Intraoperative stimulation of pedicle screws: a new method for verification of screw placement

Pedicular fixation of the lumbosacral spine has become a popular procedure for improving fusion rates. Even in experienced hands, it can be associated with a significant rate of screw malpositioning and potential nerve root injury. In this report, we describe a technique for improving screw localization utilizing evoked electromyography responses from direct stimulation of pedicle instrumentation.

The inhibitory effect of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole on relaxation induced by hydroxylamine and sodium azide but not hydrogen peroxide or glyceryl trinitrate in rat aorta

1. In this study we investigated the role of catalase in relaxation induced by hydroxylamine, sodium azide, glyceryl trinitrate and hydrogen peroxide in isolated rings of rat aorta. 2. Hydrogen peroxide (1 microM-1 mM)-induced concentration-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine (PE)-induced tone in endothelium-containing rings. In endothelium-denuded rings, however, higher concentrations (30 microM-1 mM) of hydrogen peroxide were required to produce relaxation. The endothelium-dependent component of hydrogen peroxide-induced relaxation was abolished following pretreatment with N(O)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 microM). L-NAME (30 microM) had no effect, however, on hydrogen peroxide-induced relaxation in endothelium-denuded rings. 3. Pretreatment of endothelium-denuded rings with catalase (1000 u ml-1) blocked relaxation induced by hydrogen peroxide (10 microM-1 mM). The ability of catalase to inhibit hydrogen peroxide-induced relaxation was partially blocked following incubation with 3-amino-1,2, 4-triazole (AT, 50 mM) for 30 min and completely blocked at 90 min. 4. Pretreatment of endothelium-denuded rings with methylene blue (MeB, 30 microM) inhibited relaxation induced by hydrogen peroxide (10 microM-1 mM), sodium azide (1-300 nM), hydroxylamine (1-300 nM) and glyceryl trinitrate (1-100 nM) suggesting that each acted by stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase. 5. Pretreatment of endothelium-denuded rings with AT (1-50 mM, 90 min) to inhibit endogenous catalase blocked relaxation induced by sodium azide (1-300 nM) and hydroxylamine (1-300 nM) but had no effect on relaxation induced by hydrogen peroxide (10 microM-1 mM) or glyceryl trinitrate (1-100 nM). 6. In a cell-free system, incubation of sodium azide (10 microM-3 mM) and hydroxylamine (10 microM-30 mM) but not glyceryl trinitrate (10 microM-1 mM) with catalase (1000 u ml-1) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (1 mM) led to production of nitrite, a major breakdown product of nitric oxide. AT (1-100 mM) inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the formation of nitrite from azide in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. 7. These data suggest that metabolism by catalase plays an important role in the relaxation induced by hydroxylamine and sodium azide in isolated rings of rat aorta. Relaxation appears to be due to formation of nitric oxide and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. In contrast, metabolism by catalase does not appear to be involved in the relaxant actions of hydrogen peroxide or glyceryl trinitrate.

A nuclear gene of eubacterial origin in Euglena gracilis reflects cryptic endosymbioses during protist evolution

Genes for glycolytic and Calvin-cycle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) of higher eukaryotes derive from ancient gene duplications which occurred in eubacterial genomes; both were transferred to the nucleus during the course of endosymbiosis. We have cloned cDNAs encoding chloroplast and cytosolic GAPDH from the early-branching photosynthetic protist Euglena gracilis and have determined the structure of its nuclear gene for cytosolic GAPDH. The gene contains four introns which possess unusual secondary structures, do not obey the GT-AG rule, and are flanked by 2- to 3-bp direct repeats. A gene phylogeny for these sequences in the context of eubacterial homologues indicates that euglenozoa, like higher eukaryotes, have obtained their GAPDH genes from eubacteria via endosymbiotic (organelle-to-nucleus) gene transfer. The data further suggest that the early-branching protists Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica--which lack mitochondria--and portions of the trypanosome lineage have acquired GAPDH genes from eubacterial donors which did not ultimately give rise to contemporary membrane-bound organelles. Evidence that "cryptic" (possibly ephemeral) endosymbioses during evolution may have entailed successful gene transfer is preserved in protist nuclear gene sequences.

