[Characteristics of the responses of cat visual cortex neurons to photic stimulation of different areas of their receptive fields].

The functions of intensity, thresholds of reactions, thresholds of inhibitory effects and differential sensitivity to intensity of local light stimulation of central and different peripheral regions of receptive fields of 96 units in the 17th field of visual cortex were investigated in immobilized and nonanesthetized cats in dark adaptation. Receptive fields of cells had wide threshold and superthreshold reliefs (3-30 degrees). Some of them had V-shape reliefs, while others--reliefs with alternating zones of high and low excitability. As a rule, sensitivity of excitatory and inhibitory inputs was maximal in the centre of the receptive field. In the investigated population of cells the inhibitory inputs were more standard in sensitivity and on the average of lower excitability. The threshold relief of the receptive fields was markedly narrowed under light adaptation mainly due to a decrease in the peripheral inputs sensitivity. The number of low-threshold units, the differential brightness sensitivity and sensitivity of the inhibitory system increased in the visual cortex as compared to the lateral geniculate and retinal units. The mechanisms of receptive field formation in the visual cortex and their plasticity depending on the adaptation level, the role of excitatory and inhibitory inputs in these effects and behavioral significance of the obtained data are discussed.


[Impulse activity of interneurons of the lumbar portion of the spinal cord during the late long discharges in the motor nerves of immobilized thalamic cats].

Impulse activity of lumbar interneurons was recorded extracellularly during the late long-lasting discharges in efferent nerves of immobilized thalamic animals. 70% of investigated neurons changed their activity during the late discharges. The activity of 35% of neurons increased, during late discharges in flexor nerves, while during activity in extensor nerves it was inhibited. 27% of neurons had the opposite reaction. Neurons, whose activity correspondingly increased (5%) or decreased (3%) during the late discharges both in flexor and extensor nerves were also observed. Most interneurons, changing their activity during late discharges, were located in the lateral parts of intermediate zone and in the lateral ventral horn at the depth of 2.8 mm. Certain dependence between the character of afferent inputs to the neuron and correlation of its activity with late efferent discharges was revealed. Neurons whose activity did not change during late discharges (40%) were mainly located somewhat dorsally, at the depth of about 2.0 mm. Possible role of described interneurons in generation of late discharges is discussed.


[Neurons of the superior cervical segments responding to stimulation of the bulbar locomotor strip].

Synaptic responses of single neurons of upper cervical segments to stimulation of the bulbar "locomotor strip" were recorded extracellularly in mesencephalic cats. The stimulating current being about 30 muA, these responses usually had 2-7 ms latencies and appeared in neurons located at a depth of 2-4 mm from the dorsal surface (Rexed's laminae V-VIII). These neurons cannot be excited antidromically either from lumbar or lower cervical segments. However antidromic responses, could be evoked by stimuli applied 3-5 mm caudally of the recording electrode. It is assumed that neurons in C2, C3 excited from the "locomotor strip" are elements of the cell column which is responsible for the polysynaptic propagation of activity to the spinal generators of stepping.


Brain neovascularization with temporalis muscle in dogs.

Nine mongrel adult dogs underwent temporalis muscle transposition on the surface of the left hemisphere, the arachnoid having been removed. Histological confirmation of vessel networks connecting muscle and brain was achieved after 90 days.


Cranioplasty with pre-formed methyl methacrylate onlay plates.

The available manufactured plates for cranioplasty of large skull defects are not always satisfactory. Recently we have used preformed methyl methacrylate plates, in combination with Proplast. This plate prepared adjusted and sterilized before the operation is both cosmetically and mechanically satisfactory.


Developmental changes in choline acetyltransferase and glutamate decarboxylase activity in various regions of the brain of the male, female, and neonatally androgenized female rat.

In attempt to discern effects of sex hormones on the development of neurotransmitter systems in the rat brain, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) have been measured at postnatal days 8, 12, 25, and 60 in five regions (amygdala, anterior hypothalamus, hippocampus, olfactory bulbs, and cerebral cortex) of the brains of normal male, normal female, and neonatally androgen-treated female rats. Essentially no association between sex or of neonatal "androgenization" on either enzymol were found. The data, however, provide new information on the relative rates of development of ChAT and GAD in five regions of the rat brain which supplement the limited information already available in the literature. ChAT activity was highest in amygdala and hypothalamus, but developed most rapidly in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The relative activities and patterns of development of GAD activity were similar to those of ChAT.


Isolation of synaptic junction-enriched fraction from the forebrain of day-old chickens. Preparation and characterization of chick forebrain subcellular fractions.

Synaptosomal plasma membrane (SPM) and other subcellular fractions were isolated from the forebrain of 1-day-old chickens by a procedure based on that of Davis and Bloom (16) and Cotman and Taylor (13). The procedure involves the centrifugation through a discontinuous sucrose gradient of a crude synaptosomal-mitochondrial fraction which has been lysed and weighed with iodonitrotetrazolium. SPM isolated by this method contains only small amounts of lysosomal or mitochondrial membranes and is practically devoid of contaminating microsomal membranes, as estimated by enzyme marker assays. The purity of chick-brain SPM prepared by this method is compared to the purity of chick-brain fractions obtained by two other laboratories, using different methods (4, 59). The SPM were extracted with Triton X-100 and all fractions solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate (sds). The delipidated proteins of all fractions were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis on slab gels and stained for protein. A distinct difference was observed between the patterns given by the Triton-soluble and -insoluble fractions. Electron microscopy of the synaptic junction fraction showed numerous junctional complexes.


Brain-specific proteins in the occipital cortex of rats housed in enriched and impoverished environments.

The occipital cortex was dissected from the brain of rats housed in either enriched or impoverished environment for four weeks. In environmentally enriched rats the weight of occipital cortex was found to be increased 5.7%, compared to environmentally impoverished rats, and the amount of protein was increased 6.0%. The amount of six nervous system-specific proteins was measured by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Synaptin increased 4.7%, D3 increased 8.3%, and D1 increased 9.6%, whereas D2 was not significantly increased. Compared to D2, D3 and D1 were still increased significantly, although all were present in synaptosomal membrane fractions. The protein S-100 was increased 3.4% and the neuronal protein 14-3-2 was increased 12.2% for the cathodal component whereas the anodal component was not increased. The results were interpreted as representing delayed development of environment-dependent neurons in the environmentally impoverished rats.


Tissue and regional distribution of cysteic acid decarboxylase. A new assay method.

A sensitive and rapid assay method method for cysteic acid decarboxylase was develped which combined the selectivity of ion exchange resin (a complete retention of the substrate, cysteic acid, and exclusion of the product, taurine) with the speed of a vacuum filtration. The synthesis and purification of 35S-labeled cysteic acid were described. The validity of the assay was established by the identification of the reaction product as taurine. With this new method, the decarboxylase activity was measured in discrete regions of bovine brain. Putamen had the highest activity, 172 pmol taurine formed/min/mg protein (100%), followed by caudate nucleus, 90%; cerebral cortex, 82%; hypothalamus, 81%; cerebellar cortex, 79%; cerebellar peduncle, 59%; thalamus, 42%; brain stem, 25%; pons, 10%; and corpus callosum, 3%. The decarboxylase activity in various mouse tissues was also determined as follows: liver, 403; brain, 145; kidney, 143; spinal cord, 59; lung, 21; and spleen, 10 pmol taurine formed/min/mg. No activity could be detected in skeleton muscle and heart, suggesting a different biosynthetic pathway for taurine synthesis in these tissues. The advantages and disadvantages of the new assay method are also discussed.


alpha-Methyl-p-tyrosine inhibits the production of free arachidonic acid and diacylglycerols in brain after a single electroconvulsive shock.

A single electroconvulsive shock (ECS) significantly enlarged the free fatty acid (FFA) pool of the mouse brain, arachidonic acid being the most actively released FFA (48% over controls). In animals pretreated with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MT), the endogenous levels of FFA (25 sec after decapitation) were decreased and the effect of ECS was completely abolished. The most pronounced inhibition took place in free arachidonic acid (42% and 52% under controls in nonstimulated and ECS-stimulated mice, respectively). A similar tendency, although lower and less specific than the one taking place in FFA, was observed in mouse brain diacylglycerols (DG). In contrast to ECS, alpha-MT treatment did not effect the marked release of FFA and DG taking place 3 min after decapitation. Taking into account the specific inhibitory action of alpha-MT on tyrosine hydroxylase activity, the present findings provide experimental in vivo evidence about the relationship between biogenic amines and membrane lipid breakdown during electrical stimulation and suggest an involvement of FFA and DG in neurotransmission.


Effect of intraventricularly injected ricin on protein synthesis in rat brain.

Ricin, a protein from the seeds of Ricinus communis which inhibits protein synthesis by eukaryotic ribosomes, is highly toxic when injected intraventricularly to rats, the LD50 being 0.241 micrograms/rat at 72 hr and 0.084 micrograms/rat at 7 days. Poisoned animals showed signs of central depression; they did not die before 20 hr of intoxication. Incorporation of amino acids in vivo into brain total protein and into brain ribosomes was impaired, as was protein synthesis in vitro by microsomes isolated from the brain of poisoned rats.


The synthesis and turnover of spermidine and spermine in mouse brain.

Following the administration to mice of radiolabeled putrescine by intraventricular injection, changes in the specific radioactivity of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine have been measured. Putrescine decline was biphasic, being more rapid over the first 12 hr(t 1/2 = 5 hr) than over the remainder of the 48-hr period (t 1/2 = 11 hr) that significant labeling was detected. Spermidine was rapidly labeled during the decline in putrescine radioactivity and maximum incorporation of label occurred at 18 hr. Subsequently, spermidine specific activity declined with a half-life of 22 days. Spermine synthesis was slower, with maximum labeling occurring after 4 days. Spermine turnover, measured at a time when spermidine radioactivity had substantially declined, was extremely slow (t 1/2 = 92 days). The data supports the view that putrescine is a precursor of spermidine which in turn is required for spermine synthesis.


Reciprocal changes in center and surrounding S potentials of fish retina in response to dopamine.

