Projections between the hypothalamus and the dorsal vagal complex in the cat: An HRP and autoradiographic study

The hypothalamus is known to be intimately involved in the control of autonomic function. This study provides detailed information about pathways between the hypothalamus and the dorsal vagal complex in cat. Injection of horseradish peroxidase into the dorsomedial medulla produced retrograde neuronal labeling in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Injection of 3H-leucine into the paraventricular nucleus produced dense anterograde labeling in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and lighter labeling in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, particularly in its medial subnucleus. The subnucleus gelatinous was virtually free of label, except in its medial and lateral portions. Anterograde labeling was distributed bilaterally, with an ipsilateral predominance. Injection of horseradish peroxidase into the area of the paraventricular nucleus produced retrograde neuronal labeling bilaterally in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the reticular formation ventrolateral to the dorsal vagal complex. anterograde terminal labeling overlapped the distribution of retrogradely labeled neurons. These findings are compared to those in rat, and discussed in relation to their functional implications.     

Determination of erythrocyte protoporphyrin by magnetic circular dichroism

A method for the determination of erythrocyte protoporphyrin by magnetic circular dichroism is reported. The method was sufficiently sensitive to distinguish normal from elevated levels of erythrocyte protoporphyrin and may be useful for diagnostic screening purposes. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels determined by magnetic circular dichroism correlated well with levels determined by the fluorimetric method of Piomelli, viz. a plot of MCD versus fluorimetry yielded a straight line relationship with a slope of 0.98 +/- 0.01, y-intercept of 0.05 +/- 0.35 and correlation coefficient of 0.99.     

The cloning and sequencing of thealcB gene,coding for alcohol dehydrogenase II,inAspergillus nidulans

Alcohol dehydrogenase II (ADH II, structural genealcB) was purified from a strain H1035,biA1; alcE1; alc500 alcD1, which produces 100-times more ADH II activity than thealcAalcR deletion strain (alc500). Antibodies were raised against this ADH, and were used to screen a cDNA library in gt11. We have isolated the gene for an ADH which is over-expressed in H1035, and which we believe to be thealcB gene; cDNA and genomic clones were sequenced. The sequence contains three introns and encodes a protein of 367 amino acids. This protein shows a clear level of identity to a range of alcohol dehydrogenases, but is no more closely related to the ADH I and ADH III previously described inA. nidulans than to the ADHs ofS. pombe andS. cerevisiae. The significance of consensus sequences found in the 5 region of the gene is discussed in relation to the regulation of the gene.     

Glycosphingolipid storage leads to the enhanced degradation of the B cell receptor in Sandhoff disease mice

Glycosphingolipid storage diseases are a group of inherited metabolic diseases in which glycosphingolipids accumulate due to their impaired lysosomal breakdown. Splenic B cells isolated from NPC1, Sandhoff, GM1-gangliosidosis and Fabry disease mouse models showed large (20- to 30-fold) increases in disease specific glycosphingolipids and up to a 4-fold increase in cholesterol. The magnitude of glycosphingolipid storage was in the order NPC1 > Sandhoff ∼ GM1 gangliosidosis > Fabry. Except for Fabry disease, glycosphingolipid storage led to an increase in the lysosomal compartment and altered glycosphingolipid trafficking. In order to investigate the consequences of storage on B cell function, the levels of surface expression of B cell IgM receptor and its associated components were quantitated in Sandhoff B cells, since they are all raft-associated on activation. Both the B cell receptor, CD21 and CD19 had decreased cell surface expression. In contrast, CD40 and MHC II, surface receptors that do not associate with lipid rafts, were unchanged. Using a pulse chase biotinylation procedure, surface B cell receptors on a Sandhoff lymphoblast cell line were found to have a significantly decreased half-life. Increased co-localization of fluorescently conjugated cholera toxin and lysosomes was also observed in Sandhoff B cells. Glycosphingolipid storage leads to the enhanced formation of lysosomal lipid rafts, altered endocytic trafficking and increased degradation of the B cell receptor.     

Chromosomal mapping of an alcC disruption with respect to amdA in Aspergillus nidulans

Summary We report the use of the riboB gene for a gene replacement in the alcC gene of Aspergillus nidulans, and show by reverse genetics that the alcC gene is very closely linked to the amdA gene.     

