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PubMed2005

Sensed presence and mystical experiences are predicted by suggestibility, not by the application of transcranial weak complex magnetic fields.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with weak (micro Tesla) complex waveform fields have been claimed to evoke the sensed presence of a sentient being in up to 80% in the general population. These findings have had a questionable neurophysiological foundation as the fields are approximately six orders of magnitude weaker than ordinary TMS fields. Also, no independent replication has been reported. To replicate and extend previous findings, we performed a double-blind experiment (N=89), with a sham-field control group. Personality characteristics indicating suggestibility (absorption, signs of abnormal temporal lobe activity, and a "new age"-lifestyle orientation) were used as predictors. Sensed presence, mystical, and other somatosensory experiences previously reported from the magnetic field stimulation were outcome measures. We found no evidence for any effects of the magnetic fields, neither in the entire group, nor in individuals high in suggestibility. Because the personality characteristics significantly predicted outcomes, suggestibility may account for previously reported effects. Our results strongly question the earlier claims of experiential effects of weak magnetic fields.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Intramolecular cross-linking in a bacterial homolog of mammalian SLC6 neurotransmitter transporters suggests an evolutionary conserved role of transmembrane segments 7 and 8.

The extracellular concentration of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA and glycine is tightly controlled by plasma membrane transporters belonging to the SLC6 gene family. A very large number of putative transport proteins with a remarkable homology to the SLC6 transporters has recently been identified in prokaryotes. Here we have probed structural relationships in a 'microdoman' corresponding to the extracellular ends of transmembrane segments (TM) 7 and 8 in one of these homologs, the tryptophan transporter TnaT from Symbiobacterium thermophilum. We found that simultaneous - but not individual - substitution of Ala286 at the top of TM7 and Met311 at the top of TM8 with cysteines conferred sensitivity to submicromolar concentrations of Hg(2+) as assessed in a [(3)H]tryptophan uptake assay. Because Hg(2+) can cross-link pairs of cysteines, this suggests close proximity between TM 7 and 8 in the tertiary structure of TnaT as previously suggested for the mammalian counterparts. Furthermore, the inhibition of uptake upon cross-linking the two cysteines provides indirect support for a conserved conformational role of these transmembrane domains in the transport process. It was not possible, however, to transfer to TnaT binding sites for another metal ion, Zn(2+), that we previously engineered in the dopamine (DAT) and GABA (GAT-1) transporters between TM 7 and 8. This suggests that the structure of the TM7/8 microdomain is not identical with that of DAT and GAT-1. Hence, our data also emphasize possible structural differences that should be taken into account when interpreting future data on bacterial homologs of the SLC6 transporters.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Total blubber burden of organochlorine pollutants in phocid seals; methods and suggested standardization.

The purpose of the present paper was to investigate methods for calculating the total blubber burden of organochlorine pollutants (OCs) in phocid seals. Harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) were used as the model species. A sample of fat pre-breeding adult females (N = 9) and a sample of thin moulting adult females (N = 7) were collected. From each animal blubber samples from five different body sites (complete blubber columns and samples from different blubber layers), in addition to a sample from a homogenate derived from the entire blubber mass, were analyzed for selected OCs. Significant differences in the concentrations of major OC contaminants were found between inner and outer blubber layer. Within each seal group, no significant difference in OC concentrations was found between homogenates from whole blubber columns from the five different sites of the animals or when comparing these with the OC concentrations found in the blubber sample deriving from a homogenate of the entire blubber mass. When comparing the two seal groups, the mean OC concentrations were significantly higher in the thin seals. However, blubber burden of OCs measured directly and calculated indirectly were not significantly different, and did not vary between the two groups of seals. Since these seals are of the same age and sex group and from the same population, this is not an unexpected result. The present results suggest that comparison of blubber concentrations of OCs in phocid seals should be avoided, especially when comparing differences between geographical areas or for time-trend analyses. For this type of study, we suggest that the blubber burden of OCs is applied as standard in the future. Furthermore, since blubber depth at a specific sampling site is required when using the estimator for calculation of the percent blubber content in phocid seals (the LMD-index), we suggest that this sampling site (central dorsally) is introduced as a standard when sampling blubber for OC analyses in phocid seals.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Gene expression in spider appendages reveals reversal of exd/hth spatial specificity, altered leg gap gene dynamics, and suggests divergent distal morphogen signaling.

