The impact of an appointment-based medication synchronization programme on chronic medication adherence in an adult community pharmacy population.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Non-adherence to medication regimens is the primary cause of suboptimal clinical benefit in patients with chronic diseases. The primary objective of this study was to assess and compare adherence to chronic medications among adults participating in Time My Meds (TMM), an appointment-based medication synchronization programme, to patients receiving usual care. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study that evaluated data from 18 partner community pharmacies in three lower U.S. Midwestern states between January 2013 and May 2015. RESULTS: During the 6-month post-period, PDC≥0.80 was achieved by 73.53%, 80.41% and 75.00% of usual care patients taking oral diabetes, renin-angiotensin system antagonist (RASA) and statin medications. In comparison, the PDC threshold was achieved by 100%, 97.94% and 97.62% of TMM patients taking oral diabetes, RASA and statin medications (P<.031 in diabetes group and P<.003 in RASA group). The percentage of on-time prescription refills increased from 69.68% to 84.75% in patients with diabetes, 79.04% to 89.56% in the hypertension group and 78.26% to 89.07% in the hyperlipidaemic group. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: An appointment-based medication synchronization programme in community pharmacies resulted in improved adherence and increased percentage of on-time refills.

The myelin-associated glycoprotein is enriched in multivesicular bodies and periaxonal membranes of actively myelinating oligodendrocytes.

The myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily that is selectively expressed by myelin-forming cells. A developmentally regulated, alternative splicing of a single MAG transcript produces two MAG polypeptides (72 and 67 kD) in the central nervous system (CNS). MAG occurs predominantly as the 67-kD polypeptide in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This study determined the subcellular localization of CNS MAG at different postnatal times when the 72-kD form (7-d) and 67-kD form (adult) are quantitatively abundant. These distributions were also compared to those of MAG in the PNS. In adult rat, MAG is selectively enriched in periaxonal membranes of CNS myelin internodes. This restricted distribution differs from that in PNS myelin internodes where MAG is also enriched in paranodal loops, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and mesaxon membranes. In 7-d-old rat CNS, MAG was associated with periaxonal membranes during axonal ensheathment and enriched in Golgi membranes and cytoplasmic organelles having the appearance of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). MAG-enriched MVBs were found in oligodendrocyte perinuclear regions, in processes extending to myelin internodes, and along the myelin internode in outer tongue processes and paranodal loops. MAG-enriched MVBs were not found in oligodendrocytes from adult animals or in myelinating Schwann cells. These findings raise the possibility that the 72-kD MAG polypeptide is associated with receptor-mediated endocytosis of components from the periaxonal space or axolemma during active stages of myelination.

The distribution of intracellular ions in the avian salt gland.

To investigate the mechanism of salt secretion in the avian salt gland, we used quantitative electron probe microanalysis to measure the intracellular elemental concentrations in dry cryosections of unspecialized and partially specialized secretory epithelial cells from fresh water- and salt water-adapted ducklings, respectively. In conjunction with this, human and duckling erythrocytes were also analyzed, since these provided the experimental basis for using in situ erythrocytes as standards for determining the local water content of epithelia from the analysis of dried cryosections. The microprobe results from both types of erythrocytes compared favorably with chemical determinations of elemental concentrations. The nucleated avian erythrocytes, whose wet-weight elemental concentrations were determined by a compartmental analysis that required neither a peripheral standard nor a measure of the local mass, revealed a marked accumulation of P and K in the nucleus (388 and 190 mmol/kg wet wt, respectively) relative to the cytoplasm (67 and 85 mmol/kg wet wt). In both developmental states of the epithelial cells, the nucleus and apical cytoplasm had essentially similar and unremarkable concentrations of Na (76 and 83 mmol/kg dry wt, respectively, in the adapted cells vs. 72 and 81 mmol/kg dry wt in the control cells) and K (602 and 423 mmol/kg dry wt vs. 451 and 442 mmol/kg dry wt). Chloride, however, which was in general rather high, was significantly depressed in the apical cytoplasm of adapted cells only (164 and 124 mmol/kg dry wt in the nucleus and cytoplasm, respectively, of adapted cells (P less than 0.05) vs. 138 and 157 mmol/kg dry wt for control cells (P less than 0.05). Cation concentrations (Na + K) were elevated approximately 15% in the basal regions of adapted cells as compared with apical cytoplasm. When tissue water variations are accounted for, the results suggest that: (a) an active, energy-requiring process is responsible for chloride accumulation in this cell; (b) the apical membrane is a regulatory site for secretion; and (c) there are regional distinctions in the distribution of ions and water, particularly in the salt water-adapted cell. These conclusions are consistent with active chloride transport as the basis for salt secretion in this tissue.

