The functional coupling between MM isozyme of creatine phosphokinase (EC 2.7.3.2.) and MgATPase of myofibrils and (Na, K)ATPase of plasma membrane in heart cells]

The functional role of particulate MM isozyme of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) bound to heart myofibrils has been studied. It has been shown that in the presence of heart myofibrils and MgATP creatine phosphate can be used to rephosphorylate ADP formed in the MgATPase reaction. The rate of creatine phosphate splitting is determined by the kinetic properties of myofibrillar MgATPase and by the kinetic parameters of myofibrillar CPK. It has been found that a purified heart plasma membrane preparation contains high CPK activity. CPK isozyme bound to plasma membrane of heart cells is identical to MM isozyme of CPK and is able to rephosphorylate effectively ADP, formed in the (Na K)ATPase reaction. The rate of creatine phosphate splitting in these coupled reactions is sensitive to ouabain and is determined by the kinetic parameters both of the (Na, K)ATPase and plasma membrane CPK. The results obtained indicate the important role of myofibrillar and plasma membrane CPK in the intracellular energy transport processes.     

Comparative study of four retentive anchor systems for implant supported overdentures – retention force changes

Objectives: Wear of attachments leads to a loss of retention and potentially reduces the function of complete dentures. This study evaluated the retention force changes of different prefabricated attachment systems for implant‐supported overdentures to estimate the wear constancy and applicability in clinical practice. Methods: Four prefabricated attachment systems were tested [Group SG: retentive ball attachment (Straumann, Switzerland) with gold matrix, Group ST: retentive ball attachment (Straumann, Switzerland) with titanium spring matrix, Group IB: UNOR i‐Ball with Ecco matrix (UNOR, Switzerland) and Group IMZ: IMZ^®‐TwinPlus ball attachment with gold matrix (DENTSPLY Friadent, Germany)]. Ten samples of each system were subjected to 10 000 insertion‐separation cycles. Results: Results showed that all types of attachments showed wear, which led to a loss of retention force after an initial increase at the beginning of the wear simulation. Attachments with a plastic retention insert or gold matrices underwent the smallest changes in retention force. The titanium spring system showed the largest changes in retention force and a greater variation between the different cycles and specimen. This behaviour is probably caused by a large fitting tolerance of the titanium spring. Conclusions: Attachment systems which possess a male and female component of different material composition are preferable. They show smaller changes in the retention force. For retention force increase and wear compensation, an attachment system should be adjustable.     

Meeting Report

Syntaxin 10 is a soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein localized to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), where two other members of the syntaxin family, syntaxins 6 and 16, also reside. The role of syntaxin 10 in regulating TGN protein traffic is not yet defined. Syntaxin 10 co-localizes well with syntaxins 6 and 16 at the TGN in interphase cells, and appears to interact with both syntaxin 6 and 16 as evidenced by co-immunoprecipitation analyses. However, unlike syntaxin 6 and 16, neither syntaxin 10 antibodies nor its cytosolic domain inhibits endosome-TGN transport of shiga toxin. Syntaxin 16 knockdown with small interfering RNA (siRNA) affects the TGN localization of syntaxin 6 but not syntaxin 10, and clearly inhibits endosome-TGN transport. On the other hand, knockdown of syntaxin 10 expressions had no significant effect on the TGN localization of syntaxin 6 and 16, and did not inhibit endosome-TGN transport. Unlike syntaxin 16, syntaxin 10 does not interact specifically with Vps45, the Sec1/Munc18 (SM) family member at the TGN. On the other hand, syntaxin 10 reciprocally co-immunoprecipitated endosomal syntaxin 12/13, and knockdown of syntaxin 10 expressions affects the surface expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) and seems to induce the formation of an immobile TfR pool. Therefore, in spite of its co-localization and possible interaction with syntaxin 16, syntaxin 10 is not part of the syntaxin 16-based SNARE complex involved in endosome-TGN transport, and may have a hitherto unrecognized function in the TGN-endosome boundary.     

Effect of substance P on the ganglion trigeminale in tissue culture (author's transl)

Explants of the ganglion trigeminale from chick embryos were cultivated in Maximow chambers in the presence of 10-6...10-8 M substance P (SP . 3CH3COOH.4H2O). 1. In SP-treated cultures the index of areas covered by the explants was increased in shorttime tests. 2. The density of cells was related to the type of medio-dorsal (MD) and ventro-lateral (VL) neuroblasts. The density of SP-treated VL cells was not altered. The density of MD cells decreased. 3. The percentage of dark neuroblasts was decreased under the influence of SP. 4. A stimulation of VL neuroblasts did not take place. 5. The diameters of MD pericarya and the areas of MD cell nuclei and the areas of nuclei from nonneuronal cells increased. 6. The possible role of SP as a factor controlling In-vitro-processes is discussed.     

Cell differentiation in the hippocampus of the fetal rat in cell culture

Cell cultures from hippocampus of 16 and 17 days old embryonal rats were cultivated up to 4 weeks. After 24 hours in vitro on 18.4 percent of cells and after 5 days in vitro on 70 percent of cells processes could be recognized. These are neuroblasts. The cells reaggregated. Nerve fibers after 4 weeks in vitro are 200 to 300 mum long. Small and big neurons with 12 mum to 26 mum diameters of perikarya, bi- and multipolar neurons after 4 weeks in vitro were observed. In cultures and meningothel-monolayer developed. Maintenance and differentiation of cultures are possible only by sowing in at least 60,000 cells/ml medium. The advantage of cell culture opposite to organ culture exists in experiments with immediate selective influence.