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In layer 4 of cat visual cortex, the monocular, concentric receptive fields of thalamic neurons, which relay retinal input to the cortex, are transformed into 'simple' cortical receptive fields that are binocular and selective for the precise orientation, direction of motion, and size of the visual stimulus. These properties are thought to arise from the pattern of connections from thalamic neurons, although anatomical studies show that most excitatory inputs to layer 4 simple cells are from recurrently connected circuits of cortical neurons. We examined single fibre inputs to spiny stellate neurons. We examined single fibre inputs to spiny stellate neurons in slices of cat visual cortex, and conclude that thalamocortical synapses are powerful and the responses they evoke are unusually invariant for central synapses. However, the responses to intracortical inputs, although less invariant, are strong enough to provide most of the excitation to simple cells in vivo. Our results suggest that the recurrent excitatory circuits of cortex may amplify the initial feedforward thalamic signal, subserving dynamic modifications of the functional properties of cortical neurons.

The numbers and distributions of dendritic spines were estimated for six adult and three juvenile biocytin-injected neurones from the CA1 region of the hippocampus of the albino rat. For each cell, a sample of long dendritic segments that lay favourably in the plane of focus was drawn at high magnification and the visible spines counted. Correction was made for spines obscured by dendritic shafts. Within individual cells, dendrites of similar type and diameter had similar spine densities. For adults, long basal segments averaged 2.4 spines/microns and obliques averaged 3.2 spines/microns. In juveniles, basals averaged 2.3 spines/microns and obliques, 2.5 spines/microns. Apical tuft segments were less spiny, averaging 1.4 spines/microns in adult cells and 1.8 spines/microns in juveniles. There was a positive correlation between spine density and dendrite diameter. Values from this sample were used to assign spine densities to the other segments, and so the total number of spines was estimated for each cell. Adult cells averaged 30,500 +/- 3,900 (S.D.) spines and juveniles, 23,800 +/- 7,100 spines. Adult cells had roughly 50% of their spines in stratum radiatum, 40% in s. oriens, and 10% in s. lacunosum-moleculare. Juvenile cells had a rather higher proportion (20%) in s. lacunosum-moleculare. In general, some 50% of all spines were located within a path length of 200 microns from the soma. These total numbers of spines were much higher than earlier values from Golgi-impregnated cells but align well with estimates of the numbers of axonal boutons supplied to CA1 by CA3 pyramidal cells.

Evidence is presented of direct innervation of the secretory cells of luminous glands in the calanoid copepod Euaugaptilus magnus (Wolfenden, 1904). Synaptic structures are present, characterized by specialized pre- and post-synaptic membranes, clusters of synaptic vesicles and pre-synaptic dense bodies. Only one type of synaptic vesicle is present; this is spherical, clear cored and 30–50 nm in diameter. Similar vesicles at synapses in other Crustacea are thought to contain the neurotransmitter glutamate. Each gland appears to be innervated separately and all four secretory cells of each gland are innervated by the same nerve, giving rise to the possibility that control can be exerted over the firing of individual luminous glands.

The calanoid copepod Temora longiornis (Müller) has sub-cuticular secretory glands located on both the body and swimming legs. The glands are tri-cellular, consisting of a secretory cell (producing a proteinaceous secretion) opening through a cuticular pore, a collar cell surrounding the neck of the secretory cell, and a duct cell which lines the pore opening. The possible function of the secretion is discussed.

Intersexuality is described in Neomysis integer (Leach), apparently the first occurrence among the Mysidacea. Seven out of 13,700 specimens examined were masculinized females possessing elongated fourth pleopods, a male secondary sexual characteristic. Each masculinized female appeared to have reproduced as a normal female; there was no evidence of testicular tissue.

The aim of this study was to provide quantitative descriptions of the dendritic branching patterns of pyramidal neurones in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. Thirteen adult cells were filled with biocytin and reconstructed by using the light microscope. The number of basal trees arising from the soma of each cell ranged from two to eight. There was wide variation in the number of terminal segments per tree. Six cells had single apical trunks, and seven had trunks that bifurcated in stratum radiatum. The number of apical oblique trees ranged from nine to 30, with each tree usually showing a lower degree of branching than basal trees. Basal and oblique trees had similar branching patterns, with the majority of branch points occurring close to the origin of the tree. Both basal and oblique terminal segments were generally much longer than intermediate segments and constituted up to 90% of the combined dendritic length of the tree. The branching pattern of the apical tuft was different, with many relatively long intermediate segments; terminal segments contributed only some 66% of the combined dendritic length of these trees. The mean total combined dendritic length for six adult cells reconstructed and measured completely was 11,900 ± 1,000 μm (standard deviation). The relative proportions of the different parts of the dendritic system, although not the total dendritic length, were correlated with the location of the soma relative, to the cell body layer. Cells with somata close to the stratum pyramidale/stratum radiatum border had more dendrites terminating in stratum radiatum and fewer in stratum oriens than cells with somata further from it. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Experiments have been undertaken to investigate the basis for the selective damage of centrally placed fibres in mouse diaphragms exposed to Ca2+ loading in vitro. Incubation under hypoxic conditions (non-aerated saline) for 30 min had no discernible effect on the muscle. Incubation for 120 min led to permeabilisation of the sarcolemma (assayed by penetration of Procion Yellow) in 54% of cells. Sarcolemmal permeabilisation was almost completely restricted to centrally placed cells, as has previously been described for the effects of the Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644. Ultrastructural damage to the myofibrils and mitochondrial swelling were also widespread amongst centrally placed cells. Permeabilisation was inhibited when hypoxic incubations were carried out in Ca(2+)-free saline. Incubation in hypoxic Ca(2+)-containing saline for 30 min followed by further incubation in Ca(2+)-free, hypoxic saline, up to a total of 120 min, resulted in permeabilisation similar to that seen in muscles incubated for 120 min in Ca(2+)-containing, hypoxic saline. It is suggested that selective damage to central fibres induced by Ca2+ loading resulting from treatment with Bay K 8644 is related to increased oxygen demand.

Exposure of in vitro mouse diaphragm to the dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel agonist Bayer K 8644 (Bay) and partial depolarisation for 120 min induced severe structural damage within 30-60 min and membrane permeabilisation (60-120 min). Exposure to Bay and depolarisation for 30 min (brief Ca2+ loading) followed by washout for 90 min produced similar effects, even though significant membrane damage does not occur until the second hour of incubation. Development/expression of necrosis during the washout period was not inhibited by manoeuvres designed to combat the effects of any remaining Bay, or by use of a Ca(2+)-free, 1 mM EGTA medium for washout. Exposure to Bay for 15 min followed by washout did not induce damage. Electron microscopic examination revealed that the mitochondria of cells fixed after 30 or 120 min exposure to Bay and depolarisation were in the orthodox (swollen) configuration, but that mitochondria in muscles that had undergone washout with Ca(2+)-free-EGTA saline were electron dense. Further incubation of these muscles in Ca(2+)-containing medium caused readoption of the swollen configuration. We conclude that membrane permeabilisation can occur after removal of the Ca2+ load, and that mitochondrial Ca2+ overload is not necessary for Ca(2+)-induced damage/death to occur.