[Stabilization method in cervical spine traumatology: implants and biomechanics]. The various currently used methods of stabilisation of the cervical spine are described. The choice of the procedure depends mainly on the classification of the lesion and on the biomechanics of the injured segment. Better knowledge of the biomechanics have led to the development of more reliable and safer implants.


[Possibilities for rehabilitation in spinal injuries with or without neurological deficit]. Generally spine injured persons without neurological deficits can--as long as the principles of industrial medicine are observed--be occupationally integrated without any particular rehabilitation measures within the limits of their remaining capacity. Spine injured persons, however, with remaining instabilities, serious static deficiencies and/or neurological deficits need further rehabilitation after their in-patient and immediate posthospital treatment. Spinal cord injured patients usually have to accept serious changes and limitation in all spheres of life. Rehabilitation measure in work, school and the social field are vital. Despite all efforts at rehabilitation limitations do remain among other things in work, mobility and social contacts. The preceding paper presents the tasks and results of rehabilitation of spinal cord injured persons, special consideration being given to spinal cord injured persons with supporting facts from long term studies.


[Expert evaluation in bony injuries of the spine]. The conventional way of appreciating working capacity is no longer satisfying considering the improved diagnostic tools with increasing frequency of various deformities, instability and ankylosis and their combinations. As in the evaluation of peripheral joint function a concept is proposed, which is based on the structural changes in the motion segments. The concept is practicable in all parts of the vertebral column and allows a differentiated judgement within the usual percentages.


[The so-called post-discotomy syndrome--failure of intervertebral disk surgery?]. The Post-discectomy-Syndrome (PDS) is a clinical entity with various components from individual disposition, sequelae of the underlying disc degeneration and of the operation, as well. These include local back pain, persisting (poly-)radicular pain and facet irritation with pseudoradicular irradiation due to segmental instability, epidural scarring and local arachnoiditis. Diagnosis has to focus on separation from failed-back-surgery-syndromes (FBSS) with single components like insufficient discal or bony decompression or segmental instability. Arachnoiditis seems to be the least modifiable factor and should be excluded if fusion or revision of the spinal canal is planned. A 100 point-score for grading of PDS is presented.


[How much intervertebral disk tissue is in reality removed in percutaneous nucleotomy?]. In an experimental study with standardized conditions nuclear material of 40 human lumbar discs was excised. In 20 the non-automated discectomy method was used (NAPLD-method). In the other 20 the automated discectomy method (APLD-method). The excised material was weighted. After the removal, the material of the NAPLD-method was wet with isotonic saline over 45 minutes and again weighted. Afterwards the wet material of both methods was freeze dried and again weighted. The weight of the wet material of the NAPLD-method in relation to that of the freeze dried material was a factor 11 (average value: 7.7 g in relation to 0.7 g) and in the APLD-method a factor 15 (average value: 4.5 g in relation to 0.3 g). This means, that the uptake and distribution of the saline is different in both methods and for this reason it is not allowed to compare the wet weight of the two methods. This has to be considered in clinical comparative studies. Because the biomechanical changes after a discectomy are dependent of the amount of the excised nuclear material, the NAPLD- and APLD-method can only be compared when the amount of the excised material is changed in a freeze dried weight.


[Conservative treatment of spinal injuries yesterday and today]. Since 60 years fractures of the spine are reduced by longitudinal traction and hyperlordosis and then immobilized in a plaster jacket followed by an intensive exercise programme. This type of treatment was originated by Davis, Watson-Johnes and Lorenz Böhler. Inspite of the increase of operative stabilizations this method of treatment is still valid.


[Changes in the lumbar disk following use of non-automated percutaneous discectomy. A biomechanical study]. For a biomechanical study 8 specimens of the lumbar spine (L1-S1) were scanned with MRI. After that 21 motion segments were prepared for the experiments. The paraspinal musculature as well as the posterior elements were removed. From each disc 1,0 g, 2,0 g, and 3,0 g of nuclear material were consecutively removed under an axial load of 500 N. At the beginning of every standardized experiment of a motion segment, as well as after the excision of every gram of nuclear material, intradiscal pressure, the height of the disc and the contour of the disc were determined with an axial load on the motion segment of 1000 N. The change in radial bulging of the disc was measured using the computer-assisted recordings of each disc contour. All the data were statistically analyzed using the Friedman-test. The nuclear material removed from the discs ('in-vitro nuclear material') was placed in isotonic saline over 45 minutes and again weighted ('wet weight'). Af that the nuclear material was freeze-dried ('dry weight'). The results of this study showed that after the excision of every gram of nuclear material the height of the disc decreased in average 0,77 mm. Also intradiscal pressure reduces significantly: from the initial stage, on average, 9, 19 bar to the endstage (= after the removal of 3,0 g), on average, 2, 58 bar. Radial bulge increases with every gram removed, on average 0,23 mm. The weight of the wet nuclear material is 2,6 times as much as that of the in-vitro nuclear material and 11 times as much as that of the freeze-dried material.


[Deformation in conservative treatment of vertebral fractures]. The indication for functional or operative treatment of fractures of a vertebral body depend on the additional injury, on the stability of the fracture and on the amount of deformity. In a retrospective radiological study on 74 patients we analysed the behavior of secondary deformation in stabile fractures of thoraco-lumbal vertebral bodies under treatment with a 3-Points-Corset. The average initial sagittal deformity was 12.5 degrees. After three months an average increase of 1.5 degrees was measured resulting in an average increase of total kyphosis of 2.5 degrees during fracture consolidation. No further secondary changes were seen after a period of three months following the injury.


[Accuracy of pedicle screws following instrumented dorsal fusion of the lumbar spine]. We evaluated the placement of pedicle screws (N = 131) in 30 patients after lumbar dorsal spinal fusion. Postoperatively all patients were examined by CT. 39.9% of all screws penetrated the cortex of the vertebra. Of special interest were those implants which led to medial penetration of the pedicle, which is of potential hazard to the neural structure within the nerve root canal. 28.5% of all screws showed a medial deviation. In our study, a penetration of more than 6 mm coincided with a high risk for nerve root damage. In 2 patients there was proven damage to a nerve root due to screw placement. In another 3 patients coherence was likely to exist. The technique of transpedicular screw fixation for spinal fusion is highly demanding and should be performed only by experienced surgeons after a clear indication and after a trial of intense conservative therapy.


[Proprioception in the anterior cruciate ligament of the human knee joint--morphological bases. A light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy study]. In 21 human anterior cruciate ligaments removed with their synovial sheaths during autopsy and operation, nerves and nerve endings were demonstrated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructural examination allowed a classification of nerve endings into three types: Ruffinian corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles and free (afferent and efferent) nerve endings. The nerve endings corresponded to those characteristic of articular capsules. The anterior cruciate ligament shows evidence of a proprioceptive function besides its stabilizing function, which is based on its collagenous structure. Together, they probably represent the most important factor in the dynamic stabilization of the knee joint. At present it is only possible to speculate on the potential clinical significance of these findings, for example in development of rehabilitation programs and prevention strategies offering protection against anterior cruciate tears. This also applies to the question of whether to preserve the ligament during surgery for ruptures and knee-joint prostheses.


[Chondromalacia of the patella and intraosseous pressure. A study of 43 patients]. There are some hints concerning a relationship between the intraosseous pressure and degenerative changes in hyaline cartilage. With a specially constructed cannula we evaluated the intraosseous pressure in 43 patients in relation to the joint position (Extension/Flexion). In two groups we compared patients with and without degenerative changes in the hyaline cartilage, diagnosed by arthroscopy. Our results show, that patients with a chondromalacia have an increase of intramedullary pressure. These changes were discussed in the possible role of the pathology of chondromalacia patellae and retropatellar arthrosis.


[Primary osteotomy of the fibula in the treatment of post-traumatic tibial pseudoarthrosis]. In a retrospective study 32 case histories of patients with primary osteotomies of the fibula were evaluated to find out the reliability of this method in the treatment of tibial pseudarthroses. The influence of the osteotomy level and extent was taken into account as well. In 23 cases the pseudarthroses resulted from tibial and fibular fractures. Causative for the pseudarthroses were the blocking effects of healed fibula, tibial infection and loose osteosynthetic materials. 22 tibial pseudoarthroses healed by fibular osteotomy and postoperative immobilisation only, healing time was 25 months on average, in case of proximal fibular osteotomies even longer. The extent of fibular resection was between 5 and 30 mm. In contrast to "modern" methods of treatment, primary osteotomies in the treatment of tibial pseudarthroses take a rather long time to heal.


[Comparative morphological studies on the incorporation of various cementless implanted artificial patellas]. Twelve uncemented, artificial patellar components clinically and radiologically without signs of loosening after an implantation period of 9-48 Months were investigated histologically and microradiographically. The components correspond to the system GSB-"old", GSB-"new", PCA and APS. Within the observed implantation period the artificial patellar components GSB-"old", GSB-"new" and PCA showed severe patho-morphological changes of the surrounding tissue and point to loosening. The dowel system according to APS shows after the longest period of time of 14 Months morphologically a fully bony encasement with wide spread direct contacts between the living bone and the metallic Titanium surface. The observation points urgently to the fact, that Polyethylene must not be in direct contact with the bony bed. On the basis of the patho-morphological reactions a partial armament of the polyethylene surface with metallic structures must be rejected as a general principle.


[Sonographic screening of neonates' hips. Analysis of the years 1986-1988 and comparison with 1977-1979]. Establishing a sonographical neonate hip screening program in three nearby counties has made us able to simplify our management in socalled "congenital dysplasia of the hip". Earliest diagnosis has led to a percentage of conservative treatment of 95% and therefore to a reduction of surgical interventions and less inpatient treatment. Our results force us to urge a state covering sonographical neonate hip screening done by educated specialists (Orthopaedic surgeons, Paediatricians, Radiologists).


[Charcot's elbow joint in syringomyelia]. Neuropathic arthropathy is a rare case in daily orthopedic practice. The case of a 43 year old technician is reported, who developed severe destruction of both elbow joints as a result of syringomyelia. The diagnostical problems as well as the therapeutical considerations are discussed.


