Psychosine-induced changes in neuromuscular transmission and in the structure of the neuromuscular junction in the frog]

A decrease in the amplitude of miniature and evoked end-plate potentials (MEPPs and EPPs) as well as changes in EPP facilitation and depression during frequency stimulation were observed in psychosine-treated m. cutaneous-pectoris of the frog. Electron-microscopic investigation demonstrated severe changes in synaptic Schwann cells embracing motor terminals and disturbances in the inner mesaxon structure of the myelinated parts of motor terminals.     

High-resolution x-ray computed tomography in lymphoid interstitial pneumonia

Three patients with lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (two HIV 1+ patients with chronic lymphadenopathic syndromes and one with a not-characterized autoimmune disease) have been studied with high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT). This technique reveals septal lines, small reticulonodular opacities, polyhedral micronodular opacities, "ground-glass" opacities and a dense, subpleural, curved broken line in one patient. The lesions dominate in the bases of the lungs. They are not characteristic for lymphoid interstitial pneumonia. If a patient present with a chronic lymphadenopathic syndrome, the diagnosis of an opportunistic infection should not be automatically made, since the syndrome can be caused by lymphoid interstitial pneumonia.     

Ionic basis of the resting membrane potential and action potential in the pharyngeal muscle of Caenorhabditis elegans

The pharynx of C. elegans is a rhythmically active muscle that pumps bacteria into the gut of the nematode. This activity is maintained by action potentials, which qualitatively bear a resemblance to vertebrate cardiac action potentials. Here, the ionic basis of the resting membrane potential and pharyngeal action potential has been characterized using intracellular recording techniques. The resting membrane potential is largely determined by a K(+) permeability, and a ouabain-sensitive, electrogenic pump. As previously suggested, the action potential is at least partly dependent on voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, as the amplitude was increased as extracellular Ca(2+) was increased, and decreased by L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine. Barium caused a marked prolongation of action potential duration, suggesting that a calcium-activated K(+) current may contribute to repolarization. Most notably, however, we found that action potentials were abolished in the absence of external Na(+). This may be due, at least in part, to a Na(+)-dependent pacemaker potential. In addition, the persistence of action potentials in nominally free Ca(2+), the inhibition by Na(+) channel blockers procaine and quinidine, and the increase in action potential frequency caused by veratridine, a toxin that alters activation of voltage-gated Na(+) channels, point to the involvement of a voltage-gated Na(+) current. Voltage-clamp analysis is required for detailed characterization of this current, and this is in progress. Nonetheless, these observations are quite surprising in view of the lack of any obvious candidate genes for voltage-gated Na(+) channels in the C. elegans genome. It would therefore be informative to re-evaluate the data from these homology searches, with the aim of identifying the gene(s) conferring this Na(+), quinidine, and veratridine sensitivity to the pharynx.     

The relation of uric acid metabolism to transferase activity in patients with ischemic heart disease and hypertension

Blood plasma uric acid and urea content and aspartate aminotransferase activity were studied in 177 patients with ischemic heart disease and essential hypertension. It was established that the blood uric acid level did not depend essentially on the transamination processes in patients with ischemic heart disease but was closely connected with transamination processes and amino acid metabolism in patients with essential hypertension.     

The Effects of Afferent Stimulation on Neurons in Slices of the Medial Septal Area and Their Modulation by Biologically Active Substances in Hibernating and Awake Ground Squirrels

Evoked neuron activity in slices of the medial septal area and its modulation by neuropeptides and monoamines was studied in two groups of ground squirrels – hibernating and awake animals. Electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle evoked predominantly inhibitory effects of different durations. In addition, responses were seen consisting of resetting of the phase of background volleys to the stimulus after initial inhibition; there were also small numbers of short-latency single-spike responses. All the neuropeptides tested, which had been identified from the brains of hibernating animals, induced differentiated reversible effects consisting of modulation of responses; changes in evoked activity were seen significantly more often than shifts in spontaneous activity. The effects depended on the state of the animal. Thus, peptide TSKYR increased the duration of inhibition in hibernating ground squirrels but shortened inhibition in awake animals. Peptide TSKY, which had little effect in hibernating animals, increased the duration of inhibition in awake animals. Dipeptide DY, which decreased the duration of inhibition and increased the amplitude of the activatory components of responses in hibernating ground squirrels, had little effect in awake animals. The effects of noradrenaline and serotonin correlated to a large extent with their effects on spontaneous activity. It is suggested that endogenous substances are involved in creating the conditions required for increasing the latent excitability and reactivity of septal neurons during hibernation. This allows the medial septal area to function as a sentry post, allowing the receipt of signals and urgent arousal during hibernation.