Induction of nitric oxide synthase by endotoxin in rat isolated aorta but not in rat aortic smooth muscle cells grown in culture from explant

Incubation of endothelium-denuded rings of rat aorta at 37 degrees C for 18 hours in Krebs solution led to a profound depression of the contractile actions of phenylephrine (1 nM-10 mu M). A major component of this depression of vasoconstriction was due to the relaxant actions of nitric oxide since it was reversed following inhibition of the synthesis of nitric oxide with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or its actions with haemoglobin (30 microM) or methylene blue (10 mu M). The depression was also reversed upon treatment with LY83583 (0.1-1 microM which generates superoxide anions, intracellularly and extracellularly, but was unaffected by hypoxanthine (100 microM)/ xanthine oxidase (16 mu/ml) which generates superoxide anion only extracellularly. The ability of polymixin B (30 microM) to inhibit the development of the depression of vasoconstriction suggests that it results from the expression of an inducible form of nitric oxide synthase, stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide, contaminating the Krebs solution. In contrast to aortic rings, we found that lipopolysaccharide (10-10,000 ng/ml) alone from S. typhosa was unable to stimulate the expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase in rat aortic smooth muscle cells grown in culture from explant, as assessed either by measuring the accumulation of nitrite into the culture medium during a 24 hour incubation period or by measuring the smooth muscle cyclic GMP content. Interferon-gamma (1-100 IU/ml) and interleukin-1 alpha (1-10 IU/ml) alone were, however, able to stimulate the accumulation of nitrite in a concentration-dependent manner. These inductions of nitrite accumulation were abolished following treatment with N(G)-nitro-(L)-arginine methyl ester (1 mM) and dexamethasone (1 microM). Further investigations are required to determine whether the ability of bacterial lipopolysaccharide to induce the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase in rat aortic rings, but not in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture, results from the presence of an endotoxin-sensitive, cytokine-secreting cell type in the vessel wall which is absent in culture, or from differences in smooth muscle phenotype in situ and in culture.

Involvement of tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C in the induction of nitric oxide synthase by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma in J774 macrophages

The combination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/ml) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; 10 IU/ml) synergistically stimulated induction of nitric oxide synthase activity in J774 macrophages, measured by nitrite accumulation during an overnight incubation. Neither the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 10(-9) - 3 x 10(-6) M) nor the calcium ionophore, A23187 (10(-7) - 10(-4) M), alone or in combination, stimulated accumulation of nitrite. They were also unable to substitute for IFN-gamma in priming J774 macrophages to stimulation with LPS. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10(-9) - 3 x 10(-6) M) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of nitrite accumulation when added prior to stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma, but enhanced nitrite accumulation when added 12 hours following stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma. Of the protein kinase C inhibitors tested, staurosporine (10(-9) - 3 x 10(-6) M) and Ro 31-8220 (3 x 10(-9) - 10(-5) M) produced a powerful, concentration-dependent inhibition of nitrite accumulation when added prior to stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma, but had only slight inhibitory effects when added 12 hours after stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma. Chelerythrine chloride ( 10(-8) - 3 x 10(-5) M) produced only a slight inhibition of nitrite accumulation when added prior to stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma, but slightly enhanced nitrite accumulation when added 12 hours following stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein (10(-7) - 10(-4) M) and herbimycin A (5.2 x 10(-9) - 1.74 x 10(-6) M), produced a powerful concentration-dependent inhibition of nitrite accumulation when added prior to stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma. In contrast, herbimycin A had only a slight inhibitory effect when added 12 hours following stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma, and genistein had no effect. When used in combination prior to stimulation with LPS and IFN-gamma, herbimycin A (1.7 x 10(-7) M) and staurosporine (3 x 10(-8) M) produced additive inhibitory effects on nitrite accumulation, but herbimycin A, together with Ro 31-8220 (3 x 10(-6) M) or chelerythrine chloride (10(-5) M), produced no further effects. These results provide strong evidence for the involvement of tyrosine kinases in the induction of nitric oxide synthase by LPS and IFN-gamma in J774 macrophages. They also suggest a role for protein kinase C, but elucidation of the precise mechanisms by which this pathway interacts with tyrosine kinase to regulate the expression of nitric oxide synthase requires further investigation.

