Muscarinic inhibitory effect in the guinea pig dentate gyrus in vitro

Various drugs known to affect synaptic transmission were tested for their effects on extracellular field potentials evoked in the dentate granule cell layer of guinea pig hippocampal slices. Presumptive commissural (CF) and perforant path (PP) fibers were stimulated electrically by two separate pairs of stimulating electrodes. CF stimulation elicited a field potential with a current sink and PP stimulation with a current source in the cell layer. Bath-applied carbachol (0.5-10 microM), in an atropine sensitive manner, depressed the CF-evoked field potential, but left the PP-evoked field potential unchanged. Further pharmacological testing revealed that this effect is likely to be mediated by inhibitory neurons in the dentate hilus.

Deposition of cocaine in tissue after lethal and repeated sublethal administration to sheep

The deposition of cocaine in tissue after lethal administration to sheep was investigated. In addition, the presence of cocaine in tissue obtained from sheep treated for 30 days with a sublethal dose (2.4 mg/kg b.wt.) after 1-day, 1-week, or 1-month withdrawal was studied. The determination of cocaine was performed by radioimmunoassay. The concentrations measured represent the sum of cocaine and its metabolites. The presence of cocaine was also qualitatively proven by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. After a lethal dose administration cocaine was found in all investigated organs. The highest concentrations were present in liver, bile, and kidney. In tissue obtained from the sheep treated daily with a sublethal dose and killed after 1-week withdrawal, the concentrations found were significantly lower. After 1-month withdrawal, cocaine was not to be discovered in tissue.

Improved early diagnosis of adult polycystic kidney disease with flanking DNA markers

A new polymorphic DNA marker for the diagnosis of autosomal dominant adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD) has been identified. The new marker, 24-1, flanks the APKD gene on the side opposite to the alpha globin on the short arm of chromosome 16. When both DNA polymorphisms bracketing the gene are informative the reliability of prenatal and presymptom diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease in non-recombinants (92% of cases) is more than 99%.

[Positive diagnosis of irritable colon: a scored chart or standardized anamnesis?]

The diagnostic score of Kruis to diagnose the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has recently gained widespread application. We therefore evaluated the case histories of 373 patients attending the gastroenterological outpatient department retrospectively using the questionnaire of these authors. In contrast to Kruis et al's findings, by applying their discriminating score the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome was made in only 51% of the patients who underwent complete gastrointestinal survey without pathological findings. However, the group of IBS was significantly separable from malignant or inflammatory disease. We therefore conclude that the diagnosis of IBS should only be made by ruling out organic disease (except in the case of young people with normal physical and laboratory check up findings and a good response to treatment). For these patients we simplified the questionnaire, omitting calculations.

[Role of Pseudomonas maltophilia and "Pseudomonas like bacteria group Va" in the etiology of Crohn disease]

In 1976, Parent and Mitchell isolated cell-wall defective bacteria of the species Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas like bacteria group Va from resected bowel tissue of 8 consecutively operated patients with Crohn's disease. The control group, which included patients with ulcerative colitis, was negative in this respect. The isolated strains were available for our own investigations. New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with killed bacteria to produce specific antisera. Frozen sections of affected tissue from 6 consecutively operated Crohn patients were incubated with the various antisera and investigated by indirect immunofluorescence. No positive reactions were demonstrable in repeated tests with different dilutions of antisera. Our results do not support the hypothesis that bacteria of the species Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas like bacteria group Va are an etiologic factor in Crohn's disease.

[Sialic acid containing compounds in the hemofiltrate of patients with chronic renal insufficiency. II. Isolation and structure determination of sialoglycopeptides]

Four sialyl glycopeptides have been isolated from the hemofiltrate of a patient with end stage renal disease using reverse osmosis, gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Structural studies including one- and two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry and enzymatic degradation indicated the following structures: (Formula: see text). While the disialyl glycopeptide has been previously characterized from normal and pregnancy urine, the three other sialyl glycopeptides could be isolated for the first time from biological material. The origin of these compounds and their possible clinical relevance is subject to further investigations.

EcoRI RFLP at 19 cen-q13.2 identified by the anonymous DNA sequence pPM6.7 (D19S18)

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[Campylobacter pylori colonization of the antrum mucosa in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer]

Campylobacter pylori, a bacterium specifically adapted to the environment of gastric mucous is closely associated with peptic gastric diseases. It is detected within the mucus and in relationship to the intercellular spaces in cases of active chronic gastritis. Approximately 70% of patients with chronic type-B-gastritis are infected with C. pylori. In type A or reflux gastritis C. pylori is hardly seen. A causal relationship seems likely. More than 80% of patients with duodenal ulcer and round half of the cases with gastric ulcer show C. pylori in the gastric mucosa. The pathomechanism, how C. pylori facilitates the development of peptic ulcer is since hypothetical. It is discussed that the bacterium leads to a local breakdown of gastric mucosal defence.

