An AP-2 binding sequence within exon 1 of human and porcine choline acetyltransferase genes enhances transcription in neural cells

It has been established that GABAA and GABAB receptors can exist separately and/or co-exist in the membrane of dorsal root ganglion neurons. In our previous investigation it has been shown that co-existence of these two kinds of receptors is about 80% of the neurons examined (20/25). The present study was aimed to explore whether the activation of these two kinds of receptors could interact with each other using intracellular and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Baclofen, a specific GABAB receptor agonist, was found to exert negative modulatory effects on the responses mediated by GABAA receptor. In experiments with intracellular recording, GABA (0.3-1000 microM)- and muscimol (100-1000 microM)-induced depolarization was attenuated markedly and reversibly by preapplication of baclofen (100 microM) (15/21 and 17/21, respectively). In whole-cell patch-clamp recordings GABA (100 microM) and two specific GABAA receptor agonists, muscimol (10 microM) and isoguvacine (50 microM), activated currents were inhibited markedly by preapplication of baclofen 30 s or more and the inhibition was concentration dependent (1-100 microM baclofen) and reversible. The possible mechanisms underlying the inhibition by baclofen of the responses mediated by GABAA receptor and the physiological significance implicated are discussed.     

Surgical repair of urethral circumcision injuries

PURPOSE: The 2 types of urethral injury that can occur during circumcision are urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral distortion secondary to partial glans amputation. We report the surgical repair of these rare injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 8 patients urethrocutaneous fistulas located on the distal penile shaft or at the coronal margin were managed by splitting the glans and using a Mathieu style skin flap in 4 or vascularized penile skin flap in 4 to bridge the urethral defect. Three patients underwent repair of a hypospadiac deviated urethra secondary to partial glans amputation by 1 cm. of urethral mobilization and repositioning the meatus into a terminal position within the remaining glans tissue. RESULTS: The 8 patients with urethrocutaneous fistulas voided via a terminal meatus without fistula recurrence at a mean followup of 3.2 years (range 1 to 6). The 3 patients with partial glans amputation and urethral deviation repaired by short urethral advancement had functionally acceptable results, defined as a normal urinary stream, although 1 required meatal dilation postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 types of urethral injuries that can occur during circumcision are a subcoronal urethrocutaneous fistula and scarred abnormal urethra from partial glans amputation. The urethrocutaneous fistula can be successfully repaired by splitting the glans and forming a neourethra from a vascularized pedicle flap of penile skin. The abnormal urethra after partial glans amputation is more difficult to repair but repositioning the urethra in a more cosmetic location has restored function.     

Programs as higher level subroutines

The subroutine call is one of the most fundamental of program control constructs. Despite this, it is rarely implemented at the job control or task level in existing commercially available software systems. When the feasibility of adding a general program calling mechanism to an existing system was investigated, it was apparent that there exist constraints on the amount of state information which could be saved on behalf of the calling program. A mechanism with low run-time overhead which saves a minimal amount of state information has proven to be easily integratable into a commercially available operating system. This mechanism has had a significant impact on the ease of development and support of large systems of programs. Examples of the use of the new calling mechanism include a program development system and a recursive directory manager for hierarchical directories.     

Acute bacterial endocarditis: a silent source of sepsis in the burn patient

In the past six years, 35 patients with thermal injuries have died with a diagnosis of endocarditis. The cause of death in 21 of the 22 patients with acute bacterial endocarditis (ABE) was directly related to complications arising from the ongoing sepsis. In only three cases was the diagnosis considered pre-mortem. The endocarditis was located in the right heart in 18, left heart in 9, and both sides in 8 cases. Associated venous thrombi were present in 14 instances, and 10 of these were septic thrombi. Staphylococcus was the primary organism in the blood in 17 of 22 patients with ABE. Clinically audible murmurs were present in only two patients. In no instance was ABE superimposed upon previously existing valvular disease. ABE can serve as a silent source of sepsis in the burn patient. The diagnosis should be suspected with persistantly positive blood cultures, especially for Staphylococcus aureus, in any burn patient in whom no other foci of sepsis can be identified. Vigorous methods of diagnosis and specific treatment are recommended.     

Endotracheal naloxone reversal of morphine-induced respiratory depression in rabbits

In an emergency, intravenous access may be difficult to obtain rapidly. Alternate routes of administration for drugs are, therefore, desirable. Our study was performed to determine if naloxone could be efficacious in reversing morphine-induced respiratory depression in rabbits when administered using the endotracheal route. Our results indicate that naloxone administered in this fashion is effective in reversing morphine-induced respiratory depression in the rabbit. Mean minute ventilation was depressed to greater than half of resting baseline levels using morphine sulfate. Endotracheally administered naloxone reversed this respiratory depression and resulted in a greater than five-fold increase in mean minute ventilation above baseline levels. We concluded that endotracheal naloxone is efficacious in reversing morphine-induced respiratory depression in the rabbit. The endotracheal route may be an effective alternative for naloxone administration in man when rapid intravenous access is not obtainable.     

Atomic-scale imaging in real and energy space developed in ultrafast electron microscopy

In this contribution, we report the development of ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) with atomic-scale real-, energy-, and Fourier-space resolutions. This second-generation UEM provides images, diffraction patterns, and electron energy spectra, and here we demonstrate its potential with applications for nanostructured materials and organometallic crystals. We clearly resolve the separation between atoms in the direct images and the Bragg spots/Debye-Scherrer rings in diffraction and obtain the electronic structure and elemental energies in the electron energy loss spectra (EELS) and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM).