Genital tract proteins in the male rabbit: I. Localization of uteroglobin

Uteroglobin synthesis in reproductive and non-reproductive tissues of male and female rabbit was screened by means of double-diffusion tests and immunohistochemical studies. Immunoprecipitates were observed when homogenates of male accessory were incubated with a monospecific antiserum against uteroglobin; in the female the antigen occurred in the uterine secretion and in homogenates of the oviduct, six days post coitum. In nonreproductive tissue, the antigen appeared both in the male and in the female, in the homogenate of trachea and lung. The immunofluorescence technique exhibited the paraprostate gland as the site of synthesis of uteroglobin in the male genital tract. Moreover, the distribution of the fluorescence within the cells was identical to the distribution observed in the female genital tract.

Complex endonucleolytic cleavage pattern during early events in the processing of pre-rRNA in the lower eukaryote, Tetrahymena thermophila

We have analysed nuclear RNA from T. thermophila by RNA transfer hybridization using cloned rDNA fragments. A very high number of in vivo intermediates and by-products of rRNA processing were identified. These include putative intermediates of the splicing process and alternative products resulting from temporal variability in various endonucleolytic cleavages. In addition, four small RNA species including only transcribed spacer sequences were detected. These are (1) the IVS RNA (approximately 400 bases), the by-product of the splicing process, (2) a fragment from the internal transcribed spacer (approximately 360 bases), possibly resulting from 3'-end processing of pre-17S rRNA, (3) a fragment comprising most or all of the external transcribed spacer (approximately 600 bases) obviously representing the major by-product of 5'-end processing, and, in addition, (4) a small fragment from the initiation region (approximately 230 bases) which might be a product of premature transcription termination.

[Blood level kinetics of sodium noramidopyrine methanesulfonate (Analgin) in late pregnancy]

The pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated after a single application of 1,0 g of Analgin to women in labour in comparison with a nonpregnant control group. During the late stage of pregnancy the distribution volume is only slightly increasing. For Analgin a fundamental influence on the level of serum concentration could not be shown. The biological half-life of Analgin shows remarkable individual differences and does not differ significantly between the two investigated groups. Therefore, during pregnancy a change of the applied dose is not indicated.

[Effectiveness, tolerance, and residue formation of trichlorbon 6%-"new" in controlling hypodermyiasis in cattle in the Mongolian People's Republic]

Field trials in more than 3,000 head of cattle proved the efficacy and compatibility of the insecticide Trichlorphon 6%-"neu"--manufactured by the chemical works in Bitterfeld, German Democratic Republic, on the basis of domestic active ingredients--to be equal to the insecticides used until now. The inhibition of the activity of cholinesterase was moderate but longer lasting than with other preparations. The advantages of Trichlorphon 6%-"neu" are the substitution of imported substances by domestic products, prolonged efficacy, and--by a new formulation--its application at temperatures below zero.

Studies on proteins identical to male and female genital tract secretions

Rabbit seminal plasma and rabbit uterine fluid six days post coitum were used for disc-electrophoretical and immunological studies. With an antiserum, that was partially neutralized with normal rabbit serum and the uterine fluid, in the seminal plasma four groups of antigens could be demonstrated: antigens of type E, occurring in the seminal plasma only, antigens of type EU, occurring in the seminal plasma and the uterine fluid, antigens of type ES, occurring in the seminal plasma and the serum, and antigens of type EUS, occurring in the seminal plasma, the uterine fluid and the serum. Special consideration of the EU-antigen group exhibited five proteins: with biochemical methods four of them could be identified as uteroglobin, seminal plasma acid glycoprotein, a proteinase, and an alkaline phosphatase.

[Standardization of the electromyographic tetany test in the diagnosis of normocalcemic tetany: the 10-minute Trousseau test in patients and healthy humans]

Eighteen adult patients with typical history and signs of normocalcemic tetany (hyperventilation syndrome) and 18 age- and sex-matched controls were submitted to a provocation test for tetany. This consisted of 10-min ischemia of the right arm produced by suprasystolic cuff compression at the upper arm (Trousseau test) and a postischemic electromyographic recording from the right interosseous I muscle. Postischemic repetitive discharges were found in all patients and predominantly consisted of multiples of 5 times and more. These discharges lasted 8 min on the average. Of the normal controls, as many as 16 subjects (88.8%) also exhibited tetanic discharges. However, these preferred a lower number of repetitions, such as doublets or triplets. Both number of repetition and duration of postischemic tetanic activity were significant parameters discriminating between patients and controls (2P less than 0.001), as was the cumulative total number of spontaneous potentials, amounting, on the average, to 10,266 in the group of patients and to only 320 in the controls (2P less than 0.001). The investigation has shown that the occurrence of postischemic tetanic spontaneous activity per se does not help to discriminate between cases of latent tetany and healthy controls. However, a normocalcemic tetanic condition may be assumed if multiples occur with a complexity of quadruplets or more, if these multiples last at least 2 min, and if they appear in a rhythmic order and in groups.

[Studies on the pharmacokinetics of the compound preparation sulfamerazine/trimethoprim (Berlocombin-200) in pregnancy]

Pharmacokinetics of the sulphamerazine/trimethoprim-combination Berlocombin-200 was calculated by an one-compartment-model following therapeutic administration in pregnant women and compared with a control group. Distribution parameters are significantly changed, but elimination half-lifes of both the sulphonamide and trimethoprim are not influenced by repeated administration during pregnancy. There are no consequences concerning the dosage of Berlocombin in bacterial infections during pregnancy.

