Familial occurrence of cerebellar hemangioblastomas--analysis of five families

Characteristic features of familial cases of cerebellar hemangioblastoma were analyzed on the basis of 54 patients, 32 male and 22 female. In this group there were 7 cases from five affected families. The overall recurrence rate was 33.3% among patients who had been followed for more than 4 years after total removal of the tumor. Recurrence was more common in the familial cases (50%). The average age at the onset of symptoms was younger (23.4 years) in familial cases than in nonfamilial cases (36.2 years) and tended to be even younger (18.9 years) in the second generation of familial cases. These findings suggest that the integration of primitive vasoformative tissues is disturbed more severely in familial cases of cerebellar hemangioblastoma.

Response to bronchodilator drug administration by a new reservoir aerosol delivery system and a review of other auxiliary delivery systems

Response to bronchodilator aerosols delivered by metered dose inhalers (MDI) depends in part upon the amount of drug depositing on the airways. Ideally, the MDI should be actuated during a slow deep inhalation followed by a breathholding pause, an impossible maneuver for many patients. We developed a new reservoir aerosol delivery system (RADS) consisting of a 700-ml collapsible bag in which aerosol could be injected. The mouthpiece-canister was filtered with a reed that vibrated at inspiratory flows greater than 0.3 L/s to produce a noise. Patients were instructed to keep inhalation silent while breathing from RADS. One puff of metaproterenol (650 microgram) administered via RADS (with one breath rebreathed) was compared with one puff of metaproterenol (650 micrograms) from usual MDI using serial measurements of body plethysmography and spirometry. Respiratory inductive plethysmography measured the point of MDI actuation, volume of inhalation, inspiratory flow, and breathholding pause. Ten patients with chronic airflow limitation caused by asthma or chronic bronchitis were given typed instructions on MDI usage and trained shortly before the study. Metaproterenol via RADS produced significantly greater maximal increase in SGaw (195 +/- 52% SE) compared with metaproterenol via conventional MDI (101 +/- 24%, p less than 0.003). Bronchodilator response in 4 patients unable to coordinate actuation of the MDI with inspiration was significantly less than in 6 patients with good MDI technique (p less than 0.005). The mean flow rates were 0.54 +/- 0.16 L/s during inhalation of metaproterenol compared with 0.19 +/- 0.02 L/s and 0.24 +/- 0.03 L/s during the first and second inhalations, respectively, using RADS. This reservoir aerosol delivery system, which was well accepted by the patients, promotes more effective bronchodilation than the conventional metered dose inhaler.

Antibodies to cell envelope proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients

Many vaccines containing somatic and secreted antigens of Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been reported. The vaccines containing lipopolysaccharide have been found to provide type-specific protection, but the endotoxin content of these vaccines does not make it feasible to use them in patients who are already debilitated. Outer membrane proteins could be effective as vaccines, as they can be purified free of lipopolysaccharide, and also because they are common to all serotypes of P. aeruginosa. To be effective as a vaccine, such proteins must be immunogenic and accessible from the outside of the intact bacterial cell. In this study, we showed that systemic antibodies were produced frequently to two cell envelope proteins with masses of 58,500 and 37,500 daltons and occasionally to 34,000-dalton protein of P. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients with chronic lung infections. In rabbits immunized with whole, fixed cells of P. aeruginosa, antibodies were also produced against the 58,500-dalton proteins. Thus, the 58,500-dalton cell envelope protein of P. aeruginosa was the only immunogenic protein that was accessible to the immune system when whole, fixed cells were used for immunization. These serum antibodies did not protect the cystic fibrosis patients against further lung infection with P. aeruginosa.