Triad formation: organization and function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel and triadin in normal and dysgenic muscle in vitro.

Excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling is thought to involve close interactions between the calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor; RyR) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) alpha 1 subunit in the T-tubule membrane. Triadin, a 95-kD protein isolated from heavy SR, binds both the RyR and DHPR and may thus participate in E-C coupling or in interactions responsible for the formation of SR/T-tubule junctions. Immunofluorescence labeling of normal mouse myotubes shows that the RyR and triadin co-aggregate with the DHPR in punctate clusters upon formation of functional junctions. Dysgenic myotubes with a deficiency in the alpha 1 subunit of the DHPR show reduced expression and clustering of RyR and triadin; however, both proteins are still capable of forming clusters and attaining mature cross-striated distributions. Thus, the molecular organization of the RyR and triadin in the terminal cisternae of SR as well as its association with the T-tubules are independent of interactions with the DHPR alpha 1 subunit. Analysis of calcium transients in dysgenic myotubes with fluorescent calcium indicators reveals spontaneous and caffeine-induced calcium release from intracellular stores similar to those of normal muscle; however, depolarization-induced calcium release is absent. Thus, characteristic calcium release properties of the RyR do not require interactions with the DHPR; neither do they require the normal organization of the RyR in the terminal SR cisternae. In hybrids of dysgenic myotubes fused with normal cells, both action potential-induced calcium transients and the normal clustered organization of the RyR are restored in regions expressing the DHPR alpha 1 subunit.

Quantitative EFTEM mapping of near physiological calcium concentrations in biological specimens.

Although electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) provides high sensitivity for measuring the important element, calcium, in biological specimens, the technique has been difficult to apply routinely, because of long acquisition times required. Here we describe a refinement of the complementary analytical technique of energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), which enables rapid imaging of large cellular regions and measurement of calcium concentrations approaching physiological levels. Extraction of precise quantitative information is possible by averaging large numbers of pixels that are contained in organelles of interest. We employ a modified two-window approach in which the behavior of the background signal in the EELS spectrum can be modeled as a function of specimen thickness t expressed in terms of the inelastic mean free path lambda. By acquiring pairs of images, one above and one below the Ca L(2,3) edge, together with zero-loss and unfiltered images, which are used to determine a relative thickness (t/lambda) map, it is possible to correct the Ca L(2,3) signal for plural scattering. We have evaluated the detection limits of this technique by considering several sources of systematic errors and applied this method to determine mitochondrial total calcium concentrations in freeze-dried cryosections of rapidly frozen stimulated neurons. By analyzing 0.1 microm2 areas of specimen regions that do not contain calcium, it was found that the standard deviation in the measurement of Ca concentrations was about 20 mmol/kg dry weight, corresponding to a Ca:C atomic fraction of approximately 2 x 10(-4). Calcium concentrations in peripheral mitochondria of recently depolarized, and therefore stimulated and Ca loaded, frog sympathetic neurons were in reasonable agreement with previous data.

Molecular organization of transverse tubule/sarcoplasmic reticulum junctions during development of excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle.

The relationship between the molecular composition and organization of the triad junction and the development of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling was investigated in cultured skeletal muscle. Action potential-induced calcium transients develop concomitantly with the first expression of the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and the ryanodine receptor (RyR), which are colocalized in clusters from the time of their earliest appearance. These DHPR/RyR clusters correspond to junctional domains of the transverse tubules (T-tubules) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), respectively. Thus, at first contact T-tubules and SR form molecularly and structurally specialized membrane domains that support E-C coupling. The earliest T-tubule/SR junctions show structural characteristics of mature triads but are diverse in conformation and typically are formed before the extensive development of myofibrils. Whereas the initial formation of T-tubule/SR junctions is independent of association with myofibrils, the reorganization into proper triads occurs as junctions become associated with the border between the A band and the I band of the sarcomere. This final step in triad formation manifests itself in an increased density and uniformity of junctions in the cytoplasm, which in turn results in increased calcium release and reuptake rates.

Cell line A549 as a model of the type II pneumocyte. Phospholipid biosynthesis from native and organometallic precursors.

