Wall mechanics of the rat bladder. I. Hydrodynamic studies in the time domain

The hydrodynamic properties of the rat bladder in the collection phase were examined by slow continuous and very fast stepwise cystometry in nine rats. In vivo, the fast volume steps induced a reproducible detrusor contraction (type A) which remained after spinal anaesthesia and anticholinergic treatment, but ceased post-mortally within 1 h. No significant effect of anticholinergic treatment was found on bladder stiffness. The stiffness and relaxation time of the bladder wall increased markedly at large distension. At small and moderate distension, however, the compliances evaluated from continuous and stepwise cystometry were nearly the same, and a linear elastic model of the bladder was applicable. We consider that the rat bladder will be a useful experimental model in further research on viscoelasticity and instability of the bladder wall.

Morphology, yield and functional integrity of islet-like cell clusters in tissue culture of human fetal pancreata obtained after different means of abortion

Morphology, yield and function were studied in cultured islet-like cell clusters (ICC) from 140 human fetal pancreata obtained after abortions of different types performed at 11-23 weeks of gestation (12 by hysterotomy, 75 by mechanical dilation and extraction, and 53 induced with prostaglandin). After collagenase digestion and culture in medium supplemented with 10% human serum, up to 2000 free-floating ICC were formed from a single pancreas. Randomly scattered insulin- and glucagon-immunoreactive cells were found in the medullary part of the ICC. More than 100 ICC developed in 100% of the hysterotomies and 87% of the mechanical abortions, but in only 53% of the prostaglandin-induced abortions. Insulin and glucagon levels in the culture medium decreased rapidly during the first 7 days of culture, but then remained stable for at least 31 days. The hysterotomy-derived ICC responded to 10 mmol/l theophylline plus 20 mmol/l glucose by a 12.2 +/- 3.1 (SEM, N = 7) fold increase in insulin release, as compared with a 5.4 +/- 0.9 fold response of the prostaglandin ICC (N = 16; P less than 0.02). Despite the low proportion of B-cells, (pro)insulin biosynthesis accounted for 10% of the total protein biosynthesis in low (2 mmol/l) glucose. In conclusion, the yield and viability of the ICC were clearly better, if prostaglandin had not been used for the induction of the abortion.

Maturation of insulin response to glucose during human fetal and neonatal development. Studies with perifusion of pancreatic isletlike cell clusters

The insulin release in response to glucose was studied in perifused isletlike cell clusters (ICCs) obtained from human fetal or neonatal pancreases at various stages of development: 12-15 gestational wk (n = 7), 17-20 wk (n = 13), 22.5 wk (n = 2, 1 diabetic pregnancy), and 26-44 wk (n = 6, postnatal samples). The ICCs were stimulated with 20 mM glucose and subsequently with 10 mM theophylline plus 20 mM glucose as a viability test. Insulin release increased to a detectable level (greater than 0.1 pg.ICC-1.min-1) during glucose stimulation in four of seven of the youngest fetuses. At 17-20 wk the basal rate of insulin release had increased by at least 15-fold above the detection limit (1.5 pg.ICC-1.min-1), and glucose promoted a sustained monophasic response that was on the average 1.6-fold higher than the basal level. The response was significant (P less than .05) in 9 of 13 experiments. With postnatal ICC (gestational age 26-44 wk), an early-phase peak response was observed in 5 of 6 experiments. The mean rates of insulin release after 5-12 min of glucose stimulation were 4.8 pg.ICC-1.min-1 in newborn infants and 2.1 pg.ICC-1.min-1 in 17- to 20-wk fetuses. The corresponding mean relative insulin responses (stimulated to basal) were 3.3-fold (range 1.1-7.5) and 1.6-fold (1.0-3.4), respectively (P less than .05, Mann-Whitney U test). The results suggest that the human fetal pancreas is already responsive to glucose during the first half of gestation, but the biphasic insulin release does not start to mature until the postnatal phase.

