Tetrahydroaminoacridine improves passive avoidance retention defects induced by aging and medial septal lesion but not by fimbria-fornix lesion.

The present study examines whether tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) can improve the deterioration in passive avoidance (PA) retention performance induced by medial septal (MS) and fimbria-fornix (FF) lesions in young rats or by aging. Retention of young MS-lesioned rats was improved by pretraining injection of THA at 3 mg/kg, but not by THA at 1 mg/kg or by either of the posttraining doses of THA (1 and 3 mg/kg). Pretraining injections of THA at 1 or 3 mg/kg had no effect on the PA retention performance of FF-lesioned rats. Age-induced PA failure was alleviated by pretraining administration of THA at 1 and 3 mg/kg. Posttraining injections of THA (1 or 3 mg/kg) had no effect on PA retention performance of aged rats. These results demonstrate that 1) THA may improve hippocampal cholinergic denervation-induced functional deficits and 2) some of the age-related PA deficits may be due to a cholinergic deficit and can be reversed with THA.     

Curriculum for musculoskeletal radiology.

Although general suggestions have been made regarding a radiology residency curriculum, no specific list of entities has been offered. Over the past ten years, we have developed a resident-run morning conference in musculoskeletal radiology that is supervised by faculty and covers a specific curriculum. We offer our curriculum as an example that may assist other departments in developing their own curricula.     

Does chronic prenatal methadone exposure affect beta-receptor subtypes in placental, fetal and maternal brain homogenates?

Computer competition analysis of 3H-DHA (3H-dihydroalprenolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic radioligand) binding in the presence of unlabeled metoprolol (a beta 1-selective antagonist) indicates the existence of both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes in the rat placenta and confirms previous reports that both beta-adrenoceptors are present in adult rat cortex. In the fetal brain (20th day of gestation), however, only beta 1-receptors were detected. Pregnant rats were chronically exposed to methadone from day 7 to day 20 of gestation via implanted osmotic minipumps (6.3-9.0 mg/kg/day). This treatment schedule did not induce a change in the affinity and density of either beta-receptor subtype in the placental, fetal and maternal brain homogenates. The results are discussed in terms of the reported monoaminergic and opiate receptor functional interactions.     

Lumbar subarachnoid catheterization in rats

An animal model was developed for the study of subarachnoid (spinal) anesthesia and analgesia under unanesthetized, unsedated and unrestrained conditions. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine (75-100 mg.kg-1). A PE10 catheter was inserted under direct vision into the lumbar subarachnoid space, through partial laminectomy of L1 or L2 with or without removal of adjacent intervertebral ligament. One week after surgery, correct position of the catheter was verified by subarachnoid injection of 0.03-0.05 ml of 1.5% lidocaine, which produced temporary hind limb paralysis in all but one animal in 28 consecutive operations. There was neither mortality nor major complication, intraoperatively or postoperatively. Only 2 animals developed minor subcutaneous would infections which responded to incision, drainage and debridement.     

Therapy of human cervical carcinoma with monoclonal antibody-Pseudomonas exotoxin conjugates.

Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) linked to the F(ab')2 fragment of 1H10, a murine monoclonal antibody recognizing a carbohydrate epitope of a glycoconjugate expressed on the surface of human cervical carcinoma tumor cells, was evaluated for in vitro and in vivo activity. PE can kill cells by ADP-ribosylating elongation factor 2 thus inhibiting protein synthesis. Disulfide- as well as thioether-linked immunotoxins (1H10-PE) killed cervical carcinoma cells in vitro and were 20-160 times more inhibitory to target than to control cells. Cell killing was antibody mediated as demonstrated by the reduction of 1H10-PE growth inhibition to target CaSki cells by free 1H10 F(ab')2. In addition, a control antibody immunotoxin was nontoxic to CaSki cells. Thioether-linked 1H10-PE administered either i.v. or i.p. suppressed the growth of established solid s.c. cervical carcinoma tumors xenografted in nude mice for over 30 days. Treatment with antibody alone or a control immunotoxin had no significant effect on tumor growth. Administration of immunotoxin i.p. was associated with less toxicity than administration i.v., but i.v. injections were more effective at suppressing the growth of established solid tumors.     

等电聚焦电泳分析红细胞Gd(-)壮族富宁型〔Gd(-)Zhuang-Funing〕

本文采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶等电聚焦电泳(IEF),借助园盘电泳仪的简易装置,对正常 B 型G6PD 及变异型 G6PD 进行分析,获得了满意效果。     

Observation of the processes of phagocytosis and digestion of Staphylococcus aureus by Trichomonas vaginalis using a transmission electron microscope

Trichomonas vaginalis was incubated with bacteria for 30 min. After centrifugation of Staphylococcus aureus, incubation of T. vaginalis was continued for 40 min., 120 min. and 6 hrs. It was found that bacteria have been intensively phagocytated through whole surface of protozoan. Phagosome with bacteria at different stages of degradation, up to defecation of undigested residues were observed. It was observed that some bacteria, apparently not susceptible to digestion, were immersed directly in cytoplasm (outside vacuoles).     

The antecedents and benefits of achieving abstinence in opioid addicts: a 2.5-year follow-up study

This report examines long-term and short-term benefits of achieving abstinence from opioids in a sample of opioid addicts who were reevaluated 2.5 years following seeking treatment. Extensive assessment of drug use history and drug-associated problems had been obtained when the subjects applied for treatment. At follow-up evaluations, detailed information was obtained on intervening course of drug use, treatment, legal problems, psychological problems, social functioning, occupational functioning, and medical status. The results were as follows: (1) Achieving abstinence from illicit opioids was associated with concurrent improvement in other aspects of functioning including reduction of criminal activity, improved medical status, improved social functioning, and reduced abuse of other psychoactive substances. However, many of these improvements were reversed immediately if relapse to opioid use occurred. (2) Achieving abstinence was associated with being in drug treatment, especially treatment in a methadone maintenance program. (3) Achievement of abstinence was not successfully predicted by client characteristics measured at entrance into treatment. (4) Long-range benefits of abstinence were detectable in social functioning even for those who had relapsed at the time of follow-up reevaluation.