Changes in the tooth enamel of early Paleocene mammals allowing increased diet diversity

Hunter-Schreger bands (HSB) are seen in teeth that are composed of crossed sets of enamel prisms. They are present in the teeth of man and many other mammals, but absent in most insectivores and multituberculates. It has been suggested that the presence of HSB makes the tooth enamel less likely to split and is associated with chewing ability. We have traced the occurrence of HSB back to the arctonic condylarths of the early Palaeocene (Puercan) age; this must be close to the first appearance of the bands in placental mammals. Our data indicate that the teeth of almost all large mammals since the early Palaeocene have contained these bands, in an orientation that is optimal for limiting the propagation of vertical fractures. The appearance of the bands is associated with the differentiation of herbivores and carnivores from insectivores and our data indicate that their development was critical to the diversification of mammals because it allowed the use of new types of foods.     

斯匹茨卑尔根群岛伯顺岬地区海克拉霍克岩系变质岩小构造特征

本文讨论了伯顺岬地区海克拉霍克岩系的变质岩小构造特征。主要的线理有窗棂构造、布丁构造、小褶皱怄纽线理、褶纹线理、拉伸线理、交线线理和剪切线理等;主要面理除原生层理外,还有早期次生面理S_1与晚期次生面理S_2。新生线理和面理与不同形变期的主褶皱有密切的伴生、组合关系。变质岩小构造的研究为恢复区域构造形变历史提供了丰富的证据。     

Influence of nystatine, a polyene antibiotic, on the formation of complex-bound sterols and the formation of conidia by Coprinus cinereus (author's transl)

In contrary to the wild strain, a monocaryotic mutant of Coprinus cinereus (basidiomycete) does not contain hydrosoluble, complex-bound sterols. Under nystatine-treatment, however, the mutant is induced to produce this kind of stereols in abundance. Furthermore, nystatine highly increases sporulation of the mutant and decreases sporulation of the wild strain.     

Cerebral edema in the rat with galactosamine induced severe hepatitis

Summary With D-galactosamine hydrochloride severe hepatitis was induced in rats and the water content of cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem determined. The animals showed a parallel in cerebral water content and occurrence of cerebral symptoms.     

Interaction of cortisol and epinephrine in the regulation of leucine kinetics in man

To assess the interaction of the two major stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol in the regulation of leucine kinetics in man, epinephrine (50 ng/kg/min) was infused either alone or in combination with cortisol (2 micrograms/kg/min) into two groups of 6 postabsorptive normal male subjects during 180 min. Plasma leucine concentrations decreased by 28% (p less than 0.05) from baseline during epinephrine treatment (plasma levels 515 pg/ml); this was due to a decrease of leucine appearance (determined by 1-13C-leucine infusions) by 23% (p less than 0.025); leucine oxidation decreased by 29% (p less than 0.05). However, when plasma cortisol concentrations were elevated to supraphysiological levels (16.3 mumol/l) during epinephrine administration, the decreases of leucine plasma concentrations, appearance and oxidation were abolished. Plasma glucose and FFA concentrations were similarly elevated during both kinds of treatment. Since leucine appearance represents a measurement of total body protein breakdown and leucine disappearance into non-oxidative pathways reflects protein synthesis, the data indicate that plasma epinephrine concentrations during severe stress exert a protein anabolic effect in man which may counteract catabolic properties of elevated plasma cortisol.     

Do Schwann cells produce collagen type III?

Summary The fact that collagen from both normal nerve endoneurium and Schwann cell tumours present characteristics of collagen type III, suggests that Schwann cells produce this type of collagen.