Effects of dopamine (DA) were examined on the intracellularly recorded potential from horizontal cells in the fish (Eugerres plumieri) rentina. DA (100 micron in the perfusate) augmented the center S potential in a response to a spot illumination and attenuated the surrounding S potential to an annular light by approximately 40%. These reciprocal changes in the S potentials were associated with a slight depolarization (2.5 mV) of the horizontal cell, and were reversible in 10-15 min. The results indicate that DA at this concentration does not affect directly the synaptic transmission from photoreceptors to horizontal cells, while it appears to interfere selectively with the lateral propagation of an S potential. The effects of DA observed may represent an aspect of function of DA-containing interplexiform cells in the retina.


Glycoprotein galactosyltransferase activity in synaptic junctional complexes isolated from rat forebrain.

A synaptosomal plasma membrane fraction and its junctional and nonjunctional subfractions were isolated and analyzed for glycoprotein galactosyltransferase activity. The nonjunctional components fraction had the highest specific activity in the presence of exogenous acceptor, suggesting an enrichment of enzyme in this fraction. The synaptic junctional complex fraction had the highest specific activity in the absence of added acceptor, suggesting that there is a relative enrichment of endogenous acceptors for this galactosyltransferase within the synaptic junctional complex.


Transport of malate and citrate into rat brain mitochondria under hypoxia and anesthesia.

Hypoxia and anesthesia inhibited penetration of malate and citrate into the brain mitochondria by 60% and 40%, respectively. Anesthetized animals exposed to low oxygen tension showed similar changes as those subjected to hypoxia without anesthesia. Recovery from anesthesia was rapid and the rates of citrate and malate uptake returned to the control values in approximately 60 min. In the case of hypoxia, days were required to restore the control values of citrate and malate uptake. Free fatty acids had no effect on the entry of malate and citrate into the mitochondria. However, changes in the levels of protein --SH groups were observed which may be responsible for the impaired transport of citrate and malate under hypoxic condition.


Comparison of high-affinity binding of [3H]GABA to subcellular particles of rat brain and liver.

The binding of [3H]GABA and retention of [14C]sucrose have been studied in freshly prepared "synaptosomal-mitochondrial" (P2) fractions of rat cerebral cortex and liver using bicarbonate-buffered medium (containing 147 mEq/liter of Na+), and in frozen/thawed crude membrane fractions of rat whole brain and liver using Na+-free Tris HCl medium. GABA-sensitive sites (GSS) and bicuculline-methiodide- (BMI-) sensitive sites (BMI-SS) were defined as those amounts of [3H]GABA that were sensitive to the displacement by 10(-3) M unlabeled GABA or BMI. In the presence of added Na+, two high-affinity GABA-binding processes were detected in the P2 fraction of cerebral cortex. The lower-affinity process (likely related mainly to uptake sites) had KB approximately equal to 10(-5) M, Bmax for GSS approximately equal to 3 nmol/mg protein, and Bmax for BMI-SS approximately equal to 0.5 nmol/mg protein, whereas the higher-affinity process (likely related to synaptic GABA receptors) had KB approximately equal to 10(-7) M, BMAX for GSS approximately equal to 43 pmol/mg protein, and BMAX for BMI-SS approximately equal to 2 pmol/mg proteins. Only the higher-affinity process was detected in the liver P2 fraction, and it had KB approximately equal to 3.7 x 10(-8) M, BMAX for GSS approximately equal to 0.48 pmol/mg protein, and BMAX for BMI-SS approximately equal to 0.1 pmol/mg protein (i.e., about 1/100 and 1/20 the receptive BMAX values of cerebral cortex). This binding process of the liver P2 fraction could represent sites involved in mitochondrial GABA transport. In Na+-free Tris HCl medium, high-affinity [3H]GABA binding appeared to exist in frozen/thawed membrane preparations of both brain and liver when data were expressed on a protein basis. However, this binding to liver membranes was not displaceable by 10(-5) M unlabeled GABA, and when these data were expressed on a weight basis and corrected for [3H]GABA present in trapped supernatant fluid of the pellets, no [3H]GABA binding was detected in the liver preparation.


Transport of tryptophan and tyrosine in rat brain slices in the presence of lithium.

Slices from rat cerebral cortex, brain stem, and cerebellum were incubated in media in which 1, 10, or 100 mmol/liter NaC1 had been replaced by equimolar amounts of LiC1. The initial influx of tryptophan and tyrosine into the slices diminished in the lithium-containing media. The lithium-induced inhibition was not competitive. The equilibrium accumulation of the amino acids was also less in the presence of LiC1. The incorporation of tryptophan and tyrosine into the proteins of the slices was inhibited by lithium. These were no clear differences between the brain areas studied. It has been suggested earlier that a lithium treatment enhances the in vivo cerebral uptake of these aromatic amino acids. The present results show that such a possible increase in uptake is not a direct effect of lithium ions on cell membranes.


[A case of nasofrontal encephalomeningocele with review of literatures and experiences of 14 cases of cephaloceles (author's transl)].

A case of 2-month-old boy with nasofrontal encephalomeningocele was presented, which was excellently treated via intradural approach, followed by removal of herniated sac. Under the knowledge of reviewed literatures and our experiences of 14 cases of cephaloceles, its symptomatology, diagnosis and policy of treatments were discussed. As rare case was an intracranial meningoencephalocele in our series described, which showed a supracollicular cyst with brain tissue wall, communicating with aqueduct. Other emphases were placed on the differential diagnosis from holoprosencephaly with extracranial dorsal sac, the usefulness of CT-scan as a diagnostic tool and our method of closing dural defects in anterior cranial fossa by reflecting dura on frontal lobe.


[Silicone pellet embolization of spinal cord arteriovenous malformation--case report (author's transl)].

This is a report of case with the spinal cord arteriovenous malformation in which silicone pellet embolizations of the feeding arteries were carried out through a percutaneous catheter. The technical details are presented. (Case report) A 35-year-old paraplegic patient. Her radiograms are shown Figs. 1 to 5. An attempt to direct removal of the AVM was limited to the laminectomy (Th1--4) because of extensive haemorrhage in the extradural space. Small silicon pellets with barium sulfate were used to occlude the feeder in this case. The large AVM at the high thoracic level was supplied by feeders coming from the branches of thyreocervical trunk in both side. In the right, six pellets of a proper size were used. Angiogram taken immediately after injection of emboli, demonstrated a decrease of volume of the AVM to about a half (Fig. 2-b), and six months later, the spinal feeders had been embolized almost completely (Fig. 5-a). In the left side, two pellets were injected through the left thyreocervical trunk but the malformation was depicted at the follow-up angiogram taken about six months later. She went to the rehabilitation clinic after surgery and her palaplegia improved remarkably. At present, she can walk on crutches. Disturbances to evacuation and urination have also disappeared.


[Posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach for a lower basilar trunk aneurysm (author's transl)].

A lower basilar trunk aneurysm is rare and it has been difficult to operate on this kind of aneurysm which is located in so-called "no man's land". We have recently operated on the aneurysm which was located between the vertebrobasilar junction and the origin of AICA. The aneurysm was approached posterior-subtemporal-transtentorially and wrapped with a muscle piece because of its broad neck. After the operation the patient developed amnestic aphasia which, however, disappeared 4 months postoperatively. The advantage of this approach is that it enables a better visualization of the lower basilar trunk, the lateroventral portion of the pons, the distal part (5 mm) of both vertebral arteries and the upper portion of the medulla oblongata than any other approaches hitherto reported. The retraction of the temporal lobe and subsequent brain damage may be minimized by using intraoperative ventricular drainage and microtechnical maneuver.


Effects of bromocriptine on plasma catecholamines in normal men.

Administration of a single oral 2.5 mg dose of bromocriptine (Brc), a dopamine (DA) receptor agonist, to normal male volunteers results in comparable marked decreases in resting supine plasma concentrations of DA (decrement 2 h after drug administration was 67 +/- 5%; mean +/- SE), norepinephrine (NE; 63 +/- 3%) and epinephrine (E; 65 +/- 5%); decreases in all three plasma catecholamine (CA) concentrations were significant at p less than 0.001. This effect of Brc on plasma CAs was initiated more rapidly and was of briefer duration than the suppressive effect on serum prolactin (Prl). When Brc was administered daily for 1 week, its effect on plasma CAs had terminated within 4 h of its adninistration. A further oral dose after administration of Brc for 1 week produced identical suppressive effects on plasma CAs to those observed following the 1st dose. Brc did not prevent the incremental response of plasma DA, NE and E to standing. Also, orthostatic hypotension occurred on occasion, in spite of normal plasma CA responses to standing. Brc did not affect basal serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. These data describing a suppressive effect of Brc on plasma DA, NE and E suggest that Brc inhibits release of these CAs from peripheral sympathetic nerve endings and adrenal medulla, and acts at least in part through presynaptic CA receptors in the brain. The suppressive effect of Brc on plasma CAs may prove useful as a test of normal presynaptic CA mechanisms.


LH release and ovulation in the rat following depletion of hypothalamic norepinephrine: chronic vs. acute effects.

The effects of long-term hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) depletion on reproductive cyclicity, ovulation, and luteinizing hormone (LH) release were studied in adult female rats. Bilateral transections of the ascending noradrenergic pathway (ANP) at the level of the mesencephalon led to an 83% depletion of hypothalamic NE. Although some animals exhibited a period of acyclicity following this surgical procedure, by 23 days all animals had begun to cycle. When checked for ovulation at around 40 days, all of the rats had shed full quotas of ova. There was no significant difference in either the timing or magnitude of the surge when proestrous LH levels in NE-depleted rats were compared with sham transected controls. To see if the residual hypothalamic NE left after transection of the ascending noradrenergic pathway was important for maintenance of normal LH secretion and ovulation, a group of long-term depleted rats were given an NE synthesis inhibitor (diethyldithiocarbamate: DDC). In all of the sham-cut and intact control rats this drug either partially or completely blocked ovulation, but it was effective in only 40% of the depleted animals. The other 60% not only ovulated, but shed full quotas of ova. These results demonstrate that normal LH secretion can occur even when hyplthalamic NE levels are extremely low. Although acute depressions of NE by pharmacological agents such as DDC effectively block the LH surge, this inhibition is not sustained when NE is depleted over long periods of time. Therefore, NE apparently plays a modulatory, rather than mandatory, role in control of LH release and ovulation.


