Rectal palpation and transmission of bovine leukemia virus in dairy cattle

To determine whether rectal palpation, using common obstetrical sleeves, serves as a mode of transmission of bovine leukemia virus in dairy cattle, field studies were conducted at 2 dairies. At a commercial dairy, significant difference was not observed in rate of seroconversion in heifers and cows in which the same sleeve or new sleeves were used for palpations. At a university dairy, where cattle were used to teach dairy husbandry and veterinary procedures, significantly (P less than 0.02) greater rate of seroconversion was observed in heifers and cows palpated with unwashed common sleeves than that observed in heifers and cows palpated with sleeves washed between use. Although rectal transmission of bovine leukemia virus under field conditions was documented, it was related to frequency of palpation and age of cattle.

Comparison of cultured human mononuclear cells, Limulus amebocyte lysate and rabbits in the detection of pyrogens

Isolated human mononuclear cells exposed to either lipopolysaccharide or Staphylococcus aureus secreted interleukin-1 like material. The secretion was concentration dependent. The minimal detectable level in the test solution of lipopolysaccharide and Staphylococcus aureus was 200 pg/ml and 10(5) cells/ml respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test, the rabbit pyrogen test and the monocyte test are compared. The monocyte test is proposed as an alternative in-vitro test to the rabbit pyrogen test.

Influence of interleukin-1 beta on the secretion of oxytocin and vasopressin from the isolated rat neurohypophysis

The effect of the cytokine interleukin-1 beta on the secretion of oxytocin and vasopressin from electrically stimulated rat neurohypophysis was examined in vitro. The release of oxytocin and vasopressin was concentration-dependently increased by interleukin-1 beta in the concentration range from 4.4 pM to 440 pM. The effect of interleukin-1 beta on oxytocin secretion was less intense as compared to vasopressin. After 440 pM interleukin-1 beta the electrically evoked release of oxytocin was increased about 22% and had not reached its maximum. The vasopressin response was maximal after 44 pM interleukin-1 beta, the response being increased 43% compared to control. No trace of interleukin-1 beta was found in the posterior pituitary (less than 350 pmol/lobe, radioimmunoassay). The results indicate that interleukin-1 beta might be involved the regulation of oxytocin and vasopressin at the pituitary level.

Kappa-opioid receptor agonists differentially affect the release of neurohypophysial hormones

The influence of kappa-opioid receptor agonists and antagonists on release of oxytocin and vasopressin was examined in isolated rat neurointermediate lobes. Electrically evoked release of oxytocin and vasopressin was concentration-dependently inhibited by the specific kappa-receptor agonist U69593, whereas bremazocine only inhibited the secretion of oxytocin markedly. Treatment with naloxone enhanced the evoked release of oxytocin significantly without effect on vasopressin secretion. The U69593-mediated inhibition of oxytocin release was abolished by naloxone, whereas that of vasopression was unaffected. Naloxone did not reverse the bremazocine-induced inhibition of hormone release. The data support the theory of an inhibiting endogenous control over oxytocin secretion and show that the release of oxytocin and vasopresin is differentially affected by the two K-receptor agonists.

Interleukin-1 beta stimulates the release of vasopressin from rat neurohypophysis

The release of vasopressin from the isolated superfused rat neurohypophysis was measured. The electrically evoked release of vasopressin after phasic submaximal stimulation was increased on exposure to the cytokine, interleukin-1 beta (44 pM). The release returned to its control level when the peptide was withdrawn. The results indicates a permissive role of interleukin-1 beta in the release of vasopressin.

Biphasic effect of a kappa-opioid receptor agonist on plasma oxytocin levels in rats

The effect of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist, bremazocine, on plasma oxytocin levels in rats was measured by a sensitive radioimmunoassay. Initially, a decrease in plasma oxytocin levels was seen 30 min after injection. This was in accordance with the bremazocine inhibition of oxytocin release after submaximal electrical stimulation seen in isolated neurointermediate lobes. The initial decrease in plasma oxytocin reversed, and 4 h after injection of bremazocine a 20-fold increase in the oxytocin level was seen. The rise in plasma oxytocin was paralleled by a rise in plasma sodium. The biphasic time course of the plasma oxytocin response can be explained by a combination of an inhibition of oxytocin release from the neurohypophysis and an increased water excretion leading to an elevation in plasma sodium, which may be responsible for the late rise in plasma oxytocin. Down-regulation of the opioid receptors may also contribute to the delayed rise in plasma oxytocin.

