Cellular and molecular mechanisms of nitric oxide-induced heart muscle relaxation.

1. The nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitro-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) inhibits Helix aspersa heart activity and relaxes muscles. 2.

Structural requirements and ionic mechanism of the Mytilus inhibitory peptides (MIPs) on Helix central neurons.

1. The structural and ionic requirements for potent FVamide-induced inhibition were investigated using Helix aspersa central neurons under current or voltage clamp. 2.

Comparison of responses of spontaneously active cells in the cerebellar Purkinje layer to parallel fibre stimulation in slice preparations and urethane-anaesthetised rats: effects of benzodiazepine receptor ligands.

1. GABA-mediated inhibitory responses were induced in spontaneously active Purkinje cells by parallel fibre stimulation in cerebellar slices or in urethane-anaesthetised rats. Effects of agonist and inverse agonist benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptor ligands were compared in the preparations.

Actions of the anthelmintic ivermectin on the pharyngeal muscle of the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum.

The anthelmintic invermectin has a number of effects on nematodes which result in changes in behaviour, particularly locomotion, including paralysis and an inhibition of feeding. This paper describes the application of an in vitro pharmacological approach to further delineate the action of ivermectin on feeding behaviour. Contraction of Ascaris suum pharyngeal muscle was monitored using a modified pressure transducer system which detects changes in intrapharyngeal pressure and therefore contraction of the radial muscle of the pharynx.

The effects of the peptides AF3 (AVPGVLRFamide) and AF4 (GDVPGVLRFamide) on the somatic muscle of the parasitic nematodes Ascaris suum and Ascaridia galli.

AF3 (AVPGVLRFamide) and AF4 (GDVPGVLRFamide) are endogenous RFamide-like peptides isolated from the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum. Here the actions of these peptides on the somatic musculature of Ascaris have been investigated and compared to the action of acetylcholine (ACh), the excitatory transmitter at the neuromuscular junction. ACh, AF3 and AF4 contracted muscle with EC50S of 13 +/- 1 microM, 24 +/- 6 nM and 37 +/- 2 nM, respectively (n = 6).

A long-term comparison between enalapril and captopril on insulin sensitivity in normotensive non-insulin dependent diabetic volunteers.

Background: There are conflicting reports about the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control. In addition, the chronic effects of ACEI on insulin sensitivity in normotensive but insulin resistant individuals have been controversial.

Aim: To determine the long-term effects of low-dose captopril or enalapril on insulin sensitivity and lipid parameters in normotensive non-insulin dependent diabetic volunteers.

Isolation of bioactive compounds from Helix aspersa nerve tissue and the effect of pQPPLPRYamide on heart, esophagus and central neurons of H. aspersa and rectum of Anodonta woodiana.

1. Both acetone and methanol extraction was used to isolate bioactive compounds from 1000 Helix aspersa brains. 2.

A human gene encoding morphine modulating peptides related to NPFF and FMRFamide.

FMRFamide-related peptides have been isolated from both invertebrates and vertebrates and exhibit a wide range of biological effects in rats. We show here that in humans 2 FMRFamide-related peptides are encoded by a single gene expressed as a spliced mRNA. The larger predicted peptide (AGEGLNSQFWSLAAPQRFamide) differs from the peptide isolated from bovines (AGEGLSSPFWSLAAPQRFamide) by the substitutions of 2 amino acids.

Europa's magnetic signature: report from Galileo's pass on 19 December 1996.

On 19 December 1996 as Galileo passed close to Jupiter's moon, Europa, the magnetometer measured substantial departures from the slowly varying background field of Jupiter's magnetosphere. Currents coupling Europa to Jupiter's magnetospheric plasma could produce perturbations of the observed size. However, the trend of the field perturbations is here modeled as the signature of a Europa-centered dipole moment whose maximum surface magnitude is approximately 240 nanotesla, giving a rough upper limit to the internal field.

Evidence for involvement of human CYP3A in the 3-hydroxylation of quinine.

Aims: Our previous studies using in vitro hepatic microsomal preparations suggested that the hepatic metabolism of quinine to form the major metabolite 3-hydroxyquinine is most likely catalysed by human P450 3A (CYP3A). The present study was carried out to investigate the kinetics and to identify and further characterise the human liver CYP isoforms involved in the metabolism of quinine.

Methods: In vitro human microsomal techniques were employed.

The effects of the peptide KPNFIRFamide (PF4) on the somatic muscle cells of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum.

1. Commonly used anthelmintic agents act on the muscle cells of parasitic nematodes to cause paralysis of the parasite and its expulsion from the host. 2.

Effect of treatment with simvastatin on serum cholesteryl ester transfer in patients on dialysis. PERFECT Study Collaborative Group.

Background: Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity is increased in patients with chronic renal failure on dialysis who have elevated levels of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins. Simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor, reduces levels of these lipoproteins but the effect of treatment on cholesteryl ester transfer activity in patients on dialysis remains to be determined.

