Typically the outer nuclear membrane of mammalian cells has ribosomes attached to it, the inner nuclear membrane has lamin, which appears as a band on that inside membrane. The two sides of the nuclear membrane connect at nuclear pore complexes (not seen in this tiny portion of the nuclear inner and outer nuclear membranes of a guinea pig type II cell (separated by a light band of intracisternal highly organized protein which also can fill cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in this species under some circumstances)  – see other posts in February 2016 regarding that protein.

The inner nuclear membrane, its integral membrane proteins, plus the lamins (the latter lacing the nuclear pore complexes together) participate in DNA replication and RNA processing along the heterochromain – euchromatin interface.

While working on describing the protein contents of the space between inner and outer nuclear membranes  I ran onto this really wonderful electron micrograph of a tiny portion of an of the edge of a nucleus where there were very apparent  “loops” — in the nuclear structure — maybe indicative of some sort of DNA or RNA activity (looking distinctly like beads on a string). This is a configuration which matches several diagrams found online for active (green) and inactive (orange) sites for DNA synthesis (or maybe RNA processing?) within the nucleus. I couldn’t resist trying to highlight this structure in color — at least as I saw it.

This is an awesome testament to the power of the creative mind, mixing what one knows about biology, anatomy, physiology, physics, math, chemistry, etc etc with the need to find resolution, meaning, and beauty, release from emotional pain and also sometimes bursting with joy. We all know the lump of muscle in our chests is really a pretty ugly thing that could find its way into the meat shop and look very much like a cut of flank steak or roast. But in fact it has, from the beginning of time, been the target of our emotions and our pain and primitive man knew well that of all the organs (except what’s above the neck) this one is most vital. It quickly became the target for destruction and revenge, but also the target of love (you know… the heart ache of loss is felt right there in ones chest where the heart sits) and mourning, and excitement (increased heart rate) or peace and stillness (bradycardia). It has been symbolized and refined and iconified, immortalized, characterized, made into chocolate, paintings, lollipops, put into quilt patterns, woven rugs, appliqued, iron-ed on, embossed, tiled, stitched, politicized, and on and on, and turned into a national celebration for the entire month of February. Ha ha… we love hearts, hearts can love.
So here is a very creative “heart” which has all the earmarks of someone who loves a lot, and also knows the feeling of loss. I think it is a great statement of what the “heart” can know. I hope this woman doesn’t mind my bragging on her polymer clay vision, it is awesome. A link to her post is below.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206113713074383&set=g.318924864981444&type=1&theater

This is just a quick fun pseudo colored electron micrograph disection of a corner of a type II alveolar cell (pneumocyte) from an aged guinea pig which was part of an inhalation study many many years ago (circa 1980s). These orderly contents of the rough endoplasmic reticulum have fascinated me for that many years and I have yet to see a good explanation for what they might be. I have seen similar inclusions in type II cells in ferret, mongrel dog and even a few in monkey.

It is just one of those “life” things, we come to the world with a set of genes and epigenitic changes, none of which is chosen and about most we are completely ignorant. Even after years of searching for what “keeps me restless at night” preventing a good night sleep I have found yet another “natural” and even healthful food which is on the list of “do not eat after 2 pm”.

It is a general tendency to think of foods that are canned or bottled or commercial to be deliberately spiked with amines (yes MSG by the boat load but other sneaky versions too) , but surprising little facts indicate that  aging and fermenting foods that are generally low in amines increases their content.

The physical and neurological impact of amines on some individuals (self included) is profound. I don’t believe as a child I understood why I wanted to jump and hop and run around, or why before trying to go to sleep at night I would feel tingly, itchy, and even get out of bed onto the floor to do sit ups to try to level out my feelings.  While I had a diligent mother, and I don’t blame her, I marvel that there was no communication about what was a bothersome physical symptom and anyone with knowledge of biology. C₅H₉NO₄, that is five carbon atoms, nine hydrogen, one nitrogen and four oxygen atoms. The nitrogen and three oxygen atoms form the  – amine part. Wikipedia has a great post letting us know with abundant clarity that glutamine is excitatory and has other functions in memory, learning and cognitive function. So lots and lots has been written, available all over the internet, some posts are relatively scientific (I like wikipedia) and others are spooky and bloated.  Your body typically can make all the glutamine it needs, and glutamine in most food groups abound.

But for me, the real proof is in how I sleep at night…. which brings us to the next point — cashews. Cashews are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins and  minerals, and can be part of a healthful diet. But, like peanuts, cashews are pretty high in glutamine. I am not advocating for avoiding cashews but for me, eating a handful before bedtime might be enough to trip the “no sleep” switch for you as it does for me.  It took me about 4 nights of tossing and turning to recognize that one large handful of my favorite home roasted mixture of cashews and slivered blanched almonds was sufficient to cause the symptoms.  Certainly not the most severe sleeplessness I have experienced…. ha ha… that came after eating McDonalds fries at 7 pm one evening. I will never ever do that again.  This is a matter of “dose”, but still annoying enough to remember, especially in light of the fact that our individual capacities to utililze this abundant nutrient (which over the millions of eons directed the use of same in most living sentient creatures) can also be affected by individual differences in genes and mutations therein.  This is gene environment interaction.

http://www.millhousemedical.co.nz/files/docs/factsheet_7_amines_in_foods.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutamic_acid