Leg development in Drosophila has been studied in much detail. However, Drosophila limbs form in the larva as imaginal discs and not during embryogenesis as in most other arthropods. Here, we analyze appendage genes in the spider Cupiennius salei and the beetle Tribolium castaneum. Differences in decapentaplegic (dpp) expression suggest a different mode of distal morphogen signaling suitable for the specific geometry of growing limb buds. Also, expression of the proximal genes homothorax (hth) and extradenticle (exd) is significantly altered: in the spider, exd is restricted to the proximal leg and hth expression extends distally, while in insects, exd is expressed in the entire leg and hth is restricted to proximal parts. This reversal of spatial specificity demonstrates an evolutionary shift, which is nevertheless compatible with a conserved role of this gene pair as instructor of proximal fate. Different expression dynamics of dachshund and Distal-less point to modifications in the regulation of the leg gap gene system. We comment on the significance of this finding for attempts to homologize leg segments in different arthropod classes. Comparison of the expression profiles of H15 and optomotor-blind to the Drosophila patterns suggests modifications also in the dorsal-ventral patterning system of the legs. Together, our results suggest alterations in many components of the leg developmental system, namely proximal-distal and dorsal-ventral patterning, and leg segmentation. Thus, the leg developmental system exhibits a propensity to evolutionary change, which probably forms the basis for the impressive diversity of arthropod leg morphologies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Gene expression suggests decoupled dorsal and ventral segmentation in the millipede Glomeris marginata (Myriapoda: Diplopoda).

Diplopods (millipedes) are known for their irregular body segmentation. Most importantly, the number of dorsal segmental cuticular plates (tergites) does not match the number of ventral structures (e.g., sternites). Controversial theories exist to explain the origin of this so-called diplosegmentation. We have studied the embryology of a representative diplopod, Glomeris marginata, and have analyzed the segmentation genes engrailed (en), hedgehog (hh), cubitus-interruptus (ci), and wingless (wg). We show that dorsal segments can be distinguished from ventral segments. They differ not only in number and developmental history, but also in gene expression patterns. engrailed, hedgehog, and cubitus-interruptus are expressed in both ventral and dorsal segments, but at different intrasegmental locations, whereas wingless is expressed only in the ventral segments, but not in the dorsal segments. Ventrally, the patterns are similar to what has been described from Drosophila and other arthropods, consistent with a conserved role of these genes in establishing parasegment boundaries. On the dorsal side, however, the gene expression patterns are different and inconsistent with a role in boundary formation between segments, but they suggest that these genes might function to establish the tergite borders. Our data suggest a profound and rather complete decoupling of dorsal and ventral segmentation leading to the dorsoventral discrepancies in the number of segmental elements. Based on gene expression, we propose a model that may resolve the hitherto controversial issue of the correlation between dorsal tergites and ventral leg pairs in basal diplopods (e.g., Glomeris) and is suggestive also for derived, ring-forming diplopods (e.g., Juliformia).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Semaphorin SEMA3F localization in malignant human lung and cell lines: A suggested role in cell adhesion and cell migration.

