Expression of adenylyl cyclase type I in cochlear inner hair cells.

Expression of calcium/calmodulin-activated adenylyl cyclase type I (ACI) mRNA has been determined in the cochlea and in an organ-of-Corti subdissected tissue fraction by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Amplification products of predicted size were obtained from the mouse cochlea and rat organ of Corti with nucleotide sequences corresponding to respective ACI brain transcripts. In addition, ACI template was detected in a rat inner hair cell cDNA library by PCR. Immunoreactivity to ACI has been localized within the organ of Corti to the inner hair cell, with diaminobenzidine staining found in both the cell body and in the stereocilia. Evidence, thus, has been obtained that both ACI transcript and protein are expressed in the inner hair cell, the primary mechanosensory receptor cell of the cochlea. We hypothesize that ACI is activated by calcium influx through a calcium/calmodulin interaction and that this adenytyl cyclase isoform may have a role in modulation of receptoneural afferent transmission and/or mechanosensory transduction in the cochlea.

Some simple methods of home processing and their implication with weaning foods.

One of the most practical solutions to combat protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in low income groups is the intelligent mixing of cereals and legumes to make available low cost weaning foods of high nutritional quality. One of the main obstacles to increase energy and nutrient density of weaning foods of cereals and legumes is the bulk factor. In this study some simple methods of home processing to improve the nutritional quality of the home prepared weaning foods were tested and the processed weaning foods were chemically and biologically evaluated. Biochemical evaluation revealed that the germination of wheat raised its protein and fat and reduced carbohydrate, while ther was almost no change on lentils. Comparing germination with a special "chapati" process, protein and fat content wee higher in the formula processed by the former method, while minerals were higher in the same formula but processed by the latter method. Biological evaluation of the formula processed by the two different methods showed that germination got the highest PER and NPU compared with chapati process figures were (2.02 and 81.0) and (1.70 and 40.0) respectively. Although further research is needed, germination of ingredients of weaning foods of vegetable origin seems to be a good option of the simple home processing technique.