[Tumoral calcinosis of the ischium].

[Tumoral calcinosis of the ischium]. The authors report on a case of tumoral calcinosis of the ischium in a 63 year old female. A general review of the literature on pathogenesis, histological characteristics and the way of treatment is given and the prognosis of tumoral calcinosis pointed out.


[Preoperative autologous blood collection under erythropoietin stimulation. Preliminary results in patient selection, erythropoietin dosage and administration]. In a randomised study we have evaluated the influence of erythropoietin (EPO) on the yield of autologous blood in elective surgery (total hip replacement). The study was performed placebo controlled in 82 patients: 25 patients received 200 IE EPO/kg 2 x/week i.v. over 3 weeks (group C), 30 patients 100 IE EPO in the same schedule (group B), and 27 patients received placebo (group A). All patients were treated with 3 x 250 mg Fe-sulfate p.o. during the study time. The number of collected blood conserves was not significantly different in these groups (5.4 in group C, 5.06 in group B, 4.8 in group A), but there was a significant difference in patients with a diminished hemoglobin (Hb < 14 g/dl): 5.2 in group C, 4.9 in group B, and 3.6 in group A. Patients with a normal hemoglobin level showed a significantly higher preoperative hemoglobin in group C against group A. We conclude that the application of EPO is suggestive in patients with a diminished hemoglobin, but also in patients with normal hemoglobin the blood picture at the time of surgery is higher in EPO treated patients.


[Transient hip joint inflammation (coxitis fugax)]. The transient coxitis is the most common hip disease in the childhood. Etiology is unknown. Questioning the history you will often find an infection in the neck, nose, ear area. Clinical, radiological findings and serological testing are unspecific. In the arthrosonography normally you will find an effusion. The positive diagnosis of the transient coxitis is only possible by observing the mostly benign course of the disease. The treatment is bed rest and non weight bearing. The most important differential diagnosis is the Perthes disease. The principal aspects of the transient coxitis are described and discussed in literature and by own experience.


The N-terminal 22 amino acids encoded by the gene specifying the major secreted protein of vaccinia virus, strain Lister, can function as a signal sequence to direct the export of a foreign protein. Cells infected with vaccinia virus strain Lister secrete a polypeptide of approximate molecular weight 35,000 (35K) into the medium. Previous studies identified a cleavable, hydrophobic region of 17 amino acids in the 35K protein which could potentially function as a signal peptide to target the protein to the secretory pathway. Here we report the use of the expression-secretion signals derived from the 35K gene to direct export and secretion of a foreign protein. Vaccinia virus recombinants carrying the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene (cat) immediately downstream from the promoter and the N-terminal coding sequences of the 35K gene were constructed. Our studies show that the N-terminal 22 or 42 amino acids of the 35K protein direct efficient secretion of the CAT protein. However, due to a cryptic glycosylation site within CAT, glycosylated protein was secreted, which reduced enzymatic activity. Activity was restored in the presence of tunicamycin. Removal of the glycosylation site by site-directed mutagenesis abolished glycosylation with no effect on secretion, although CAT activity was again reduced, possibly due to an effect on the active site. The results presented here demonstrate the feasibility of using the promoter and the signal sequence of the 35K gene to generate recombinant viruses for overexpression and secretion of foreign proteins.


Reduction of c-myc expression correlated with E1a expression but not with the transformed phenotype. The adenovirus E1a oncogene has both positive and negative regulatory effects on the expression of a variety of host genes. Both type of effects have been reported for certain cell cycle genes such as c-myc. To study the potential role of c-myc in adenovirus transformation, we have assessed the steady-state levels of c-myc mRNA after serum stimulation in genetically related transformed or non-transformed cell lines in the presence or absence of E1a. Serum stimulated the accumulation of stable c-myc mRNA only in cell lines which did not express E1a. Therefore under the present assay conditions, E1a had a negative effect on the steady-state level of c-myc mRNA. Surprisingly, this effect was independent of the transformed phenotype.


Analysis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease infectious fractions by gel permeation chromatography and sedimentation field flow fractionation. Gel permeation chromatography and sedimentation field flow fractionation (SF3) were used to further analyze highly infectious fractions from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) infected hamster brain. These analyses defined the relative molecular mass and physical size of the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent with greater precision than previously possible. Highly purified disaggregated fractions yielded single, homogeneous Gaussian peaks with both methods. The relevant analytical peaks contained protein-nucleic acid complexes with an M(r) of approximately 1.5 x 10(7) daltons and a mean radius of approximately 30 nm. The experimental evidence further solidifies the concept of an infectious agent that resembles a viral core rather than a simple protein.


[Salami and extrinsic allergic alveolitis: a new occupational disease in Switzerland]. The authors report a case of extrinsic allergic alveolitis in a patient working in an industrial butchery where she is involved in the preparation of dry sausages. The molds proliferating at the surface of these sausages, molds from the Penicillium family, are responsible for the disease. The respective value of laboratory tests such as the presence of precipitating antibodies and the analysis of the cellularity of the bronchoalveolar lavage are discussed. Whenever a patient presents with clinical symptoms suggestive of extrinsic allergic alveolitis a detailed search for any type of exposure linked to the professional milieu is required, so as to propose adequate modifications in work conditions or work place.


A review of epidemiological methods applied in studies on laboratory animal allergy. With a discussion of the relation between prevalence and risk of an irreversible disease in a dynamic population of constant size. The risk of developing an occupational allergic respiratory disease depends strongly on the duration of exposure. For estimating the instantaneous risk (hazard function) in a dynamic cohort, information is required for each cohort member on the time of exposure either until disease onset or until termination by leaving the job or the end of the study. However, most existing epidemiological studies on occupational allergies are cross-sectional, computing prevalences; no information on job-leavers and on their disease status is obtained. The functional dependency of prevalence on risk, as well as on the rate of leaving the job among the diseased and on the distribution of exposure duration, is described, with special attention to the sensitivity of the prevalence to differences of the rate of leaving the job. A literature review of 15 studies on laboratory animal allergy is given; none of the studies collected and reported all the information necessary for risk estimation.


[Language competence of 14-year-old adolescents in relation to their sociocultural origin: results from a logopedic study in the framework of the Basel kindergarten study]. Between 1986 and 1988 speech and language abilities of a representative sample of 341 fourteen-year-old Basle schoolchildren were assessed as part of the 2nd Follow-up examination of the Basle Kindergarten-study. The language and speech test consisted of retelling and writing two stories, one of them played by tape-recorder, the other by video recorder. In addition three established language tests (Mottier-, IMK- and KLI-speechtest) were used. The results show significant differences between Swiss children and children of Italian workers in different test parts. There are also differences between boys and girls and between social classes. The high proportion of children with language difficulties is alarming. Parts of the tests used in this study were found to be appropriate for a screening of speech and language abilities.


[Screening for determination of workers in need of rehabilitation]. Blue collar workers whose fitness is at risk may receive in-patient rehabilitation therapy in the Federal Republic of Germany, provided they apply for it to their annuity insurance company. Only 50% of the workers who retire early (before the age of 60) and are in need of medical rehabilitation make such an application within the five-year period before retirement. It is against this background that we are developing and testing a screening procedure which includes all insured workers and recommends a rehabilitation therapy to those at risk. The screening procedure involves two steps: a questionnaire which is then followed by a medical examination. In an experiment with 600 workers who are insured with the LVA Württemberg (the relevant insurer) we tested: whether the screening is accepted by the insured and their family doctors, to what extent the insurer's appointed doctors ratify the family doctor's report and give approval for rehabilitation therapy, whether the questionnaire is suitable for the preselection of insured at risk, and whether the screening detects insured at risk who do not apply for rehabilitation therapy. Participation at the screening was 68% and speaks well for the acceptance of the procedure. The family doctors recommended rehabilitation therapy in 43% of all cases whereas the insurer's appointed doctors recommended such a therapy only in 25%. This discrepancy arose in 2/3 of the cases due to the fact that the insurer's appointed doctors refused renewed rehabilitation therapy during the mandatory three-year waiting period or considered out-patient rehabilitative treatment sufficient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Health behavior of young adults: empirical analysis of complex behavior patterns and their determinants]. Complex associations between alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, eating habits and physical exercise are explored. Data from the 1985 German Cardiovascular Prevention Study are used to explore associations between these behaviours, separate for young men (n = 561) and young women (n = 509) between 25 to 34 years of age. Analyses concern three forms of associations: 1. associations between different categories of single health behaviours; 2. associations between various health behaviours, and 3. associations between health behaviours, and their social determinants. Contingency tables, cluster analyses and logistic regression analyses are applied. Cluster analyses identified subgroups with particular health behaviour patterns. One distinct pattern, similarly among men and women, was typified by increased physical exercise, less smoking and increased beer consumption. For young men, results from regression analyses showed significant effects of higher income and positive health attitudes on belonging to this distinct cluster. For young women cluster membership was significantly correlated with higher education and positive health attitudes. Results of the statistical analyses demonstrate the usefulness of a multi-methods approach in studying complex behaviour patterns. Finally the relevance of the present findings for future studies and applications is indicated.


Quality of life: a model for evaluating health for all. Conceptual considerations and policy implications. The potential of the quality of life (QoL) concept lies in its basically positive meaning and interdisciplinary acceptance. This can be used when the Public Health sector tries to develop health into a resource concept, as is the intention of the WHO Health For All Strategy. Out of different scientific views on QoL this paper synthesizes a theoretical framework of QoL and describes how this concept can be used in practice when evaluating the health resources of a population.


