[Uhl's anomaly associated with atresia of the pulmonary valve]

A case of Uhl's anomaly in a newborn who died in congestive cardiac failure at 18 days of age is described. There was severe cardiomegaly on chest X-ray, right atrial hypertrophy on E.C.G., and a delayed tricuspid valve closure of 0,8 seconds on M-mode echocardiogram. The necropsy study showed a huge right atrial and right ventricular dilatation, a very thin right ventricular wall (1 mm.) with an important reduction in the number of muscular fibers, a pulmonary valve atresia, and a patent ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale. We have only three cases Uhl's anomaly associated with pulmonary atresia, and no one with such an important delay of the tricuspid valve closure on the echocardiogram.

The preoperative use of cimetidine as a means of preventing symptomatic hypocalcemia following a parathyroid operation

Cimetidine has been shown to lower circulating PTH levels effectively by causing an intraglandular rearrangement of PTH peptides in human parathyroid tissue in instances of primary hyperparathyroidism. A state of "euparathyroidism" is established. It has been statistically found at a 98.7 per cent confidence level that preoperative treatment with cimetidine effectively prevents symptomatic hypocalcemia postoperatively after parathyroid operations. It is anticipated that cimetidine has provided a tool for the in depth exploration of parathyroid disease.

Giant calcified aneurysm on the posterior cerebral artery in a nine-year-old child

We report the case of a 9-year-old child in whom, after a plain x-ray examination of the skull was performed for a suppurating otitis in the left ear, a calcified lesion was discovered in the left temporal region. Angiographic study showed it to be an aneurysm of the left posterior cerebral artery. The rarity of these lesions is discussed, as well as the successful surgical treatment in this case.

Adduction contracture of the thumb in cerebral palsy. A preoperative electromyographic study

In twenty-three patients with cerebral palsy and functional spastic hemiplegia, the contracted thenar-adductor space of the involved hand was evaluated by electromyography. The needle electromyogram was used to determine if the patient had selective control of the adductor muscle. In eight patients only partial myotomy of the adductor muscle during z-plasty of the web was performed because selective control of that muscle was present during either grasp or release. In four patients a complete release was done, and in two of them the ability to pinch was impaired.

Release of estrogen-induced glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 52,000 by breast cancer cells in primary culture

In an attempt to find estrogen-specific responses in breast cancer, we have established primary cell culture from metastatic pleural effusions of breast cancer and have analyzed the proteins labeled by [35S]methionine and released into the culture medium using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We show that the synthesis of a Mr 52,000 glycoprotein which is released by metastatic breast cancer cells in primary cultures is stimulated by estradiol in four of six patients. This protein is similar to the Mr 52,000 protein of MCF7 cells on the basis of its mobility in one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis [the molecular weight of this protein was originally found to be 46,000; it is closer to 52,000 using labeled proteins from New England Nuclear as molecular weight markers], its immunoprecipitation by antisera raised against the Mr 52,000 protein, and its binding to concanavalin A. We conclude that, similar to some breast cancer cell lines, some metastatic breast cancers synthesize a Mr 52,000 glycoprotein which is regulated by estrogens and exported from the cells into the medium. This study also shows that some primary cultures established from metastatic breast cancer remain responsive to estradiol in vitro for the synthesis of specific proteins. More clinical studies are needed to prove the interest of the Mr 52,000 secreted protein as an additional marker of the hormone responsiveness of breast cancer.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone: response test in healthy horses, and effect of phenylbutazone on equine thyroid hormones

Adult horses showed a mild diurnal variation in equine plasma thyroxine (T4) concentrations, but not triiodothyronine (T3). Plasma T4 concentrations tended to be higher between 5 PM and 8 PM than at 8 AM. Increases in plasma T4 and T3 were similar in adult healthy horses given 5, 10, or 20 IU of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The T4 peaked at approximately twice (2.0 +/- 0.4 times) as high as the base line at 6 to 12 hours after the TSH was given. The greatest change from base line T3 occurred at 1 to 3 hours after the TSH was given, but the magnitude of increase was widely variable (4.36 +/- 2.49 times as high as base line). The following method for doing the equine TSH-response test was suggested: (i) prepare plasma or serum sample for determining base line T4 and T3, (ii) inject 5 IU of TSH IM, (iii) prepare plasma or serum samples at 3 and 6 hours after the TSH was injected, and (iv) freeze samples at -20 C until T4 and T3 determination by radioimmunoassay. Treatment of horses with phenylbutazone for 5 days caused a significant decrease in base line T4 and T3 in horses (P less than 0.05). However, phenylbutazone-treated horses responded to the injection of TSH, and the increase in T4 at 6 hours was greater than in the controls (not given phenylbutazone) (P less than 0.02).