Assay for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol in human urine by gas chromatography, with electron capture detection

We describe a gas-chromatographic method, with electron capture detection, for determining 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol in human urine. High sensitivity (5 pg per injection), recovery (93-97%), and reproducibility (CV 4.3%) are obtained. By this method, the 24-h urinary excretion of the free compound, the sulfate conjugate, the glucuronide conjugate, and the total in six normal male subjects average 0.15 (SEM 0.015), 1.09 (SEM 0.10), 1.22 (SEM 0.10), and 2.34 (SEM 0.21) mg, respectively. In three young women with amenorrhea/hirsutism, administration of dexamethasone decreased the total excretion of the compound.

Assay for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol in human urine by gas chromatography, with electron capture detection

We describe a gas-chromatographic method, with electron capture detection, for determining 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol in human urine. High sensitivity (5 pg per injection), recovery (93-97%), and reproducibility (CV 4.3%) are obtained. By this method, the 24-h urinary excretion of the free compound, the sulfate conjugate, the glucuronide conjugate, and the total in six normal male subjects average 0.15 (SEM 0.015), 1.09 (SEM 0.10), 1.22 (SEM 0.10), and 2.34 (SEM 0.21) mg, respectively. In three young women with amenorrhea/hirsutism, administration of dexamethasone decreased the total excretion of the compound.

Beta-endorphin-induced decrease in hypothalamic dopamine turnover

The effect of beta-endorphin on hypothalamic dopamine metabolism was examined in male rats. Intracisternal administration of synthetic human beta-endorphin (15 microgram blunted the alpha-methyltyrosine-induced decline in the concentration of hypothalamic dopamine. Also, beta-endorphin blunted the pargyline-induced accumulation of hypothalamic dopamine. beta-Endorphin either increased or failed to alter the basal concentration of hypothalamic dopamine and failed to alter the basal hypothalamic concentration of the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid. These data suggest that beta-endorphin decreases the turnover rate of hypothalamic dopamine and are consistent with the thesis that beta-endorphin decreases the release of dopamine from tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons.

Temperal and spatial measurement of rf electric field in a magnetized plasma using an emissive probe

rf electric field in the ion cyclotron frequency range (10 kHz-1MHz) is measured directly in the plasma using an emissive probe operated in a novel manner.

Chronic response of rat brain norepinephrine and serotonin levels to endurance training

Norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) concentrations were determined in three areas of the rat brain following 8 wk exposure to differing physical activity and dietary regimens. Animals were divided into sedentary and exercise groups, and one-half of each received either a normal or atherogenic diet. The exercise consisted of 30 min of treadmill running, 5 days/wk, for 8 wk. Brains were weighed and sectioned into cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and remainder (midbrain), and fluorometrically analyzed for NE and 5-HT content. In most brain areas, NE and 5-HT levels were significantly greater among exercise-normal diet and exercise-fat diet compared to both sedentary groups. In the cerebral cortex, exercise-normal diet rats possessed higher levels of NE and lower concentrations of 5-HT than sedentary animals. The atherogenic diet did not affect amine levels other than 5-HT in the cortex among exercise rats. The NE results are consistent with prior research indicating its control of sympathetic function. Increased levels of 5-HT in the midbrain may be the neurotransmittal adaptation responsible for decreased appetite and enhanced weight loss following chronic endurance exercise.

Alterations in brain dopamine and serotonin metabolism during the development of tolerance to human beta-endorphin in rats

Repeated intracisternal injections of human beta-endorphin lead to development of tolerance with respect to the catalepsy, analgesia, and hypothermia which are seen following a single injection. The initial injection of beta-endorphin results in increases in the dopamine metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in neostriatum, as well as increases in the serotonin metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), in hypothalamus and brainstem and a decrease in 5-HIAA in hippocampus. In the present study, we report changes in metabolism of dopamine and serotonin in specific brain areas during the development of tolerance to beta-endorphin. Thus, the development of tolerance to beta-endorphin with respect to catalepsy, analgesia, and hypothermia may be mediated by development of tolerance to the effects of beta-endorphin on brain dopamine and serotonin release.

