Action of amino acids and convulsants on cerebellar spontaneous action potentials in vitro: effects of deprivation of C1-, K+ of Na+

(1) The inhibition of spontaneous action potentials in guinea pig cerebellar cortex slices by GABA, glycine, taurine and beta-alanine is maintained when C1- in the superfusion medium is almost completely replaced by NO3- or I-('permeant' anion), but the inhibition decreases in magnitude with repeated application of the amino acid. Replacement of C1- by sulfate or isethionate ('impermeant' anion) causes a conversion of inhibition by these amino acids to excitation. The initial excitation which is sometimes seen with these inhibitory amino acids in high C1- media is abolished when C1- is replaced by either permeant or impermeant anions. (2) Reduction of K+ in the medium causes an increase of inhibition by the inhibitory amino acids in the presence of high C1- and reduction of excitation when C1- is replaced by impermeant anion. (3) Excitation by GABA in impermeant anion (low C1-) media is unaffected by reduction of Na+ in the media by 50% but excitations by glycine, taurine, beta-alanine and L-glutamate are greatly reduced. (4). Excitation by GABA in impermeant anion (low C1-) media is abolished by picrotoxin and bicuculline which both suppress inhibition by GABA in a high C1- medium. Strychnine suppresses the effects of glycine, taurine and beta-alanine in either a low or high C1- medium. Bicuculline blocks the inhibitory effect of these three amino acids in a high C1- medium but does not affect their excitatory effects in a low C1- medium. (5) These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the inhibitory amino acids, GABA, glycine, taurine and beta-alanine, cause inhibition via increase of C1- (and perhaps K+) permeability and that glycine, taurine and beta-alanine also interact with strychnine-sensitive receptors mediating (perhaps indirectly) increased permeability to Na+ and, therefore, excitation in low C1- media.     

Are muscle fibers denervated in myotonic dystrophy?

An underlying neurogenic abnormality has recently been postulated in the muscular dystrophies. To test this hypothesis, we applied a widely accepted criterion of denervation-ie, and increase in extrajunctional acetyicholine (ACh) receptor sites--to muscles biopsy specimens from nine patients with myotonic dystrophy and three with amyotrophic lateral scierosis (ALS). The ACh receptor sites were determined by means of iodine 125-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin binding, measured by scintillation counting and autoradiography. None of the myotonic dystrophy muscles showed increased extrajunctiona ACh receptor sites, even in the smallest fibers. By contrast, muscle biopsy specimens from patients with ALS showed notably increased extrajunctional ACh receptor sites, especially in the small fibers. Our findings do not support the hypothesis of a neurogenic defect in myotonic dystrophy.     

Sarcoidosis with salivary gland involvement: biochemical studies on parotid saliva

Parotid saliva from a patient suffering from sarcoidosis with salivary gland involvement has been shown to have a decreased level of alpha-amylase but increased levels of albumin and lysozyme. These observations suggest that in addition to impaired gland function, gland damage as a result of inflammation had occurred which permitted increased passage of constituents from serum into the gland secretion.     

Conformations of satellite DNAs

X-ray fiber diffraction studies of satellite DNAs from Gecarcinus lateralis, Drosophila virilis and Mus musculus, all of which have highly repetitious base sequences but with different degrees of sequence complexity, reveal only classical polynucleotide duplex structures in contrast to some highly repetitious synthetic DNAs.     

Isolation, physicochemical properties, and the macromolecular composition of the vitelline and fertilization envelopes from Xenopus laevis eggs

As a step toward defining in molecular terms the sperm-triggered block to polyspermy reaction established by the egg at fertilization, vitelline (VE) and fertilization (FE) envelopes were isolated from eggs of the Sounth African clawed toad Xenopus laevis and some of their physicochemical properties determined. Envelopes were isolated after lysis of the fertilized or unfertilized eggs by sieving techniques; isolated envelopes retained their in situ morphology as determined by electron microscopy. The isolated envelopes had different solubility properties and, in general, VE was more readily dissolved by aqueous solvents than FE, although both could be completely dissolved by detergents or chaotropic agents. Changes in envelope solubility correlated with the progression of the cortical reaction implicating a role for cortical granule material in modifying the solubility properties of the envelope. The VE and FE were composed of protein and carbohydrate with no lipid components detected. As determined by immunodiffusion experiments, the FE contained the same antigens as the VE plus components derived from the cortical granules and the innermost jelly layer, J. The macromolecular composition of the envelopes was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The VE contained at least 11 glycoproteins with molecular weights ranging from 125 000 to less than 16 000 with two components (40 000 and 33 000) accounting for almost two-thirds of the total stainable material. The FE contained ten glycoproteins that had the same molecular weights as those in the VE. One glycoprotein component underwent a reduction in molecular weight from 77 000 to 67 500 when the VE was converted to the FE. This molecular weight change was interpreted as the probable result of limited proteolysis. In addition, the FE gel electrophoresis patterns contained macromolecular components derived from the cortical granules and jelly layer, J, consistent with the immunodiffusion experiments. These components were absent when the FE was prepared in the absence of Ca2+, suggesting a role for Ca2+ in binding the VE, cortical granules, and J components together. We concluded that the conversion of the glycoproteinaceous VE to FE at fertilization is caused by interaction of the VE with components from the cortical granules and jelly layer J. These interactions are of both a chemical and physical nature.     

Cranial cruciate ligament repair in a calf

A 1-month-old calf was unable to use its right pelvic limb because of rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. The ligament was replaced with a wedge of bone from the cranial one-third of the patella and the attached portion of the middle patellar tendon. Postoperative complications limited function of the joint.     

Endodermal sinus tumor and embryonal carcinoma of the ovary in a 53-year-old woman

BACKGROUND: Germ cell tumors, the most common ovarian malignancies in females under the age of 21, are rare in older women. We report an unusual case of a mixed embryonal carcinoma and endodermal sinus germ cell tumor in a perimenopausal patient and review the differential diagnosis and management of these malignancies with respect to age. CASE: A 53-year-old woman complaining of irregular menses and pelvic pain was found to have a large pelvic mass and a positive pregnancy test. Subsequent investigation revealed a large left adnexal mass, and an elevated beta-HCG and alpha-AFP. At laparotomy, a mixed germ cell tumor was found. The patient was treated with multiagent chemotherapy and currently is without evidence of disease. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the diagnosis of germ cell tumor should be considered in older women presenting with a large pelvic mass. The treatment and prognosis is similar regardless of age, except that reproductive-sparing surgery is not a priority in the older patient.     

Electroretinographic analysis of ultraviolet sensitivity in juvenile and adult goldfish retinas

Electroretinographic (ERG) spectra show that juvenile goldfish have ultraviolet (UV) sensitivity but adults do not. Chromatic adaptation data suggest mediation by UV cones. ERG spectra from eye cups and spectrophotometry of lenses show that the loss of UV sensitivity with age does not result from lens changes. Our results contribute to a growing literature on UV cone mechanisms and visual development in fish.