Gonadotropin-releasing hormone associated peptide (GAP) and putative processed GAP peptides do not release luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone or inhibit prolactin secretion in the sheep

A series of experiments was performed to monitor plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin responses to human gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) associated peptide (GAP) and related peptides. Ovariectomized hypothalamo-pituitary disconnected (HPD) ewes were challenged with injections (1-10 micrograms i.v.) of GAP, or given, with and without estradiol, hourly 500- or 1,000-ng pulses of GAP for 5-7 days. In all cases GAP failed to cause the release of LH or FSH from the pituitary gland or to alter mean plasma prolactin concentrations. When the same HPD ewes were given hourly or 2-hourly pulses of 250 ng GnRH, LH responded in a a pulsatile manner, and FSH secretion was maintained, thus confirming the functional integrity of the pituitary gland after HPD. Fragments of the GAP molecule (pro-GnRH 14-36, 28-36, 38-49, and 51-66) and GAP dimer did not stimulate LH or FSH or inhibit prolactin release in HPD ewes. GAP and GAP dimer did not affect pituitary responsiveness to GnRH administration. GAP also failed to inhibit the thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced rise in prolactin. Finally, GAP injections (100 micrograms i.v.) given to lactating ewes did not cause any change in plasma prolactin concentrations. These data show that human GAP, GAP dimer, or putative processed GAP peptides do not act on the sheep pituitary gland in a variety of physiological states to regulate gonadotropin or prolactin secretion.

Effect and site of action of hypothalamic neuropeptides on prolactin release in sheep

In an attempt to identify a physiological prolactin-releasing factor in the sheep, ovariectomized ewes were given intracarotid injections (10(-8)-10(-7) mol/animal) of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine-isoleucine amide (PHI), oxytocin (OT), arginine vasopressin (AVP), substance P (SP), bombesin (BB), neurotensin (NT) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Administration of TRH, AVP, NT and OT resulted in immediate and significant increases in plasma prolactin concentrations, the greatest stimulatory effect being obtained after TRH; other peptides had no effect in ovariectomized hypothalamo-pituitary intact ewes. AVP, NT and OT failed to release prolactin in ovariectomized ewes. These results suggest that (1) AVP, NT and OT may act via the hypothalamus to regulate prolactin secretion in hypothalamo-pituitary intact ewes; (2) VIP, PHI, SP, BB and NPY appear to have no direct roles at the pituitary level to control prolactin secretion in sheep, and (3) TRH stimulates prolactin secretion in ovariectomized ewes by a direct pituitary action.

Pattern of antibiotic and heavy-metal ion resistance in recent hospital isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

Two hundred and one strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from in-patients and out-patients were examined for sensitivity to antibiotics, heavy-metal ions and ethidium bromide and for phage-typing pattern. Heavy-metal ion resistance was less frequent than reported in previous studies and was as frequent in penicillinase non-producing as producing strains. 'Methicillin-resistant' strains were resistance to ethidium bromide and mercury. Resistance to heavy-metal ions, including cadmium, may be becoming less common amongst clinical isolates of S. aureus.

An outbreak of serious Klebsiella infections related to food blenders

An investigation, including environmental sampling, was undertaken after four leukaemic patients on the same hospital ward developed serious infections with Klebsiella aerogenes, capsular type K14. The source of this organism, common to all four patients, was found to be a food blender used for preparing milk-based drinks on the ward.

Factor analysis of the Children's Depression Inventory

Factor analyses of responses to the Children's Depression Inventory were compared for two groups: 123 children at a psychiatric outpatient clinic and 175 elementary school children who attended Grades 4, 5, and 6. Varimax rotations of principal-axis factors yielded four factors for the clinic children and two factors for the non-clinic student group. The items constituting the factors for the clinic group appeared to be theoretically related. These four factors were considered to reflect cognitive, motivational, social integration, and somatic components. In contrast, for the students there were a general factor with no predominant theme and a second factor characterized by non-compliant behavior. The implications for the relationship between adult and childhood depressive symptomatology are discussed as well as suggestions for studying the inventory as a screening instrument.

A case of self-inflicted eye injuries

The case is described of a young man who repeatedly injured his left eye. There was a history of previous deliberate self-injury and of childhood epilepsy. A diagnosis of borderline personality disorder was made. Similarities to other reported patients who injured their eyes, to "wrist-cutters," and to "delicate self-cutters" are discussed.

Reye's syndrome associated with respiratory syncytial virus infection

An upper respiratory tract infection in a 22-month-old boy was followed by rapid loss of consciousness, hypoglycaemia, uraemia, and death. Necropsy examination showed fatty change of liver and kidneys, severe cerebral oedema, bronchiolitis, and endocardial fibroelastosis affecting the left ventricle. Immunofluorescence staining showed infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The clinical and pathological findings were those of Reye's syndrome, not previously reported accompanying RSV infection.