Semaphorins/collapsins are a family of secreted and membrane-associated proteins involved in nerve growth cone migration. However, some are expressed widely in adult tissues suggesting additional functions. SEMA3F/H.SemaIV was previously isolated from a 3p21.3 homozygous deletion region in human lung cancer. We studied SEMA3F cellular localization using our previously characterized anti-SEMA3F antibody. In normal lung, SEMA3F was found in all epithelial cells at the cytoplasmic membrane and, to a lesser extent, in the cytoplasm. In lung tumors, the localization was predominantly cytoplasmic, and the levels were comparatively reduced. In non-small-cell lung carcinomas, low levels correlated with higher stage. In all tumors, an exclusive cytoplasmic localization of SEMA3F correlated with high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and was related to the grade and aggressiveness. This suggests that vascular endothelial growth factor might compete with SEMA3F for binding to their common receptors, neuropilin-1 and -2 and might contribute to SEMA3F delocalization and deregulation in lung tumor. In parallel studies, SEMA3F distribution was examined in cell cultures by confocal microscopy. Marked staining was observed in pseudopods and in the leading edge or ruffling membranes of lamellipods or cellular protrusions in motile cells. SEMA3F was also observed at the interface of adjacent interacting cells suggesting a role in cell motility and cell adhesion.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Immunoglobulin VH gene mutational analysis suggests that primary effusion lymphomas derive from different stages of B cell maturation.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a recently described distinct subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with infection by the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, also called human herpesvirus-8. Most cases of PEL are also associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In order to better characterize the cellular origin of PEL, we investigated the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain variable region (VH,) genes expressed by tumor cells of the BC-1 and BC-3 cell lines derived from PELs and five original PEL specimens. In the six EBV-positive PELs examined, including the BC-1 cell line, the expressed VH gene sequences showed numerous point mutations relative to the putative germline VH gene sequences. In addition, the VH, segment of one of these cases showed intraclonal sequence heterogeneity, indicating ongoing somatic mutation. In five cases, the distribution and type of mutations indicated that tumor cells had been selected by antigen. Because somatically mutated Ig genes are expressed by B cells that have reached a germinal center/post-germinal center stage of development, these findings suggest that the PEL cell of origin is a germinal center or post-germinal center B cell in most cases. In contrast, the VH gene segment expressed by tumor cells of the BC-3 cell line, which was originated from an EBV-negative PEL obtained from an HIV-negative patient, was unmutated, suggesting a pre-germinal center B cell origin for tumor cells of this particular PEL cell line. Taken together, these findings suggest that development of PELs may not be restricted to one stage of B cell differentiation and may represent transformation of B cells at different stages of ontogeny.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Quantal analysis suggests strong involvement of presynaptic mechanisms during the initial 3 h maintenance of long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal CA1 area in vitro.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the most prominent model to study neuronal plasticity. Previous studies using quantal analysis of an early stage of LTP in the CA1 hippocampal region (<1 h after induction) suggested increases in both the mean number of transmitter quanta released by each presynaptic pulse (m, quantal content) and postsynaptic effect of a single quantum (v, quantal size). When LTP was large, it was m that increased predominantly suggesting prevailing presynaptic contribution. However, LTP consists of several temporary phases with presumably different mechanisms. Here we recorded excitatory postsynaptic potentials from CA1 hippocampal slices before and up to 3.5 h after LTP induction. A new version of the noise deconvolution revealed significant increases in m with smaller and often not statistically significant changes in v. The changes in m were similar for both early (<1 h) and later (1-3 h) post-tetanic periods and correlated with LTP magnitude. The coefficient of variation of the response amplitude and the number of failures decreased during both early and late post-tetanic periods. The results suggest that both early (<0.5 h) and later LTP components (0.5-3 h) are maintained by presynaptic changes, which include increases in release probabilities and the number of effective release sites. In addition initially silent synapses can be converted into effective ones due to either pre- or postsynaptic rearrangements. If this occurs, our data indicate that the number and the efficacy of the receptors in the new transmission sites are approximately similar to those in the previously effective sites.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A significant reduction of the diaphragm in mdx:MyoD-/-(9th) embryos suggests a role for MyoD in the diaphragm development.

To further investigate the role of MyoD during skeletal myogenesis, we backcrossed mdx mutant mice (lacking dystrophin) with MyoD knock-out mice to obtain viable mice with MyoD allele on a pure mdx background. However, after nine generations of backcrossing, it was not possible to obtain a viable mdx:MyoD-/- phenotype (designated as: mdx:MyoD-/-(9th)). The compound-mutant embryos were examined just before birth. Essentially normal Myf5-dependent and most of the MyoD-dependent musculature was observed. By contrast, the skeletal muscle compartment of the diaphragm was significantly reduced. The mesenchymal compartment of the diaphragm was intact and no herniations were observed. Other examined organs (e.g., liver, kidney, brain, etc.) showed no histological abnormalities. Pulmonary hypoplasia was determined as the cause of neonatal death. Therefore, using a different approach, our new data supplement our previous findings and suggest an essential role for MyoD in development of skeletal muscle of the diaphragm. The failure of mdx:MyoD-/-(9th) diaphragm to develop normally is not caused by a reduced number of satellite cells, but from the inability of stem cells to progress through the myogenic program. Our data also suggest that functions of MyoD and Myf5 (and the respective muscle precursor cell sub-populations) are not entirely redundant by term, as previously suggested, since Myf5 is not capable of fully substituting for MyoD in the diaphragm development.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Fibromatoses: clinical and pathological features suggestive of recurrence.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Fibromatoses represent a spectrum of nonneoplastic spindle cell tumors frequently identified in childhood. Although they may be locally aggressive, they do not metastasize. The authors have reviewed their experience of these lesions in an attempt to identify clinical and pathological features suggestive of recurrence. METHODS: Clinical records and pathological specimens from 55 cases of fibromatosis diagnosed and treated at British Columbia's Children's Hospital from 1982 to 1995 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty boys and 25 girls with ages ranging from 1 month to 14 years were identified. Eighteen tumors (33%) were congenital. Diagnoses were as follows: musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis (n = 27), infantile myofibromatosis (n = 10), Dupuytren-type fibromatosis (n = 7), fibromatosis colli (n = 7), and digital fibroma (n = 4). Clinical follow-up showed a survival rate of 98%. The single mortality occurred in an infant born with an intraabdominal visceral myofibromatosis, which proved unresectable. Fifteen cases recurred (27%), and nine cases (16%) of infantile myofibromatosis spontaneously regressed. All remaining cases were controlled successfully by surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features suggestive of recurrence included (1) presentation at greater than 5 years of age, (2) extremity location of disease, and (3) incomplete surgical resection. Pathological features suggestive of recurrence were (1) microscopic evidence of tumor at resection margins, (2) mitotic index of 5 or more per 10 high-power fields, and (3) areas of necrosis and inflammation within the tumor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Immunoglobulin V(H) gene mutational analysis suggests that blastic variant of mantle cell lymphoma derives from different stages of B-cell maturation.

