 days of inhibitor therapy, most fine structural alterations and lipid derangements were diminished, and the cells approximated normal parameters.

Notes: Summary Electron microscopic studies were made of the regeneration of minced smooth muscle of the vas deferens of the guinea-pig 3 days to 15 weeks after operation. At 3–5 days the mince contained degenerating smooth muscle cells and dedifferentiating cells showing characteristics of embryonic smooth muscle cells: numerous free ribosomes, well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus with few peripherally placed myofilaments associated with dense bodies. During the first two weeks of regeneration, scattered cells surrounded by debris and collagen were separated by a large extra-cellular space. After three weeks, extracellular space was reduced to near normal values. Regenerating cells had a shorter length than normal cells, but during later stages of regeneration they showed an increase in diameter. Muscle effector bundles began to form after 2 to 3 weeks. Initially there were large gaps between the muscle cells, but at later stages of bundle formation, the extracellular space between the muscle cells was much reduced. From 3 weeks, arterioles appeared between the smooth muscle bundles in the regenerating areas. Regeneration of individual smooth muscle cells was complete by 15 weeks after the operation.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of the pinealocytes of the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), a blind subterranean mammal living in complete darkness, was examined and compared with that of pinealocytes of other mammals. On the basis of the presence of granular vesicles and glycogen granules, only one population of pinealocytes was found. Large mitochondria, ribosomes, lipid inclusions and scarce lysosomes were observed in the perikaryon. Numerous glycogen granules, often forming typical accumulations, were frequently found to be associated with typical vacuoles. An extraordinary large number of granular vesicles is characteristic of the golden mole pinealocyte. Phenomena of excretion of compound(s) stored in the granular vesicles were identified. Morphologically this is characterized by dissociation of its granular core in situ while its limiting membrane is preserved. The physiological significance of the secretory process characterized by the formation of these granular vesicles is discussed.

Notes: Summary Ultrastructural and ultrahistochemical studies were performed on the uterovaginal sperm host glands of the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The proximal parts of the glandular necks are lined by a pseudostratified epithelium, consisting of high columnar ciliated cells and small, irregular shaped, basal cells. The true glandular epithelium is composed only of columnar cells with microvilli on their luminal end. A characteristic luminal feature is a large lipid droplet in the perinuclear region. In the subplasmalemmal region numerous tubular profiles are seen which could represent a cellular resorption system. To evaluate the absorptive capacity of the Uterovaginal sperm host glands, tracer studies with HRP, ferritin, lanthanum and ruthenium red were undertaken. Since between 5 min and 3 h after injection no absorption could be found with the techniques mentioned, it is suggested that phagocytosis of spermatozoa by the glandular epithelium is not likely to occur.

Notes: Summary Tissues that have the ultrastructural characteristics of nervous tissues are associated with ciliary and muscular elements of the pluteus larva of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The nerve cells are found along the margins of the ciliary bands, which are composed predominantly of spindle-shaped ciliated cells. The nerve cells contribute axonal processes to a tract of axons, which runs at the base of the ciliary band throughout its length. Axonal tracts, in the esophagus, lie beneath the circumesophageal muscles. Branched microvilli, which have been interpreted as sensory receptors, are located on the oral side of the main ciliary band and connect with the nerve cells in the ciliary band. The nervous structures described here, and other tissues of the pluteus that have been previously described as nervous, are compared on the basis of their association with receptor and effector organs, and their ultrastructural characteristics.

Notes: Summary The hypothalamo-posthypophysial complex of the homozygous Brattleboro rat is characterized by a hyperactivity of its neurons. The neurosecretory fibers, especially in the neurohypophysis, show numerous signs of autophagy and tubular proliferation of the axoplasmic reticulum. These structural alterations, as well as the nematosomes or nucleolus-like bodies encountered in the perikarya, may be related to the chronic hyperactivity of the neurons. They can be reduced by administration of exogenous vasopressin. The numerous liposomes in the pituicytes are paralleled in the neuronal perikarya by a great number of lysosomes. Small dense core vesicles observed in the neurosecretory endings and perikarya may indicate a secretory product distinct from oxytocin and vasopressin. In the homozygous Brattleboro rat, endings of the aminergic type are more numerous than in the normal rat. With respect to the role they may play in the secretory processes, their increase might be secondary to the vasopressin deficiency.

Notes: Summary Ultrastructural and morphometric investigations were performed on the lung of the European salamander, Salamandra salamandra L. Folds of first and second order are covered with a ciliated epithelium containing goblet cells. The respiratory surface of the lung is lined by a single type of cell which, in amphibians, combines features of type I and type II alveolar cells of the mammalian lung. In the salamander the respiratory and ciliated epithelial cells as well as goblet cells possess electron dense and lucent vesicles in their cytoplasm as well as lamellar bodies. A small amount of surfactant, composed most probably of phospholipids and mucopolysaccharides, was observed covering the entire inner surface of the lung. Morphometric methods were used to determine the dimensions of the perinuclear region of pneumocytes, the thickness of the air-blood barrier and lung wall, and also the diameter of capillaries. The thickness of the respiratory air-blood barrier was found to be considerably higher than that of the corresponding barrier in mammals.

Notes: Summary The larval integument of the midge, Chironomus riparius Mg., is unusually thin although it conforms with the normal insect pattern. The cuticle of the post-cephalic segments is about 3 μm thick and overlies an epidermis which has an irregular basal plasma membrane resulting in spaces occurring between it and the basement membrane. The ventral tubuli have a similar epidermis but the cuticle is somewhat thinner. The anal papillae have the thinnest cuticular covering with a uniquely folded epicuticle of variable thickness, and their epidermis has the characteristics of a transporting epithelium. No evidence of pore canals could be found in the cuticle of any part except the head capsule which has a remarkably smooth epicuticle and a distinct layer which may represent the exocuticle. There are no spaces between the basement membrane and basal plasma membrane of the epidermis in the head. Ultrastructural evidence would suggest that gaseous exchange can occur across most of the post-cephalic integument.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of the fat body of Aedes aegypti was followed from emergence through a blood meal. Changes in the volume of protein granules and lipid droplets were also examined. The relationship of these events to the known endocrinology of vitellogenin synthesis in mosquitoes is discussed.