24-hour electrocardiographic study in myotonic dystrophy

Thirty-eight consecutive adult patients with myotonic dystrophy were included in a study with electrocardiography at rest and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography. The patients were subdivided into three groups according to the severity of the disease. The prevalence of abnormal electrocardiograms at rest was 31, 50 and 100% in patients with mild, moderate and severe disease, respectively. The main characteristics observed at ambulatory electrocardiography were a high frequency of sinus bradycardia (58%) and intermittent atrioventricular block II (8%). These bradyarrhythmias were not correlated to the severity of the disease. Sustained atrial fibrillation or flutter was found in 3 patients (8%), all with the most severe form of the disease. Ambulatory electrocardiography should be used deliberately in the evaluation of patients with myotonic dystrophy and symptoms compatible with cardiac arrhythmias.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and atrial pressures in newborns with transposition of the great arteries

The relation of atrial pressure to atrial plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was studied in four newborns undergoing catheterization because of transposition of the great arteries. In three patients, mean left atrial pressure clearly exceeded right atrial pressure (12 +/- 7 vs. 2 +/- 3 mmHg; mean +/- SD). In one patient mean atrial pressures were identical (4 mmHg). In all patients the ANP concentration in the left atrium exceeded that of the right (833 +/- 464 vs. 415 +/- 366 pg/ml; mean +/- SD). There was a significant (r = 0.97; p less than 0.01) correlation between pressure and ANP concentration in the left atria. In the right atria, no linear correlation existed between pressure and ANP concentration. ANP concentration in the left atrium decreased after a lowering of the left atrial pressure by atrial septostomy. In these patients, the left atrium seems to be the main source of circulating ANP.

Electrocardiographic findings in myotonic dystrophy

Sixty five patients with myotonic dystrophy, from a defined population in northern Sweden with an extremely high prevalence of this disease, were examined by electrocardiography. The patients were subdivided into three groups according to the severity of the disease. Abnormal electrocardiograms were found in 6 (35%) patients with mild disease, 12 (50%) patients with moderate disease, and 23 (96%) patients with severe disease. First degree atrioventricular block and left anterior hemiblock were the most commonly encountered abnormalities in patients with mild and moderate disease, whereas atrial fibrillation and flutter, abnormal Q waves, and repolarisation abnormalities were more common in patients with severe disease. This study shows that the heart is often affected by myotonic dystrophy. These effects can be detected by electrocardiography in early and mild forms of the disease. The effect on the heart is progressive and clinically important atrial arrhythmias and electrocardiographic abnormalities which are useful in differential diagnosis are common in severe forms of the disease.

Bladder wall relaxation and its dependency on transmural pressure and infusion rate during cystometry--in vivo studies in the rat

Cystometry at different infusion rates was performed in 7 rats in vivo. The bladders were furthermore allowed to relax from different transmural pressures. When distension of the bladder was moderate, relative relaxation was small and almost independent of transmural pressure and infusion rate. When distended to large volumes, however, there was a marked increase in bladder wall relaxation and the relaxation increased with increasing infusion rates. These findings indicate the importance of standardization of the cystometric procedure.

Twenty-four-hour electrocardiography in a healthy elderly population

Twenty-four hour electrocardiography was performed in fifteen 73-year-old and seventeen 82-year-old subjects without known cardiovascular disease. They were selected from a representative population of elderly people. All subjects showed supraventricular premature beats. Supraventricular tachycardia was seen in 63%. Eighty-four percent showed ventricular premature beats (VPBs), and more than two VPB configuration types were seen in 23% of the subjects. Episodes of intermittent atrial flutter and fibrillation, higher-degree atrioventricular blocks and ventricular tachycardia were absent or rare.

Elongating ribosomes in vivo are refractory to erythromycin

We have studied the kinetics of erythromycin inhibition of translation in growing bacteria. In order to simplify the interpretation of our data, we have used a mutant (envA), known to have an increased permeability to several antibiotics, including erythromycin. The data clearly show that an initial stage of translation is sensitive to erythromycin, but that the elongating ribosome is insensitive to the antibiotic.

Neonatal respiratory distress caused by aspiration of a vaginal tablet containing prostaglandin

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Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide in health and disease

The plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in 16 healthy subjects on a free diet was 41 +/- 23 pg ml-1 (mean +/- SD) when upright and 58 +/- 27 pg ml-1 in the supine position (P less than 0.05), which confirms the concept that the supine position raises plasma ANP. Water immersion to the neck for 2 h caused a brisk diuresis, natriuresis and raised plasma ANP in 8 healthy subjects, suggesting that ANP is a mediator of diuresis and natriuresis during immersion. Dynamic exercise (50-200 W per 4 min) on a bicycle ergometer caused a gradual increase in plasma ANP in 6 healthy males, with a close correlation between the increases in plasma ANP and heart rate (r = 0.96). Thus, plasma ANP levels are increased in healthy subjects by stimuli causing an increased preload and possibly by tachycardia itself. Markedly raised plasma levels of ANP were found in patients with congestive heart failure, and upright posture caused a further rise of plasma ANP which correlated with the increase in heart rate (r = 0.87). High plasma ANP concentrations were also found in 25 patients with end-stage renal failure maintained on haemodialysis. When these patients were subdivided into those with concomitant heart failure and those with normal cardiac function, changes in plasma ANP correlated with predialysis weight gain and weight loss during dialysis, but only in patients without heart failure. In 9 infants treated by operative or pharmacological closure of persistent ductus arteriosus, high pre-treatment plasma ANP values were lowered by successful therapy, and plasma ANP correlated with the degree of left atrial distension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Familial giant cell hepatitis associated with synthesis of 3 beta, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-and 3 beta,7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5-cholenoic acids

