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Biomedical subjects

C Colbert

Publications and source records attributed to C Colbert.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Electrical and calcium signaling in dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

This review discusses recent data regarding the different types of voltage-gated Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels in dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons and their function for synaptic integration and plasticity. Na+ and Ca2+ channels are uniformly distributed throughout the dendrites, although Na+ channels in the soma and proximal dendrites differ in their inactivation properties from Na+ channels in more distal regions. Also, different regions of the neuron express different subtypes of Ca2+ channels. K+ channels are unevenly distributed, with the distal dendrites expressing a more than fivefold greater density of a transient A-type K+ channel than proximal regions. These K+ channels exert profound control over the excitability of the pyramidal neurons and the spread of synaptic potentials throughout the dendrites. The ways in which the active properties of dendrites may contribute toward the induction and maintenance of long-term synaptic plasticity are discussed.

Animals↗

Continuous-flow fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry of permethylated oligosaccharides: a comparative study of direct mixture analysis with packed capillary column liquid chromatography-fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry.

Conventional positive fast atom bombardment (FAB) and continuous-flow FAB analysis were carried out with permethylated lacto-N-tetraose. This latter method, a new approach, has been used to analyze a mixture of permethylated oligosaccharides by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with a packed capillary fused-silica column and the continuous-flow probe as interface. Under these conditions, we found the continuous-flow probe to be superior to the conventional probe because its low matrix level increased the signal-to-noise ratio. The analysis of the mixture of permethylated oligosaccharide alditols obtained from hen ovomucoid by LC-MS using the continuous-flow probe as interface is described.

Animals↗

The relative numbers of oligodendroglia in different brain regions of normal and postnatally undernourished rats.

The relative numbers of oligodendroglia were compared in representative brain regions of 21 day old undernourished and control rats. As a result of postnatal undernutrition which produced half normal body weights and a 10-15 percent reduction in brain weight, the relative numbers of oligodendroglia were slightly increased in photomicrographs of corticospinal tract (a motor tract), medial lemniscus (a sensory tract), red nucleus (a motor nucleus) and somatosensory cortex. Relative numbers were reduced in the corpus callosum, and the thickness of the corpus callosum was significantly reduced. Cell sizes of oligodendroglia were essentially normal throughout the brain, although some reductions of 5 to 6 percent were observed. Areas of brain structures in cross section were essentially unchanged. We have previously hypothesized that nutritionally induced brain hypomyelination results from a reduction in the specific numbers of oligodendroglia and consequently a lasting reduction in the brain myelin concentration. The present results are inconsistent with this hypothesis, as both the density of oligodendroglia and sizes of brain regions are essentially normal. We know from prior work using the same model of nutritional deprivation that myelin synthesis is greatly reduced. Consequently an important depressant effect of undernourishment on oligodendroglia in the developing brain involves either the communication between axons and oligodendroglia leading to myelin induction or the synthetic capacity to make myelin.

Animals↗

Therapy of osteogenesis imperfecta with synthetic salmon calcitonin.

We evaluated the long-term use of synthetic salmon calcitonin in the management of osteogenesis imperfecta tarda and congenita. Forty-eight children, ranging in age from 6 months to 15 years, and two young adults, received synthetic salmon calcitonin 2 MRC units/kg three days a week and a daily oral calcium supplement of 230 to 345 mg. The annual fracture rate was decreased during calcitonin therapy as compared to the period preceding therapy. There was an increase in the ability of the patient to stand and move and in the subjective feeling of strength in the lower extremities during calcitonin therapy. There was also a significant improvement in radiographic bone density, as determined by the method of photodensitometry, in patients under 5 years of age. Long-term administration of synthetic salmon calcitonin may be beneficial to young children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Adolescent↗

Is this the right time to come out? Case study.

In this fictional case study, Adam Lawson is a promising young associate at Kirkham McDowell Securities, a St. Louis underwriting and financial advisory firm. Recently, Adam helped to bring in an extremely lucrative deal, and soon he and a few other associates will be honored for their efforts at the firm's silver anniversary dinner. George Campbell, vice president in mergers and acquisitions, is caught unprepared when Adam tells him that, after serious reflection, he has decided to bring his partner, Robert Collins, to the banquet. George is one of Adam's biggest supporters at the firm, and he personally has no problem with Adam being gay. But it is one thing for Adam to come out of the closet at the office. It is quite another to do so at a public company-client event. After all, Kirkham McDowell's client roster includes some very conservative companies--one of the country's largest defense contractors, for example. George is concerned with how Adam's openness about his sexual orientation will play with their clients and, as a result, how senior management will react. Adam has not come to George for permission to bring Robert to the dinner. But clearly Adam wants some sort of response. George has never faced sexual diversity issues in the workplace before, and there is no company policy to guide him. Just how negative an effect could Robert have on Adam's career with the firm and the firm's relationship with its clients? Isn't it possible that even the firm's most conservative clients will simply decide that Adam's choice of guest is a personal matter--not a business one?(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Career Mobility↗