Absence of aluminium compromises root integrity, reduces leaf hydration and Rubisco performance in Qualea grandiflora, an Al-accumulating species.

Aluminium (Al) is toxic to most plants. Nevertheless, some species accumulate Al without showing toxicity symptoms. Previous studies have evidenced Al in chloroplasts of Al-accumulating species from the Cerrado vegetation in South America. We ask whether Al increases carbon assimilation through enhanced apparent efficiency of Rubisco. Seedlings of the Al-accumulator Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae) were grown in nutrient solution with 0, 740, and 1480 µm Al. Growth parameters, relative leaf water content, Al concentration in organs, gas exchange and apparent carboxylation efficiency (measured from A/Ci curves) were evaluated for 60 days. Plants without Al showed no root growth, necrotic roots, low gas exchange rates, and decreased apparent carboxylation efficiency. Al-treated plants, however, showed new white roots and increased root biomass leading to higher leaf hydration, and apparent carboxylation efficiency was higher in these plants. Increased Al available in the nutrient solution increased Al accumulation in plant organs. Absence of Al compromised root integrity in Q. grandiflora, thus limiting leaf hydration. No positive direct effect of Al on Rubisco was evidenced in Al-treated plants.

Optimum storage conditions for cord blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells prior to isolation.

Optimum storage conditions of cord blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells before isolation remain unknown. We therefore evaluated CD34+ cells isolated from cord blood units (n=57) within 1 h after collection and following storage for 24, 48 and 72 h at either room temperature (RT) or 4 degrees C. Isolated CD34+ cells were analyzed for their cell count, immunophenotype, apoptosis rate, clonogenicity and transmigration capacity in response to stroma-derived factor 1alpha using direct-paired comparisons (n=27). CD34+, CD133+ and CD45+ positivity after isolation remained the same under all conditions. After 24 h, CD34+ cell counts and numbers of CFU-GM colonies dropped regardless of the storage temperature. After 48 h, the number of CD34+ cells increased compared to 24 h, if the cord blood had been stored at RT resulting in almost three times more CD34+ cells than at 4 degrees C. These cells had a lower early apoptosis rate and formed four times more BFU-E than those stored at 4 degrees C with equivalent plating efficiencies. CD34+ cells kept at RT for 48 h had the highest transmigration capacities, which paralleled an increased CXCR-4 expression. Cord blood should be stored at RT before CD34+ isolation and a storage time for 48 h should be preferred to 24 h.

Spontaneous neoplasms observed in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) during a 15-year period.

A total of 33 tumors were observed during a time period of 15 years (1992-2006) in cynomolgus monkeys. The great majority of neoplasms was benign (23 benign neoplasms versus 10 malignant tumors). Fourteen appeared in males and 19 in females. The age of tumor-bearing animals ranged between 2 years 2 months and 13 years 9 months. Most of the tumors (22) in the cynomolgus monkeys were seen in endocrine organs (adrenal cortical adenoma, adrenal hemangioma, C-cell carcinoma, follicular adenoma), respiratory system (nasal cavity adenoma, pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma, bronchio-alveolar carcinoma, bronchiolar papilloma, chondromatous hamartoma) and female genital system (uterine polyp, uterine adenoma, uterine leiomyoma and teratoma of the ovary). Four animals revealed malignant lymphoma infiltrating multiple organs.

Background pathology of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) in toxicological studies.

Two hundred common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) from control groups (100 males, 100 females) of toxicological studies were examined histopathologically to evaluate the spectrum of spontaneous lesions in this species. Frequent findings were extramedullary hematopoiesis affecting adrenal glands, liver, kidney and spleen, cystic Brunner's glands in the duodenum, acute or subacute inflammation in the large intestine and gall bladder, renal mineralization and pigmentation, hepatic Ito-cell vacuolation, microgranuloma and glycogen storage, pituitary cysts, C-cell hyperplasia and lymphocytic foci of the thyroid gland, luteal hyperplasia of the ovary and inflammatory cell foci in various organs.

Cardiovascular and renal effects of systemic hypoxia in chronically instrumented conscious WKY and SHR rats.

The effects of systemic hypoxia upon cardiovascular and renal function in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are controversial. We examined the effects of systemic normobaric hypoxia (12.5% O2 in N2 for 4 hours) on arterial blood gases (pO2, pCO2, pH), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), effective renal blood flow (ERBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow (UMV) and renal sodium excretion (U Na V) in conscious unilaterally nephrectomized WKY (n = 12) and SHR (n = 14) chronically instrumented with an arterial, venous and ureter cannula. In WKY hypoxia caused a reduction in arterial pO2 and pCO2 but no change in MAP and HR. In SHR hypoxia induced similar reductions in arterial blood gases, a small decrease in MAP and no change in HR. In both strains hypoxia caused significant increases in ERBF, GFR and U Na V, but insignificant changes in UMV. The hypoxia-induced natriuresis developed 90-120 min after starting the hypoxia. These data indicate that a 4-hour lasting hypoxia has profound effects on sodium excretion in conscious WKY as well as SHR. Systemic hypoxia did not cause significant changes in arterial blood pressure in both rat strains.

Spontaneous squamous cysts and squamous epithelial plaques in the heart of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Squamous cysts and squamous epithelial plaques were observed in a total of seventeen cynomolgus monkeys. Eleven monkeys had squamous cysts, three of them also revealed squamous plaques and six revealed squamous plaques exclusively. At necropsy, cysts were recognized as yellow-white nodules with a smooth surface, that were located superficially along the interventricular septum, on the surface of the left ventricle or the apex of the heart. Microscopically, cysts were lined by a flattened epithelium and filled with keratin. Occasionally the epithelium was multi-layered or replaced by a rim of foreign body-type multinucleated giant cells. All animals with squamous cysts came from Mauritius, while those with squamous plaques came from Mauritius, China and Vietnam. As discussed in man, squamous cysts and plaques in cynomolgus monkeys are considered to represent displaced foregut epithelium, that was sequestered in the dorsal mesocardium prior to closure of the pleuropericardial fold during early embryologic development.

