Energy metabolism and protein phosphorylation during apoptosis: a phosphorylation study of tau and high-molecular-weight tau in differentiated PC12 cells.

Apoptosis has been characterized as a regulated, energy-dependent process. Specific protein-phosphorylation events have been demonstrated previously to occur during apoptosis and may play an important role in the regulation of this death process. In this study, energy metabolism and protein phosphorylation during apoptosis of neuronal PC12 cells induced by nerve growth factor and serum deprivation was examined using [32P]Pi-labelling techniques.

Peroxynitrite modulates tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphoinositide signalling in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells: attenuated effects in human 1321N1 astrocytoma cells.

Peroxynitrite may contribute to oxidative stress involving neurodegeneration in several disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. As with other reactive oxygen species, peroxynitrite might affect neuronal signalling systems, actions that could contribute to adaptive or deleterious cellular outcomes, but such effects have not previously been studied. To address this issue directly, peroxynitrite (50-500 microM) was administered to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to assess its effects on protein tyrosine nitration, phosphoinositide signalling and protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

AP-1 and NF-kappaB stimulated by carbachol in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells are differentially sensitive to inhibition by lithium.

In order to identify potential actions of lithium, the primary therapeutic agent for bipolar affective disorder, on processes regulating gene expression, its effects on two transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-kappaB, were measured in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The cholinergic agonist carbachol concentration-dependently stimulated AP-1 (EC50 = 2 microM) and NF-kappaB (EC50 = 14 microM). Pretreatment for 24 h with a therapeutically relevant concentration of lithium (1 mM) substantially inhibited (30-35%) carbachol-stimulation AP-1 but not NF-kappaB.

Regulation of Na+ channel beta 1 and beta 2 subunit mRNA levels in cultured rat astrocytes.

Using quantitative competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we found an increased level of Na+ channel beta 1 (Na beta 1) mRNAs in spinal cord astrocytes and in the B50 neuroblastoma cell line after exposure to 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP. In contrast, the calcium ionophore (1 microM A23187) did not affect Na beta 1 mRNA levels in these cells. Further, we amplified full length coding region of Na+ channel beta 2 (Na beta 2) mRNA from rat optic nerve and cultured astrocytes using RT-PCR.

Unilateral spatial neglect: assessment and rehabilitation strategies.

Unilateral spatial neglect is one of the most striking disorders of cognition. Focal brain lesions, more commonly on the right, produce profound deficits in the awareness of contralateral self and space. This article reviews the assessment and current theoretical explanations of neglect, in light of rehabilitation.

Role for animal research in the investigation of human mental retardation.

Animal models of the cognitive deficiency states of mental retardation per se are underutilized. A general learning impairment model and a reasoning/insight model, both in rats, were reviewed for parallels to theories of human cognitive deficiency. Predictions were made for the relevance to human mental retardation.

Child functional independence and maternal psychosocial stress as risk factors threatening adaptation in mothers of physically or sensorially handicapped children.

This study investigated the contribution of child functional independence and maternal psychosocial stress to the adaptation of 119 mothers. Each mother had a child, aged 2-18 years, with a physical or sensory disability. Multiple dimensions of each construct were measured through self-report.

Transitioning the child fed by gastrostomy into school.

Young children dependent on gastrostomy feeding are examples of special-needs children now eligible for expanded nutrition services in schools through Public Law 99-457. With the implementation of this law, nutritionists have an opportunity to expand their roles as consultants to special education teachers. A team approach involving nutrition, nursing, and special education was used to prepare a gastrostomy-fed preschool child and his family for school.

Social support and adjustment in chronically ill and handicapped children.

The relationship between social support and adjustment was investigated in children with a chronic physical illness or handicap. Mothers of 153 children with juvenile diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obesity, spina bifida, or cerebral palsy reported on these children's family support, peer support, externalizing behavior problems, and internalizing behavior problems. Children reported as having high social support from both family and peers showed a significantly better adjustment than those with high social support from only one of these sources.

Audiological findings in children with neonatal herpes.

Hearing sensitivity was assessed in 20 children who were diagnosed as having symptomatic neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. The subjects were seen as part of an interdisciplinary project that included audiological, medical, visual, and developmental assessments. Audiologic procedures consisted of behavioral and/or auditory brain stem tests and immittance audiometry.

The relationship between attention problems in childhood and antisocial behavior eight years later.

Danish longitudinal population data indicated there was a significant, though weak, relationship between teacher ratings of attention problems in males at ages 10-13 and their cumulative arrest frequency eight years later. However, the child's IQ and maternal reports of his father's problems controlling alcohol intake moderated this relationship; once the variance in antisocial behavior due to these factors was removed, childhood attention problems did not account for any additional variance. These results raise the concern that previous findings of a relationship between clinically diagnosed attention deficit disorder-hyperactivity and later delinquency may be due in part to one or more third variables.

Leadership training in UAFs supported by the Division of Maternal and Child Health.

University Affiliated Facilities (UAFs) were established to promote improved care for mentally retarded and handicapped children and their families. Specifically, they are charged with the interdisciplinary training of professionals who provide leadership within their respective disciplines and, thus, impact a greater service delivery system. A definition of leadership training and two potential models for implementation within the UAF system are developed.