Adaptation of a commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of thyroxine in canine plasma samples. The purpose of the present study was to modify a previously evaluated enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Larsson and Lumsden, 1980) for the determination of the thyroxine (T4) concentration in canine plasma samples. The test kit Enzymun-Test(Boehringer Mannheim) for determination of T4 concentrations in human plasma was used in connection with the analyzer system Enzymun-Test(Boehringer Mannheim) System ES-33. The assay protocol originally used by Larsson and Lumsden (1980) was modified by including an additional standard, prolongation of the incubation period for the immunoreaction and the enzymeassay, and reduction of the amount of T4 conjugate. The intra- and interassay coefficient of variations ranged from 3.8% to 12.5%. The detection limit of the assay was 3.9 nmol/l which is well below the T4 concentration observed in plasma from healthy dogs, and the T4 concentrations determined in plasma from healthy dogs before and 3 hours after administration of TRH (38.0 +/- 7.4 nmol/l and 51.8 +/- 8.5 nmol/l, respectively) were comparable to those reported in the literature.


Immunohistochemistry of hepatic IGF-I in calf, pig, and rat. The liver appears to be the major site of synthesis of somatomedin C or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), yet, the intrahepatic histological localization of this polypeptide is not well known. For this reason we investigated immunohistochemically the liver of calves, pigs, and rats, fixed by perfusion or immersion with Karnovsky solution. In all three animal species the layer of hepatocytes bordering the liver capsule was labeled by anti-IGF-I. In the pig and rats all perivenous hepatocytes were intensively labeled whereas in calves only the periportal hepatocytes contained immunoreactive IGF-I. While preabsorption of the anti-IGF-I antiserum with the antigen abolished the immunoreaction, preabsorption with insulin or IGF-II did not. No labeling occurred when immersion-fixed liver tissue was used.


Effects of diets with graded levels of deoxynivalenol on performance in growing pigs. Feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of including deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated oats to provide approximately 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg in the complete diets of growing pigs with initial weight of 25 kg. Performance was recorded as weight gain, feed intake, efficiency of feed utilization and carcass quality. Restricted feeding was compared to ad libitum feeding. For the groups fed diets containing 2 and 4 mg/kg of DON, a dose-related decrease in weight gain was observed during the first 8 weeks on experimental diets. With 4 mg/kg DON there were decreased feed intake, weight gain and efficiency of feed utilization throughout the experiment. No effect was observed in groups fed diets containing 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg of DON. The carcass quality was not affected in any group.


Cardiac function, morphology and chromosomal aberrations in a calf with ectopia cordis cervicalis. A male calf with ectopia cordis cervicalis inferior was investigated clinically, hemodynamically, and morphologically from the 3rd day of age until slaughter at the age of 22 months. Arterial hypertension (mean AOP 140 mm Hg), concentric myocardial hypertrophy and good ventricular contractility with normal valve function were found. Normal clinical condition at rest (cardiac output 48 l/min in the 600 kg bullock), but cyanosis and dyspnea during physical exercise were observed. Variations in the large vessels, such as persistence of the right cranial caval vein and one common pulmonary vein emptying into the left atrium, were found. Abrupt caliber differences of large arterial vessels together with a right angled aortic arch were observed, presumably contributing to increased afterload. The cytogenetic analysis showed the presence of a small marker chromosome leading to a chromosome number of 61 in a fraction of metaphases (mosaicism). Moreover, chromosome breakages were observed in many cells. From the 5 cows which were inseminated, 3 became pregnant. Ectopia cordis was not observed in any offspring. We conclude that in this animal compensated cardiac insufficiency with peripheral hypertension was established.


Urinary protein analysis in cardiomyopathy-affected and healthy cattle by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Urinary proteins of cardiomyopathy (CMP)-affected (n = 31) and of healthy cattle (n = 35) were analyzed by a combination of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver stain. The following results were obtained: 1) Out of the various urinary proteins found in CMP-affected and healthy cattle, IgG, Tf, Alb, alpha 1-acid GP, Apo A1, IgG heavy and light chain could be identified. 2) In CMP-affected cattle, all the proteins mentioned above were detected in increased amounts in the urine. The quantities of Alb, Tf, and IgG were especially large. 3) In the case of CMP, the permeability of the glomerular filter was highly increased for large serum proteins. The tubular protein reabsorption of small proteins was less altered by the disease. 4) Although the electrophoretic pattern of the urinary proteins was abnormal in all the examined CMP-affected animals, the urinary protein concentrations were increased (> 230 mg/l) in only 42% of the cases. Consequently, the urinary protein concentration is not a reliable parameter for detecting renal diseases. 5) For both CMP-affected and healthy cattle the urinary protein pattern depended neither on the urine sampling technique (catheterization, spontaneous urine) nor on the reproductive stage.


Vasointestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerves in the boar penis. Vasointestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactivity was localized at LM-level in cryostat sections using a peroxidase-anti-peroxidase technique, and at EM-level in glutaraldehyde-fixed, resin-embedded sections using an immunogold technique, of samples from the penis of 3 Hampshire boars with a history of normal erection and mating behaviour. One boar of the same breed with an impotence diagnosis was also examined. In the normal animals, VIP-immunoreactivity was localized into nerves associated to blood vessels and non-vascular smooth muscle in the capsular lamina propria and the fibromuscular layers, and intermingled under the penis epithelium. At EM level, the immunogold localization confirmed the above mentioned results, VIP being localized in nerve terminals. Nerve terminals without VIP-reactivity had EM appearance of cholinergic or adrenergic nerve terminals. No obvious differences in VIP innervation were noticed among the normal boars. In the impotent animal, a marked depletion of VIP-immunoreactivity was evident, as well as degenerative changes in the adrenergic and cholinergic nerve profiles. It is concluded that the porcine penis is well innervated, along with adrenergic and cholinergic components, by VIP-containing nerves. The depletion of the scattered VIP-containing nerves in the impotent case suggests its involvement in the mechanisms of penile erection in the boar.


Simplification of superovulation induction in rabbits by means of human menopausal gonadotrophin dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone. Superovulation induction methods in rabbits were simplified by a single subcutaneous (sc) injection of human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) dissolved in a 25% solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Superovulatory response was considered satisfactory at sc dose of 60 IU hMG-PVP. Fertilization rates were considered acceptable at doses ranging from 15-90 IU hMG but not at the 120 IU dose. The findings suggest that a single sc injection of 60 IU hMG in 25% PVP will induce a satisfactory superovulatory response in rabbits.


Experimental cerebrospinal elaphostrongylosis (Elaphostrongylus rangiferi) in goats: II. Pathological findings. Pathological findings in 17 goat kids inoculated with 100-1,000 infective larvae of Elaphostrongylus rangiferi and autopsied 21-154 days post inoculation (p.i.) are reported. The lungs, heart, diaphragm, liver and kidneys contained small foci of necrosis or fibroblastic scarring and interstitial infiltrates of inflammatory cells. The lungs also contained many parasitic granulomas. Infarcts were observed in the myocardium and kidneys. Accumulations of inflammatory cells and granulomas were seen in the peri- and epineurium of the spinal nerve roots, connective tissue of the spinal ganglia, dura and epidural tissue of the cord, choroid plexus of the brain and leptomeninges of the entire central nervous system (CNS). Within nerve fascicles there were endoneural cell infiltrates, axon and myelin sheath degenerations and granulomas. The CNS parenchyma contained foci of traumatic encephalomyelomalacia, microgliosis, secondary axon degeneration, perivascular cuffs and granulomas. Sections of intact nematodes were found in the subarachnoid spaces, brain ventricles, central canal of the spinal cord and CNS parenchyma. Pathological findings from individual animals are compared to the clinical signs described in a separate paper. The development, migration and pathogenesis of E. rangiferi in goats are discussed.


Comparison of penicillin-G susceptibility testing methods of staphylococci isolated from bovine mastitis. Penicillin-G susceptibility was analyzed on forty staphylococcal strains isolated from mastitic bovine quarters (29 coagulase positive and 11 coagulase negative) by the standard Kirby-Bauer agar diffusion method, the epsilon-Test, the Vetmic, turbidimetric MIC analysis in Iso-Sensitest Broth (ISB) and whey. Penicillinase production was tested. Parallel susceptibility tests were carried out in whole milk, whey and ISB using resazurin and triphenyltetrazolium as the indicators of bacterial activity. The traditional susceptibility testing methods (radial agar diffusion, MIC in broth culture) showed good agreement with each other and confirmed that the tests can be used interchangeably with the current breakpoint values (0.25 micrograms/ml and phi 26 mm). The tests carried out in whey showed good correlation with the traditional tests. However, the susceptibility testings in milk resulted in additional variation. Therefore, traditional susceptibility tests of Penicillin-G in artificial media are limited in estimation of bacterial susceptibility when they grow in whole milk. The relevance of this observation regarding mastitis therapy is discussed.


[Histological studies of the occurrence of organisms shaped like Campylobacter in the abomasum of calves]. The mucosa of the abomasum is a strongly acidic and therefore germ poor, but not entirely germfree environment. Only in isolated areas of the fundic glands zone were straight rods in the foveolas, and even more seldom spiral shaped bacteria could be encountered. They had no relation to the inflammatory infiltrates. On the other hand, Campylobacter-like organisms were more often observed in the pyloric region and, preferably, in a narrow zone following the cutaneous mucosa of the omasum. These organisms appeared to have a different size (1.3 to 2.4 microns length and 0.4 to 0.8 microns width) and they occurred deep inside the glands in an almost pure fashion. Whereas they caused no visible reaction of the tissue in the narrow cardiac zone, their occurrence in the pyloric region was several times connected with neutrophilic-rich infiltration. It ought to be tested, whether Helicobacter are among these Campylobacter-like organisms, which cause a disease leading up to ulcerations in calves similar to gastritis B in humans.


[Clostridia in carcasses and fresh meat--a literature review]. Clostridia are of large clinical importance as well as in the field of food hygiene, where they are responsible for spoilage but they also have a certain significance as food poisoning organisms. Information on the ecology of Clostridia in samples of deep muscle tissue of slaughtered animals is insufficient. This article is intended to increase the knowledge on the occurrence of different Clostridia species in slaughtered animals. The main emphasis is put on the significance of clostridia in meat hygiene. The theoretical basis of the so called original content of microorganisms (intrinsic bacteria), the factors and pathways of Clostridia spreading in muscles and organs are demonstrated.


