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The application of objective measures of protein and caloric compartments as well as immunocompetence reveal that approximately 50 percent of hospitalized patients are malnourished. The performance of a nutritional assessment, by a joint effort of hospital personnel, in patients with subclinical or early clinical malnutrition obviates potential complications through early institution of nutritional support. Prudent, logical decisions based on objective data can then be made regarding future patient care resulting in decreased hospitalization, and lower septic and mortality rates.

The distribution of fibres and cell bodies containing substance P in the diencephalon of the cat was studied using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. A high density of both immunoreactive fibres and perikarya was observed in the nuclei habenularis lateralis, periventricularis anterior, arcuatus, supraopticus and supra chiasmaticus, whereas the area hypothalamica dorsalis, the nucleus periventricularis hypothalami and the hypothalamus ventromedialis showed dense plexuses of fibres and moderate concentrations of cell bodies. In the hypothalamus lateralis a low number of fibres and perikarya was found, whereas a rich cluster of substance P cell bodies and scarse fibres were observed in the hypothalamus posterior. Moreover, a dense network of immunoreactive fibres was located in the nuclei lateralis dorsalis, medialis dorsalis, centralis medialis (caudal part) and parataenialis, whereas a moderate number was observed in the nuclei centralis medialis (rostral part), anterior dorsalis, rhomboidens, reuniens, interanteromedialis and filiformis. The hypothalamus anterior had a low density. Finally, a large population of perikarya was observed in the median eminence and regio praeoptica. In the nuclei habenularis medialis, parafascicularis and centrum medianum scarse cell bodies were found.

The distribution of angiotensin II cell bodies in the thalamus of the rat was studied by means of intratissue injections of colchicine and using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The densest clusters of immunoreactive perikarya were observed in the nuclei geniculatum laterale, medialis dorsalis, ventralis posterior, centralis lateralis, centralis medialis and anterior dorsalis, whereas the nuclei lateralis posterior, lateralis and geniculatum laterale dorsalis had the lowest density. In other thalamic nuclei, geniculatum mediale, lateralis anterior, paraventricularis and ventralis medialis, the density of angiotensin II cell bodies was intermediate. In all these thalamic nuclei, small, round immunoreactive cells with short processes were observed.

The area of cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus and mitochondria, as well as the elongation and irregular outline of the nucleus were determined, on electron micrographs by using an image analyser, for Ap (pale), Ad (dark with intranuclear vacuole), Ad-like (dark without intranuclear vacuole), Ac (cloudy) and Al (long) human spermatogonia. Ap and Ac spermatogonia had larger nucleus, larger nucleolus, and more cytoplasm than did Ad, Ad-like, and Al spermatogonia. In addition, the nuclei of Ap and Ac spermatogonia were more spherical and had a more distinct outline.

The olfactory bulb of adult specimens of Carassius auratus was subjected to an autoradiographic study using [3H]thymidine. Adult specimens of Carassius auratus, Barbus meridionalis, Cyprinus carpio and Salmo gairdneri were also studied using light and electron microscopy. Cells were found undergoing mitotic division with two characteristic locations: a group can be seen near to the ventricle or ventricular recess; these cells can be identified as granule cells or precursors of granule cells. Other cells undergoing division are seen on the outer limiting glial membrane and in the olfactory nerve fibre layer; these cells are identified as astrocytes. Different hypotheses about the destination and meaning of these proliferating cells and the similarities and differences with the cell proliferation in adult higher vertebrates are discussed.

The distribution of fibres and cell bodies containing neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in respiratory nuclei of the brain stem was studied using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. In order to visualize immunoreactive perikarya, intraventricular or intratissue injections of colchicine were carried out. The richest cluster of immunoreactive perikarya was localized in the Bötzinger complex, whereas in the nuclei ambiguus, retroambiguus, parabrachialis medialis and Kölliker-Fuse area, a moderate density of cell bodies was observed. The ventrolateral subnucleus of the nucleus tractus solitarii had the lowest number of immunoreactive neurons. Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive fibres were abundant in the Kölliker-Fuse area, and scarce in the nuclei ambiguus, parabrachialis medialis and Kölliker-Fuse area. A moderate network of immunoreactive fibres was observed in the nuclei retroambiguus and the ventrolateral subnucleus of the nucleus tractus solitarii. The presence of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive areas suggests a role for this peptide in the control of respiratory mechanisms. Alternatively such a cluster of cell bodies and fibre networks might be also related with neighbouring cardiovascular control areas.

