Functional replacement of fission yeast γ-tubulin small complex proteins Alp4 and Alp6 by human GCP2 and GCP3.

Microtubule-organizing centers such as the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) act as a template for polarized growth and regulation of microtubules that are essential for diverse cellular structures and processes in eukaryotes. New structural models of the budding yeast γ-tubulin small complex (γ-TuSC) of the γ-TuRC combined with functional studies done in multiple eukaryotes are revealing the first mechanistic clues into control of microtubule nucleation and organization. Cross-species studies of human and budding yeast γ-TuSC proteins in fission yeast revealed conserved and divergent structural and functional features of the γ-TuSC.

The effect of motor activity on the onset and progression of brachial plexus block with bupivacaine: a randomized prospective study in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Background: A decreased latency of onset of neural blockade has been noted when muscular exercise of the hand was performed after supraclavicular brachial plexus block using lidocaine. In this observational study, we examined the effect of repetitive muscle contraction of the hand on the speed of onset of interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) using bupivacaine.

Methods: Forty patients were enrolled, all of whom received an ISB as one component of their anesthetic management for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Effect of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on exocytotic norepinephrine release from rat atria.

Background: The cardiotoxic mechanism of local anesthetics may include interruption of cardiac sympathetic reflexes. The authors undertook this investigation to determine if clinically relevant concentrations of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine interfere with exocytotic norepinephrine release from cardiac sympathetic nerve endings.

Methods: Rat atria were prepared for measurements of twitch contractile force and [H]-norepinephrine release.