Exposure to formaldehyde and cancer mortality in a cohort of workers producing resins

The mortality of 1,332 male workers employed at least 30 days in 1959-1980 in a resins-manufacturing plant was examined. Ambient measurements taken in the plant between 1974 and 1979 documented a potential for exposure to levels of formaldehyde as high as greater than 3.0 mg/m3. Vital status was ascertained for 98.6% of the cohort members, and their mortality was compared with expected deaths drawn from the national and local population rates. A statistically significant increase in lung cancer was observed, based on 18 deaths, which was not fully accounted for by possible confounding factors linked to personal habits or sociocultural characteristics. This elevated risk, however, could not be attributed specifically to exposure to formaldehyde. Mortality from digestive cancer (14 deaths observed) and hematologic neoplasms (5 deaths observed) was not substantially higher than expected. The study was limited by information bias due to incomplete work histories, by the small number of deaths from some relevant causes, and by the possibly insufficient length of the observation period. Therefore these results do not provide sufficient grounds either to link formaldehyde exposure in the plant to the increased cancer risk noted or to exclude that formaldehyde might pose such a risk to humans under certain exposure circumstances.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide: functional role in cerebrovascular regulation.

Distribution studies disclosed that all major cerebral arteries and cortical arterioles of the cat were invested with fine varicose nerve fibers that contained calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity; the trigeminal ganglia likewise contained CGRP immunoreactivity. Sequential immunostaining with antibodies to CGRP and to substance P (SP) revealed identical distributions of these two peptides in trigeminal ganglia and cerebrovascular nerve fibers, suggesting that CGRP and SP are colocalized in these nerves. CGRP completely disappeared from ipsilateral blood vessels after unilateral section of the trigeminal nerve. Exogenous CGRP was a potent relaxant of feline middle cerebral arteries in vitro (maximum relaxation, 10.5 +/- 1.5 mN; concentration eliciting half-maximal response, 9.6 +/- 1.3 nM). Perivascular microapplication of CGRP to individual cortical arterioles of chloralose-anesthetized cats provoked dose-dependent dilatations (maximum increase in diameter, 38 +/- 5%; concentration eliciting half-maximal response, approximately equal to 3 nM). CGRP was significantly more potent than SP as a cerebrovascular dilator, both in vitro and in situ. Chronic division of the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve in cats did not modify the magnitude of arteriolar responses to perivascular microapplication of either vasoconstrictor or vasodilator agents, but the duration of vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine (0.1 mM) or alkaline solutions (pH 7.6) was significantly increased. The cerebrovascular trigeminal neuronal system, in which CGRP is the most potent vasoactive constituent, may participate in a reflex or local response to excessive cerebral vasoconstriction that restores normal vascular diameter.     

Relationship between transmitter release and presynaptic calcium influx when calcium enters through discrete channels.

We have used a three-dimensional diffusion model of calcium entering the presynaptic nerve terminal through discrete channels to simulate experiments relating transmitter release to presynaptic calcium current. The relationship will be less than linear, or will curve downward, if calcium channels are well separated. It will resemble a power-law function with exponent less than the cooperativity of calcium action if channels are clustered closer together. Large presynaptic depolarizations elicit more release than small depolarizations admitting the same calcium influx. This occurs because large pulses open more channels near each other, with the result that the calcium concentration near release sites is greater, due to overlap of calcium diffusing from adjacent channels.     

Inhibin and renin in follicular fluids of patients with one or two ovaries stimulated with a GnRH agonist and gonadotrophins

Follicular fluids from eight patients with one ovary and from ten patients with two ovaries were investigated for bioactive inhibin, total renin, oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations. Four follicular fluids were pooled per patient before assessment. All women had been stimulated similarly using a protocol including a GnRH agonist, HMG and HCG. Renin levels were significantly lower and P4 significantly higher in pools of follicular fluid from patients with one ovary, whereas inhibin and E2 concentrations were similar in both patient groups. A significant negative correlation was found in the pools of follicular fluid between inhibin and E2 in both groups. These results suggest a role for inhibin and renin in the paracrine and autocrine control of stimulated follicular development.     

Electrophysiologic evaluation of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. A single fiber and quantitative EMG study

A 16-year-old boy, the only affected member of the family, noticed early onset contracture of the elbows, and developed slowly progressive humeroperoneal weakness and atrophy, and bilateral equinus. The severe restriction of the forward flexion of the neck and thoracolumbar spine, resembled a rigid spine syndrome. An electrocardiogram showed atrioventricular conduction abnormalities. Muscle biopsy was consistent with mild myopathy. The overall conventional findings of a detailed electromyographic study in the limbs and erector trunci muscles, as well as the results of conduction velocity, automatic analysis of the voluntary pattern and single fiber electromyography studies were consistent with myopathy, although some atypical findings were found. The controversy about neurogenic and myopathic features in Emery-Dreifuss disease is discussed. The unspecific value of the flexion limitation of the spine, and the uncertain nosological position of the rigid spine syndrome are also commented.     

Dynorphin-containing pilomotor neurons in the superior cervical ganglion of guinea pigs

Retrograde axonal tracing and double-labelling immunofluorescence have been combined to determine the neuropeptide content of identified pilomotor neurons in the superior cervical ganglion of guinea pigs. These neurons lacked immunoreactivity to neuropeptide Y (NPY) but they generally contained low levels of immunoreactivity to prodynorphin-derived peptides, including dynorphin A(1-8), dynorphin A(1-17), and alpha-neo-endorphin. Thus pilomotor neurons are neurochemically distinct from superior cervical ganglion cells which contain immunoreactivity to NPY and prodynorphin-derived peptides and which innervate the iris and most of the vasculature in the head of guinea pigs. They are also distinct from sympathetic secretomotor neurons which lack both NPY and prodynorphin-derived peptides.