Involvement of the 12-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism in homosynaptic long-term depression of the rat hippocampus

Low-frequency stimulation is associated with long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic efficacy in various brain structures. Like long-term potentiation (LTP), homosynaptic LTD in area CA1 of the hippocampus appears to require NMDA receptor activation, changes in postsynaptic calcium concentration and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activation. Arachidonic acid (AA) is released after the activation of calcium-dependent phospholipases and free AA is rapidly metabolized to a family of bioactive products (the eicosanoids) which are thought to be both intracellular and extracellular messengers. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of AA metabolism in the formation of homosynaptic LTD in the rat hippocampus. Stimulation at 1 Hz for 15 min was used to produce homosynaptic depression in area CA1 of hippocampal slices. LTD induction was partially blocked by bromophenacyl bromide (50–100 μM), a selective PLA₂ inhibitor, and by the a nonselective lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; 100 μM). In contrast, the specific cyclooxygenase blocker indomethacin (100 μM) did not significantly reduce hippocampal LTD. Since NDGA interferes with LTD formation, we examined whether specific inhibitors of 5- and 12-lipoxygenases were capable of blocking LTD expression. The 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor baicalein at a concentration of 50 μM reduced LTP formation when given in the bath, an effect that was less pronounced with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor AA-861. These data suggest that the activation of endogenous PLA₂ and the formation of 12-lipoxygenase metabolites of AA may be important factors controlling the expression of hippocampal LTD.     

Diethylnitrosamine administration in vivo increases hepatic poly(ADP-ribose) levels in rats: results of a modified technique for poly(ADP-ribose) measurement

Poly(ADP-ribose) (polymer) is enzymatically synthesized on nuclearproteins in response to DNA strand breaks. NAD⁺ is the substratefor this reaction, which is catalyzed by Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase.This post-translational modification occurs in response to DNAstrand breaks and is thought to play an important role in DNArepair. Polymer synthesis resulting from DNA damage has beendescribed in cultured cells, but measurement is more difficultin animal tissues. In this study, modifications were made toan earlier method to measure carcinogen-induced increases inpolymer levels in vivo. RNase I was added to the enzyme mixtureused to digest polymer to ribosyladenosine (RAdo). This preventedthe inhibition of snake venom phosphodiesterase by RNA. TheHPLC analysis was improved, allowing elimination of the secondboronate affinity chromatography step traditionally used topurify     

CMSS-VEPs: Contrast modulated steady state visual evoked potentials: Its neuronal origin and clinical use

CMSS-VEPs are presented as a sensitive, non-invasive functional investigation technique of the visual function, applicable in clinical practice. New improvements of the technique are presented. The underlying neuronal mechanisms are discussed. The clinical use is illustrated in a case of optic neuritis.     

A Disseminated Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in a 9-Year-Old Boy Disclosed by Chromosomal Translocation (2;13) (q35;q14)

A 9-year-old boy presented with a small subcutaneous tumor of the trunk and diffuse bone marrow involvement. The first histological diagnosis given was undifferentiated malignancy possibly of neural crest origin and chemotherapy was started immediately using vincristine, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and teniposide (OPEC). Complete response was achieved after four courses of chemotherapy. Histological slides were then reviewed and the final diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) was retained. Moreover, chromosome analysis of malignant cells in the bone marrow revealed a translocation involving chromosomes 2 and 13:t(2;13) (q35;q14). This specific karyotype finding has been recently reported in a few cases and could be specific for alveolar RMS. The patient had a relapse 7 months after diagnosis and died 4 months later.     

Selective modification at the N-terminal region of human growth hormone that shows antagonistic activity

A new analogue of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH), hGH des(1–6,14) was expressed in Escherichia coli, refolded and purified to homogeneity. The mutation decreased the hormone's ability to bind lactogenic and somatogenic receptors through its site 1, and almost completely abolished its ability to bind these receptors through site 2, as evidenced by both binding and gel-filtration experiments. More specifically, the binding to prolactin receptors (PRLRs) from various species or their soluble recombinant extracellular domains (ECDs) was decreased 1.5–4-fold, whereas the binding to hGH receptor (hGHR) was decreased 10–85-fold. These changes caused an almost total loss of hormone agonistic activity in several in vitro bioassays and subsequently, the hGH des(1–6,14) analogue acquired antagonistic properties. This antagonistic activity was dependent upon modification of site 1. In those cases in which the binding was reduced only slightly, e.g. binding to rabbit PRLRs, hGH des(1–6,14) acted as a strong antagonist, whereas in others in which the binding of site 1 was reduced to a higher degree, such as other PRLRs and, in particular, hGHR, the antagonistic activity was correspondingly weaker. Circular dichroism spectra of the analogue suggested that these changes do not result from a decrease in overall -helix content, but rather from minor local structural modifications at the N-terminus.     

Implementation of a successful endovascular surgical program in a non-teaching tertiary-care centre in Ontario.

Endovascular surgical techniques have become an accepted standard of care for high-risk patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms and for certain patients with thoracic aortic pathology and peripheral arterial aneurysms. In Canada, endovascular surgery has been concentrated in tertiary-care academic teaching institutions. As the technology evolves and as expertise advances, the applicability of endovascular techniques will expand. With time, and as the demand for endovascular techniques rises, this expertise will increasingly need to be delivered by dedicated vascular surgical services in nonteaching institutions. The dissemination of endovascular surgical capabilities represent a unique challenge. We report the successful implementation of an endovascular surgical program in a tertiary-care nonteaching institution using a carefully planned preceptorship model. We review our initial 49 cases and discuss 6 factors important to the successful establishment of an endovascular surgical service: education, teamwork, strict selection of patients, use of a single stent-graft manufacturer, industry support and endovascular preceptorship. Our experience may be used as a model by other institutions in Canada.