1. A549 is a continuous cell line derived from a human pulmonary adenocarcinoma. To evaluate the suitability of this cell line as a model of the type II pneumocyte, the morphology and the composition and biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine was examined under control culture conditions and during fatty acid supplementation with palmitate. A number of the ultrastructural characteristics of A549 cells were similar to the in situ type II pneumocyte and were unchanged by fatty acid supplementation. The phospholipid composition of the cell line was similar to that of primary isolates of type II cells in total phosphatidylcholine, disaturated phosphatidylcholine, and palmitate and saturated fatty acid. Phospholipid biosynthetic results were also consistent with those reported for isolated type II cell models. These included: (i) the pattern of incorporation of choline, palmitate and acetate into phosphatidylcholines; (ii) the effect of palmitate supplementation, which resulted in stimulation of the rate of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and in increased percentage of labeled precursor in disaturated phosphatidylcholine; and (iii) the preferential synthesis from labeled choline and palmitate of a highly disaturated phosphatidylcholine in short-term incubations. 2. The incorporation of an organometallic palmitate analog, 12,12-dimethyl-12-stannahexadecanoate, into A549 cell lipids was examined and compared to that of palmitate. These date demonstrate for the first time the incorporation of an organometallic substrate into the phospholipids of a mammalian cell line. This analog substitutes selectively for the native fatty acid at a rate similar to that of the native fatty acid with no cytotoxic effects. The organotin probe, coupled with spectroscopic detection and electron microscopy, may be useful for examining ultrastructural aspects of phospholipid synthesis, translocation and assembly.

The chemical nature of osmium tetroxide fixation and staining of membranes by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the oxidation states of osmium compounds present in erythrocyte ghost preparations and related systems treated with osmium tetroxide. Osmium tetroxide and cholesterol, codeposited at -100 degrees C, began to react at -70 degrees C, and Os(VI) was formed. Similarly, Os(VI) was detected for the known cholesterol-osmate ester prepared and purified chemically. However, osmium tetroxide applied in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) gave rise to large proportions of Os(IV) and Os(III) species in addition to Os(VI) compounds. Egg phosphatidylcholine likewise produced a mixture of Os(VI), Os(IV), and Os(III), but dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine failed to give significant amounts of osmium containing products under identical conditions. Glutaraldehyde gave a mixture of compounds with the same osmium oxidation states when allowed to react with aqueous osmium tetroxide. Unfixed and glutaraldehyde-fixed erythrocyte ghosts also produced mixtures of Ss(VI), Os(IV) and Os(III) under conditions identical to those of normal tissue processing. Additionally, the mixture of adducts initially formed by treatment with osmium tetroxide was further reduced by dehydration of the tissue with ethanol, rpesulting in a final mixture which was 50-60% Os(III). The results support a scheme for the reaction os osmium tetroxide with tissues in which the initial reaction site is the double bonds of unsaturated lipids to form Os(VI) derivatives. Subsequent hydrolysis and further reduction yield complexes of Os(IV) and Os(III). A mixture of these three states is present in membrane specimens during microscopic observation. Os(VI) and Os(IV) could be present as osmate esters and osmium dioxide, respectively; Os(III) could be present as an oxo- or amino complex(es). The photoelectron spectrum of intact erythrocyte ghosts can be synthesized from the spectra of phospholipid and cholesterol only, suggesting the predominance of the reaction with lipids in the fixation process.

Multiple modes of calcium-induced calcium release in sympathetic neurons I: attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ accumulation at low [Ca2+](i) during weak depolarization.

