Relationship between transmitter release and presynaptic calcium influx when calcium enters through discrete channels.

We have used a three-dimensional diffusion model of calcium entering the presynaptic nerve terminal through discrete channels to simulate experiments relating transmitter release to presynaptic calcium current. The relationship will be less than linear, or will curve downward, if calcium channels are well separated. It will resemble a power-law function with exponent less than the cooperativity of calcium action if channels are clustered closer together. Large presynaptic depolarizations elicit more release than small depolarizations admitting the same calcium influx. This occurs because large pulses open more channels near each other, with the result that the calcium concentration near release sites is greater, due to overlap of calcium diffusing from adjacent channels.     

Inhibin and renin in follicular fluids of patients with one or two ovaries stimulated with a GnRH agonist and gonadotrophins

Follicular fluids from eight patients with one ovary and from ten patients with two ovaries were investigated for bioactive inhibin, total renin, oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations. Four follicular fluids were pooled per patient before assessment. All women had been stimulated similarly using a protocol including a GnRH agonist, HMG and HCG. Renin levels were significantly lower and P4 significantly higher in pools of follicular fluid from patients with one ovary, whereas inhibin and E2 concentrations were similar in both patient groups. A significant negative correlation was found in the pools of follicular fluid between inhibin and E2 in both groups. These results suggest a role for inhibin and renin in the paracrine and autocrine control of stimulated follicular development.     

Potential roles of protease inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease

Recently, protease inhibitors have been recognized as potential contributors to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In this role, they could mediate an exaggerated regenerative response in the brain, participate as acute phase reactants, or be involved in the aberrant proteolytic processing of the amyloid proteins. Protease inhibitors are, therefore, attractive targets for drug intervention in Alzheimer's disease.     

Cytoskeletal rearrangement by oxidative stress

The cytoskeleton is susceptible to oxidative stress and this occurs prior to membrane blebbing and cell lysis. Vimentin intermediary filaments in rheumatoid synoviocytes are more susceptible than in normal synoviocytes and this may have pathological significance. They are however no more susceptible to heat shock than other cell types.     

Electrophysiologic evaluation of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. A single fiber and quantitative EMG study

A 16-year-old boy, the only affected member of the family, noticed early onset contracture of the elbows, and developed slowly progressive humeroperoneal weakness and atrophy, and bilateral equinus. The severe restriction of the forward flexion of the neck and thoracolumbar spine, resembled a rigid spine syndrome. An electrocardiogram showed atrioventricular conduction abnormalities. Muscle biopsy was consistent with mild myopathy. The overall conventional findings of a detailed electromyographic study in the limbs and erector trunci muscles, as well as the results of conduction velocity, automatic analysis of the voluntary pattern and single fiber electromyography studies were consistent with myopathy, although some atypical findings were found. The controversy about neurogenic and myopathic features in Emery-Dreifuss disease is discussed. The unspecific value of the flexion limitation of the spine, and the uncertain nosological position of the rigid spine syndrome are also commented.     

Dynorphin-containing pilomotor neurons in the superior cervical ganglion of guinea pigs

Retrograde axonal tracing and double-labelling immunofluorescence have been combined to determine the neuropeptide content of identified pilomotor neurons in the superior cervical ganglion of guinea pigs. These neurons lacked immunoreactivity to neuropeptide Y (NPY) but they generally contained low levels of immunoreactivity to prodynorphin-derived peptides, including dynorphin A(1-8), dynorphin A(1-17), and alpha-neo-endorphin. Thus pilomotor neurons are neurochemically distinct from superior cervical ganglion cells which contain immunoreactivity to NPY and prodynorphin-derived peptides and which innervate the iris and most of the vasculature in the head of guinea pigs. They are also distinct from sympathetic secretomotor neurons which lack both NPY and prodynorphin-derived peptides.