Psychosis in Parkinson's disease: diagnosis and treatment

1. This article reviews the prevalence, diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of psychosis in Parkinson's disease. 2. Psychosis in Parkinson's disease has been associated with all antiparkinsonian medications. The most common symptoms are vivid disturbing dreams, visual hallucinations and paranoid delusions. 3. The emergence of psychosis reduces the patient's functional capacity and increases caregiver burden. It also poses a therapeutic dilemma because effective treatment of psychotic symptoms may result in worsening of motor symptoms and vice versa. 4. Increased physician awareness is essential for proper diagnosis and management. Withdrawal of anticholinergic medications and amantadine followed by levodopa dose adjustment is effective in many patients. 5. Atypical neuroleptics, in low doses, may be successful when other measures have failed. However, these agents are not approved for treating Parkinsonian psychosis and must be considered as investigational therapies.

Laser profiling: a technique for the study of prosthetic heart valve leaflet motion

A detailed understanding of the stresses and strains developed in functioning flexible-leaflet valves is necessary if a durable, non-thrombogenic heart valve replacement is to be realized. A new experimental tool, laser profiling, is presented for the study of flexible-leaflet heart valve dynamics. Profiles of moving leaflet surfaces are obtained by projecting parallel sheets of laser light onto valve leaflets as the valves open and close in a mock circulatory loop. Two versions of laser profiling have been developed. In two-dimensional mode multiple profiles are generated on a fixed plane in space but at discrete intervals in time, whereas in three-dimensional mode multiple profiles are generated across the leaflet surface at (effectively) a single instant in time. Highlighted leaflet profiles are captured by camera and transferred to an image processing system for analysis. A simple algorithm permits digitized profiles to be reconstructed within a computer-aided design software package, providing detailed visualization and quantification of valve motion. Extensive validation studies have been performed using the Medtronic-Hall mechanical prosthetic heart valve. Laser profiling enables computer reconstruction of the rigid occluder to an accuracy of +/- 200 microns from a 0.7 ms exposure taken during the period at which the occluder moves with greatest velocity. The technique has been applied to investigate the leaflet dynamics of a bovine pericardial heart valve prosthesis.

Differential sensitivity of basal and acetylcholine-stimulated activity of nitric oxide to destruction by superoxide anion in rat aorta

1. In this study we compared the ability of superoxide anion to destroy the relaxant activity of basal and acetylcholine (ACh)-stimulated activity of NO in isolated rings of rat aorta. 2. Superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1-300 u ml-1) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine (PE)-induced tone in endothelium-containing rings which was blocked by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 30 microM), but had no effect on endothelium-denuded rings. It was likely therefore that the relaxant action of SOD resulted from protection of basally produced NO from destruction by superoxide anion, generated either within the tissue or in the oxygenated Krebs solution. 3. In contrast, a concentration of SOD (50 u ml-1) which produced almost maximal enhancement of basal NO activity, had no effect on ACh (10 nM-3 microM)-induced relaxation. 4. In the presence of catalase (3000 u ml-1) to prevent the actions of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion generation using hypoxanthine (HX, 0.1 mM)/xanthine oxidase (XO, 16 mu ml-1) produced an augmentation of PE-induced tone in endothelium-containing but not endothelium-denuded rings. This was likely to have resulted from removal of the tonic vasodilator action of basally-produced NO by superoxide anion, since it was blocked in tissues treated with SOD (250 u ml-1), NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 30 microM) or L-NOARG (30 microM). Pyrogallol (0.1 mM) had a similar action to HX/XO, but produced an additional augmentation of tone by an endothelium-independent mechanism. 5. In contrast to their ability to destroy almost completely the basal activity of NO, HX (0.1 mM)/XO(16 mu ml-1) and pyrogallol (0.1 mM) had no effect on ACh-induced relaxation at any concentration. An increase in the concentration of HX to 1 mM or pyrogallol to 0.3 mM did, however, lead to a profound decrease in the magnitude and time course of ACh-induced relaxation at all concentrations.6. Treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA, 0.1 mM, 1 h) to inhibit endogenous Cu-Zn SOD,augmented PE-induced tone in endothelium-containing rings and abolished the ability of HX (0.1 mM)/XO (16 mu ml-1) and L-NMMA (30 microM) to augment tone. It was likely that DETCA had led to the destruction of basal NO activity by increasing superoxide anion levels since its actions were reversed by exogenous SOD (10-300 upsilon ml-1).7. In contrast to its ability to destroy basal activity of NO completely, DETCA (0.1 mM) produced only a slight blockade of ACh-induced relaxation. However, if these tissues were subsequently treated with concentrations of HX (0.1 mM)/XO (16 mu ml-1) or pyrogallol (0.1 mM), which had no effect by themselves on ACh-induced relaxation, a profound blockade was seen and this was reversed completely with SOD (250 u ml-1).8. The data suggest that basal activity of NO is more sensitive to inactivation by superoxide anion than ACh-stimulated activity and this probably results from differential protection by endogenous Cu-ZnSOD. It is possible therefore that endogenous SOD lowers superoxide anion levels to such an extent that only small amounts of NO, such as those produced under basal conditions, are destroyed. Following generation of superoxide anion with HX/XO or pyrogallol, or inhibition of Cu-Zn SOD with DETCA,levels of the free radical will increase such that greater amounts of NO, such as those produced following stimulation with ACh, will then be destroyed.

