Ion-dependency of the GABA-potentiating effects of benzodiazepine tranquilizers and harmane

Experiments on an isolated spinal cord of 8-15-day-old rats have shown that one of the possible mechanisms of the GABA-potentiating action of the benzodiazepine tranquilizer, chlorodiazepoxide, may be a decrease in the intraneuronal concentration of Ca2+. This is evidenced by the enhancement of the GABA-potentiating action of chlorodiazepoxide under Ca2+ deficiency in the medium and in the presence of the blockers of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ ionic channels--Mn2+ and Co2+, and by the reduction of the effect in question under Ca2+ excess in the medium and in the presence of the K+ channels blockers--tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine. The GABA-potentiating action of harmane is likely to be related to the blockade of the voltage-dependent K+ channels and elevation of the intracellular concentration of Ca2+.     

Human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase

A mutant form of human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRTToronto) was isolated from erythrocytes of a male patient with gout due to a partial deficiency of enzyme activity. The tryptic peptides of HPRTToronto were mapped by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography in an attempt to define the precise abnormality in its primary structure. Sequence analysis of the single aberrant peptide in HPRTToronto revealed an arginine to glycine amino acid substitution at position 50. A single nucleotide change in the codon for arginine 50 (CGA leads to GGA) could explain this substitution.     

Effect of prostaglandins on lipid transfer between high- and low-density lipoproteins in human plasma

Prostaglandin (PG) E1 was shown to stimulate the transfer of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol esters from human high density lipoproteins to low density lipoproteins. The enhancement of the interlipoprotein lipid transfer by PGE1 was observed both at low prostaglandin concentrations under conditions of spontaneous exchange as well as in the presence of the lipoprotein-depleted plasma and the partly purified lipid transfer plasma protein. At the same time PGE2 showed no significant influence on the interlipoprotein lipid transfer. It is supposed that the effect of PGE1 is due to the PGE1-induced reorganization of the high density lipoprotein surface and that the PG-lipoprotein interaction is a factor which regulates cholesterol homeostasis.     

Morphological characteristics of the motor neurons of the spinal cord in physical loading up to the limit

The experiments have been performed on 98 white rats adapted and nonadapted to the effect of physical loadings. The loadings up to the limit are reached by swimming of the rats up to fatigue. The swimming lasts for 10-15, 20-35, 40-65, 70-90 h. Under the conditions mentioned, morphological changes of the neurons are of mosaic pattern. Light optic and electron microscopic methods demonstrate swelling of neurons, endocellular and pericellular edema, vacuolization, appearance of gigantic degeneratively altered mitochondria, presence of vesicles in mitochondria, hollow mitochondria, dilated cysterns of the endoplasmic reticulum, degenerated synapses and glial reaction. These changes are considered as adaptive and compensatory reactions in the process of physiological strain of the organism, directed towards increasing stability against the effect of the extermal factor. In the animals nonadapted to any physical loadings, morphological changes in neurons of the ventral horns of the spinal cord are more deeply and widely spread in character.     

Functional anatomy of the musculature of the trachea.

The smooth musculature of the human trachea was studied and compared with earlier observations in the rabbit. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. The annular m. constrictor tracheae, previously observed in the rabbit, has also been identified in the human trachea. 2. Longitudinal muscle fibers outside the constrictor musculature were observed in man. These fibers are rudimentary and appear to be of no functional importance. 3. From a functional point of view, it appears justified to regard the outer tracheal musculature largely as a constrictor musculature. 4. The main function of the outer musculature of the trachea and the elastic cartilaginous arches is to maintain the stability of the tracheal wall. 5. The variation of the lumen of the trachea is mainly controlled by the m. trachealis in the pars membranacea.     

The functional anatomy of the lower limb of the howler monkey (Alouatta caraya)

The howler monkey possesses unique anatomical adaptations associated with its arboreal habit. The behavioral elements are described by locomotor pattern, substrate, timing and rhythm of movement. The most significant motor adaptations are correlated clearly and directly with musculoskeletal features of the lower limb. The orientation of the joints within the limb, the shape of the joint surfaces, their bony environments, and the important planes of muscular control are the foundations for the observable locomotor behaviors.