Head trauma and subsequent brain tumors.

A long term study of 2,953 persons with 29,859 person-years of follow-up after head injury provided an opportunity to investigate the long-debated association between head trauma and subsequent intracranial tumor. In this series the observed number of cases of subsequent brain tumor did not differ from the number we expected. Because brain tumors are relatively rare, the results of this large series cannot absolutely refute the possibility that head trauma predisposes to brain tumor, but the individual risk is very small, and the weight of evidence does not support an etiological association. The occurrence of subsequent brain tumors in this series was not associated with the severity or location of the head injury. Head trauma does not seem to be a significant etiological factor in meningioma; that tumor has a higher incidence in females, whereas males have 2- to 3-fold greater incidence of head trauma. If any association between head trauma and subsequent brain tumor does exist, it is extremely small or occurs only in the presence of other factors, which themselves must be rare.


Cyanoacrylate occlusion of carotid-cavernous fistula with preservation of carotid artery flow.

We report a new treatment for carotid-cavernous fistula. Using a flow-guided, balloon-tipped microcatheter, we catheterize the fistula itself, verify balloon entry into the fistula with fluoroscopy and x-ray films, and then infuse the tissue adhesive isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate with careful fluoroscopic control. Three patients have had their fistulas occluded, with preservation of flow through the internal carotid artery. This balloon microcatheter allows the radiologist to perform a reversible test occlusion. All three patients had neurological changes during or after the procedure, and in one we inadvertently occluded several distal middle cerebral artery branches without permanent neurological deficit. No patient became blind or developed 3rd, 4th, or 6th nerve palsy from the treatment. This technique seems to have promise as another method for the obliteration of carotid-cavernous fistula.


Toxic substances in spinal cord injury.

Several investigators have implicated norepinephrine and other toxic substances released in the region of a spinal cord injury in the genesis of the progressive pathological and clinical changes that follow spinal trauma. To test this hypothesis, we subjected cats to T-10 to T-12 laminectomy and monitored epidural spinal evoked potentials from sciatic nerve stimulation. The spinal subarachnoid space was perfused with normal saline, with norepinephrine solution, or with heparinized autologous blood or the pial surface of the spinal cord was exposed to macerated gray matter taken from the upper cervical cord. During 1- to 2-hour exposure periods, we noted no significant changes in the base line spinal evoked potentials. In another series of cats, we have shown that norepinephrine perfused over the spinal cord in this manner diffuses rapidly into the subpial white matter. Therefore, its failure to affect spinal evoked potentials does not represent a failure to penetrate the spinal cord. Putative toxins must originate either in extravasated blood or damaged neural tissue in the region of the spinal cord injury. The failure of ascending spinal tracts to react to blood or cord tissue in our experiment suggests that toxins are not involved in the spinal cord dysfunction that occurs soon after injury.


Computerized tomographic scan and gunshot wounds of the head: indications and radiographic findings.

The authors document their experience with the computerized tomographic (CT) scanner for evaluating gunshot wounds of the head. Only those patients who were considered to be operative candidates and who were neurologically stable were scanned. In the postoperative period, patients who were not scanned preoperatively and those whose condition did not improve were also scanned. In the preoperative period the CT scanner is useful for identifying and localizing missile tracks, bony and metallic fragments, intra- and extraparenchymal hematomas, intracranial air, and brain swelling. In the postoperative period the CT scanner may demonstrate retained bone fragments, edema, brain abscess, and intracranial air. The limitations of the CT scan in evaluating gunshot wounds include an inability to define vascular lesions suchas traumatic aneurysms and post-traumatic spasm. Metallic scatter from missile fragments may render certain CT cuts uninterpretable. In addition, the CT scan may appear minimally abnormal in spite of immediate and irreversible injury caused by a shock wave transmitted to brain stem structures. The CT scanner has superceded angiography as a diagnostic tool for evaluating gunshot wounds of the head because it is noninvasive and rapid, allows visualization of the entire head, can resolve very small lesions that produce little or no mass effect, can help to determine the nature of intracranial lesions and may quantitate the amount of hemorrhage and edema. Because it enables physicians to visualize intracranial structures in three dimensions, the CT scan may precisely define missile tracks and contiguous lesions in a manner not heretofore possible with other diagnostic modalities. Thus, it is invaluable for the rational planning of surgical therapy.


Ventricle to sagittal sinus shunt for hydrocephalus.

A technique of shunting the lateral ventricle to the superior sagittal sinus is described. It has been used in 36 adult patients; infection occured in 2 patients (5.6%), and 2 patients required shunt revision (5.6%). The outcome of 18 patients with high pressure hydrocephalus could be validly evaluated, and successful control was achieved in 15 (83%). One of the 3 failures could have been avoided because shunting was undertaken before the ventricular fluid had cleared of blood. Four patients with normal or low pressure hydrocephalus were treated; only 1 had a successful result. This technique is suitable for patients with high pressure hydrocephalus and is of particular value in very ill or debilitated patients because of the rapidity with which it can be performed under local analgesia. Its use in normal or low pressure hydrocephalus must still be evaluated. In any event, the sagittal sinus is certainly a feasible alternate receptor site for ventricular shunting.


Results of surgical lysis of lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis.

From a series of 681 patients with lumbar disc disease treated between 1966 and 1978, 17 patients required surgical lysis of lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis, 8 having initially been operated upon by another surgeon. All patients had severe pain as a predominant feature, with pain being bilateral in 9 patients. Pain was the only major symptom in 3; the other 14 exhibited varying combinations of progressive neurological dysfunction. Three patients developed late symptoms after trauma, 8 to 21 years after back surgery. At operation, multisegmental arachnoiditis was found in 5 patients and anular or subtotal adhesions were found in 12. Complete lysis could not be obtained in 4 patients. Fourteen patients were treated with steroids at the time of operation. Follow-up after lysis was less than 1 year for 5 patients but averaged 4.8 years for the remaining 12. During the 1st year after operation, 76% experienced improvement in pain (35%, good to excellent), 71% experienced improvement in neurological status. Follow-up after at least 1 year revealed 50% still enjoying pain relief (25%, good to excellent) and 45% experiencing neurological improvement. Pain relief persisted in 4 of 5 patients followed 5 years or more. The etiological role of myelograpy and lumbar disc surgery in arachnoiditis has probably been over-rated. Arachnoiditis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic and may mask other, treatable lumbar lesions. More frequent intradural exploration for discrepancies between operative and myelographic findings might reveal, and benefit, more cases of spontaneous arachnoiditis mimicking lumbar disc disease.


Brain hamartomas and tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis.

Ventricular tumors of tuberous sclerosis are almost always hamartomas or benign tumors occurring predominantly in children or young adults. No clear gross or histological distinctions between the ventricular "candle gutterings" and "tumors" have been identified. The clinical presentation may be acute, with the sudden onset of increased intracranial pressure and possible serious morbidity (visual impairment) or death. When these tumors are surgically removed or decompressed, the prognosis for life seems to be quite good. Malignant change in these lesions is very rare.


Afferent fibers in the ventral root.

The dorsal rhizotomy was one of the earliest operations used for the treatment of chronic, intractable, segmental pain. The theoretical basis underlying the use of this procedure was the law of separation of function of the spinal roots that implies, among other things, that sensory fibers are located in the dorsal root and motor fibers are located in the ventral roots. On this basis, it should be possible by cutting the appropriate dorsal roots to relieve pain for any particular part of the body at the cost of making that part of the body anesthetic. Unfortunately, however, the dorsal rhizotomy seems to have a relatively low success rate in that the pain is often not relieved or is relieved for a variable period of time and then returns. Many different reasons may account for these failures, but one reason that is not often considered is that the law of separation of function of the spinal roots may not be accurate. This is pertinent at the present time, because large numbers of ventral root afferent fibers have recently been discovered. This review summarizes the work, both old and new, on ventral root afferent with particular emphasis on possible clinical applications. In particular, it is pointed out that the ventral root afferent fibers are probably present in humans and, if so, they may be involved in explanations for the failure of dorsal rhizotomy to relieve chronic pain. If these fibers are important, then they can be removed by a dorsal root ganglionectomy, which would remove both the dorsal and ventral root afferent fibers, as opposed to a dorsal rhizotomy, which would remove only the dorsal root afferent fibers.


HLA antigens in patients with schizophrenic syndromes.

HLA antigens were studied in 50 patients, 40 males, 10 females and two brothers of patients, all suffering from schizophrenic syndromes. The average duration of illness for the whole group was 18 +/- 1.5  years. The frequency of A10 antigen was increased in the schizophrenic patients as compared with 449 healthy individuals. None of the findings concerning HLA and schizophrenia reported in the literature could be verified in the present study. Two ill brothers comprised in the study proved to have the same HLA phenotype as their respective ill sibling. So far there is no conclusive evidence for association between any HLA antigen and 'schizophrenia'. Further investigations should be concerned with families and not with single patients.


[Thoracic outlet syndromes. Arteriographic aspects].

Chest outlet syndromes are characterized by pain symptomatology caused by (congenital or acquired reasons) compression of the vasculo-nervous bundle. After a brief mention of the anatomy of the question, the indications and angiographic technique are reported, special reference being made to certain positions and dynamic tests which increase symptomatology and highlight arteriographic findings. These are clearly identifiable in the pictures and offer documentary evidence of the cervical rib syndrome, scalenus syndrome, small pectoral syndrome, the hyperabduction syndrome and the costoclavicular syndrome. Differential diagnosis should consider a number of painful syndromes of the upper extremity of purely neurological interest (involvement of the brachial plexus). Vascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis, Takayasu's disease, etc., osteo-myo-articular and ORL sector diseases should also be taken into account. Arteriography is able to identify with precision the causes of the clinical syndrome and to guide surgical exploration of the supraclavicular fossa with excellent chances of success.


