Capsaicin in adult frogs: effects on nociceptive responses to cutaneous stimuli and on nervous tissue concentrations of immunoreactive substance P, somatostatin and cholecystokinin

Adult frogs (Rana esculenta) were given subcutaneous injections of 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 mg/kg capsaicin in sequential order over 5 days, or the vehicle only. The nociceptive thresholds to electrical, thermal and chemical stimuli were measured before, and 1, 5 and 24 h after each injection. Capsaicin was followed by a dose-related reduction of nociceptive responses to all stimuli, but these effects lasted for only 1-5 h after the given injection. Water/acetic extracts of undivided brains and spinal cords were prepared at the corresponding time periods for the radioimmunoassay of peptides. Spinal cord concentrations of immunoreactive substance P were essentially unaffected by capsaicin, while those of immunoreactive somatostatin were significantly increased after the second for fourth injections (20, 30 and 50 mg/kg) of capsaicin. Brain extracts showed an increase of somatostatin and substance P concentrations after the dose of 50 mg/kg. In an additional experiment, immunoreactive substance P, somatostatin and cholecystokinin were measured in tissue samples taken at 2 and 10 min, and 1, 5 and 24 h after a single dose of either 50 mg/kg capsaicin or the vehicle. The only significant effect of capsaicin was an increase of immunoreactive somatostatin concentration in brain homogenates at 5 h, while the vehicle in itself elicited major variations of all three peptides in spinal cord and/or brain. These results indicate that capsaicin reduces the nociceptive responses to cutaneous stimuli in adult frogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Role of computed tomography in the diagnosis and surveillance of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis]

Based on findings in 28 cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, the most frequently encountered signs constituting a true "scannographic profile" are described. These include global hypodensity with poor or absent intensification of image after iodized contrast, very high frequency of intralesional calcifications often combined with necrotic plaques, peripheral retraction. Employed after standard radiologic imaging and ultrasonography, the scanner should be used to provide positive confirmation of the diagnosis of the parasitosis, and as a reference element in evaluation of intra- and peri-hepatic extension, both during the moment of choice of initial therapy and during follow-up reviews.

Substance P-, somatostatin-, vasoactive intestinal peptide- and cholecystokinin-like levels in the spinal cord of polyarthritic rats

Substance P-, somatostatin-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- and cholecystokinin-like levels were measured in lumbar dorsal and ventral cord of polyarthritic rats and compared with those obtained in vehicle-treated rats taken as controls. Polyarthritis decreased substance P concentration in lumbar ventral cord and increased cholecystokinin level in lumbar dorsal cord, while the other two peptides did not show any change. The results are discussed in relation to immunohistochemical data found in the literature.

[Echographic and x-ray computed tomographic aspects of pneumatosis cystoides of the colon in the adult. Apropos of a case]

A case of pneumatosis cystoides Coli located in the sigmoid in an adult is reported, with emphasis on US and CT aspects. CT patterns of pneumatosis cystoides Coli are highly significative; particularly attenuation values measured in the endoluminal polypoid images are characteristics and represent an interesting contribution to the diagnosis of this disease.

Comparative assessment of secretin and motilin responses to graded duodenal acidification in anaesthetised pigs

The effects of graded duodenal acidification on plasma concentration of immunoreactive secretin, and motilin in portal vein (PV) and carotid artery (CA) were investigated in 6 anaesthetised pigs in which the proximal duodenum was excluded and sequentially irrigated with isotonic saline (pH 7.0) and with hydrochloric acid (HCl) delivered at successive rates of 2, 8 and 40 mM H+/40 min (pH of 2.8, 1.9 and 1.0, respectively) under a constant flow of 10 ml/min. The release of secretin was first observed at pH 1.9 (from basal 4.2 +/- 0.3 to a peak of 26.6 +/- 9.8 pM in PV and from 3.4 +/- 0.3 to 6.8 +/- 0.9 pM in CA) and further increased at pH 1.0 (peaks of 60.9 +/- 16.3 in PV and 16.8 +/- 2.6 pM in CA). In contrast, only the highest HCl concentration (pH of effluent: 1.0) induced significant increases of plasma motilin (PV: peak of 25.2 +/- 4.9 for basal 13.3 +/- 1.1 pM, CA: 14.3 +/- 2.4 for basal 10.5 +/- 0.6 pM). A sharp decrease of the plasma secretin and motilin concentration was observed when the venous drainage of the duodenal segment was occluded, followed by a rapid increase when the clamp was released. In the present experimental conditions, duodenal motilin-producing sites were less sensitive to graded luminal acidification than secretin cells. Thus, the release of duodenal motilin in response to variations of luminal pH may be expected to occur primarily from the most proximal part of the duodenum in physiological conditions.

[Radiology in the diagnosis of complicated forms of annular pancreas in adults]

Radiologic findings are described in 4 cases of annular pancreas in adults. The value of double contrast exploration of the duodenum is emphasized, this showing the characteristic image of "curtain-loop" stenosis of the right D2 border with associated marked dilatation of the suprastenotic duodenal zone. Ultrasound imaging shows features suggestive of the liquid distended genu superius. The onset of acute pancreatitis on an annular pancreas leads to images of pseudo-cystic necrosis and/or calcifications suggestive of the diagnosis because of their localization on ultrasound or C.T. examination.

[Diffuse pulmonary lymphangiectasia of late disclosure associated with cardiopathy]

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a rare abnormality with dilatation of pulmonary lymphatics and the radiological pattern of a pulmonary interstitial syndrome. It is usually symptomatic at birth and is almost always lethal. The authors report the case of an infant with congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasis and congenital heart disease who is still alive. This case report is interesting from the pathogenic, nosologic and prognostic point of view.

