Search

The Authors have studied the ultrastructure of human skin in a particular anomalous form of post-mortal transformation: the so called corification. Some structures (cell membranes, desmosomes, mitochondria, nuclear envelopes) are well preserved, while other structures (such as endoplasmic reticulum) are upset. These observations suggested that in the corification endogenous and exogenous enzymatic actions are extremely inhibited.

The indications for investigation on the LSD-25 "in vivo" activity on brain cholinesterases of the rat, have been considered. Indications of materials and method used have been supplied too. From the results obtained it emerged no clear evidence of a statistically significant inhibition of cholinesterases due to LSD-25. The results have been discussed and it has been evidenced that the lack of action of the psychotomimetic substance on cholinesterases could be only apparent or that the discrepancy between the LSD-25 anticholinesterase "in vivo" and "in vitro" action should be ascribed to the too scarce tissue levels which can be reached with the does utilized. Apart from the hypothesis, tending to explain the results obtained, it has been considered that the LSD-25 behavioural action, is not probably carried out thanks to a cholinesterase activity.

The authors have studied the ultrastructural aspects of the electric burn in human skin. They divide the lesion in three areas: a central one, in which the stratum corneum is almost completely lost, and the other strata are reduced only to fragment oriented in an univocal direction; an intermediate area, in which this orientation is visible also in nuclei, desmosomes, tonofilaments, and in which the nuclei appear elongated respect to those of control section; and finally a peripheral area in which damages are very reduced, but in which are present elongation of nuclei and other structures and orientation. The possibility of an action due to an electro-magnetic field is discussed.