The influence of morphine and naloxone on plasma oxytocin concentration in the rat

Subcutaneous injections of morphine decrease the plasma oxytocin level significantly in both normohydrated rats and rats dehydrated for 24 hrs. This effect of morphine is naloxone-reversible. Injections of naloxone increase the plasma oxytocin level in a time dependent manner, when the oxytocin system is stimulated by dehydration, but have no effect on basal oxytocin level. This observation indicates liberation of an endogenous opioid, during stimulation of the neurohypophysis, leading to inhibition of the oxytocin secretion. A discrepancy in the time course between the plasma oxytocin enhancing effect and the morphine reversing effect of naloxone is observed. On the basis of this observation two different opioid receptors are suggested to be involved in the effect of naloxone on the neurohypophysis.

Role of gastrin-releasing peptide in pepsinogen secretion from the isolated perfused rat stomach

We studied the effects of the neuropeptide gastrin-releasing peptide on pepsinogen secretion using an isolated perfused rat stomach with intact vagal innervation. Following electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves, the pepsin output to the luminal effluent increased from 94 +/- 7 to 182 +/- 24 units pepsin/min and the release of immunoreactive gastrin-releasing peptide to the venous effluent increased from 0.059 +/- 0.014 to 0.138 +/- 0.028 pmol/min. Infusion of gastrin-releasing peptide at 10(-8) M significantly increased pepsin output (from 87 +/- 17 to 129 +/- 22 units pepsin/min) and simultaneous infusion of gastrin-releasing peptide and carbachol at 10(-8) and 10(-6) M, respectively, resulted in an increase to almost 4 times the basal values. Atropine reduced but did not abolish the pepsin response to vagal stimulation and to infusion of gastrin-releasing peptide. Our results suggest that gastrin-releasing peptide participates in the vagal control of pepsinogen secretion.

Lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, lysozyme and eosinophil cationic protein in exudate in delayed type hypersensitivity

A skin window technique was used to study the morphology of leucocytes in upper dermis and exudate during nickel challenge in patients with contact allergy to nickel. Contact allergic patients and healthy volunteers tested with a skin widow without addition of nickel to the chamber medium served as controls. The morphology of the leucocytes in dermis was studied in biopsies taken 8, 24, or 48 h after skin window application, and in a parallel test the morphology of the exudate was examined by sequential collection of the chamber medium during a 48 h period. The infiltrate in dermis of contact allergic patients with nickel challenge in the chamber medium showed a time-dependent increase of mononuclear cells, eosinophils and basophils and a concomitant decrease of polymorphonuclear granulocytes, characteristic of a combined specific and unspecific inflammation. The morphology of the exudate in contact allergic patients exposed to nickel showed a dominance of polymorphonuclear granulocytes throughout the study period, while mononuclear cells, eosinophils and basophils were detected at a much lower quantity and with a considerable delay. Further, we studied the kinetics of the leucocyte granule proteins: lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, lysozyme and eosinophil cationic protein in exudate fluid in a parallel test. A significant higher flux was found for all during the second day of allergen exposure compared to contact allergic patients without allergen challenge as well as normal volunteers. The increased protein fluxes were not accompanied by an increased flux of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in the exudate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

GABA receptor stimulation increases the release of vasopressin and oxytocin in vitro

The release of oxytocin and vasopressin from rat neurointermediate lobes was determined in vitro. The electrically evoked release of posterior pituitary hormones was markedly potentiated by the GABA receptor agonist, isogauvacin, an effect which was abolished by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. Spontaneous hormone outflow was not affected by the substances tested. The results suggest the existence of a GABA receptor on the terminal fibres in the pituitary, facilitating the release of oxytocin and vasopressin.

