Synapses of cone horizontal cell axons in goldfish retina

The axon terminals of cone horizontal cells in the goldfish retina form typical chemical synaptic contacts in the middle of the inner nuclear layer. Approximately 60% of the identified postsynaptic elements were perikarya, axons and dendrites of bipolar cells. The other identified postsynaptic elements were perikarya and processes of interplexiform cells. We propose that the horizontal cell axon terminal contribute to the antagonistic surround responses of the bipolar cells and that they modulate inputs to the outer plexiform layer conveyed by interplexiform cells. Output synapses from horizontal cell axons to unidentified neuronal processes as well as occasional input synapses to the axons from interplexiform cell processes and unidentified perikarya were also observed in the same region of the inner nuclear layer.     

Antipeptide antibodies against the 5-HT1A receptor.

The availability of the primary amino acid sequence for a large number of molecules provides a fruitful opportunity for their cellular localization by utilizing the procedure of antipeptide antibody formation. This procedure permits a synthetic peptide sequence to be attached to a carrier molecule for the purpose of inoculating an animal to raise specific antibodies against the selected protein sequence. In this report we describe a number of steps that can be taken to increase the likelihood that the selected peptide sequence will be specific and antigenic. In addition, we describe how the peptides are synthesized, purified and coupled to keyhold limpet hemocyanin. The preparation of the antibody and its characterization are also presented in this method report. The immunocytochemical staining at both the light and ultrastructural level with serotonin (5-HT1A) receptor antipeptide antibodies is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of this procedure are summarized.     

Diffuse bipolar cells provide input to OFF parasol ganglion cells in the macaque retina

Parasol retinal ganglion cells are more sensitive to luminance contrast and respond more transiently at all levels of adaptation than midget ganglion cells. This may be due, in part, to differences between bipolar cells that provide their input, and the goal of these experiments was to study these differences. Midget bipolar cells are known to be presynaptic to midget ganglion cells. To identify the bipolar cells presynaptic to parasol cells, these ganglion cells were intracellularly injected with Neurobiotin, cone bipolar cells were immunolabeled, and the double-labeled material was analyzed. In the electron microscope, we found that DB3 diffuse bipolar cells labeled by using antiserum to calbindin D-28k were presynaptic to OFF parasol cells. In the confocal microscope, DB3 bipolars costratified with OFF parasol cell dendrites and made significantly more appositions with them than expected due to chance. Flat midget bipolar cells were labeled with antiserum to recoverin. Although they made a few appositions with parasol cells, the number was no greater than would be expected when two sets of processes have overlapping distributions in the inner plexiform layer. DB2 diffuse bipolar cells were labeled with antibodies to excitatory amino acid transporter 2, and they also made appositions with OFF parasol cells. These results suggest that DB2 bipolar cells are also presynaptic to OFF parasol ganglion cells, but midget bipolar cells are not. We estimate that midperipheral OFF parasol cells receive approximately 500 synapses from 50 DB3 bipolar cells that, in turn, receive input from 250 cones.     

Total inferior turbinectomy for nasal airway obstruction

A variety of surgical procedures are performed to open the nasal airway chronically obstructed by hypertrophic inferior turbinates. Because the results are universally unsatisfactory, we suggest bilateral total inferior turbinectomy to patients in whom medical therapy fails. One hundred fifty patients were followed up for one to seven years (mean, 2 1/2 years) and the results of the follow-up were assessed clinically via questionnaire and chart review. Patent nasal airway resulted in 91% of the patients. Eighty percent of the patients reported improvement in nasal breathing, and 14 (27%) of the 51 patients who suffered from nasal drainage preoperatively reported that it had stopped after the operation. Of the 39 patients who had anosmia preoperatively, 46% reported the restoration of their sense of smell. Postoperative complications are minimal, and no patient complained of crusts, dryness, or foul odor.     

Distinctive immunohistochemical labeling of epithelial and mesenchymal elements in laryngeal pseudosarcoma

A laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in situ with an underlying spindle cell nodule (pseudosarcoma) was immunohistochemically labeled with antibodies to tissue-specific intermediate filament proteins, including desmin, vimentin, and cytokeratin. Two distinct populations of cells were found within the lesion: cytokeratin-positive cells, corresponding to the carcinomatous component of the tumor, and vimentin-positive spindle cells in the subepithelial nodule. In view of the strict specificity of antivimentin and anticytokeratin for cells of mesenchymal and epithelial origin, respectively, it is proposed that the two components of the pseudosarcoma in our case are not morphologic variants of the same tumor, and that the subepithelial nodule represents a mesenchymal lesion. These results can, however, not be extrapolated to other cases since in some the spindle cell component may represent metaplastic epithelial cells. In view of the difficulties encountered in reaching a correct diagnosis in these lesions, it is recommended to use intermediate filament typing to elucidate the nature of the spindle cells in this controversial tumor.