Substance P and NMDA receptor-mediated slow potentials in neonatal rat spinal cord: age-related changes.

Slow ventral root potentials (slow VRP's) recorded from 1- to 5-day-old rat spinal cords are implicated in nociception, but there is controversy over their origin and persistence in the adult. The present study investigated changes in the role of substance P and NMDA receptors in slow VRP generation during the postnatal period (1-21 days). Through 9 days, dorsal root stimulation elicits slow VRP's with typical peak amplitudes at 3-4 s, decay time constants of 18-20 s, and durations > 20 s.

Oligomycin sensitivity-conferring protein (OSCP) of mitochondrial ATP synthase. The carboxyl-terminal region of OSCP is essential for the reconstitution of oligomycin-sensitive H(+)-ATPase.

Studies to establish the structure/function relationships of oligomycin sensitivity-conferring protein (OSCP) of mitochondrial ATP synthase were carried out using genetic engineering and biochemical approaches. A full-length cDNA clone encoding OSCP was isolated from a bovine heart cDNA library, and the mature form of OSCP was expressed in Escherichia coli using plasmid expression vector pKP1500. Recombinant OSCP was found to accumulate in the cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, by virtue of which the recombinant protein could be purified to greater than 85% purity by simple low speed centrifugation of cell lysates.

Somatic cell mapping of bovine EC-SOD and SOD1L loci.

cDNA probes of human extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) and bovine superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) genes were hybridized to Southern blots containing genomic DNAs from cow-rodent somatic cell lines segregating bovine chromosomes. The SOD1 probe identified two loci: the coding locus (SOD1), which mapped to bovine U10; and a related locus (SOD1L), which mapped to U11. EC-SOD mapped to bovine U15.

Mn and Cu/Zn SOD expression in cells from LPS-sensitive and LPS-resistant mice.

We examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment on the expression of manganese and copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD) mRNA and protein in resident peritoneal macrophages and lung endothelial cells derived from LPS-sensitive (LPS-s) and LPS-resistant (LPS-r) mice. Macrophages from both LPS-s and LPS-r mice treated with LPS for 24 h produced increased levels of MnSOD mRNA and protein. In contrast, levels of lung endothelial cell MnSOD mRNA and protein from LPS-s mice were increased by LPS treatment, while no increases in these parameters were observed in endothelial cells from LPS-r mice.

Neutrophils from chronic granulomatous disease fail to increase endothelial permeability.

Studies of neutrophil-dependent endothelial injury were made using normal neutrophils (nl-PMN, i.e., normal polymorphonuclear neutrophils) and PMN obtained from a patient with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD-PMN).

Tumor necrosis factor enhances the neutrophil-dependent increase in endothelial permeability.

We examined the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) on the increase in pulmonary microvascular endothelial monolayer permeability induced by activated neutrophils (PMN). Layering of PMN onto endothelial monolayers followed by activation of PMN with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased 125I-albumin clearance rate across the monolayers. Pretreatment of endothelial monolayers for 6 hr with TNF alpha (200 U/ml) potentiated the PMN-dependent increase in endothelial permeability, whereas 1 hr or 6 hr pretreatment of endothelial monolayers with 200 U/ml and 100 U/ml, respectively, TNF alpha did not enhance the response.

Double- and triple-labeling of functionally characterized central neurons projecting to peripheral targets studied in vitro.

The use of in vitro preparations such as brain slices poses difficulties in determining the correct identity of cells under study. To circumvent this problem, we first used a fluorescence pre-labeling technique (rhodamine-dextran-lysine) to identify cranial motoneurons projecting to the tongue (hypoglossal motoneurons) in the guinea-pig. Following preparation of slices, cells were recorded intracellularly and their electrophysiological properties determined.

Effect of reserpine on N-methylthiobenzamide-induced pulmonary edema: role of lung norepinephrine and hypothermia.

N-Methylthiobenzamide (NMTB) is a pneumotoxin which causes pulmonary edema and hydrothorax in rodents. Reserpine has been shown to attenuate the pneumotoxicity induced by NMTB. Some of that evidence suggests that the protection afforded by reserpine occurs independently of its capacity to reduce peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).

