Direct evidence for the link between monoaminergic descending pathways and motor activity:: II. A study with microdialysis probes implanted in the ventral horn of the spinal cord

In order to define precisely the relation between descending monoaminergic systems and the motor system, we measured in the ventral horn of spinal cord of adult rats the variations of extracellular concentrations of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, DA and MHPG. Measurements were performed during rest, endurance running on a treadmill, and a post-exercise period, with microdialysis probes implanted permanently for 45 days. We found a slight decrease in both 5-HT and 5-HIAA during locomotion with a more marked decrease during the post-exercise period compared to the mean of rest values. In contrast, the concentration of DA and MHPG increased slightly during the exercise and decreased thereafter. These results, when compared with those of a previous study, which measured monoamines in the spinal cord white matter [C. Gerin, D. Bécquet, A. Privat, Direct evidence for the link between monoaminergic descending pathways and motor activity: I. A study with microdialysis probes implanted in the ventral funiculus of the spinal cord, Brain Res. 704 (1995) 191–201], highlight the complex regulation of the release of monoamines that occurs in the ventral horn.     

Microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by Adriamycin,epirubicin, daunorubicin and mitoxantrone: a comparative study

Summary Rat-liver microsomes and NADPH could reduce Adriamycin, epirubicin and daunorubicin to their free radical forms, which enhanced peroxidation of microsomal lipids less than 2-fold in air but 3- to 5-fold at a pO₂ of 4 mm Hg. Mitoxantrone was not reduced by microsomes and had no effect on microsomal peroxidation. Daunorubicin caused more lipid peroxidation than similar concentrations of either Adriamycin or epirubicin, which were equally efficient. In each case peroxidation was iron-dependent and could be catalysed by ferritin. The antioxidants -carotene and -tocopherol inhibited lipid peroxidation at low or high pO₂. The dose-for-dose difference in the cardiotoxicity of epirubicin compared with Adriamycin is not explained by its effect on microsomal lipid peroxidation. However, the lower incidence of cardiotoxicity with mitoxantrone may be a consequence of its inability to form free radical species and promote lipid peroxidation.     

Localization of SNARE proteins and secretory organelle proteins in astrocytes in vitro and in situ

Astrocytes are capable of regulated release of messenger molecules. Astrocytes cultured from new born rodent brain express a variety of classical presynaptic proteins. We investigated the question whether the capability to express synaptic proteins in culture was a feature only of immature astrocytes, and whether these proteins were also expressed by astrocytes in situ. Experiments were performed with transgenic mice expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the human glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter. Using double fluorescence and astrocytes cultured from 1 to 16 day-old animals we show that the astrocytic expression of synaptic proteins in culture is invariant of the age of donor animals. Culturing can induce the astrocytic expression of specific synaptic proteins such as SV2, synaptophysin and SNAP-25. Astrocytes in brain sections of 1-16 day-old animals revealed a punctuate immunofluorescence for secretory carrier membrane protein (SCAMP), SNAP-23, synaptobrevin II, and cellubrevin, to a minor extent for SNAP-25 and synaptophysin, and none for SV2. Our results demonstrate that cultured astrocytes express synaptic proteins not present in situ. Nevertheless, astrocytic organelles in situ are equipped with molecules that could be involved in regulated exocytosis of messenger substances.     

Subsynaptosomal distribution of calcium during aging and 3,4-diaminopyridine treatment

Since previous studies showed that calcium uptake by synaptosomes from rodents declines with aging [30], the subsynaptosomal distribution of calcium was determined with the disruption method of Scott et al. [37]. Calcium uptake by the mitochondrial (digitonin-resistant) and non-mitochondrial (digitonin-labile) compartments, as well as total uptake, were determined at 2, 5 and 10 min. After a 10 min incubation under resting conditions (5 mM-KCl), total calcium uptake decreased at 10 months (−14.6%) and 30 months (−33.0%) of age; mitochondrial calcium uptake increased by 10 months (+11.2%) but declined by 30 months (−17.5%); the nonmitochondrial calcium compartment declined at 10 (−34.7%) and 30 (−43.4%) months when compared to the 3 month old control. With potassium depolarization (31 mM-KCl), total calcium uptake declined from 100% (3 months) to 73.8% (10 months) or 53.0% (30 months); mitochondrial calcium uptake declined from 100% (3 months) to 85.6% (10 months) or 68.4% (30 months); non-mitochondrial calcium uptake decreased at 10 (−34.3%) and 30 (−57.7%) months of age when compared to 3 months (100%). The deficits in calcium homeostasis are not due to changes in synaptosomal volumes or to diminished membrane potentials, as assessed by tetraphenylphosphonium ion accumulation. 3,4-Diaminopyridine partially reversed the alterations in total, mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial calcium uptake by synaptosomes from aged mice.     

Glucose determination in human aqueous humor with Raman spectroscopy

It has been suggested that spectroscopic analysis of the aqueous humor of the eye could be used to indirectly predict blood glucose levels in diabetics noninvasively. We have been investigating this potential using Raman spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares (PLS) analysis. We have determined that glucose at clinically relevant concentrations can be accurately predicted in human aqueous humor in vitro using a PLS model based on artificial aqueous humor. We have further determined that with proper instrument design, the light energy necessary to achieve clinically acceptable prediction of glucose does not damage the retinas of rabbits and can be delivered at powers below internationally acceptable safety limits. Herein we summarize our current results and address our strategies to improve instrument design.     

Superinfecting mycobacteria home to established tuberculous granulomas

A central paradox of tuberculosis immunity is that reinfection and bacterial persistence occur despite vigorous host immune responses concentrated in granulomas, which are organized structures that form in response to infection. Prevailing models attribute reinfection and persistence to bacterial avoidance of host immunity via establishment of infection outside primary granulomas. Alternatively, persistence is attributed to a gradual bacterial adaptation to evolving host immune responses. We show here that superinfecting Mycobacterium marinum traffic rapidly into preexisting granulomas, including their caseous (necrotic) centers, through specific mycobacterium-directed and host cell-mediated processes, yet adapt quickly to persist long term therein. These findings demonstrate a failure of established granulomas, concentrated foci of activated macrophages and antigen-specific immune effector cells, to eradicate newly deposited mycobacteria not previously exposed to host responses.     

Predictive factors of virologic success in HIV-1-infected children treated with lopinavir/ritonavir

Predictive factors of the virologic success of the use of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in HIV-infected children are unknown, especially in children who have been pretreated with protease inhibitors (PIs). This longitudinal, single-center, observational study included 69 children (21 PI-naive and 48 PI-experienced) who had received LPV/r for at least 3 months. The mean (+/- SD) age was 10.3 +/- 4.8 years, and the mean baseline of CD4 percentage and HIV-1 RNA was 14.9% +/- 9.8% and 4.8 +/- 1.05 log10 copies/mL, respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 16.5 +/- 8.3 months. At 6, 12, and 18 months, 52%, 57%, and 49% of all children, respectively, had a viral load less than 50 copies/mL. The risk of virologic failure, defined as 2 consecutive viral loads greater than 1000 copies/mL, was significantly higher when the children were previously treated with PIs and when the baseline LPV mutation score exceeded 3 mutations. In the pretreated children, the ratio of the plasma LPV maximal concentration to the baseline LPV score mutation was also associated with failure, independently of resistance score. Finally, in children failing an LPV-containing regimen, accumulation of additional PI-associated resistance mutations was evidenced in viral isolates from children with prior PI treatment, even with viral replication levels less than 10,000 copies/mL. In pretreated children, LPV plasma levels should be optimized in an attempt to achieve sufficient drug concentrations to overcome the resistance level.     

Retinoids and spermatogenesis: lessons from mutant mice lacking the plasma retinol binding protein.

Using Rbp4-null mice as models, we have established for the first time the kinetics of the spermatogenetic alterations during vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Our data demonstrate that the VAD-induced testicular degeneration arises through the normal maturation of germ cells in a context of spermatogonia differentiation arrest. They indicate that retinoic acid (RA) appears dispensable for the transition of premeiotic to meiotic spermatocytes, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. They confirm that RA plays critical roles in controlling spermatogonia differentiation, spermatid adhesion to Sertoli cells, and spermiation, and suggest that the VAD-induced arrest of spermatogonia differentiation results from simultaneous blocks in RA-dependent events mediated by RA receptor gamma (RARgamma) in spermatogonia and by RARalpha in Sertoli cells. They also provide evidence that expression of major RA-metabolizing enzymes is increased in mouse Sertoli cells upon VAD and that vitamin A-deficient A spermatogonia differ from their RA-sufficient counterparts by the expression of the Stra8 gene.     

Connective tissue growth factor expression and Smad signaling during mouse heart development and myocardial infarction.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is reported to be a target gene of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in vitro. Its physiological role in angiogenesis and skeletogenesis during mouse development has been described recently. Here, we have mapped expression of CTGF mRNA during mouse heart development, postnatal adult life, and after experimental myocardial infarction. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between CTGF and the BMP/TGFbeta signaling pathway in particular during heart development in mutant mice. Postnatally, CTGF expression in the heart became restricted to the atrium. Strikingly, 1 week after myocardial infarction, when myocytes have disappeared from the infarct zone, CTGF and TGFbeta expression as well as activated forms of TGFbeta but not BMP, Smad effector proteins are colocalized exclusively in the fibroblasts of the scar tissue, suggesting possible cooperation between CTGF and TGFbeta during the pathological fibrotic response.