Cytometric and cytochemical study of peritoneal and alveolar macrophages from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infected ground squirrels (Citellus citellus). The enzymic activity (succinate dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase) of alveolar and peritoneal macrophages as well as leucocytic reaction of ground squirrels infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (I and III serovar) have been investigated in dynamics from the 1st up to the 30th day. The animals infected with III serovar survived only to the 7th day, while those infected with I serovar survived up to the 30th day after inoculation. A massive influx of leucocytes having peak values (100-fold increase) on the 3rd day after infection has been found in the peritoneal cavity of the animals infected with I serovar. Moderate leucocytosis in the blood, and insignificant fluctuations in alveolar macrophage number have been established too. An earlier and higher activation of succinate dehydrogenase in alveolar and peritoneal macrophages from animals infected with III serovar in comparison with those infected with I serovar was observed. No differences in alkaline phosphatase activity of alveolar and peritoneal macrophages have been found between the animals infected with I and III serovar. A correlation has been found between the number of leucocytes and changes in the enzymatic activity of the macrophages. A metabolic transformation was demonstrated typical for different macrophages (peritoneal and alveolar), in the course of this experimental intraperitoneal infection. Obviously, more virulent serovar III of Y. pseudotuberculosis fails to attract leucocytes to the peritoneal cavity sufficiently quickly, so it overcome the local protective mechanisms with consequent systemic cytochemical changes. On the other hand the virulent serovar I attracts leucocytes to the peritoneum and is presumably destroyed by them.


Protein antigens secreted by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Proteins secreted by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (M.ptb) during short-term cultivations were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western(Immuno) blotting. Cultivation in a defined medium containing 35S methionine allowed autoradiographic detection of proteins which had been secreted or passively released by actively metabolizing M.ptb organisms. After the first 3 days of cultivation, 4 proteins with molecular weights of approximately 38, 50, 65 and 110 kilodaltons (kd) were detected on SDS gels. Longer incubation up to 12 days resulted in an increased concentration of these proteins as well as in appearance of additional proteins ranging from 14 to over 90 kd. In long-term (8-10 weeks) culture filtrates only two prominent proteins with molecular weights of 30 and 65 kd proteins could be detected. Immunoblot analysis showed that some of the proteins secreted during short-term cultivations were recognized by sera from M.ptb-infected sheep and more significantly by sera from animals which had been immunized with a M.ptb live vaccine strain. The study indicates that during short incubation times M.ptb may secrete immunoreactive proteins which are not dominant in long-term cultures.


Detection of T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues of cattle using a variant of the E-rosette test and monoclonal antibodies. A simple and efficient variant of the E-rosette test based on addition of dextran to the incubation media is described. This variant 1) does not include B cells 2) involves some CD2+ null cells as described 3) is not inhibited by anti-CD5 antibody 4) correlates with CD2 expression 5) detects specific changes in the relative proportion of T-lymphocytes under the different conditions. In a group of calves the mean percentage of RFC in the peripheral blood lymphocytes was 53.59 +/- 8.70 and in cows there was 72.57 +/- 3.85. The proportion of RFC detected in bovine leukemia virus (BLV)--infected cows with lymphocytosis was less than one third of that in BLV--negative animals and vice versa in B (MHC class II+) lymphocytes.


[Serologic detection of antibodies to Newcastle disease virus in water fowl using the hemagglutination inhibition test and enzyme immunoassay]. 8410 samples from Moscovy duck, Pekin duck and geese were incorporated into examinations of antibodies against the Newcastle Disease virus. A new enzyme-immuno-assay (EIA) for antibody detection in Moscovy duck and Pekin duck was developed using purified antigen from NDV-strain "La Sota". The epidemiology as well as the relation of incidence of the Newcastle Disease in waterfowl was discussed.


Polymyxin B: pharmacokinetics of single doses given intravenously and intramuscularly to turkeys, and minimal inhibitory concentrations for Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida. The 50% and 90% minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC50 and MIC90) of polymyxin B for avian Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida isolates were determined by the agar plate dilution method. Polymyxin B at approximate MIC level in serum was bactericidal for E. coli in 2 to 4 hours. Aqueous polymyxin B sulfate was administered by a single bolus intravenous injection into turkeys at 10,000 IU/kg, and by a single bolus intramuscular injection at 5,000, 10,000 or 20,000 IU/kg. Effective serum drug concentrations after intramuscular injection (MIC50 levels or greater) were maintained for E. coli for 7.0 hr (10,000 IU/kg) and 11.5 hr (20,000 IU/kg), and for P. multocida for 3.0 hr (10,000 IU/kg) and 4.1 hr (20,000 IU/kg). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental methods. Elimination time half-lives, mean residence time, clearance, and apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) were all much higher for i.m. injection of 20,000 IU/kg than for i.m. injection of 10,000 IU/kg. We postulate that there exists a minimal tissue-interaction threshold concentration (MTC) at which polymyxin B can enter previously unavailable compartments or bind to previously refractory tissue components. Bioavailability of polymyxin B injected i.m. was 0.904 for the 10,000 IU/kg dose and 0.675 for the 20,000 IU/kg dose. Dosage intervals necessary to produce minimal steady state concentrations (Cssmin) equal to the MIC were calculated. Certain aspects of the use of the parameter Vdss, and limitations on the use of dosage interval calculations for polymyxin B, are discussed. One week after i.m. injection of polymyxin B at 10,000 IU/kg, high tissue drug levels were present, especially in bound form in liver. Following single injections, no toxic effects on turkeys were observed.


Influence of the transport on the outcome of the bacteriological analysis of dog urine comparison of three transport tubes. A sterile plastic tube, a boric acid-glycerol-sodium formate tube and a dip-slide tube were compared for transport of dog urine for bacteriological examination under practice conditions, at ambient temperature. In a first part, 50 dog urine samples were cultured on agar plates and on a dip-slide kit within 2 h after collection and after storage at 20 degrees C in a sterile tube and in a boric acid tube for 24 h and 48 h. Culture of the samples stored in the boric acid tube and culture on the dip-slide yielded results which correlated very well with those of the culture of fresh urine. However, culture of the samples stored in the sterile tube yielded up to 65% false positive results. In a second part, a comparison was drawn with culture results of 100 dog urine specimens collected by different practitioners and simultaneously mailed to our laboratory in a sterile tube, in a boric acid tube and in a dip-slide kit. Samples sent in the boric acid and in the dip-slide tube showed comparable culture results. Culture of the samples sent in the plastic tube yielded 53% false positive results in comparison with those of the samples preserved in boric acid.


Lethal cerebrospinal elaphostrongylosis in a reindeer calf. Lethal elaphostrongylosis in a reindeer calf is described. The calf showed signs of abnormal behaviour, mental confusion and reduced vision due to lesions in the brain parenchyma caused by migrating mature Elaphostrongylus rangiferi. Traumatically caused malacia and secondary axon degeneration were observed in all brain areas. Nematodes were found in the skeletal muscles, epidural space of the spinal cord, and in the subdural spaces and leptomeninges of the cord and brain. Developing nematode ova were sectioned along migratory tracks in the brain, in the subdural space of the cord, epidural adipose tissue, perineurium of the spinal nerve roots and in the lungs.


The influence of genotypes and social ranks in the clinical course of an experimental infection with Mycoplasma pulmonis (MRM) in inbred rats. Social ranks of healthy, adult male inbred rats housed in groups of four per cage were determined by their relative differences in intromission and ejaculatory patterns observed repeatedly under competitive copulatory conditions. Once ranked they were inoculated with M. pulmonis by contact with castrated females suffering clinically from M.pulmonis.--Body weight reduction and scores for laryngo-bronchotracheal breathing sounds and dispnoea or sneeze or wipe and the titers of specific antibodies were continuously observed during 123 days of illness. Studies were done in five series concerning the inbred strains AS/Ztm, LEW/Ztm, BH/Ztm. Genotypic differences accounts for 60-80% of the variability of the illness. LEW/Ztm was the most affected strain. Only in strain LEW/Ztm week correlations were shown between social rank before the infection (characterized by sexual activity under competitive conditions) and the scores for breathing sounds, dyspnoea and sneeze and wipe. Animals high in social rank showed a milder clinical course of the infection.


Reduction of aflatoxin M1 in milk using hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide plus heat treatment. Use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under various conditions of temperature and time to inactivate aflatoxin M1 in artificially contaminated raw milk was examined. The degree of inactivation was measured by Enzym Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). It appeared that there is no change in the content of aflatoxin M1 in milk contained H2O2 and examined after 24 hours without heat treatment and in contaminated milk without add of H2O2 and heat treated treatment at (63 degrees C for 30 min, 75 degrees C for 15 sec) but slight inactivation (4.3%) was obtained in milk boiled for 5 min without H2O2. Maximum inactivation (27.8%, 28.8% and 45.1%) were obtained using 1% H2O2 followed by heat treatment at 36 degrees C for 30 min, 75 degrees C for 15 sec and boiling for 5 min respectively.


[Detection of aflatoxin B1 in tissues of free-living game animals (Lepus europaeus, Phasianus colchicus, Capreolus capreolus, Anas platyrhynchos)]. This contribution states concentrations of products of toxogenic mould fungus Aspergillus in livers, kidneys and testes of specific game animals. In hares (Lepus europaeus), there was determined an average concentration in livers of 0.407 microgram.kg-1 +/- 0.29, in kidneys 0.658 microgram.kg-1 +/- 0.60, in testes 0.523 microgram.kg-1 +/- 0.27 and in the ovaries 0.207 microgram.kg-1 +/- 0.19. Higher values were found in those animals with silage pits, hayricks and liquid manure pits nearby. In roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), average concentration of Aflatoxin showed the following results:livers--0.696 microgram.kg-1 +/- 0.59, kidneys--0.794 microgram.kg-1 +/- 0.48, testes--0.367 microgram.kg-1 +/- 0.22. The different values found in the organs are likely to be dependent upon the varying resistance of species when digesting, and also upon the wide-spread variance of intaken food. Average concentration of Aflatoxin B1 in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were recorded to be in livers 0.329 micrograms.kg-1 +/- 0.38, and in kidneys 0.676 micrograms.kg-1 +/- 0.59. Controlled contents of mycotoxin in livers of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) was found to be 0.840 micrograms.kg-1, in kidneys 0.594 micrograms.kg-1 +/- 0.85. Animals living in ecologically strained localities showed maximum values of 3.605 micrograms.kg-1 in kidneys and 2.484 micrograms.kg-1 in livers. An alimentary and inhalatory path for mycotoxin or for solely mould fungus into the organism could be found in the rearing of chicken. Detection of Aflatoxin B1 was performed by the means of proved radioimmunological screening method (33) that had been accompanied by routine chromatographic methods.