[Extension of total thyroidectomy to the cellulo-lympho-thymic tissue of the anterior superior mediastinum].

Stress is laid on the importance of the cellulo-lympho-thymic tissue of the anterior-superior mediastinum in demolition surgery for thyroid cancer. For this reason, a straightforward, reliable technique for removing the thyrothymic lamina by the cervical route has been prepared. Experimented on cadavers, this method has been used for superior mediastinic lymphnode exeresis in all cases where it was indicated.


[Intestinal invagination caused by lipoma of the small intestine].

A case of ileo-colic invagination caused by lipoma of the last loop of the small intestine is reported. The anatomo-clinical features of this neoformation are illustrated and stress is laid on certain special aspects: the rarity (about 300 cases have been described in the literature), the lack of symptomatology and its insidious development without pathognomonic sign up to the occurrence of occlusive episodes. The surgery carried out and the result obtained are reported.


[Acute respiratory insufficiency caused by posttraumatic pulmonary metabolic disorder].

Six cases of acute respiratory insufficiency are presented. Particular reference is made to the pathogenetic mechanisms of the syndrome and the term ARDS is examined. The definition "acute respiratory insufficiency due to post-aggressive pulmonary dysmetabolism" is proposed. An account is also given of satisfactory results obtained by interdepartmental along-to-date lines. It is hoped that knowledge of this often fatal syndrome will not be confined to resuscitation services, but extended to other hospital departments.


[Metabolic preparation for surgical operations and the problem of chronic shock].

Surgical patients with a chronic energy deficit display a particulare metabolic situation known as chronic shock, marked by deficient utilisation of energy. The picture is related to functional disorders of the cell enzymes, following incomplete resynthesis due to the lack of substrates. The main features are: a) lactic metabolic acidosis due to anaerobic oxidation, usually with insufficiency of the Krebs cycle; b) exaggerated protein catabolism, due to utilisation of amino acids as the energy substrate; c) incomplete utilisation of the (mostly endogenous) substrates available, with lactacidaemia, aminoacidaemia, and increased lipidaemia. A rational form of treatment is proposed after careful analysis of these features and their corresponding clinical phenomena.


[Internal arteriovenous fistula in the antecubital region].

An assessment was made of the anterior cubital region as a vascular approach for primary and alternative dialysis. Reference is made to 36 fistulae in this area within 44 months' survival in the drawing of various conclusions with regard to surgical technique. End anastomosis of the median, cephalic or basilic vein laterally on the brachial or radial artery is recommended as a means of preventing or cutting down the more common complications associated with internal arteriovenous fitulae. The anastomosis should not exceed 6 mm in diameter. Complications led to loss of fistula function. In many cases, however, they did not prevent employment of the region for alternative approaches, such as superficialisation of the basilic vein or prosthesis.


[Carotid body tumors. Observation of an unusual case associated with thyroid disease].

A case of tumour of the carotid glomus associated with diffuse cystic colloid struma of the thyroid is examined. Classification, symptomatological, diagnostic and therapeutic problems are reassessed on the basis of the case in question and the literature. Stress is laid on the importance of carotidography as a decisive examination for preoperative diagnosis of the nature of the case. Some basic problems of surgical treatment are examined and the operating techniques that have proved most valid are proposed.


[Perendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and transhepatic percutaneous cholangiography in the diagnosis of hepato-biliary diseases].

Reference is made to the world literature and personal experience acquired at the Digestive Endoscopy Centre, 3rd Surgical Clinic, in an assessment of the value of PRC and TPC in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease. PRC is ideally employed when conventional examinations have been inconclusive, and especially in icterus, when technical reasons have prevented their execution. TPC may be required in jaundice when PRC has proved impracticable, or if the data it offers concerning the state of the bile ducts upstream from an obstruction are insufficient for the planning of suitable surgical management.


[Esophagogastroplasty in upper esophageal lesions. Apropos of 4 cases].

Oesophagogastroplasty has been performed in 4 patients in the Turin Department of Emergency Surgery. Three of them presented high neoplastic lesion of the oesophagus, while the fourth was suffering from mediastinic compression due to sclerosing mediastinitis. The technique and results are reported in detail. Indications for surgery for both malignant and benign lesions are presented. The real advantages of the operation with respect to stomach to chest transposition and oesophagocolonplasty which have in the personal series created considerable inconvenience, are discussed. The reasons making it necessary to carry out the operation in two stages, with different modalities, are also discussed. Complications are indicated and postoperative treatment discussed. This plays a notable part in the success of the operation, as does correct technique.


[Surgical treatment of massive pulmonary embolism. Personal cases].

5 cases of pulmonary embolism are reported. 3 of these were subjected to pulmonary embolectomy with complete success; repeated controls bear witness to the good long-term cardiorespiratory condition. Two patients died, one following angiography, the other at anaesthetic induction; this fact shows the desirability of submitting patients to partial support extracorporeal circulation prior to angiography and, in any cases, before submitting them to anaesthesia. This surgical success obtained in treatment of the three cases shows that embolectomy continues to play a decisive role.


[Treatment of cancer of the breast with Patey's modified radical mastectomy].

Patey's operation was used to treat breast cancer in 658 cases between 1956 and 1976 at the Bologna University Surgical Clinic. Follow-up in 562 cases revealed 5-yr and 10-yr survival rates substantially similar to those obtained by Halsted and others. It is felt that the type of operation used is of relative importance for survival, since breast cancer is dependent on other factors that require careful appraisal in each case.


[Study of 357 cases of phlebitis of the lower extremities in 2 inter-regional samplings. I. Methods, epidemiological data and analysis of etiopathogenetic elements].

Using a specially designed record card, 357 cases  of superficial and deep thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis of the lower extremities have been investigated. Of these 261 were observed in Piedmont and 96 in the Trentino region. A comparative study of aetiopathogenetic data in the two regions was made possible by means of punched cards and subsequent computer processing. The study was completed by statistical analysis. Apart from the region of birth and residence, sex (prevalently female) and age which in both samples mainly affects subjects aged between 30 and 45, the type of working activity was considered in relation to sex and age, frequency of absenteeism (higher in Piedmont), family history of venous disease, incidence of orthostatism, the use of contraceptive pills, the period in which the first clinical signs occurred with considerable diversity between the two regions, traumas (more frequent in Piedmont) and the incidence of the different causes which was vastly different in the two samples, were assessed. On the basis of the comparative data obtained, an interpretation of the real significance of the results is attempted, reference also being made to the type of population under examination, the Piedmontese being considered of mixed strain and the Trentino pure.


[Study of 357 cases of phlebitis of the lower extremities in 2 inter-regional samplings. II. Clinical and diagnostic data and therapeutic conclusions].

In Piedmont, the incidence of superficial and deep forms is the same percentage-wise. In the Trento area, however, deep forms are more common, though no significant differences can be discerned with respect to the side affected, the site (other than that related to the type of phlebitis), or the symptoms. At least one complication was noted in 241-261 and 27-96 cases in Piedmont and Trento respectively. The treatment initially employed proved inadequate. The risks involved are known solely with respect to patients with complications. The resort to surgical management was much more frequent in the Trento region. An attempt is made to evaluate the risk factors associated with thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs, and the measure of agreement between the aetiopathogenetic, clinical and therapeutic data obtained for the two regions.


[Hepatic echinococcosis. Surgical treatment].

After some general observations on liver echinococcosis (epidemiology, liver topographic anatomy, diagnostics), various surgical techniques proposed for the treatment of this disease are described. Case series observed from 1967 to 1978 and the technique of choice, cystotomy with partial cysto-resection, are presented. The favourable results obtained are underlined.


[Clinical study of a group of vagotomized patients].

The physiopathological premisses underlying vagotomy and its use in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer are examined. It is submitted that the inadequacies and risks of the original technique are reflected in the modifications subsequently introduced into truncular vagotomy. A long-term assessment is made of a series of patients operated for duodenal ulcer by different surgeons using different forms of vagotomy. It is felt that superselective vagotomy is most consonant with the therapeutic objectives and associated with the least risk. In addition vagotomy is indicated in subjects with POPU after gastric section whose local and general condition contraindicate more complicated and serious measures, such as degastroenterostomy with further resection.


[Diagnosis and treatment of traumatic lesions of the pancreas].

A survey of the main series in the world literature and personal data concerning injuries to the pancreas is followed by the suggestion that the risk of pseudocyst or pancreatitis means that in all cases where injury to the pancreas is suspected, and resolution is slow, laparotomy must be performed, coupled with careful exploration of the lesser omentum and precise evaluation of possible lesions, prior to suitable surgical management. Medical therapy is also of prime importance. Its main feature is the administration of a protease inhibitor to prevent pre- and post-operative enzymatic toxaemia.


[Cystoadenocarcinoma of the pancreas].

A case of papilliferous cystadenocarcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas marked by unusually slow progresion is presented. It is pointed out that total resection, of the tumour is always necessary. This is also true of cystadenoma, which has a tendency to become malignant.


[Vascularization of the jejunal loop].

Vascularization of the first 60 cm of the jejunum is considered on the basis of a necroptic study of 100 cases. Attention is called to the possibility that surgical failure in ansa transposition techniques may be due to anatomical variations in the first jejunal branches of the superior mesenteric.


[Apropos of 2 unusual variations of origin and course of the deep femoral artery].

Two cases have been observed in which the deep femoral artery originated at the medial surface of the femoral and surrounded medially the femoral vein before entering its distribution area. The literature is examined and stress laid on the rarity of the abnormality and its importance as a possible factor in phlebothrombosis.


[Posterior gastro-esophago-phreno-plasty (PGEPP) in the treatment of hiatal hernia and of esophagogastric reflux. Experience in over 500 cases. Anterior gastro-esophago-phreno-plasty (AGEPP) in the prevention of sliding hiatal hernia and of esophagogastric reflux. Experience in over 300 cases].

