Effect of zinc-deficient diet of varying duration on intestinal disaccharidase activity in the rat

To determine whether zinc has a specific role on weight gain and intestinal disaccharidase activity, 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of seven groups (n = 6 each). These were a baseline control group (0) that was killed to analyze initial intestinal disaccharidase (sucrase and maltase) activity, a second group (A) fed a zinc-deficient diet for 1 week, a third group (B) pair-fed control for A, a fourth group (C) fed a zinc-deficient diet for 2 weeks, a fifth group (D) pair-fed control for C, a sixth group (E) fed a zinc-deficient diet for 3 weeks, and a seventh group (F) pair-fed control for E. All experimental groups received distilled deionized drinking water, whereas control groups received zinc-enriched (25 micrograms of zinc/ml) distilled deionized water. Water was given ad libitum. After killing, the mucosa of the proximal half of the small intestine was analyzed for protein and disaccharidase activity, and liver, kidney, and heart were analyzed for zinc concentration. Protein content and disaccharidase activity of the jejunal mucosa in the experiment and control groups did not differ significantly. However, animals on the zinc-deficient diet demonstrated mildly depressed growth rates that were proportional to the duration of the experiment, and significantly lower zinc concentration in the kidney in the experimental groups. The data indicate that administration of a zinc-deficient diet for up to 3 weeks did not result in significant changes in intestinal mucosa protein content or in disaccharidase activity.

Non-polar extracts of serum from males contain covert radioimmunoassayable testosterone

Non-polar extracts of sera from human males contain immunoreactive testosterone in a form that is released by mild alkaline hydrolysis. The non-polar derivative shows no immunoreactivity with testosterone antibody prior to hydrolysis. Hydrolyzed non-polar serum extracts from ten adult male volunteers contained 2.0 +/- 0.8 (SD) ng/mL of testosterone. Neither non-polar serum extracts of normal females nor a water blank substituted for non-polar extract of serum yields any immunoreactive testosterone after alkaline hydrolysis. Testosterone palmitate hydrolyzed alone or after addition to non-polar extract of serum yields the expected quantities of radioimmunoassayable testosterone. Previously described conjugates of testosterone are polar and are neither extractable by petroleum ether nor hydrolyzable by alkali. These observations suggest that fatty acid esters of testosterone may be present in serum of human males.

Diminished corticosterone levels in nude mice implanted with MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 human breast tumor cells

Corticosteroid levels were studied in the plasma of athymic mice implanted with human breast tumor cells, either from MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 cell lines. There was a highly significant decrease in plasma corticosterone levels in the mice implanted with these tumor cells. There was no significant effect on corticosterone of GW 39 colon cancer cells, LS 174T colon cancer cells, or Calu-3 lung cancer cells.

Intrafamilial patterns reported by young type A versus type B males and their parents

Retrospective reports regarding parent-child and parent-parent relations during the childrearing years were obtained from adult informants. Male undergraduates typed as As or Bs completed the Clarke Parent/Child Relations Questionnaire augmented with items of likely relevance to A/B. Parallel data were obtained from a subset of subjects' fathers and mothers. Type A and B groups were not different on numerous variables, including parental aggressiveness, vague or escalating standard-setting, or work orientedness. Type A sons were more inclined to view their fathers as attaching great importance to achievement, as setting hard-to-meet expectations, as being unimpressed with son's achievements, and as relating in a competitive way. Differences regarding sons' perceptions of mother were less marked. It is not yet clear to what extent these perceptions (particularly the sons' perceptions of their fathers) are accurate and may thus have played a role in the development of A/B differences, or instead represent a son's judgmental biases associated with his A/B status.

