A differential response of two putative mammalian circadian regulators, mper1 and mper2, to light

A mouse gene, mper1, having all the properties expected of a circadian clock gene, was reported recently. This gene is expressed in a circadian pattern in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). mper1 maintains this pattern of circadian expression in constant darkness and can be entrained to a new light/dark cycle. Here we report the isolation of a second mammalian gene, mper2, which also has these properties and greater homology to Drosophila period. Expression of mper1 and mper2 is overlapping but asynchronous by 4 hr. mper1, unlike period and mper2, is expressed rapidly after exposure to light at CT22. It appears that mper1 is the pacemaker component which responds to light and thus mediates photic entrainment.     

Medullary mechanism of the inhibition on renal sympathetic efferent activities by stimulation of the cervical vagal afferent nerve in rabbits

The presence of angiographic evidence of thrombus is generally thought to be a contraindication to coronary stent placement. This report describes four patients in whom angiographic thrombus was lysed using the Dispatch infusion catheter prior to coronary stenting. Urokinase was infused via the Dispatch catheter with resolution of angiographic evidence of thrombus in all cases. No complications were encountered using this technique, and all patients had excellent angiographic results after stenting. We conclude that lysis of intracoronary thrombus using the Dispatch infusion catheter is feasible and appears safe in this small study. Further trials are needed to determine if this technique reduces the acute stent thrombosis rate compared to other techniques for stent deployment in the presence of angiographic evidence of thrombus.     

The effect of electrostimulation of the hypothalamic mamillary nuclei on the vascular permeability of the skin in intact and capsaicin-pretreated rats

Electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic mamillary nuclei increased the permeability of the skin blood vessels in rats. Pretreatment of the animals with capsaicin prevented the effect. The mamillary nuclei seem to take part in the central mechanisms of efferent function of the capsaicin-sensitive neurons.     

Apoptosis-related protein expression in the hippocampus in Alzheimer''s disease

In HIV infected patients, the increase of the concentration of free radicals is related to: a depletion of protective system (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, vitamin E, selenium ...), and an increased production of free radicals (superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxil radical) consecutive to the activation of lymphocytes and phagocyting cells, the chronic inflammation, the increased polyinsatured fatty acids concentration and lipoperoxidation, and direct or indirect effect of several pathologic agents including Mycoplasma sp. This free radical excess could impair cell membranes and generate apoptosis, the main cause of lymphocytes CD4+ depletion. After a brief review of the free radicals synthesis pathway, their potential deleterious effects and the protective systems, the role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of HIV infection are discussed in regard to data reported in the literature.     

The analysis of rationale in antibiotic usage in certain maternity and gynecological wards and analogous outpatient clinics

The aim of this work was the analysis of the correctness of therapeutic and preventive use of chemotherapeutic agents by the gynaecologists in their hospital and outpatient treatment. 1774 orders concerning chemotherapy or antibacterial chemoprophylaxis in 4 chosen health institutions (2 maternity-gynaecological wards and 2 analogous out-patient departments) were analysed. While evaluating each course indications for chemotherapy, choice of drug, each dose, way and time of administration were considered. In analysed health institutions 22.1-40.1% of used chemotherapeutics were applied without reasonable indications. In 11.3-27.7% of indicated cases the right chemotherapeutic was not chosen properly. Improper dosage concerned 0.0-23.7% of analysed courses of chemotherapy. It was no reservation for the ways of administration of the drugs. The inappropriate time of usage referred to 5.6-21.4% of analysed courses.     

Continuous treatment of filament with a dosed amount of reagent

The characteristics of treatment of filaments with a dosed amount of reagent were examined on the example of elimination of sodium ions from PAN twist. It was shown that a 2 g/liter concentration of H₂SO₄, required for elimination of sodium ions from 0.026–0.35 to 0.01–0.03%, is attained over the entire section of the twist on contact of PAN twist with a solution of H₂SO₄ of high concentration, 20–30 g/liter, for 0.2–0.8 sec. The diffusion coefficients of H₂SO₄ and the thermal conductivity of the twist were determined. It was shown that heating of the twist takes place two orders of magnitude more rapidly than diffusion of sulfuric acid.All-Russian Scientific — Research Institute of Polymer Fibres, Mytishchi. Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 3, pp. 20–23, May–June, 1994.     

Determination of the diffusion coefficient of sulfuric acid in freshly spun polyacrylonitrile tow

Conclusions -- A procedure has been developed for studying the diffusion of sulfuric acid into polyacrylonitrile tow; this is a variant of the moving boundary method.-- Diffusion coefficients of sulfuric acid into tow at various temperatures have been obtained.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 6, pp. 23–24, November–December, 1990.     

Effectiveness of introducing a hydropurification process into the flow sheet for the production of lubricating oils

Conclusions In comparison with contact purification, the process of the hydropurification of oils is characterized by better technical and economic indices and a better quality of the basic oils obtained.The yearly saving in the operation of type G-24 unit, calculated on the basis of actual plant data, is 455 thousand rubles for Refinery I and 500 thousand rubles for Refinery II.Translated from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 3, pp. 32–34, March, 1972.     

Morphological and immunohistochemical identification of neurons and their targets in the guinea-pig duodenum

Nerve circuits within the proximal duodenum were investigated using a combination of immunohistochemistry for individual neuron markers and lesion of intrinsic nerve pathways to determine axon projections. Cell shapes and axonal projections were also studied in cells that had been injected with a marker substance. Several major neuron populations were identified. Calbindin immunoreactivity occurred in a population of myenteric nerve cells with Dogiel type II morphology. These had axons that projected to other myenteric ganglia, to the circular muscle and to the mucosa. All were immunoreactive for the synthesizing enzyme for acetylcholine, choline acetyltransferase, and some were also immunoreactive for calretinin. Myenteric neurons with nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity projected anally to the circular muscle. These were also immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal peptide, and proportions of them had enkephalin and/or neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity. It is suggested that they are inhibitory motor neurons to the circular muscle. A very few (about 2%) of nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive neurons had choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity. Tachykinin (substance P)-immunoreactive nerve cells were numerous in the myenteric plexus. Some of these projected orally to the circular muscle and are concluded to be excitatory motor neurons. Others projected to the tertiary plexus which innervates the longitudinal muscle and others provided terminals in the myenteric plexus. Two groups of descending interneurons were identified, one with somatostatin immunoreactivity and one with vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactivity. The two most common nerve cells in submucous ganglia were neuropeptide Y- and vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive nerve cells. Both provided innervation of the mucosa. There was also a population of calretinin-immunoreactive submucous neurons that innervated the mucosal glands, but not the villi. Comparison with the ileum reveals similarities in the chemistries and projections of neurons. Differences include the almost complete absence of nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity from vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive interneurons in the duodenum, the projection of calbindin-immunoreactive Dogiel type II neurons to the circular muscle and the absence of tachykinin-immunoreactivity from these neurons.