3H]Nicotine binding in rat brain: alteration after chronic acetylcholinesterase inhibition

(+/-)-[3H]Nicotine binds specifically to rat brain membranes. The binding is stereospecific, (+)-nicotine being 57 times less potent than (-)-nicotine in displacing labeled (+/-)-nicotine. Saturation binding experiments revealed the presence of two binding sites with dissociation constant (Kd) values of 23.7 and 590 nM, and binding site density (Bmax) values of 76 and 646 fmol/mg of protein, respectively. The substrate specificity of the binding site suggests that it represents the nicotinic cholinergic receptor. [3H] Nicotine binding was found to be highest in the hypothalamus and hippocampus and lowest in the cerebellum. Chronic treatment with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor disulfoton (2 mg/kg/day for 10 days) decreased the number of cholinergic muscarinic and nicotinic binding sites in rat brain. Moreover, the antinociceptive effect of nicotine was found to be markedly reduced in rats chronically treated with disulfoton.     

Big and little forms of osteoclast activating factor

We have further characterized osteoclast activating factor (OAF) using a bioassay for bone resorption which utilizes the release of previously incorporated (45)Ca from fetal rat long bones in organ culture. When supernatant media from activated leukocyte cultures were concentrated on Amicon PM10 membranes (assigned molecular weight cutoff 10,000 daltons) and chromatographed on Sephadex G-50 columns, the bone-resorbing activity eluted between the molecular weight markers chymotrypsinogen (25,000 daltons) and cytochrome c (12,500 daltons). This peak of biological activity has been called big OAF. When filtrates from the PM10 membranes were concentrated on Amicon UM2 membranes (assigned molecular weight cutoff 1,000 daltons) and chromatographed on Sephadex G-50 columns, some of the biological activity eluted between the molecular weight markers chymotrypsinogen and cytochrome c (big OAF), but there was a separate peak of biological activity which eluted with [(3)H]proline (140 daltons). This second peak has been called little OAF. Little OAF was eluted from Bio-Gel P6 columns between the molecular weight markers calcitonin (approximately 3,500 daltons) and vitamin B(12) (1,330 daltons), but was retained by Spectrapor dialysis tubing (nominal molecular weight cutoff 3,500 daltons). Big OAF was converted to little OAF by equilibration in 1 M NaCl or 2 M urea. Little OAF was self-associated back to big OAF by equilibration in buffers of low ionic strength (Tris-HCl 10-50 mM). Little OAF was extracted into the organic phase in ethyl acetate after acidification of the sample to pH 3.5. The biological activity remained in the aqueous phase after ethyl acetate extraction at pH 7.5-8.4. Little OAF has been purified more than 6,000-fold compared with the original material so that bone-resorbing activity is maximal in a sample with a protein concentration of 80 ng/ml.     

Relations between the nuclear activity and the variable 3H-amino acid incorporation pattern in Amoeba proteus

Tracer kinetic studies have revealed the existence of a variable pattern of 3H-amino acid incorporation into amoeba proteins during the early G2 phase of the cell cycle. Two peaks of incorporation of [3H]leucine were found to occur at 19 and 22 h, whereas a single peak at 17 h was noticed in the amoebae labelled with [3H]lysine. An almost 2-fold increase of the labelled amino acid incorporation occurred during the peak periods, while the other periods showed a more or less steady state of incorporation, suggesting a basal rate of synthesis at these times. In a detailed study involving the peaks and the basal incorporation period of [3H]leucine, it was shown that the removal of the nucleus or Actinomycin D treatment eliminated the peaks but the base line protein synthesis was not affected. This suggests that for the peak synthetic periods, mRNA is probably transcribed concurrently, followed by immediate translation, whereas long-life mRNA accounts for the basal synthetic activity.     

Urine extravasation secondary to upper urinary tract obstruction

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of renal salvage in a neonate with presumed spontaneous perirenal leakage of urine associated with ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Many instances of such extravasation in this age group have been described with lower urinary tract obstructions. As in the latter cases, the occurrence of extravasation secondary to upper tract obstruction need not preclude primary reconstruction.     

Studies on the production of precooked flours from beans and cowpeas, alone and combined by cooking. Dehydration]

A review is presented of vesical-related paragangliomas and 3 cases are reported. Methods for early diagnosis, including selective angiographic demonstration, and treatment of these rare tumors are discussed. A multi-team approach by the urologist, endocrinologist and anesthesiologist is stressed for better control of potentially dangerous vasomotor changes during diagnosis and surgical treatment of this tumor.     

Antineuraminidase serum antibodies in natural influenza A and immunization with influenza vaccines

Parallel HI and virus-elution-from-erythrocytes-inhibition (a simplified method for titration of neuraminidase antibody) tests were used for examinations of 1117 blood serum specimens from 440 adults and children under study, 5250 single serum specimens from healthy subjects from birth to 65 years of age, 38 paired serum specimens from children who experienced influenza A/Texas/1/77 disease in the epidemic of 1979-1980, and 590 paired serum specimens from subjects immunized with influenza vaccines. In 7%-23% of influenza patients and immunized subjects antibody rise was observed to only one of the influenza A virus surface antigens, hemagglutinin or neuraminidase. The protective activity of antibody to influenza A virus neuraminidase was as good as that of antihemagglutinins. Both kinds of antibody interacted in protection against the disease. Antineuraminidase antibody was found to affect the decrease in severity of the infectious process in natural infection with influenza A. The formation of immunological memory in the system of synthesis of antihemagglutinins and antineuraminidase antibodies was shown to have features in common. The pattern of heterologous immune responses in immunized subjects and patients with influenza showed all antigenic varieties of neuraminidase N2 as well as neuraminidases N1 and N2 to share common cross-reacting determinants.     

A prospective evaluation of open prefrontal leucotomy

Forty-three patients received an open prefrontal leucotomy for severe and intractable psychiatric illnesses. As a result of the operation three patients died, three developed personality changes and one had repeated grand-mal seizures. Of the 40 patients followed up for six months, 57-5% showed marked improvement in their clinical state and 30-0% mild to moderate degrees of improvement whilst no patient's condition was considered to be worse. Significant improvement was obtained after operation in the mean scores on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Scale and the Neuroticism Scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Extroversion, as measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory, was significantly increased after operation. It is recommended that open prefrontal leucotomy procedures be replaced by the safer stereotactic or electrode implantation techniques and that all psychosurgery be confined to specialist units.