Excitation of rat hippocampal interneurons via modulation of endogenous agonist activity at the α7 nicotinic ACh receptor

The α7 subtype of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is prominently expressed in the hippocampus where it is thought to play a role in the regulation of cognitive function. In this study, we have investigated the effects of 5-hydroxyindole (5-HI), a positive modulator of the α7 nAChR, on GABAergic activity in hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons in acute rat brain slices. Superfusion of 5-HI (100 μ m ) increased the mean frequency and amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs). The potentiation was occluded by pretreatment of slices with: (1) a high concentration of the broad-spectrum agonist nicotine to desensitize the α7 receptor, (2) an α7 nAChR antagonist, and (3) tetrodotoxin to block action potential firing. These results indicate that facilitation by 5-HI was mediated by the α7 nAChR and required neuronal excitation. In contrast, 5-HI had no effect on sIPSCs recorded in hippocampal slices from younger animals, even though the expression of functional α7 nAChRs was confirmed by agonist application experiments. In these slices, 5-HI only enhanced sIPSCs after pretreatment with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Bw284c51. Taken together, our results suggest that 5-HI facilitates GABAergic transmission via excitation of the α7 nAChR, and that this effect requires the presence of the endogenous agonist ACh in the extracellular environment of the receptor.     

Setting targets: a three-stage model for determining priorities for health promotion

This paper describes a three-stage model for setting targets for health promotion. The model was developed in 1992 in response to the need to identify priority areas for health promotion for women in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. The approach enabled epidemiological data and views from the community to be synthesised and integrated with those of experts from health and social services (key informants), using a nominal group process. The reliability of the method was investigated by replicating the process with two groups of key informants. There was considerable commonality in the targets generated by the two groups. The process resulted in the identification of seven targets that reflected the concerns of the community and local experts as well as the health priorities suggested by local epidemiological data. The model used could be adapted for determining priorities in a wide range of health and health care settings, where available resources restrict the range of services or activities which can be offered. (Aust J Public Health 1995; 19: 263–9)     

Interaction of purified bovine brain A1-adenosine receptors with guanine nucleotide-binding proteins of human platelet membranes following reconstitution

A1-adenosine receptors and associated guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) have been co-purified from bovine cerebral cortex by agonist affinity chromatography [J. Biol. Chem. 264:14853-14859 (1989)]. In this study we have reconstituted purified bovine brain A1 receptors into human platelet membranes that contain A2- but no detectable A1-adenosine receptors. The recovery of reconstituted receptors was assessed from the binding of the antagonist radioligand [125I]3-(4-amino-3-iodo)phenethyl-1-propyl-8-cyclopentyl-xanthine and ranged from 32 to 84%. Coupling of reconstituted A1 receptors to platelet G proteins was evaluated by measurement of the high affinity binding of an agonist radioligand, 125I-aminobenzyladenosine, to receptor-G protein complexes and by stereospecific photoaffinity labeling of a 35,000-Da receptor polypeptide with the agonist photoaffinity label 125I-azidobenzyladenosine. Fifty percent of receptors reconstituted into platelet membranes bound agonists with high affinity, indicative of coupling to platelet G proteins. Reconstituted A1 receptors bound various ligands with affinities characteristic of A1 receptors of bovine brain. Although platelets contain both pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive G proteins, reconstituted high affinity agonist binding was almost completely abolished by treatment of platelet membranes with guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate, pertussis toxin, N-ethylmaleimide, or heparin. Following reconstitution, A1 receptors could be resolubilized in complexes with platelet G proteins. The data suggest that marked species differences in the binding affinity of ligands to adenosine receptors result from differences in the receptors rather than membrane structure or G proteins and, further, that A1 receptors couple selectively and tightly to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.     

Isolation of non-spore-forming anaerobic bacteria from patients with tuberculosis of the lungs and other diseases of the respiratory organs

The use of specific means in bacteriological examination for anaerobic microflora in patients with purulent inflammatory diseases of the lungs including ones developing in the presence of pulmonary tuberculosis was validated. Isolation of nonsporulating anaerobic bacteria in monocultures or as a component of polymicrobial associations was shown important for correct diagnosis and using of etiotropic therapy and respective therapeutic measures. This should enable to prevent or to limit development of severe destructive affections of the lungs.     

Effect of the external donors on the polymerization of 4-methyl-1-pentene with high activity MgCl2/TiCl4 catalytic system

In order to find out correlations between the structure of an external donor and the obtained polymer, the effects of different external donors on the activity and stereospecificity of the MgCl₂/TiCl₄ catalytic system in the bulk polymerization of 4-methyl-1-pentene (4MP) were carefully studied. Different silane compounds of the structure R_nSi(OR')_4-n (where: n = 1–3, R = alkyl/phenyl, R = alkyl) and Al(i-Bu)₃ (TIBA) were used as external donors and cocatalyst, respectively. The effect of the donor/TIBA mole ratio on the activity and stereospecificity of the catalytic system was studied. Some major effects were observed for the three different external donors, namely, Me₃Si(OMe), Me₂Si(OMe)₂, and Me₃Si(OBu)₃, in the 4MP polymerization process. It was observed that the effect of the external silane donor on the polymerization strongly depends upon the size of the alkoxy and hydrocarbon (alkyl/phenyl) groups which are attached to the silicon atom. A selective deactivation of the non-stereospecific centers, as well as a transformation of the non-stereospecific into isospecific centers, is assumed to occur. On the basis of the obtained results and literature data available for the propene polymerization, the concept of structural conformity between the ligand-surrounded active center and the monomer molecule was carried forward.     

Detection by PCR and isolation assays of the anaerobic intestinal spirochete Brachyspira aalborgi from the feces of captive nonhuman primates

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of the anaerobic intestinal spirochetes Brachyspira aalborgi and Brachyspira pilosicoli in the feces of captive nonhuman primates (n = 35) from 19 species housed at the Zoological Gardens, Perth, Western Australia. Both spirochete species are known to infect human beings. DNA was extracted from freshly collected feces with a commercially available QIAamp DNA stool minikit and subjected to PCR protocols amplifying portions of the 16S rRNA genes of the two spirochete species. The feces were also subjected to selective culture for the spirochetes. Subsequently, feces from 62 other captive animals or birds representing 39 species at the zoo were examined by PCR to determine whether they were reservoirs of infection. Six fecal samples from individuals from four primate species (two vervet monkeys, two Tonkean macaques, one Japanese macaque, and one hamadryas baboon) tested positive in the B. aalborgi PCR. B. aalborgi was not detected by PCR in any of the other animal or bird species tested, and B. pilosicoli was not detected in the primates or any of the other animals or birds. B. aalborgi was isolated from both PCR-positive vervet monkeys. This is the first time that B. aalborgi has been isolated from nonhuman primates and the first time that it has been isolated from the feces of any species.