[Isolation and NMR spectroscopic characterization of sialic acid compounds and hemofiltrate of chronic uremia patients]

Eight sialyloligosaccharides have been isolated from the hemofiltrate of a patient with end stage renal disease using reverse osmosis, gel filtration, ion-exchange and high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures were predominantly elucidated by one- and two-dimensional 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy: 1 NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Glc; 2 NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4Glc; 3 NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc; 4 NeuAc-alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc; 5 NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4-GlcNAc alpha 1-P; 6 NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc alpha 1-P; 7 NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha 1-P; 8 NeuAc alpha 2-8NeuAc. While compounds 1-7 are also components of normal human urine, di-N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid (8) could be isolated for the first time from biological material. The origin and possible clinical relevance of these compounds have to be proved in further investigations.

A locus at 19cen-19q13.2 (D19S15) containing three RFLPs linked to myotonic dystrophy (DM) is recognized by probe pJSB6

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Isolation of a polymorphic DNA sequence pJSB11 (D19S16) from the human chromosome 19cen-q13.2 region linked to the myotonic dystrophy (DM) gene

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Three-point linkage analysis employing C3 and 19cen markers assigns the myotonic dystrophy gene to 19q

In seven large families with myotonic dystrophy (DM) comprising 102 individuals, linkage studies were performed employing restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the complement component 3 gene and the 19cen C banding heteromorphism as genetic markers. Three-point linkage analysis excludes DM from the 19cen-C3 segment and strongly supports its assignment to the proximal long arm of chromosome 19.

Failure of a cytoprotective dose of arbaprostil to heal acute duodenal ulcers. Results of a multiclinic trial

Previous therapeutic trials with prostaglandins have shown them to be effective in healing duodenal ulcers when used at doses that are highly effective suppressors of gastric acid secretion. We undertook this trial to determine if a cytoprotective dose of arbaprostil (10 micrograms q.i.d. for 4 wk) would also be efficacious in this disease state. Eighty-two patients between the ages of 19 and 72 yr with endoscopically documented duodenal ulcers were entered into this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The patients were monitored with biweekly endoscopies and laboratory examinations, weekly interviews during the period when drug was administered, and a follow-up interview plus laboratory examinations 1 wk after drug administration was completed. No statistically significant differences between the arbaprostil and placebo treatment groups were found for ulcer healing rates, pain relief, antacid consumption, side effects, or laboratory examinations. It is presumed that this prostaglandin may not have sufficient duodenal cytoprotective capacity to effectively heal duodenal ulcers, or that some suppression of gastric acid secretion may be required to achieve significant clinical efficacy.

Radioimmunological determination of cocaine in human hair

A simple procedure for the determination of cocaine in human hair was described. After washing hair samples were crushed in 0.1 m HCl and incubated overnight at 45 degrees C. The acid extracts were neutralized with 1 m NaOH. Phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was added to the extracts. The cocaine concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Detection in hair was achieved in all hair samples obtained from cocaine users. This method appears to be suitable for the routine determination of cocaine.

Changes in mammalian prey of foxes, Vulpes vulpes (Carnivora: Vanidae) over 12 years in a forest park near Melbourne, Victoria

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Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoprecipitation test for detection of immunoglobulin A antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in nasal secretions

An immunoglobulin A (IgA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed and compared with the radioimmunoprecipitation test in determinations of IgA antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Of 45 nasal secretions obtained from infected volunteers, 42 (93.4%) were positive and 2 (4.4%) were negative in both tests. The IgA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is at least as sensitive as the IgA radioimmunoprecipitation test but is simpler and safer and should therefore be preferred.

Treatment of duodenal ulcer with low-dose antacids

The aim of the present investigation was to compare the efficacy of a low-dose antacid (Maalox 70, 280 mmol/day) with that of the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine (Tagamet, 200 mg three times daily and 400 mg/day) after 14 and 28 days in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. The prospective multicentre study included 171 patients with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcers. The patients were randomly assigned to the treatment groups with antacid containing Mg and Al hydroxide (M)(4 X 70 mmol/day; n = 86) or to the group receiving cimetidine (T) (1000 mg/day; n = 85). The two treatment groups were matched for age, sex, drinking and smoking habits, and drug use. Endoscopic examinations were carried out before the start of treatment and 14 days later. If the ulcer was still present at this time, the second endoscopic examination was done after a further 14 days. Endoscopically, the ulcer had healed at 14 days in 38.8% (M) and in 34.9% (T) and at 28 days in 80.0% (M) and 74.7% (T), respectively. The healing rate did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. Complaints, measured as percentage of days per week with upper abdominal pain, were significantly reduced in both groups. No significant differences were found between the two treatment groups with regard to pain relief or side effects. Treatment had to be abandoned in one patient receiving antacid because of diarrhoea and in one patient receiving cimetidine because of the absence of any response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Experience with 466 re-examined Wagner double-cup hip joint endoprostheses]

Between 1976 and 1981 a total of 558 Wagner Cup prostheses were implanted. This paper reports on 7 years of experience with this prosthesis, with a failure rate of 12.4%. The causes of failure are attributable to exaggerated indication and the design of the prosthesis. In the authors' opinion, the original-model Wagner cup prosthesis should no longer be used.