A psychophysical comparison of sensory and affective responses to four modalities of experimental pain. It is generally accepted that the sensory and affective components of pain may be differentially associated with various acute and chronic diseases, and that some treatment regimens are best directed toward certain aspects of the pain experience. In addition, experimental animal models have been described that presume to assess either the sensory-discriminative aspects of phasic pain or the affective responses associated with tonic pain. The present psychophysical experiment directly compares the perceived intensity and unpleasantness of sensations evoked by four types of experimental noxious stimuli: contact heat, electric shock, ischemic exercise, and cold-pressor pain. A novel pain measurement technique is described that incorporates unbounded magnitude-estimation/category scales; this technique allows precise ratio responses, while minimizing within- and between-subject variability. We observe that, relative to the perceived intensity of the individual stimuli, subjects consistently differentiate among the degrees of unpleasantness evoked by the four stimulus modalities. Ischemic exercise and cold-pressor pain evoke higher estimates of unpleasantness, and thus may better mimic the pain of chronic disease. The relative unpleasantness produced by contact heat is significantly less than that of the other modalities tested, and therefore contact heat stimuli may be ideally suited for assessing sensory-discriminative aspects of pain perception. Possible neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the observed differences in perceived unpleasantness are discussed in relation to the growing body of literature concerning tonic and phasic pain stimuli.


Neuronal response properties within subregions of raccoon somatosensory cortex 1 week after digit amputation. Multiple penetrations in the somatosensory cortex of three anesthetized raccoons 1 week following amputation of the fourth digit provided detailed information about somatotopy and neuronal responsiveness in the deafferented cortex. Recordings in a total of 601 penetrations (292 in deafferented cortex and 309 in the surrounding cortex) were compared with those from intact control animals described previously (Rasmusson et al., 1991). The level of spontaneous activity increased within the deafferented cortex, with 42% of the sites having high or moderate levels of spontaneous activity, in comparison with 18% in control animals. There was also an increase in the incidence of inhibitory responses to stimulation of adjacent digits (26% of the penetrations vs. 10% in control animals), confirming previous findings. These two variables, increased spontaneous activity and the presence of strong lateral inhibition, were highly correlated in individual penetrations. An unexpected finding was that the cortex representing the intact parts of forepaw was also disrupted with respect to these two measures, suggesting that amputation had an effect outside the deafferented region. In contrast, response properties that are more clearly a reflection of information processing in the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway (adaptation and threshold) were altered only within the deafferented region. The deafferented region was not homogeneous immediately after amputation, but consisted of a radically affected core region and a slightly affected fringe adjacent to the intact representations. This inhomogeneity had also been apparent with partial digit deafferentation, reported previously. The fringe, approximately 1 mm in width, may reflect overlapping projections from adjacent digits at one or more levels of the somatosensory pathway. Since the size of the fringe is similar to the maximum extent of reorganization found in other models of reorganization, the mechanisms of plasticity within this region may involve an unmasking of pre-existing synapses with slight modification in synaptic strength. However, the plasticity within the core region of the raccoon seen in these experiments, which may be 5 mm from nondeafferented cortex, requires more extensive changes, perhaps via polysynaptic pathways.


Respiration in vitro: I. Spontaneous activity. The present report describes respiratory-like activity recorded from intercostal muscles in the neonatal rat in vitro brain stem-spinal cord, rib-attached preparation. In this preparation from 1- to 4-day-old rats, spontaneous rhythmic and synchronized upward movements of the rib cage coincided with the recorded muscle activity. Spontaneous respiratory-like activity showed a frequency in the range of 0.05-0.2 Hz, with single-, double-, and mixed-burst patterns. Spontaneous activity declined over time, but increased in frequency as temperature increased. Multilevel recordings showed a cephalocaudal order of bursting of intercostal muscles. Brain stem transections at the prepontine level did not affect spontaneous frequency, whereas premedullary transections resulted in an increase in spontaneous respiratory frequency. High spinal transections eliminated spontaneous respiratory-like activity. These results suggest that there is a well-organized pontomedullary pattern generator for respiratory-like activity in this preparation, which can be modulated by temperature. The characteristics of these electromyographic (EMG) recordings allow comparison with previous in vitro studies of respiratory-like activity using nerve activity and in vivo studies using EMG activity. These results provide basic information on the spontaneous activity of this preparation as a prelude to the study of the effects of electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to induce respiratory-like activity, as described in the companion article.


Respiration in vitro: II. Electrical stimulation. The present report describes electrical-stimulation-induced activity recorded from intercostal muscles in the neonatal rat rib-attached, in vitro brain stem-spinal cord preparation. The muscle bursts induced by electrical stimulation included a short-latency twitch contraction and a long-latency modulated contraction similar to that observed during spontaneous respiratory-like activity. Multilevel recordings showed a cephalocaudal order of recruitment of intercostal muscles similar to that observed during spontaneous activity. The optimal parameters of stimulation were 2-msec pulses delivered at 0.1-0.2 Hz. Trains of pulses also were effective. These movements could be induced following stimulation of various sites within each segment of the spinal cord, with the lowest threshold sites located in the ventrolateral funiculus and intermediate gray. Stimulation of every cervical segment was effective in inducing respiratory-like activity, with the lowest-threshold segments being C1, C2, and C5. These results suggest that low-frequency, long-duration pulses applied directly to the spinal cord can induce respiratory-like activity similar to that observed during spontaneous activity in the neonatal rat, rib-attached in vitro brain stem-spinal cord preparation. The ability to elicit a coordinated respiratory pattern even after a high spinal transection suggests that such stimulation may be effective in inducing respiratory-like activity in the absence of descending brain stem connections.


Magnitude estimation of contact force when objects with different shapes are applied passively to the fingerpad. Stimuli with spherically curved surfaces were presented passively to the fingerpads of human subjects. There were 28 stimuli, consisting of all combinations of 4 different curvatures and 7 different contact forces; these were presented in random order. Subjects scaled their perceived magnitude of the contact force using magnitude estimation. Perceived force increased markedly with an increase in experimentally applied contact force. An increase in curvature resulted in a slight increase in perceived contact force. Thus, when humans are passively presented with objects changing in both shape and contact force, they are able to extract information about the force. Because of the passive nature of the task, all such information must be conveyed to the brain by the cutaneous mechanoreceptors.


Dimensional analysis of RR dynamic in 24 hour electrocardiograms. Using dimensional analysis, we demonstrate that it is possible to quantify changes in the topological structure of cardiac dynamics over long periods of time. A method was developed to calculate a dimension-like measure (referred to here as apparent dimension) from a correlation algorithm within a data window of 500 heart beats which is moved in equidistant steps over the time series of the RR intervals over 24 hours. The correspondence between the apparent dimension and the correlation dimension was tested using artificial data sequences. Furthermore 24 hour electrocardiographic recordings of two healthy subjects and of a patient with acute myocardial infarction were examined. The reliability of the analysis could be demonstrated and changes in dimension reflecting physiological as well as pathophysiological changes were observed.


A constant of temporal structure in the human hierarchy and other systems. The levels that compose biological hierarchies each have their own energetic, spatial and temporal structure. Indeed, it is the discontinuity in energy relationships between levels, as well as the similarity of sub-systems that support them, that permits levels to be defined. In this paper, the temporal structure of living hierarchies, in particular that pertaining to Human society, is examined. Consideration is given to the period defining the lifespan of entities at each level and to a periodic event considered fundamental to the maintenance of that level. The ratio between the duration of these two periods is found to be approximately 2.5 x 10(4). A similar relationship is found when lower, non-living levels of molecules and atoms are considered. This suggests that there is a constant factor of amplification between analogous periodic events at successive levels of the Human hierarchy.


Bioregulatory role of the kallikrein-kinin system in the normal pituitary gland and its tumours. Tissue kallikrein, a serine protease, is present in the prolactin-secreting cells of the normal anterior pituitary gland and pituitary adenomas. It is mainly located in the Golgi apparatus, but is also present in secretory granules. There is a distinct sexual dimorphism, with amount of tissue kallikrein being greater in anterior pituitary tissue from female rats. The intracellular levels of tissue kallikrein are increased by estradiol and in pituitary tumours, and decreased by ovariectomy, dopamine and its agonists. There is preliminary in vitro evidence that tissue kallikrein may be involved in the intracellular processing of the prolactin molecule before secretion. Tissue kallikrein synthesizes kinins which are present in the anterior pituitary and are capable of stimulating prolactin and growth hormone secretion by activating the phosphoinositide second messenger system. Prolactin physiology is uniquely linked to the kallikrein-kinin system in the normal pituitary and its tumours. Tissue kallikrein may have an important role in the pathophysiology of prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas.


Growth hormone binding protein in patients with renal failure. To investigate changes in the growth hormone binding protein (GH-BP) in renal disease, gel chromatography was used to separate free and bound hormone after incubation with 125I-GH, the results being expressed as a percentage of radioactive GH eluting in a high molecular weight (70-80 kD) peak. In 26 normal individuals, binding was 39.3 +/- 8.0%, while in 11 patients with renal disease who were off dialysis binding was reduced to 16.8 +/- 5.6%. Similarly, in 9 patients undergoing hemodialysis binding was reduced to 24.6 +/- 6.8%, in 8 patients undergoing chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis binding was reduced to 25.7 +/- 7.6%, and in 9 patients within three months of a renal transplant binding was reduced to 25.1 +/- 8.6%. Scatchard analysis showed that these changes were not a result of decreased affinity of GH-BP for GH, and receptor binding studies showed that uremic serum was not inhibiting binding. The decreased concentration of GH-BP may indicate decreased expression of the GH receptor in target tissues, and hence diminished responsiveness to GH in renal failure.