Methods: We measured serum newly synthesized cholesteryl ester transfer (NCET) activity, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations before and immediately after 6 months treatment with simvastatin (10 mg daily, n = 24) or placebo (n = 29) in 53 patients with chronic renal failure receiving haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Direct and modulatory effects of FMRFamide, SKPYMRFamide and acety1-SKPYMRFamide on LPa2, LPa3, and RPa3 identified neurons of Helix lucorum.

Three neuroactive peptides with an RFamide carboxyl terminal, one a tetrapeptide, FMRFamide, and two heptapeptides, SKPYMRFamide and acetyl-SKPYMRFamide, evoke direct and modulatory effects on identified neurons from left (LPa2, LPa3) and right (RPa3) parietal ganglia of the land snail. Helix lucorum. Local application of tetrapeptide and heptapeptides induce hyperpolarization or outward current when neurons are clamped at the resting potential.

The impact of anticipatory grief on caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease.

Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are known to experience many physical and emotional problems. However, research has consistently shown that the relationship between the demands of caregiving and the effects on the caregiver is not strong. Despite considerable research, a full understanding of how the demands of caregiving uniquely impact the individual has not been established.

The effect of oral vanadyl sulfate on body composition and performance in weight-training athletes.

The effects of oral vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4) (0.5 mg/kg/day) on anthropometry, body composition, and performance were investigated in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving weight-training volunteers. Performance was assessed in the treatment (VS) and placebo (P) groups using 1 and 10 repetitions maximum (RM) for the bench press and leg extension.

L-cysteine improves growth of human peritoneal mesothelial cells in vitro.

Objective: To improve the growth characteristics of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC).

Design: The effect of commonly used agents, L-cysteine and epidermal growth factor (EGF), added individually ("single") or mixed with hydrocortisone and apo-transferrin ("admixture") in the culture medium (M199) on cultured HPMC, was investigated.

Methods: Growth agents were added to M199 medium along with 2% fetal bovine serum and L-glutamine.

Depression or grief? The experience of caregivers of people with dementia.

The exploratory study discussed in this article attempted to shed some light on the nature of the depression and grief experienced by caregivers of people with dementia. The findings suggest that the depression so frequently described in the literature may not be as severe or clinically significant as previously thought and that it may be more precisely described as anticipatory grief. Viewing caregivers apparent depression as being the result of grief over the losses they are experiencing may assist practitioners in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of clinical interventions specifically designed for this growing group of clients.

Nematode neuropeptides: Localization, isolation and functions.

Historically, peptidergic substances (in the form of neurosecretions) were linked to moulting in nematodes. More recently, there has been a renewal of interest in nematode neurobiology, initially triggered by studies demonstrating the localization of peptide immunoreactivities to the nervous system. Here, David Brownlee, Ian Fairweather, Lindy Holden-Dye and Robert Walker will review progress on the isolation of nematode neuropeptides and efforts to unravel their physiological actions and inactivation mechanisms.

A psychoeducational group intervention for family members of persons with HIV/AIDS.

We describe a psychoeducational group intervention for family members of persons living with AIDS. The 33 family members were compared with 13 waiting-list controls in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. We focus on the practice aspects of the intervention, its development and implementation, and our belief that it is an apparently effective approach for helping family members work through the social and emotional aspects of the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS.

A Magnetic Signature at Io: Initial Report from the Galileo Magnetometer.

During the inbound pass of the Galileo spacecraft, the magnetometer acquired 1 minute averaged measurements of the magnetic field along the trajectory as the spacecraft flew by Io. A field decrease, of nearly 40 percent of the background jovian field at closest approach to Io, was recorded. Plasma sources alone appear incapable of generating perturbations as large as those observed and an induced source for the observed moment implies an amount of free iron in the mantle much greater than expected.

Supplementation with L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, a cysteine precursor, does not protect against lipid peroxidation in puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephropathy.

Lipid peroxidation in the kidney has been shown to precede proteinuria in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephropathy. The aim of this study was to determine if L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (procysteine) would protect rats against PAN-induced nephrotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with procysteine (16 mg/100 g body weight i.

Biphasic actions of the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist RU34347 in the rat cerebellar slice.

We have characterised the biphasic response of the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist RU34347 in the rat cerebellar slice preparation using extracellular electrophysiological recordings from Purkinje cells. RU34347 (10 fM-10 nM) produced an increase in GABA(A)-mediated inhibition at between 10 fM and 10 nM, a response normally associated with benzodiazepine agonists. This response was biphasic, being dose dependent between 10 fM and the peak effect at 10 pM, and inversely related to concentration between 100 pM and 10 nM.

Altered cellular biosynthesis in human peritoneal mesothelial cells exposed to dialysis solutions.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions can produce changes in the peritoneal membrane and structure which are related to the high glucose concentrations and low pH of these solutions. This study was designed to examine the effects of high glucose (76-214 mM) and low pH (5.3) solutions on human peritoneal mesothelial cells in culture.