Clinical findings in post partum dairy cows

The clinical findings in 183 post partum periods of dairy cows from an experimental herd are reported. Sixty-nine, 30, 46, and 38 post partum periods of the Swedish Red and White Breed, the Swedish Friesian Breed, crosses between these two breeds, and the Swedish Jersey Breed, respectively, were followed by clinical examination at 10-day intervals until first service. Heat detection was done three times daily and plasma progesterone assay at 10-day intervals. The highest occurrence of big follicles (12-15 mm) was between 21-30 days, coinciding with the time of first ovulation. Fifty percent of the cows had the 1st, 2nd and 3rd ovulation at 17, 36 and 56 days post partum, respectively, and the first, second and third ovulations came at 21.2, 39.1 and 58.3 days on average, with significant differences between parities and breeds. The first two oestrous cycles lasted 17.5 +/- 5.6 and 20.8 +/- 2.1 days without differences due to parity and breeds. The data indicate a complete uterine involution between 41 and 50 days post partum.

Malignant mixed tumor of the skin: malignant chondroid syringoma

Malignant tumors of sweat gland origin are rare. Probably one of the rarest types, still poorly understood, is the so-called malignant chondroid syringoma or malignant mixed tumor of the skin. A case of malignant chondroid syringoma is presented. Ultrastructural study proves very useful for the differential diagnosis with other chondroid or chordoid tumors.

Effect of antibodies to estrogen receptor on the binding of 3H-labeled antiestrogens and androstanediol in the uterus

We report here the effects of antibodies to estrogen receptor (ER) on the binding of tritiated 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta-17 beta-diol and antiestrogens to receptor in calf uterine cytosol. The antibodies, prepared from a rabbit immunized with purified estradiol-receptor complex from calf uterine nuclei, were found to decrease the affinity, but not the number of binding sites, of ER for 5 alpha-androstanediol and tamoxifen [alpha-(4 beta-N-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenyl-alpha'-ethyl-trans-stilbene]. This appeared to be due to the decrease in the association rate of the ligands, while the dissociation rate was not modified. The ER antibodies did not affect the binding of ER to estradiol or to the monohydroxylated metabolite of tamoxifen, nor did they affect the interaction of androgens with the androgen receptor. The formation of a ternary complex among [3H]hydroxytamoxifen [3H-labeled alph-(4 beta-N-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenyl-4-hydroxy-alpha'-ethyl-trans-stilbene], the ER, and the antibodies was demonstrated by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. For [3H]tamoxifen and [3H]5 alpha-androstanediol, ternary complexes were also formed with ER bound to monoclonal antibodies linked to Sepharose. These results confirm that ER directly binds androstanediol, tamoxifen, and hydroxytamoxifen. The lower affinity of ligands for ER in the presence of antibodies was only observed for the low affinity ligands and did not appear to be correlated to their antiestrogenic activities.

A simple reproducible method for prometaphase chromosome analysis

A method is described for the analysis of chromosomes in prophase and early metaphase. It involves culturing the lymphocytes in medium RPMI-1640, supplemented with 10% autologous plasma instead of fetal bovine serum. Living cells are treated with actinomycin D and colcemid for 1 h prior to harvest and harvested early at 65 h of incubation, using a hypotonic solution formulated by Ohnuki (1968). The method has been tested on several hundred clinical samples on a routine basis. On average, 30% of the dividing cells were in prometaphase.

The brain-stem projections of pulmonary stretch afferent neurones in cats and rabbits

1. Micro-electrode recordings were made from slowly adapting pulmonary stretch afferents within the nodose ganglia of cats and rabbits. Recordings sites were distributed throughout the ganglia. 2. The projections of these afferents to the medulla oblongata were studied by antidromic stimulation. 'Point' and 'Field' type depth--threshold curves were interpreted as corresponding to stimulation of the main afferent axons and its branches, respectively. Increases in antidromic latency in conjunction with 'field' contours was additional evidence in support of this interpretation. 3. In cats, most (six out of seven) afferents had extensive branches, and probably also terminations, within the medial subnucleus of the ipsilateral nucleus tractus solitarius (n.t.s.). Two of these, plus one other afferent, also had projections to the lateral and ventrolateral subnuclei. 4. In rabbits the projections of such afferents were similar, i.e. mainly to the medial subnucleus of the n.t.s. (eight out of eleven) but also extending into the nucleus alaris, and occasionally to lateral and ventrolateral subnuclei (two out of eleven) or to both regions (one out of eleven). 5. Branching of single afferents was seen to occur over up to 3 mm of the rostro-caudal extent of the intermediate region of the n.t.s. The significance of the observations is discussed.

Identification and brain-stem projections of aortic baroreceptor afferent neurones in nodose ganglia of cats and rabbits

1. The retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to locate cell bodies of afferent neurones with axons in the aortic nerves within the nodose ganglia of cats and rabbits. 2. In the rabbit HRP-labelled cells were localized to the medial aspect of the ganglion in the vicinity of the entry of the superior laryngeal and aortic nerves. 3. A similar grouping of labelled cells in rostro-medial aspects of the ganglion was seen in the cat, though there were many other labelled cells distributed throughout the ganglion. It is suggested that the former cells may be barosensory and the latter chemosensory. 4. Extracellular recordings were made from baroreceptor afferents in the nodose ganglia of rabbits and cats using glass micro-electrodes. Recordings sites were confined to rostral regions of the ganglia. 5. The projections of single baroreceptor afferents were studied by antidromic activation from the medulla oblongata using electrical stimulation applied through tungsten--glass micro-electrodes. Evidence is presented on the basis of depth--threshold contours and antidromic latency which indicates that stimulation of the main axons can be distinguished from stimulation in areas of branching and presumed termination. 6. In cats aortic baroreceptor afferents gave branches to either medial (three out of six) or lateral (three out of six) subnuclei of the nucleus tractus solitarius (n.t.s.). One neurone had additional projections to the contralateral medial subnuclei of the n.t.s. 7. In rabbits the afferents have branches mainly to lateral subnuclei of the n.t.s. (seven out of eight neurones) with only one giving branches to the medial subnucleus of the n.t.s. and additionally to the nucleus alaris. 8. Projections to the medulla extending beyond the immediate vicinity of the n.t.s. were found in either species.

Evolution of gluconeogenic enzyme activities during starvation in liver and kidney of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

1. There was a general increase in the activities of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis in liver and kidney of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, during the second month of starvation. 2. The need of gluconeogenesis during the first month of the starvation period was probably minimal because of the utilization of liver glycogen as a source of blood glucose. 3. The decline of fat was more pronounced than that of protein total content in absolute values, suggesting that lipid reserved were the main sources of energy during starvation.

Hepatectomy in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). A preliminary study

1. Partial hepatectomy (25% of liver mass removed) has been performed on rainbow trout using a procedure allowing a high level of survival. 2. The liver regeneration was complete from the point of view of liver weight, at the 30th post-operative day. 3. During the first weeks after surgery, the NH-excretion rate in both hepatectomized and shamoperated trout was higher than in intact controls. Likewise, the food intake was lower in the operated animals. 4. Both facts can be attribute to the stress situation caused by the surgical manipulations rather than the removal of the liver.

Estrogenic effects of physiological concentrations of 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol and its metabolism in MCF7 human breast cancer cells

5-Androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol (ADIOL) has previously been shown to have a high affinity for the estrogen receptor and to translocate it to the nucleus in vitro and in vivo. This compound and related C19 delta 5-steroids of adrenal origin have now been examined for their ability to induce the synthesis in MCF7 cells of an estrogen-dependent secreted glycoprotein (M.W. 46,000). Concentrations required for half-maximum induction were 2 nM for ADIOL and 500 nM for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate showed weak inducing ability at concentrations of 1 microM or greater. The induction by ADIOL was unaffected by the presence of an aromatase inhibitor, and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, which cannot be aromatized, also induced the M.W. 46,000 protein at low concentrations. When cells were exposed to 10 nM [3H]ADIOL, the cytosol and nuclear fractions contained [3H]ADIOL resistant to charcoal adsorption. The bound [3H]ADIOL in the cytosol and nucleus was displaceable by 17 beta-estradiol and tamoxifen, suggesting that it was binding to the estrogen receptor. [3H]ADIOL was metabolized to its 3 beta-sulfate, which was excreted into the medium, and to [3H]DHEA, which was found in the cells and the medium as free DHEA and its 3 beta-sulfate. [3H]DHEA was also metabolized by the cells to its 3 beta-sulfate, to free ADIOL, and to the 3 beta-sulfate of adiol. We conclude that: (a) ADIOL is effective as an estrogen in MCF7 cells at a concentration of 2 nM, which is within the range found in the blood of normal women; and (b) sulfurylation is a major route of inactivation of 3 beta-hydroxy delta 5-steroids in MCF7 cells.

[Pleural metastases can simulate a mesothelioma]

We are reporting about an inoperable cell carcinoma of the stomach, which exclusively caused thoracal pains due to metastases into a pleural thickening. First this symptomatology with thoracal pains and recurring pleural effusions was thought to be a pleural mesothelioma. Only the immediate histological examination of the tissue showed the origin of the tumor. Although cancer of stomach appears very commonly, this tumor is often diagnosed too late and in most cases it is already inoperable. Even nowadays more than 75% of the patients with a cancer of the stomach die of their metastases, although diagnosis and therapy have been developed. - Pleural mesotheliomas are rare; nevertheless the possibility of a mesothelioma in connection with all pleural effusions of a vague genesis should be considered. The exposure to asbestos strengthens the suspicion that this tumor is existing. In connection with a pleural mesothelioma an indurative pleurisy, a primary cancer of the lung and - like in our case - pleural metastases of a primary cancer of another site have to be differentiated.