Plasma vasopressin responses in postpartum hypopituitarism: impaired response to osmotic stimuli. The neurohypophyseal function was assessed in a group of 15 patients with postpartum hypopituitarism by measuring plasma arginine-vasopressin concentrations during 5% hypertonic saline infusion. None of the patients had symptoms of diabetes insipidus and all patients were on adequate cortisone and thyroxine replacement therapy before testing. The mean basal plasma vasopressin value in the patients (0.6 +/- 0.1 pmol/l) was significantly lower than that in the normal subjects (2.9 +/- 0.3 pmol/l; p < 0.01), whereas the mean serum sodium, plasma osmolality, plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone values were similar in the two groups. During the osmolar load (5% hypertonic saline), the patients revealed varying degrees of arginine-vasopressin responses to the increase in plasma osmolality. Three patients showed normal arginine-vasopressin responses, 10 had subnormal responses, and 2 had no response. During the dehydration test, the patients revealed significantly lower maximum urine osmolalities (p < 0.0025) with significantly higher concurrent mean plasma osmolality (p < 0.0025) than the controls. None of the patients showed overt polyuria at the time of the study. The results indicate the impaired osmoregulation of arginine-vasopressin secretion to an osmolar stimuli in patients with postpartum hypopituitarism, suggesting neurohypophyseal damage. In patients with Sheehan's syndrome, partial diabetes insipidus seems to be much more frequent than previously believed.


Studies on the rapid stimulation of mitochondrial respiration by thyroid hormones. Injection of L-3,5-diiodothyronine (T2) into rats made hypothyroid by 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) increased the respiration rates of subsequently isolated liver mitochondria; this stimulation of respiration by T2 occurred in the presence of cycloheximide and is therefore independent of protein synthesis on cytoplasmic ribosomes. Injection of T3 into PTU-treated rats had a lesser effect than T2 on the respiration rates of subsequently isolated mitochondria; as PTU is an inhibitor of 5'-iodothyronine deiodinases, which convert T3 into T2 in vivo, the rapid stimulation of mitochondrial respiration by T3, which has been shown in a range of systems, may not be due directly to T3 itself, but may be mediated by its deiodination product T2. Injection of T2, or T3, into hypothyroid or euthyroid rats had no effect on the percentage activity of mitochondrial pyruvate hydrogenase assayed 30 min later. The amount of active pyruvate dehydrogenase is regulated by changes in mitochondrial calcium concentration and matrix ATP/ADP ratio; therefore these parameters are not persistently affected by treatment with T3 or T2. In addition, the total amount of pyruvate dehydrogenase present was the same in euthyroid and hypothyroid rats, indicating that the expression of this enzyme is not stringently controlled by thyroid hormone status.


Effects of chronic thyroid hormone administration on pregnancy, lactogenesis and lactation in the rat. We studied the effects of daily administration of 1 mg/kg thyroxine (T4) starting 10-15 days before mating, on parturition, maternal behavior and lactation in rats. Treated rats had elevated serum titers of T3 and T4, a greater number of fetuses and parturition was advanced approximately 12 h and lasted longer than in controls. None of the treated rats were able to lactate because of defects in maternal behavior and milk ejection; the litters died usually within 48 h postpartum. In rats sacrificed at 10.00 on day 21 of pregnancy, mammary gland content of total protein, phospholipids, casein and lactose were significantly increased, but total lipid was markedly reduced. Lipogenesis was also significantly increased, as well as the activity of the lipogenic enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, fatty acid synthetase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. These results are indicative of normal albeit premature lactogenesis. The T4-treated rats also had advances in the prepartum fall in serum progesterone and the increase in prolactin as well as in the increase in mammary casein and lactose concentrations of approximately 12 h with respect to control pregnant rats. These results show that chronic T4 treatment induces an advance of approximately 12 h in luteolysis, which in turn advances lactogenesis and parturition in rats. Although the mammary gland was able to produce milk, lactation failed due to abnormal maternal behavior and milk ejection, the causes of which are still unknown. Other effects of hyperthyroidism were also present, such as a severe reduction in lipid content of the gland.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Tissue-type plasminogen activator (T-PA). Structure and function]. The paper describes the results of the studies on structure and function of the tissue-type plasminogen activator collected for the past 10 years. The properties of one- and two-chain t-PA as well as the structure of the particular domains in the t-PA molecule have been characterized and discussed.


[Central venous catheters with subcutaneous ports for long-term chemotherapy in pediatric oncology]. In 29 paediatric oncology patients requiring intravenous chemotherapy, intravenous antibiotics intravenous fluids and blood products transfusions the central venous catheters with subcutaneous ports were inserted. Catheters were left in place for the period lasting from two weeks up to one year in 14 children they still remain in place, 6 catheters were removed due to complications such as occlusion, local necrosis, abscess or bleeding around the place of insertion. The described method, securing long-term venous access, enables safe and painless treatment, which is specially important in paediatric oncology. Moreover, home care can replace hospital treatment and whole procedure is highly cost-effective due to extended time of catheters utilization.


[Studies of methotrexate pharmacokinetics in children with neoplasms of the hematopoietic system after administration of different doses of the drug]. Concentration of MTX was determined in the serum after the infusion of MTX in a dose of 0.5 g/m2, 1.0 g/m2 and 5.0 g/m2 to 24 children with ALL/NHL. The mean value of steady-state concentrations of MTX was two-fold greater after the infusion of a dose of 1.0 g/m2 and ten-fold greater after the infusion of a dose 5.0 g/m2 than at dose 0.5 g/m2. Great inpatient and interpatient variations of serum MTX concentrations were observed. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the data revealed biphasic model of the elimination. Statistically significant differences were found between the half-life MTX values (ti/2 alpha) in the first postinfusion day: the higher the dose, the shorter ti/2 was observed. The ti/2 of MTX during the second postinfusion day was significantly longer than that of the first day after infusion, but values for the higher doses were not significantly shorter than those for 0.5 g/m2. Systemic clearance (Cl) of MTX showed inpatient and interpatient variations of the values. However, no statistically significant difference was found between Cl values at doses of 0.5 g/m2, 1.0 g/m2 and 5.0 g/m2.


[Cerebrospinal fluid methotrexate level in children treated with medium-high and high doses of the drug]. Concentrations of MTX were determined in the cerebrospinal fluid (csf) and serum after intravenous infusion of MTX at intermediate dose (0.5-1.0 g/m2) and at high dose (5.0 g/m2) to 20 children (33 infusions) with ALL/NHL. The cytotoxic concentrations of MTX in csf (> 1.0 microM/l) were reached in half of the cases after the infusion of MTX at intermediate dose and in all patients after the infusion of 5.0 g/m2. Great inpatient and interpatient variations of MTX concentrations in csf were observed. No statistically significant difference was found between mean systemic clearance of MTX in patients with MTXcsf concentrations > 1.0 microM/l and < 1.0 microM/l after infusion of MTX at intermediate dose.


Jaundice following high--dose arabinoside cytosine in a child with acute myelogenous leukemia. A girl with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) was treated with high dose arabinoside cytosine during consolidation. She developed jaundice twice after the completion of 3 rd and 4 th cycle of the drug. The jaundice was characterized by conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, elevated aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase. The histologic study of the liver showed only infiltration by mononuclear cells in portal space and scarce bile pigment in some hepatocytes. In both cases jaundice receded spontaneously. Now the patient has been in complete remission for 36 months and subsequent liver function tests are normal.


Similarity of parent and child self-views in stress-affected and stress-resilient urban families. This study was conducted with a sample of highly stressed 4th-6th grade urban children consisting of matched subsamples previously classified as stress affected (SA) or stress resilient (SR). Separate in-depth interviews with parents and children provided objective self-ratings of a number of personal characteristics and expressive motor behavioral styles. Based on subsets of identical items from the two interviews, discrepancy (D)-scores were computed between parents' and children's self-ratings of ten personal descriptors, seven expressive motor behaviors, and their sum. Significantly lower D-scores were found for SR, compared to SA, parent-child dyads on all three of these measures. For the total sample, small parent-child D-scores also related significantly to indicators of fewer child problem behaviors and more competencies, assessed across multiple rater sources (i.e., parents, former teachers, and current teachers).


Respiratory stridor and repressive defense style in adolescent somatoform disorders. Three cases of adolescents with respiratory stridor of psychiatric etiology are described. All three fulfilled DSM-III-R criteria for diagnoses of somatoform disorders and showed characteristics of repressive defense style. Such patients are likely to undergo extensive medical investigation and treatment if the psychiatric nature of their disorder is not recognized, but few data describing their psychological characteristics or treatment exist. Repressors are typically unaware of emotional arousal and do not recognize the negative affects which lead to their somatic symptoms. They therefore respond poorly to confrontational psychotherapy and are at risk of discontinuing treatment and repeating their maladaptive symptom cycle. Identification of repressive defense style in patients with stridor which has no obvious organic cause may be useful both as a possible "marker" of psychiatric disorder and as a guide to treatment.


The assessment of psychophysiological dysfunction in children using the BSE scale before and during therapy. The purpose of exchange and development therapies (EDT) is to reduce the behavioural problems which are the expression of psychophysiological dysfunction. The aim of this study was to reveal the most disturbed psychophysiological functions and their evolution during the course of EDT in 42 children divided into three groups; group I--15 children with pure autism (A); group II--16 children with autism associated with neurological disorders (AA); and group III--11 children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Among the 12 functions analysed, groups AA, A and APDD had respectively 8, 6 and 4 functions in which the score was high (> 2.5), indicating serious disorders (maximum 4). All the dysfunctions improved during EDT. However, each group had certain areas which were more susceptible to treatment. Further analysis of behaviour problems led to a more precise definition of the objectives and to the adaptation of the therapeutic methods to obtain greater effectiveness.