Effect of infusion of bile salts into the mesenteric artery in situ on jejunal mucosal transport function in dogs

We studied the effects of increased circulating levels of bile salts on jejunal mucosal function in dogs. In situ luminal perfusion of a 30-cm proximal jejunal segment was performed while deoxycholate, cholate, taurodeoxycholate, or taurocholate solutions were directly added to the mesenteric arterial supply, reaching the intestinal wall at successive concentrations of 5, 8, 12, and 22 mumol/L. The transport rates of water, sodium, glucose, fructose, glycine, and lysine were measured. The mucosa of the experimental loop was assayed for ATPase activity, and examined by light and electron microscopy. Deoxycholate at 8 microM in the blood supply of the perfused jejunal segment was associated with a significant (p less than 0.02) reduction in the absorption rates of water, sodium, glucose, and glycine, and inhibition of mucosal Na+, K+-ATPase. The absorption of fructose and lysine, and brush border enzyme activities, were not affected. Cholate had a similar effect at 12 microM. There were no obvious histological alterations, but electron microscopy showed swelling of mitochondria in the enterocytes. The reduction in mucosal transport, the inhibition of mucosal Na+, K+-ATPase, and the mitochondrial swelling were reversed after discontinuation of the bile salt infusion. The taurine conjugates at 22 microM depressed transport of water and sodium only, and did not inhibit Na+, K+-ATPase. Our study indicates that increased circulating concentrations of unconjugated bile salts, particularly deoxycholate, may impair Na+, K+-ATPase-related jejunal mucosal function.

Site of zinc absorption in dog small intestine

An in vivo intestinal perfusion technique was used to study the absorption of zinc from the duodenum, proximal jejunum and distal ileum of six dogs (group 1). Net absorption of zinc from the duodenum before and after ligation of the common bile duct averaged 596 and 574 ng.min-1.cm-1, respectively. Zinc absorption was greater (P less than 0.01) from the duodenum than from the jejunum (251 ng.min-1.cm-1) or ileum (404 ng.min-1.cm-1). Four other dogs (group 2) experienced perfusion of approximately equal segments of the duodenum (in two animals the common bile duct was ligated, and in another two it was not), proximal jejunum and distal ileum for 4 h. No change in absorption of zinc with time was noted, nor was any difference in absorption by the duodenum with and without ligation of the common bile duct observed. The data indicate that the duodenum has the greatest capacity for zinc absorption, followed by the distal ileum and proximal jejunum, and that pancreatic secretions do not appear to be necessary for adequate zinc absorption in the dog duodenum.

Prostatic ejaculate in assigned males with 46,XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Two assigned males with 46,XX congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia due to 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency reported an ejaculation of thick fluid. Chemical analysis revealed that the fluids bore a resemblance to normal prostatic fluids. Extreme virilization in utero seems to have produced both complete virilization of external genitalia and development of a prostate.

Effects of nonischemic hypoxia on jejunal mucosal structure and function: study of an experimental model in dogs

A model of nonischemic hypoxia of the jejunum was designed in dogs, by shunting of blood from the inferior vena cava directly into the regional mesenteric arterial supply, thereby lowering the PaO2 of the blood that reached the jejunal wall from 98.6 +/- 3 to 62 +/- 5 mm Hg. Absorption rates of sodium, glucose, fructose, glycine, and the dibasic aminoacid lysine were studied by in situ luminal perfusion of a 30-cm proximal jejunal segment with a bicarbonate buffer solution containing phenol red as a nonabsorbable marker for determination of water fluxes. During periods of control, hypoxia, and after discontinuation of the venoarterial admixture (recovery), effluent perfusate was collected and mucosal biopsies were obtained for assay of lactase, maltase and sucrase activity, mucosal ATPase activity and ATP content, and for light- and electron microscopic examination. Mesenteric supply with hypoxic blood was associated with a significant inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity (p less than 0.001) and a rise in mucosal ATP content (p less than 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the absorption rates of sodium (p less than 0.001), glucose, and glycine (p less than 0.01), but no change in the transport of fructose and of lysine. Brush border enzymes were unaltered. The histological appearance of the mucosa remained normal throughout the experiment, but on electron microscopy a distinct swelling of the enterocyte mitochondria was noted during the hypoxia period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia in hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, an enigma