On the basis of the anatomophysiological assumption that the abdominal oesophagus is kept in its seat by the meso-oesophagus and that the complex functional role of the gastro-oesophageal junction is conditioned essentially by the inferior oesophageal sphincter under the influence of intra-abdominal and endogastric pressure variables, posterior gastro-oesophagophreno-plasty (p.g.p.p.) is proposed to offset the destruction or severe insufficiency of the meso-oesophagus and hence for the treatment of hiatal hernia and of regurgitation. This retro-oesophageal tuberous valve involves simultaneous fixation of the stomach and oesophagus to the pillars of the diaphragm, first on the right and then on the left, and the fixation of the fundus to the left diaphragmatic dome. Anterior gastro-oesophago-phreno-plasty is proposed on the basis of the finding that damage of any kind to the meso-oesophagus can cause the oesophagus to rise in the chest and thus disturb inferior sphincter function and possibly lead to the onset of regurgitation and hernia. The pre-oesophageal tuberous valve employed involves simultaneous fixation of stomach and oesophagus to the pillars of the diaphragm, first left and then right, and the fixation of the fundus to the left diaphragmatic dome. Anterior plasty is almost always confined to patients who have undergone vagotomy of the trunk without complex isolation of the oesophagus.


[Tuberculosis of the breast. Considerations on a case].

A recently observed case of T.B. of the breast is presented and the relevant literature is examined. View are expressed concerning the aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this unusual form, particular attention being given to the difficulty of distinguishing it from carcinoma. Stress is laid on the importance of surgical management, this being indispensable for both correct diagnosis and for treatment.


[Pharmacokinetics of a new aminoglycoside: kanendomycin].

The pharmacokinetics of kanendomycin, a new aminoglycoside derived from kanamycin, has been assessed in 15 volunteers after i.m. administration of 100 and 300 mg and i.v. administration of 100 mg. Analysis of the tricompartmental model adopted for the pharmacokinetic study showed that kanendomycin half-life is similar and perhaps superior to that of gentamycin. The antibiotic's bioavailability is of the order of 70-80% of the dose used.


[Cryoglobulinemia syndrome and liver diseases. Case reports].

Six cases of an association of liver disease with a cryoglobulinaemia syndrome are described. An account of their clinical, body fluid and anatomopathological pictures is followed by a discussion of their possible causes in the light of the relevant literature. It is felt that no assessment can be made of the primary nature of either disease in associations of this kind. In addition to cases in which prior liver disease or exposure to hepatitis virus can be shown, in fact, there are other situations in which liver disease was present before the manifestation of cryoglobulinaemia. Repeated antigen stimulus triggers the antibody response leading to the formation of cryoprecipitating complexes. In most cases, the nature of such antigen is not known, since HB virus or any other virus, bacterial product, or cell catabolism product either eliminated in insufficient quantities, or produced in abnormal quantities, may be responsible.


[Persistent chronic hepatitis. Anatomical and functional study].

A functional study was made of 40 patients with bioptically diagnosed CPH. Fractional BSF clearance was the most frequently altered test and its correlation with the anatomical damage was significant. In particular, the fractional uptake clearance (K1) gave a pointer to both the presence of liver damage and its type. Elimination clearance (K2) may also be useful, especially in the differentiation of histological pictures on the borderline between CAH and CPH. In the evaluation of CPH, therefore, BSF clearance is of marked assistance both in rounding out the histological diagnosis, and in cutting down the need for control biopsies.


[Malignant histiocytosis. Histiocytic medullary reticulosis].

The Authors report a case of malignant histiocytosis apparently localized only in the spleen. The diagnosis of the disease, characterized at the onset by moderate leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, was made possible by the histopathologic examination of the spleen following splenectomy. The disease shows a chronic course. The Authors discuss the clinical and histological features of the case.


[Anastomotic recurrence of colo-rectal cancer. Anatomo-surgical study].

A study was made of 20 patients operated for colorectal cancer with the aid of the University of Chieti Department of Pathological Anatomy. The histological preparations were carefully assessed for intramural diffusion of the tumour, and for the presence of hyperplastic and dysplastic processes in apparently healthy mucosa. The results were in full agreement with those reported in the literature.


[Case of secondary syphilis with bone localization].

On the basis of a case of secondary syphilis with bone involvement, this rare manifestation of the secondary period is discussed and reported data reviewed.


Cortical afferents to the prefrontal cortex of the cat: a study with the horseradish peroxidase technique.

Following horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injections into different areas within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the cat, labeled neurons were found in the cingulate and insular cortex. These results demonstrate that the cat's prefrontal cortex is reached directly from these cortical regions, and that the observed cortical projections are similar to those detected in the monkey's prefrontal cortex.


The precise origin of the tectospinal pathway in three common laboratory animals: a study using the horseradish peroxidase method.

The horseradish peroxidase tracing method has been used to study the cells of origin of the tectospinal projections in the opossum, the tree shrew, and the cat. The present data show that only those collicular neurons which occupy the deep (ventral to the stratum opticum) tectal laminae send axons to the cervical spinal cord. In particular, layer IV contains the greatest number of spinal projecting neurons. Our results also reveal that while only the large sized collicular neurons project upon the cervical spinal cord in the opossum and the tree shrew, neurons comprising several different size categories do so in the cat. We thus suggest that several different descending channels exist over which the superior colliculus can influence the neck musculature in the cat.


Neuronal degeneration induced by stereotaxic injection of beta-bungarotoxin into rat brain.

The presynaptic protein neurotoxin beta-bungarotoxin (beta-bgt) caused degeneration of neurons, following stereotaxic administration into rat brain. Focal lesions were induced with as little as 0.1 ng (5 fmol) of beta-bgt; indicating that the toxin is over 10(6) times more potent than kainic acid. More extensive studies in the septo-hippocampal system showed beta-bgt lesions affected both cell bodies and nerve terminals and were not neurotransmitter-specific. The endogenous phospholipase A2 activity of beta-bgt did not simply account for the creation of lesions since an acidic phospholipase A isoenzyme from Vipera russellii was virtually inactive in causing neuronal damage.


Coordinated rhythmic bursting in respiratory and locomotor muscle nerves in the spinal rabbit.

In unanaesthetized, curarized spinal rabbits (C2 level) treated with Niamide and DOPA, rhythmic activities were recorded from the phrenic nerves; close coordination was observed between the phrenic bursts and the locomotor bursts which developed in hindlimb muscle nerves. The frequency of phrenic bursts was reduced after a second spinal transection at the Th12 level, while rhythms in the hindlimb remained unchanged. It thus appears that in the spinal preparation and under certain pharmacological conditions, phrenic bursts generated by the cervico-thoracic spinal cord can be driven by the lumbar generators of locomotion; spinal links thus exist between these hindlimb locomotion generators and spinal interneuronal networks involved in phrenic motoneuronal activation, may be via hindlimb forelimb driving.


Presynaptic dendrites and serial synapses in the intermediate and deep layers of the cat superior coliculus.

Presynaptic dendrites (PSDs) which participate in the serial synapses have frequently been found in the intermediate and deep layers of the cat superior colliculus. The PSDs are presynaptic to small dendritic shafts or spines with symmetrical membrane thikening, and postsynaptic to axon terminals with asymmetrical synaptic contact. Two types of the axon terminals are observed, both of which contain pleomorphic vesicles.


The nervous system-specific S-100 antigen in cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients.

The nervous system-specific S-100 antigen has been found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 13 out of 18 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), whereas it was undetectable in either of the 11 control patients with minor psychic disturbances or with neurological disorders not usually associated with apparent parenchymal lesion. The levels of the antigen appeared to be higher in CSF of patients in the acute phase of the disease. Though the small number of cases hampers final statements, the S-100 in CSF might serve as a possible index of active cell injury in the central nervous system underlying the pathogenesis of MS.


Endogenous levels of tryptophan, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in the developing brain of the cat.

Using spectrofluorimetric methods, endogenous levels of tryptophan (TRP), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in various structures of the growing brain of cats. After one month, 5-HT metabolism is comparable to that observed in adult cats. The third week after birth is marked by increasing levels of TRP and 5-HIAA and seems to be a critical period for the maturation of serotoninergic neurons.


Rapid behavioural and biochemical effects of tetanus toxin microinjected into the substantia nigra: a dual role for GABA?

Tetanus toxin (200--250 mouse lethal doses) microinjected unilaterally into the substantia nigra produced rapid behavioural and biochemical effects. If the toxin was injected into the rostral part of the substantia nigra (SN), contralateral turning was observed. Raised ipsilateral striatal levels of the dopamine (DA) metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), indicated that this turning was due to activation of the nigro-striatal dopamine system. Caudal nigral injections of tetanus toxin produced ipsilateral turning. Biochemical estimations suggest that this behaviour change was mediated by a non-dopamine (non-DA) pathway.


Evidence for presynaptic cholinergic receptors on dopaminergic terminals: degeneration studies with 6-hydroxydopamine.

Intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) caused a significant decrease in the tyrosine hydroxylase of striatal synaptosomes of rats, without influencing GABA levels. Significant decreases in the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors also occurred in this preparation after 3 days. The receptors were measured by specific binding studies with N-methylatropine and alpha-bungarotoxin respectively. These results indicate that muscarinic and nicotinic receptors are located on the dopaminergic nerve terminals of corpus striatum.


Ammon's horn commissural responses in young rabbits.

Different responses evoked by stimulation of contralateral hippocampus at various levels are examined in new-born rabbits up to 1 month of age. Commissural fibres coming from the CA3-CA4 reach the contralateral regio superior (CA1) essentially at the st. oriens levels. CA1 responses elicited by stimulation of the contralateral CA1 in the st. oriens (commissural CA3 fibres) or in the st. radiatum (Schaffer's collaterals) are present at any age. For the regio inferior (CA3-CA4), the distribution of commissural fibres is more diffuse. Before 5--6 days, CA3-CA4 fields do not respond to a contralateral stimulation and do not give contralateral responses, showing that fibres and cells are not yet organized.


Conductance of end-plate channels is voltage dependent.

