Effects of cimetidine upon gastric secretion and mucosal blood flow in the rat stressed by restraint. A dose-response and prophylaxis trial

The effect of the histamine-H2-receptor blocking agent cimetidine (CT) on gastric secretion, mucosal blood flow (MBF), and gastric mucosal stress ulcer index was studied in rats (n = 96) during control conditions (3.9, 15.6, 62.4 microMol/kg/h CT i.p. over 8 h) with calculation of kinetic constants (Vmax; Km) for gastric secretion, MBF and ulcer index, it is shown that CT actions become considerably modified by severe stress. Under mild stress the reduction of MBF and acid secretion by increasing CT doses is parallel. Severe stress alone reduces MBF more than gastric acid (65 vs. 30%). This phenomenon is partly reversed by a dose of 62.4 microMol/kg/h (= 16 mg/kg/h), which is associated with the lowest ulcer index observed. There is no significant correlation between the latter and either acid concentration, acid output, or MBF. The concentrations of pepsin in gastric juice or of serum gastrin neither change with severe stress alone or with additional CT. It is concluded that CT has anti-stress ulcer properties coinciding with reduced acidity in the gastric lumen, but that in addition this beneficial effect may be mediated by factors other than acid reduction.

[The clinical problem of living with one kidney]

The chance on a complete compensation of the residual kidney is the larger the earlier the nephrectomy as performed. Infections of the urinary tract, pyelonephritis, affection with calculi and functional disturbances are the most frequent diseases of the residual kidney particularly then, when the contralateral organ was also removed for these reasons. Specific tuberculous inflammations and tumorous affection of the residual kidney rarely appeared.

[Comparative investigations (computed tomography, X-ray diagnostics, scintigraphy) for the detection of radiation-induced alterations of the lung (author's transl)]

Radiation-induced alterations of the parenchyma of the lung were investigated in 24 rabbits before, during and after irradiation of the left lung. Of the experimental animals 12 received a surface dose of 50 Gy, the other half 40 Gy, equivalent to a focal dose of 47.5 resp. 38 Gy in the middle of the lung, with a fractionation of 10 Gy per week. By means of lung-scintigraphy (99mTc-MAA) radiation-induced obstructions to perfusion could be demonstrated in 93% of the experimental animals, only in 37% the detection of radiopneumonia was possible by computed tomography or by a roentgenogram of the thorax. In 70% of the experimental animals scintigraphic alterations could be detected already during radiotherapy, the alterations visible by computed tomography or roentgenology appeared much later. Here computed tomography allowed an earlier identification of differences in absorption than X-ray diagnostics.

Stereochemical aspects of the interaction of myosin and actomyosin with nucleotides

The five possible analogues of ATP and the three possible analogues of ADP which contain single non-bridging sulphur atoms instead of oxygen in the polyphosphate structure have been used as probes of the interaction of nucleotides with myosin and actomyosin. Evidence is presented for the requirement of an alpha, beta, gamma-tridentate complex of magnesium and ATP as the substrate for myosin. Of the four possible tridentate MgATP diastereomers, the delta exo isomer (nomenclature of Cornelius & Cleland, 1978) appears to be the actual substrate.

[Haemangioma capillare of the pleura with ipsilateral haemopneumothorax (author's transl)]

1. The article introduces a patient with left-side haemangioma capillare of the pleura parietalis with haemopneumothorax and ipsilateral cystic changes of the left upper lobe of the l,ng. 2. The aetiopathogenesis of the disease is discussed as an abortive type of Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia), the diagnosis being based exclusively on histological findings as the only possibility of diagnosis. 3. The therapeutic approach is discussed.

Leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery. A light and electronmicroscopical study

A 25-year-old man with chest pain and shortness of breath was found to have a primary sarcoma of the pumonary artery. On light- and electronmicroscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy the lesion was found to be composed of cells of smooth muscle origin. It was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma. The cross and microscopic features of the tumor are described and the morphologic characteristics of previously reported vascular sarcomas are briefly reviewed.

Effect of Sulfinpyrazone on Experimental Atherosclerosis in Rats

Early atherosclerotic lesions in rat aortas were produced by synergy of cholesterol feeding (4 g cholesterol and 2 g cholate in Ioo g pellets) and immunological injury (5 repeated immunizations with 1 mg of horse-radishperoxidase). Cholesterol feeding and immunization was started the same day and resulted after 6 weeks in endothelial injury, intimal thickening and edema, in proliferation of intimal smooth muscle cells and in deposition of lipids and immune complexes in the arterial wall.

100 rats were studied and no lesions were detected in the control group, minimal changes were seen in the animals receiving cholesterol or immunization alone, but lesions were constantly present in the group receiving both regimens. One group of cholesterol fed and immunized rats was given sulfinpyrazone from the beginning of the experiment (160 mg/kg/d) over the 6 weeks and a significant reduction in lesion formation was observed compared to the non treated animals. These results suggest a protection of the arterial wall by sulfinpyrazone in experimental atherosclerosis.

