Histopathological abnormalities in the skin of patients suffering from chronic pulmonary emphysema

Résumé On a étudié l'histopathologie de la peau chez 43 sujets ayant un emphysème pulmonaire chronique. Chez la plupart de ces malades, on a observé des lésions cutanées de hyperkératose ortokératosique diffuse du corps muqueux de Malpighi, l'épaisseur de la couche granuleuse diminuée ou absente et des phénomènes dégénératifs des fibres élastiques. L'analyse de contingence a montré des différences hautement significatives (P0.001) par rapport aux malades asthmatiques sans emphysème pris comme témoins.     

Electron-spin domains: magnetic enhancement of superconductivity

An inhomogeneous superconducting state, not yet conclusively identified, was predicted by Fulde and Ferrell and Larkin and Ovchinnikov (FFLO) to arise in superconductors with strong Pauli limiting, a consequence of the electrons' Zeeman (spin) energy in a magnetic field. Radovan et al. propose that the observed cascades of steps in magnetization of the heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn5, within the recently discovered second low-temperature state, are due to transitions between Landau-level (LL) states with different m-quanta vortices, expected under certain conditions when the magnetic field is swept within the FFLO state. The authors then conclude that the observed steps in magnetization constitute a proof that the low-temperature state in CeCoIn5 is indeed an FFLO state. We argue that this interpretation of the observed steps in magnetization cannot be supported on either quantitative or qualitative grounds.     

The measurement of the renal clearance of γ-emitting tracers by the use of external counting

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode zur Messung der Nierenclearance mit Hilfe markierter Stoffe (-Strahlern) wird beschrieben, was die Prozeduren der Katheterisierung und kontinuierlichen Veneninfusion erübrigt. Die Methode beruht auf der Messung der Blasenaktivität an der Körperoberfläche mittels Szintillationsmesskopf. Die markierten Stoffe werden intravenös injiziert.     

The acetylcholine content and choline-acetyltransferase activity in human skeletal muscle

Riassunto Sono descritte le tecniche per la determinazione della ACH e attività CHA nel muscolo umano normale. I risultati indicano che il rapporto fra capacità sintetizzante e neurormone è più alto in muscoli con maggior impegno funzionale.     

A new type of neurosecretion in the cerebral ganglion of a sipunculid

Summary A lipid neurosecretion is described in the giant cells of the cerebral ganglion in Sipunculus nudus (Sipunculida).     

Gene controlled condensation in individual chromosomes

Summary When cells were irradiated with variable doses of gamma rays, 0.33% showed the appearance of single decondensed chromosomes (SDC) at the moment at which all the other chromosomes of the complement exhibited the normal condensed state corresponding to metaphase stages. Several hypotheses are discussed to explain the origin of SDC. It appears that the most reasonable mechanism to explain our observations is to assume that the process of chromosome condensation is independently controlled in each individual chromosome by a gene/s located in each one of the chromosomes of the complement. A radiation-induced deficiency in one of these genes may produce an impairement in the normal process of condensation of the carrier chromosome which would give rise to SDC.This work was supported by grants from CIC and CONICET.Acknowledgments. I wish to thank Dr J.M. Andrieu who kindly performed the irradiation of the specimens.