Correlation between wing bone microstructure and different flight styles: The case of the griffon vulture (gyps fulvus) and greater flamingo (phoenicopterus roseus)

Flying is the main means of locomotion for most avian species, and it requires a series of adaptations of the skeleton and of feather distribution on the wing. Flight type is directly associated with the mechanical constraints during flight, which condition both the morphology and microscopic structure of the bones. Three primary flight styles are adopted by avian species: flapping, gliding, and soaring, with different loads among the main wing bones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional microstructure of the most important skeletal wing bones, humerus, radius, ulna, and carpometacarpus, in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus). These two species show a flapping and soaring flight style, respectively. Densitometry, morphology, and laminarity index were assessed from the main bones of the wing of 10 griffon vultures and 10 flamingos. Regarding bone mineral content, griffon vultures generally displayed a higher mineral density than flamingos. Regarding the morphology of the crucial wing bones involved in flight, while a very slightly longer humerus was observed in the radius and ulna of flamingos, the ulna in griffons was clearly longer than other bones. The laminarity index was significantly higher in griffons. The results of the present study highlight how the mechanics of different types of flight may affect the biomechanical properties of the wing bones most engaged during flight.     

Recording of spinal reflexes evoked by dorsal root stimulation in unanesthetized free moving cats

Summary A simple technique is presented which allows electrical stimulation of dorsal roots in awake cats via electrodes fixed extradurally in vertebral arches. Spinal reflexes are recorded with bipolar electrodes from several muscles.Similar to results obtained in experiments in anesthetized cats, conditioning stimulation of the contralateral red nucleus enlarged reflexes mainly to flexor muscles. In accordance with the literature, arousal reactions were generally accompained by an increase in both flexor and extensor reflex amplitudes.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Br 242/3).     

Balneophotochemotherapie des Lichen ruber Eigene Ergebnisse und Vergleich mit bisher angewandten Photochemotherapiemodalitäten

Zusammenfassung 12 Patienten mit ausgedehntem, therapieresistentem Lichen ruber wurden mittels Balneophotochemotherapie mit 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP, Konzentration im Badewasser 0,5 mg/l) behandelt. Bei 11 der 12 Patienten kam es innerhalb von 6 Wochen zu einer deutlichen Besserung bzw. zur Abheilung lange bestehender Hautver?nderungen eines Lichen ruber. Lediglich bei einer Patientin zeigte sich nur eine geringgradige Befundbesserung. Durchschnittlich wurden 19,1 (SD±3,6) PUVA-Badbehandlungen durchgeführt. Die mittlere kumulative UV-A-Dosis bis zur Abheilung der Effloreszenzen betrug 16,7 (SD±4,8) J/cm². Au?er verst?rkten phototoxischen Reaktionen bei 2 Patienten kam es zu keinen weiteren Nebenwirkungen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung zeigen, da? die Balneophotochemotherapie mit 8-MOP eine effiziente und nebenwirkungsarme therapeutische Alternative in der Behandlung des ausgepr?gten exanthematischen wie auch des hypertrophisch-hyperkeratotischen Lichen ruber darstellt. Im Vergleich mit der peroralen PUVA-Therapie sowie der PUVA-Badtherapie mit Trimethylpsoralen weist die Balneophotochemotherapie mit 8-MOP eine sehr gute Wirkungs- zu Nebenwirkungsrelation auf. Das Abheilen der Hautver?nderungen auch bei Patienten, die auf intensive topische und systemische Therapie nicht ansprachen, weist darauf hin, da? die Balneophotochemotherapie in ihrer Wirkung sogar anderen therapeutischen Verfahren überlegen sein kann. Eingegangen am 20. April 1996 Angenommen am 20. November 1996     

黄芪注射液对大鼠红核神经元逆行溃变的影响

目的探讨黄芪注射液对大鼠红核神经元逆行溃变的影响。方法将48只SD大鼠随机分为4组:正常组、假手术组、实验组和模型对照组,每组12只。假手术组在脊髓C3、C4之间切开黄韧带。实验组和模型对照组在脊髓C3、C4之间外侧索横断损伤红核脊髓束,随后分别以黄芪注射液和生理盐水进行腹腔注射。4周后,各组取6只大鼠将轴突示踪剂生物素葡聚糖胺(BDA)注入红核进行顺行示踪,检测轴浆顺行运输能力;另外6只大鼠行尼氏染色显示红核神经元形态及数目。结果实验组和模型对照组被BDA标记轴突的相对面积及数目低于正常组或假手术组(均P0.01),实验组被BDA标记轴突的相对面积及数目明显高于模型对照组(均P0.01);实验组和模型对照组存活的红核神经元数目和平均截面积均低于正常组或假手术组(均P0.01),实验组的红核神经元数目和平均截面积均高于模型对照组(均P0.01)。结论黄芪注射液可通过改善轴浆运输能力,提高胞体的存活率,从而对逆行溃变的红核神经元具有保护作用。     

Electrophysiological properties of cortical synaptic inputs of rubro-spinal neurons

Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) of the red nucleus neurons evoked by stimulation of the cerebellar nucleus interpositus as well as the sensorimotor and association parietal regions of the cerebral cortex were studies in acute cats. As for the first two structures, a monosynaptic connection of the association cortex with rubro-spinal neurons was shown to exist. The analyses of the time characteristics of the unitary EPSPs suggested a localization of synapses of fibers from the association cortex closer to the soma when compared with those which originated from axons of the sensorimotor cortical cells.     