Refractory condylomata acuminata: a controlled clinical trial of carbon dioxide laser versus conventional surgical treatment

Uncontrolled trials indicate that treatment of condylomata acuminata with the carbon dioxide laser is effective and probably superior to conventional surgical treatment. We performed a controlled study of refractory condylomata acuminata to clarify whether this is the case. In this randomised trial 21 patients were treated with the carbon dioxide laser and 22 by conventional surgery after having been treated with podophyllin for an average of 33 and 35 weeks respectively. Five and seven patients respectively had previously required additional treatment, such as an operation. The treatment schedule was equally effective for both groups of patients. No difference between the two groups was seen in numbers of recurrences, postoperative pain, healing time, and rate of scar formation (p greater than 0.1-0.2). Treatment of recalcitrant condylomata acuminata with the carbon dioxide laser did not offer any advantages over traditional surgery, including electrocautery.

Morphine antidiuresis in conscious rats: contribution of vasopressin and blood pressure

Intracerebroventricular injections of morphine (5-20 micrograms) produced a dose dependent antidiuresis in the conscious hydrated rat. Naloxone pretreatment completely abolished this antidiuretic effect, but pretreatment with a specific antidiuretic vasopressin antagonist did not change the morphine antidiuresis. The vasopressin concentration in the first voided urine after antidiuresis from morphine treated rats was found to be in the same range as the vasopressin concentration in urine from saline treated rats. Injections of 20 micrograms morphine intracerebroventricularly in conscious hydrated rats gave a short decrease in heart rate but not in mean arterial blood pressure. This indicates, that either liberation of vasopressin nor a fall in systemic blood pressure contribute to the morphine antidiuresis.

A comparison of oxytetracycline and trimethoprim in the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis

The effect of trimethoprim was compared with that of oxytetracycline in the treatment of uncomplicated urethritis and/or cervicitis. Twenty-six patients treated with oxytetracycline were all microbiologically cured. Of 19 patients treated with trimethoprim, ten (53%) still harboured the chlamydia after two weeks. The superiority of tetracycline was even more pronounced following the evaluation of dysuria and discharges. 85% of the patients treated with oxytetracycline and 6% of those treated with trimethoprim had neither dysuria nor discharge after the completion of treatment. The patients who failed to be cured by trimethoprim were all successfully treated with oxytetracycline.

Human leukocyte cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels during chemotaxis in delayed type hypersensitivity

Ten nickel-allergic patients and six healthy control subjects participated in a study of the morphology, kinetics and evolution of the cAMP and cGMP concentrations of migrated leukocytes, using an improved skin chamber technique. Also studied was the effect of nickel exposure in the chamber medium during development of an eczematous reaction in the nickel-allergic patients. Nickel exposure had a specific effect on the morphology, from the 24th hour to the end of the 48 h observation period, with a significant increase in the percentages of basophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes and a decrease of neutrophils. A significantly increased leukocyte migration rate (LMR) was observed from the 27th to 39th hour in six of the allergic patients exposed to nickel. There were no specific permanent changes in cAMP and cGMP concentrations during nickel exposure. The control chambers of the allergic patients and healthy controls had identical leukocyte morphology, LMR and leukocyte concentrations of cAMP and cGMP. However, no correlations were found between LMR, cAMP and cGMP in the eczema patients throughout the observation period.

Disulfiram treatment of three patients with nickel dermatitis

Diethyldithiocarbamate chelates nickel and accelerates its excretion in the urine. Disulfiram (Antabuse) splits into two molecules of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate after absorption. Oral administration of disulfiram tablets starting with 50 mg a day with a gradual increase in dosage to 100 mg more than than twice a day readily cleared the eczema in three patients with severe and long-standing nickel contact dermatitis.

Lack of effect of opiates on release of vasopressin from isolated rat neurohypophysis

Electrical stimulation of rat neurohypophysis in vitro results in a 150-fold increase in release of vasopressin. Incubation of the isolated lobes with endogenous opiates (Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, beta-endorphin), morphine or naloxone did not change the evoked release of vasopressin significantly. The results obtained do not confirm the hypothesis that endogenous opiates inhibit the release of vasopressin from this preparation.