Notes: Summary 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA) has been shown to produce degenerative changes in noradrenergic nerve terminals and preterminals in the CNS following intracisternal, intraventricular or direct injection into the brain parenchyma. Systemic injection of 6-OH-DA is known to result in degenerative changes in noradrenergic terminals in the peripheral nervous system. However, only a few studies have been carried out on the effects of systemic injections of 6 OH-DA on noradrenergic terminals in the CNS. In the present study cynomolgus and squirrel monkeys were injected intravenously on two successive days with total doses of 350mg/kg and 150 mg/kg of 6-OH-DA, respectively, and sacrificed at 2 and 24 h following the second injection. Degenerative changes in the area postrema (AP) neurons in all injected animals were characterized by a generalized increase in electron density of cytoplasmic elements in axonal terminals and preterminals. Multilamellar bodies, clusters of clear and dense core vesicles, increased numbers of secondary lysosomes, and an increase in the number of glycogen granules were observed in these structures. In astrocytes the amount of glycogen increased markedly in injected animals, but no other glial alterations were observed. The number of mast cells in the AP was greater in injected than in noninjected animals, both in the perivascular spaces (PVS) and in parenchymal locations. Cell processes in the PVS were occasionally observed to contain electron dense bodies, and degenerative changes were seen in supraependymal processes in some injected animals.

Notes: Summary TEM, SEM and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrate the heterogeneity of the dentinal tissue of Anarhichas lupus, a vascular osteodentine. The disordered aspect of collagen fibres, incompletely mineralized (the periodical striation being still visible), explains the scattered distribution of crystallites since they are responsible for their arrangement. The low degree of mineralization revealed by the visible collagen striation is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis (the crystallinity of vascular osteodentine being much lower than that of the peripheral dental tissue) as well as by high resolution TEM, since no lattice planes could be observed. Osteodentine, supporting bone and proper bone have in common a mineral phase, more or less organized, different from the apatite system.

Notes: Summary The intestinal absorptive epithelium of starved and fed fish has been studied electron microscopically. After feeding, cells of the proximal segment of the intestine show morphological characteristics of lipid absorption. Absorptive cells in the middle segment contain many pinocytotic vesicles in both fasted and fed specimens. Absorption of protein macromolecules is supposed to be one of the main functions of this part of the gut. In the most caudal part of the intestine, absorptive cells carry relatively few and short microvilli. The proximal and distal segments show structural indications of a function in osmoregulation. The renewal of the epithelium has been studied with light microscopic autoradiography, using tritiated thymidine. The intestinal mucosal fold epithelium represents a cell renewal system. The cells proliferate at the base of the fold and migrate towards the apex in 10–15 days at 20° C. The functional absorptive cells proved to be generally present in the intestinal epithelium, including the proliferative area. Undifferentiated cells have not been identified. The results will be compared with data on absorption of lipid and protein macromolecules in teleostean and mammalian intestines and with descriptions of the cell renewal system in the mammalian intestine.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of the neural sheath, glial cells and neurons in the brain of the neoimaginal male Chironomus riparius is described. The neural sheath comprises a neural lamella and underlying perineurium. The neural lamella consists of an amorphous matrix in which fine fibrils occur. The perineurium is composed of two cell types forming a continuous layer around the brain. The subjacent cortical layer, composed of the cell bodies of neurons and glial cells, varies considerably in thickness and surrounds the centrally located neuropiles. Three types of glial cells are distinguished on the basis of their positions and appearances. Five types of neurons are described which differ in size and relative frequency of organelles. Four types of axons, including those of neurosecretory cells, are distinguished by their size and content.

Notes: Summary The structure of the subfornical organ (SFO) of the Japanese quail has been studied by light and electron microscopy. The SFO is a small semiglobular bulge in the midline on the rostrodorsal wall of the third ventricle between the anterior commissure and tela choroidea. The organ consists of three main parts, anterior stalk, the corpus and the posterior stalk. The anterior stalk is covered by ependymal cells with a few cilia, but the corpus and posterior stalk are characterized by a distinctive lack of cilia and by flat or bulging cell surfaces, which have the appearance of cobble stones. The large bulbous protrusions in the ependymal surface of the posterior stalk suggest a secretory function into the ventricle. In the subependymal layer, there are a few parvocellular neurons that contain small mitochondria, moderately developed Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, dilated cisternae of rER and a few dense-cored granules of 100–120 nm in diameter. They appear to be secretory in nature. Two types of glial cells occur in the subependymal and internal layers. One is small and spindle-shaped with a dense nucleus and elongated cytoplasmic processes; it may be microglial. The other is a small polygonal cell with rounded nucleus and clear cytoplasm containing bundles of filaments; it may be a protoplasmic astrocyte. The neuropil contains three types of axons. The first contains dense-cored granules, 80 nm in diameter, and clear vesicles, 40–60 nm in diameter and is involved in axosomatic synapses. The second type contains dense granules, 120 nm in diameter, and clear vesicles, 40–80 nm in diameter, and shows axodendritic synapses. The third contains peptidergic granules about 100–120 nm in diameter and seems to belong to the organ-specific nerve cells. These axons terminate at the perivascular space of the blood capillaries, suggesting secretion into the blood.

Notes: Summary The ovarian follicles of juvenile (15-day and 21-day old), pubescent (28-day old) and sexually mature (45-day old) “Nude” mice have been compared to those from normal NMRI mice of the same age and breeding groups. At the electron microscopical level, some differences were observed in both follicular cells and oocytes. In the follicular cells, the following alterations could be seen in the “Nude” ovaries: (1) the differentiation between clear and dark cells, normally not occurring before the age of 21 days, was already present in the 15-day old “Nude” mice and (2) the follicular intercellular spaces were frequently dilated, possibly because of a contraction of the cells, even in the small growing follicles of the bilaminar type in the athymic animals. The “Nude” oocytes could be characterized by (1) a precocious appearance and an early disappearance of the nuage material, (2) a nearly complete absence of micropapillae on the oolemma, (3) a dense and disseminated aspect of their Golgi complexes, (4) the presence of a large amount of multivesicular bodies and (5) of tiny (about 30 nm) dense membrane-bounded particles in their ooplasm. These differences are discussed in relation to the possible interference of congenital athymia with the development of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. However, the influence of the reduced immunological responsiveness of the “Nude” mice on their ovarian development cannot be excluded for animals raised in a normal — and consequently infected — environment.

