New types of synaptic connections in crayfish stretch receptor organs: an electron microscopic study

Summary The synaptic input to crayfish (Orconectes limosus) stretch receptor neurons, and the synaptic interactions between the inhibitory and excitatory efferents were analysed by electron microscopy of serial sections. Several novel types of synaptic connections have been observed: (i) inhibitory synaptic input on the axon hillock and initial axon segment; (ii) serial synaptic terminals on the sensory cell body; (iii) simultaneous synaptic contacts of the same inhibitory terminal with sensory dendrites and muscle fibres; (iv) reciprocal synapses between the two types of inhibitory efferents; and (v) inhibitory synapses on the primary inhibitory axon. The possible functional significance of these synapses is discussed in the light of earlier electrophysiological and pharmacological findings.Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung.     

Interpersonal and intrapsychic goal-related conflict reported by cigarette smokers, unaided quitters, and relapsers.

Current cigarette smokers not actively trying to cut down (n = 38), recent relapsers (n = 40), and successful self-initiated quitters (n = 36), matched on age, gender, and smoking background, completed questionnaires retrospectively assessing (a) the degree of conflict among important personal goals and the goal of smoking cessation, and (b) the level of perceived social hindrance from significance others vis-à-vis their efforts to quit smoking. Results indicated that unaided quitters, in contrast to current smokers and relapsers, recalled significantly less goal-related interpersonal interference and significantly lower levels of intergoal conflict. The findings are considered to provide support for a social/cognitive perspective on the process of self-managed smoking cessation.     

Concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and troponin T in plasma of 75-year-old apparently healthy persons.

Clinical chemical reference values for older persons are sparse and mostly intermixed with those for younger persons. We had a unique opportunity to obtain blood samples from volunteers who were 75 years old and living in two districts of Vienna, Austria. Consequently, we utilized stored plasma samples to obtain reference intervals for 120 apparently healthy 75-year-old participants for pro-brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP), as well as for troponin T. The N-terminal (NT)-proBNP protein assay is currently used as a diagnostic and prognostic aid in patients with heart failure and as a prognostic marker in acute coronary syndromes. Specifically, the concentration of NT-proBNP in serum or plasma aids in the prognosis of ventricular systolic dysfunction and helps to differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac causes. The median NT-proBNP plasma value for men and women in our cohort was calculated as 98 pg/ml, comparing favorably with reported values, in that a NT-proBNP concentration less than 100 pg/ml excludes acutely decompensated heart failure. Our calculated 97.5 percentile was slightly higher (359 pg/ml) than the 97.5 percentile in a group of 50-65-year-old persons (198 and 222 pg/ml for men and women, respectively) revealing the influence of age on this parameter. Because of its high tissue-specificity, cardiac troponin T is a cardiospecific, highly sensitive marker for myocardial damage. However, the troponin T concentrations in the plasma specimens from this cohort were all below the detection limit of 0.01 ng/ml, preventing any further data handling.     

Intramedullary cervical teratoma in an adult

Background and contextMature teratomas are extremely rare spinal tumors, and in the cervical spine presentation in an adult it is even more infrequent. To the best of our knowledge, only five previous intramedullary teratomas in an adult cervical spine have been reported.PurposeHere, we present another case of a cervical intramedullary mature teratoma in an adult and review the literature.Study design and settingCase report and review of the literature.Patient sampleThirty-four-year old man with initial symptoms of numbness of his left fingers, and later brachialgia of the whole arm. The diagnosis from initial manifestation of symptoms was relatively long (11 years).MethodCase review and Medline/Internet search using key word adult, teratoma, cervical spine, and intramedullary.ResultCase report presented. Only five cases of intramedullary cervical teratoma were found in the world literature.ConclusionCervical intramedullary teratomas in adults are rare entities. The indolent nature of the condition often leads to late presentation. Surgery can result in good outcome and complete cure. This is, to our knowledge, only the sixth case of cervical teratoma in an adult.