[Hemimelic epiphyseal dysplasia. Apropos of a case]

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (tarsomegaly, Trevor's disease) is a rare osteochondrodystrophy producing cartilaginous epiphysial hypertrophy of hemimelic type involving mainly the lower limb. Lesions are generally medialy located (medial condyle of the femur, medial malleolus, talus, tarsal scaphoid and first metatarsal bone) and clinical signs are not specific; therefore radiological diagnosis is very important. The disease gives rise to a massive ossification of the hypertrophic cartilaginous areas and fast degenerative changes (arthrosis) of the involved joints. Surgery is often unsuccessful.

Laparoscopic investigation of the bovine ovary in the periovulatory phase of the cycle

Laparoscopy, in combination with a rapid radioimmunoassay for plasma-LH determination, has been used to predict and observe ovulation in heifers. Experiments on three animals with typical progesterone levels, LH levels and apex formation are described. Ovulation was observed from 25 h to 29 h after the beginning of LH rise and from 17 h to 19 h after LH peak. The LH peak lasted for 9 h to 11 h. Cow ovulation was observed and photographed. The preovulatory follicle, apex formation, ovulation and freshly ruptured follicles are illustrated. The results presented here demonstrate that laparoscopy could offer valuable diagnostic assistance in clinical veterinary medicine.

Pulmonary function tests and airway responsiveness to methacholine in chronic bronchiectasis of the adult

Fifty adults with chronic bronchiectasis (mean duration since diagnosis: 25 +/- 16.4 years), excluding those cases secondary to tuberculosis or hypogammaglobulinemia, were investigated by a questionnaire, a chest radiograph and lung function tests. Of these, 29 with an FEV1 greater than 1.5 1 underwent methacholine inhalation tests. Fourty-three subjects and three subjects respectively showed an obstructive or a mixed obstructive and restrictive defect, only four having normal lung function tests. Sixty-nine percent of subjects tested had a provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) less than 16 mg X ml-1. Subjects with daily sputum production had lower values of FEV1 and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) compared to subjects with less than daily sputum. Subjects with clinical features of bronchial hyperexcitability had significantly lower baseline FEV1, vital capacity, and maximal mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75). Subjects with lower PC20 values had significantly lower baseline FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75. Finally, subjects with the greatest extent of radiological abnormalities had lower baseline FEV1, FEV1/FVC and diffusing capacity, and a higher residual volume. We conclude that chronic bronchiectasis is associated with significant changes in lung function tests and increased responsiveness to methacholine in the majority of affected individuals.

[Value of intravenous arterio-nephro-urotomography in the evaluation of renal injuries]

I.V. arterio-nephro- urotomogram turns out to be very useful in the work-up of renal traumas mainly by studying the cortical phase and the arterial phase. This technique allows to limit the indications for selective renal arteriogram.

[A case of osteopathia striata]

We report a case of osteopathia striata, which is an osseous dysplasia with linear striations of the metaphyses of long bones. Our case is very unusual as there are no associated abnormalities of the bones. Osteopathia striata should not be mistaken for osteopoikilosis. Osteopathia striata is not only a peculiar roentgenologic feature: when it is diagnosed, other abnormalities should be looked for, especially cranial osteosclerosis, which may result in complications.

[Radiological anatomy of the arteries of the foot]

Two hundred arteriographies of the feet performed after injuries were studied. The patients had no arterial disease. Various patterns of the vascularisation of the feet are described. The authors emphasize the frequent variations of distribution which are sometimes different from the usual pattern but are however not pathological and can be explained by hemodynamic disturbances. The authors also describe some anatomical criteria which are useful to identify the different arteries of the feet on the arteriographies with different positions of the feet. These criteria will be very useful with digital angiography.

[Ovulation prediction in cattle by rapid measurement of plasma LH and by laparoscopic observation]

The last hours of intrafollicular maturation are important to preserve the potential of oocytes for fertilization and development. To collect mature oocytes it is consequently essential to predict accurately the time of ovulation. Therefore we have modified a regular and specific plasma LH radioimmunoassay to a convenient assay providing reliable results within four to five hours. Using this technique we have been able to detect the LH peak with a delay small enough to predict the moment of ovulation; then we have been able to observe and photograph ovulation. The antigen-antibody reaction takes place during a two hour incubation at 37 degrees C. The immune complex is precipitated by addition of a rabbit anti-gamma-globulin and incubation at 22 degrees C for 30 minutes. The variation between fast and regular assays is lower than 15%. From a study of 25 cycles in 12 animals we suggest intervals of approximately 27 hours between the beginning of the LH peak and ovulation and of about 17 hours between the end of the peak and ovulation. Intervals between the beginning of heat and ovulation appear irregular and cannot be used with certainty as a reference point to predict ovulation. Five ovulations were observed closely and in the five cases, the formation of an apex was noted Our results clearly show that with the technique mentioned above we can predict rapidly and precisely bovine ovulation.

[Metatarsophalangeal lesions of the diabetic foot. Radiologic outcome]

Radiological evidence of progression of diabetic foot lesions was studied in 31 patients. Three types of progression could be distinguished: lesions became worse (16 cases), improved (8 cases), or fluctuated in extent (6 cases). Mechanisms of production of the lesions and their prognostic significance are analyzed. Progression of the lesion is usually the result of infection. Reconstructive therapy requires evidence of a satisfactory vascular integrity in patients with associated arterial and neurological disorders. A fluctuating course is a typical finding in diabetic osteoarthropathy.