Serum prolactin in patients with Laron-type dwarfism: effect of insulin-like growth factor I

Prolactin (PRL) secretion was studied in Laron-type dwarfism (LTD) patients (8 children and 9 adults) in basal condition, after acute insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) or TRH injections and during 2 months of daily IGF-I treatment. Basal PRL was repeatedly higher (12.6 +/- 1.6 micrograms/l) than that in control subjects (7.6 +/- 1.2 micrograms/l, p < 0.05). Acute IGF-I injection caused an immediate slight decrease in serum PRL and growth hormone (GH), followed by a progressive rise to mean peak levels of 33.3 +/- 4.5 micrograms/l again parallel to serum hGH which rose to 86 +/- 20 micrograms/l--a response to the IGF-I-induced hypoglycemia. Intravenous TRH in LTD children induced a marked response in serum PRL, similar to that registered in estrogenized adult females. Serum PRL did not show consistent changes during chronic IGF-I treatment. It is suggested that the higher-than-normal PRL levels and release in LTD patients are due to a drift phenomenon of the mammosomatotropes which produce large amounts of hGH.

The promastigote surface protease (gp63) of Leishmania is expressed but differentially processed and localized in the amastigote stage

The expression, processing and localization of the promastigote surface glycoprotein, gp63, in the amastigote form of Leishmania mexicana was examined. Metabolically labeled protein was immunoprecipitated from promastigotes and amastigotes. The isolated proteins were subjected to deglycosylation and partial peptide mapping. The cleavage products generated migrated similarly in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that the proteins were closely related. The majority of gp63 in amastigotes was inaccessible to surface-labeling procedures, and lacked the phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor. Immunolocalization of this subpopulation of gp63 revealed it to be present within the parasite's flagellar pocket. Despite the relative paucity of 'membrane-form' gp63, isolation and analysis of surface proteins from lesion amastigotes indicated that gp63 was the most abundant protein on the amastigote surface.

Metabolism of 1,2,3,4-, 1,2,3,5-, and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene in the squirrel monkey

The metabolism of three tetrachlorobenzene isomers (TeCB) was investigated in the squirrel monkey. The animals were administered orally 6 single doses of 14C-labeled 1,2,3,4-, 1,2,4,5-, or 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene over a 3-wk period at levels ranging from 50 to 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) and kept in individual metabolism cages to collect urine and feces for radioassay. Approximately 38% (1,2,3,4-TeCB), 36% (1,2,3,5-TeCB), and 18% (1,2,4,5-TeCB) of the doses were excreted respectively in the feces 48 h postadministration. In monkeys dosed with 1,2,3,4-TeCB, unchanged compound accounted for 50% of the fecal radioactivity; its fecal metabolites were identified as 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorophenol (TeCP, 22%), N-acetyl-S-(2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenyl) cysteine (18%), 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenyl sulfinic acid (3%), 2,3,4-trichlorophenyl methyl sulfide (0.6%), and 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenyl methyl sulfide (0.2%). As was the case with 1,2,3,4-TeCB, unchanged compound accounted for more than 50% of the fecal radioactivity found in the monkeys dosed with 1,2,3,5-TeCB. The fecal metabolites of 1,2,3,5-TeCB consisted of 2,3,4,5-TeCP (2%), 2,3,4,6-TeCP (14%), 2,3,5,6-TeCP (9%), and 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenyl sulfinic acid (15%). No metabolites were detected in the feces of monkeys dosed with 1,2,4,5-TeCB. While the fecal route represented the major route of excretion for 1,2,3,4-TeCB, the other two isomers were eliminated exclusively in the feces. The above data in the squirrel monkey are different from those obtained with the rat and the rabbit, and demonstrate the different metabolic pathways for the isomers.

Anterior guidance and aesthetics in prosthodontics

Aesthetic determinants in prosthodontics are related to imprecise and often vague objective and subjective factors. Anatomic and functional studies indicate parameters of form, position, and contour of anterior teeth and the incisal guide angle. The final aesthetic composition is best determined by a continuing, ongoing evaluation designed to help the patients actively develop a perception of their own self-image and aesthetic potential. Incisal guide factors are determined independently of condylar elements. The final occlusal scheme is developed and coordinated with both the condylar and incisal guide elements.

T3 stimulation of 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in cultured chick embryo carcass derived cells, requires neosynthesis of proteins

T3 stimulated, in a dose dependent manner, the uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) into cultured chick embryo carcass derived cells. A significant increase in sugar uptake was seen already at a T3 concentration of 1 pmol/l. The stimulation of 2-DOG uptake increased with time during the 6 h of exposure to T3. The hormone also stimulated, within 45 min, the incorporation of [3H]leucine and [3H]uridine into the trichloroacetic acid precipitable material of these cells. Actinomycin-D (100 micrograms/l) and cycloheximide (1 mg/l) each were capable of blocking the stimulatory effect of 10(-8) mol/l T3 on sugar uptake and on uridine and leucine incorporation. Thus, T3 in these cultured chick embryo cells stimulated sugar transport through processes dependent on neosynthesis of proteins. In this respect the effect of T3 is different from that seen in cultured chick embryo cardiomyocytes.

Short-term toxicity studies of sanguinarine and of two alkaloid extracts of Sanguinaria canadensis L

The short-term toxicity of sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, and of two alkaloid extracts of Sanguinaria canadensis L. are presented. The acute oral LD50 in rats of sanguinarine was calculated to be 1658 mg/kg, and of the two alkaloid extracts, 1440 and 1250 mg/kg. The acute iv LD50 in rats of sanguinarine was found to be 29 mg/kg. No toxic effects were observed in rats fed up to 150 ppm sanguinarine in the diet for 14 d and in rats treated by gavage with up to 0.6 mg/kg body weight for 30 d. The acute dermal LD50 in rabbits was found to be greater than 200 mg/kg.

Congenital aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva. Report of a patient with 19-year survival without surgery

An unruptured aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva was diagnosed by angiography in a 16-year-old male subject 19 years ago. A recent repeated angiographic study documented no change in the aneurysm over the 19-year interval, and the patient has remained asymptomatic. We are aware of no other long-term follow-up reports of patients with this lesion who have not had surgical correction. This case emphasizes the controversy regarding the need for prophylactic surgical correction of an unruptured aneurysm.

Mood-dependent learning. II. Healthy subjects--influence of positive and negative feedback on expectancy shifts

Changes of success expectancy in healthy test persons are investigated in this study. An experimental mood manipulation with the help of mood statements by Velten [1968] was performed. Changes of success expectancy were rather attributable to the present mood than to the trait-component 'depression'.