Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K A Martin

Publications and source records attributed to K A Martin.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Connections between pyramidal neurons in layer 5 of cat visual cortex (area 17).

The structural features of two physiologically-characterised pyramidal neurons (PC1 and PC2) closely situated in layer 5b in the visual cortex (area 17) of a single cat were studied using a combination of electrophysiological and anatomical techniques. Both PC1 and PC2 had exceptionally large somata (30-40 microns in diameter). On the basis of this and other morphological features cell PC1 was classified as a Meynert cell. PC1 possessed a very large (2.75 degrees X 4.50 degrees) binocularly driven standard complex receptive field. PC2 was also binocularly driven with a small, B-type receptive field. Both cells had the same preference for the direction and orientation of visual stimuli. PC1 and PC2 could be antidromically activated from stimulating electrodes positioned above the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus with a response latency indicating that these cells probably innervated the visual tectum or pretectum. In addition to corticoefferent axons, the two neurons possessed extensive intracortical axon arbors that ramified extensively in layers 5 and 6 of the medial and lateral banks of the lateral gyrus in area 17. Axon collaterals from both PC1 and PC2 also innervated a small common target region in area 18. A total of 313 boutons from the axonal arbors of PC1 and PC2 were examined in the electron microscope. All of the identified synaptic junctions were found to establish Gray type 1 asymmetrical contacts. The combined ultrastructural data for both neurons indicated that 80% of boutons were onto dendritic spine heads, with 14%, 6%, and 1% onto small-, medium-, and large-calibre dendritic shafts, respectively. The spectrum of postsynaptic targets showed little variation with respect to lamina, distance from somata, or cortical area. Other large pyramidal neurons in layer 5 and spiny neurons in layer 6 were identified as receiving synaptic input from either PC1 or PC2. Using a computer graphics system, rotations of the bouton distributions revealed the existence of a clustered innervation of layers 5 and 6 in areas 17 and 18 derived from the two identified neurons. The bouton distributions strongly resembled the tangential pattern described previously for the functional slab-like organisation of the cortex. The results provide a morphological basis for the clustered intrinsic connectivity of pyramidal cells in layers 5 and 6 of the cat visual cortex. Furthermore, the results indicate the widespread excitatory influence of large pyramidal neurons on other cells projecting subcortically to sites dealing with visually guided behavior.

Animals↗

Partition site of the P1 plasmid.

We have defined a minimal partition site, parS, from the plasmid P1. It contains sufficient cis-acting information to direct accurate segregation of low-copy-number plasmids that contain it as long as the two essential P1 Par proteins are supplied in trans. The site is, at most, 34 base pairs and contains a perfect 13-base-pair inverted repeat. Site-directed mutations were made within the repeat sequence that abolished activity whether or not the symmetry of the palindrome was maintained. Partition appears to be a competitive process, as differentially marked plasmids carrying the same type of partition site are not independently segregated but are randomly distributed with respect to each other. We have studied competition between plasmids carrying various fragments encompassing the parS site. As expected, two plasmids carrying the minimal parS site compete with each other. However, a sequence that lies to the left of the minimal parS site acts as a major modulator of this competition, changing the specificity of the competitive effect completely. Thus, this adjacent sequence appears to be an important determinant of the specificity of the wild-type P1 partition system without being necessary for its efficient function.

Base Sequence↗

Synaptic targets of HRP-filled layer III pyramidal cells in the cat striate cortex.

There are numerous hypotheses for the role of the axon collaterals of pyramidal cells. Most hypotheses predict that pyramidal cells activate specific classes of postsynaptic cells. We have studied the postsynaptic targets of two layer III pyramidal cells, that were of special interest because of their clumped axon arborization near, and also 0.4-1.0 mm from the cell body, in register in both layers III and V. 191 terminations from four sites (layers III and V, both in the column of the cell and in distant clumps) were analysed by electron microscopy. Only one bouton contacted a cell body and that was immunoreactive for GABA. The major targets were dendritic spines (84 and 87%), and the remainder were dendritic shafts. Of these 13 were classed as pyramidal-like (P), 8 smooth cell-like (S) and three could not be classified. Four of five S types, but none of the seven P types tested were immunoreactive for GABA, supporting the fine structural classification. The putative inhibitory cells therefore formed not more than 5% of the postsynaptic targets, and their activation could only take place through the convergence of pyramidal cells onto a select population of GABA cells. The results show that the type of pyramidal cells with clumped axons studied here make contacts predominantly with other pyramidal cells. Thus the primary role of both the intra and intercolumnar collateral systems is the activation of other excitatory cells.