[The tensile strength of human zonule and its alteration with age (author's transl)]

A series of 91 cryoextractions was performed on autopsy material. The scleral section was placed near to the chamber angle and was nearly circumferential (about 330 degrees). Cornea and adjacent sclera could be flapped over this way, and did not interfere with a straightforward lens extraction. The pupil was medically dilated. A cryoprobe was fixed to a specially constructed scale, and frozen to the anterior pole of the lens. Its weight was counterbalanced by a plastic water container at the other end of the scale. The extraction was performed by filling additional water into the counterbalancing container. The statistical evaluation of the results showed a very significant dependence of the average tensile strength on age. However, a considerable standard deviation was found throughout all ages. The nutritional state of the autopsy bodies and the time interval between death and start of the measurement had no significant influence. The differences between right and left eyes were also not significant, as could be expected. The methodological error remained small. Age proved to be an unreliable indicator for the tensile strength of the zonule. All results apply to clear lenses. We known from clinical experience that the tenacity of the zonule may also be different in the various types of cataract.

[Secondary vesico-ureteral reflux in the adult age]

The transurethral dehiscence of the ostium is a therapeutic method which causes the spontaneous passage of incarcerated intramural ureteroliths. However, it may be performed only in the centre of the roof of the ureter to a maximum length of 0.5 cm. With lateral indentation the antireflux principle of the ostia of the ureters is abolished by damaging the reins of the intravesical musculature of the ureters. An asymptomatic reflux necessarily becomes a reflex disease, when it is complicated by an infection of the urinary tract. In secondary vesico-ureteral reflux by dehiscence of the ostium at adult age the indication to the operative treatment shall be made narrowly, since with the sanation of the infection of the urinary tract the reflux often disappears.

[Therapeutic possibilities in ulcus simplex vesicae]

On the basis of own clinical experiences in the treatment of the ulcus simplex vesicae in connection with the special literature is described that frequent failures in therapy may be traced back to the up to now still uncleared genesis of the disease. According to the modern stage of knowledge the disease in question seems to be determined by trophoneurotic disturbances. Success in therapy may be achieved by interruption of pathological reflexes of the autonomous nervous system by means of infiltration of procoffin.

Balloon-borne infrared telescope for absolute surface photometry of the night sky

A dry ice cooled 15-cm ir telescope was used on board the balloon-borne gondola THISBE for absolute surface photometry of the Milky Way, the zodiacal light, and the airglow in the PbS wavelength region. The mechanical, optical, electronical, and thermal design of the instrument is described. The efficiency of the baffle system for suppression of stray light from earth and balloon is discussed in detail. Recent airglow measurements are presented.

The binding constant of ATP to myosin S1 fragment

The extent of ATP synthesis from ADP and Pi at the active centre of myosin subfragment 1 has been reinvestigated. The results have been interpreted using a treatment which is not dependent on the number or nature of the intermediates in the ATPase mechanism. An average value for the binding constant of ATP of (3.25 +/- 0.96) X 10(11) M-1 at pH 8.0 23 degrees C and ionic strength 0.12 M was obtained. Additional evidence is given to confirm that synthesis at the active site has been investigated.

[Coronary arteriosclerosis and risk factors in coronary heart disease (author's transl)]

A large number of cases were tested for the relevance of clinical risk factors in coronary heart disease with regard to coronary arteriosclerosis (atheroma, fibrosis; five different locations). The method applied was VARIMAX-rotated factor analysis. The resulting factors were interpreted as the multiple variables structures which are in different relationships to the risk criterion, coronary heart disease, and morphological vascular diagnosis of the coronary arteries. The importance of the known risk of the vascular diagnosis was estimated and the reterance of the clinically influencing criterion was discussed. It appears that in spite of limited methodology additional morphological criteria are required in order to be able to explain heart infarction which does not involve the epicardial branches of the coronary vascular system.

[The influence of beta-sympathomimetics and so-called Ca++-antagonistic inhibitors on human heart muscle in vitro (author's transl)]

In an in vitro assay on fetal human heart muscle it was demonstrated for the first time that overstimulation by beta-sympathomimetics could cause elective parenchymal necrosis. Fenoterolhydrobromide, which is used for tocolysis on a longterm scale, induces in vitro necroses of individual heart muscle fibers according to a pathogenetic principle postulated by Flekkenstein. The combination of Fenoterolhydrobromide with a Ca++-antagonist prevents elective parenchymal necroses by reducing the Ca++-influx into the heart muscle fibers. These results suggest that elective necroses of heart muscle fibers may be not only of coronarogenic but also of metabolic origin.

[Myocarditis and insulitis following coxsackie virus infection]

We report on the case of a 5 7/12-year-old girl, who presented an acute insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus nineteen days after the operative suture of an atrial septum defect, and who died in a hyperosmolar coma diabeticum in spite of an intensive therapy. At the autopsy there was shown a myocarditis with the histological characteristics of a virus infection. The islet tissue of the pancreas was largely necrotic, the great majority of the islets of Langerhans presented lymphocytic infiltrates. In a neutralisation test against coxsackie-B-viruses (CBV), which was conducted after death, there was found among others an antibody titer of 1:192 against CBV-4. With FITC-marked CBV-antiglobulin, in the islet tissue intracellular CBV-antigen could be proved. It is discussed that virus infections have an etiological importance for the incidence of a so-called juvenile diabetes in man.