Many cells express ryanodine receptors (RyRs) whose activation is thought to amplify depolarization-evoked elevations in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+](i) through a process of Ca2+ -induced Ca2+ release (CICR). In neurons, it is usually assumed that CICR triggers net Ca2+ release from an ER Ca2+ store. However, since net ER Ca 2+ transport depends on the relative rates of Ca2+ uptake and release via distinct pathways, weak activation of a CICR pathway during periods of ER Ca accumulation would have a totally different effect: attenuation of Ca2+ accumulation. Stronger CICR activation at higher [Ca2+](i) could further attenuate Ca2+ accumulation or trigger net Ca2+ release, depending on the quantitative properties of the underlying Ca2+ transporters. This and the companion study (Hongpaisan, J., N.B. Pivovarova, S.L. Colgrove, R.D. Leapman, and D.D. Friel, and S.B. Andrews. 2001. J. Gen. Physiol. 118:101-112) investigate which of these CICR "modes" operate during depolarization-induced Ca2+ entry in sympathetic neurons. The present study focuses on small [Ca2+](i) elevations (less than approximately 350 nM) evoked by weak depolarization. The following two approaches were used: (1) Ca2+ fluxes were estimated from simultaneous measurements of [Ca2+](i) and I(Ca) in fura-2-loaded cells (perforated patch conditions), and (2) total ER Ca concentrations ([Ca](ER)) were measured using X-ray microanalysis. Flux analysis revealed triggered net Ca2+ release during depolarization in the presence but not the absence of caffeine, and [Ca2+](i) responses were accelerated by SERCA inhibitors, implicating ER Ca2+ accumulation, which was confirmed by direct [Ca](ER) measurements. Ryanodine abolished caffeine-induced CICR and enhanced depolarization-induced ER Ca2+ accumulation, indicating that activation of the CICR pathway normally attenuates ER Ca2+ accumulation, which is a novel mechanism for accelerating evoked [Ca2+](i) responses. Theory shows how such a low gain mode of CICR can operate during weak stimulation and switch to net Ca2+ release at high [Ca2+](i), a transition demonstrated in the companion study. These results emphasize the importance of the relative rates of Ca2+ uptake and release in defining ER contributions to depolarization-induced Ca2+ signals.

Multiple modes of calcium-induced calcium release in sympathetic neurons II: a [Ca2+](i)- and location-dependent transition from endoplasmic reticulum Ca accumulation to net Ca release.

CICR from an intracellular store, here directly characterized as the ER, usually refers to net Ca(2)+ release that amplifies evoked elevations in cytosolic free calcium [Ca2+](i). However, the companion paper (Albrecht, M.A., S.L. Colegrove, J. Hongpaisan, N.B. Pivovarova, S.B. Andrews, and D.D. Friel. 2001. J. Gen. Physiol. 118:83-100) shows that in sympathetic neurons, small [Ca2+](i) elevations evoked by weak depolarization stimulate ER Ca accumulation, but at a rate attenuated by activation of a ryanodine-sensitive CICR pathway. Here, we have measured depolarization-evoked changes in total ER Ca concentration ([Ca](ER)) as a function of [Ca2+](i), and found that progressively larger [Ca2+](i) elevations cause a graded transition from ER Ca accumulation to net release, consistent with the expression of multiple modes of CICR. [Ca](ER) is relatively high at rest (12.8 +/- 0.9 mmol/kg dry weight, mean +/- SEM) and is reduced by thapsigargin or ryanodine (5.5 +/- 0.7 and 4.7 +/- 1.1 mmol/kg, respectively). [Ca](ER) rises during weak depolarization (to 17.0 +/- 1.6 mmol/kg over 120s, [Ca2+](i) less than approximately 350 nM), changes little in response to stronger depolarization (12.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/kg, [Ca2+](i) approximately 700 nM), and declines (to 6.5 +/- 1.0 mmol/kg) with larger [Ca2+](i) elevations (>1 microM) evoked by the same depolarization when mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is inhibited (FCCP). Thus, net ER Ca2+ transport exhibits a biphasic dependence on [Ca2+](i). With mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake enabled, [Ca](ER) rises after repolarization (to 16.6 +/- 1.8 mmol/kg at 15 min) as [Ca2+](i) falls within the permissive range for ER Ca accumulation over a period lengthened by mitochondrial Ca2+ release. Finally, although spatially averaged [Ca](ER) is unchanged during strong depolarization, net ER Ca2+ release still occurs, but only in the outermost approximately 5-microm cytoplasmic shell where [Ca2+](i) should reach its highest levels. Since mitochondrial Ca accumulation occurs preferentially in peripheral cytoplasm, as demonstrated here by electron energy loss Ca maps, the Ca content of ER and mitochondria exhibit reciprocal dependencies on proximity to sites of Ca2+ entry, possibly reflecting indirect mitochondrial regulation of ER Ca(2)+ transport.

Functional characterization of thapsigargin and agonist-insensitive acidic Ca2+ stores in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cell lines.

