The localization of synaptophysin in the organ of Corti of the human as shown by immunoelectron microscopy

Synaptophysin, or p38, a polypeptide of molecular weight 38 kD, is a calcium-binding membrane protein found in synaptic vesicles of neurons and smooth surfaced vesicles of neuroendocrine cells. Six human neonatal and infant temporal bones were fixed in paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, decalcified in EDTA and were than immunoreacted for synaptophysin (ICN Biomedicals) using the avidin-biotin reaction (ABC kit, Vector Labs). The tissue was then prepared for light microscopic surface preparation, radial sections of 5 microns, and serial section electron microscopy. At a light microscopic level, the inner spiral bundle, tunnel spiral bundle, upper tunnel crossing fibers and the base of outer hair cells were stained. At the base of outer hair cells, the immunoreactivity was seen to decrease from the base to the apex and from the first to third outer hair cells. At an electron microscopic level, immunoreactivity at the base of outer hair cells was limited to vesiculated efferent fibers. The degree of immunoreactivity between adjacent efferent fibers varied significantly. Immunoreactive vesiculated endings were also found in the supranuclear region of outer hair cells.     

Respiratory failure in Guillain-Barré syndrome: a 6-year experience

Seventy-nine patients with acute Guillain-Barré syndrome were seen during a 6-year period. Twenty-one were admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit, where they remained for 58 +/- 26 days (range 14 to 105 days). Thirteen patients required nasotracheal intubation followed by tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. The tracheostomy tube was in place for an average of 50 +/- 27 days (range 10 to 104 days). Four patients had complications of tracheostomy; two of these were significant, and one of them led directly to the patient's death. There were no complications due to mechanical ventilation, from which 11 patients were successfully weaned after a mean period of 37 +/- 29 days (range 7 to 93 days). Three of the 79 patients (3.8%) died of complications of their disease or its treatment. Respiratory failure in this condition is protracted and its complications are mainly those of prolonged endotracheal intubation with a tracheostomy tube.     

Cryoimmunoglobulin IgGk with microtubular ultrastructure associated with pyoderma gangrenosum

Based on the hitherto published population data of the human red cell PGM1 and acid phosphatase polymorphisms, the geographical distributions of their gene frequencies were analyzed. As far as the acid phosphatase alleles are concerned, a marked geographical gradient was found as the Pa and Pb alleles showed significant correlations with the mean annual temperatures of the various human biotopes (Pa:r = -0.706; Pb:r = +0.812). Against that, the world distribution of the PGM1 alleles did not show a comparable correlation (PGM1 1:R = +0.063; PGM2 1:R = -0.063). The possible reasons for the distribution pattern of the acid phosphatase alleles are discussed.     

Posterior roentgenogram of the foot

A present there is no reliable way to define the position of the heel in relationship to the tibia during weight bearing. Many surgical and nonsurgical procedures are done to correct a varus or valgus heel without a standard method to define the problem or measure the results. This is a report on a posterior roentgenographic technique which defines the position of the heel with respect to the talus, tibia, and forefoot. This technique allows for measurement of the position of the heel and can be performed in any X-ray facility.     

Estimation of changes in single muscle fibre diameter in different solutions by diffraction studies

Studies of the effects of varying tonicity on the contraction of muscle fibres requires a knowledge of the corresponding changes in fibre diameters, if the observed mechanical changes are to be attributed to various factors, including that of the interfilamental spacing. Hitherto, measurements of such changes in fibre diameters involved tedious measurements of the diameters of the fibres at numerous points along its length. We now describe a technique whereby the change in fibre diameter can be deduced from measurements of the corresponding intensity ratio of laser diffraction lines when the fibre is bathed in solutions of differing tonicities.