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Biomedical subjects

L Marin

Publications and source records attributed to L Marin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Axoaxonal synapse location and consequences for presynaptic inhibition in crustacean motor axon terminals.

Serial sections were made of several excitatory nerve terminals in the stretcher muscle of the spider crab, Hyas areneus , to document locations of inhibitory axoaxonal synapses responsible for physiologically powerful presynaptic inhibition. The excitatory terminals are varicose, often with small side branches joined to the main terminal by thin bottlenecks . Axoaxonal synapses occur predominantly on the varicosities, both primary and secondary, with a smaller number on bottlenecks . The distribution is often clustered at specific locations of the excitatory terminal. An electrical model was employed to ascertain the effectiveness of axoaxonal synapses at different locations on the terminal. The model plotted the potential distribution along the terminal with or without a synaptic conductance equivalent to one quantal unit of inhibitory transmitter action. It was assumed from recent work that terminal varicosities are not completely invaded by an action potential. The model predicts that large drops in potentials originating in the main axon occur in the terminals during inhibitory transmitter action, with the largest total drop produced by axoaxonal synapses on the terminal varicosities. The effectiveness of inhibitory action is critically dependent on the dimensions and internal resistance of the bottlenecks . Thus, the geometrical features of the excitatory terminal appear to play a key role in effectiveness of presynaptic inhibition.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Colonic water and electrolyte transport in young and adult rats.

The development of colonic water and electrolyte transport was studied in rats. The colon of 20-day-old (young) and 40-day-old (adult) rats was perfused with either a hypotonic (200 mosmol/L) or a hypertonic (450 mosmol/L) solution. The solutions had identical electrolyte contents. Polyethylene glycol was used as a marker of water absorption. Na,K-Adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase) activity was determined in nonperfused colonic segments in 10- to 40-day-old rats. Water absorption was always higher in young rats than in adult rats. In the young rats but not in the adult rats increased osmotic pressure of the luminal fluid resulted in a significant decrease in water absorption. The secretion of K was observed only in adult rats. Na,K-ATPase activity increased significantly from 10 to 20 and from 20 to 40 days of age. The results imply that the immature colon has higher water conductivity and low active electrolyte transport.

Aging↗
PubMed1983

Ultrastructure of synapses with different transmitter-releasing characteristics on motor axon terminals of a crab, Hyas areneas.

Synaptic terminals on branches of an excitatory motor axon in a spider crab (Hyas areneas) were examined by electron microscopy to determine whether differences in size, structure, and number of synapses could be correlated with differences in transmitter release. Terminals releasing relatively large amounts of transmitter during low frequencies of nerve impulses ("high-output" terminals) had larger synapses, more prominent presynaptic dense bodies (active zones), and fewer synapses per unit length than terminals releasing relatively small amounts of transmitter ("low-output" terminals). Neither the difference in synaptic area, nor the quantitative differences in the active zones, were sufficient in themselves to explain the difference in synaptic efficacy, and it is postulated that a non-linear relationship may exist between structural features of the synapse and release of transmitter by a nerve impulse, and that differences other than those apparent from the ultrastructure could be involved. Greater facilitation at low-output terminals with high frequencies of nerve impulses may be due to greater reserves of "immediately available" transmitter, and to recruitment or activation of more individual synaptic contacts.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Salt and water homeostasis during oral rehydration therapy.

Changes in sodium balance and urinary and stool output during orally administered rehydration therapy were studied in 22 well-nourished Turkish infants, aged 2 to 13 months, with acute diarrhea mainly of viral origin. The infants randomly received a rehydration solution containing either 90 mmol Na/L (ORS90) or 40 mmol Na/L (ORS40). Slight transient hypernatremia was noted in a few infants receiving ORS90, and slight transient hyponatremia in a few infants receiving ORS40. In both groups, sodium balance increased most rapidly during the first 12 hours of rehydration, and then more slowly because of increased urinary as well as stool sodium output. Sodium balance was always more positive after ORS90 than after ORS40, but the difference did not change much from 12 to 36 hours after therapy was started. Changes in fractional sodium excretion, urinary K/Na quotient, and urinary aldosterone-creatinine quotient were used as indexes of changes in sodium balance. All values were interpreted to indicate that the sodium deficit on admission was corrected within 12 to 18 hours after ORS90 and, in most cases, after 24 to 36 hours after ORS40. Both groups of infants responded well to orally administered rehydration therapy from the clinical viewpoint.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1983

Different mechanisms of mitral regurgitation in acute and chronic forms of coronary heart disease.

Contradictory two-dimensional echocardiographic findings have been reported in relation to the role of prolapse of the mitral valve and lack of systolic leaflet coaptation in mitral regurgitation secondary to coronary heart disease. A prospective study of 22 patients with chronic coronary heart disease and mitral regurgitation showed the following: Inferior akinesia was detected in 14 (64%), fibrosis of the postero-medial papillary muscle in 10 (45%), and prolapse of the mitral valve in nine (41%). A combination of the three signs was seen in six patients (27%). Lack of systolic leaflet coaptation was seen in only two patients, both with anterior myocardial infarction. When these results are compared with those reported in the literature, it is apparent that in acute coronary heart disease, lack of leaflet coaptation is frequently visualized (P less than 0.01) and fibrosis of the postero-medial papillary muscle and prolapse of the mitral valve are lacking (P less than 0.01). A unitary explanation of all forms of mitral regurgitation in coronary heart disease is misleading; mechanisms of mitral regurgitation in coronary heart disease depend on the clinical presentation--acute or chronic, the site of infarction, and the presence of cardiac dilatation.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Changes in the cellular environment of differentiating type II pneumocytes. Quantitative study in the perinatal rat lung.

The changes occurring in the cellular environment of differentiating type II pneumocytes have been studied using the perinatal rat lung as a model. The various cellular types in contact with type II pneumocytes during late fetal and neonatal period have been identified. The percentage of type II cells in contact with each cellular type has been calculated, and the extent of the contact areas has been measured. During the studied period, type II pneumocytes are in contact with other epithelial cells (type I or type II pneumocytes) on their lateral sides. On their basal side, they are facing lipid loaded fibroblasts and endothelial cells of the capillary walls. The results of the measurements show that from day 19 of gestation on, the contact area between type II pneumocytes and other epithelial cells decreases, whereas the luminal and especially the basal sides increase. On day 19, the whole basal side of type II pneumocytes in lined by lipofibroblasts. As maturation proceeds thereafter, contact is gradually made with endothelial cells. But the extent of these contacts remains always smaller than the contacts between type Ii pneumocytes and lipofibroblasts. The developmental significance of these results is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Pulmonary di-and-triacylglycerols during the perinatal development of the rat.

Diacylglycerol (DG) and triacylglycerol (TG) levels in rat lung tissue were determined from day 17 of gestation to day 10 post partum and studied in parallel with ultrastructural differentiation. The DG level, although rather low at all measured stages, rose significantly between days 17 and 19 and at birth. TG level increased steadily during the whole studied period and especially between days 17 and 19 and at birth. In DG as well as in TG, saturated fatty acids were predominant. The rising of TG levels paralleled the appearance and accumulation of lipid vacuoles in mesodermal cells lying in contact with type II cells. The possible role of these cells is discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1981

Lung catecholamines and cyclic nucleotides during perinatal development in the rat. Possible relationships with biochemical and morphological differentiation.

In this study, we investigated in parallel the evolution of endogenous catecholamine and cyclic nucleotide levels in lung tissue in the course of normal fetal development of the rat from day 17 of gestation to day 10 postpartum; the findings were correlated with the successive stages of lung differentiation. These were assessed morphologically by electron microscopy, and biochemically by measuring the levels of the main lung tissue phospholipids and studying their fatty acid composition. Dopamine levels were low and always remained under 5 ng/g of wet tissue. Nevertheless, slight rises were observed between days 17 and 19 of gestation (1.8 and 2.78 ng/g, respectively) and between days 21 of gestation and birth (2.56 and 4.25 ng/g, respectively). These changes were significant (P less than 0.05). Norepinephrine (NE) levels first decreased by about 50% between days 17 and 19 of gestation (7.34 and 3.88 ng/g, respectively), (P less than 0.01) and then rose sharply about 4 times until birth (17.24 +/- 3.90 ng/g), and more slowly from then on. On day 10 postpartum, the mean NE level was 34.31 +/- 3.28 ng/g. The levels of the two cyclic nucleotides [cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP)] were quite high on day 17 and remained so until day 19 (cAMP = 220 pmoles /g; cGMP = 20 pmoles/g). From day 19 until day 21, the levels of the two nucleotides decreased (cAMP = 140 pmoles/g; cGMP = 8 pmoles/g; P less than 0.05). During this period, the decrease in cGMP level was about twice that of cAMP. During the last day of gestation, the cAMP level was still decreasing, whereas cGMP was increasing. After birth, the levels of the two cyclic nucleotides rapidly increased to day 5. Between days 5 and 10 postpartum, no significant changes were observed in either cAMP or cGMP levels. The time course of the variations reported suggests that they are related to the maturation processes of lung assessed on the basis of morphological and biochemical criteria. On day 19 of gestation, when the first lamellar bodies appear, large changes occur in the evolution of NE and cyclic nucleotide levels, suggesting that these changes may be related to the onset of surfactant synthesis. On day 21 of gestation, the cAMP and cGMP ratio rises sharply; at the same time, the total phospholipid level is increased by 50%. At this stage, lamellar bodies are actively differentiating within type II pneumocytes and massively released into the fetal airways. The relationships between the variations of the studied biochemical parameters and the maturation processes of lung suggest that dopamine and NE could be involved in surfactant synthesis and release via their second messenger, the cyclic nucleotides. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the mechanisms regulating these changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Phospholipid and fatty acid composition of lamellar bodies isolated from chicken lungs at different stages of development].

In order to elucidate whether the lamellar body content represents functional surfactant as soon as these bodies appear in lung epithelium during fetal development, lamellar bodies were isolated from lungs of Chicken at various developmental stages. Their content was analyzed and compared to extra-cellular functionnal surfactant. The results show that this content undergoes gradual changes in the phospholipid/protein ratio, as well as in the relative phosphatidylcholine amount. Thus, in the Chicken, nascent lamellar bodies do not represent the final form of extracellular surfactant.

Aging↗
PubMed1978

The endocrine control of embryonic lung maturation in the chicken. I. Morphological and biochemical differentiation of lungs after "in ovo" decapitation.

The effects of "in ovo" hypophysectomy on lung maturation of the chick embryo were investigated. Both biochemical and morphological aspects of differentiation were markedly delayed in experimental embryos: the phospholipid content of lungs was lower than in controls at all stages, whereas the water content remained very high. The type II pneumocytes, which normally appear within the epithelium on day 16 of incubation, started to differentiate only between days 18 and 20 of incubation in the decapitated embryos. The differentiation of type I pneumocytes leading to the formation of air capillaries was also slowed down: they did not appear until the end of incubation in decapitated embryos, whereas they normally start to appear on day 19. The presence of an intact hypophysis is thus essential for normal lung maturation in the chicken.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The endocrine control of embryonic lung maturation in the chicken. II. Role of the hypophysis.

In order to discover whether the embryonic chick hypophysis acts upon lung maturation directly or via its corticotrophic activity, immature lung primordia were grafted into young hosts, either alone or associated with functional adrenals or pituitaries. When lung primordia were grafted alone, type II pneumocytes did not differentiate. Their differentiation was restored when lung primordia were grafted in association with either adrenals or pituitaries. This last result, which was also obtained in vitro, shows that the hypophysis is able, by itself, to promote the maturation of respiratory epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[Infantile form of Hallervorden-Spatz disease (author's transl)].

The authors report the evolution since birth of a third patient belonging to a sibship affected by the infantile form of Hallervorden-Spatz disease. The diagnosis has been histologically proven in each case. Due to a lack of full clinical reports in the available literature, the emphasis has mainly been placed on the complex extrapyramidal syndrome characteristic of this disorder and illustrated by our own cases. We stree here the occurrence of extrapyramidal fits with exceptionally severe hemiballic movements and torsion spasms. Moreover the clinical signs and their succession in time are strikingly similar in our three patients. Our main purpose is to document accurately the early stages of this disorder; they are characterized by a non-specific spastic diplegia associated with mental retardation. There is a progressive but incomplete improvement during the following years. Thereafter the extrapyramidal syndrome appears. It is to early to decide whether all the infantile cases of Hallervorden-Spatz disease do indeed present a diphasic evoluation because our third patient is the only one to have been followed up since birth; relevant data are scarcely available in the other reported cases. On the other hand, it is correct to state that a spastic diplegia with mental retardation under the age of two--provided a perinatal anoxic excephalopathy has been ruled out--can lead to a wide range of conditions from normality to a neurological disorder as severe as the one reported here.

Age Factors↗