Some Golgi observations in the nucleus anterior ventralis and anterior medialis thalami of the cat

Summary The characteristic dendritic arborization of different cell types, the axon arborization of Golgi type II neurons, and the terminal parts of the specific and non-specific afferents in the nucleus anterior ventralis and medialis were observed, using the Golgi-Kopsch perfusion method.The cell types and their special characteristics, such as the dendritic tree, dendritic processes and axon-arborization patterns are similar to those described in the other specific nuclei of the thalamus. The significance of Golgi type II/a cells and their synaptic relations are discussed from the point of view of inhibitory mechanisms postulated in the thalamic relay nuclei. The synaptic articulations of specific (Vicq d'Azyr) and non-specific afferents with the different cell types have been studied.One of the authors (Somogyi) is temporarily on the staff of this department.     

Regional variations in community consumption of antibiotics in Hungary, 1996-2003

AIMS: To study regional differences and identify determinants of antibiotic consumption in ambulatory care in Hungary. METHODS: Regional distribution-based antibiotic sales data were converted into a number of defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitant-days. Correlations were assessed with the Spearman rank test. RESULTS: There were large and stable interregional differences in antibiotic consumption. They were associated with socio-economic determinants, e.g. the population receiving free access to medicines and receiving regular social assistance. CONCLUSIONS: More detailed studies are needed to better understand the determinants of antibiotic use in these specific patient populations and to identify additional determinants at regional level.     

Formation of lymphoid cells from local precursors in irradiated mouse omenta

Heteroplastic formation of lymphoid cells (lymphocytes and plasma cells) is described in the omenta of supralethally irradiated mice. Such local lymphocytopoiesis also occurs in omenta in diffusion chambers, under conditions in which immigration of mobile precursors is excluded. By autoradiography the direct descendants of the primitive mesenchymal cells (transitional cells) are found to start the wave of proliferation of the lymphocytopoiesis. In electron microscopy transitional stages between the tissue-bound mesenchymal cells and lymphoid cells are observed. It is concluded that the undifferentiated, dormant, relatively radioresistant mesenchymal cells (found mainly in perivascular locations) must be included into the stem cell pool.     

Absence of Bowditch phenomenon in the ventricular muscle of hamsters with hereditary cardiomyopathy

The interval-tension relationship of right ventricular muscles of normal hamsters was compared to that of hamsters with hereditary cardiomyopathy, with or without congestive heart failure. The contractility of the heart of animals with cardiomyopathy without circulatory insufficiency did not differ from that of the normal animals at any frequency. The cardiac muscle of animals with severe congestive heart failure showed normal contractility at a low frequency of stimulation (range of the Woodworth phenomenon) but did not show the increased contractility upon high frequency stimulation (Bowditch phenomenon) seen in all other animals. Ryanodine, which eliminates only the contractility caused by the Woodworth phenomenon, abolished the contractility of the hearts of animals with congestive failure over the whole frequency range. Cardiac glycosides, which are known to potentiate the Bowditch phenomenon, were ineffective on the cardiac muscle of animals without Bowditch phenomenon. The probable cause of cardiac failure in hamsters with hereditary cardiomyopathy is discussed.