Noradrenergic projections to brainstem nuclei: evidence for differential projections from noradrenergic subgroups

Retrograde transport of the fluorescent tracer True Blue was used in combination with immunohistochemical staining of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (a marker protein for noradrenergic neurons) to determine the origin of noradrenergic projections to three cranial nerve nuclei: 1) the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, 2) the motor nucleus of the facial nerve, and 3) the spinal trigeminal nucleus pars interpolaris. Noradrenergic cells in the rat brainstem were divided into subgroups and their numbers were determined in serial sections stained with an antiserum to rat dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Following tracer injections into the three brainstem nuclei, retrogradely labeled noradrenergic neurons were counted and the percentage of True Blue-labeled noradrenergic cells in each subgroup was calculated. Injections of tracer into the three cranial nerve nuclei resulted in distinctly different labeling patterns of noradrenergic cells. Of the total number of norepinephrine neurons projecting to the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, 68% were observed within the A7 cell group; 75% of those innervating the motor nucleus of the facial nerve were found in the A5 cell group, and 65% of those projecting to the spinal trigeminal nucleus pars interpolaris were present in the locus ceruleus and subceruleus. These findings indicate that norepinephrine cells in the rat brainstem do not constitute a homogeneous population of cells but that several discrete systems can be identified that differ not only in topography but also in the terminal distribution of their axons. This combined retrograde transport-immunohistochemical study reveals a much higher degree of topographic order in the projections of norepinephrine neurons than has previously been recognized. The observation of differential projections of noradrenergic subgroups argues against the notion of a global influence of these cells over functionally diverse areas of the brainstem.     

Nerve growth factor-induced increase in calcium uptake by PC12 cells

Treatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) produces a rapid and transient increase in calcium uptake into the cells. The increased uptake is maximal after 5 minutes of NGF treatment, but after 15 minutes of NGF treatment, no such increase can be observed. The effect of NGF is partially inhibited by blockers of L-type calcium channels. K-252a, an alkaloid-like kinase inhibitor that usually is found to inhibit the actions of NGF on PC12 cells, produces an increase in calcium uptake similar to, but smaller than, that seen with NGF. NGF had no effect on calcium release under these conditions.     

Analysis of a decreased Na+ conductance by tumor necrosis factor in identified neurons of Aplysia kurodai.

The ionic mechanisms of the effect of extracellularly ejected recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) on the membrane of identified neurons R9 and R10 of Aplysia kurodai was investigated with conventional voltage-clamp, micropressure ejection, and ion substitution techniques. Micropressure-ejected rhTNF caused a marked hyperpolarization in the unclamped neuron. Clamping the same neuron at it resting potential level (-60 mV) and reejecting rhTNF-alpha with the same dose produced a slow outward current [Io (TNF)] associated with a decrease in input membrane conductance. Io (TNF) was decreased by depolarization and increased by hyperpolarization. The extrapolated reversal potential of Io (TNF) was approximately +10 mV. Ion substitution and pharmacological experiments suggest that Io (TNF) in identified neurons R9 and R10 of A. kurodai is due to a decreased Na+ conductance but not due to an activation of the Na(+)-K+ pump. Our results demonstrate that the immunomodulator TNF can act directly on the nervous system as well as on the immune system.     

医疗设备管理面临的新挑战

目前,医疗服务价格的调整特别是大型医疗设备的检查费用下调和高值耗材附加收费的封顶限制及药品加成的即将取消,在一定程度上减轻了患者的经济负担,但同时也造成医院收入大幅下降。作为设备管理部门,如何从医疗设备配置和管理等方面来引导、配合事关医院生存和患者福祉的医疗服务结构调整,是新形势下的新挑战。通过探讨提出从严格控制医疗设备购置费用、优化医疗设备配置、保证常规医疗设备和提高管理水平等4个方面争取找到一条使病患和医院双方共赢的道路。     

Creating a place for population health: Interpreting the spaces of a new School in Auckland,New Zealand

Although the reconfiguring of health care within the hospital sector has gained considerable attention by social scientists, the tertiary education sector's response to new health philosophies and practices has proceeded largely unexamined. This paper considers the new School of Population Health at the University of Auckland, accounts for its origins and considers the synergies between its design and workplace organisation. The results of a thematic analysis of narratives offered by 24 employees collected in 2004 are then presented. Findings suggest that the amassing of academics from a range of health-related backgrounds is advancing interdisciplinary dialogue even if the nature and purpose of population health remains unclear to some. A key concern of respondents was the openness of the workplace which encourages a collaborative atmosphere but also generates distraction. The degree to which conduct within the new building is perceived as regulated was also of concern. Place clearly matters in the story of the new School: the form of the building (featuring an architecture of openness) complements its function (generating new collaborations and creative thinking about health). However, the question of how ‘salutogenic’ a setting it is remains contested.     

PEPTIDES AS NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN VASCULAR AUTONOMIC NEURONS

1. Neuropeptides are present in the majority of autonomic neurons projecting to blood vessels, where they are co-localized with non-peptide transmitters and sometimes with other peptides. 2. Neuropeptides are released from vasoconstrictor and vasodilator nerve terminals after high frequency stimulation (>2–5 Hz) with trains of impulses. 3. Neuropeptides can have potent post-synaptic effects on vascular tone, but often these effects are restricted to selected regions of the vasculature. 4. Post-synaptic effects of neuropeptides tend to be more slowly-developing and more long-lasting than those of non-peptide transmitters. 5. Autonomic vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses often have multiple phases, with the faster phases being mediated by non-peptide transmitters and the slower phases mediated predominantly by one or more neuropeptides. 6. Some neuropeptides do not seem to have post-synaptic effects in a particular vascular bed, but can have presynaptic actions on neurotransmitter release. 7. Neuropeptides form an important component of the repertoire of neurotransmitters used by vascular autonomic neurons to regulate regional blood flow in response to a range of physiological stimuli.     

台湾产奇特长唇瓢虫雄性外生殖器与两新种描述：...

本文描述了奇特长唇瓢虫Shiro(?)lla mirol(?)ilis Sasaji的雄性外生殖器与本属两新种:附肢长唇瓢虫Sh.oppe(?)nd(?)a sp.n.,阿里山长唇瓢虫Sh.(?) sp.n.,均产于台湾.种类检索如下:1(2).后基线伸达第一腹板1/2略强:阳基侧叶长,无触须状附肢;鞘翅淡黄棕色,具七个黑色斑纹;体 长1.82 mm………………………………………………………阿里山长唇瓢虫Sh.(?)sp.n.2(1).后基线后缘远超第一腹板长度的1/2;阳基侧叶短,具触须状附肢:3(4).前胸背板棕色,具两个暗棕色模糊斑点;鞘翅棕色,具九个黑斑;体长2.12～2.59 m………… …………………………………………………………………………附肢长唇瓢虫Sh.(?)sp.n.4(3).前胸背板淡黄棕色,无斑点;鞘翅淡黄棕色,具六个黑斑,侧面的一对长形;体长2.00～2.26mm …………………………………………………………………………奇特长唇瓢虫Sh.(?)sasaji     

胸腰椎前路手术的新入路

目的：介绍一种胸腰椎前路手术的新入路。方法：通过横突前，沿横突、椎弓根和椎体腰部，严格的从骨膜下向前剥离，直达前纵韧带下方。结果：经155例临床应用，这种新入路，不需要结扎节段血管，切口短、出血少、缩短了手术时间。结论：手术方法简单、操作技术方便，比原来的腹膜后入路损伤小，也同样达到理想暴露的目的。