In a search of features that might be relevant to the understanding of the hyperbilirubinaemia of infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), we examined the duodenal fluid in 11 infants with this condition. Four (36%) had an unconjugated bilirubin level above 2.5 mg/dl in the serum. Levels of electrolytes, bicarbonate, liver function tests and cholesterol were similar in the jaundiced and the non-icteric infants. Examination of duodenal fluid for pH, concentration of bilirubin, bile salts, electrolytes and beta-glucuronidase levels also did not disclose any significant differences between the HPS patients and the controls. Bacterial culture of the fluid yielded similar results in both groups. We may conclude that the unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia observed in some patients with HPS is not associated with overgrowth of bacteria, changes in glucuronidase levels, pH, electrolytes or biliary obstruction.

Occurrence of cancer in women in the meat industry

A follow up study of 7261 white women from a meatcutters' union was conducted between July 1949 and December 1980. Proportional mortality ratio (PMR) and standardised mortality ratio (SMR) analyses, using the United States general population mortality rates, were conducted for the group as a whole and for subgroups defined according to the four main job categories in the meat industry, and a fifth category of workers from outside the industry but belonging to the same union (control group). At least a threefold risk of death was observed both for myeloid leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas among workers in the meat department of retail food stores. No excess risk from these diseases was observed in the control group. SMRs of 4.56, 4.02, and 1.95, which were statistically significant, were observed for lung cancer among workers in chicken slaughtering plants, meatpacking plants, and retail food stores respectively. The lung cancer SMR for abattoir workers was 1.41 (not significant) and 1.11 for workers in non-meat companies. The role of potentially harmful exposures within the industry in the occurrence of these excesses is discussed.

Cancer mortality among white males in the meat industry

A study was conducted among 13,844 members of a meat-cutter's union, from July 1949 to December 1980, to examine cancer occurrence in the meat industry. Separate analyses were carried out for the whole group, and for subgroups defined by job-categories characteristic of the industry, including a control group. Mortality was compared with that of the United States through the estimation of standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and proportional mortality ratios. A statistically significant proportional mortality ratio of 2.9 was obtained for Hodgkin's disease among abattoir workers; the SMR of 2.2 was not significant. Among meat-packing plant workers, highly statistically significant SMRs were recorded for bone cancer, SMR = 9.6; cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx, SMR = 3.4; and lung cancer, SMR = 1.9. The role of oncogenic viruses and other carcinogenic exposures was investigated.

Effect of metabolic acidosis upon sleep apnea

The effects of metabolic acidosis upon the pattern of apnea during sleep were assessed in ten sleep apnea patients. Four had pure obstructive apnea, two pure central apnea, and four had mixed apnea. Acidosis was induced with acetazolamide. Acid-base shifts had little effect in pure obstructive and pure central apnea, but had a significant effect in mixed apnea. In two of the mixed apneic patients, metabolic acidosis converted predominantly central apnea into nearly pure obstructive apnea, prolonging apneic periods and worsening hypoxemia. A suggested explanation for this is the greater stimulating effect of acidosis upon the lower bellows muscles than upon the muscles which act to maintain patency of the upper airways. The observation that some patients with mixed sleep apnea appear to have central apnea while relatively alkalotic and obstructive apnea while acidotic emphasizes the need for more careful and detailed characterization of apneic disorders with respect to their responses to body states and therapeutic agents.