The role of acidic intracellular calcium stores in calcium homeostasis was investigated in the Drosophila Schneider cell line 2 (S2) by means of free cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and intracellular pH (pHi) imaging together with measurements of total calcium concentrations within intracellular compartments. Both a weak base (NH4Cl, 15 mM) and a Na+/H+ ionophore (monensin, 10 microM) evoked cytosolic alkalinization followed by Ca2+ release from acidic intracellular Ca2+ stores. Pretreatment of S2 cells with either thapsigargin (1 microM), an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases, or with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (10 microM) was without effect on the amplitude of Ca2+ release evoked by alkalinization. Application of the cholinergic agonist carbamylcholine (100 microM) to transfected S2-DM1 cells expressing a Drosophila muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (DM1) emptied the InsP3-sensitive Ca2+ store but failed to affect the amplitude of alkalinization-evoked Ca2+ release. Glycyl-L-phenylalanine-beta-naphthylamide (200 microM), a weak hydrophobic base known to permeabilize lysosomes by osmotic swelling, triggered Ca2+ release from internal stores, while application of brefeldin A (10 microM), an antibiotic which disperses the Golgi complex, resulted in a smaller increase in [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that the alkali-evoked calcium release is largely attributable to lysosomes, a conclusion that was confirmed by direct measurements of total calcium content of S2 organelles. Lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum were the only organelles found to have concentrations of total calcium significantly higher than the cytosol. However, NH4Cl (15 mM) reduced the level of total calcium only in lysosomes. Depletion of acidic Ca2+ stores did not elicit depletion-operated Ca2+ entry. They were refilled upon re-exposure of cells to normal saline ([Ca2+]o = 2 mM), but not by thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i elevation in Ca(2+)-free saline.

Thickness measurement of hydrated and dehydrated cryosections by EELS.

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) provides a useful method for determining the thickness of frozen-hydrated and dehydrated cryosections in terms of the inelastic mean free path. Cryosection thickness is an important parameter because plural inelastic scattering limits the sensitivity of elemental microanalysis based on core-loss EELS, and because overlapping structures can affect interpretation of microanalytical data as well as the quality of electron images. The purpose of this work was to establish the minimum practical thickness for cutting cryosections and to explain the measured values for hydrated and dehydrated specimens. Hydrated sections were typically found to be between 1.5-2.5 times thicker than expected from the nominal microtome setting; this difference can be largely explained by compression during cutting. Comparison of micrographs from hydrated and dehydrated cryosections of rapidly-frozen, vitrified liver revealed a lateral shrinkage of approximately 20% on drying. The measured compression and shrinkage factors are consistent with dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mass measurements on freeze-dried sections. Freeze-dried cryosections, cut to a nominal thickness of 90 nm and supported on thin Formvar/carbon films, had a relative thickness t/lambda i in the range of 0.5 for cytoplasm to 0.9 for mitochondria when analyzed at 100 keV beam energy. Mass loss of approximately 30% occurring at high electron dose enabled useful core-loss spectra to be recorded even from high-mass compartments such as mitochondria without excessive plural scattering.

Correlated measurements of free and total intracellular calcium concentration in central nervous system neurons.

Transient changes in the intracellular concentration of free calcium ([Ca2+])i) act as a trigger or modulator for a large number of important neuronal processes. Such transients can originate from voltage- or ligand-gated fluxes of Ca2+ into the cytoplasm from the extracellular space, or by ligand- or Ca2+(-)gated release from intracellular stores. Characterizing the sources and spatio-temporal patterns of [Ca2+]i transients is critical for understanding the role of different neuronal compartments in dendritic integration and synaptic plasticity. Optical imaging of fluorescent indicators sensitive to free Ca2+ is especially suited to studying such phenomena because this approach offers simultaneous monitoring of large regions of the dendritic tree in individual living central nervous system neurons. In contrast, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis provides quantitative information on the amount and location of intracellular total, i.e., free plus bound, calcium (Ca) within specific subcellular dendritic compartments as a function of the activity state of the neuron. When optical measurements of [Ca2+]i transients and parallel EDX measurements of Ca content are used in tandem, and correlated simultaneously with electrophysiological measurements of neuronal activity, the combined information provides a relatively general picture of spatio-temporal neuronal total Ca fluctuations. To illustrate the kinds of information available with this approach, we review here results from our ongoing work aimed at evaluating the role of various Ca uptake, release, sequestration, and extrusion mechanisms in the generation and termination of [Ca2+]i transients in dendrites of pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices during and after synaptic activity. Our observations support the long-standing speculation that the dendritic endoplasmic reticulum acts not only as an intracellular Ca2+ source that can be mobilized by a signal cascade originating at activated synapses, but also as a major intracellular Ca sink involved in active clearance mechanisms after voltage- and ligand-gated Ca2+ influx.

