Localization of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha and c-ret mRNA in rat central nervous system.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor that influences the survival and function of several neuronal populations in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems. The actions of GDNF are mediated by a multicomponent receptor complex composed of the tyrosine kinase product of c-ret and the ligand-binding protein GDNF receptor alpha (GDNFR-alpha). In the present study, we used in situ hybridization to localize cells expressing the mRNA for these GDNF receptor subunits in rat CNS.

A Generalized Drop Length-Height Method for Determination of Contact Angle in Drop-on-Fiber Systems.

A generalized drop length-height method is introduced here for the determination of contact angle in the drop-on-fiber systems. This method overcomes some of the difficulties encountered in the practice by applying the common maximum drop length-height method to determine the contact angle. Furthermore, with this new generalized method a large part of a drop profile can be used in the calculation, which reduces the statistical error of the determination and improves the reliability and accuracy of the obtained results.

Neuropsychiatric sequelae of cerebral malaria in Vietnam veterans.

Approximately 250,000 Vietnam veterans suffered cerebral malaria, an illness that often results in damage to subcortical white matter and fronto-temporal areas of neocortex. Case reports dating back 2500 years indicate that survivors of cerebral malaria show depression, poor memory, personality change, and irritability/violence. The purpose of the present study was to compare the neuropsychiatric status of Vietnam veterans who had suffered cerebral malaria in the remote past (i.

Rapid calpain I activation and cytoskeletal protein degradation following traumatic spinal cord injury: attenuation with riluzole pretreatment.

Immunocytochemical and immunoblotting techniques were used to investigate calpain I activation and the stability of the calpain-sensitive cytoskeletal proteins microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and spectrin at 1, 4, and 24 h after contusion injury to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injury resulted in the activation of calpain I at all time points examined, with the highest level of activation occurring at 1 h. At the same early time point, there was a loss of dendritic MAP2 staining in spinal cord sections, accompanied by pronounced perikaryal accumulation.

Impaired mitochondrial function, oxidative stress and altered antioxidant enzyme activities following traumatic spinal cord injury.

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity involving the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in neuronal dysfunction and cell loss following ischemic and traumatic injury to the central nervous system (CNS). ROS are formed in mitochondria when energy metabolism is compromised, and are inactivated by the ROS scavengers superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione (GSH). ROS can impair the function of several cellular components including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.

FAC1 expression and localization in motor neurons of developing, adult, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spinal cord.

In this study we report the localization and expression of FAC1 protein in developing, normal adult and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lumbar spinal cord. High levels of FAC1 protein were detected in cells throughout all areas (gray and white matter) of the developing lumbar spinal cord. FAC1 protein was localized predominately in nuclei and the cell body of motor neurons during early stages of spinal cord development.

Endogenous glutamate levels regulate nerve growth factor mRNA expression in the rat dentate gyrus.

The levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA can be regulated in vitro and in vivo in the hippocampal formation by events associated with pharmacological activation of glutamate receptors. In the present study, the level of NGF mRNA in the hippocampal formation was examined following an intrahippocampal injection of 1 nmole fluorocitrate, which temporarily inhibits the astrocyte metabolic activity in vivo. Consistent with previous findings, fluorocitrate treatment significantly increased glutamate levels and decreased glutamine levels in the dentate gyrus as determined by in vivo microdialysis.

Light Scattering Experiments on Shear Induced Structures of Micellar Solutions.

The formation of shear induced structures (SIS) of a mixed micellar solution of tetradecyldimethylaminoxide and sodium dodecylsulfate is studied by light scattering experiments under shear (rheo-optical method). In the shear rate- as well as in the time-dependent measurements we found an aggregation process taking part in the SIS formation. Below the critical shear rate for the occurrence of SIS, the shear rate dependent experiments show an increased scattering intensity, indicating micellar associates.

Cloning and expression of the delta 9 fatty acid desaturase gene from Cryptococcus curvatus ATCC 20509 containing histidine boxes and a cytochrome b5 domain.

To allow genetic modification of the fatty acid biosynthesis routes in the lipid-accumulating yeast Cryptococcus curvatus the delta 9 fatty acid desaturase gene was cloned and characterized. The 1668-bp gene encodes a protein of 556 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 62 kDa. The gene shows strong homology to previously cloned delta 9 fatty acid desaturase genes from yeast and rat.

4-hydroxynonenal, a lipid peroxidation product, rapidly accumulates following traumatic spinal cord injury and inhibits glutamate uptake.

Traumatic injury to the spinal cord initiates a host of pathophysiological events that are secondary to the initial insult. One such event is the accumulation of free radicals that damage lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. A major reactive product formed following lipid peroxidation is the aldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), which cross-links to side chain amino acids and inhibits the function of several key metabolic enzymes.