Excretory pattern of bile during phototherapy

We studied the acute effects of phototherapy (PT) on bile flow and on the biliary excretion of bilirubin pigments and of bile salts in male homozygous Gunn rats (120-150 g). 13 rats received PT and 10 rats were kept in the dark. Bile was collected by cannulation of the common bile duct at hourly intervals from 1 h prior to PT till after 4 h of 'lights on'. Before treatment, all values were similar in both groups. After 4 h of lights on, mean plasma bilirubin fell from 145.3 +/- 4.3 to 99.2 +/- 2.7 mumol/l (p less than 0.01) in the PT rats, but did not change in the controls. During the lights-on period, PT rats had a significantly higher hourly bile volume, and a higher excretion of biliary bilirubin and bile salts than the controls (p less than 0.005). Over the total 4-hour lights-on period, the PT group had a higher mean output of bile than the controls (0.93 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.52 +/- 0.34 ml/4 h; p less than 0.005) and an increased excretion of bilirubin (0.08 +/- 0.016 vs. 0.148 +/- 0.01 mumol/4 h; p less than 0.005) and bile salts (35.1 +/- 3.7 vs. 55.2 +/- 12.5 mumol/4 h; p less than 0.005). The results show that PT of the Gunn rat is associated with a rise in bile flow and with an increased excretion of bile salts, in addition to an increased biliary bilirubin output.

Phototherapy-associated diarrhea. The role of bile salts

The concentration of fecal bile salts was measured in 14 jaundiced neonates who received phototherapy (PT group) and their 14 nontreated matched controls (C). Before initiation of phototherapy, mean bile salt concentrations in stool specimens from the two groups were similar. At 12 hours of 'lights on', stool specimens from PT babies showed a significantly increased mean bile salt concentration, whereas in the C babies there was no change (3.65 +/- 0.39 vs 2.62 +/- 0.22 mmol/l; p less than 0.01). At 24 hours after 'lights off', stool specimens from the PT infants had a mean bile salt concentration like that before phototherapy, and not different from C. During phototherapy, nine PT babies had a bile salt concentration in their stools of 3.5 mmol/l and above; 6 of these babies had watery stools with a high sodium content. The high concentration of bile salts found in the colonic contents of neonates during phototherapy would appear to be a factor in the pathogenesis of phototherapy-associated diarrhea in the jaundiced neonate.

The sudden infant death syndrome and apnea/obstruction during neonatal sleep and feeding

Respiratory observations made during nutritive feeding and a complete daytime nap within the first week of life on ten newborns who subsequently were victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) were compared with normative data based on 1,301 infants of comparable ages. Measurements were obtained of all apneic pauses and/or transient respiratory obstructive events at least two seconds in duration. A statistically significant increased number of future SIDS victims were found to have an unusual amount of apnea/obstruction episodes during nutritive feeding when compared with the normative group. Future SIDS victims, as a group, also had an increased frequency of apneic pauses during sleep. Furthermore, all SIDS victims demonstrated either an unusual amount of apnea/obstruction during nutritive feeding or apneic pauses during sleep. None of the airway obstruction measures during sleep differentiated the SIDS infants from the normative group. These results are consistent with the general hypothesis that prolonged apnea or airway obstruction is part of the pathophysiologic process resulting in SIDS and those hypotheses implicating unstable respiratory activity during sleep as well as apnea and pharyngeal/laryngeal dysfunction induced by liquid stimulation of the upper airway. They are also compatible with the growing body of evidence indicating that factors that predispose an infant to SIDS originate in the perinatal period.

Biochemical screening for inherited metabolic disorders in the mentally retarded

A biochemical screening programme for the detection of inherited metabolic disease was carried out on urine and blood samples from inmates of the Alexandra Institute for the mentally retarded, Cape Town. Of the 1087 patients screened, positive results for phenylketonuria were obtained in 3, for cystinuria in 2 and for Hartnup disease in 1. The overall frequency of metabolic disorders was 0,6%. It is evident that genetic metabolic disease as detected by current screening procedures makes only a small contribution to the overall burden of mental retardation.

A comparison of gross and microsurgical techniques for repair of cornual occlusion in infertility: a retrospective study, 1968-1978

A 10-year experience is recounted moving from traditional gross implantation methods to microsurgical anastomosis in the repair of cornual occlusion in infertility. Two gross surgical implantation techniques, one involving reaming out the intramural portion of the uterine tube and the other dissecting it out via a transfundal incision, are compared with microsurgical uterotubal anastomosis. The author reports a 4.7 times improvement in the term pregnancy rate after turning to microsurgery and describes his method for anastomosing the transected ampulla or isthmus to the intramural portion of the tube.