Quantitative X-ray mapping of biological cryosections.

The potential for applying X-ray mapping to the elemental microanalysis of biological cryosections is discussed. Methods are described for acquiring and processing data, including use of the top-hat digital filter to remove the average effects of the background contribution. Practical considerations for X-ray mapping are discussed in terms of typical counts per pixel and minimum detectability which depends on the number of pixels chosen to integrate the signal. These aspects are illustrated with elemental maps (Na, P, K, Ca and Fe) from freeze-dried cryosections of mouse cerebellar cortex. A calcium sensitivity in the range 0.5 to 2.5 mmol/kg wet weight of tissue is demonstrated. The correction for overlap of potassium K beta and calcium K alpha is demonstrated with X-ray maps from cryosectioned synaptosomes of squid optic lobe. Quantitative results obtained using internal standards to determine wet weight concentrations are in reasonable agreement with expected values. Alternate schemes applicable to X-ray maps for determining the dry mass concentration, such as the peak/continuum (Hall method), are also discussed.

Measurement of low calcium concentrations in cryosectioned cells by parallel-EELS mapping.

Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the scanning transmission electron microscope provides a high sensitivity for microanalysis of certain important biological elements such as calcium whose physiological concentrations in cells are rather low. Application of parallel-EELS mapping to the analysis of freeze-dried cryosections of rapidly frozen tissue provides a means of detecting small amounts of calcium in structures with diameter approximately 50 nm. Detector pattern noise due to channel gain variations can be reduced by acquiring difference spectra at each pixel. By segmenting nitrogen maps that reflect the structure through the protein distribution it is possible to sum spectra from specific compartments. These are then processed by fitting reference spectra for the Ca L23-edge and the carbon background. It has been found that useful data can be collected at 100 keV beam energy from freeze-dried cryosections of cerebellar cortex cut to nominal thickness of 100 nm. The analysis results in a sensitivity of +/- 0.4 mmol Ca/kg dry weight with a total acquisition time of 400 s, a significant improvement over that achievable with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Culture models for the study of estradiol-induced synaptic plasticity.

Estrogen, which classically affects areas of the brain related to reproduction, has also been found to affect brain regions important in learning and memory. Additionally, it has been suggested that estrogen exerts protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Important mechanisms by which estrogen may confer protection are through the maintenance or modulation of existing synapses, or by the production of new ones. It has now been demonstrated that estrogen can increase synaptogenesis and spine production in the hippocampus, both in vivo as well as in primary hippocampal neurons in culture. The latter model system is the primary focus of this review. Synaptogenesis and spine production have been well characterized in developing and adult animals, and parallels between the synaptic morphology reflecting these processes can be readily observed in high-density primary hippocampal cultures. Moreover, in culture, estrogen induces a variety of ultrastructural modifications, many of which occur in vivo, that have been linked to various in vivo models of learning and memory. For these reasons, high-density hippocampal culture systems should be regarded as valuable tools with which to predict in vivo physiology, and may well be particularly useful for studies of the neuroprotective effects of estrogen.

Characterization of biological macromolecules by combined mass mapping and electron energy-loss spectroscopy.

The combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and parallel-detection energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) was used to detect specific bound elements within macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies prepared by direct freezing. After cryotransferring and freeze-drying in situ, samples were re-cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature and low-dose (about 10(3) e/nm2) digital dark-field images were obtained with single-electron sensitivity using a beam energy of approximately 100 keV and a probe current of approximately 5 pA. These maps provided a means of characterizing the molecular weights of the structures at low dose. The probe current was subsequently increased to about 5 nA in order to perform elemental analysis. The 320 copper atoms in a keyhole limpet haemocyanin molecule (mol.wt = 8 MDa) were detected with a sensitivity of +/- 30 atoms in an acquisition time of 200 s. Phosphorus was detected in an approximately 10-nm length of single-stranded RNA contained in a tobacco mosaic virus particle (mol.wt = 130 kDa/nm) with a sensitivity of +/- 25 atoms. Near single-atom sensitivity was achieved for the detection of iron in one haemoglobin molecule (mol.wt = 65 kDa, containing four Fe atoms). Such detection limits are only feasible if special processing methods are employed, as is demonstrated by the use of the second-difference acquisition technique and multiple least-squares fitting of reference spectra. Moreover, an extremely high electron dose (about 10(10) e/nm2) is required resulting in mass loss that may be attributable to 'knock-on' radiation damage.