Respiration in rat cerebral astrocytes from primary culture

Respiration was measured polarographically in astrocytes from dissociated neonatal rat cerebra grown in primary culture. Cells grown in a modified Eagle's minimal essential medium containing 20% fetal calf serum for 14 to 21 days respired at a rate of 34.23 n at. equiv 0 mg protein-1 min-1. Cells which were grown in this medium for 14 days and the grown in serum-free medium containing 0.25 mM dibutyrylcyclic-AMP (dbcAMP) for three to six days, had respiratory rates 20% higher than in cells from untreated control cultures (P = 0.005). Maximal inhibition by oligomycin required 200 pmole per mg protein for dbcAMP-treated cells and 80 pmole per mg protein for untreated cells. Oligomycin inhibited the respiration of both dbcAMP-treated and untreated cells by about 70%. At a concentration of 175 nmole per mg protein, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) produced a maximal stimulation of respiration, which was 191% of the resting rate in dbcAMP-treated cells and 218% of the resting rate in untreated cells. The maximal DNP-stimulated respiratory rates were the same in dbcAMP-treated and untreated cells.

The use of glucagon in operative cholangiography

We have found intravenously administered glucagon to be useful in relaxing the sphincter of Oddi during operative cholangiography. It is readily available, has few potential side-effects, is easily administered intraoperatively and has been promptly and reliably effective.

Osteomalacia and weakness complicating jejunoileal bypass

Five years following jejunoileal intestinal bypass surgery for obesity, a patient developed debilitating weakness and muscle pain. Osteomalacia was suspected clinically by radiographic and laboratory abnormalities and confirmed by bone biopsy. Malabsorption was documented as well as secondary hyperparathyroidism. Successful treatment of this syndrome with vitamin D and calcium identified a medically reversible disorder which obviated the need for surgical reanastomosis.

Lipomas of the internal auditory canal

We present two cases of lipoma of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), which brings, to our knowledge, the total reported in the literature to six. These cases had a clinical, surgical, and postoperative course that was similar to a small acoustic neuroma. The roentgenographic aspects were in keeping with small, CPA tumors. A review of the literature of CPA tumors and lipomas of the CNS is presented. We discuss the controversy surrounding the origin of lipomas of the CNS.

Hemorrhage in normal man: effect on renin, cortisol, aldosterone, and urine composition

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The hemodynamic effect of acute blood loss in normal man, with observations on the effect of the Valsalva maneuver and breath holding

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