The role of adenosine in the vascular adaptation of neonatal cerebral blood flow during hypotension

This study investigated the potential role of adenosine in cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation in the neonate during moderate and severe hypotension. Experiments were done in anesthetized, 1- to 3-day-old piglets. Regional CBF (determined by radiolabeled microsphere technique) and cerebral metabolic rate for O2 (CMRO2) were measured (a) during normotension and (b) during a 3-min period of moderate (58 +/- 9 mm Hg) or severe (36 +/- 7 mm Hg) hypotension produced by the inflation of a balloon catheter placed in the aortic root. Measurements of CBF and CMRO2 were performed successively after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of vehicle (n = 17), the adenosine receptor blocker 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT, 10 micrograms, n = 14), and the A2-receptor agonist 5'-N-(ethylcarboxamide)adenosine (NECA, 2 ng, n = 8). After i.c.v. administration of vehicle, none of the parameters studied was significantly altered by moderate hypotension, but severe hypotension decreased the total CBF (mean +/- SD) from 86 +/- 24 to 40 +/- 15 ml min-1 100 g-1 and CMRO2 from 3.2 +/- 0.8 to 1.8 +/- 1.0 ml min-1 100 g-1 (p less than 0.05). Administration of 8-PT did not alter these parameters during normotension, but significantly decreased CBF during moderate hypotension compared to postvehicle values (53 +/- 11 versus 81 +/- 12 ml min-1 100 g-1, p less than 0.05). This loss of autoregulation was completely reversed by NECA. During severe hypotension, 8-PT altered the CBF redistribution towards the brainstem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of clonazepam and alprazolam for panic disorder

To test the reported antipanic efficacy of clonazepam, the authors randomized 72 subjects with panic disorder to 6 weeks of treatment with either alprazolam, clonazepam, or placebo. Endpoint analysis demonstrated a significant beneficial effect of both active treatments, but not placebo treatment, on the frequency of panic attacks, overall phobia ratings, and the extent of disability. Comparison of the two active treatments revealed no significant differences and no consistent tendency for one agent to be favored over another, although power to detect small differences was limited. Sedation and ataxia were the most common side effects reported, but these effects were mild and transient and did not interfere with treatment outcome. The results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial are consistent with previous reports of clonazepam's antipanic efficacy.     

Lithium treatment of chronic hair pulling

Ten patients with chronic hair pulling received trials of lithium carbonate of 2 to 14 months' duration. Eight patients demonstrated decreased hair pulling and mild to marked hair regrowth. Three responders experienced increased hair pulling subsequent to discontinuation of lithium treatment. Lithium's effect on hair pulling may be related to its observed benefits in treating aggressivity, impulsivity, and mood instability.     

An in vivo study of the ontogeny of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region and in the dentate gyrus of the rat hippocampal formation.

The influences of stimulus intensity, intratrain frequency, and number of trains were studied for their effects on the development of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal formation. LTP was analyzed with full input-output curves for population spike (PS) amplitudes (PS-LTP) calculated from responses elicited in the CA1 region and in the dentate gyrus by monosynaptic activation. A standardized protocol employing a sequence of stimuli was devised to systematically compare LTP in the dentate gyrus to that in the CA1 region in rats of various ages ranging from postnatal day (PN) 6 to adults (PN 60). In adult animals, the degrees of LTP were comparable in the dentate gyrus and CA1 region for the 3 stimulus strengths studied (intensity just subthreshold for PS, intensity giving 1/4 maximal PS, and intensity giving 1/2 maximal PS). LTP developed at different rates in the two regions, reaching adult values about two weeks after birth in CA1 but about 3 weeks after birth in the dentate gyrus. We postulate that differences in the rate of development in CA1 and in the dentate gyrus are related to the later neurogenesis of dentate granule cells and also possibly to a later functional maturation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channel complexes on these cells.     

Cytochrome P-45011 beta in rat brain

The presence of cytochrome P-45011 beta in rat brain was studied by immunohistochemistry using polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against purified bovine adrenocortical P-45011 beta, which is involved in the steroid 11 beta-hydroxylation and glucocorticoid formation. The results showed that cytochrome P-45011 beta immunoreactivity is selectively localized to the tracts of myelinated fibers throughout the brain. The specificity of immunohistochemical stainings with P-45011 beta antibodies was established by control tests including nonimmune rabbit immunoglobulin Gs and P-45011 beta antibodies absorbed with purified antigen. Western immunoblots of homogenates from different brain areas with P-45011 beta antibodies, together with biochemical enzymatic assays for cytochrome P-45011 beta monooxygenase activity in these homogenates, confirmed the selective localization of this enzyme observed with immunohistochemistry. Cytochrome P-45011 beta and 11 beta-hydroxylase activity were detected in a homogenate from the cortical white matter (brain area rich in myelinated fibers) as in that from the rat adrenal, but were not detectable in a homogenate from the cerebral cortex (brain area poor in myelinated fibers). Furthermore, quantitation of the P-45011 beta bands on the immunoblots by the areal density revealed that the cortical white matter contains approximately 1.4 pmol of cytochrome P-45011 beta/mg of tissue protein, the value of which was about one sixth of the corresponding value estimated in the rat adrenal. This relatively high content of cytochrome P-45011 beta was also reflected in a relatively high level of 11 beta-hydroxylase activity measured in a homogenate of this brain area by biochemical enzymatic assays using [4-14C]-11-deoxycorticosterone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The innervation of the levator veli palatini muscle by the glossopharyngeal nerve

We developed a novel method which enables bloodless exposure of the levator veli palatini muscle in rat in order to investigate the physiological properties of this muscle. The levator veli palatini muscle which is innervated by a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve showed rhythmic spontaneous movement in rats. Cutting the branch supplying LVP of the glossopharyngeal nerve caused cessation of the spontaneous movement of the levator veli palatini muscle. The spontaneous discharges of the glossopharyngeal nerve were synchronized with those of the phrenic nerve. A mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% room air influenced the efferent discharges from the branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve supplying the levator veli palatini muscle. These findings indicate that the motor nerve supply to the levator veli palatini muscle is the glossopharyngeal nerve, and the levator veli palatini muscle is related to the respiratory system, in particular with inspiration in rats.     

X chromosome instability associated with familial Turner syndrome

A family with two members (two generations) exhibiting Turner syndrome is described. Cytogenetic studies on these individuals showed the presence of multiple X chromosome changes. Evidence is presented to show that the maternally inherited X chromosome is the chromosome involved in the structural alterations observed. The effect of a tendency of the maternal X chromosome to break at specific sites on the development of the Turner phenotype and abnormal karyology is discussed.     

Receptionists, appointment systems and continuity of care.

The influence of receptionists on continuity of care in four group practices was examined. Twenty two receptionists were observed making 543 appointments and afterwards were interviewed about their personal priority for continuity of care. One of the practices ran a personal list system. It was found that the personal list practice attracted more requests for a specific doctor and time which were then more difficult to satisfy. Most receptionists thought it was important that patients should see the same doctor but their influence seemed to be small compared with that of the doctor as expressed in practice policies. Marked variation in demand for individual doctors was seen in two of the practices without a personal list system.