Urinary bile acids from a 3-mo-old boy with cholestatic jaundice were analyzed by ion exchange chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This suggested the presence of labile sulfated cholenoic acids with an allylic hydroxyl group, a conclusion supported by analysis using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). The compounds detected by FAB-MS were separated by thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The sulfated bile acids could be solvolyzed in acidified tetrahydrofuran, and glycine conjugates were partially hydrolyzed by cholylglycine hydrolase. Following solvolysis, deconjugation, and methylation with diazomethane, the bile acids were identified by GC-MS of trimethylsilyl derivatives. The major bile acids in the urine were 3 beta,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5-cholenoic acid 3-sulfate, 3 beta,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5-cholenoic acid monosulfate, and their glycine conjugates. Chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid were undetectable in urine and plasma. The family pedigree suggested that abnormal bile acid synthesis was an autosomal recessive condition leading to cirrhosis in early childhood.

Atrial natriuretic peptide in patent ductus arteriosus

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were measured in nine infants (age 4 days-9 months) before and after closure of patent ductus arteriosus. Initially all patients had marked distention of the left atrium as indicated by a left atrium to aortic root ratio greater than or equal to 1.3 on echocardiography. After closure of the ductus, operative in six and pharmacological in three patients, left atrial size normalized (left atrium to aortic root ratio less than 1.3) in all patients, except in one treated surgically. Before closure the plasma concentration of ANP was 86-2224 pg/ml and after closure 44-1400 pg/ml. There was a significant correlation between the size of left atrium and plasma concentration of ANP (r = 0.56; p = 0.01). Our results suggest that in infants with patent ductus arteriosus the left atrium is the main source of ANP. The secretory rate of ANP decreases immediately after restoring left atrial size by closure of the ductus.

Primary meningococcal arthritis

Arthritis in meningococcal disease is not uncommon and can be caused by either septic invasion of joints or allergic manifestations. Primary meningococcal arthritis (PMA) is, on the other hand, a rare form of meningococcal disease presenting as an isolated septic arthritis without other signs of meningococcal disease. We describe here the first two cases of PMA reported from Scandinavia. The patients were males, 3 and 47 years old, both with arthritis in an ankle joint. PMA is most commonly seen among male infants. Large joints, mainly knee joints, are most often involved and not seldom is the disease polyarthritic. PMA may appear with a previous or on-going upper respiratory tract infection and/or a maculopapular skin rash. If properly treated the prognosis is good.

Sex differences in cytochrome P-450-dependent 25-hydroxylation of C27-steroids and vitamin D3 in rat liver microsomes

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the cytochrome P-450 catalyzing 25-hydroxylation of C27-steroids and vitamin D3 (Andersson, S., Holmberg, I., and Wikvall, K. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 6777-6781) have been prepared by immunization of mice in hind footpads. Lymph node cells from the mice were fused with the Sp 2/0-Ag 14 line of mouse myeloma cells. A monoclonal antibody, designated MAb-25-6, monospecific for cytochrome P-450(25) was, after coupling to Sepharose, able to bind to cytochrome P-450(25) and to immunoprecipitate the activity for 25-hydroxylation of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-triol and vitamin D3 as well as that for 16 alpha-hydroxylation of testosterone when assayed in a reconstituted system. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of adult male rat liver microsomes and immunoblotting with MAb-25-6 showed a single spot with an apparent isoelectric point of 7.4 and Mr approximately 51,000. By sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with MAb-25-6, cytochrome P-450(25) was shown to be male-specific and not detectable in adult female rat liver microsomes. N-terminal sequence analysis of cytochrome P-450(25) showed a structure identical with that of the male-specific steroid 16 alpha-hydroxylase isolated in several laboratories.