Development of beta-adrenergic receptors and the in vitro accumulation of cyclic AMP in the chick spinal cord

To clarify the functional development of the descending monoaminergic input to the chick spinal cord we have studied the ontogeny of beta-adrenergic receptors by measuring the specific binding the tritiated dihydroalprenolol (DHA). In addition, we examined the ability of isoproterenol to stimulate the accumulation of cyclic AMP in slices of developing chick spinal cord. Results show that the chick spinal cord contains a high density of beta-adrenergic receptors that are apparently linked to adenylate cyclase. During development, both the density of beta-receptors, as determined by the specific binding of DHA, and the response of tissue slices to isoproterenol underwent marked changes. beta-Adrenergic receptors (approximately 4 fmol/mg tissue) were first detected on the fourteenth day in ovo. Receptor density increased to approximately 20 fmol/mg by day 20. Between day 20 and the time of hatching, a sharp increase in receptor density, to approximately 50 fmol/mg, was seen. The density of receptors remained high until the second day after hatching, fell off to approximately 30 fmol/mg by the fourth day, and remained relatively unchanged through day 30. The response of spinal cord slices to isoproterenol showed a similar pattern of development with the peak response (7-fold increase in levels of cyclic AMP) occurring at or near the time of hatching. During the period between day 18 in ovo and the time of hatching, when both the response of tissue slices to isoproterenol and the density of beta-receptors increased markedly, the activity of phosphodiesterase did not change. Therefore, the pronounced changes in adrenergic responsiveness that occurred near the time of hatching appear to be related primarily to changes in the density of beta-adrenergic receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase. Such developmental changes in the density of beta-adrenergic receptors and adrenergic responsiveness may play an important role in determining the functional state of the descending monoaminergic systems in the chick spinal cord.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and porphyria cutanea tarda. Report of a case

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and various types of lupus erythematosus (LE) have been reported in the same patient on several occasions. In a large group of patients with PCT reported by Grossman et al, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was found in two. Possibly LE is more common in patients with PCT; however, the mechanisms behind this coexistence are still unknown. The concurrent of PCT and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), as described by Sontheimer et al, has not been reported in previous patients. We are reporting a case of SCLE and PCT which has multiple complications in the course and therapy of these disorders.

Antibiotic treatment of acute shigellosis: failure of cefamandole compared with trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin

Intravenously administered ampicillin (AMP), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and cefamandole (CEF) were evaluated in 30 children with shigellosis: 11 children received AMP, 10 TMP-SMX, and 9 CEF for a maximum of five days. Discharge criteria included; afebrile greater than 12 hrs, less than 9 stools/day, absence of seizures, and adequate oral intake. AMP or TMP-SMX patients required significantly fewer median days to meet discharge criteria than those who received CEF. AMP and TMP-SMX patients had fewer median days with fever (one day each) compared with CEF (five days). On day five, 7 of 8 CEF, 3 of 10 AMP and 2 of 9 TMP-SMX treated patients remained culture positive. Inhibitory concentrations against all Shigella isolates from CEF patients all were less than or equal to 0.4 microgram CEF/ml. Intravenous TMP-SMX was equivalent to AMP in treatment of children with shigellosis, while CEF was ineffective despite in vitro activity. Clinical and bacteriologic responses were achieved with AMP and TMP-SMX in the majority of patients with less than 5 days of intravenous therapy.

Candidal splenic abscesses complicating acute leukemia of childhood treated by splenectomy

Two patients with acute leukemia were found to have candidal splenic abscesses. Both patients were in remission and had normal granulocyte counts at the time the abscesses became evident. Both patients were treated with splenectomy and antifungal therapy with a definite response. The incidence and treatment of fungal splenic abscesses in leukemia patients is discussed with emphasis on the role of splenectomy.

