Release of cortical catecholamines by visual stimulation requires activity in thalamocortical afferents of monkey and cat

Catecholamine (CA) release was measured in vivo in the monkey and cat visual cortices electrochemically. Stereate-modified, graphite-paste electrodes were used to monitor changes in norepinephrine and dopamine release. Micromolar changes in CA concentration were obtained by stimulation of the eye with nonspecific (strobe) or specific (oriented bars, radial gratings) stimuli. CA release depended on which eye was illuminated. Electrodes passed tangentially through the striate area recorded release following visual stimulation of one eye or the other in succession, and the shift in eye dominance occurred at about 500 microns intervals. The magnitude of CA release was highly correlated with the ocular dominance of neuronal activity measured with tungsten microelectrodes. Light-stimulated release was not recorded in monkey area V2, V4, or somatosensory area 1, but was recorded in cat V2, suggesting that the presence of LGN afferents is associated with CA release. Results are discussed in terms of the role of geniculate activity and the specific role of CAs in cortical information processing.     

Somatosensory nuclei in the brainstem of the rat: independent projections to the thalamus and cerebellum

The dorsal column nuclei and the sensory trigeminal nuclei project not only to the ventrobasal thalamus but also to the cerebellum. In this study the numbers and distribution of neurones projecting to these two regions were examined for the following nuclei: the rostral part of the main cuneate nucleus, the external cuneate nucleus, nucleus x, the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, and the oral, interpolar, and caudal subnuclei of the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. A thalamic projection from nucleus x and from the external cuneate nucleus was confirmed, and a distinct group of neurones projecting to the ventroposteromedial thalamus was distinguished near the ventromedial aspect of the principal sensory nucleus. Of the 165,000 neurones examined, only one was found to be double labelled. It was concluded that the populations of neurones that project to the ventrobasal thalamus and to the cerebellum are separate, and that somatosensory neurones in the brainstem do not send axon collaterals to both regions.     

Basic protein enhances the incorporation of DNA into lipid vesicles: model for the formation of primordial cells.

DNA can be encapsulated into lipid vesicles formed by sonication. The presence of a basic protein, lysozyme, enhances the incorporation 100-fold above the level expected by random trapping. This is demonstrated by the ability of the lipid vesicles to protect DNA from digestion with DNase. Such an enhancement of nuclei acid incorporation into vesicles by basic polypeptides and the sharply increased concentration of these macromolecules in the internal volume may have been advantageous in prebiotic evolution.     

Failure of ivalon to provide permanent hepatic arterial occlusion

Ivalon (polyvinyl alcohol) is a commonly used embolic agent, generally considered to be permanent. In a patient with the carcinoid syndrome, embolization of hepatic metastases with Ivalon failed to produce permanent occlusion, and recurrent tumor was supplied by many of the same small arteries identified on the original arteriogram. Occasionally, Ivalon may have only a temporary occlusive effect. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is proposed.     

Predicting failure in polytetrafluoroethylene vascular access grafts for hemodialysis: a pilot study

In order to determine if serial, noninvasive evaluation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular access grafts could identify a subgroup of patients at risk for thrombosis, the authors studied flow characteristics, using duplex ultrasonic scanning, in 18 hemodialysis patients with forearm loop grafts. On average, five examinations were performed per patient over the 10-month study period. Seven episodes of thrombosis occurred in six patients. The mean Doppler flow in grafts that subsequently thrombosed was significantly lower than in those that did not (544 +/- 218 ml/min versus 843 +/- 391 ml/min, p less than 0.001). The interval from last examination to thrombosis ranged from 13 to 58 days. At a defined cut-off flow of 450 ml/min, this test yielded a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 75% for episodes of thrombosis occurring within 2 to 6 weeks. The authors conclude that episodes of thrombosis in PTFE arm loop grafts are usually preceded by significantly lower Doppler-measured flow than grafts that do not thrombose and that it may be possible, by this means, to identify grafts at risk.