Intron-dependent transient expression of the maize GapA1 gene

Transient expression experiments show that the maize GapA1 promoter exhibits a requirement for sequences contained within intron 1 and surrounding exon border regions for expression in maize Black Mexican Sweet cells. Maize GapA1-promoter constructs lacking intron 1 are inactive. Intron 1 and its exon border sequences, when reintroduced into constructs lacking introns, restore gene activity whereas intron 2 and its exon borders to not. The minimal promoter so defined encompasses roughly 250 bp upstream of the in vivo transcription start and appears also to include intron 1. An octameric sequence was identified in intron 1 of maize GapA1 which is similar to sequence motifs found in other maize introns known to increase transient expression. Partial restoration of gene expression in GapA1 constructs lacking intron 1 was achieved through insertion of the identified octameric sequence.

Enzymatic Evidence for a Complete Oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Chloroplasts and an Incomplete Pathway in the Cytosol of Spinach Leaves

The intracellular localization of transaldolase, transketolase, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase, and ribulose-5-phosphate epimerase was reexamined in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves. We found highly predominant if not exclusive localization of these enzyme activities in chloroplasts isolated by isopyknic centrifugation in sucrose gradients. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glucose phosphate isomerase, and triose phosphate isomerase activity was present in the chloroplast fraction but showed additional activity in the cytosol (supernatant) fraction attributable to the cytosol-specific isoforms known to exist for these enzymes. Anion-exchange chromatography of proteins of crude extracts on diethylaminoethyl-Fractogel revealed only a single enzyme each for transaldolase, transketolase, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase, and ribulose-5-phosphate epimerase. The data indicate that chloroplasts of spinach leaf cells possess the complete complement of enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate path-way (OPPP), whereas the cytosol contains only the first two reactions, contrary to the widely held view that plants generally possess a cytosolic OPPP capable of cyclic function. The chloroplast enzymes transketolase, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase, and ribulose-5-phosphate epimerase appear to be amphibolic for the Calvin cycle and OPPP.

Do radionuclide and echocardiographic techniques give a universal cut off value for left ventricular ejection fraction that can be used to select patients for treatment with ACE inhibitors after myocardial infarction?

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether echocardiography and radionuclide angiography give comparable results when the left ventricular ejection fraction is measured early after myocardial infarction and thus whether, irrespective of the method used, a single value for the ejection fraction could be used as a guide for starting treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.

DESIGN

Prospective comparison of measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction by echocardiography and radionuclide angiography.

SETTING

Coronary care units of two university teaching hospitals in Glasgow.

PATIENTS

99 patients studied within 36 hours of acute myocardial infarction.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by echocardiography and radionuclide angiography.