Physiologic effects of prazosin HCl: consequences of diuretic combination therapy

The physiologic action of prazosin in man was studied in 23 patients including 10 treated with prazosin plus polythiazide. Responders to prazosin alone (blood pressure fell greater than 10 mm Hg) had a decrease in peripheral resistance (p less than 0.02) and no significant change in plasma volume, while nonresponders' plasma volume rose significantly (p less than 0.02). 10 patients treated with prazosin and polythiazide (blood pressure not normalized on prazosin alone) were analyzed at baseline (Rx 0), after prazosin (Rx 1), and after prazosin plus polythiazide (Rx 2). Mean supine blood pressure fell from 184/118 +/- 8/5 (SE) mm Hg at Rx 0 to 161/106 +/- 7/4 mm Hg at Rx 1 (p less than 0.005) and 129/89 +/- 4/4 mm Hg at Rx 2 (p less than 0.001). Supine renin increased in each group, but the increase with prazosin alone was not significant. Stimulated renin activity increased significantly after Rx 2 (p less than 0.0025). Cardiac output fell, plasma volume returned to baseline values, and peripheral resistance fell by 467 dyn s/cm-5 during thiazide treatment (p less than 0.025).

Disc-electrophoretic separation of water soluble proteins from scales of different forms of ichthyosis

In extracts of scales of different forms of ichthyosis, disc-electrophoretic separation of water soluble proteins was performed. Number and position of the protein bands correspond with number and position of the bands of extracts of normal keratin and psoriatic scales. However, in comparison to normal keratin, all examined forms of ichthyosis showed in zone II the enriched bands Nos. 6 and 7. This permits a distinct differentiation from psoriasis in which in zone II the bands Nos. 9 and 10 are enriched. In congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma and in ichthyosis combined with atopic dermatitis, in zone III the bands, containing gamma globulins, are enriched as an expression of the concomittant exudative process. The protein content of scale extracts of ichthyosis is 2 to 5 times lower than the one of psoriasis.

Varicocelectomy and infertility

Eighty males with varicocele underwent internal spermatic vein ligation as therapy for infertility. Semen quality improved in 78 per cent following ligation, and 51 per cent of wives became pregnant. The results in this series compare favorably with previous studies. We believe that spermatic vein ligation is a very successful adjunct in the treatment of the infertile male with varicocele.

Traumatic veno-caliceal fistula in a solitary kidney

We present herein what we believe to be the first reported case of a traumatic veno-caliceal fistula and describe our technique for surgical repair. We use a transabdominal approach for renal trauma and advocate occlusion of the renal artery alone during intrarenal surgery. We believe that conservative management of renal injuries, even with a solitary kidney, yields the highest salvage rate. Initial arteriography best delineates most renal injuries and is a safe technique for following progressive changes that may require an operation. When injury occurs in a solitary kidney medical renal consultation and facilities for interim dialysis must be readily available.

Perseverance in self-perception and social perception: Biased attributional processes in the debriefing paradigm

Two experiments demonstrated that self-perceptions and social perceptions may persevere after the initial basis for such perceptions has been completely discredited. In both studies subjects first received false feedback, indicating that they had either succeeded or failed on a novel discrimination task and then were thoroughly debriefed concerning the predetermined and random nature of this outcome manipulation. In experiment 2, both the initial outcome manipulation and subsequent debriefing were watched and overheard by observers. Both actors and observers showed substantial perseverance of initial impressions concerning the actors' performance and abilities following a standard "outcome" debriefing. "Process" debriefing, in which explicit discussion of the perseverance process was provided, generally proved sufficient to eliminate erroneous self-perceptions. Biased attribution processes that might underlie perserverance phenomena and the implications of the present data for the ethical conduct of deception research are discussed.

Investigations into the effects of cyclical rhythm and hormonal contraception on serum fat-mobilizing activity, glycerol, cholesterol and blood glucose

The effects were investigated of cyclical rhythm and hormonal contraception on serum fat-mobilizing activity, glycerol, cholesterol and whole blood glucose during 2 menstrual cycles in a group of normally menstruating young women and a second group of young women using hormonal contraception. A control group of normal young men was also investigated. There was no evidence of any change in mean level of any of the parameters measured, among the follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases. No cyclical pattern was discernable in the male subjects. The mean value for serum cholesterol concentration in women using hormonal contraception was higher than the value for the untreated human female group. The overall mean value for serum glycerol concentration in the women was significantly (0.01 > P > 0.001) higher than the mean value obtaining in the men.