To characterise the nature of the cellular origin of the blastic variant of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL-BV), we analysed the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain variable region (V(H)) genes in four cases of MCL-BV. The rearranged V(H)-D J(H) genes were PCR-amplified, cloned and sequenced. In one case, the comparison of the rearranged V(H) gene sequence to known germline V(H) gene templates showed no somatic mutations suggesting a pre-germinal centre B-cell origin for tumour cells. In the other three cases, the V(H) gene sequences showed varied number of point mutations relative to the putative germline V(H) gene sequences but the point mutations were not associated with intraclonal diversification. In one of the mutated cases, the distribution and type of the mutations indicated that tumour cells had been selected by an antigen. Since somatically mutated Ig genes are expressed by B-cells that have reached a germinal centre/post-germinal centre stage of development, these findings suggest that the MCL-BV cell of origin may also be a germinal centre or a post-germinal centre B-cell. Taken together, our findings suggest that the development of MCL-BC may not be restricted to one stage of B-cell differentiation and that they may represent transformants of B-cells at different stages of ontogeny.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Coping strategies and health care-seeking behavior in a US national sample of adults with symptoms suggestive of overactive bladder.

BACKGROUND: Although millions of individuals have symptoms suggestive of overactive bladder (OAB), few ever seek or receive medical treatment for their condition. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe coping strategies and health care-seeking behavior in a community-based sample of adults with symptoms suggestive of OAB. METHODS: A cross-sectional household telephone survey of an age- and sex-stratified sample of adults was conducted. The survey consisted of general health-related questions as well as questions related to OAB symptoms. A total of 4896 adults completed the interview Respondents were considered to have OAB if they reported > or = 1 symptom of urinary urgency, frequency, or urge incontinence. A follow-up questionnaire was then mailed to a subsample of the telephone interview respondents. The mailed questionnaire contained questions related to type and severity of OAB symptoms, coping strategies, medical care/treatment, feelings/beliefs about OAB, and quality of life. Half of the phone respondents with urinary incontinence (n = 638) and a random sample of all other phone respondents received the mailed questionnaire (n = 873); 1,034 questionnaires were returned. RESULTS: Of the respondents with OAB, 69.6% tried > or = 1 nonmedical coping strategy. Respondents with incontinent OAB were significantly more likely than those with continent OAB or those with no OAB (controls) to use nonmedical coping strategies (incontinent OAB, 76.1%; continent OAB, 59.0%; controls, 31.9%; P < 0.001). Fewer than half of the respondents with OAB (43.5%) had spoken with a provider about OAB in the previous 12 months. Medical consultation was associated with sex, type and severity of OAB, number of nonmedical coping strategies tried, number of OAB information sources consulted, inclination to try new OAB medications, and feelings/beliefs about OAB. In 90% of patient-provider discussions about OAB, the patient initiated the topic. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals manage symptoms suggestive of OAB primarily by using nonmedical coping strategies rather than consulting health care providers. Results of this study support the need for improved clinical recognition of OAB and increased patient-provider communication about this condition.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Differences between electrically-, ritalin- and D-amphetamine-stimulated release of [3H]dopamine from brain slices suggest impaired vesicular storage of dopamine in an animal model of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has behavioural characteristics which make it a suitable animal model for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The drugs of choice in the treatment of ADHD are methylphenidate and D-amphetamine. Using an in vitro superfusion system, we showed that both drugs released [3H]dopamine (DA) (and metabolites) from prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen slices, but methylphenidate was from 7- to 17-fold less potent than D-amphetamine. The similarity in the drug effects on SHR and WKY [3H]DA release is in accordance with the fact that there is no 'paradoxical effect' of psychomotor stimulants on ADHD behaviour. Methylphenidate released significantly less [3H]DA from nucleus accumbens slices obtained from SHR than from their normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls. Electrical stimulation released less [3H]DA from prefrontal cortex and caudate-putamen slices of SHR, while D-amphetamine, in contrast to methylphenidate, released more [3H]DA from prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen slices of SHR compared to WKY. Inhibition of the DA uptake carrier by low concentrations of methylphenidate increased the electrically-stimulated release of [3H]DA to the same extent in SHR and WKY tissue, suggesting that the DA transporter was not responsible for the differences between SHR and WKY. The present results suggest that SHR may have impaired vesicular storage of DA causing leakage of DA into the cytoplasm, since SHR released less [3H]DA from vesicular stores in response to methylphenidate or electrical stimulation and released more [3H]DA from cytoplasmic stores via the uptake carrier in response to D-amphetamine. Methylphenidate might be the drug of choice in the treatment of ADHD because it releases DA from vesicular stores only and is less potent than D-amphetamine, thus making it possible to adjust the dose and thereby 'normalise' reduced DA function more precisely than is possible with D-amphetamine. There was no difference between SHR and WKY with respect to D-amphetamine-stimulated release of [14C]acetylcholine (ACh) or methylphenidate-induced inhibition of the electrically-stimulated release of [14C]ACh from nucleus accumbens or caudate-putamen slices, suggesting that there is no major change in cholinergic transmission in SHR.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The different effects of three Drosophila melanogaster dFMRFamide-containing peptides on crop contractions suggest these structurally related peptides do not play redundant functions in gut.