Animals↗

Innervation of cat visual areas 17 and 18 by physiologically identified X- and Y- type thalamic afferents. I. Arborization patterns and quantitative distribution of postsynaptic elements.

Specific thalamic afferents to visual areas 17 and 18 were physiologically classified as X or Y type and injected with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The axons were examined under the light microscope and were then processed for correlated electron microscopy. X axons arborized in area 17 and in the border between area 17 and 18. The X axons all formed terminals throughout layer 6, but were heterogeneous in their distribution in layer 4. They either occupied the entire width of sublayers 4A and 4B or were strongly biased toward layer 4A. Y axons also arborized in layers 4 and 6, but in area 17 they did not form boutons in sublamina 4B. Some Y axons projected only to area 18; others branched and arborized in both areas 17 and 18. Only the collaterals of one X axons were found to enter area 18; all the others were restricted to area 17. Y axons formed three to four separate patches of boutons about 300-400 microns in diameter, while all but one X axon formed a single elongated patch. Y axons had thicker main branches (3-4 microns) than X axons (1.5-2.5 microns) at their point of entry to the cortex. The main axon trunks and their medium-calibre collaterals were myelinated, but the preterminal segments were unmyelinated and studded with boutons. Each X or Y axon contacted about seven to ten somata, but Y axons made more contacts per soma (three to six) than did X axons (two to three). In addition to somatic synapses, both X and Y axons formed asymmetric (type 1) synapses on dendritic spines and shafts, with spines forming the most frequent targets (80%). Each Y bouton made, on average, 1.64 synapses in area 17 and 1.79 synapses in area 18, whereas each X bouton made only 1.27 synapses on average. Although there are proportionally fewer Y axons than X axons entering area 17, the Y axons provide as many synapses as the X axons because of their larger arbors and multisynaptic boutons.

Afferent Pathways↗

Innervation of cat visual areas 17 and 18 by physiologically identified X- and Y- type thalamic afferents. II. Identification of postsynaptic targets by GABA immunocytochemistry and Golgi impregnation.

The precise location of physiologically identified specific afferent input on the different types of cell in the visual cortex and the identification of the neurotransmitters of these cells are essential to a better understanding of the first stage of cortical processing. A combination of anatomical, neurochemical, and physiological methods was used to identify the cortical neurones that receive synaptic input from X- and Y-type afferents, which are thought to originate from cells of the lateral geniculate nucleus. One method relied on chance contacts made between single physiologically characterised axons, which had been injected with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and the processes of cells impregnated by the Golgi method. These experiments revealed that both X and Y axons formed synapses on the dendrites of spiny stellate cells in layer 4. Y axons in both areas 17 and 18 established multiple synaptic contacts on basal dendrites of layer 3 pyramidal cells. One X axon contacted the apical dendrite of a layer 5 pyramidal cell and one Y axon contacted the dendrite of a large cell with smooth dendrites in layer 3. The maximum number of synapses made between one axon and a single postsynaptic cell was eight, although in most cases it was only one. It was concluded that one axon only provides a small fraction of the geniculate afferent input to an individual cell. A second method revealed that the somata in layer 4 in synaptic contact with the HRP-filled axon terminals were GABA-immunoreactive, and therefore might be involved in inhibitory processes. From light microscopic data it was found that somata receiving contacts from X axons in area 17 were significantly smaller (average diameter 15 microns) than those contacted by the Y axons in areas 17 and 18 (average diameter 24 microns). Somatic contacts were extremely rare in layer 6. These data show that the X and Y afferents may activate separate subsets of inhibitory neurones.

Animals↗

Synaptic connections of intracellularly filled clutch cells: a type of small basket cell in the visual cortex of the cat.

