The autoinhibitory feedback control of acetylcholine release in human neocortex tissue.

Slices of human neocortex prelabelled with [3H]choline were superfused and stimulated electrically (3 Hz, 2 ms, 24 mA) in order to investigate the autoreceptor-mediated modulation of acetylcholine (ACh) release. The concentration-response curve of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine (pKd = 6.76 +/- 0.06), which was equipotent to ACh, was shifted to the right in a parallel manner by atropine (pA2 = 8.56 +/- 0.11), as evaluated by non-linear regression analysis. Calculation of the biophase concentration of ACh showed that no ACh could be assumed to be present under these conditions, whereas following inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase by physostigmine (0.1 microM) a biophase concentration of 10(-6.89 +/- 0.11) M was estimated. The depression of ACh release due to physostigmine and tacrine, another anticholinesterase, was antagonized by atropine. When the autoinhibition was operative atropine and the M2 subtype specific muscarinic antagonists, AF-DX 116 and methoctramine, significantly increased the release of ACh whereas the 'facilitatory' effects of the M1 and M3-specific drugs, pirenzepine and hexahydrosiladifenidol, were not significant. Although different disinhibitory effects of the subtype-specific antagonists were found, they did, however, not show a pattern which would allow a clear characterisation of the subtype of muscarinic receptor associated with the autoreceptor. The release of ACh from neocortex tissue of the (non-demented) neurosurgical patients decreased with their age. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that the normal aging process resembles a delayed and attenuated disease process of senile dementia of Alzheimer's type.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The use of amorphous silicon flat panels as detector in neutron imaging.

A first test for neutron detection with a flat panel device based on the amorphous silicon technology is described in this report. The most important parameters defining the performance for neutron imaging are described. The first findings are encouraging for further improvements.     

Lactone, 16. Mitt.: Synthese von 4,9-Dihydropyrano[3,4-b]indol-1(3H)-onen aus α-Ethoxalyl-δ-valerolacton

Lactones, XVI: Synthesis of 4,9-Dihydropyrano[3,4-b]indol-1(3H)-ones from α-Ethoxalyl-δ-valerolactone Treatment of α-ethoxalyl-δ-valerolactone (1) with diazotized anilines and indolization of the intermediate hydrazones 4 leads to the pyranoindolones 5 . Compared to the recently reported reaction of α-ethoxalyl-γ-butyrolactone with arylhydrazines²⁾, this synthesis is more versatile with regard to variation of substituents at the aromatic ring. Stereochemistry and reactivity of the α-arylhydrazonolactones are discussed.     

Effects of different perfusates on functional parameters of isolated perfused dog kidneys.

BACKGROUND: The isolated perfused canine kidney has been established as a valid model for conducting both renal physiology and transplantation research. This model is of particular importance for developing new strategies to improve graft function after renal transplantation. In the present study, a newly developed method using isolated haemoperfused porcine kidneys was adapted for use in canine kidneys. In contrast to haemoperfusion, synthetic perfusion media can be standardized and can prevent the initiation of blood-mediated reperfusion reactions. Thus, an additional aim was to determine whether blood could be replaced by synthetic cell-free perfusion solutions. METHODS: Canine kidneys (n = 30) were harvested from donors euthanized in veterinary practices for causes unrelated to the present study. The kidneys were isolated and perfused with autologous blood or cell-free synthetic electrolyte buffer (Tyrode solution). During perfusion, we monitored renal perfusate flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), electrolyte and glucose reabsorption, oxygen consumption and urine concentration. RESULTS: Changes in perfusion medium did not affect the RPF. In contrast, GFR, urine concentration and oxygen consumption were significantly higher, whereas fractional excretion of sodium and glucose were significantly lower in blood- than in Tyrode-perfused kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: This system offers a simple model for studying whole-organ functional alterations after acute renal ischaemia. Renal function indicators were below values reported during in vivo physiological conditions. These functions were better conserved when kidneys were perfused with autologous blood than with Tyrode.     

Clinical response to local delivery of tetracycline in relation to overall and local periodontal conditions

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical response to local delivery of tetracycline in relation to clinical and microbiological conditions of the other teeth. 4 deep pockets were monitored in 19 subjects with multiple deep periodontal lesions and high counts of P. gingivalis. In 9 patients (XT) only 2 of the selected lesions were treated by placement of tetracycline fibers (Actisite®). while the rest of the dentition was left untreated. In the other 10 patients, all teeth were supragingivally scaled and then treated by application of polymeric tetracycline HCl containing fibers, the whole dentition was subject to full mouth scaling and root planing, and the patients rinsed with 0.2% chlorhexidine (FT). A significant reduction in mean PPD was observed in all treated sites after two months. This reduction was maintained over the following 4 months. The magnitude of the effect was significantly greater in the FT group (1.74 mm) than in the LT group (0.88 mm). The mean attachment level changes were similar after 2 months in locally and fully treated subjects. A tendency of relapse was noted for treated sites in LT patients from month 2 to 6. A level of statistical significance was not reached for this effect. Data from measurements recorded at 6 sites around all teeth in the full mouth treated patients were analyzed using multiple linear regression. This analysis showed local changes in PPD and AL were significantly and strongly correlated with the baseline value of the respective parameter at the same site. In addition, more pocket depth reduction was noted if a site was not bleeding on probing at 6 months, if the location of a site was not approximal and if the tooth was not a second molar. Sites located on second molars showed also less AL gain than sites located on other teeth. Smokers showed significantly less reduction in PPD and significantly less AL gain. Furthermore, if subjects had a high % of pockets deeper than 4 mm at baseline they showed significantly less attachment gain.     