Effects of the optical isomers of D 600 on cardiovascular parameters and on arrhythmias caused by aconitine and coronary artery ligation in anesthetized rats

We examined the effects of the optical isomers of D 600 on cardiovascular parameters and on arrhythmias caused by aconitine infusion and ligation of left coronary artery in urethane-anesthetized rats. (-)-D 600 decreased blood pressure and LV dP/dtmax with respective Ed30% of 0.045 and 0.018 mg/kg i.v.; increased PQ duration with an ED20% of 0.045 mg/kg i.v.: and caused AV-block with an ED50 of 0.07 mg/kg i.v., thereby showing a potency 20--50 times that of (+)-D 600 and about twice that of the racemate. (+)-D 600 in the effective dose range additionally widened QRS complex (ED20%, 2.44 mg/kg i.v.) and increased arrhythmogenic aconitine dose (ED75% 4.97 mg/kg i.v.) with a potency about equal to quinidine. In contrast to the (-)-isomer and the racemate of D 600 and to (+/-)-verapamil, (+)-D 600, at a dose slightly below AV block-generating ED50 of 2.15 mg/kg i.v., significantly attenuated ventricular arrhythmias following left coronary artery ligation with a potency similar to 4.64 mg/kg i.v. quinidine but inferior to 4.64 mg/kg i.v. lidocaine. It is concluded that the optical isomers of D 600 exert stereospecific actions in vivo with respect to Ca2+-antagonistic potency. While (-)-D 600 in the effective dose range shows cardiovascular actions indicative of pure Ca2+-antagonistic properties, and activity of the racemate resides in the Ca2+-antagonistic properties of the (-)-isomer, cardiovascular effects of (+)-D 600 and its effectiveness against ventricular arrhythmias are indicative of parallel Ca2+-antagonistic and membrane-stabilizing properties.

The importance of a blind control in the establishment of assigned values in control sera. The establishment of assigned values in control sera, I

We describe a study by which the establishment of assigned values of a control serum was simulated. The study covered two controls: The internal known control and a blind control. Seven constituents were analyzed in 10 or 11 laboratories, respectively, yielding a total of 72 sets of analytical values. Each set covered double determinations within approximately 18 series for each sample. The course of a blind control correlates better with the unknown sample for which assigned values are to be determined than does a known control. Out of 72 sets 5 sets were found incorrect. Out of these, 2 sets could be recognized exclusively by means of the blind control, and 2 others primarily by means of the known control; one of these could be detected by means of the double determinations. Consequently, a blind control has a greater control efficiency than double determinations.

[The pharmacokinetics of pethidin (Dolcontral) of parturient and their new-borns (author's transl)]

The pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated after a single i.v. application of 50 mg of pethidine (Dolcontral) to women in labour and nonpregnant women. In comparison with the control group (4,2 h) the women in labour had a prolonged biological half life (7,5 h). Furthermore, there was a distinction of distribution parameters. The relation between the average concentration of pethidine in newborn and maternal serum was 0,72. The concentration of pethidine in newborn serum was stated always not as high as the corresponding maternal serum level. There was a significant correlation (r = 0,88) between maternal and fetal pethidine concentration. The half life of pethidine was found to be prolonged (17,2 h) in newborns within two days after birth. The distribution volume and the plasma distribution coefficient were repeatedly enhanced.

[Studies on the kinetics of methaqualone in the course of labour (author's transl)]

A 0,4 g (1598,06 mumol) dose of methaqualone was administered orally to 19 parturient at the beginning of the first stage of delivery. In comparison with former results, got from a control-group of nonpregnant and pregnant women in the last third of pregnancy, it was found a significantly prolonged biological half-life and a decrease of the fictitious initial concentration.

Measurement of cardiac output by the thermodilution method in rats. II. Simultaneous measurement of cardiac output and blood pressure in conscious rats

A method is described for the simultaneous measurement of cardiac output (CO), using the thermodilution method, and arterial blood pressure in conscious unrestrained rats. For the injection of the indicator solution (ice-cold, 0.9% saline) and for the measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, chronically-implanted polyethylene cathethers were used, while CO was measured transpulmonarily with a commercially available CO computer and an acutely-implanted (via caudal artery) arterial thermistor catheter. The following were observed in 10 rats at rest: a CO of 40.2 +/- 1.9 ml/min/100 g, a mean arterial blood pressure of 106 +/- 5 mmHg, a heart rate of 417 +/- 20 beats/min and a peripheral vascular resistance of 2.68 +/- 0.13 mmHG/(ml/min/100 g). After injection of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline, there was a rise in CO and heart rate, while peripheral resistance and blood pressure were lowered. Injection of the beta-receptor-blocked propranolol caused decreases in CO and heart rate, while peripheral resistance and blood pressure rose. It is concluded, that the method described here for the simultaneous measurement of CO and arterial blood pressure is suitable for the investigation of drug-induced cardiovascular effects in conscious rats.

[The pharmacokinetics of cephalothin during the late stage of pregnancy and in the course of labour (author's transl)]

Using an open one- and two-compartment model, the authors studied the kinetics of cephalothin during pregnancy and in the course of labour as well as in a group of non-pregnant women. They found that the parenteral application of cephalothin leads to therapeutic levels in the serum, tissues and urine also during pregnancy and in the course of labour. The bearing of pregnancy and labour on the kinetics of cephalothin is but insignificant; consequently, no modification of the pharmacotherapy will be necessary.