Activation kinetics of Glutamate receptor channels from wild-type Drosophila muscle

Outside-out patches from wild-type Drosophila larval muscle were exposed briefly to L-Glutamate (Glu) using a piezo-driven application system. Glu in concentrations of 0.1 to 30 mM was applied and the responses to repeated applications of a given concentration were averaged. The peak current, î, and the current rise time, t_r, from 0.1 î to 0.9 î were determined from the averages. Half-maximum activation of the channels was reached with ≈ 2 mM Glu. î increased proportional to the power n = 3.5 to n = 5.8 (average of four experiments, n = 4.4) for Glu concentrations between 0.3 and 0.5 mM. t_r increased from ≈ 0.2 ms at 10 mM Glu to a value of ≈ 3.5 ms at 0.2 mM Glu. A linear reaction scheme with five binding steps preceding the channel-opening conformational change is proposed as the kinetic mechanism of channel activation and investigated in computer simulations. A set of rate constants assuming the same affinity for each binding site is found to describe the data better than one assuming positive cooperativity. The results are very similar to those for Glu-gated channels of crayfish and locust muscle, which is evidence for a common kinetic mechanism of these channels.     

Inhibition of the bacteriolytic effect of beta-lactam-antibiotics on Staphylococcus aureus by the polyanionic drugs suramin and Evans Blue

The anionic polyelectrolytes suramin and Evans Blue inhibited different autolytic systems involved in wall growth and wall turnover of growing staphylococci and in wall autolysis of resting bacteria. Moreover, both substances lowered the beta-lactam-induced pre-lytic release of cytoplasmic constituents from staphylococci, and inhibited the beta-lactam-induced bacteriolysis as well as the loss of viability. The protective effects of these sulfonated drugs against bacteriolysis were also monitored by electron microscopy. Some medical implications of our results are discussed.     

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA): New perspectives in angiography

Summary Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has strongly influenced angiographic procedures. Because it is less invasive it has increased the total number of angiographies in all places where it was introduced. The paper gives an introduction to the procedure explaining the roles of digital and subtraction in DSA. It is written from a technical point of view. The examples are taken from and with the DVI system.     

Aktion ?Gesunde Ern?hrung? im Kanton St.Gallen

Zusammenfassung Die Aktion «Gesunde Ernährung» in der Gemeinde-wurde vom Gesundheitsdepartement des Kanton St. Gallen unter der Leitung des kantonalen Präventivmediziners gemeinsam mit den interessierten Gemeinden geplant, koordiniert und durchgeführt.Im Zentrum der Aktion standen gemeindeeigene, individuell gestaltete Aktivitäten von Vereinen, Schulen und des lokalen Gewerbes. Das Gesundheitsdepartement ergänzte die Aktion mit einer Wanderausstellung über Ernährungsfragen, begleitet von einer Ernährungsberaterin. Der Aufbau der Ausstellung erfolgte nach den 10 goldenen Regeln der gesunden Ernährung.Diese Aktion stellt ein konkretes Beispiel der Arbeitsteilung zwischen Kanton und Gemeinde in der Gesundheitsvorsorge dar. Das Beispiel dieser einmaligen Aktion soll Behörden, Vereinen und Einzelpersonen Wege und Methoden aufzeigen, Anliegen der Gesundheitsvorsorge auf längerfristiger Basis in der Gemeinde zu planen.

---

Healthy Nutrition an experience of health promotion in the county of St. Gall

Summary The drive Healthy Nutrition in communities was planned, co-ordinated und carried out as a joint action by the Health Department of the County of St. Gall, and 37 communities interested in the idea. The drive centred around the activities of the community itself, individuals, clubs, schools and local industry.The County Health Department supplemented the activity with a travelling exhibition about nutrition problems, attended by an advisor to answer questions. The build-up of the exhibition followed the 10 Golden Rules of sound nutrition.This drive was an excellent example of how health-promotion programms can be shared by county und community.This unique action should set an example to other authorities, clubs, and individuals, and show the ways and means needed to provide long-term planning for health promotion in the community.

---

«Alimentation saine»: le programme du canton de St-Gall

Résumé Un programme «Alimentation saine» a été planifié, coordonné et réalisé en étroite collaboration entre le Service cantonal de médecine préventive et les communes intéressées.Les activités développées par les sociétés locales, les écoles et les commerÇants ont été les éléments essentiels du programme. Le canton a, quant à lui, engagé une diététicienne et mis un bus à disposition ce qui a permis d'organiser une exposition itinérante conÇue selon les 10 règles d'or de l'alimentation saine.Ce programme est une expérience de collaboration entre le canton et les communes pour la promotion de la santé. Il devrait servir d'exemple aux autorités, sociétés locales et individus qui désirent répondre au défi de la promotion de la santé.