A Drosophila melanogaster dFMRFamide gene product, TPAEDFMRFamide, decreased crop contractions. However, DPKQDFMRFamide and SDNFMRFamide, also encoded in dFMRFamide, did not affect crop motility, which suggests these peptides are not functionally redundant in the crop and their unique N-terminal structures are important for activity. TPAEDFMRFamide-specific antisera did not stain the crop, which suggests it acts as a hormone. TDVDHVFLRFamide (DMS), encoded in D. melanogaster myosuppressin, stops crop contractions. TPAEDFMRFamide and DMS each contains a RFamide C-terminus; however, their effects on crop contractions differ, which suggests that unique receptors or different ligand:receptor binding requirements exist for these structurally related peptides.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effects of microgravity on muscle and cerebral cortex: a suggested interaction.

The "slow" antigravity muscle adductor longus was studied in rats after 14 days of spaceflight (SF). The techniques employed included standard methods for light microscopy, neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Light and electron microscopy revealed myofiber atrophy, segmental necrosis and regenerative myofibers. Regenerative myofibers were N-CAM immunoreactive (N-CAM-IR). The neuromuscular junctions showed axon terminals with a decrease or absence of synaptic vesicles, degenerative changes, vacant axonal spaces and changes suggestive of axonal sprouting. No alterations of muscle spindles was seen either by light or electron microscopy. These observations suggest that muscle regeneration and denervation and synaptic remodeling at the level of the neuromuscular junction may take place during spaceflight. In a separate study, GABA immunoreactivity (GABA-IR) was evaluated at the level of the hindlimb representation of the rat somatosensory cortex after 14 days of hindlimb unloading by tail suspension ("simulated" microgravity). A reduction in number of GABA-immunoreactive cells with respect to the control animals was observed in layer Va and Vb. GABA-IR terminals were also reduced in the same layers, particularly those terminals surrounding the soma and apical dendrites of pyramidal cells in layer Vb. On the basis of previous morphological and behavioral studies of the neuromuscular system after spaceflight and hindlimb suspension it is suggested that after limb unloading there are alterations of afferent signaling and feedback information from intramuscular receptors to the cerebral cortex due to modifications in the reflex organization of hindlimb muscle groups. We propose that the changes observed in GABA immunoreactivity of cells and terminals is an expression of changes in their modulatory activity to compensate for the alterations in the afferent information.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Aluminum transport out of brain extracellular fluid is proton dependent and inhibited by mersalyl acid, suggesting mediation by the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT1).

Blood brain barrier transport of aluminum citrate was assessed in rats by microdialysis of the jugular vein as well as the right and left frontal cortices. Previous studies (Allen et al., 1995. Evidence for energy-dependent transport of aluminum out of brain extracellular fluid. Toxicology 92, 193-202; Ackley and Yokel, 1997. Aluminum citrate is transported from brain into blood via the monocarboxylic acid transporter located at the blood-brain barrier. Toxicology 120, 89-97), and the current study, demonstrated that the steady-state brain-to-blood ratio of the unbound extracellular aluminum immediately surrounding the microdialysis probe is less than 1, suggesting the presence of a process other than diffusion across the blood brain barrier. It was speculated that a monocarboxylate transporter at the blood brain barrier was maintaining this ratio at less than 1 (Ackley and Yokel, 1997). Monocarboxylate transporters are proton co-transporters. Decreasing extracellular pH (increasing proton availability) increases monocarboxylate transport. After alkalinizing the dialysate perfusing a brain microdialysis probe (to pH = 10.2), the steady-state aluminum brain-to-blood ratio increased from 0.35 to 0.80. The addition of the proton ionophore, p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) (1 mM), to brain dialysate increased this ratio from 0.21 to 0.61. These increased ratios suggest that a proton-dependent process is removing Al from brain extracellular fluid. The monocarboxylate transporter is the only known proton-dependent transporter at the blood-brain barrier. There are two known isoforms of this transporter in the rodent, MCT1 and MCT2. Organomercurial thiol reagents, such as mersalyl acid, inhibit MCT1 but not MCT2. Mersalyl acid (50 mM) addition to brain dialysate increased the steady-state aluminum brain-to-blood ratio from 0.19 to 0.87, suggesting that MCT1 is at least partially mediating the efflux of aluminum from brain extracellular fluid.

Aluminum↗
PubMed1986

Topological studies suggest that the pathway of the protons through F0 is provided by amino acid residues accessible from the lipid phase.

The structure of the F0 part of ATP synthases from E. coli and Neurospora crassa was analyzed by hydrophobic surface labeling with [125I]TID. In the E. coli F0 all three subunits were freely accessible to the reagent, suggesting that these subunits are independently integrated in the membrane. Labeled amino acid residues were identified by Edman degradation of the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide binding (DCCD) proteins from E. coli and Neurospora crassa. The very similar patterns obtained with the two homologous proteins suggested the existence of tightly packed alpha-helices. The oligomeric structure of the DCCD binding protein appeared to be very rigid since little, if any, change in the labeling pattern was observed upon addition of oligomycin or DCCD to membranes from Neurospora crassa. When membranes were pretreated with DCCD prior to the reaction with [125I]TID an additionally labeled amino acid appeared at the position of Glu-65 which binds DCCD covalently, indicating the location of this inhibitor on the outside of the oligomer. It is suggested that proton conduction occurs at the surface of the oligomer of the DCCD binding protein. Possibly this oligomer rotates against the subunit alpha or beta and thus enables proton translocation. Conserved residues in subunit alpha, probably located in the lipid bilayer, might participate in the proton translocation mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Ultrasonic measurement of bladder weight as a possible predictor of acute urinary retention in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Acute urinary retention (AUR) is one of the most undesirable events for elderly men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study was designed to test the clinical utility of ultrasonic measurement of bladder weight as a predictor of AUR. A total number of 160 men visited our clinic with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of BPH and underwent urodynamic studies, including transrectal ultrasonography of the prostate and the measurement of ultrasound (US) estimated bladder weight (UEBW). Among them, 31 (19.4%) presented to our clinic with AUR. From the thickness of the anterior bladder wall measured by transabdominal ultrasonography and the intravesical volume, UEBW was calculated, supposing the bladder to be a sphere. Between patients with and without AUR, there were significant differences for age (75.4 vs. 71.1 years, p < 0.005), prostatic volume (45.5 vs. 35.8 g, p < 0.05), transition zone (TZ) volume (29.4 vs. 20.2 g, p < 0.05), TZ index (0.606 vs. 0.493, p < 0.005) and UEBW (50.3 vs. 34.7 g, p < 0.0001). A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated UEBW to be superior to the other prostatic ultrasonic measures in identifying AUR. Patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH having UEBW greater than 35.0 g were 13.4 times as likely to suffer from AUR. The significant association of UEBW with an increased risk of AUR suggests that it would be promising as a noninvasive urodynamic parameter capable of identifying patients at increased risk of AUR.

Aged↗