RESULTS

70 (77%) of the 99 patients had ejection fraction measured by both echocardiographic and radionuclide techniques, 30 in centre 1 and 40 in centre 2. In centre 1 the mean difference (SD) in ejection fraction (radionuclide angiography--echocardiography) was -8 (10%); 95% CI -12 to -4%. In centre 2 the mean difference was -14 (11%); 95% CI -17 to -11%. If patients had been treated with an ACE inhibitor on the basis of a radionuclide ejection fraction of < 40% then 93% in centre 1 (28 of 30) and 98% in centre 2 (39 of 40) would have been treated. This compares with 63% (19 of 30) and 50% (20 of 40), respectively if echocardiography had been used as a guide.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of ejection fraction is highly dependent on the method used and it is therefore impossible to quote a universally applicable figure for left ventricular ejection fraction below which an ACE inhibitor should be used after myocardial infarction.

Purification and cDNA cloning of anthranilate synthase from Ruta graveolens: modes of expression and properties of native and recombinant enzymes

Ruta graveolens utilizes anthranilate synthase (AS) for the synthesis both of tryptophan in primary metabolism and acridone alkaloids in secondary metabolism. AS has been purified from plants and cell cultures of R. graveolens 670- and 1700-fold, respectively. Glutamine- and ammonia-dependent AS activities were strictly co-purified in all steps. Through cDNA cloning and complementation of Escherichia coli deletion mutants defective for AS, it is shown that young Ruta plants express two genes for functional AS alpha subunits, AS alpha 1 and AS alpha 2. The data indicate that AS alpha from Ruta requires an AS beta subunit with a native molecular weight of 60-65 kDa for the glutamine-dependent reaction. Protein synthesized in vitro from cloned cDNA is processed upon import into isolated chloroplasts, indicating that mature AS alpha subunits are active in plastids in vivo. AS alpha 1 and AS alpha 2 are constitutively expressed in Ruta cell cultures, but AS alpha 1 steady-state mRNA levels are increased 100-fold 6 h subsequent to elicitation whereas AS alpha 2 expression remains constitutive. Increased AS alpha 1 transcription corresponds to elicitor-induced alkaloid accumulation. The data indicate that Ruta regulates anthranilate flux into primary and secondary metabolism through differential regulation of AS genes specific to these pathways.

[TULIP (transurethral ultrasound-controlled laser-induced prostatectomy)--experiences with over 80 patients]

Of the many methods currently under investigation for the treatment of symptomatic and obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), laser treatment seems the most likely to yield results comparable to those achieved with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Between May 1991 and December 1993 a total of 83 men were treated in our department with the TULIP (transurethral ultrasound-guided laser-induced prostatectomy) device. Within the first year of follow-up there was a marked improvement in both signs and symptoms. The average urinary peak flow increased from 6 to 16 ml/s, the residual urine volume decreased from 218 ml to 36 ml, and the symptom score (assessed against a modified Boyarsky score) decreased from 17 to 4 points. Our experience so far indicates that the advantages of TULIP are minimal blood loss, no post-transurethral resection syndrome, and a low rate of retrograde ejaculation postoperatively. In addition, the procedure can be performed with analgosedation. Disadvantages are the delayed onset of improvement, combined with irritative symptoms in the early weeks after the procedure. In addition, no tissue can be obtained for histological examination, which may be important in the long-term. Randomized prospective studies, including cost-benefit analyses, are needed to check for advantages of TULIP over TURP.

Transurethral ultrasound-guided laser-induced prostatectomy: clinical outcome and data analysis

OBJECTIVES

To analyze efficacy and side effects of the transurethral ultrasound-guided laser-induced prostatectomy (TULIP) procedure for the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Based on the results obtained so far, the influence of preoperative and intraoperative parameters on clinical outcome is analyzed.

METHODS

Between May 1991 and March 1994, 89 men with symptomatic and obstructive BPH underwent a TULIP procedure and were followed after 3 and 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

On average, mean urinary peak flow increased from 7 to 15 mL/s, postvoidal residual urine decreased from 215 to 40 mL and symptoms (assessed by modified Boyarsky score) decreased from 17 to 5 at 12 months after TULIP: In about half of the patients peak flow increased to more than 20 mL/s on average, and approximately 85% of all men reported that their symptoms improved on average 80% during this time. Because of insufficient micturition, 7 patients subsequently underwent conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and 1 had an open prostatectomy. Either partial or complete retrograde ejaculation was reported by 13 of 58 sexually active men. No blood transfusion was required and no post-transurethral resection syndrome occurred in any case. Analyses of preoperative and intraoperative parameters and clinical outcome with respect to prostate volume, urinary retention, type of BPH enlargement, sleeve size, and good and poor responders did not reveal any significant influence of any factor. There is, however, a trend toward a lower laser energy delivered in patients who failed or may be considered to be poor responders.

