In vivo Intracellular Recording of Neurons in the Supraoptic Nucleus of the Rat Hypothalamus

Intracellular recordings were made from cells in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus in the urethane-anaesthetized male rat using the ventral surgical approach. Impalements lasted from 5 min to 1 h and recorded cells had an input resistance of 55 to 170 megohms. Spikes of over 50 mV were recorded from 14 cells which could be antidromically activated by stimulation of the neural stalk. The spikes showed a hyperpolarizing afterpotential and the broadening characteristic of rapidly firing magnocellular neurons, which recovered rapidly (<200 ms). When depolarized, the cells showed evidence of a transient potassium current. Recurrent synaptic coupling between the recorded cell and adjacent cells would be expected to alter the hyperpolarizing afterpotential of an antidromic spike as compared with a spontaneous spike; no perceptible difference in the waveforms of the different types of spike could be detected in 11 spontaneously active cells. Application of just subthreshold stimuli to the neural stalk did not evoke depolarizing or hyperpolarizing potentials. Suprathreshold shocks to the neural stalk, when the antidromic spike was prevented by collision, also had no discernible effect on membrane potential. Thus intracellular recordings from magnocellular neurons in vivo revealed electrophysiological properties similar to those seen in vitro. No evidence for synaptic interconnection between magnocellular neurons was found in male rats.     

Circulating testosterone in pure motor stroke

Serum LH, FSH and testosterone were quantitated in 9 patients with pure motor stroke within 24-48 h of its reported onset. High circulating LH with normal or low testosterone was noted in 8 of them. In response to an intravenous bolus of GnRH, the LH responses were exaggerated in all, but the FSH responses in 7 of them were comparable to those in eugonadal age matched controls. The rise in testosterone following 2000U hCG daily for 3 consecutive days was insignificant in the patients group compared to the controls. The data suggest normally operative pituitary testicular feed-back but decreased Leydig cell response in pure motor stroke.     

On the relation of PAG neurons to laryngeal and respiratory muscles during vocalization in the monkey

Despite evidence from previous unit recording, microstimulation, lesioning and anatomical studies, the functions of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) remain unclear. We attempted to clarify the function of the PAG by recording activity of PAG units along with laryngeal and respiratory electromyograms (EMG) during vocalization in awake monkeys. PAG units were classified with respect to vocalization on the basis of their discharge patterns as 'early burst', 'late burst', 'tonic-increase' and 'tonic-off', with the vast majority being of the early- and late-burst type. Early-burst cells were correlated most frequently with inspiratory muscles of the respiratory system and laryngeal abductor muscles. Late-burst cells were most clearly correlated with laryngeal adductor and expiratory respiratory muscles. Data from spike-triggered averaging and parametric correlations indicate that most cells are related to single muscles, but a significant number were related to functionally related groups of two or more muscles. The results suggest that the PAG determines qualitative aspects of vocalization by the multisynaptic action its cells have on laryngeal and respiratory motoneurons.     

The clinical features and prognosis of pseudoseizures diagnosed using video-EEG telemetry

A total of 110 patients underwent diagnostic evaluation for attacks of uncertain origin by means of video-EEG telemetry and had a diagnosis of pseudoseizures confirmed. Eighty-six patients (78%) were female, mean age of onset 25 years, and mean duration of attacks was 3 years. Many of the patients had erroneously been thought to be suffering from epilepsy. The attacks could be divided into two broad categories: attacks of collapse (one-third) and attacks with prominent motor activity (two-thirds). In some patients, the attacks were associated with incontinence and injury. The differential diagnosis and clinical features of the attacks are described. Additional psychiatric features were present in 52 (47%) patients. Follow-up (for a median 5 years; range, 1 to 14 years) showed that 40% of these patients stopped having pseudoseizures. This favorable outcome was associated with being female, leading an independent life, a formal psychological approach to therapy and counseling, and the absence of coexisting epilepsy, but not with the duration of pseudoepilepsy, prior episodes of pseudostatus, the coexistence of overt psychiatric disease, or the clinical features of the attacks.     

Area variation of avoidable causes of death in Auckland, 1977-85

An area analysis is presented of deaths in Auckland that were ostensibly avoidable, by appropriate medical intervention and treatment. Mortality data from the National Health Statistics Centre for the period 1977-85 were used in the analysis. The definition of an avoidable death was based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code using established criteria. Eight percent of deaths of people under 65 years of age met the criteria. The basic spatial entity for the analysis is the census area unit and maps of Auckland are presented to show the distribution of avoidable mortality. It is found that there are significant and consistent spatial variations. Three areas with avoidable mortality that is generally higher than elsewhere are apparent: in south Auckland; to the north-west of the central urban sector centered on Grey Lynn; and in the eastern parts of the central sector from Glenn Innes to Onehunga.     

Unicanalicular stent for nasolacrimal duct obstruction

The authors describe a method for silicone intubation of a single patent canaliculus associated with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Although bicanalicular intubation is always preferable when possible, unicanalicular stenting is necessary when only one canaliculus is patent. A chief advantage of this technique is that the lacrimal stent is inaccessible to the child and thus cannot be accidentally pulled out.     

Pathologic findings after recession and resection of extraocular muscles in rabbits

A study on the pathologic findings after recession and resection of extraocular muscles in rabbits was performed. Fibrosis of the extraocular muscles increased with time, which showed no difference between the recessed and resected muscles. Inflammation and foreign body reaction decreased with time, which showed no difference between the recessed and resected muscles. Adhesions of extraocular muscles to the sclera were observed from one month after the operation. The resected muscles showed milder adhesion to the sclera than the recessed ones. The operated extraocular muscles showed atrophies at one month, which showed no difference between the recessed and resected muscles. According to our results, when reoperation is needed, fibrosis of the extraocular muscles after recession and resection should be considered when making a decision on the amount of muscle to be recessed and resected.     

Synthesis and teratogenic action of n-hydroxythalidomide

N-Hydroxythalidomide (1d), a potential metabolite of thalidomide (1a), was synthesized from N-phthalyglutaminic acid anhydride (1b) and O-tetrahydropyraline hydroxylamine, followed by deprotection. The teratogenicity of 1d was studied using the Hen's-Egg-Test model which had been found applicable for 1a. 1d was more teratogenic to chicken embryos compared to 1a. The percentage of teratogenic malformations in the 1d groups was 28-46%, whereas the percentage in the 1a groups was 20-23%. The oxygen protected precursor N-hydroxythalidomide (1c) was less teratogenic (11-15%).     

Diacylglycerol in the synergy of bradykinin and thrombin stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis

Simultaneous addition of bradykinin and thrombin to 3T3 fibroblasts for 5 min resulted in less than additive stimulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis. However, if cells were stimulated with either agonist alone, then the other added 15 min later, prostaglandin E2 synthesis was synergistically enhanced. In contrast, if either agonist was added, then prostaglandin E2 synthesis in response to the same agonist assessed 15 min later, synthesis was markedly reduced. Bradykinin and thrombin caused increased diacylglycerol accumulation in the cells, and addition of the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59022 dramatically increased the effects of sequential addition of the agonists. These results suggest that diacylglycerol generated in response to activation of one receptor amplifies the effects of activation of other receptors.