Extrinsic innervation of the cat prostate gland: a combined tracing and immunohistochemical study.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine the peripheral neural pathways, spinal distribution, sizes, and peptide transmitter content of primary afferent and autonomic efferent neurons that innervate the prostate gland.

Methods: Retrograde transport of the fluorescent dye "fast blue" (injected into the prostate gland) was combined with neurotransmitter immunohistochemistry. Lesions of the pelvic and pudendal nerve were used to determine the peripheral neural pathways.

Long-term cognitive sequelae of cerebral malaria in Vietnam veterans.

The brains of fatal cases of cerebral malaria exhibit capillary occlusion, punctiform hemorrhages, and focal necrosis in subcortical white matter. Some studies have suggested that the brain pathology of survivors is similar to that of fatal cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that cerebral malaria survivors would exhibit neuropsychological impairment due to the residual cerebral damage sustained from the infection.

Statistical planning and analysis considerations in the evaluation of in vitro alternatives to whole animal use for eye irritation testing.

Reports from the IRAG Working Groups assessing the current status of in vitro alternatives to whole animal eye irritation tests reflect some common approaches. Although each Working Group studied a particular class of assay, typically all Groups evaluated the in vitro alternatives on the basis of correlation with an in vivo test and the statistical significance of that correlation. However, the data furnished to them by the testing organizations had been obtained with little or no standardization of procedures for testing and evaluation of results.

Determination of Interfacial Tension from the Profile of a Pendant Drop Using Computer-Aided Image Processing.

The reliability of the method described in the preceding paper (B. Song and J. Springer, J.

Determination of Interfacial Tension from the Profile of a Pendant Drop Using Computer-Aided Image Processing.

A method of profile optimization for determining the surface and interfacial tension (IFT) of liquid-fluid systems from the profile of a pendant drop is described. A new, versatile routine for estimating the drop shape parameter is introduced. The factors that affect the available accuracy of the method have been analyzed using theoretical simulations.

Antireflux nipples or afferent tubular segments in 70 patients with ileal low pressure bladder substitutes: long-term results of a prospective randomized trial.

Purpose: Intestinal low pressure orthotopic bladder substitutes have no major coordinated contractions during micturition. Therefore, the importance and type of reflux prevention were assessed in a prospective randomized study.

Materials And Methods: A total of 70 patients with an ileal low pressure bladder substitute was randomized to receive a nipple valve or an isoperistaltic afferent ileal tubular segment for reflux prevention.

Altered expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spinal cord motor neurons.

One of the primary neurodegenerative events occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the selective loss of spinal cord alpha motor neurons. To study the potential role of apoptosis in the degeneration of these motor neurons, in situ hybridization was used to measure the expression of two apoptotic cell death genes, bcl-2 and bax, in control and ALS lumbar spinal cord sections. The strongest hybridization signal for bcl-2 mRNA in neurological and nonneurological control spinal cords was found primarily in lamina IX alpha motor neurons, while a weaker hybridization signal was found in neurons of Clarke's nucleus and the proper sensory nucleus of the dorsal horn.

Cloning, sequence and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene encoding phosphofructokinase from Bacillus macquariensis.

A chromosomal DNA fragment containing the Bacillus macquariensis (Bm) ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase-encoding gene (pfk) was cloned from a subgenomic library in pUC19 using a PCR-derived probe. The region containing pfk, including flanking sequences, was sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequence (aa) was found to be homologous to other PFK, but it contained two single-aa changes conserved in a range of other organisms from pro- and eukaryotic origins. Enzymatic studies with PFK purified from overproducing Escherichia coli (Ec) host cells showed that the Bm enzyme is similar to B.

Evaluating a successful coroner protocol.

The coroner release rates for the service of a particular organ procurement organization were evaluated through a retrospective analysis, which included the year before (1991), the year during (1992), and the year after (1993) the adoption of a formal protocol for coroner's cases. In 1991, 22 of 55 (40%) coroner cases were denied for donation by the coroner. In 1992 and 1993, 12 of 55 (22%) and 9 of 56 (16%) coroner cases, respectively, were denied for donation.

Summary of 10 years' experience with an ileal low-pressure bladder substitute combined with an afferent tubular isoperistaltic segment.

We report on 10 years of experience with an ileal low-pressure bladder substitute combined with an afferent tubular segment following cystectomy in 100 consecutive men. The median follow-up period was 30 months (range 3-108 months), with a 2.5-year minimum in survivors.

Upper bound risk estimates for mixtures of carcinogens.

The excess cancer risk that might result from exposure to a mixture of chemical carcinogens usually is estimated with data from experiments conducted on individual chemicals. An upper bound on the total excess risk is estimated commonly by summing individual upper bound risk estimates. The degree to which this approach might overstate the true risk associated with the mixture has not been evaluated previously.