Human leukocyte mobilization and morphology in nickel contact allergy using a skin chamber technique

An improved skin chamber technique has been devised and used for quantitative evaluation of the leukocyte mobilization rate (LMR). The method was applied in 10 nickel-hypersensitive patients exposed to nickel sulphate. Each patient served as his own control and for additional control purpose, 5 healthy individuals without nickel hypersensitivity were studied. The kinetics of the mobilized leukocytes were followed over a 48-hour period. After an initial lag phase of 2-4 hours, maximum migration was observed from the 24th to the 48th hour, with a wide interindividual variability in the number of mobilized cells at the time of maximum LMR response. The median cumulative leukocyte count was 1.412 x 10(6) leukocytes/cm2/48 h. In the same period a statistically significant increase in the basophils for all the nickel allergic patients was observed. In 8 out of 10 patients a statistically significant effect upon the lymphocytes could be demonstrated. Six of these 8 patients had an increased lymphocyte mobilization. Throughout the period the neutrophil granulocytes were the dominant cell type, although the number decreased as the number of basophils and lymphocytes increased. The chamber technique is a valuable means for quantitative evaluation of leukocyte mobilization and morphology in skin exudates during exposure to an allergen in delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

Frequency of cataract in atopic dermatitis

Atopic cataract (AC) has been reported to occur as many as one patient in every five with atopic dermatitis (AD). The lenticular opacities may rapidly lead to blindness. To establish whether in Denmark screening of AD patients is justified especially for AC, 51 such patients underwent ophthalmological examination. None of them were found to have AC. Although the study does not exclude a certain incidence of AC, there is nothing to indicate that routine ophthalmological examination of patients with AD is required.

Hormonal polypeptides and amine metabolites in small cell carcinoma of the lung, with special reference to stage and subtypes

To elucidate the ectopic hormonal pattern in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung, plasma ACTH, serum calcitonin, serum gastrin, plasma glucagon, serum insulin, plasma secretin, plasma VIP, serum growth hormone, serum hCG/LH, the total of serum hCG and hCG-beta-subunit,serum alpha-subunit, serum human placental lactogen, urine ADH, urine 5-HIAA, urine VMA, urine HVA, and urine hCG-LH were measured prior to therapy in 75 patients. Twenty-two patients (29%) had elevated plasma ACTH, and 18 of these had concomitant increased values of corticosteroid in a 24-hour urine sample. Forty-eight patients (64%) were found to have elevated serum calcitonin, and one-third of the patients were diagnosed as having the ectopic ADH syndrome. Serum gastrin concentrations were increased in 20% of the patients, but the elevations were marginal in almost all cases. None of the remaining substances was found to be significantly elevated. Concentrations of plasma ACTH, serum calcitonin, and urine ADH were not found to be correlated with the stage of the disease, and no correlation of these substances with the histological subtypes of small cell carcinoma was disclosed.

A comparative study on bioassay and radioimmunoassay of vasopressin in human urine

The excretion of vasopressin in urine from healthy human subjects under different stages of hydration was estimated in urine extracts by bioassay (rat antidiuresis) and radioimmunoassay. In normally hydrated subjects the excretion was 490 ± 164 μU/h and 430 ± 133 μU/h for bioassay and radioimmunoassay respectively (mean ± sem, n = 5). After total fluid restriction for 10 to 12 h the excretion increased to 1370 ± 329 μU/h for bioassay and 1163 ± 279 μU/h for radioimmunoassay (mean ± sem, n = 6). An oral water load (25 ml/kg) reduced the value to 169 μU/h (bioassay) and 118 μU/h (radioimmunoassay) (mean, n = 2). In general the biological estimations were 20 % higher than the immunological estimations (P < 0.01).

The urinary vasopressin excretion was positively correlated to urine osmolality. Synthetic arginine vasopressin (AVP) and urine extracts were both heterogeneous in ion exchange chromatography. The immunoreactive material was always eluted in 2 peaks, situated at the same places in the elution diagram. The material in the second peak was biologically active. The first peak from the AVP standard was biologically inactive, whereas the same peak from urine extract was active. This peak was shown to be an artefact formed during the extraction procedure.