The involvement of serotonin in the pneumotoxicity induced by N-methylthiobenzamide.

N-Methylthiobenzamide (NMTB) and alpha-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) are pneumotoxicants which cause pulmonary edema and hydrothorax. Recently a role was assigned to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the pneumotoxic response to ANTU (D.E.

Expression of NGF receptor in the developing and adult primate central nervous system.

Monoclonal antibodies against human NGF receptor have been used for immunocytochemical localization of NGF receptors in the CNS of macaques and baboons at various stages of development. In the adult, neurons in most brain regions are devoid of detectable NGF receptors. However, abundant NGF receptor immunoreactivity is present on a population of neurons in basal forebrain, which, on the basis of appearance and pattern of distribution, probably correspond, at least in part, to magnocellular cholinergic neurons of this region.

Clinicians' fallacies in psychiatric practice.

Eleven common clinicians' fallacies have been briefly described. Based on experience, the authors of this article believe these are the most common and pernicious ones in interdisciplinary psychiatric treatment. These patterns may lead to erroneous interdisciplinary treatment decisions for many patients.

Validity and reliability of the Michigan alcoholism screening test: a review.

This review uses tables to summarize empirical evidence about the validity and reliability of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Twelve studies met standards for inclusion. MAST diagnosis agreed with diagnosis by other criteria for alcoholism in approximately three of four cases.

Assessment of time-volume and flow-volume components of forced vital capacity. Measurement with spirometry, body plethysmography and respiratory inductive plethysmography in nonsmokers and smokers.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of the time-volume and flow-volume components of the forced vital capacity measured by simultaneous spirometry, respiratory inductive plethysmography, and body plethysmography in detecting small airway disease. Spirometry measured the exit of gas from the lungs, whereas body plethysmography measured both the exit of gas and alveolar gas compression. Respiratory inductive plethysmography, which reflected change in thoracic volume, provided semi-quantitative data f both gas exit and alveolar gas compression which generally lay between spirometry and body plethysmography.

Assessment of density dependent flow-volume parameters in nonsmokers and smokers. Measurement with spirometry, body plethysmography and respiratory inductive plethysmography.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the density-dependent flow-volume components of the forced vital capacity using simultaneous spirometry, respiratory inductive plethysmography, and body plethysmography in the detection of small airway disease. The forced vital capacity was measured during air, helium-oxygen and sulfur-hexafluoride breathing to provide a range of gas density influences. Combining flow measured at the mouth with volume referenced to change in alveolar gas volume as measured by body or respiratory inductive plethysmography during helium-oxygen breathing accentuated the differences between nonsmokers and smokers because of the variable degree of alveolar gas compression occurring over the second half of FVC.

A classification of alcoholics relevant to type-specific treatment.

This classification is intended to meet four criteria for a good taxomony so that it might serve as a guide for matching types of alcoholics with types of treatments. Steps used to develop the classification include: isolating prognostic indicators (prognostic indicators are personal characteristics of alcoholics that are shown empirically related to treatment response), hypothesizing how 50 prognostic indicators should cluster, measuring the indicators among 60 male alcoholics from five different treatment facilities, and comparing the hypothesized clusters with clusters derived by the Johnson maximum hierarchical clustering procedure. Two hypothesized clusters, which were largely confirmed, were converted to Social Stability and Intellectual Functioning Scales.

Prognostic indicators of alcoholism treatment outcome.

This literature review is a systematic attempt to isolate the personal characteristics of alcoholics generally associated with their prognosis. Forty-five studies which met certain standards for inclusion are summarized here. The description of each study and its corresponding list of characteristics of alcoholics investigated for prognostic value are reported in tables.

Effect of weight and sex on perception of line length.

56 obese and 103 normal-weight college students were asked to make line-length estimations of lines on either a light or dark background. Analysis of the results showed significant interactions between weight and contrast and sex and contrast, with the line estimations by women and normal weight individuals being more dependent on the contrast.