Abbreviations used: ACSF, artificial CSF; AM ester, acetoxymethyl ester; EPSP, excitatory postsynaptic potential; ICP-OES, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy; PFS, phosphate-free saline; Pi, inorganic phosphate. AbstractInorganic phosphate (Pi) is an important polyanion needed for ATP synthesis and bone formation. As it is found at millimolar levels in plasma, it is usually incorporated as a constituent of artificial CSF formulations for maintaining brain slices. In this paper, we show that Pi limits the extracellular zinc concentration by inducing metal precipitation. We present data suggesting that amino acids like histidine may counteract the Pi-induced zinc precipitation by the formation of soluble zinc complexes. We propose that the interplay between Pi and amino acids in the extracellular space may influence the availability of metals for cellular uptake.

The synaptic vesicles of some glutamatergic terminals contain a high concentration of zinc that serves functions that remain obscure. In this publication we have used the membrane permeant zinc fluophore, ZnAF-2 to determine if zinc is released during the course of synaptic transmission. Stimulation of the slices with either high potassium or electrically, leads to an increase in fluorescence that long outlasts the stimulus and remains elevated for many minutes. We demonstrate that this response is inconsistent with the free release of zinc but is with the presentation of zinc coordinated to macromolecules within the exocytosed vesicles to the extracellular space; a process we term ‘externalization’. Our data suggests a novel mechanism of synaptic transmission at zinc-rich glutamatergic terminals that distinguishes them from their metal free counterparts.

Metals are taken up by the combined action of metal transporters and ion channels. In this communication we have measured the uptake of the biologically important transition metals Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd by rat and mouse hippocampal slices using the fluorescent probes FluoZin-3 (FZ3) and Newport Green (NPG), introduced by acetoxymethyl ester (AM) loading. The combination of metals and probes is also used to attempt to localize cellular sites into which metals translocate. We show that FZ3 and NPG partition into different cellular compartments; FZ3 into neuropil, whereas NPG localizes in neuropil and compartments within the cell bodies of neurons. Ni, Zn and Cd pass across the plasma membrane and then accumulate in intracellular vesicles and within intracellular membranes of cell bodies. The latter accumulate Cd, while synaptic vesicles take up Co. The passage of Mn, Cu and Fe into cells can be detected but there is some uncertainty about their disposition within the cell. All of our experiments are consistent with metals accumulating in intracellular compartments rather than the cytoplasm. Whether and to what extent there are transient elevations of free zinc levels in the cytoplasm remains unclear.

Malingering is commonly encountered in the psychiatric emergency department, yet little is known about its prevalence, objectives, or effect on patient management. This study analyzed characteristics of malingering and patient disposition in a 24/7-staffed comprehensive psychiatric emergency program (CPEP) and created predictive models to understand malingering and its effect on physician decision making.Methods: Attending psychiatrists completed questionnaires after comprehensive assessments of 405 patients presenting to the CPEP during the 1-month study, recording suspicion of malingering, symptoms malingered, associated secondary gains, demographic characteristics, and initial disposition decision. Analyses examined characteristics associated with degree of malingering suspicion and disposition.