Psychometric measures in clarifying diagnosis in malnourished adolescents. Three cases of adolescent females suffering from unexplained weight loss are presented. Differential diagnoses included psychiatric and medical illnesses. We describe how psychometric measures were used in each case to clarify diagnosis.


Prevalence of sexual abuse of children in Germany. A survey of the prevalence of sexual abuse of children in two different areas of Germany (Würzburg - former West Germany and Leipzig - former East Germany) was conducted using a multiple screen questionnaire. The sample consisted of 1841 students from different institutions in Würzburg and 310 students from vocational schools in Leipzig (n = 2151). Data on a similar number of males and females were recorded. Problems of definition, sample characteristics and methodology are discussed. Sexual abuse was reported by 16.1% of the women and 5.8% of the men in the Würzburg sample and 9.6% and 5.8%, respectively, in the Leipzig sample. More comparable subsamples showed less discrepancy in the prevalence rates for women in the two cities.


The familial problems of Hungarian youth. Interaction of socialization and psychological health. The study of teenager behaviour and adaptation in the family context is an important trend in psychology. This article records one attempt at evaluating the adolescent's adjustment in the family context, from the perspective of interaction of socialization and psychological health. It shows the problems in the family and home of adolescents and how the socialization effects the teenager's mental health and the behaviour of the family members, knowing that not only the parents' behaviour influences the adolescent adjustment, but adolescent development affects the parents' behaviour. The group differences in the behaviour problems among youths are presented. The younger, urban and female adolescents suffered more problems than older, rural, male adolescents.


Group differences in the behaviour of help-seekers. Need for consultation among Hungarian adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the behaviour of help seeking teenagers at the time of consultation. The younger urban and female adolescents were more need of than older rural males.


Stones and other "transitional objects" as mediators in psychotherapeutic dialogue. A special technique is described, to be used at the beginning or in the course of psychotherapy, designed to gain access to inhibited, silent or depressive patients. For this purpose, the client is presented with an assortment of natural stones, feathers or pieces of wood (driftwood) in a rich variety of colours and forms and invited to choose and handle whatever object most attracts him/her. In the resulting interaction with the therapist, the concrete object acts as a mediator and "transitional object" in the literal sense of the term, namely as a "third object" between the patient and the therapist. This real object (stone, feather or piece of wood), which the patient can feel and handle, helps to enlarge the "playing field" of the dyadic patient-therapist relationship and to reduce anxiety in inhibited and depressive clients. Feeling the object helps the patient to evoke memories and associations and to perceive and address inner emotions hitherto pent up inside him/her. With the help of three case studies the technique of using such natural materials is described.


Projective drawings as an aid to music therapy. Music therapy is becoming an increasingly prevalent method for assisting in the mental health needs of a variety of different conditions. However, other tangential aids can greatly facilitate the music therapy process. The use of Projectives techniques to assist in the process of music therapy and to assess the growth and development of clients is described.


Pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified. A developmental-psychopathological approach for the development of made-to-measure treatment planning. Diagnosis and classification of autism and related pervasive developmental disorders is both easy and difficult. Infantile autism is a characteristic syndrome on which many publications have appeared in the last 50 years. Conversely, the diagnosis and even the classification of children with pervasive developmental disorders related to autism is difficult. Although children with these disorders are twice as numerous as children with infantile autism, growing attention has been directed to at the latter group since the last decade. In this paper, autism and related disorders are described as a developmental disorder as well as a spectrum disorder. The spectrum of clinical symptoms can be explained, of which infantile autism is the most severe and prototypical manifestation. A working model is presented which accounts for all the problems of children with pervasive developmental disorders. An illustration of working with the model in practice is also given. The main lines of treatment and stages in treatment are briefly described.


Psychiatric disturbances in children with hamartomas: a neglected somatopsychic issue. A case report. To date, in publications on hamartomas, precocious puberty and laughing seizures have been discussed, but behavioural and cognitive abnormalities have been neglected. Therefore, we report a 14-year-old girl with a proven hamartoma, in which abnormalities of behaviour and cognition played an important role within the somatopsychic complex. In our patient, urinary incontinence during the seizures and psychiatric symptoms, such as eating disorder with obesity, school phobia, antisocial behaviour, withdrawal and cognitive problems (e.g. general slowness, deficiency of cognitive flexibility) came to the fore. The girl had not attended school regularly for almost 2 years, had stayed at home and was overtaxed psychosocially. The seizures and the urinary incontinence improved with drug treatment, but psychiatric difficulties increased and remained untreated until the girl came to a child psychiatric inpatient clinic where drug treatment and behavioural therapy were combined. During well-coordinated neurological and psychiatric treatment the laughing seizures (spontaneous, event-related, psychogenic) decreased and a considerable improvement in psychiatric and psychosocial problems was attained. Consequently, we recommend a close and timely integration of the psychiatric aspects in the treatment of children with hamartomas.


Some psychological aspects of shame and guilt in school children. The paper presents the results of an investigation into some psychological aspects of shame and guilt of a group of school children aged fourteen. The research, which involved forty seven children, showed that majority of them, and girls in particular, treat guilt as distinctly different from shame. Guilt seems to be as a more intensive, longer-lasting experience, usually accompanied by a feeling of bad or wrong behaviour, with a general tendency to be coped with in privacy and rather consciously. In the case of the feeling of guilt, it is the individual in question who is his/her own judge (inner source), whereas in the case of shame judgement seems to come from the outside (i.e. other people). The paper proposes ways in which children can be protected from these two emotions.


Chemoattractant-induced firm adhesion of leukocytes to vascular endothelium in vivo is critically dependent on initial leukocyte rolling. Leukocyte rolling and firm adhesion at the venular endothelium are two discrete events in the cellular inflammatory response mediated via selectin and integrin adhesion molecules, respectively. The dependency of chemoattractant-induced firm leukocyte adhesion on the preceding rolling interaction was investigated in rat mesenteric microvessels through use of intravital microscopy. Leukocyte rolling was dose-dependently inhibited by systemic treatment with the sulphated polysaccharide fucoidin. The firm leukocyte adhesion following stimulation with the chemotactic peptide fMLP was similarly inhibited when fMLP challenge was performed subsequent to inhibition of leukocyte rolling by fucoidin. Thus, based on paired observations in single venules before and after fucoidin treatment, reduced rolling leukocyte flux prior to fMLP challenge was paralleled over a wide range by a proportional decrease in fMLP-induced leukocyte adhesion. The results demonstrate quantitatively a close relationship between the extent of leukocyte rolling and the magnitude of the subsequent firm adhesion response, and, that an initial rolling interaction is a precondition for firm adhesion to occur at physiological blood flow rates in vivo.


Effects of autonomic reflexes on tooth pulp blood flow in man. In 15 subjects, laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to investigate whether the nervous control of pulpal blood flow (PBF) is affected by three tests known to excite the sympathetic nervous system. For comparison, skin blood flow was similarly recorded. Dynamic exercise (bicycle ergometer, 5 min, 90-100 W) in eight subjects was accompanied by a rise in PBF. PBF was increased by the cold pressor test (2 min) in eight subjects, while in five the flow decreased or remained unaffected. The isometric hand grip (2 min, 30% MVC) and the subsequent muscle ischaemia (2 min) led to a rise in PBF in two subjects and a fall in four. Following unilateral anesthesia of the mandibular nerve, PBF in five subjects became unresponsive to dynamic exercise or the cold pressor test, indicating pressure autoregulation. All three tests triggered increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Skin blood flow usually increased in response to the tests, but could also decrease, and often changed in a direction opposite to that of PBF. It is concluded that the circulation of blood in the human tooth is affected by evoked changes in autonomic nerve activity, involving activation of both vasodilator and vasoconstrictor nerves to vessels serving the tooth.


Vasomotion in the rat cerebral microcirculation recorded by laser-Doppler flowmetry. In the present study, changes in frequency and amplitude of the rhythmic variations (vasomotion) in blood flow in the intact cerebral circulation of the rat were investigated using laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) during stepwise decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and hyper- and hypocapnia. Experiments were performed on 12 adult Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex, anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. The rat's head was fixed on a stereotaxic frame and a small hole was made in the parietal bone but the dura and a thin inner bone layer were kept intact. The microvascular blood flow of the parietal cortex on the right or on both sides was continuously recorded by the laser-Doppler flowmeter (Periflux PF2B, Perimed, Stockholm, Sweden). The cerebral circulation of the rat exhibited vasomotion in control conditions with a frequency of 8-10 cycles per minute (cpm) and an amplitude of 5-10% of the cerebral blood flow (CBF). No significant changes in CBF could be detected when the MABP was above 60 mmHg, but it decreased significantly when MABP was reduced below 50 mmHg. However, during stepwise pressure reduction the vasomotion frequency decreased progressively while its amplitude showed a reversed U-shaped curve with a peak at 60-80 mmHg. During hypercapnia, the rhythmical oscillations showed a decrease in both frequency and amplitude, whereas during hypocapnia their frequency did not change but their amplitude increased. These results support the hypothesis that the vasomotion frequency might be dependent of the wall tension and cellular pH while its amplitude could be related to decreased tissue oxygenation.


Changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity and calf blood flow during combined leg and forearm exercise. In order to examine efferent sympathetic nerve control of the peripheral circulation during exercise, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), calf blood flow (CBF), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and oxygen uptake were measured during combined foot and forearm exercise. An initial period of rhythmic foot exercise (RFE) (60 min-1 at 10% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was followed by the addition of rhythmic handgrip exercise (RFE + OCCL) (60 min at 30% of MVC) and by forearm ischaemia after handgrip exercise while continuing RFE (RFE + OCCL). During RFE, CBF in the working leg, HR and oxygen increased respectively by 560%, 121% and 144% when compared with the control rest period, but MSNA (burst rate) was reduced by 13% (P > 0.05) and BP was unchanged. During RFE + RHG, HR, BP and oxygen uptake were greater than during RFE alone. There was no change in CBF, but a significant increase occurred in calf vascular resistance (CVR) and MSNA increased to 121% of the control level. During RFE + OCCL, MSNA, CVR and BP were all higher than during RFE alone, whereas HR and oxygen uptake decreased slightly, although they remained higher than the control values. The increase in CVR in the working leg and the rise in BP during RFE + RHG or RFE + OCCL might be linked to enhancement of MSNA, which may have been reflexly evoked by input from muscle metabolic receptors in the working forearm.


