Ionic currents determining the membrane characteristics of type I spiral ganglion neurons of the guinea pig.

Enzymatically isolated type I spiral ganglion neurons of the guinea pig have been investigated in the present study. The identity of the cells was confirmed by using anti-neuron-specific enolase immunostaining. The presence and shredding of the myelin sheath was also documented by employing anti-S100 immunoreaction. The membrane characteristics of the cells were studied by using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The whole-cell capacitance of the cells was 9 +/- 2 pF (n = 51), while the resting membrane potential of the cells was -62 +/- 9 mV (n = 19). When suprathreshold depolarizing stimuli were applied, the neurons fired a single action potential at the beginning of the stimulation. It was confirmed in this study that type I spiral ganglion cells possess a hyperpolarization-activated nonspecific cationic current (Ih). The major characteristics of this current component were unaffected by the enzyme treatment. Type I spiral ganglion cells also expressed various depolarization-activated K+ current components. A high-threshold outward current was sensitive to 1-10 mm TEA+ application. The ganglion cells also expressed a relatively small, but nevertheless present, transient outward current component which was less sensitive to TEA+ but could be inhibited by 100 micro m 4-aminopyridine. A DTX-I-sensitive current was responsible for some 30% of the total outward current (at 0 mV), showed rapid activation at membrane potentials positive to -50 mV and demonstrated very little inactivation. However, inhibition of the highly 4-AP- or DTX-I-sensitive component did not alter the rapidly inactivating nature of the firing pattern of the cells.

A model for the hillock formation on graphite surfaces by 246 MeV Kr+ ions.

Scanning tunnelling microscopy has been used to study the effect of ion bombardment at different angles of incidence on a graphite surface. The 246 MeV energy of Kr+ ions was selected in the medium energy range, where the electronic and nuclear stopping is nearly balanced. The low dose (1 x 10(12)/cm2) of ions allows the characterization of single features caused by bombardment in perpendicular, at 30 degrees and at 60 degrees incidence. The density of hillocks caused by the ion bombardment is significantly lower than the ion dose and this density depends on the angle of incidence. The hillocks are attributed to knocked-on atoms leaving the sample surface. A simple model for the scattering process is presented to enlighten the hillock density differences. Other features produced by the ion bombardment, such as elongated traces and (square root of 3 x square root of 3) R30 superstructures are also reported.

Hypercalcemia in hyperthyroidism. Role of age and goiter type.

Hyperthyroidism is often associated with hypercalcemia which is provoked by osteoclastic activity of the thyroid hormones. These data show that hypercalcemia develops with increasing age and in the presence of a special type of hyperthyroid goiter. Total serum calcium, total protein, and albumin as well as different parameters of thyroid function, namely T3 RIA1, T4 test, ETR and TRH test were determined in a group of 147 patients. The ionized calcium level was estimated from total calcium and albumin. 211 measurements were performed. Hyperthyroidism existed in 92 cases. Total calcium was not significantly elevated in hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroid patients under 61 years of age showed elevated ionized calcium levels in only 2.3% and patients over 60 years of age in 18.8% of cases. Elevated ionized serum calcium levels were observed in 43.8% of hyperthyroid patients with multinodular goiters. The linear correlation between ionized calcium levels and different parameters of thyroid function is much more pronounced in the older group and it was found to be highly significant. 7 of 9 hyperthyroid patients with elevated ionized calcium levels showed multinodular goiters, though no autonomous adenoma. In the hyperthyroid group of patients of over 60 years of age with multinodular goiters the incidence of hypercalcemia was 43.8%. Direct action of thyroid hormone on calcium turnover as well as increasing age and special goiter type seem to be responsible for disturbances in calcium metabolism. A possible calcitonin deficiency in the above mentioned conditions is discussed.