Spontaneous epithelial plaques in the uterus of a non-pregnant cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

Two epithelial plaques were observed in the uterus of a 4 years 8 month old non-pregnant cynomolgus monkey. Normally, epithelial plaques occur near the implantation site of primates during early pregnancy but can also be induced by various procedures. Both plaques consisted of clusters and nest of cells with large nuclei and a faintly basophilic cytoplasm. Marked cellular pleomorphism was seen, including cells with giant nuclei and binucleated cells. Further histological features were vacuolation, mitosis and PAS-positive granules in several cells and polymorphonuclear infiltration in the periphery of the plaque. This is the second description of a spontaneous epithelial plaque in a primate and the first in a cynomolgus monkey.

Non-destructive equations to estimate the leaf area of Styrax pohlii and Styrax ferrugineus.

We developed linear equations to predict the leaf area (LA) of the species Styrax pohlii and Styrax ferrugineus using the width (W) and length (L) leaf dimensions. For both species the linear regression (Y=α+bX) using LA as a dependent variable vs. W × L as an independent variable was more efficient than linear regressions using L, W, L2 and W2 as independent variables. Therefore, the LA of S. pohlii can be estimated with the equation LA=0.582+0.683WL, while the LA of S. ferrugineus follows the equation LA=-0.666+0.704WL.

Non-destructive equations to estimate the leaf area of Styrax pohlii and Styrax ferrugineus / Equações lineares para estimativa de área foliar de Styrax pohlii e Styrax ferrugineus

We developed linear equations to predict the leaf area (LA) of the species Styrax pohlii and Styrax ferrugineus using the width (W) and length (L) leaf dimensions. For both species the linear regression (Y=α+bX) using LA as a dependent variable vs. W × L as an independent variable was more efficient than linear regressions using L, W, L2 and W2 as independent variables. Therefore, the LA of S. pohlii can be estimated with the equation LA=0.582+0.683WL, while the LA of S. ferrugineus follows the equation LA=−0.666+0.704WL.

Foram determinadas equações lineares para estimar a área foliar (AF) de Styrax pohlii e Styrax ferrugineus utilizando dimensões do limbo foliar (C – comprimento, L – largura). O modelo linear (Y=α+bX), utilizando AF vs. C × L, foi mais eficiente que os modelos lineares utilizando C, L, C2 e L2 como variáveis independentes na determinação da área foliar de S. pohlii e S. ferrugineus. Assim, a AF de S. pohlii pode ser estimada pelo modelo AF=0,582+0,683CL e a AF de S. ferrugineus pode ser estimada pelo modelo AF=−0,666+0,704CL.

[The voice as a mirror of personality (author's transl)]. / Die Stimme als Spiegel der Person

The philosopher and astrologer Scotus, who was famous for his translations from Greek and Arabic into Latin wrote a handbook of physiognomy for Emperor Friedrich II about 1228 A.D. In this volume based particularly on Arabic sources is a chapter on the voice. It contains numerous details that suposedly enable recognition of certain personality traits by voice characteristics. In the present such concepts are familiar, but that it was of practical relevance 750 years ago may justify closer inspection of Scotus and his work.

[On the classification of pathological timbres of the voice by hearing (author's transl)]. / Zur Bewertung krankhafter Stimmklänge mit dem Gehör

This is a form to diagnose as well healthy as pathological voices by hearing; it is meant to be practically experienced and criticized. It could by applied by laryngologists in future times who examine the voice of young people who intend to start the training for a job which mainly causes them to use their voice. You will find some groups of adjectives: two of them in juxtaposition and others which are in some close relation to one another. Thus we have got a set of instruments to fix the main audible differences of the voice and its changes, e.g. during some medical treatment. The complete structured list of adjectives concerning possible characteristic features of the voice is meant to help the laryngologist to classify those vocal impressions which seem typical to him.

[Singer and actor under medical attention of the laryngologist]. / Sänger und Schauspieler in der Sprechstunde des HNO-Arztes

Singers and actors offer special problems to the laryngologist as far as their personality is concerned as the individual intensity of their vocal usage. A successful therapeutical approach requires that the doctor is able to involve himself into the physical and psychic conditions of an artistic usage of the voice; he also should be as well open to singing as to music in general. Knowledge in pathophysiology of larynx and voice, experiences in phoniatry and psychological interests will enable the larngologist to solve such medical problems which occur when working on diseases of the voice of singers and actors. Based on these few remarks, the report deals with the following short chapters: doctor and singer, the most frequent causes of vocal disorders, the "dry throat' of the singer, coughing out of custom, vocal nodules, the prevention of damages of the voice, the singer's voice under endocrine influences, possible damages of the voice in connection with operations and - the actor with an ill voice.

[The emperor Nero as an example of the actor and singer in ancient Rome (author's transl)]. / Kaiser Nero als Schauspieler und Sänger; zugleich ein Uberblick über Stimmkunst und Stimmpflege im alten Rom.

The question of what importance the human voice had as a means of expression in the Roman Empire and how orators, actors and singers trained and developed their voices can be seen in the example of the Emperor Nero (37--68 AD). The historians of late antiquity (in particular, Sueton and Tacitus) reported a deeper insight into Nero's complex personality. As a result, a number of details are known about his training as an artist as these relate to his appearance in public as an actor and singer. These findings can also be regarded as characteristic for the epoch of the time.