Astroglial alterations in rat hippocampus during chronic lead exposure.

The present study was performed in order to follow the response of astroglial cells in the rat hippocampus to chronic low-level lead exposure. The experiments combined immunohistochemistry using anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody and conventional transmission electron microscopy (EM). Chronic administration with drinking water [1 g% w/v (subclinical dose) of lead acetate dissolved in distilled water] was started through the mother's milk when pups were 7 days old. Following weaning, experimental offspring were treated for 3 months with the same concentration of adulterated water. The group of intoxicated animals and their controls were sacrificed by perfusion-fixation at 30, 60, and 90 days of exposure. After 60 days of lead treatment, staining of GFAP-positive cells demonstrated an astroglial transformation from the quiescent to the reactive state, characterized by an increase in GFAP. In control rats no changes in GFAP immunostaining were observed. The intensity of the astroglial response was enhanced after 90 days of lead intoxication, showing an increment of GFAP immunoreactivity. Quantification of these changes was made by computerized image analysis, confirming that the sectional areas of the astroglia in lead-exposed animals were larger than those in controls. These results are consistent with the ultrastructural alterations. Simultaneously with the increment in gliofilaments, intranuclear inclusions were seen in some astrocytes. The mechanisms by which lead affects astrocytes are unknown. Probably the astroglial changes induced by lead intoxication produce microenvironmental modifications that may disturb the neuronal function.     

Infantile spasms in COFS syndrome

Cerebro-oculo-facial-skeletal (COFS) syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by microcephaly, microphthalmia and/or cataracts, neurogenic arthrogryposis, and multiple congenital anomalies. A term female infant with COFS syndrome who developed infantile spasms at the age of 3 months is reported. The patient had a good response to intramuscular ACTH with disappearance of infantile spasms and resolution of the hypsarrhythmic pattern on electroencephalography succeeded by a slow, synchronous pattern. Modified hypsarrhythmia returned after ACTH therapy was discontinued. Infantile spasms have not previously been reported in association with COFS syndrome and are a potentially treatable aspect of the disease. This patient may add to the clinical spectrum of COFS syndrome or may have a variant.     

Reconstruction of the mandible using the scapular spine pedicled upon trapezius muscle; description of the posterior approach to the transverse cervical vessels

We describe the reconstruction of the mandible using the spine of the scapula pedicled upon trapezius in a woman who had undergone previous mandibular irradiation and surgery. We show how the vascular supply to the trapezius scapular spine compound flap can be approached posteriorly and the spine of the scapula used to provide good length and contour for replacement of a wide mandibular defect.     

Prevention of diabetes in BioBreeding/Worcester rats with monoclonal antibodies that recognize T lymphocytes or natural killer cells

Diabetes-prone BioBreeding/Worcester (BB/Wor) rats received thrice weekly injections of mAb against antigens expressed on the surface of all T cells (OX19), cytotoxic/suppressor, and NK cells (OX8), helper/inducer cells (W3/25, OX35, OX38), and Ia+ cells (OX6, 3JP, OX17). Treatment with OX8 or OX19 achieved stable reductions of splenic and peripheral blood NK cells and helper/inducer T lymphocytes, respectively, and protected against diabetes. OX19 injections also prevented lymphocytic insulitis, thyroiditis, and the synthesis of autoantibodies to thyroid colloid and smooth muscle antigens. OX8 injections reduced splenic NK-mediated YAC-1 cell lysis, but did not prevent insulitis, thyroiditis, or autoantibody synthesis. Injections of mAb specific for antigens on the surface of helper/inducer cells, and for cells expressing IaE antigens provided marginal protection against diabetes without reductions of phenotypic subsets. These findings suggest that pancreatic beta cell destruction in the spontaneously diabetic BB/Wor rat is mediated by the combined action of NK and helper/inducer cells.     