The spectrophotometric determination of arsenic using sodium borohydride in pellet form, with excipients as the reducing agent and arseine former, has been studied. The use of pelletized sodium borohydride allows the formation of arsenic diethyldithiocarbamate and enables an accurate application of the method without the use of other reagents. The gradual reducing action of the pelletized sodium borohydride, together with the release of hydrogen thus forming arsine with As(III), is the main advantage of this procedure. The arsine thus formed bubbles through the chloroform solution of silver diethyldithiocarbamate to form the complex that allows the determination of the arsenic by visible spectrophotometry.

The anatomy and lamination of the olfactory bulb in Cyprinus carpio, Tinca tinca, Barbus bocagei (Fam. Cyprinidae, Or. Cypriniformes); Salmo gairdneri (Fam. Salmonidae, Or. Salmoniformes); and Gambusia affinis (Fam. Poeciliidae, Or. Cyprinodontiformes), all of them freshwater teleosts, are studied. These species show significative differences on the location, size, morphology, and lamination of their olfactory bulbs. The presence of a new stratum in the olfactory bulb of Salmo gairdneri and a completely different laminar organization in the olfactory bulb of Gambusia affinis are described for the first time. The anatomical and histological peculiarities of this structure in the orders studied could be the basis for different experimental approaches.

The distribution of substance P (SP) in the olfactory bulb of the tench Tinca tinca was studied by using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Many perikarya and processes of the ganglion cells of the nervus terminalis (NT) were strongly labeled. In addition, SP-like immunopositive fibers were observed in the proximity of these neurons and extending along the olfactory nerves and the olfactory tracts. The ganglion cells of the NT were not immunoreactive for methionine- and leucine-enkephalin, motilin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neuropeptide Y, cholecystokinin-8, and tyrosine hydroxylase.

Hippocampo-septal fibers, labeled by anterograde degeneration following transection of the fimbriafornix, were found to establish asymmetric synaptic contacts on spines of identified (Golgi-impregnated and gold-toned) multipolar neurons in the dorsolateral nucleus of the septal region. Evidence from the literature suggests that these cells project onto medial septal neurons, which in turn project back to the hippocampal formation. The present study thus establishes a missing link in this circuitry, viz., one group of target cells of the hippocampal fibers.

Experiments using the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase were performed in order to identify the cells of origin the ascending projections from different brainstem regions to the area hypothalamica dorsalis (aHd) in the cat. The afferent inputs to this area originate mainly from the midbrain and medulla oblongata regions. The main afferent source of the area hypothalamica dorsalis arises from the substantia grisea centralis, where a large number of labeled cells were observed bilaterally, although more abundant on the ipsilateral side. Substantial afferents reach the aHd from the nuclei vestibularis medialis and inferior and the formatio reticularis mesencephali. A modest number of peroxidase-labeled neurons were observed in the nuclei ruber, interpeduncularis, substantia nigra, reticularis gigantocellularis, vestibularis lateralis, cuneatus and gracilis. From the pons, the nucleus raphe magnus sends a weak projection to the aHd. These anatomical data suggest that such area could be involved in visceral, sexual, nociceptive somatosensorial, sleep-waking and motor mechanisms.

The distribution of enkephalin-like cell bodies in the thalamus of the rat was studied by means of intratissular injections of colchicine and using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The densest clusters of immunoreactive perikarya were observed in the nuclei geniculatum lateralis ventralis, medialis dorsalis, centralis lateralis, centralis medialis and anterior ventralis. Whereas the nuclei praetectalis lateralis, lateralis posterior, habenularis lateralis, parataenialis (its caudal part), parafascicularis, centrum medianum, reuniens and ventralis medialis had the lowest density. In other thalamic nuclei geniculatum mediale, paraventricularis and parataenialis (its rostral part) the density of enkephalin-like cell bodies was intermediate. These results suggest that the intratissular injection of colchicine is the better way of administration of the drug in order to study the distribution of peptidergic cell bodies in the mammalian CNS. The similarities and differences found in the distribution of enkephalinergic cell populations in the thalamus of different mammals are discussed.

The telencephalon of Barbus meridionalis is composed of two oval telencephalic lobes separated by a medial ventricle and joined exclusively by the anterior commissure. Histologically, the dorsal and ventral telencephalic areas are well defined, the limiting plane between them being a cell free zone. In the ventral area it is possible to distinguish the following parts: dorsal, supracommissural, postcommissural, lateral, intermedia and the nucleus entopenduncularis. In the dorsal area there are three peripheral longitudinal zones--medialis, dorsalis and lateralis--together with a central zone; caudally situated is a posterior dorsolateral region which is the main receptor site for olfactory fibers and closely associated to this is the nucleus tenia. The olfactory projections to the telencephalon course along two bundles: the medial and the lateral olfactory tracts. The telencephalon projects to diencephalic regions via three large bundles: the lateral and medial telencephalic bundles and the strio-medullary system.

