Amphetamine, haloperidol, and experience interact to affect rate of recovery after motor cortex injury

Rats subjected to unilateral ablation of the motor cortex and placed on a narrow beam displayed transient contralateral paresis. An immediate and enduring acceleration of recovery was produced by a single dose of d-amphetamine given 24 hours after injury. This effect was blocked by haloperidol or by restraining the animals for 8 hours beginning immediately after amphetamine administration. A single dose of haloperidol given 24 hours after injury markedly slowed recovery. This effect was also blocked by restraining the animals.

Epidemiology of gastric cancer in Chile: II - Nitrate exposures and stomach cancer frequency

Nitrate levels in urine and nitrite levels in saliva were determined in school children 11-13 years of age in 2 areas of high stomach cancer mortality located in central Chile and in 2 areas of low stomach cancer mortality located at the extremes of Chile. Levels of both nitrates and nitrites were concurrently determined in selected vegetables obtained in these 4 study areas. Levels of nitrates were significantly higher in the urine of schoolchildren and in vegetables obtained from the northern low-risk area. Levels of nitrites were similar in saliva specimens from all 4 areas, but levels in vegetables were inconsistent. These results are apparently incompatible with the hypothesis of a high nitrate intake in areas of high stomach cancer incidence compared to areas of low incidence. This paradoxical finding suggests that cofactors may be involved in the pathopoiesis of stomach cancer that promote or inhibit the transformation of dietary nitrates to nitrosamines. The soil in the high-risk areas is primarily of volcanic origin, which is reported to be low in levels of selenium. On the other hand, residents of Antofagasta, the northern low-risk area, are known to be exposed to high levels of arsenic. It is possible that the diet of residents of the high incidence area which may be deficient in selenium may enhance promotion of nitrates to nitrosamines as has been reported in the literature, or conversely, that high levels of arsenic or other factors in the diet of individuals in Antofagasta may play a protective role. Other factors may be responsible for the low rate observed in the southern low-risk area.

Familial chondrocalcinosis. Prevalence in Northern Spain and clinical features in five pedigrees

The first-degree consanguineous relatives of 46 patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease were examined for the presence of articular chondrocalcinosis. In 5 cases the process was familial, with 17 persons in the oldest living generation (mean age 69 +/- 7.4) showing radiographic evidence of calcified cartilage. The clinical syndrome was characterized by a female predominance, late onset of symptoms with mild arthritic manifestations, and oligoarticular chondrocalcinosis. These data suggest that the familial type of CPPD crystal deposition disease is more frequent than formerly thought.

Glycerol and methylprednisolone in lung contusion

An experimental model was developed in dogs that quantifies the amount of pulmonary trauma produced. The severity of thoracic trauma is related to mortality and to a presence or absence of bilateral pulmonary injury. Bilateral injury represents severe trauma, consistently alters blood gases and is associated with significant mortality when untreated. Both methylprednisolone and glycerol exerted beneficial effects on mortality from bilateral pulmonary contusion, and glycerol altered the blood gas pattern towards normal. Glycerol has been utilized extensively clinically to reverse the adverse effects of cerebral edema. It may prove to be of similar value when pulmonary injury is an important factor.

Free Methionine Levels in rin and Normal Isogenic Tomato Fruits Ripened in the Field or in Storage

Free methionine levels in rin and normal tomato fruits were determined microbiologically. Similar levels (1750 mug/100 g fresh weight) for mature green fruits of both rin and a normal isogenic line suggest that the lack of ripening of rin fruits is not due to low methionine levels. Methionine levels of mature green rin and normal fruits were 1750 mug/ 100 g fresh weight. Normal fruits ripened either on or off the vine were 2860 and 2500 mug/100 g fresh weight, respectively. The rin fruits which were left on the plant or held in air at 20 C until soft and yellow were significantly lower in methionine than C(2)H(4)-treated rin fruits or any normal fruits. Harvested rin and normal fruits held at 20 C in continuously applied ethylene (10 mul/l) had higher methionine levels than comparable air controls; levels in treated rin fruits were significantly higher than those in normal fruits.