Does salivary gland scintigraphy predict response to pilocarpine in patients with post-radiotherapy xerostomia?

This study was undertaken to determine whether standard salivary gland scintigraphy may be used for the objective assessment of salivary gland sialogogues, in particular oral pilocarpine, in the treatment of post-radiotherapy xerostomia. Nine patients, with xerostomia following radiotherapy to the head and neck region underwent salivary gland scintigraphy with technetium-99m pertechnetate (40 MBq) both before and following 1 month of oral pilocarpine (5 mg tds). For each scan, the percentage uptake in the first 14 min, the peak uptake, time to peak uptake and the percentage of activity excreted following lemon juice stimulation were calculated. The results were correlated with the subjective response as assessed by questionnaire and visual analogue scale. We found no correlation between subjective response and any of the four scan parameters analysed. We could not identify any parameter that predicted those patients who would respond to pilocarpine. In addition, only one parameter, the percentage of activity excreted following stimulation, correlated with previous dose of radiotherapy to the gland. In conclusion, in this study salivary gland scintigraphy did not appear to correlate with or predict response to oral pilocarpine. However, future studies might consider performing salivary gland scintigraphy prior to radiotherapy as well as at differing time points following the commencement of pilocarpine.     

Heteronymous Ia‐afferent connections in the upper limb following stroke

Synergistic arm movement patterns are common following stroke and may arise through enhanced spinally mediated reflex connections between muscles. Our goal was to investigate the excitability of heteronymous Ia‐afferent pathways in people with chronic stroke. Responses to tendon taps of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle were recorded in FCR, biceps brachii (BB), and middle deltoid (MD) of 13 people with stroke and 13 controls. Heteronymous reflexes were elicited in BB and MD in some, but not all, stroke and control subjects. The prevalence and size of the heteronymous responses were not significantly different between groups. Homonymous reflex responses in FCR were significantly larger in the stroke group. We found that the excitability of heteronymous Ia‐mediated pathways from FCR to BB and MD muscles is not enhanced following stroke, despite exaggerated homonymous reflexes, and they are therefore not likely to contribute to coactivation of forearm and more proximal upper limb muscles. Muscle Nerve, 2010     

Dysregulated expression of Fau and MELK is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer

Introduction  

Programmed cell death through apoptosis plays an essential role in the hormone-regulated physiological turnover of mammary tissue. Failure of this active gene-dependent process is central both to the development of breast cancer and to the appearance of the therapy-resistant cancer cells that produce clinical relapse. Functional expression cloning in two independent laboratories has identified Finkel–Biskis–Reilly murine sarcoma virus-associated ubiquitously expressed gene (Fau) as a novel apoptosis regulator and candidate tumour suppressor. Fau modifies apoptosis-controller Bcl-G, which is also a key target for candidate oncoprotein maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK).     

Quality of life and its correlates in octogenarians. Use of the SEIQoL-DW in Wave 5 of the Aberdeen Birth Cohort 1921 Study (ABC1921)

Background The direct-weighted Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life, Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) is an individualised measure of QoL that has been little used in very elderly people. Methods We administered SEIQoL-DW during Wave 5 of the Aberdeen Birth Cohort 1921 Study (ABC1921) and sought statistical correlations with other variables in the data set. ABC1921 participants had been IQ-tested in 1932 at age 11. Since 1997, data about cognition, mental/physical function, personality, health, and socioeconomic status have been gathered in five waves of investigations. Results Ninety-six out of 98 individuals, mean age 82.2, completed the SEIQoL-DW. Health, family, relationships, finances and social pastimes were the commonest cues nominated, but age/gender differences existed. The mean SEIQoL-DW score (74.0) was significantly lower than in an approximately 60% sample from Wave 3, the fall being greater in men. Variables statistically associated with Wave 5 SEIQoL-DW usually reflected current rather than past status [including Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) components and depression], although there were weaker correlations with years of education, housing in childhood, conscientiousness, and IQ in 1998. Conclusions SEIQoL-DW proved feasible and acceptable in community-dwelling octogenarians. Recent (i.e. statelike) rather than early or long-standing (i.e. traitlike) influences appeared to have the greater effect on QoL.