Light and electron microscopic quantitative analysis was carried out on a type of neuron intracellularly filled with horseradish peroxidase. Two cells were studied in area 17, one of which was injected intra-axonally, and its soma was not recovered. One cell was studied in area 18. The two somata were on the border of layers IVa/b; they were radially elongated and received synapses from numerous large boutons with round synaptic vesicles. The dendrites were smooth and remained largely in layer IV. The cells can be recognised on the basis of their axonal arbor, which was restricted to layer IV (90-95% of boutons) with minor projections to layers III, V, and VI. Many of the large, bulbous boutons contacted neuronal somata, short collaterals often forming "claw"-like configurations around cells. The name "clutch cell" is suggested to delineate this type of neuron from other aspiny multipolar cells. Computer-assisted reconstruction of the axon showed that in layer IV the axons occupied a rectangular area about 300 X 500 microns, elongated anteroposteriorly in area 17 and mediolaterally in area 18. The distributions of synaptic boutons and postsynaptic cells were patchy within this area. A total of 321 boutons were serially sectioned in area 17. The boutons formed type II synaptic contacts. The postsynaptic targets were somata (20-30%), dendritic shafts (35-50%), spines (30%), and rarely axon initial segments. Most of the postsynaptic somata tested were not immunoreactive for GABA and their fine structural features suggest that they are spiny stellate, star pyramidal, and pyramidal neurons. The characteristics of most of the postsynaptic dendrites and spines also suggest that they belong to these spiny neurons. A few of the postsynaptic dendrites and somata exhibited characteristics of cells with smooth dendrites and these somata were immunoreactive for GABA. It is suggested that clutch cells are inhibitory interneurons exerting their effect mainly on layer IV spiny neurons in an area localised perhaps to a single ocular dominance column. The specific laminar location of the axons of clutch cell also suggests that they may be associated with the afferent terminals of lateral geniculate nucleus cells, and could thus be responsible for generating some of the selective properties of neurons of the first stage of cortical processing.

Animals↗

Receptive field properties of neurones in visual area 1 and visual area 2 in the baboon.

In order to compare the receptive field properties of cells in the striate area (visual area 1; V1), and the parastriate area (visual area 2; V2), we have recorded from 174 cells in V1 and 112 cells in V2 in five anaesthetized and paralysed baboons (Papio ursinus). The receptive fields were mapped to determine their type, size and position in the visual field, and the binocular interaction, if any. Moving and stationary optimally oriented bars were used to distinguish cells with single "on" or "off" subregions and those with more than one such subregion (S and A types) from those with overlapping "on" or "off" subregion (C and B types). The A types had larger receptive fields than S types and C types had larger receptive fields than B types, but as receptive fields increase in size with eccentricity in V1 and even more rapidly in V2, the distinction between large and small receptive fields has to be defined for the different ranges of eccentricity. In V1 there are more cells with non-oriented receptive fields than in V2. In V1 S cells are found in all cortical layers except layer 5. C cells are absent from layer 4C, but predominate in layer 5. There is a preference for horizontal and vertical orientations in S cells only. The transition in cell properties from V1 to V2 occurs in two stages. There is a strip extending from the V1-V2 border for up to 6 mm containing the representation of the visual field from -2 degrees ipsilateral to +2 degrees (contralateral) azimuth in which the cell type distribution resembles that of V1 more than that of V2. By contrast, in V2 from 2 to 10 degrees there are very few S cells, many more C cells and over three times as many cells driven only by binocular stimulation, as compared to V1.

Animals↗

The structure of the terminal arborizations of physiologically identified retinal ganglion cell Y axons in the kitten.

