Aluminum intoxication: a disorder of neurofilament transport in motor neurons

In the rabbit, intrathecal administration of aluminum salts (AlCl₃) induces accumulation of neurofilaments in nerve cells of the central nervous system. In motor neurons, the spatial pattern of neurofilamentous accumulation following aluminum intoxication suggests a defect in the axonal transport of neurofilament proteins. To test this hypothesis, we examined the distribution of radioactive cytoskeletal proteins in sciatic nerves of intoxicated and control animals. In the nerves of aluminum-injected animals, there was a 40% reduction in the relative amount of radioactive neurofilament proteins compared to tubulin. These results suggest that an abnormality in neurofilament transport may be important in the pathogenesis of the neurofibrillary pathology induced by aluminum intoxication.     

Role of the oncology nurse when the patient with cancer is transferred to the critical care unit

Patients with cancer can become critically ill from treatment-related complications or from progressive disease. The oncology nurse can positively influence the care of the patient and family during and after transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) by maintaining a strong advocacy role. Patient and family education can prevent or alleviate many of the psychological discomforts precipitated by critical illness. Open communication between the oncology and critical care staff can ease discussion about ethical issues.     

Analysis of jaw opening reflexes

A bstract — Electromyograms were compared with kinematograms recorded for 35 male dental students, average age 25 years, with full occlusions and without temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The records were obtained during the open-close-clench cycle rhythmically performed as the patient occluded on the molar teeth. The mechanical tracings disclosed seven subjects with centric slide and the duration of the cycle was significantly longer than normal. The kinematographic latency of the jaw opening reflex was found to be about equal to the sum of the electromyographic latency and inhibition.     

Acute toxicity of ammonia-base neutral sulfite pulp mill waste liquor to rainbow trout

Summary The acute toxicity to rainbow trout of untreated ammonia-base neutral sulfite pulp mill waste liquor was demonstrated in these experimants. A mean LC50 of 0.82% and 95% confidence interval of 0.08 – 1.56% was obtained in four static bioassays. Lignin, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia were implicated as toxic components. The latter two were probably the most toxic.     

A calcium requirement for the phosphatidylinositol response following activation of presynaptic muscarinic receptors.

The labelling in vitro by [³²P]phosphate of phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol in synaptosomes from guinea-pig brain was studied. Acetylcholine increased the labelling and evidence is provided that pre-synaptic muscarinic receptors are involved. The increase was not seen in the presence of EGTA. Experiments with various calcium buffers indicated that concentrations of greater than 10^?7 M free Ca²⁺ are required in the incubation medium for this phospholipid effect. A similar muscarinic effect in parotid gland is unaffected by EGTA. It is suggested that, in the parotid, postsynaptic receptors mediate increased phosphatidylinositol labelling and increased availability of Ca²⁺ for stimulus-secretion coupling. Presynaptic receptors similarly mediate increased labelling, which differs in being sensitive to EGTA and associated with decreased availability of Ca²⁺.