Neurotransmitter-related messenger RNAs were detected by in situ hybridization in sections of rat and mouse brains by using 35S-radiolabelled RNA probes transcribed from cDNAs cloned in SP6 promoter-containing vectors. The distribution of messenger RNAs for glutamic acid decarboxylase, tachykinins (substance P and K), and tyrosine hydroxylase was examined in the striatum, pallidum, and substantia nigra. Dense clusters of silver grains were observed with the RNA probe complementary of the cellular messenger RNA for glutamic acid decarboxylase (antisense RNA) over most large neurons in the substantia nigra pars reticulata and medium-sized to large neurons in all pallidal subdivisions. A few very densely and numerous lightly labelled medium-sized neurons were present in the striatum. Among the areas examined, only the striatum contained neurons labelled with the antisense tachykinin RNA. Most of these neurons were of medium size, and a few were large. With the antisense tyrosine hydroxylase RNA, silver grains were found over neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and adjacent A10 and A8 dopaminergic cell groups. No signal was observed with RNAs identical to the cellular messenger RNA for glutamic acid decarboxylase or tachykinin (sense RNA). These results show a good correlation with immunohistochemical studies, suggesting that documented differences in the distribution and the level of glutamic acid decarboxylase, tyrosine hydroxylase, and substance P immunoreactivities in neurons of the basal ganglia are related to differences in the level of expression of the corresponding genes rather than to translation accessibility, stability, or transport of the gene products.

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BackgroundThe incidence and survival of melanoma are increasing, but little is known about its long-term health effects in adult survivors.MethodsA health survey was available from 996 melanoma survivors (577 treated with surgery alone, and 391 with combined treatments). Their medical/physiologic and psychosocial responses were analyzed and compared with those of the survivors from other cancers.ResultsThe melanoma survivors were 44.8 ± 12.8 years of age at diagnosis (significantly younger than the survivors of other cancers) and 63.7 ± 12.8 years at survey. Melanoma survivors were less likely to report that cancer had affected their health than survivors of other cancers (15.8% vs. 34.9%). The 577 individuals treated with surgery alone reported arthritis/osteoporosis, cataracts, and heart problems most frequently (less often than survivors of other cancers). The 391 individuals who had undergone combined treatments reported circulation problems and kidney problems generally as often as survivors of other cancers. Health problems were not associated with number of decades since diagnosis but with age at diagnosis, treatment modality, and family relationships.ConclusionWe present information from a large cohort of long-term survivors of melanoma. As a group, they were less likely to report that cancer had affected their overall health than survivors of other cancers; a number of disease related and psychosocial factors appear to influence their health profiles.

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