Laser-Doppler flowmetry in neurosurgery.

Laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) provides a reliable measurement of local cerebral blood flow (lCBF) as demonstrated by multiple validation studies. This article evaluates the clinical applications of LDF in neurosurgery. With the availability of modified probes, it is possible to carry out LDF monitoring of neurosurgical patients in the intensive care unit.

Cerebral edema formation in dogs following hypotension induced with isoflurane and labetalol.

The effects of induced hypotension with isoflurane and labetalol on cerebral edema formation were compared following a cryogenic brain injury in dogs. Thirteen dogs received a maintenance anesthetic of 70% N2O, 0.5% isoflurane in O2 and a fentanyl infusion (3 micrograms.

Cyclosporine A enhances agonist-induced aggregation of human platelets by stimulating protein phosphorylation.

Use of the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine A (CSA) has resulted in improved renal graft survival. However, an increased incidence of arterial and venous thrombotic diseases, hemolytic-uremic type syndrome, and findings resembling vasculitis in the kidneys of patients with CSA nephrotoxicity and accelerated atherogenesis have been reported. These disorders may be related to CSA-induced abnormalities in platelet function.

Regulation of Na,K-ATPase beta 1 mRNA content by thyroid hormone in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Incubation of primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes in the presence of 100 nM triiodothyronine (T3) resulted in a three- to fivefold increase in the content of Na,K-ATPase beta 1 subunit mRNA which was maximal at 1 d of exposure to hormone. To investigate the mechanism by which T3 stimulates the abundance of beta 1 mRNA, transient transfection experiments were conducted with a chimeric gene containing a portion of the 5' end of the rat beta 1 gene linked to a luciferase reporter gene. We found no effect of T3 on chimeric gene activity either in the absence or presence of cotransfected T3 receptor.

Unique ultrastructural characteristics of pigeon anterior latissimus dorsi muscle.

The pale anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) muscle of the adult pigeon was studied ultrastructurally. There were embryonic heart and skeletal muscle features present. These included loosely packed myofibrillar apparatus, subsarcolemmal pads of sarcoplasm, abundant pinocytotic vesicles, and tubular aggregates.

Platelet membrane-actin interaction.

In order to investigate how human platelet membranes associate with cytoskeletal proteins, purified membranes were extracted with 0.6 M KI (potassium iodide) followed by extraction with 1% octyl glucoside. The depleted membranes contain a significant amount of actin (5% of the actin that was originally present in the purified membranes) which is resistant to extraction by 0.

Motor learning concepts applied to activity-based intervention with adults with hemiplegia.

This paper presents a framework for the integration of motor learning research findings with a neurodevelopmental treatment perspective. The importance of activity-based intervention is emphasized, and a strategy for activity synthesis is presented. Clinical problems seen in persons with hemiplegia are used to clarify concepts and illustrate therapeutic interventions.

Comparison of two rapid microscopic methods and culture for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in ocular and nasopharyngeal specimens from infants.

The data available for the diagnosis of chlamydial infections in infants which compare direct fluorescent-monoclonal-antibody stains (DFAs) with culture are limited to one reagent, MicroTrak (Syva Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.).

Purification and characterization of a calcium binding protein with "synexin-like" activity from human blood platelets.

A calcium binding protein of Mr = 54,000 has been isolated from human blood platelets. This protein has been shown to enhance Ca2+-induced aggregation of phosphatidylserine liposomes, suggesting that it may be a member of a recently recognized class of binding proteins known to interact with phospholipids and the membrane in a Ca2+ dependent manner. Because of the "synexin-like" activity of this protein it may be involved in Ca2+ regulated platelet secretion as well as cell motility.

Detection of human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type I DNA and antigen in spinal fluid and blood of patients with chronic progressive myelopathy.

The presence of antibodies to human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus Type I (HTLV-I) has been associated with chronic progressive myelopathy. We attempted to isolate the virus from the blood and spinal fluid of patients with chronic progressive myelopathy and to define the clinical, radiologic, and electrophysiologic features of this disease. Ten of 13 patients from tropical countries and 2 of 8 from the United States had serum antibodies to HTLV-I.

Chronic caffeine or theophylline exposure reduces gamma-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine receptor site interactions.

Methylxanthines, such as caffeine and theophylline, are adenosine receptor antagonists that exert dramatic effects upon the behavior of vertebrate animals by increasing attentiveness, anxiety, and convulsive activity. Benzodiazepines, such as flunitrazepam, generally exert behavioral effects that are opposite to those of methylxanthines. We report the finding that chronic exposure of embryonic brain neurons to caffeine or theophylline reduces the ability of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to potentiate the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor.

Expression of the firefly luciferase gene in vaccinia virus: a highly sensitive gene marker to follow virus dissemination in tissues of infected animals.

We have introduced the firefly luciferase gene of Photinus pyralis into the vaccinia virus genome. This gene is expressed in a coordinate fashion during virus infection. Luminescence produced by the action of luciferase [Photinus-luciferin:oxygen 4-oxidoreductase(decarboxylating, ATP-hydrolyzing), EC 1.

Complexes of thrombin with secreted platelet proteins.

A labeled 77-kDa complex formed when 125I-thrombin was added to platelet suspensions or to the supernatant solution of ionophore-activated platelets. Prostacyclin inhibited complex formation with whole platelets but not with the supernatant solution of ionophore-activated platelets. This is evidence that the complex formed with a factor secreted from activated platelets.

Operant punishment of eye elevation in the green crab, Carcinus maenas.

Extension of the eye after reflex withdrawal was suppressed by punishing each extension with a brief puff of air. Experimental animals showed a decrease in the rate of responding, and an increase in the latency to the next response during 30-min sessions. The effect of punishment per se was controlled for by the use of yoked animals that received punishments whenever the experimental (master) animals did.