The amplitude of miniature end-plate currents (MEPCs) and end-plate currents generated by iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) were recorded in voltage-clamped toad sartorius fibres. Single channel conductance was determined from analysis of current fluctuations. In normal solution, but even more so in solutions containing lithium instead of sodium, both the peak conductance during a miniature end-plate current and the conductance of individual end-plate channels varied with membrane potential, becoming less at more hyperpolarized potentials. Single channel conductance was not influenced by membrane potential in solutions containing potassium or caesium instead of sodium. It was concluded that the nature of the ions passing through an end-plate channel influences its conductance.


End-plate channels behave as neutral site channels.

The voltage sensitivity and concentration dependence of single channel conductance at the motor end-plate in the presence of different alkali cations have been compared with the predictions of different permeation models. The models have been developed, using the diffusional approach, to cater for three cations and anion permeability has been assumed to be insignificant. It was found that a neutral site channel model provided the best fit to the experimental data. The analyses also implied a high field strength sequence for the equilibrium selectively of the sites.


Absence of the major dense line in myelin of the mutant mouse "shiverer".

The myelin of the central nervous system (CNS) of the mutant mouse Shiverer is characterized by the absence of the major dense line (MDL). The intraperiod line, as seen in conventional electron micrographs and in freeze-fractured replicas, appears normal. Peripheral myelin, as seen in ventral and dorsal roots of spinal cord, is unaffected by the mutation. During the period of active myelination, the cytoplasm of most oligodendrocytes (ODs) is packed with electron-lucent vacuoles in continuity with the Golgi apparatus and with bundles of microtubules. It is concluded that a metabolic pathway possibly involving the Golgi apparatus, and contributing to the formation of the MDL is selectively affected in this mutant.


Synaptosomal uptake and release of dopamine in substantia nigra: effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid and substance P.

Nigral tissue prepared as synaptosomes demonstrates both high and low affinity uptake of [3H]dopamine. Recently accumulated [3H]dopamine is releasable by 35 mN K+. Substance P increases both uptake and release of dopamine by nigral synaptosomes; gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibits release with no effect on uptake at concentrations less than 10-(4) M. In the striatum, substance P inhibits both uptake and release of dopamine. The results support the existence of dopamine-containing terminals in substantia nigra tissue. The differences in response to substance P and GABA found between nigra and striatum may reflect structural differences in dopamine-containing processes in these areas, related to their proposed origin as dendtritic (substantia nigra) and axonal (striatal) terminal.


Topographical distribution of substance P in the cat substantia nigra.

The substance P (SP) content in cat substantia nigra (SN) was estimated by radioimmunoassay in microdiscs punched on successive frontal sections. Only slight differences were seen in the regional distribution of SP within the SN. The highest content was found in the pars reticulata (20.7 pmol/mg protein) which was two times higher than in the pars compacta and pars lateralis. Identical results were found in the right and left part of the SN. Out of this area, as pedunculus cerebri and zona incerta, very low concentrations were detected.


Noradrenaline and ethanol intake in the rat.

Intracerebral injection of 4 microgram of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was used to deplete forebrain noradrenaline (NA) in rats to less than 5% of control values without affecting brain dopamine (DA) and the oral consumption of ethanol examined. Control rats showed a progressive increase in their intake of a 15% ethanol solution and after 15 days were consuming large quantities. This increase did not occur in NA depleted rats, which after 15 days had consumed no more than a few millilitres of the solution in total. The results are discussed in terms of a central noradrenergic basis of ethanol reward.


Topographical representation in rabbit cerebellar flocculus for various afferent inputs from the brainstem investigated by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase.

A small amount of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into several small areas of the flocculus and adjacent ventral paraflocculus of albino rabbits. Labeled cells were surveyed through the inferior olive, vestibular nuclear complex, nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis, pontine nucleus and abducens nucleus. Distribution of labeled neurons in these structures varied depending on the location of injection sites, indicating the existence of a fine topographical organization for afferent inputs in the flocculus and adjacent ventral paraflocculus.


Enhancing the anterograde movement of HRP to label sparse neuronal projections.

By combining techniques designed to increase the amount of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) available for transport and to improve the sensitivity of the reaction for detecting HRP, we have produced an anterograde HRP technique suitable for labeling sparse efferent projections. The efficacy of this light, microscopic technique was demonstrated by lebeling the hippocampal commissural and crossed temporo-ammonic projections to the dentate gyrus of the rat.


The site of origin of cardiac preganglionic fibers of the vagus nerve: an HRP study in the cat.

After injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the right cardiac branches of the vagus nerve in the cat, the majority of HRP-labeled neurons were located ipsilaterally in the reticular formation ventrolateral to the nucleus ambiguus. Additionally, HRP-labeled neurons were also observed within the nucleus ambiguus (Am) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DM).


Convergent prefrontal and nigral projections to the striatum of the rat.

Projections to the striatum from the prefrontal cortex, the substantia nigra's pars compacta (SNC), and the ventral tegmental area (AVT) were examined autoradiographically. These projections converge on the striatum in an organized manner such that the prefrontal areas innervated by AVT project to the same part of the striatum as AVT, and prefrontal areas innervated by SNC project to the same part of the striatum as SNC.


The GABA agonist THIP a muscimol analogue, does not interfere with the benzodiazepine binding site on rats cortical membranes.

THIP, a cyclic analogue of muscimol, is a powerful GABA agonist. It is as active as GABA in displacing [3H]muscimol from its binding site to cerebellar membranes (IC50 = 31.5 +/- 2.5 mM). However, unlike muscimol or GABA, it is devoid of any modulatory interaction with the benzodiazepine binding site on rat's cortical membranes. Homotaurine, isoguvacine and imidazole acetic acid are less active than muscimol and GABA for increasing the affinity of [3H]diazepam to cortical membrane preparations.


Plasticity of spinovestibular projections in response to hemicerebellectomy in newborn rats.

Spinal cord projections to the lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) are relatively sparse in normal adult black-hooded rats. However, in response to hemicerebellectomy in 2--3-day-old rats an increase in spinovestibular fibers to the ipsilateral lateral vestibular nucleus was observed. This increased input appears to be due to fibers which would normally be destined for the cerebellum but which alternatively project to the functionally related lateral vestibular nucleus. Considering the neuroanatomical relationships between the cerebellum and the vestibular nuclei and in view of the functional compensation frequently reported after cerebellar lesions, the observed remodelling may represent a partial anatomical basis for recovery of function.


A non-adrenergic nerve ending containing small granular vesicles in the guinea-pig gut.

Two distinct types of small granular vesicle(SGV)-containing nerve ending are described in the gastrointestinal tract of the guinea-pig. One of these types of ending accumulates 5- and 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA) and is therefore adrenergic. The other type remains unchanged after in vivo exposure to these drugs. The widespread distribution of this nerve in the smooth muscle layers of the large and small bowel suggests that it may play a role in gut motility.


External and internal effects of tetraethylammonium on voltage-dependent and Ca-dependent K+ currents components in molluscan pacemaker neurons.

Ca-dependent and voltage-dependent K+ currents in Aplysia pacemaker neurons were studied separately by electrophoretic injections of Ca2+ ions into the cells to induce the Ca-dependent component and by step depolarizations in the absence of external Ca2+ ions to induce the voltage-dependent component. Intracellular tetraethylammonium (TEA) blocks the voltage-dependent but not the Ca-dependent K+ current. Extracellular TEA blocks both components reversibly but is more effective in inhibiting the Ca-dependent K+ currents. Our results suggest that there are TEA receptor sites for the voltage-dependent K+ current on each side of the membrane, but only an external receptor site for the Ca-dependent K+ current.


The comparative effectiveness of the "brown and blue reactions" for tracing neuronal processes of cells injected intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase.

The comparative advantages and disadvantages of diaminobenzidine (DAB) and benzidine di--HCl (BDHC) procedures for tracing processes of cells injected intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) have been studied. The DAB reaction gives a good definition of membranes and appears more suitable for visualizing the fine structure of dendrites. The BDHC procedure, being more sensitive, induces crystal formation and heavily filled processes appear frosted. This last procedure is, however, much more appropriate for tracing the axonal system of injected cells.


Electrophysiology of the guinea-pig pineal organ: sympathetically influenced cells responding differently to light and darkness.

Single cell recordings (extracellular) from the posterior part of the guinea-pig pineal organ reveals two groups of sympathetically influenced spontaneously active cells: one group is stimulated by light and inhibited by darkness; the other type of cell whose activity was monitored over a period of 15 h shows activation by darkness and diminished activity after the onset of light. It is suggested that latter type is involved in melatonin synthesis.


Small, intensely fluorescent cells of human sympathetic ganglia.

Human sympathetic ganglia obtained from sympathectomies were studied using the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence (FIF) method and electron microscopy to identify the small, intensely fluorescent (Sif) cells. Microspectrofluorimetry was used to study the intensity of the emitted FIF and the emission spectra. The SIF cells were found in every ganglion studied, but they were very sparce. They occurred alone or in small clusters and were mostly situated close to the blood vessels. The SIF cells contained high amounts of catecholamines, as indicated by microspectrofluorimetry. Electron microscopy revealed granule-containing cells (GC) enveloped by satellite cells; the former cells contained osmiophilic granules 300--400 nm in diameter and synapses of the cholinergic type were frequently found on their surface.


Projections to the ventral surface of the cat brainstem demonstrated by horseradish peroxidase.

Topical application of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata revealed various cells with axons terminating near this region. Fibers traced from the ventral surface originated in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the dorsal nucleus of the vagus, both near the dorsal surface of the medulla. Projections from the cochlear nucleus were also observed. Using short HRP contact time, fibers were shown which terminate at, or near, the ventral surface. The possible involvement of these projections in various responses mediated from the ventral surface is discussed.


Localization of Leu-enkephalin in dense core vesicles of axon terminals.