Retinal ganglion cell (r.g.c.) axons (n = 17) in the optic tract of 4-5 week-old kittens and adult cats (n = 4, this study, n = 27 from other reports) were studied both physiologically and morphologically. Axons were initially classified during extracellular recording with a battery of physiological tests that included Fourier analysis of the response to a sinusoidally counterphased sine-wave grating. Y axons had a significant second harmonic response component (greater than twice the fundamental) present independent of the spatial phase position of the grating. These axons were then recorded from intracellularly and subsequently filled ionophoretically with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The HRP filled the axons' terminal arborizations in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (l.g.n.). The innervation pattern and and structure of the terminal arborizations of the kitten r.g.c. Y axons were compared to those of the adult. The kitten Y axons innervated the l.g.n. in a pattern similar to that of the adult (individual branches from a single axon always innervated lamina A or A1 and may also have innervated lamina C, the medial interlaminar nucleus (m.i.n.) and/or sent branches that coursed medial to the l.g.n.). Fourteen of seventeen of these Y axons in the kitten innervated either of the A-laminae heavily (greater than 200 terminal boutons per axon). The remaining three r.g.c. Y axons in the kitten had only small arborizations within lamina A (less than fifty terminal boutons per axon) but heavily innervated lamina C. The structure of the terminal boutons on the kitten r.g.c. Y axons was highly variable when compared to axons of adult cats. Some of the boutons were spherical or crenulated as in the adult. Many others had filopodia and growth cone-like terminals with fine extensions. This variable maturation of terminal boutons was seen both between axons and on individual axons. The number of boutons on the kitten r.g.c. Y axons in the A-laminae was significantly less than that of adult Y axons. The mean numbers of boutons per axon were 476 and 1553 in the kittens and adult cats, respectively (P less than 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). The width of the terminal arborization of individual Y axons in the A-laminae of the kittens was considerably smaller than in adult cats (mean widths of the terminal arborizations are 192 and 293 micron in the kittens and adult cats, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗

Form, function and intracortical projections of spiny neurones in the striate visual cortex of the cat.

We have studied the neuronal circuitry and structure-function relationships of single neurones in the striate visual cortex of the cat using a combination of electrophysiological and anatomical techniques. Glass micropipettes filled with horseradish peroxidase were used to record extracellularly from single neurones. After studying the receptive field properties, the afferent inputs of the neurones were studied by determining their latency of response to electrical stimulation at different positions along the optic pathway. Some cells were thus classified as receiving a mono- or polysynaptic input from afferents of the lateral geniculate nucleus (l.g.n.), via X- or Y-like retinal ganglion cells. Two striking correlations were found between dendritic morphology and receptive field type. All spiny stellate cells, and all star pyramidal cells in layer 4A, had receptive fields with spatially separate on and off subfields (S-type receptive fields). All the identified afferent input to these, the major cell types in layer 4, was monosynaptic from X- or Y-like afferents. Neurones receiving monosynaptic X- or Y-like input were not strictly segregated in layer 4 and the lower portion of layer 3. Nevertheless the X- and Y-like l.g.n. fibres did not converge on any of the single neurones so far studied. Monosynaptic input from the l.g.n. afferents was not restricted to cells lying within layers 4 and 6, the main termination zones of the l.g.n. afferents, but was also received by cells lying in layers 3 and 5. The projection pattern of cells receiving monosynaptic input differed widely, depending on the laminar location of the cell soma. This suggests the presence of a number of divergent paths within the striate cortex. Cells receiving indirect input from the l.g.n. afferents were located mainly within layers 2, 3 and 5. Most pyramidal cells in layer 3 had axons projecting out of the striate cortex, while many axons of the layer 5 pyramids did not. The layer 5 cells showed the most morphological variation of any layer, were the most difficult to activate by electrical stimulation, and contained some cells which responded with the longest latencies of any cells in the striate cortex. This suggests that they were several synapses distant from the l.g.n. input. The majority of cells in layers 2, 3, 4 and 6 had the same basic S-type receptive field structure. Only layer 5 contained a majority of cells with spatially overlapping on and off subfields (C- and B-type receptive fields).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗

The relationship of receptive field properties to the dendritic shape of neurones in the cat striate cortex.

In this study, we examined the hypothesis that some features of the receptive fields of cortical neurones are determined by the extent to which their dendrites can sample from different parts of the visual field representation on the cortex. In particular, the orientation selectivity and size of the receptive fields of cortical neurones were examined for their relationship to the tangential organization of the dendrites of cortical neurones. Single neurones in the visual cortex of anaesthetized and paralysed cats were physiologically characterized and injected intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In some cases it was possible to identify whether the neurones received direct (monosynaptic) or indirect (polysynaptic) input from afferents of the lateral geniculate nucleus. The dendritic arborizations of the HRP-filled cells, sampled from all layers, were reconstructed in three dimensions with computer assistance, and rotated to give the tangential or surface view. The bias in the tangential arrangement of the dendrites was determined by calculating the mean vector angle for the distribution of the dendrites of each cell. This bias was related to the orientation selectivity of the neurones. There was no consistent relationship between orientation selectivity and the tangential bias of the dendritic tree. The width of the receptive fields was compared to the equivalent 'width' of the tangential extent of the dendrites. There was no significant relationship between the two widths. The tangential arrangement of the dendritic field does not appear to be important in determining the orientation selectivity or the size of the receptive fields of neurones in the cat visual cortex. The former feature of the receptive fields may be determined by inhibitory processes, while the extent and number of the afferents providing input to a single neurone may determine the latter property.

