Postprandial induction of chaperone gene expression is rapid in mice.

Molecular chaperones assist in the biosynthesis and processing of proteins. Most chaperones are induced by physiological stresses. We have shown that dietary energy restriction decreases the mRNA and protein levels of many endoplasmic reticulum chaperones in the livers of mice. Here, we have investigated the response of chaperone mRNA to feeding. Control and 50% energy-restricted C3B10RF1 mice were deprived of food for 24 h, fed, and killed 0, 1.5, 5 or 12 h after feeding. Chaperone mRNAs were strongly induced as early as 1.5 h after feeding in control and energy-restricted mice. The integrated levels of these mRNA over 24 h were significantly lower in energy-restricted mice. The mRNA response to energy intake was mirrored over the course of days in the level of chaperone protein. A similar but smaller response to feeding was found in kidney and muscle. Puromycin and cycloheximide failed to inhibit the feeding response, suggesting that feeding releases chaperone expression from an unstable inhibitor. Studies with dibutyryl-cAMP- and glucagon-supplemented, normal and streptozotocin-diabetic mice suggest that glucagon and insulin may be mediators of the feeding response. Adrenalectomy enhanced the feeding induction, but dexamethasone administration had no effect. Thus, postprandial changes in insulin and glucagon may link chaperone gene expression to feeding, possibly in several tissues including liver.     

Mechanisms of epileptogenicity in focal malformations caused by abnormal cortical development.

In this article, the authors review the cellular mechanisms of epileptogenicity in malformations caused by abnormalities of cortical development as related to neuronal excitation, reduced inhibition, disorganized synaptic connections, and glial function (or dysfunction).     

78. Die Verwendung automatischer Nahtger?te in der Lungenchirurgie

Zusammenfassung Anhand von 678 bis Ende 1979 operierten Patienten mit Lungenerkrankungen wird die technische Anwendung automatischer Nahtgeräte demonstriert. Sie eignen sich zum Bronehusverschluß, für Keilexcisionen sowie zum Verschluß von Lungenvenen. Technische Modalitäten sind zu beachten. Der Vorteil liegt bei sachgemäßem Vorgehen in der Sicherheit der Anwendung, der Effektivität und in der kürzeren Operationszeit. Die Insuffizienzquote beträgt einschl. der Anfangszeit 4,4% in der Spätphase 3,2%. Komplikationen bei Keilexcisionen treten ebensowenig auf wie beim Verschluß der Lungenvenen.     

Acute leukaemia in a defined geographic area – Incidence,clinical history and prognosis

A consecutive series of patients (1978–1981) comprising all patients with acute leukaemia from a population of 475000 inhabitants was reviewed. Thus, 94 patients were diagnosed as having acute leukaemia. No patients were lost from follow-up. The incidence figures of ALL and AML differed significantly from those of Sweden as a whole. 9 patients were < 15 years old. The median age of adult patients was 64 years, 60.8% being ≥ 60 years old. Of adult patients with AML, 20% had a preleukaemic history (chronic myeloproliferative disorders, myelodysplastic syndromes and others). None of 6 patients with leukaemia as a metamorphosis of a chronic myeloproliferative disorder achieved a complete remission. The overall remission rate of the remaining adult patients was 25%. Treated patients, 15–39 years old, with AML without any preleukaemic history, had a complete remission rate of 80% compared to 12% for patients ≥ 60 years old with the same diagnosis. Of 60 patients with ‘primary’ AML, 14 were not treated, mainly because of advanced age and complicating diseases. Most of these patients died within a week of admission.     

The characterization and localization of the glutamate receptor subunit GluR1 in the rat brain.

The cloning of cDNAs that encode functional glutamate receptors makes it possible to produce antibodies that can be used as high-affinity probes for the localization and characterization of these receptors in the mammalian brain. We have made antibodies to different regions of the first cloned member of this family, GluR1, using bacterially overproduced antigen. On Western blots, these antisera detect glycoprotein(s) of 105 kDa present in crude membranes of the hippocampus and cerebellum. The 105-kDa band is associated with postsynaptic densities, and it is observed in cultured cells upon transfection with the GluR1 cDNA. Although glutamate receptors are thought to be the most prevalent excitatory ligand-gated ion channel in the mammalian brain, immunohistochemistry reveals that the receptors recognized by these antisera are localized predominantly in neurons of the cerebellum and some structures of the limbic system, including the hippocampus, the central nucleus of the amygdala, and portions of the septum. This pattern of expression is, in general, consistent with the distribution of GluR1 mRNA as determined by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Our results suggest that glutamate excitatory circuits recognized by these antisera are predominantly found in regions of the limbic system that are reciprocally interconnected.     

A nationwide survey on transient hyperammonemia in newborn infants in Japan: prognosis of life and neurological outcome.

A nationwide survey of transient hyperammonemia in newborns was carried out in Japan. A total of 18 patients, consisting of 12 male and 6 female infants, were reported from 11 facilities. These neonates exhibited hyperammonemia with plasma ammonia levels in the range from 124 to 6256 micrograms/dl. Four newborn infants of the 18 died in the neonatal period, and an additional one died in the early infancy. Among the 13 infants who were alive at the time of this survey, 6 had neurological sequelae, including mental retardation, spastic quadriplegia and epilepsy. The multivariate analysis revealed that the Apgar score at 1 minute, peak plasma ammonia concentration, birth weight and sex were significant factors affecting the prognosis of life.