Brain stem auditory evoked potentials using skin electrodes have been studied in rabbits. The obtained records are integrated by 6 consecutive waves ranging up to 10 ms. of latency time. The most important, constant and well-performed waves were the I, II and IV waves, which persist until the auditory threshold by 10 dB. The obtained results in 50 ears have been statistically treated. Subsequently, a normal pattern of the BAEP in rabbits has been performed as a base for upcoming papers.

Recent upgrading projects have extended the mass range of particles that can be accelerated at the Bevalac to include any element of the periodic table to energies above 1 billion electron volts per atomic mass unit. This capability was verified on 11 May 1982 with the production of a uranium beam at 147.7 million electron volts per atomic mass unit.

The morphological characteristics of the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) in the rat are described. This structure is formed by a set of cavities generally located in the midline area of the septal region. Into the lumen of the cavities free cells rooted out from the CSP walls were observed. Several layers could be delimitated from the surface of the CSP to the most inner region consisting of connective cells and fibers, and astrocytes. However, no ependymal cells were visualized. According to the morphological data, the CSP wall could have a function of resistance against mechanical tensions that are produced in this brain region. The term 'fifth ventricle' for the CSP seems to be inappropriate.

The present work deals with the histological organization of the three outer strata of the optic tectum of Barbus meridionalis. As far as general features are concerned, of noteworthy interest are the absence of myelin in the SM and the ordered pattern of myelinic distribution of the SO. The SFGS shows a more irregular appearance than the SM and SO. It was only possible to observe with clarity several neuronal types in the SO and SFGS, whereas in the SM no clear neuronal types could be seen. The SFGS was seen to contain pyramidal neurons with spiny dendrites in the SM, together with fusiform, multipolar and horizontal neurons. In this latter type we have described neurons with ascending axons emerging from the soma or from the base of a principal dendrite. The SO contains neurons whose dendrites are distributed mainly on the horizontal plane, in each case showing certain particular features.

The olfactory bulbs of Barbus meridionalis, Carassius carassius, Chondrostoma polylepis, Cyprinus carpio, Tinca tinca and Salmo gairdneri were examined by two variants of the Golgi technique. We report, for the first time, the existence of ruffed cells in these species. This neuronal type shows a characteristic morphology and location. Overall, these cells exhibit a generalised pattern, although there are qualitative and quantitative variations between the various species studied.

The combined Golgi/electron microscope (EM) technique was used to analyze the fine structure and synaptic organization of the various types of neurons in the rat lateral septum (LS), i.e., in the dorsolateral (LSd), intermediolateral (LSi), and ventrolateral (LSv) nuclei of the septal complex. Two characteristic cell types were observed in the LSd: type I with thick, short dendrites densely covered with short spines, and type II with longer and thinner dendrites exhibiting fewer but longer spines. This latter type was by far the most frequently impregnated cell type in the LSd and was also present in the LSi. Synaptic contacts on spines of either cell type were asymmetric; the majority of the presynaptic boutons contained clear round synaptic vesicles. Occasionally terminals were found that contained both clear and dense-core vesicles. Typical fusiform neurons with a low number of spines and rather long dendrites, sometimes invading other LS nuclei, were found in the LSi. The LSv contained numerous small neurons with small dendritic fields. A relatively large number of terminals with dense-core vesicles were found to establish synaptic contacts with identified LSv neurons. The morphological heterogeneity of LS neurons is discussed with regard to other studies on afferent and efferent fiber systems as well as immunohistochemical studies of this particular region of the septal complex.

The histological features of the three deepest strata of the Optic Tectum of Barbus meridionalis were studied with several staining and impregnation techniques. The boundaries between SPV, SAC and SGC were easily established and furthermore the myelinization pattern of the SAC is described. Several neuronal types were distinguished according to their dendritic and axonal features. Pyriform multipolar neurons were found in the SPV; in the SAc, pear-shaped, horizontal and multipolar neurons; in the SGC, fusiform, horizontal, multipolar and pyriform neurons. Some of the pyriform neurons of the SAC are described with axonal characteristics which has allowed us to consider these neurons as a new type of efferent tectal neuron.