Afferent Pathways↗

Glutamate decarboxylase-immunoreactive terminals of Golgi-impregnated axoaxonic cells and of presumed basket cells in synaptic contact with pyramidal neurons of the cat's visual cortex.

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-immunoreactive varicosities were found around cell bodies of nonimmunoreactive and immunoreactive neurons in the cat's visual cortex; they also occurred along apical dendrites and axon initial segments of pyramidal neurons. By examination in the electron microscope of structures first identified in the light microscope, it was established that the GAD-immunoreactive varicosities were boutons in symmetrical synaptic contact with pyramidal cells in layers II-IV. More than 90% of 142 boutons surrounding the cell bodies of 20 pyramidal neurons were immunoreactive for GAD. Since such a high proportion of the axosomatic boutons are GAD-immunoreactive, it is likely that the terminals of basket cells are included in this population and so the basket cell probably uses gamma-aminobutyrate as a transmitter, as suggested by previous authors. Almost all the 68 boutons in symmetrical contact with the axon initial segments of six pyramidal neurons could be shown to be GAD-immunoreactive, which makes it very likely that the boutons of axoaxonic cells contain GAD-immunoreactivity. This was established unequivocally for an individual Golgi-impregnated axoaxonic cell by combining Golgi impregnation and immunocytochemistry in the same sections: A Golgi-impregnated axoaxonic cell whose cell body was in layer II gave rise to numerous terminal segments, some of which were examined in the electron microscope after gold-toning. These boutons were in synaptic contact with axon initial segments and not only contained the Golgi precipitate but were also immunoreactive for GAD. It is concluded that the axoaxonic cell in the visual cortex uses gamma-aminobutyrate as a transmitter. An individual axoaxonic cell in layer II/III was filled with horseradish peroxidase by intracellular iontophoresis. The very extensive local axonal field was composed of 330 terminal bouton rows in layer II/III and a sparse descending collateral projection to infragranular layers. A computer-assisted reconstruction of the axonal field in three dimensions revealed the following: The main output of the cell is to pyramidal neurons that lie deeper than the soma; the axonal arborization occupies an area of 400 micron in the anteroposterior axis and extends 200 micron along the mediolateral axis; the terminal bouton rows in layer II/III form clusters about 50 micron wide running approximately at right angles to the border between areas 17 and 18, with an intercluster interval of about 100 micron. These findings suggest that the terminals of an individual axoaxonic cell could be contained within one ocular dominance column but that there may be inhomogeneities in the weighting of the axoaxonic input to pyramidal cells in the supragranular layers.

Animals↗

Physiological and morphological properties of identified basket cells in the cat's visual cortex.

In 87 cells studied physiologically, and filled intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), we have found four cells which make multiple contacts with the perikarya of their post-synaptic targets. These cells are all multipolar non-pyramidal neurones with elongated smooth dendrites. Three resemble the classical "basket cells" of Ramón y Cajal (1911), having widely distributed axons which contribute to the "nids pericellulaires" around pyramidal cell perikarya. The fourth cell has a much more restricted axon virtually confined to layer 4 and appears to contact principally small, probably non-pyramidal, cells. Two of the basket cell axons have been examined by electron microscopy and make symmetrical, Gray's type II contacts with the perikarya and apical and basal dendrites of pyramidal cells. Ten percent of the synapses are on dendrites of non-pyramidal cells. The axon arborizations of all four cells are distributed in a patchy fashion. In two cells examined for the purpose, very few boutons were found within 100 micron of the cell body and a radially aligned cylinder of the same diameter extending from the cell body to the pial surface. The physiological properties of these structurally similar cells are far from uniform. They can be activated mono- or polysynaptically, by X- or Y-type lateral geniculate input, and can have S or C type receptive fields. Two were activated, probably monosynaptically, via callosal afferents. These cells may play an important role in the inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex.

Animals↗

Polysome structure in sea urchin eggs and embryos: an electron microscopic analysis.

Modified chromatin-spreading techniques have been used to prepare reproducible spreads of polysomes for EM visualization. We have analyzed polysomes of sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) eggs and embryos to elucidate some of the events which occur during the burst of protein synthetic activity following fertilization. We have confirmed that the rise in protein synthesis after fertilization is concomitant with the recruitment of messenger RNA molecules into polysomes. The presence of ribosome-free tails is a structural feature of polysomes in which the mRNA is being translated for the first time. This structural marker has allowed us to derive an elongation rate of 1.5-1.8 amino acids/sec and a transit time of 5 min for the average-sized polysome in L. pictus embryos at 16 degrees C. We have also observed a difference between the structure and the average size of polysomes in the egg and embryo. Egg polysomes are longer (average size = 11.96 ribosomes, n = 671) than 1-hr embryo polysomes (average size = 7.14 ribosomes, n = 863) and 10% of the egg polysomes contain visible gaps while less than 1% of the 1-hr embryo polysomes contain internal ribosome-free regions. We speculate that such differences reflect the lower translation efficiency of the relatively dormant egg cell.

Age Factors↗

Synaptic connections of morphologically identified and physiologically characterized large basket cells in the striate cortex of cat.

Neurons were studied in the striate cortex of the cat following intracellular recording and iontophoresis of horseradish peroxidase. The three selected neurons were identified as large basket cells on the basis that (i) the horizontal extent of their axonal arborization was three times or more than the extent of the dendritic arborization; (ii) some of their varicose terminal segments surrounded the perikarya of other neurons. The large elongated perikarya of the first two basket cells were located around the border of layers III and IV. The radially-elongated dendritic field, composed of beaded dendrites without spines, had a long axis of 300-350 microns, extending into layers III and IV, and a short axis of 200 microns. Only the axon, however, was recovered from the third basket cell. The lateral spread of the axons of the first two basket cells was 900 microns or more in layer III and, for the third cell, was over 1500 microns in the antero-posterior dimension, a value indicating that the latter neuron probably fulfills the first criterion above. The axon collaterals of all three cells often branched at approximately 90 degrees to the parent axon. The first two cells also had axon collaterals which descended to layers IV and V and had less extensive lateral spreads. The axons of all three cells formed clusters of boutons which could extend up a radial column of their target cells. Electron microscopic examination of the second basket cell showed a large lobulated nucleus and a high density of mitochondria in both the perikarya and dendrites. The soma and dendrites were densely covered by synaptic terminals. The axons of the second and third cells were myelinated up to the terminal segments. A total of 177 postsynaptic elements was analysed, involving 66 boutons of the second cell and 89 boutons of the third cell. The terminals contained pleomorphic vesicles and established symmetrical synapses with their postsynaptic targets. The basket cell axons formed synapses principally on pyramidal cell perikarya (approximately 33% of synapses), spines (20% of synapses) and the apical and basal dendrites of pyramidal cells (24% of synapses). Also contacted were the perikarya and dendrites of non-pyramidal cells, an axon, and an axon initial segment. A single pyramidal cell may receive input on its soma, apical and basal dendrites and spines from the same large basket cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Receptive field characteristics of neurones in striate cortex of newborn lambs and adult sheep.

The properties of cells of the striate visual cortex (V1) have been studied in the normal adult sheep and in new-born lambs without visual experience, the majority of cells in the lamb are orientation specific, but 20% are non-oriented compared to only 3% cells in the adult. In the lamb there was little or no facilitation of binocularly-driven cells by simultaneous stimulation of both receptive fields. Cells which responded only to binocular stimulation of particular disparities ('obligate binocular' cells) were rarely encountered. In the adult, 15% of the sample were obligate binocular cells and a further 28% showed binocular facilitation. Simple and complex receptive fields were found in similar proportions in both new-born lambs and adult sheep. End-stopped cells comprised 17% of the sample in adults but only 2% in the lambs. Direction sensitive cells were found more frequently in the sheep (21% of cells) than in the lamb (4% of cells). It is concluded that facilitatory processes in binocular cells and inhibitory mechanisms generally, seem much less developed in the lamb.

Animals↗

Metastatic carcinoma of the hand.

Secondary deposit from carcinoma is rare in the hand. We describe three cases, and discuss some of the diagnostic difficulties.

Adenocarcinoma↗