Einige Befunde zur Sinnesphysiologie der Kaltblüterzecke Amblyomma testudinis

Zusammenfassung Aus eigener Zucht stammende Larven, Nymphen und Imagines von Amblyomma testudinis wurden auf ihre Sinnesleistungen hinsichtlich Phototaxis, Thermotaxis, Geotaxis und Chemotaxis untersucht. Es ergab sich ein entwicklungsabhängiger Wandel im phototaktischen Verhalten von anfangs positiver Phototaxis bei den Larven über indifferente Phototaxis bei vollgesogenen Larven und nüchternen Nymphen zu negativer Phototaxis bei vollgesogenen Nympen sowie - und -Imagines. Sämtliche Entwicklungsstadien mit Ausnahme der -Imagines verhalten sich temperaturindifferent vor dem Kontakt mit einem Wirt; vollgesogene Larven und Nymphen dagegen bevorzugen niedrige Temperaturen. Nymphen und Imagines, die noch nicht gesogen haben, reagieren negativ geotaktisch. Sie erklettern vermutlich in der Natur die Spitzen von Pflanzen und Steinen, um dort das Vorbeikriechen eines Wirtes abzuwarten. Imagines von Amblyomma testudinis reagieren mit einer positiven Chemotaxis auf Schlangen stärker als auf Kröten. Auch Substrat aus Schlangenbehältern enthält mindestens für 30 Std nach der Entfernung der Schlangen chemotaktisch wirksame Stoffe.

---

Contributions to sensory physiology of the tick Amblyomma testudinis

Summary Phototaxis, thermotaxis, geotaxis and chemotaxis of larvae, nymphs and adults of Amblyomma testudinis from own breedings were studied. The phototactic behaviour changed according to the different stages of development: unfed larvae were positively phototactic, fed larvae and unfed nymphs were indifferent, fed nymphs but also the adults showed a negative phototaxis.—All stages of development besides the females reacted without any preference for a distinct temperature, whereas larvae and nymphs after feeding prefered lower temperatures.—Unfed nymphs and adults were negatively geotactic which corresponds to their natural behaviour of climbing plants for catching hosts.—Adults of Amblyomma testudinis showed a higher rate of chemotaxis for snakes than for toads; substrate from snake cages containes chemotaxis inducing substances for more than 30 hours after elimination of the snakes.

     

Gastrointestinal zygomycosis caused by Mucor indicus in a patient with acute traumatic brain injury.

We report a gastrointestinal infection caused by Mucor indicus in a patient with severe head injuries. Monotherapy with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B successfully eradicated the mucormycosis. Nevertheless, subsequently a hemicolectomy was necessary due to recurrent bleeding from a deep ulcer. Mucor indicus is an uncommon fungal pathogen, typically found in starters used for food fermentation. Reviewing other reports on Mucor indicus infections, primary gastrointestinal manifestations seem to be typical and indicate an oral route of infection.     

Increased in vivo frequency of IA-2 peptide-reactive IFNgamma+/IL-4- T cells in type 1 diabetic subjects

Active T cell recognition of islet antigens has been postulated as the pathogenic mechanism in human type 1 diabetes, but evidence is scarce. If T cells are engaged, they are expected to display increased clonal size and exhibit a T helper (Th)1/Th2 differentiation state. We used a peptide library that covers tyrosine phosphatase IA-2, a target antigen expressed in pancreatic beta cells, to probe 8 diabetic patients and 5 HLA-matched controls. When tested in a high resolution IFNgamma/IL-4 double color ELISPOT assay directly ex vivo, the number of IA-2-reactive IFNgamma producing cells was 17-fold higher in patients than in controls and IL-4 producing cells were not present. An average of 9 peptides was recognized in the patients vs. one in the controls. Determinant recognition primarily involved CD4+ cells and showed high variability among the patients. Furthermore, anti-CD28 antibody signal enhances quantitative assessment of effector T cells in T1D patients. In vitro expansion with peptides and IL-2 results in detection of responding cells in the controls and loss of disease specificity of the T cell response. Together these data provide strong evidence for the active targeting of IA-2 by Th1 memory effector cells in human type 1 diabetes.     

Protein and enzyme electrophoresis profiles of selected Candida species.

The cellular protein profiles and malate dehydrogenases, superoxide dismutases, alkaline phosphatases, and esterases from whole cell extracts of Candida spp. were studied with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We investigated isolates that differed in their ability to assimilate sucrose as the sole carbon source. The protein and enzyme patterns of Candida tropicalis and its sucrose-negative variant "Candida paratropicalis Baker, Salkin, Pincus et D'Amato" were indistinguishable. Although the cellular protein and superoxide dismutase patterns of Candida albicans and its sucrose-negative variant "Candida stellatoidea" were quite similar, differences were noted in the profiles of the other enzymes studied. In addition, the C. stellatoidea isolates were found to be separable, on the basis of their enzyme profiles, into the same two types that have been reported by Kwon-Chung et al. (K.J. Kwon-Chung, B.L. Wickes, and W.G. Merz, Infect. Immun. 56:1814-1819, 1988).