Dibutyryl-cAMP induces SNAP-25 translocation into the neurites in PC12.

SNAP-25 immunoreactivity was translocated into the endings of the processes induced in PC12 cells by dibutyryl-cAMP-treatment. Conversely, the protein was not present in the endings of the processes seen after NGF-treatment unless dibutyryl-cAMP was used simultaneously. This redistribution of SNAP-25 immunoreactivity appeared to be dependent upon new protein synthesis. Finally, dibutyryl-cAMP was capable of inducing SNAP-25 expression.     

Myosin light chains and muscle pathology

We evaluated the isoform composition of heavy and light chains of myosin in single muscle fibers from patients with Duchenne dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, or polymyositis. In all myopathic muscles, there was an increase in the proportion of intermediate fibers which, by analysis of myosin isoforms, fell into two subpopulations, one that contained both fast and slow myosin and another that contained myosin molecular hybrids. The increased proportion of intermediate (or transitional) fibers suggests changes in the equilibrium between fast and slow motor units. These changes could result from regeneration and subsequent maturation of fibers or from direct transformation of mature fibers of one type into the opposite.     

Older adults’ preferences for exercising alone versus in groups: Considering contextual congruence

Background: A growing body of research suggests that older exercisers prefer to exercise alone rather than in group-based settings. One limitation of these studies, however, has been that researchers have failed to take into account the age-related characteristics of groups when asking adults about their preferences for exercise settings.Purpose: The overall purpose of this study was to examine the exercise preferences of 947 adults for involvement in standard exercise classes populated by participants from various categories across the age spectrum.Results: The results revealed that when faced with the prospect of exercising with considerably older or younger exercisers, participants found such an exercise context to be largely unappealing. However, in accordance with the basic tenets of self-categorization theory, the results revealed that older and younger adults alike express a positive preference for exercising in standard exercise classes comprised of similarly aged participants.Conclusions: The findings of this study challenge a growing call for exercise interventions for older adults to be primarily directed at the individual-level, and suggest that group-related intervention strategies may indeed be attractive to older exercisers.     

Epidemiological study of myasthenia gravis in Sardinia, Italy (1958–1986)

From 1.1.1958 to 31.12.1986, 110 cases of MG were observed in Sardinia, with a mean annual incidence of 2.5 x 1,000,000 inhabitants and prevalence rates of 7.5, 17.6, 31.4 and 45.0 x 1,000,000 inhabitants respectively (prevalence days: 15.10.1961, 24.10.1971, 25.10.1981 and 31.12.1986). The disease was found to be more frequent in women. There were no differences in the distribution of MG in various areas of the island. The muscle group more frequently involved at onset was the ocular. In 6.4% of patients an association with thyroid disorders was observed. The mortality of MG patients was significantly higher than expected. Removal of the thymus, carried out in 58 patients, was shown to be useful in the treatment of the disease, particularly in patients without thymomas. No familial cases were observed.     

1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-f]quinolines. II. Preparation and antimicrobial evaluation of 6-ethyl-6,9-dihydro-1(2)(3)-R-1(2) (3)H-triazolo [4,5-f]quinolin-9-one-8-carboxylic acids as anti-infectives of the urinary tract (1)

Some 6-ethyl-1(2)(3)-R-1(2)(3)H-triazolo[4,5-f]quinolin-9-one-8-carboxy lic acids were prepared as novel analogues of oxolinic acid in order to evaluate the effect on antibacterial activity of the isosteric replacement of the dioxolic moiety with the triazole ring substituted in position 1 or 2. In vitro tests showed a good and selective activity against Escherichia coli (MIC 12.5 micrograms/ml) of compound (XVI).