The localization of enkephalins by immunofluorescence has already shown that these pentapeptides are largely distributed in the central nervous system. In order to clearly identify the structures and organelles containing enkephalins, an immunohistochemical localization of Leu-enkephalin was performed at the ultrastructural level. Leu-enkephalin was detected in dense core vesicles (70--100 nm in diameter) of many nerve fibers in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord, the globus pallidus and the nucleus papabrachialis. These findings support the hypothesis that Leu-enkephalin could act as a neuromodulator.


Somatosensory cortex: acetylcholinesterase staining of barrel neuropil in the rat.

Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) staining of layer IV of rat somatosensory (SmI) cortex was studied. In the barrel field of SmI, there are periodic, intensely AchE staining foci in the pattern and with the dimensions of barrels. The onset of this staining, at age 3 days, corresponds with the arrival of thalamocortical input to the barrels. Undercutting of SmI prevents staining in layer IV. We conclude that there are AchE-rich zones in layer IV that coincide with the specific thalamocortical projection to SmI.


Self-stimulation of the sulcal prefrontal cortex in the rat: direct evidence for ascending dopaminergic mediation.

Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of the prefrontal cortex dorsal to the rhinal sulcus in rats has been abolished by means of injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) (4 micrograms/2 microliters) into the ascending trajectory of the A10 mesocortical dopaminergic fibers ipsilateral to the stimulation electrodes. Similar injections made contralateral to the stimulation electrodes produced a transient attenuation of this self-stimulation. All cases of such lesions were confirmed with the use of Vibratome histochemical fluorescence examination of each of the dopamine projection areas in the forebrain.


Convergence of sensory input from tooth pulp, optic chiasm and sciatic nerve onto locus coeruleus neurons in the rat.

Electrophysiological studies using rats were performed to determine whether or not neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC), subcoeruleus and parabrachial areas receive convergence of sensory input from tooth pulp (TP), optic chiasm (OC) and sciatic nerve (SN). Convergence of input from these nerves was observed in 23% and 33% of LC and subcoeruleus neurons, respectively, and from two nerves in 31% and 20% of LC and subcoeruleus neurons, respectively, while convergence was rarely detected in parabranchial neurons. These results suggest that there is a convergence of peripheral sensory input onto more than half the noradrenergic coerulear neurons.


Interactions between spinocervicolemniscal and dorsal column pathways in thalamic ventrobasal neurons in the cat.

Ventrobasal (VB) thalamic cells responding to electrical stimulation of the dorsal column (DC) and of the dorsolateral funiculus DLF in cats with DC intact or cut at C4 and isolated, were studied. Among the cells observed, about 30% showed convergence to the two pathways. Different patterns of interaction between the two inputs were found, but the most frequent effect observed was an inhibition exerted by dorsal column (conditioning) stimulation on the activity evoked by dorsolateral funiculi (test) stimulation. From these results a dominance of the DC over the spinocervico-thalamic (SCT) inputs was confirmed.


In vitro radioisotope precursor incorporation into ribonucleic acid and protein in dystrophic mouse gastrocnemius muscle (C57 BL/6J dy2J/dy2J).

An in vitro tissue slice technique has been developed and used to compare radioisotope precurosr incorporation into RNA and protein in normal and dystrophic mouse gastrophic muscle. Significant differences are observed with both RNA and protein when incorporation is measured on a fresh weight of muscle basis. Specific activity comparisons show significantly increased incorporation with protein but not with RNA. A comparison of the results with in vivo studies has been made. The in vitro system developed is applicable to the study of macromolecular metabolism in normal and diseased human muscle tissue.


On the presence of extraneuronal catecholamine in the iris of the rat: a scanning microfluorimetric study.

Formaldehyde-induced fluorescence (FIF) of noradrenalin (NA) was studied in histochemical preparations of the rat iris. With the aid of a two-dimensional microfluorimetric scanning method, quantitative information was obtained from neuronal and non-neuronal elements selectively. Spectral analysis and fluorimetric studies showed the existence of extraneuronal NA in the iris of untreated rats. Surgical and pharmacological (reserpine, amphetamine, imipramine, nialamide) manipulation of sympathetic neurotransmission-induced changes in extraneuronal fluorescence, which did not parallel changes in fluorescence of neuronal elements. A positive relationship was found between changes in extraneuronal fluorescence and the postsynaptic effect (pupil diameter). We hypothesize that extraneuronal catecholamine (CA) fluorescence is a histochemical parameter for synaptic neurotransmission.


Olivo-cerebellar activity during harmaline-induced tremor.A 2-[14C]deoxyglucose study.

The specific neuronal activity of the olivo-cerebellar system of the cat under the effect of harmaline has been studied using the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method. The results obtained in animals treated with tremogenic doses of harmaline, but immobilized with flaxedil, have been compared with those of non-treated controls. An increased radioactivity in specific regions of the olivo-cerebellar system including parts of the medial and dorsal accessory olive and the corresponding receiving molecular layer have been found. No involvement of the granule cell layer nor of the nuclear cells has been observed. It is therefore suggested that the tremogenic rhythmicity of the cerebellar output is organized uniquely by an increased climbing fiber input.


Evidence for a multiple innervation of subcommissural ependymocytes in the rat.

Glandular ependymocytes of the rat subcommissural organ (SCO) receive a multiple innervation: a serotonergic afference identified by radioautography and at least one other input of a hitherto unknown transmitter content. Both types of terminals make well differentiated axo-glandular synapses with SCO-ependymocytes, but display different morphological characteristics. Serotonergic terminals being considered as inhibitory, it is suggested that the other type of terminal is excitatory.


Radioimmunologic localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic sites in the rat brain.

Using a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA), we have quantitated the hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the rat brain. Highest concentrations of VIP were found in cerebral cortex, suprachiasmatic nucleus, and medial amygdaloid nucleus. Lower concentrations were found in the anterior hypothalamic area, medial preoptic area, peri- and paraventricular nuclei, and hippocampus. Significant levels of VIP were also found in the anterior pituitary. Very little VIP was detected in median eminence and cerebellar cortex. This distribution of VIP in areas of the rat brain known to be important to neuroendocrine function suggests a role for VIP in the control of anterior pituitary events.


Experimental modification of interlimb coordination during locomotion of a Crusacea.

An anlaysis of the phase relationship between the same side legs (homolateral coupling) of Rock Lobster (Crustacea) is performed during sequence of locomtion. On intact animals the phase relationship is similar to the most common insect or mammalian patterns ('alternating model'). After successive autotomy of the walking legs, another coordination pattern occurs progressively; it is an 'in phase model'. From these experiments it can be concluded that there exists a central motor program tightly coordinating each thoracic ganglion and that the alternating pattern could be due to a reorganization of the synchronous system by a peripheral proprioceptive inflow.


Intrinsic excitation in the rat neostriatum mediated by acetylcholine.

Synaptic excitation elicited by local stimulation in neostriatal slices was found to be mediated by acetylcholine (ACh). The synapses generating this excitation belong to intrinsic neurons. Thus, for the first time, direct evidence for the existence of intrinsic excitatory cholinergic neurons in the neostriatum is provided.


Experimental modification of cerebellar development in tissue culture: x-irradiation induces granular degeneration and unattached purkinje cell dendritic spines.

Cerebellum explants from 15--16 day fetal mice were irradiated with 500--1000 rad X-ray and were grown in tissue culture for 12--18 days. At the dose of 500 rad, a reduction of granule cell population was observed in the explant. At the dose of 1000 rad, granule cells were mostly destroyed leaving Purkinje cells disarrayed and clustered. Electron microscopy of the explants revealed the presence of unattached dendritic spines of Purkinje cell. It was noted that although numerous free spines could be seen in X-irradiated cultures, the postsynaptic specialization of these spines occurred only in ones embedded in astrocytic cytoplasm. The results indicate that (a) the formation of dendritic spines is a property of the Purkinje cell which probably is preprogrammed and (b) the postsynaptic differentiation of the unattached spines is directly related to their contacts with astrocytes.


Lingual projections to the dorsal pons of the rat, studied by the field potential analysis.

Electrical stimulation of the chorda tympani (CT) of a rat produced a negative field potential with a peak latency of 8 msec localized in the parabrachial nucleus (PB) which may correspond to the pontine taste area. In contrast, stimulation of the glossopharyngeal nerve (GL) gave rise to no detectable negative field potential around the brachium conjunctivum. Stimulation of the lingual nerve (L) produced a large negative field potential with a similar latency, whose focus was found located just lateral to the focus of the negative potentials produced by CT stimulation.


Development of vestibulo-ocular response in the kitten.

Vestibulo-ocular response (VOR) has been recorded in kittens aged between 10 and 61 postnatal days. Responses to velocity steps and to sinusoidal oscillations are present on the earliest recordings, though they are limited to a low gain slow compensatory gaze displacement. Vestibular-induced saccades appear only around postnatal day 30, but adult-like responses with a high gain are not displayed before the end of the second month. Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) appears earlier (around postnatal day 25) and maturates faster.


Lack of effect by substance P at sites in the substantia gelatinosa where Met-enkephalin reduces the transmission of nociceptive impulses.

In alpha-chloralose anaesthetized spinal cats, Met-enkephalin amide (M-ENKA) and substance P were administered electrophoretically in the substantia gelatinosa while studying the excitation of deeper spinal neurones by noxious and non-noxious cutaneous stimuli. At sites where Met-enkephalin selectively reduced excitation by noxious skin stimuli, substance P was without effect. This result does not support the hypothesis that enkephalins are released at axo-axonic synapses on the terminals of substance P releasing primary afferent fibres.


Enkephalin levels in rat brain after various regimens of morphine administration.

Rats implanted with a single morphine pellet for a short period of 72 h have been shown to have a lower concentration of enkephalin in the brain, as determined by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) detecting Leu- and Met-enkephalin as well as another endogenous substance. Two other paradigms of morphine implantations did not cause any change in enkephalin levels. Various protocols of morphine injections failed to elicit changes in enkephalin content in the rat brain. The significant decrease observed after the short regimen implantation suggests that at a certain stage in the development of physical dependence a reduction in the amount of enkephalin occurs, but returns to normal values within a short period.


Turning behaviour induced by injection of muscimol or picrotoxin into the substantia nigra demonstrates dual GABA components.