Neuronal development of the chick cerebral cortex. A Golgi study

The neuronal morphological development of the avian telencephalic cortex (DMC) is studied in Golgi-stained brain sections. The neuronal types at embryonic days 10, 13, 16, as well as of newborn chick are identified. The immature neurons are characterized by the presence of hair-like processes, growth cones and dendritic varicosities. These characteristics are absent in neuronal types of newborn chick. There are five patterns of differentiation, which produce six neuronal types in the newborn chick: horizontal neurons, pyramidal neurons, bipyramidal neurons, short axon multipolar neurons, long axon multipolar neurons and periventricular neurons. The morphological features of migrating embryonic cells are described. The dendritic spines appear in 16-day embryos in the majority of neuronal types.     

Release of [3H]norepinephrine: alteration by early developmental exposure to diazepam

The effect of prenatal exposure to diazepam (over gestational days 13-20) on the release of tritiated norepinephrine [( 3H]NE) from selected brain regions was analyzed to determine mechanisms whereby such exposure could disrupt functioning in specific NE neurons, as previously observed. Pregnant rats were administered diazepam (DZ) once daily at doses of 1.0, 2.5 or 10.0 mg/kg and the offspring studied as adults at 70-90 days of age and during development at 14, 21, 35 and 56 days of age. Release of [3H]NE was measured during in vitro incubation using 25 mM potassium as the depolarizing stimulus. As noted previously, prenatal exposure to DZ induced an effect only on NE neurons innervating the hypothalamus, sparing the NE innervation to the hippocampus and cerebellum. Prenatal exposure to DZ had no effect on the depolarized release of [3H]NE in the hypothalamus until after 35 days of age, a developmental pattern previously observed with respect to endogenous NE levels. In adult rat offspring, however, the depolarization-induced release of [3H]NE from the hypothalamus decreased 28%, 32% and 64% (relative to uninjected control values) in animals prenatally exposed to DZ at 1.0, 2.5 or 10 mg/kg/day respectively. Concurrent exposure of the pregnant dam to benzodiazepine antagonists (Ro 15-1788 or ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate) prevented the effects of DZ (2.5 mg/kg/day) on [3H]NE release, demonstrating again the importance of the benzodiazepine binding site to the effects induced by the early DZ exposure. The initial accumulation of the [3H]NE was not altered by the prenatal exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Coulter Counter measurements of solubility and dissolution rate of sparingly soluble compounds using micellar solutions

A Coulter Counter, Model TAII, was used to determine both solubility and surface specific dissolution rate of two sparingly soluble materials suspended in micellar solutions. The equilibrium solubility increased linearly with surfactant concentration, thereby making it possible by extrapolation to characterize materials with an aqueous solubility down to 1 ppm or less. At high concentrations (greater than 0.1% w/v) the effect of surfactant concentration on the surface specific dissolution rate was less than that predicted from the increased bulk solubility.     

Adiposity and sex hormones in girls.

Greater body fatness during childhood is associated with reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer, but few studies have addressed the relation of adiposity with sex hormones in girls. We prospectively examined associations between adiposity and circulating levels of sex hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) among 286 girls in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children. Participants were 8 to 10 years old at baseline and were followed for an average of 7 years. Anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and at subsequent annual visits, and blood samples were collected every 2 years. Concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) during follow-up were higher among girls with greater body mass index (BMI) at baseline. The mean for the lowest BMI quartile was 63.0 microg/dL compared with 78.8 microg/dL for the highest quartile, and each kg/m(2) increment in baseline BMI was associated with a 4.3% increase (95% confidence interval, 1.6-7.0%) in DHEAS levels during follow-up (P(trend) = 0.002). Concentrations of SHBG during follow-up were lower among girls with greater BMI at baseline. The mean for the lowest BMI quartile was 94.8 nmol compared with 57.5 nmol for the highest quartile, and each kg/m(2) increment in baseline BMI was associated with an 8.8% decrease (95% confidence interval, 7.0-10.6%) in SHBG levels during follow-up (P(trend) < 0.0001). Estrogen and progesterone concentrations were similar across BMI quartiles. These findings suggest that adiposity may alter DHEAS and SHBG levels in girls. Whether and how these differences affect breast development and carcinogenesis requires further research.