CONCLUSIONS

In this unselected group of patients with BPH, who otherwise would have been TURP candidates, the TULIP procedure demonstrated the efficacy of this technique to relieve bladder outlet obstruction. Compared with TURP, the TULIP procedure proved to be advantageous in regard to less blood loss and rate of retrograde ejaculation. In addition, TULIP can be performed under analgesic sedation, which is especially advantageous in high-risk patients. Disadvantages, however, are that it takes a considerably longer time to obtain substantial improvements in subjective and objective symptoms and there are more irritative symptoms in the early postoperative phase.

Chloroplast and cytosolic triosephosphate isomerases from spinach: purification, microsequencing and cDNA cloning of the chloroplast enzyme

Chloroplast and cytosolic triosephosphate isomerases from spinach were separated and purified to homogeneity. Both enzymes were partially sequenced by Edman degradation. Using degenerate primers designed against the amino acid sequences, a homologous probe for the chloroplast enzyme was amplified and used to isolate several full-size cDNA clones. Chloroplast triosephosphate isomerase is encoded by a single gene in spinach. Analysis of the chloroplast cDNA sequence in the context of its homologues from eukaryotes and eubacteria reveals that the gene arose through duplication of its preexisting nuclear counterpart for the cytosolic enzyme during plant evolution.

Dehydration: a model for (low-temperature) argon laser tissue bonding

Despite considerable investigation, the mechanism of laser assisted vascular anastomosis remains unknown. Indications suggest that bonding is the result of thermal action, particularly the thermal denaturation of tissue proteins. However, our own work has led us to conclude that dehydration is an important factor. Hence, we have proposed that laser anastomosis is the result of dehydration at the apposed tissue faces, induced by laser irradiation. This was investigated by comparing the properties of bonds created by dehydration with those created by laser. The bonds were created using parameters consistent with laser anastomoses created in vivo. Results revealed that anastomoses created by dehydration were equivalent to those created by laser, with little difference in strength, histology or response to rehydration. The only significant difference (p < 0.02) was mean bond strength created at temperatures above the denaturation temperature of the tissue (548 g cm(-2) by laser, 994 g cm(-2) by dehydration). Given the similarity of bonds created by the two methods, we conclude that the same mechanism (i.e. dehydration) is likely to be responsible for bonding in both cases and therefore that argon laser bonding is mediated by dehydration.

Molecular characterization of a novel, nuclear-encoded, NAD(+)-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in plastids of the gymnosperm Pinus sylvestris L

Angiosperms and algae possess two distinct glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) enzymes, an NAD(+)-dependent tetramer involved in cytosolic glycolysis and an NADP(+)-dependent enzyme of the Calvin cycle in chloroplasts. We have found that the gymnosperm Pinus sylvestris possesses, in addition to these, a nuclear-encoded, plastid-specific, NAD(+)-dependent GAPDH, designated GapCp, which has not previously been described from any plant. Several independent full-size cDNAs for this enzyme were isolated which encode a functional transit peptide and mature subunit very similar to that of cytosolic GAPDH of angiosperms and algae. A molecular phylogeny reveals that chloroplast GapCp and cytosolic GapC arose through gene duplication early in chlorophyte evolution. The GapCp gene is expressed as highly as that for GapC in light-grown pine seedlings. These findings suggest that aspects of compartmentalized sugar phosphate metabolism may differ in angiosperms and gymnosperms and furthermore underscore the contributions of endosymbiotic gene transfer and gene duplication to the nuclear complement of genes for enzymes of plant primary metabolism.