Red nucleus of Macaca fascicularis: an electron microscopic study of its synaptic organization

The parvicellular and magnocellular divisions of the red nucleus of the old world monkey, Macaca fascicularis, were analyzed at an electron microscopic level to examine the morphology of the synaptic profiles terminating on rubral neurons and to categorize them by their individual characteristics. The parvicellular division, or anterior two-thirds of the nucleus, is composed of small (10-15 microns) and medium-size (20-30 microns) cells, which are uniformly distributed with high packing density throughout this portion of the nucleus. These cells have invaginated nuclei and are often indented by blood vessels and glial cell somata (satellite cells) that lie in close proximity. The magnocellular portion, occupying the caudal one-third of the nucleus, is composed of an additional population of large cells, ranging from 50-90 microns in diameter, which often contain prominent lipofuscin granules and are frequently indented by blood vessels. Satellite glial cells are not a prominent feature in the magnocellularis portion of the nucleus. The large cells are separated one from the other by fields of myelinated axons either coursing through the nucleus or projecting to and from the nucleus itself. Although the divisions of the nucleus in the Macaca fascicularis are spatially distinct, each possesses a morphological similarity in regard to the categories of synaptic profiles seen at the electron microscopic level. These synaptic profiles are classified as follows: large terminals containing numerous, predominantly rounded vesicles (LR), which can often be seen to form the central profile in a synaptic glomerular arrangement; terminals of similar size with predominantly rounded vesicles but with a pale axoplasmic matrix (LRP); small profiles with rounded vesicles (SR); profiles containing granular dense-cored vesicles (DCV); profiles with numerous flattened vesicles (F); profiles containing pleomorphic vesicles (PL), some of which can be interpreted as presynaptic dendrites (PSD) because they are seen to be postsynaptic and contain ribosomes; and profiles with rounded synaptic vesicles, which are associated with subsynaptic Taxi bodies (T). Most of the various synaptic profile types were found to have similar distributions on the dendritic arbors of rubral neurons in both divisions of the nucleus. However, the LRP-type terminal predominates on the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of the large neurons in magnocellularis. Unlike other regions in the nervous system, F type terminals are rarely seen to contact neuronal somata. This study provides a basis for future experimental studies of afferents to the nucleus in this species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> immunomodulating activity of biosurfactant glycolipid complex from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus ruber</Emphasis>

The biosurfactant glycolipid complex synthesized by Rhodococcus ruber actinobacteria is not toxic and exhibits no appreciable effect on proliferative activity of peripheral blood leukocytes. In the monocyte fraction, the biosurfactant activates the production of IL-1β and TNF-α cytokines without modifying the production of IL-6. In the mononuclear fraction, the glycolipid biosurfactant exhibited no effects on the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. These results indicate good prospects for further studies of immunomodulating and antitumor activities of biosurfactant drug. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 9, pp. 301–305, September, 2007     

Heavy metals in flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) from Italian wetlands: the problem of ingestion of lead shot

Waterbirds are exposed to many contaminants, including lead from ingestion of shot and fishing sinkers. Lead poisoning had never been reported in flamingos wintering in Italian wetlands. Our investigation stems from a case of four flamingos found dead in Tuscany in 2002 with numerous lead shot in their gizzards. We therefore considered other specimens found dead in different Italian wetlands. Many lead shot found in gizzards and lead tissue concentrations confirmed the hypothesis of lead poisoning in two of the seven specimens analysed: concentrations in liver, kidney, and bone were 361.3, 265.09, and 43.31 μg/g d.w., respectively. Lead organotropism was typical of acute poisoning. Cadmium and mercury were also determined, and found to be in line with what little data are available on this species in the literature.Although Italy recently endorsed the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) prohibiting use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands, our results reveal a first case of lead shot poisoning in flamingos wintering in Italian wetlands. This evidence sounds a further warning of the problem of spent lead shot in countries where hunting in wetlands is not strictly regulated.     

三种石决明对小鼠急性肝损伤的影响比较

澳洲鲍、皱纹盘鲍、白鲍的三种石决明肝损伤动物模型实验,证明三种石决明均能对抗CCl_4引起的小鼠急性肝损伤;皱纹盘鲍降SGPT的活性作用>白鲍>澳洲鲍;从肝糖元含量检测,提示皱纹盘鲍和白鲍的保肝作用最强。