Injection of the GABA agonist muscimol into rat caudal substantia nigra caused contralateral turning, whereas injection into the rostral substantia nigra caused ipsilateral turning. The GABA antagonist picrotoxin had the opposite effect. These findings support the hypothesis that GABA has dual actions in the substantia nigra. Ipsilateral turning induced by injection of muscimol into rostral nigra was abolished by haloperidol pretreatment, indicating the involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms. Haloperidol pre-treatment did not prevent turning induced by muscimol injected into the caudal nigra, supporting the existence of a non-dopaminergic nigral output system.


Effects of picrotoxin and strychnine on fish retinal S-potentials: evidence for inhibitory control of depolarizing responses.

Simultaneous recording of the light evoked electrical signals from different classes of slow(S)-potential unit in the isolated fish retina established that picrotoxin, an antagonist of GABA, selectively suppresses the depolarizing component of C-type S-potentials. In contrast, equivalent concentrations of strychnine have no effect on S-potentials, but suppress a component of transient amacrine cell responses. On the basis of these and other experimental data [3,4] we propose a network diagram for the C-type S-potential units in the cyprinid fish retina. This network includes a GABA-ergic feed-back loop and is essentially similar to that proposed by Fuortes and Simon [5].


The inhibitory action of glycine on rat cortical neurons.

The action of glycine (Gly) on rat cortical neurons was studied. Gly, iontophoretically applied, hyperpolarized the membrane potential, blocked the firing rate and decreased the amplitude of EPSP-IPSP sequences. Generally the membrane resistance during the aminoacid ejection decreased. The role of Gly in the rat cortical inhibition is discussed.


Kainic acid: enduring alterations in cerebellar morphology and in cerebral catecholamine and GABA concentrations after cerebellar injection in the rat.

Kainic acid injected locally in the vermian cortex produces a focal lesion with severe cellular loss. Microscopic changes in 3-week-old preparations are given for both central and peripheral segments. Biochemical studies indicate that norepinephrine, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (gaba) concentrations in the forebrain are consistently higher on the side of the lesion and remain elevated for at least 3 weeks. It is postulated that disinhibition of cerebellar activity traversing the uncrossed pathway from cerebellar nuclei to catecholamine cell bodies was a major mechanism causing increased catecholamine metabolism in the ipsilateral forebrain.


Forebrain noradrenaline depletion blocks the release by chlordiazepoxide of behavioral extinction in the rat.

The interaction between chlordiazepoxide (CDP) and forebrain noradrenaline (NA) was investigated in rats with bilateral radiofrequency lesions of the noradrenergic dorsal tegmental bundle (DTB). Forebrain NA was reduced to 35% of control by the DTB lesions; hypothalamic NA and dopamine were unchanged. Rats were trained on a straight alley runway task for food reward. During extinction of the runway task, CDP significantly increased extinction responding in sham lesion animals but not in DTB lesion animals. Thus, CDP was ineffective in increasing resistance to extinction responding in the runway task in animals with significant depletion of forebrain NA.


Cortical lesions modulate turnover rates of acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Interruption of the cortico-striatal glutamatergic pathway by decoratication results in significant decreases in the turnover rates of acetylcholine TRACh and gamma-aminobutyric acid TRGABA of striatum. These data support the hypothesis that the cortical input to the striatum is excitatory and acts to modulate cholinergic and GABAergic function in this nucleus. Studies of kainate-induced lesions of the striatum also indicate that most striatal cholinergic interneurons receive a glutamatergic input and that multiple injections of kainate are required to destroy this large population of interneurons.


Effects of aldehydes and organic solvents on concanavalin A binding sites in cerebellar tissue sections.

Fresh frozen cerebellar sections of adult mice treated with aldehydes and organic solvents reveal differences in detectability of Concanavalin A (Con A) binding sites. While fluorescein coupled Con A shows intense labeling of synaptic glomeruli and granule cell bodies under all conditions, the molecular layer labels intensely after treatment with paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, acetone, ethanol and butanol. Complete loss of staining in molecular and granular layers and substantial increase in white matter labeling occurs after chloroform-methanol treatment. Except for glutaraldehyde treated sections, all labeling is specifically inhibited by methyl-alpha-D-mannoside, but not by galactose.


An automatic device for forced wakefulness in dogs.

An automatic device is described which maintains sustained wakefulness of 12 h or more in dogs with chronically implanted electrodes for sleepwaking recording. The procedure consists of automatic sleep detection using EEG, EMG and body movement (BM), and of avoidance conditioning to arouse the animal with sound as conditioned stimulus, and with electroshock as unconditioned stimulus. The procedure does not disturb feeding, drinking and freely moving, and is not associated with forced exercise, or with a marked stress reaction as measured with cortisol and growth hormone. These advantages enable us to maintain 12 h of forced wakefulness in the same animal for 7 or more consecutive days.


Early influx of horseradish peroxidase into axons of the hypoglossal nerve during Wallerian degeneration.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was applied around mouse hypoglossal nerves which were damaged by a crush or a ligature. HRP was then visualized distal to the lesions by light- and electron microscopic histochemistry. At the injury the enzyme entered axons and could also be detected several millimetres down in the distal segment. By 24 h reaction product (r.p.) was either diffusely distributed in the axoplasm or present in various vesicular organelles. Our results indicate that there is a rapid influx of macromolecules into axons after a lesion to a nerve. A similar uptake of 'wound substances' into axons distal to an injury might well have some relation to the process by which axonal breakdown is initiated during Wallerian degeneration.


Perivascular nerves in the rat submandibular salivary gland.

Perivascular nerves in the rat submandibular salivary gland have been studied using a variety of histochemical procedures coupled with electron microscopy. Two principal nerve types, adrenergic and cholinergic, appear to predominate and are localized principally around arterioles. Venules are rarely innervated. The possibility that a non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nerve population might influence blood flow is discussed critically in the light of anatomical and physiological findings.


Contralateral turning after unilateral electrolytic lesion of substantia nigra in thalamic rats.

Unilateral electrolytic lesions of the substantia nigra of rats induced contralateral turning in intact as well as 'thalamic' rats (devoid of neocortex, hippocampus, striatum, amygdala, septal nuclei, including most of n. accumbens). Therefore, telencephalic structures, including nigrostriatal neurons, are not critically involved in the turning that follows electrolytic nigral lesions.


Mitotic spindle fiber orientation in relation to cell migration in the neo-cortex of normal and reeler mouse.

The angular distribution of mitotic spindle fibers has been studied in the telencephalic ventricular zone (VZ) of mouse embryos and has been found to be monophasic and invariant during the early cortical histogenesis both in the normal and in a reeler embryo. This observation suggests that the orientation of mitotic spindle fibers is independent of nerve cell migration in the embryonic cortex.


Cat L4-S1 dermatomes determined using signal averaging.

In view of discrepancies in the earlier literature, a new procedure was devised which used (1) stimuli known to be subthreshold for deep receptor afferents and suprathreshold for hair afferents; (2) averaging techniques applied to dorsal root responses; (3) quantitative mapping of response magnitudes as a function of stimulus location. Dermatomes were obtained for cat L4-S1 dorsal roots which are somewhat larger than the majority of reported whole-root dermatomes, but which are larger than dermatomes approximated from single-unit recordings.


Contralateral decrease of neostriatal dopamine concentration after unilateral pallidal lesion in the rat.

Seven days after unilateral electrolytical and chemical (6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)) lesions in the globus pallidus ipsi- and contralateral neostrial dopamine (DA) concentrations were measured in rats. A definite contralateral DA-decrease was demonstrable, the extent of which was in correlation with ipsilateral decrease.


Cervix cancer precursors in young offspring of low-income families.

The revolutionary changes in the mores and practices of adolescent sexuality have not as yet resulted in a significant increase in the rates of cervical cancer precursors in a study of 29,600 young women under age 21. The study represents women from families of low socioeconomic status. Over a 21-year period no cases of carcinoma in situ nor of invasive cervix cancer occurred. The dysplasia rate was low (0.9/1000), and when prerevolutionary and revolutionary periods were compared, there were no significant differences in the rates. Cryocautery was successful in ablating dysplasia, as was follow-up without treatment. An attempt will be made to continue to monitor these young women of the sexual revolution since the effects of their past and current participation might not be discernible for years to come.


Wertheim hysterectomy: a reappraisal.

A total of 610 radical hysterectomies with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed at the Mayo Clinic in the 20-year period from 1956 through 1975. This operative procedure was the primary therapy in 74% of the patients, the others having had previous pelvic irradiation. Operative morbidity, postoperative complications, lymph node involvement, and overall survival were analyzed.


Stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. A clinical and histopathological study of 65 cases treated with preoperative radium.

To determine if preoperative irradiation should be abandoned in favor of post-hysterectomy irradiation, 65 cases of stage I endometrial carcinomas were analyzed. When no residual tumor or no myometrial invasion was found in the irradiated uterus (38 cases), a 5-year cure rate of 97.3% was obtained. When residual tumor or myometrial invasion was found, there was a 5-year cure rate of 100% in grades 1 and 2 (7 cases) but only a 20% cure rate in grade 3 lesions (5 cases). On the basis of these data there appears to be no reason to abandon preoperative irradiation in stage 1 cases. More extensive irradiation and surgery should be considered, however, in grade 3 lesions invading the myometrium.


The association of parity and marital status with the development of ovarian carcinoma: clinical implications.

Three hundred twenty-seven patients with ovarian carcinoma were compared with matched controls to determine the association of parity and marital status with the development of ovarian cancer. Nulliparous women were found to have 2.31 times the risk of developing ovarian cancer as parous women. Unmarried women had 3 times the risk of developing ovarian cancer, but marital status was not established as a variable independent of parity. Almost 8% of patients with ovarian carcinoma had had hysterectomies when they were over 40 years of age. This study indicates that parity is an important consideration when determining whether a patient is at high risk for the development of ovarian carcinoma. Other epidemiologic variables are discussed in an effort to facilitate the judicious selection of patients for elective oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy.