Functional binocular vision is not dependent on visual experience in the praying mantis.

In vertebrates, it has been shown that binocular visual experience is necessary to develop normal spatial vision. We have investigated whether this is also true for an invertebrate, the praying mantis. The praying mantis is a predatory insect in which prey localization involves the use of binocular disparities. We raised mantids which had one eye occluded throughout development and tested monocular visual fixation and binocular distance estimation in the adult animals. The results revealed that both fixation and prey catching behavior were normally functional in the monocularly reared animals. Thus we conclude that, in mantids, binocular vision is based on a fixed mode of development.

Vertical disparity and binocular vision in the praying mantis.

We have investigated how the binocular control of prey capture in the praying mantis is affected by abnormally large vertical disparities, which were introduced by prisms placed in front of the eyes. The position of a target on the two retinae determines both the magnitude of head saccades made to fixate a target and its perceived distance. Over the whole range of vertical disparities tested (up to at least 30 deg), the frequency of fixating saccades is normal while the amplitude of their vertical component is a compromise between the saccades specified by each eye individually. Distance measurements are not affected by imposed vertical disparities. But the larger the vertical disparity, the more reluctant the mantid is to strike at the target until disparities exceed 15 deg when no strikes are elicited at all.

[Skin and hand disinfection]. / Haut- und Händedesinfektion.

In modern medicine, hygiene has become an issue of ever increasing importance. Disinfection of hands is crucial, since hands are the main vector of bacteria. Successful disinfection depends not only on the appropriate choice of an active agent, but equally so on proper techniques and skin care. The spectre and the time profile of activity as well as the skin-protecting properties of the chosen disinfectant must be known. Basic knowledge of disinfection is necessary for a rational interpretation of the information given in the glossy printed material of advertisement.

Visual optics in toads (Bufo americanus).

Aspects of visual optics were investigated in the American toad (Bufo americanus). The development of the refractive state of the eye during metamorphosis was followed with IR photoretinoscopy. Frozen sections documented the changes in optical parameters before and after metamorphosis. There is a difference in light sensitivity between juvenile and adult toads. Binocular accommodation in adult toads was observed. 1. IR photoretinoscopic measurements showed that the refractive state of the eye changed very rapidly during metamorphosis, about 10 D/h while the animal entered the terrestrial habitat. 2. Frozen sections showed that the almost spherical lens in a tadpole eye had flattened in a just metamorphosed toad's eye while at the same time the distance of the lens to the retina had decreased. However, the morphological measurements were not sufficiently sensitive to record the relatively small changes in ocular dimensions that were responsible for the rapid changes in refractive state during metamorphosis. 3. Schematic eyes, with homogeneous and non homogeneous lenses, were constructed for tadpoles, juvenile toads, and adult toads. 4. Nonparaxial raytracing studies in schematic eyes suggested that the lenses of animals of the three developmental stages tadpole, juvenile toad, and adult are not homogeneous but have a refractive index gradient. The raytracing studies indicated that the refractive index gradient is different for the different developmental stages, being highest in the tadpole lens. 5. The observations of toads during feeding behavior at different light levels showed an increased light sensitivity in the adult nocturnal toads in contrast to the juvenile animals, which are diurnal. The increased light sensitivity could partly be explained with an increase in aperture and an increase in red rod outer segments. To fully explain the higher light sensitivity in adult toads, changes in neuronal parameters had to be assumed. 6. Retinoscopic measurements of the resting refractive state in the adult toad showed a hyperopic defocus of about +8 D. By subtracting the measurement artefact for retinoscopy, the true resting focus was found to be nearly emmetropic. 7. The amount of natural accommodation in adult toads during normal feeding behavior was investigated with IR photoretinoscopy. Binocular accommodation of about 8 D was observed.

Monohydroxy bile salt sulfates: tauro-3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate-3-sulfate induces intrahepatic cholestasis in rats.

The biologic effects of sulfation of tauro-3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate and of taurolithocholate were compared. Equimolar amounts (100 nmol/min X 100 g body wt) of the following were administered intravenously to male Sprague-Dawley rats over a 180-min period: taurolithocholate, [14C]taurolithocholate-3-sulfate, tauro-3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate, [14C]tauro-3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate-3-sulfate, its combination with taurocholate, and a saline-albumin solution (control). Sulfation of taurolithocholate and of tauro-3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate only prevented the cholestatic effect of the former. Bile flow during infusion of [14C]tauro-3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate-3-sulfate was reduced by 80% at the end of the experiment. A dose-dependent bile flow reduction was demonstrated. Recovery of the administered bile acid was 3% in urine, 13% in serum, 23% in the liver tissue, and 52% in bile, respectively. Excretion of biliary cholesterol and phospholipids was significantly reduced during the first hour of infusion. Coadministration of taurocholate abolished the cholestatic effect and enhanced the renal excretion of the sulfated bile salt. These data suggest that (a) the cholestatic effect of tauro-3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoate-3-sulfate is comparable with or may even exceed the effect of taurolithocholate and (b) although sulfation renders some bile salts more water soluble, it does not prevent the cholestatic effect of all monohydroxy bile salts.