NANC neurotransmission in the bovine retractor penis muscle is blocked by superoxide anion following inhibition of superoxide dismutase with diethyldithiocarbamate

This study examined the effects of inhibiting Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase with diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA) on the ability of superoxide generating agents such as pyrogallol, hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase and LY 83583, to influence NANC relaxation of strips of bovine retractor penis (BRP) muscle. Although pyrogallol (100 microM) and hypoxanthine (0.3 mM)/xanthine oxidase (64 mU ml-1) had little effect on NANC relaxation in control strips, both induced almost complete inhibition following treatment with DETCA (3 mM) for 1 h. Inhibition was due to the actions of superoxide anion since it was blocked by the addition of exogenous superoxide dismutase (250 U ml-1). LY 83583 (0.1-30 microM) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of NANC relaxation even in control strips and this too was blocked by exogenous superoxide dismutase, but sensitivity to inhibition was enhanced 10-fold following treatment with DETCA. The data suggest that under normal circumstances the NANC neurotransmitter is protected by high levels of tissue superoxide dismutase, and inhibition of this enzyme increases its susceptibility to destruction by superoxide anions. An important impediment to accepting free nitric oxide as the NANC neurotransmitter in the BRP on the basis that superoxide anion-generating agents inhibit the actions of authentic nitric oxide but not those of NANC nerve stimulation has thus been removed.

Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure

The object of this study was to examine the effect of vertebral axial decompression on pressure in the nucleus pulposus of lumbar discs. Intradiscal pressure measurement was performed by connecting a cannula inserted into the patient's L4-5 disc space to a pressure transducer. The patient was placed in a prone position on a VAX-D therapeutic table and the tensionometer on the table was attached via a pelvic harness. Changes in intradiscal pressure were recorded at resting state and while controlled tension was applied by the equipment to the pelvic harness. Intradiscal pressure demonstrated an inverse relationship to the tension applied. Tension in the upper range was observed to decompress the nucleus pulposus significantly, to below -100 mm Hg.

Nucleotide distribution in gymnosperm nuclear sequences suggests a model for GC-content change in land-plant nuclear genomes

Nuclear protein coding sequences from gymnosperms are currently scarce. We have determined 4 kb of nuclear protein coding sequences from gynosperms and have collected and analyzed > 60 kb of nuclear sequences from gymnosperms and nonspermatophytes in order to better understand processes influencing genome evolution in plants. We show that conifers possess both biased and nonbiased genes with respect to GC content, as found in monocots, suggesting that the common ancestor of conifers and monocots may have possessed both biased and nonbiased genes. The lack of biased genes in dicots is suggested to be a derived character for this lineage. We present a simple but speculative model of land-plant genome evolution which considers changes in GC bias and CpG frequency, respectively, as independent processes and which can account for several puzzling aspects of observed nucleotide frequencies in plant genes.

A comparison of adenosine and exercise stress 201T1 scintigraphy

A detailed comparison of stress thallium images utilizing exercise (symptom-limited bicycle ergonometer) and adenosine (infused at 50 micrograms kg-1 min-1 increasing by 25 micrograms kg-1 min-1 every 2 min to a maximum tolerated dose) was performed in 20 patients with angiographically documented coronary disease. Ten patients were receiving beta-blockade at the time of both tests. Triple-, double- and single-vessel disease was present in eight, seven and five patients, respectively. Exercise produced a large increase in double product (8970 +/- 288 to 20,-984 +/- 690 mm Hg min-1) while adenosine produced no significant change (8440 +/- 280 to 9086 +/- 600 mm Hg min-1). Each of the three gated planar images (anterior 40 degrees and 70 degrees left anterior oblique) was divided into five equal segments. Exercise produced 44/90, 44/95 and 45/95 abnormal segments in the anterior, 40 degrees and 70 degrees views while adenosine produced 53/100, 44/100 and 52/100 abnormal segments for the same views. The total number of abnormal segments was similar in both groups (133/280 exercise and 149/300 adenosine). Each abnormal segment was analysed for degree of change between stresses using a five-point scoring system. Exercise produced eight segments which were larger by one point and 44 segments larger by two points while adenosine produced 17 and 44 segments larger by one and two points respectively. Left ventricular uptake (as % injected dose) was significantly greater in the adenosine group (1.12 +/- 0.06% versus 0.64 +/- 0.05%, P < 0.01) but right ventricular uptake was similar (0.15 +/- 0.1% versus 0.14 +/- 0.09%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)