Notes: Summary The central fat body of the ovoviviparous cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea was studied during the first reproductive cycle of the female by means of light microscopy, autoradiography and electron microscopy. Comparative studies in larval stages were also undertaken. The fat body of Nauphoeta contains a large amount of lipid droplets and the remaining cytoplasm is very scarce. The cytological cyclicity of the fat body is consistent with the known biochemical rhythms of vitellogenin production. The proteosynthetic apparatus appears about 3 days after imaginal ecdysis, along with vitellogenin. The ribosomal endoplasmic reticulum (RER) shows a tremendous increase by the 7th day of the first cycle. The most active period of vitellogenin production lasts from day 7 to day 12. The proteosynthetic apparatus then returns to an inactive stage and disappears. This inactive condition lasts to the end of the gestation period. The autoradiographic results are consistent with the cytological features.

Notes: Summary Fine structural changes of testicular interstitial cells of Leydig and secretory cells of seminal vesicles were studied in golden hamsters under different functional states of the pineal gland. Experiments were performed in the reproductive season (summer months). In the hamsters blinded for 8 weeks the testes and the seminal vesicles were markedly atrophic, and the Leydig cells and the secretory cells of seminal vesicles were extremely involuted. By contrast, both types of cells in the pinealectomized or superior cervical ganglionectomized hamsters exhibited cytological features suggestive of an enhanced secretory activity. This study shows that functional activity of Leydig cells as well as secretory cells of seminal vesicles in the hamster may be depressed or augmented by stimulating or inhibiting the pineal antigonadal function, respectively, without performing hypophysectomy or hormonal administration.

Notes: Summary Endometrium from a group of baboons treated with the oral contraceptive, Enovid E, was studied histologically, histochemically and ultrastructurally, and compared to endometrium from normally cycling animals. All endometria were obtained by transcervical uterine biopsy between 10 and 14 days of the treatment cycle or the normal menstrual cycle. Histologically, no discernible differences between the control and experimental endometria were apparent. While observable differences were not evident between the endometrial alkaline phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase activities of control and experimental animals, there was an increased acid phosphatase activity in the Enovid E-treated baboon endometrium. Ultra-structurally, the glandular cells of treated animals appeared to be more physiologically advanced than did those from the control endometria. These advances were evident from the prominent Golgi complex, increased development of the endoplasmic reticulum and increases in the size, number and complexity of mitochondria. The functional correlates of these morphological and histochemical observations are discussed and compared to human endometrial studies.

Notes: Summary Normal tissues from human lungs were dehydrated through Epon 812 resin to retain many of the lipids and carbohydrates in thin section. The three-dimensional structure of the multilamellar body was determined. The paired layer of phospholipid heads (PH) is 36Å thick; the layer of fatty-acid tails (FA) is 31Å, the same as reported previously for non-human primates and rodents. The human multilamellar body is apparently unique: the lamellae of the major focus divide into two or three lamellae; the matrix material of the core is without vesicular bodies and a projection core is present. When compared with those of the rat, human tissues contain a greater number of lamellar foci and fewer lamellae per focus. The presence of a peripheral layer of lamellae, an ever-present external limiting membrane, and the fusion of multilamellar bodies are also characteristic. Tubular myelin surfactant has the same appearance as in other mammals. Multilamellar bodies were observed in direct communication with Golgi vesicles. Their origin from multivesicular bodies and their maturation through secretion and exocytosis were demonstrated. Untransformed multilamellar bodies in the alveolar space demonstrated three periodicities (P): (1) compact regular lamellae, PH = 36Å, FA = 31Å, P = 66Å; (2) compact broad lamellae, PH = 72Å, FA = 22Å, P = 94Å; (3) loose lamellae, PH = 36Å, FA = 36Å, FA = 31Å with a variable interlamellar space.

Notes: Summary The elaboration and distribution of newly formed proteins in the striated muscle of 21-day-old mice were investigated by quantitative radioautography at intervals between 2 and 240 min after intravenous injection of tritiated leucine. In radioautographs, the localization and the relative label concentration were comparatively estimated for the different components of mitochondria-rich fibres, in particular of red fibres, from the tibialis anterior muscle and of mitochondria-poor fibres from the oesophageal muscle. As early as 2 min after injection, radioactivity was detected over the nucleus, the polysome-rich sarcoplasm, the A and I bands, the Z lines, and the mitochondria in the two fibre types. Label localization did not change with time. The relative label concentration increased similarly in the polysome-rich sarcoplasm and the A and I bands of both fibre types within 30 min after injection, a confirmation that biosynthesis of myofibrillar proteins takes place rapidly. In each case, concentration was higher in the Z lines than in the I bands, and higher in the I bands than in the A bands, thus showing “in vivo” that the rates of synthesis of sarcomere protein components are not uniform. However, the relative label concentration was found to be higher in the Z lines of mitochondria-poor fibres than of mitochondria-rich fibres: this suggests that a higher synthetic rate of Z line protein, and probably of α actinin, is characteristic of the first type. Inversely, the concentration was higher in the mitochondria of mitochondria-rich fibres. This lead to the belief that high rate of protein synthesis in these organelles may account for the high rate of label incorporation into this type of fibre.

Notes: Summary To study the transport of protein from the blood into and throughout the sparsely vascularized pars intermedia of anurans, the electrondense tracer, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the vascular system of adult frogs. A strong reaction product was localized in small vesicles in the cytoplasm of that portion of the stellate cells immediately beneath the vascular spaces. Also, within two minutes after an injection of HRP, which was given during a period of one minute, the reaction product was seen in the extracellular spaces between the stellate and/or MSH secretory cells throughout the gland. Additionally, it appeared that HRP was pinocytosed by the stellate cell processes in the interior of the pars intermedia. Since frogs adapted to different backgrounds were perfused with HRP for a variety of time periods, from 3 to 90 min, it was thought that it would be possible to trace the pathway of the HRP-filled vesicles as they moved through the stellate cells. There did not appear to be a migration of these vesicles within the cells. Because of the electron density of the HRP, the tortuous extensions from the perivascular spaces of the capillary plexus intermedius were obvious as they ramified into the pars intermedia and pars nervosa. In the frogs not injected with HRP, it was possible to observe the substructure of these ramifications which paralleled the stellate cells and formed enlargements at the convergence of the stellate cell processes and sometimes the nerve processes. An extravascular, many-branched transport system that penetrates the parenchyma is discussed in addition to the possible transfer role of the stellate cells.

Notes: Summary The tertiary shell of the eggs of anostracan crustaceans consists of two layers, an outer cortex and an inner alveolar layer. Scanning electron microscope studies show that, in most species, these layers are separated by a subcortical space which intercommunicates with spaces in the cortex and with the meshwork of the alveolar layer. No evidence was found for direct communication between pores on the surface of Branchipus stagnalis eggs and the subcortical space. No surface pores were found in the eggs of Branchinecta packardi, Chirocephalus diaphanus, Anemia salina, nor in eggs of the notostracan Triops cancriformis. Similarities in structure and possible functions of the egg shells of anostracan crustaceans and certain insects are discussed in relation to similarities in certain features of their environments.

Notes: Summary Electron microscopy was employed in a study of the pineal gland of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). It was determined that the gerbil pineal gland contains pinealocytes and glial cells with the pinealocytes being the predominant cell type. The pinealocytes contain numerous organelles traditionally considered as being either synthetic or secretory in function such as an extensive Golgi region, smooth (SER) and rough (RER) endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicles and microtubules. Other cytoplasmic components are also present in the pinealocytes (synaptic ribbons, subsurface cisternae) for which no function has been assigned. Dense-cored vesicles are rare. Vacuolated pinealocytes are present and appear to be intimately associated with the formation of the pineal concertions. Evidence presented supports the proposal that the concretions form within the vacuoles. Once the concretions reach an enlarged state, the vacuolated pinealocytes break down and the concretions are thus extruded into the extracellular space where they apparently continue to increase in size. The morphology of the glial cells was interpreted as indicative of a high synthetic activity. The glial cells contain predominantly the rough variety of endoplasmic reticulum and form an expansion around the wide perivascular area.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of intranuclear rodlets, microtubules, fibrillar lattices and membranous inclusions found in the developing cuneate nuclei of rats is described. Rodlets, ranging in diameter from 96–312 nm and in length from 1–2 μm, are made up of tightly packed straight filaments measuring 5–8 nm in diameter. Microtubules with a diameter of 26 nm are clustered together. Fibrillar lattices are made up of fibrils with a diameter of 9 nm arranged in layers or sets. Two to nine sets make up a lattice, with a maximum width of 68 nm, in which the adjacent sets are arranged at an angle to each other. Rodlets and fibrillar lattices occur in 6.8% of the neurons. Membranous inclusions, reported here for the first time in normal neurons, are of 2 types: small vesicles of 0.1–0.6 μm and large vacuoles measuring 1–2 μm. Both types are bounded by either a single or a double membrane and generally have an electron lucent content. Membranous inclusions occur in 25.3 % of the neurons. Changes in the frequency of occurrence of the various intranuclear inclusions in the course of postnatal development are also reported.

Notes: Summary Previous studies have demonstrated that astrocyte processes are responsible for a spontaneously occurring phagocytosis of boutons on cat spinal motoneurons during the second postnatal week. In the present investigation, the astrocytes and the astrocyte processes in contact with the motoneurons were studied qualitatively and quantitatively during the early postnatal period. It could be concluded that the cells responsible for the phagocytosis of boutons are immature astrocytes. These cells were present not only during the period of phagocytosis but also prior to this period. The type of process responsible for the phagocytosis was present not only during the period of phagocytosis but also prior to and after that period although the relative contribution of such processes to the glia-covered membrane area of the motoneurons was reduced in the older animals. On the basis of these results, the possible specificity of the immature astrocyte as the element responsible for the phagocytosis of boutons during normal development is discussed.

Notes: The sperm of the shiner surfperch are packaged into high density aggregations which are introduced into the female genital tract at insemination. Germ cell differentiation occurs within cysts formed by nongerminal Sertoli cells. In late spermiogenesis, spermatozoa within the cysts come to lie parallel to each other and become more densely packed. These sperm packets (spermatophores), containing approximately 600 spermatozoa, then are released into the efferent sperm ducts.The exact nature of the spermatophore binding material is not known, but a major component is proteinaceous and is synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of the efferent sperm duct epithelial cells. The mechanism by which the spermatophores pass from cysts into ducts is not clear. It appears that whereas many Sertoli cells degenerate causing the cyst wall to break down, many Sertoli cells do not degenerate, but rather assume the configuration of columnar duct cells. The spermatophores remain intact within the testicular ducts, but rapidly dissolve within the female ducts in response to increased pH.

Notes: The telemetered electromyographic activity (EMG) of select hindlimb muscles of unrestrained cats during standing, walking, trotting, and galloping have been recorded. Simultaneous cinematographic records permitted close correlation of muscle activity and locomotor behavior. In general, the pattern of extensor activity of the ankle, knee, and hip during locomotion is fairly consistent, while that of the flexors is more variable.Changes in basic EMG patterns from walk, to trot, to gallop are most evident in the two-jointed muscles associated with the knee and hip. Progressively greater variation of activity onset and cessation can be seen among extensor muscle groups from the walk, to trot, to gallop. Co-activation of the joint extensors and flexors, especially of the hip, at the end of the stance phase (E3) is slight in the walk, moderate in the trot, and considerable in the gallop. These EMG changes are necessary to meet the demands imposed upon the musculature at the faster gaits, particularly galloping, which include limb rigidity as related to loading, momentum as related to the limb's directional change from the stance phase to the swing phase, and lower spinal movements.The peroneal muscles of the ankle and the gluteal muscles of the hip show extensor activity and act as joint stabilizers during locomotion. Both biceps femoris anterior muscle and biceps femoris posterior muscle show consistent hip extensor patterns at all gaits. During quiet standing, extensor activity about the knee, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal joints is evident; but the hip extensor and flexor musculature is remarkably silent.EMG data for unrestrained cats are compared to those of dogs on a treadmill (Tokuriki, '73a,b, '74; Wentink, '76) and those recorded from decerebrate cats (mesencephalic preparation) during controlled locomotion (Gambaryan et al., '71). The EMG patterns from decerebrate cats are more consistent at the walk and gallop within functional groups of muscles at the ankle, knee, and hip than the EMG patterns observed in unrestrained cats or animals moving on a treadmill.

Notes: End-plate distributions have been determined for three frog muscles of different morphology in order to relate end-plate topography to spatial muscle structure and nerve branching. Koelle's cholinesterase technique was applied, both on whole muscles and frozen sections. The end-plates of the short parallel-fibered cutaneus pectoris muscle appeared to be located in short bands along the nerve branches. The nerve tree is restricted to a zonal area across the middle part of the muscle. Depending on the way the nerve branches, the end-plate bands form innervation patterns, varying from one single continuous band to multiple distributed bands. In the latter case one frequently observes that different end-plate bands do not run across the same longitudinal muscle fiber area, although the respective nerve branches run parallel across this area. The long parallel-fibered sartorius muscle has a wider nerve tree and exhibits the same phenomenon for close parallel nerve branches, but end-plate bands along parallel nerve branches far apart cover the same muscle fiber area. The end-plate distribution in the bipennate, short-fibered gastrocnemius is zonal throughout the muscle except in certain compartments containing tonic fibers. The end-plate zone centers around the inner aponeurosis about half-way between the muscle tendon junctions of the fibers and is visible only at the muscle surface where muscle fibers run over their entire length at that surface. The results are of general use in the electrophysiology of neuromuscular transmission because they illustrate how in certain twitch muscles neuromuscular morphology may help to localize end-plates.

Notes: When a larva of Haplothrips verbasci is ready to feed, it grasps the surface of the leaf with its pretarsi, sinks down between its front legs, lifts its head, and places the tip of its mouthcone against the surface. It then shortens its mouthcone and punches a hole in the epidermis by rapidly and repeatedly protracting and retracting its left mandibular stylet. The thrips then inserts its two maxillary stylets as a unit into the wound with a series of rapid thrusts and withdrawals, salivating continuously while doing so. When a food source in the epidermis or mesophyll is found, probing and salivation stop and cibarial pumping begins. Cytoplasm is sucked into the opening at the tip of the protracted stylets, up the food canal between them and into the cibarium.Probing and feeding can occur without mandibular intervention but uptake of liquid seems to require use of the mutually coadapted maxillary stylets, even when these are fully retracted.Prior to molting, the larva protracts its maxillary stylets maximally and, in the pharate state, seems incapable of feeding or drinking.Structures used in feeding are fully described and are shown to resemble those of Hemiptera except for the presence of maxillary and labial palpi and the absence of the loral lobes, right mandible and of a salivary canal between the protracted maxillary stylets. Seven single and 18 paired muscles function in the feeding act, nine less than in adults of the same species.Differences in the feeding mechanism of terebrantian and tubuliferous thrips are discussed and evidence is presented to suggest that the simplified and more highly specialized mouthparts of the latter insects are adaptations for feeding in confining spaces.

Notes: In contemporary entomology the morphological characters of insects are not always treated according to their phylogenetic rank. Fossil evidence often gives clues for different interpretations. All primitive Paleozoic pterygote nymphs are now known to have had articulated, freely movable wings reinforced by tubular veins. This suggests that the wings of early Pterygota were engaged in flapping movements, that the immobilized, fixed, veinless wing pads of Recent nymphs have resulted from a later adaptation affecting only juveniles, and that the paranotal theory of wing origin is not valid. The wings of Paleozoic nymphs were curved backwards in Paleoptera and were flexed backwards at will in Neoptera, in both to reduce resistance during forward movement. Therefore, the fixed oblique-backwards position of wing pads in all modern nymphs is secondary and is not homologous in Paleoptera and Neoptera. Primitive Paleozoic nymphs had articulated and movable prothoracic wings which became in some modern insects transformed into prothoracic lobes and shields. The nine pairs of abdominal gillplates of Paleozoic mayfly nymphs have a venation pattern, position, and development comparable to that in thoracic wings, to which they are serially homologous. Vestigial equivalents of wings and legs were present in the abdomen of all primitive Paleoptera and primitive Neoptera. The ontogenetic development of Paleozoic nymphs was confluent, with many nymphal and subimaginal instars, and the metamorphic instar was missing. The metamorphic instar originated by the merging together of several instars of old nymphs; it occurred in most orders only after the Paleozoic, separately and in parallel in all modern major lineages (at least twice in Paleoptera, in Ephemeroptera and Odonata; separately in hemipteroid, blattoid, orthopteroid, and plecopteroid lineages of exopterygote Neoptera; and once only in Endopterygota). Endopterygota evolved from ametabolous, not from hemimetabolous, exopterygote Neoptera.The full primitive wing venation consists of six symmetrical pairs of veins; in each pair, the first branch is always convex and the second always concave; therefore costa, subcosta, radius, media, cubitus, and anal are all primitively composed of two separate branches. Each pair arises from a single veinal base formed from a sclerotized blood sinus. In the most primitive wings the circulatory system was as follows: the costa did not encircle the wing, the axillary cord was missing, and the blood pulsed in and out of each of the six primary, convex-concave vein pair systems through the six basal blood sinuses. This type of circulation is found as an archaic feature in modern mayflies. Wing corrugation first appeared in preflight wings, and hence is considered primitive for early (paleopterous) Pterygota. Somewhat leveled corrugation of the central wing veins is primitive for Neoptera. Leveled corrugation in some modern Ephemeroptera, as well as accentuated corrugation in higher Neoptera, are both derived characters. The wing tracheation of Recent Ephemeroptera is not fully homologous to that of other insects and represents a more primitive, segmental stage of tracheal system.Morphology of an ancient articular region in Palaeodictyoptera shows that the primitive pterygote wing hinge in its simplest form was straight and composed of two separate but adjoining morphological units: the tergal, formed by the tegula and axillaries; and the alar, formed by six sclerotized blood sinuses, the basivenales. The tergal sclerites were derived from the tergum as follows: the lateral part of the tergum became incised into five lobes; the prealare, suralare, median lobe, postmedian lobe and posterior notal wing process. From the tips of these lobes, five slanted tergal sclerites separated along the deep paranotal sulcus: the tegula, first axillary, second axillary, median sclerite, and third axillary. Primitively, all pteralia were arranged in two parallel series on both sides of the hinge. In Paleoptera, the series stayed more or less straight; in Neoptera, the series became V-shaped. Pteralia in Paleoptera and Neoptera have been homologized on the basis of the fossil record.A differential diagnosis between Paleoptera and Neoptera is given. Fossil evidence indicates that the major steps in evolution, which led to the origin first of Pterygota, then of Neoptera and Endopterygota, were triggered by the origin and the diversification of flight apparatus. It is believed here that all above mentioned major events in pterygote evolution occurred first in the immature stages.

Notes: Oocytes and nurse tissue of Bruchidius differentiate from germ cells during the extended period of pupal development (7.2 ± 0.6 days). A system of 15 pupal stages correlates ovarian development with changes in pigmentation of the eyes, maxillae, alae and tarsalia. The ovarioles grow in length at a constant rate, though their width does not change.A differentiating zone, consisting of germ cells and the basal layer of interstitial cells, arises at the base of the tropharium and separates presumptive oocytes and nurse cells. Early in pupal development the germ cells are arranged in primary syncytia with the cells connected by persisting intercellular bridges filled with fusomal material, never with larger particles, such as mitochondria. At later stages membrane disintegration changes the primary syncytium into a secondary one including all nurse cell nuclei.Nutritive cords are first noticeable when differentiation of oocytes and nurse cells starts. The cords seem to be of primary origin, i.e., they are connections between sister cells which become elongated as these cells are separated during growth. This is indicated by the persistence of intercellular bridges which are sometimes found as part of the membrane of growing nutritive cords connecting young oocytes with the nurse cell syncytium.

Notes: The formation of protein-carbohydrate yolk in the statoblast of a fresh-water bryozoan, Pectinatella gelatinosa, was studied by electron microscopy. Two types (I and II) of yolk cells were distinguished. The type I yolk cells are mononucleate and comprise a large majority of the yolk cells. The type II yolk cells are small in number; they become multinucleate by fusion of cells at an early stage of vitellogenesis. In both types of yolk cells, electron-dense granules (dense bodies) are formed in Golgi or condensing vacuoles, which are then called yolk granules. For the formation of yolk granules, the following processes are considered: 1. Yolk protein is synthesized in the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER) of the yolk cells. 2. The synthesized protein condenses in the cisternal space of the RER and is packaged into small oval swellings, which are then released from the RER as small vesicles (Golgi vesicles, 300-600 A in diameter). 3. The small vesicles fuse with one another to form condensing vacuoles, or with pre-existing growing yolk granules. 4. In the matrix of the condensing vacuoles or growing yolk granules, electron-dense fibers are fabricated and then arranged in a paracrystalline pattern to form the dense body. 5. After the dense body reaches its full size, excess membrane is removed and eventually the yolk granules come to mature. Toward the end of vitellogenesis of the yolk cells, the cytoplasmic organelles are ingested by autophagosomes derived from multivesicular bodies and disappear.

Notes: Testis structure in four species of goodeid teleosts is described. Testicular tubules terminate blindly at the testis periphery where spermatogonia are located. In goodeid teleosts, development of sperm takes place synchronously within cysts whose periphery is made up of a single layer of Sertoli cells. Upon completion of spermiogenesis, spermiation ensues wherein sperm are shed, as spermatozeugmata, into the testis efferent duct system. Subsequently, Sertoli cells, which comprised the cyst periphery, transform into efferent duct cells.Sertoli cells phagocytize residual bodies and are involved in the formation of spermatozeugmata. The structure of the goodeid spermatozeugmatum is quite different from that observed in the related poeciliids. It is concluded, in view of this and other considerations, that the goodeids and poeciliids have independently evolved solutions to the problems of internal fertilization and gestation.

Notes: The papillae basilares of 12 species of lizards from seven different families were studied by SEM. The iguanids, Sceloporus magister and S. occidentalis, have typical “iguanid type” papillae with central short-ciliated unidirectional hair cell segments and apical and basal long-ciliated bidirectional hair cell segments. These species of Sceloporus are unique among iguanids in that the bidirectional segments consist of but two rows of hair cells. The agamids, Agama agama and Calotes nigrolabius, have an “agamid-anguid type” papilla consisting of an apical short-ciliated unidirectional hair cell segment and a longer basal bidirectional segment. Agama agama is unusual in having a few long-ciliated hair cells at the apical end of the apical short-ciliated segment. The agamid, Uromastix sp., has an “iguanid type” papilla with a central short-ciliated unidirectional segment and apical and basal bidirectional segments. The anguid, Ophisaurus ventralis, has an “iguanid” papillar pattern with the short-ciliated segment centrally located. All the short-ciliated hair cells of the above species are covered by a limbus-attached tectorial network or cap and the long-ciliated hair cells, only by loose tectorial strands.The lacertids, Lacerta viridis and L. galloti, have papillae divided into two separate segments. The shorter apical segment consists of opposingly oriented, widely separated short-ciliated cells covered by a heavy tectorial membrane. The apical portion of the longer basal segment consists of unidirectionally oriented hair cells, while the greater part of the segment has opposingly oriented hair cells.The xantusiids, Xantusia vigilis and X. henshawi, have papillae made up of separate small apical segments and elongated basal segments. The apical hair cells are largely, but not exclusively, unidirectional and are covered by a heavy tectorial cap. The basal strip is bidirectional and the hair cells are covered by sallets. The kinocilial heads are arrowhead-shaped.The papilla of the cordylid, Cordylus jonesii, is very similar to that of Xantusia except that the apical segment is not completely separated from the basal strip.The papilla of the Varanus bengalensis is divided into a shorter apical and a longer basal segment. The hair cells of the entire apical and the basal three quarters of the basal segment are opposingly oriented, not with reference to the midpapillary axis but randomly to either the neural or abneural direction. The apical quarter of the basal segment contains unidirectional, abneurally oriented hair cells. The entire papilla is covered by a dense tectorial membrane.The functional correlations of the above structural variables are discussed.

Notes: The circulatory systems of four polystyelids, Botryllus schlosseri, B. primigenus, Botrylloides violaceus and Symplegma reptans, were compared. The palleal buds are connected to the parent zooid by a peduncle and to the colonial vascular system by connecting vessels. The peduncle of S. reptans disappears at an earlier stage of bud development than in B. primigenus; it survives the dissolution of the parent zooid in B. schlosseri and B. violaceus. The connecting vessel is formed by anastomosis between an epidermal outgrowth from the bud and a neighboring colonial vessel, and is characterized by the presence of a sphincter. The number of connecting vessels formed in a palleal bud is three in S. reptans, two in B. primigenus and one each in B. schlosseri and B. violaceus. In each species, the larva has eight rudiments of ampullae. In B. primigenus, the original ampullae degenerate soon after metamorphosis and new ampullae extend from the ventral epidermis of the oozooid. In the other species, the colonial vascular system is derived from the original ampullae.The whole colonial vascular system contracts and expands periodically, with regionally different phases. During each expansion cycle, the sphincter contracts once in B. primigenus and twice in S. reptans. The correlation may be due to blood pressure and the propagation of excitation through the colonial vascular system.

Notes: The mammalian ovary has been studied by optical microscopy and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy with the purpose of presenting an integrated view of the differentiating mammalian follicle. During follicular development, changes in the granulosa cells are particularly noteworthy and include dramatic modifications in cell shape coincident with antrum formation. The cytoplasmic processes of those granulosa cells immediately surrounding the oocyte, as well as the more peripheral granulosa cells comprising a second and third layer, traverse the zona pellucida, infrequently interdigitate with the microvilli of the egg, and make both desmosomal and gap junction contacts with the oocyte. The zona pellucida is thus distinguished by numerous fenestrations of varying diameters. The membrana limitans (basal lamina) is a bipartite structure composed of (a) a homogeneous stratum upon which the peripheral layer of granulosa cells rests, and (b) an outer region of collagen-like fibers. The specific advantages and limitations of the different methodologies utilized to study folliculo-genesis are discussed.

Notes: Papillary projections along the anterolateral margin of the tongue were observed in fetal and young stages of the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba. Papillary projections appear in the prenatal period and attain maximum development in the early postnatal period. They almost disappear by weaning. Vestigial eminences remain at the corresponding region, but they completely disappear in the adult. The papillary projections observed differ markedly from the lingual papillae of the general mammalian tongue as they are temporary, localized at the anterolateral margin and large in size. The projections were also present in young individuals of some other dolphins. No taste buds could be seen on the projections in any of the stages of all specimens observed. Such projections may have important mechanical functions during suckling in these mammals.

Notes: The fiber composition of the distal accessory flexor muscle (DAFM) and the branching pattern of its excitor axon were compared in several species of crabs, in the lobster and the crayfish. The muscle is composed exclusively of long sarcomere (〉 6 μm) fibers and therefore of the slow type. In all the crab species, except one, there is a distal to proximal gradient of fibers with increasing sarcomere lengths; this gradient is reverse in lobsters and crayfish. A proximal to distal gradient of increasing fiber diameters occurs in the DAFM of all crab species but not in the lobster and crayfish, in which all the fibers are approximately equal in diameter. The single excitatory axon traverses the width of the DAFM and gives off primary branches on either side in the lobster and crayfish but on only one side in crabs. The hypothesis that the axonal branching pattern may govern the regional distribution of fibers with differing sarcomere lengths in proposed.

Notes: The ultrastructure of the pinealocyte in the woodchuck, Marmota monax, was studied during the four seasons of the year. Fall cells have a fairly uniform cytoplasmic density, organelles consistent with synthetic and/or secretory activity and rather extensive pericapillary and intercellular spaces. Many winter pinealocytes are nearly devoid of ribosomes and granular endoplasmic reticulum but contain lipid droplets associated with mitochondria. Pericapillary and intercellular spaces are minimal. Spring glands have the greatest variation in cytoplasmic density with intercellular and pericapillary spaces similar to that seen in fall glands. Cells containing electron dense cytoplasm have Golgi zone associated, secretory granules, free ribosomes, short sections of granular endoplasmic reticulum and dense bodies. Cells with a more electron lucent cytoplasm are similar to the most frequently observed summer pinealocytes which have numerous Golgi zones but few associated secretory granules. Microtubules are prominent in the cytoplasm of these cells, the plasma membranes are smooth and intercellular and pericapillary spaces are minimal. A yearly rhythm or cyclic activity of the pinealocyte is suggested.

Notes: The non-secretory ameloblasts present at the enamel-free surfaces of maxillary teeth in the frog Rana pipiens were examined by electron microscopy at different stages of tooth development. Their main fine structural features seem to reflect a transport function. During early tooth development, the non-secretory ameloblasts adjacent to odontoblasts and predentin exhibit extensive lateral surface specializations and numerous cytoplasmic vesicles. During late tooth development, the non-secretory ameloblasts adjacent to mineralizing dentin show numerous cellular junctions, well-developed intercellular channels with numerous interdigitating processes and labyrinthine configurations at their distal surfaces. An intact basal lamina is present between the non-secretory ameloblasts and the dentin surface until the dentin becomes fully mineralized. At this stage the adjacent cells no longer exhibit surface specializations.It is suggested that the non-secretory ameloblasts may participate in the mineralization of adjacent dentin at the enamel-free surfaces. This surface dentin becomes fully mineralized at a later stage of development than the underlying dentin.

Notes: The developmental morphology of regenerating male breast feathers of the jungle fowl was studied at the ultrastructural level. The process of keratinization was observed in the three types of cells which form feather barbs: barbule cells, cortical cells, and medulla cells. Keratinization first became evident in the barbule cells and resembled the process of keratinization as observed in hair cortical cells and embryonic down feathers. Eventually the whole cytoplasmic area of the barbule cell was occupied by keratin.The barb cortex cells became keratinized in a similar fashion as the barbule cells but not until they were developmentally twice as old as the barbule cells. When keratinization was complete in these cells, the keratin was in the form of large agglomerates scattered in the cytoplasm.The barb medulla cells showed no obvious signs of keratinization until they were developmentally three times as old as the barbule cells. Keratin filament bundles were first seen near the plasma membranes of the medulla cells. Large empty vacuoles appeared in the cytoplasm which also contained moderate amounts of glycogen.

Notes: The ultrastructure of neuromuscular junctions in the twitch fibers of the stapedius muscle of Gallus gallus (domesticus) was investigated as part of a series of neurophysiological studies. Among the morphological features observed were elongated end-plates with numerous large and clear synaptic vesicles mixed with larger dense core vesicles and irregular or aperiodic “active sites” in the presynaptic membrane where synaptic vesicles were focused. The most remarkable features of these junctions were large synaptic clefts (50-80 nm) and the absence of junctional folds in the sarcolemmal surface. Unlike the large periodic junctional folds seen in the neuromuscular junctions of frogs and in the fast twitch fibers of the mammalian stapedius, the preparations studied only show small aperiodic invaginations (primitive folds) in the postsynaptic membranes. This morphological feature remains essentially constant from newly hatched to adult chickens. While these smooth junctions are consistent with earlier findings of inconspicuous junctional folds in the twitch fibers of the chicken posterior latissimus dorsi they are unlike those seen in the fast twitch fibers of the mammalian stapedius muscle, or other twitch fibers in general. The morphological findings of the present study may also suggest that the simple, unmodified neuromuscular junctions in the stapedius of Gallus may be a useful preparation for studies of synaptic membrane structures that employ the freeze-fracture technique.

Notes: A skeletal neomorph - the preglossale - is described from the tip of the tongue in Passer. This medial unpaired skeletal element is a dorsally open trough articulating with the anterior tips of the paraglossalia and supporting the heavy epidermal pad of the seed-cup. The large paired Mm. hypoglossus anterior originate from the posterior half of the preglossale and insert onto the anterior bodies of the paired paraglossalia; they serve to depress the anterior portion of the preglossale. A regular pattern of dermal papillae is present in the seed-cup; these are arranged in about 20 rows of six to 8 papillae per row. Each papilla contains a series of Merkel cells and associated nerve endings (touch receptors). The seed-cup serves to orient and hold the seed in place while it is being husked; the battery of tactile receptors provides information on the position of the seed on the tongue. The preglossale serves to support the seed-cup and to change its shape - the curvature of the dorsal surface - as it is depressed relative to the paraglossalia. The paraglossale and associated features of the seed-cup in Passer would provide a valuable preparation to study a diversity of problems such as developmental interactions between endomesodermal and ecto-mesenchymal skeletal features, the ontogenetical development of Merkel cells, and the sensory physiology of Merkel cells and their associated nerve endings as tactile corpuscles.

Notes: The structure of the longitudinal zebra stripes on the thorax of adult Zaprionus vittiger has been investigated by light-, polarization-, transmission electron-, and scanning electron microscopy. Each stripe consists of a central white stripe of about 50 μm width and two lateral dark brown stripes about 30 μm wide. Three different types of trichomes occur: Very long bent trichomes of the grooved-type, long bent trichomes of the crested-type, and short straight trichomes. The central white stripe contains neither bristle organs nor short straight trichomes but carries many long bent trichomes most of which are of the grooved type, contain two cavities and polarize the light in the polarization microscope. The dark brown stripes carry bristle organs and many trichomes of the short and straight-type. Bent trichomes of the crested-type are found on the whole zebra stripe at about equal frequencies; they contain no cavities and do not polarize the light. The cuticle of the dark stripes is underlain by pigment cells. It is suggested that the pigment granules in the epidermal cells cause the dark color of the dark brown stripes, whereas the form and structure of the bent grooved type trichomes cause the white color of the central stripe.

Notes: New data on the brain of Latimeria indicate that previous estimates of the brain weight were too high by a factor of two. Our data suggest a brain weight of 1.1-1.5 grams for a specimen with a body weight of 30 kilograms. Quantitative data on major divisions of the brain are presented for the first time, and the relative size of the major brain divisions is similar to that of sturgeons and generalized sharks (such as hexanchids and squalids). Examination of brain component weight (s): body weight plots in a sample of non-teleost actinopterygian fishes indicates that all major divisions of the brain, except the telencephalon, are larger than in Latimeria. Brain component sizes in Latimeria are more similar to those extrapolated for amphibian brains than to those for actinopterygians. However, the cerebellum of Latimeria is considerably larger than that of amphibians.

Notes: The Champy-Maillet osmium tetroxide-zinc iodide technique and a new method using azur B-sodium thioglycolate were used to study the general nervous tissue structure in planarians. A subepidermal and a submuscular nerve plexus, partially reported by earlier authors, are described, and a gastrodermal plexus is reported for the first time in triclads. The possible functions for each one of these plexuses are discussed. By the Champy-Maillet method, the innervation within the parenchyma appears as an array of numerous single nerve fibers that course between the parenchyma cells making apparent synaptic contacts. The pharynx has outer and inner nerve nets similar in structure to the submuscular nerve plexus. Both nerve nets are connected to each other by radial nerves.The central nervous system has a sponge-like structure with many lacunae filled with cell bodies, dorso-ventral muscle fibers, parenchymal cell processes and excretory ducts. The existence of this sponge-like nervous tissue structure is discussed in relation to the still incomplete centralization of the nervous tissue in these organisms, to the lack of a true vascular system and to the acoelomate level of organization. A comparison with the nervous tissue structure of more advanced groups like polyclads and nemertines is suggested.