Tolerance to haemorrhage during vasopressin antagonism and/or captopril treatment in conscious sheep. The effect of separate and combined blockade of vasopressin (AVP) V1-receptors and angiotensin II formation on resistance to a slow venous haemorrhage (0.7 ml kg-1 min-1) was studied in six conscious adult sheep by bleeding to the point of an abrupt fall in the mean systemic arterial pressure (MSAP). Intravenous administration of the V1-receptor antagonist [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP] (10 micrograms kg-1) and/or the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (20 mg + 1 mg h-1) did not cause any significant haemodynamic changes in the normovolaemic animal. The volume of haemorrhage necessary to induce acute hypotension (MSAP < 50 mmHg) was significantly smaller after AVP blockade alone (13.8 +/- 0.7 ml kg-1; P < 0.01) but not after captopril treatment (14.7 +/- 1.6 ml kg-1; n.s.) compared to control animals receiving no drug treatment (16.8 +/- 0.6 ml kg-1). The combined treatment with the AVP antagonist and captopril caused a further decrease in tolerance to haemorrhage (9.4 +/- 1.2 ml kg-1; P < 0.001). Blockade of AVP V1-receptors was associated with an attenuated increase in systemic vascular resistance immediately after the end of haemorrhage, concomitant with an accentuated lowering of the central venous pressure. In contrast, captopril treatment decreased the degree of vasoconstriction mainly during the second half of the posthaemorrhage observation period of 1 hour. It is concluded that both AVP and angiotensin II contribute to the maintenance of the MSAP during haemorrhage in conscious sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Regulation of glomerular angiotensin II receptor densities in renovascular hypertension: response to reduced sympathetic and vasopressin influence. The regulation of the density of angiotensin II receptors in renal glomeruli in response to changes in salt intake is altered in Sprague-Dawley rats with renovascular hypertension due to aortic constriction, and in hypertensive salt-sensitive Dahl rats (Sahlgren 1989, Sahlgren & Aperia 1989). This study examines the modulatory role of sympathetic activity and arginine-vasopressin on angiotensin II receptors in hypertensive Sprague-Dawley rats with aortic constriction as well as in normotensive control rats. Denervation of the left kidney caused a 50% increase in the glomerular angiotensin II receptor density in the denervated kidney in both hypertensive rats and normotensive controls. An even more marked increase in glomerular receptor density occurred in both hypertensive rats and controls after blocking the sympathetic nervous system with guanethidine. To block the effects of arginine-vasopressin we used a blocker of the V1-receptors (predominant in vessels) and found an approximately 100% increase in the glomerular receptor density of angiotensin II in rats with aortic constriction. There was no reduction in blood pressure. Thus, on the receptor level the renin-angiotensin system is markedly influenced by the activity of other major pressor systems.


Brain interstitial volume fraction and tortuosity in anoxia. Evaluation of the ion-selective micro-electrode method. The micro-electrode method for determination of interstitial volume fraction (alpha) (Nicholson & Phillips 1981), was evaluated. The extracellular marker, tetramethylammonium+, is iontophoretically ejected from a micropipette and the change in concentration measured at a distance by an ion-sensitive micro-electrode and fitted to a diffusion equation. We used suspensions of human red blood cells as a model system and found that the values of alpha determined by this method and by haematocrit measurement were linearly correlated (r = 0.94) and not significantly different. The micro-electrode method was used to characterize the interstitial space in rat brain cortex during normal conditions and during arrest of blood flow supply. Transport of solutes in interstitial space is governed by two characteristics, the interstitial volume fraction and the tortuosity factor. During control conditions, the interstitial volume fraction was 0.18 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SEM), whereas it decreased to 0.07 +/- 0.01 in ischaemia. The tortuosity factor was 1.40 +/- 0.05 in controls and increased to 1.63 +/- 0.09 during ischaemia. Our measurements support the validity of the micro-electrode method (Nicholson & Phillips 1981) and demonstrate that arrest of blood supply changes interstitial diffusional characteristics of brain cortex mainly by diminishing the size of the interstitial diffusional space.


A technique for studies of the contractile apparatus in single human muscle fibre segments obtained by percutaneous biopsy. Human muscle samples were obtained with the percutaneous biopsy technique. The samples were membrane-hyperpermeabilized (skinned) using a chemical or freeze-drying technique. Short single fibre segments were dissected from the sample, transferred to an experimental chamber, connected to a force transducer and manipulator, and exposed to temperature-controlled solutions. The force generating-capacity, the sensitivity of the contractile apparatus to calcium and the caffeine threshold for calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum could be studied in the short muscle fibre segments obtained from man with the percutaneous muscle biopsy technique. The average length of the fibre segments between the connectors was 0.44 +/- 0.21 mm. Thus, detailed studies of the contractile machinery can be made on human skinned muscle fibres with only minimal discomfort to the patient or subject during biopsy, which should be useful in studies of neuromuscular disease, muscle plasticity or in applied physiology.


The effects of testosterone on insulin sensitivity in male rats. In order to examine the effects of testosterone (T) on insulin sensitivity, male rats were castrated or sham-operated, and exposed to low or high doses of T to substitute normal or to produce high serum T concentrations. Insulin sensitivity was followed by euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp measurements. An index of insulin-stimulated glucose transport was obtained in the white gastrocnemius (WG), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), red gastrocnemius (RG) and soleus (SOL) muscles after a bolus dose of [2-3H]deoxyglucose (2-DOG) when steady state was obtained in the clamp measurements. Glycogen synthesis was followed similarly with [U-14C]glucose as a labelled precursor after isolation of glycogen in the muscles mentioned, and in the liver. Castration and high T were followed by a marked insulin resistance in the clamp measurements. This was paralleled by a diminished insulin stimulation of glucose incorporation into glycogen down to about 50% of control values, apparently equally pronounced in all muscles but not found in liver glycogen synthesis. 2-DOG uptake was diminished by castration in the WG and RG muscles but was unaffected by high doses of T. Substitution of castrated rats with a low dose of T, restoring their serum T concentrations to the normal range, completely abolished these perturbations of insulin sensitivity. It is concluded that T is an important regulator of muscular insulin sensitivity, which seems to be highest in a 'window' of normal serum T concentrations.


The mediation of increased duodenal alkaline secretion in response to 10 mM HCl in the anaesthetized rat. Support for the involvement of capsaicin-sensitive nerve elements. Experiments were performed on chloralose-anaesthetized rats. Bicarbonate secretion by the duodenal mucosa was continuously recorded by use of an in situ-titration technique. Exposing the duodenal segment to 10 mM HCl over 5 min increased the bicarbonate transport by about 65%. This acid-induced secretory response was resistant to neural decentralization by means of bilateral cervical vagotomy and/or splanchnicotomy. Furthermore, in the decentralized state, serosal application of the local anaesthetic lidocaine or tetrodotoxin (TTX) lowered basal duodenal bicarbonate secretion. Despite the presence of lidocaine or TTX, exposure of the duodenal mucosa to 10 mM HCl induced a net increase in secretion with a magnitude similar to that observed in the control situation with intact nerves. A 5-min exposure period of the decentralized duodenal segment to capsaicin (1.2 mg ml-1) raised bicarbonate secretion, a response which also occurred in the presence of lidocaine (serosa). Tachyphylaxis to capsaicin blocked the secretory response to 10 mM HCl and inhibited the response to luminal prostaglandin E2 (1.5 10(-5) M) by 80%. The present results indicate that luminal exposure to 10 mM HCl activates capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents which, locally within the submucosa or epithelium, activate the bicarbonate secretion.


The in vitro perifused rat ovary: I. Steroid secretion in response to ramp and pulsatile stimulation with luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. A computer-controlled perifusion apparatus has been used to investigate the effects of different patterns of hormonal stimulation on secretion of steroids by ovaries from untreated, or pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-pretreated, immature rats. With ovaries from untreated rats, a low rate of increasing concentration of gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone (LH) plus follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)) induced a maximum secretion of estradiol within 60 min (22.6 +/- 1.4 pg/mg/30 min). An intermediate and a high rate of increasing gonadotropin concentration stimulated maximum secretion (26.0 +/- 1.2 pg/mg/30 min) and 28.1 +/- 2.8 pg/mg/30 min), respectively) within 30 min. Peak secretion, however, was not maintained and was reduced despite continued LH/FSH pulses. Progesterone secretion increased during, and subsequent to, the decreasing estradiol output. Increasing amplitudes of LH/FSH or constant perifusion with LH/FSH did not change the profile, or the concentration of estradiol, but these measures increased progesterone release. An occasional transient increase in estradiol secretion was observed when ovaries from unstimulated rats were perifused with low LH/FSH pulse frequency. Thus, these studies support the hypothesis that in the prepubertal rat ovary, elements of pulse characteristics, such as rate of increasing LH/FSH concentration, and amplitude are important in differentially regulating steroid output. The steroid secretory pattern of ovaries from PMSG-treated prepubertal rats was different from that of untreated rats. With ovaries from PMSG-treated rats, an acute increase in secretion of progesterone, testosterone or estradiol was not observed, whether low or high rates of increasing gonadotropin concentration were used. Rather, the concentration of these steroids continued to rise following LH/FSH pulses. Thus, in contrast to the untreated ovary, the PMSG-treated ovary did not show differential regulation of steroid secretion in response to LH/FSH. In conclusion, we have shown the in vitro perifusion model to be a useful tool for studying the effects of different patterns of hormonal stimulation on ovarian steroidogenesis. In addition, differential effects of gonadotropins on steroid output were shown, depending upon prior maturation of the ovary.