Dopaminergic mediation of beta-endorphin-induced catalepsy

Acute intracisternal administration of human beta-endorphin produced catalepsy and increased striatal concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPA) and homovanillic acid (HVA). All of these effects were blocked by naloxone. Apomorphine, a dopamine receptor antagonist, also prevented beta-endorphin-induced catalepsy and the increase in striatal DOPAC and HVA. The combination of subcataleptic doses of haloperidol and beta-endorphin produced catalepsy and large increases in striatal DOPAC and HVA. These data provide evidence for a role for nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in beta-endorphin-induced catalepsy. The apparent increase in striatal dopamine turnover following beta-endorphin administration may be compensatory.

Characteristics of laser surface melted aluminum alloys

Specimens of Al-Fe 1-4 w/o, 2024 and 6061 Al have been surface melted with a pulsed Nd-glass laser. A TEM and SEM study showed that the dendrite spacings were from 2500 A to 4000 A which corresponds to a cooling rate of over 10(6) degrees C/sec. Melt depths obtained were in the range of 30-100 microm. No significant surface vaporization was observed at energy densities up to 440 J/cm(2). Fracture surfaces of the commerical alloys demonstrated elongated porosity in the melt areas, probably due to internal hydrogen.

Differential responsiveness of central noradrenergic and dopaminergic neuron tyrosine hydroxylase to hypophysectomy, ACTH and glucocorticoid administration

Hypophysectomy leads to a small increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity of all brain areas containing noradrenergic neurons or tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons, but nigroneostriatal dopamine neurons are not so affected. ACTH or corticosterone treatment inhibited this effect of hypophysectomy in some noradrenergic neurons and in tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons. These data showing differential responsiveness of tyrosine hydroxylase in different brain areas are compatible with differences in regulation or molecular form of tyrosine hydroxylase in central noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons. The disparity between increased hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase activity and decreased norepinephrine turnover following hypophysectomy may result from a change in the rate-limiting step to the hydroxylation of dopamine.

Effect of beta-endorphin on striatal dopamine metabolism

Acute intraventricular administration of human beta-endorphin increased 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations in rat striatum at a time when the catatonic effect was also present. This effect of beta-endorphin is compatible with increased striatal dopamine turnover and is similar to the effect noted previously with morphine administration.

Abnormalities in growth hormone and insulin release in short but otherwise normal patients. The arginine-insulin-glucose (AIGT) stimulation and suppression test

Arginine-insulin stimulation and IV glucose suppression (AIGT) tests were used to evaluate release of insulin and growth hormone. Adult patients responded normally. Hypopituitary patients showed no hGH response. One third of short normal patients showed abnormal hGH responses to glucose suppression. Two thirds of the short normal patients showed poor insulin responses to either amino acid or glucose stimulation. Such patients might have abnormalities in release mechanisms for insulin and suppression mechanisms for hGH and this might contribute to their growth failure.

Site-specific deoxyribonucleases in Bacillus subtilis and other Bacillus strains

We systematically studied site-specific deoxyribonucleases in Bacillus strains and detected deoxyribonuclease activities in 20 of 62 strains tested.

Influence of hippocampectomy on gastric ulcer in rats

Hippocampectomized male rats were prepared, and the incidence as well as severity of gastric ulceration upon restraint were compared with those of normal control animals and controls with localized damage to the cortex over the hippocampus. In another experiment, observations on gastric ulceration were made without restraint in hippocampectomized animals, normal controls, controls with cortical damage, vagotomized animals and animals that received hippocampectomy as well as vagotomy. Both in restrained and unrestrained states, the incidence of animals with ulcer as well as the number and the total area of ulcers per stomach were significantly larger in the hippocampal animals than they were in the other animal groups. Vagotomy abolished the effect of hippocampectomy upon gastric ulceration in the unrestrained state. We infer that the hippocampus helps to protect the stomach from ulceration partly by controlling vagal activity.

Influence of ginseng on mating behavior of male rats

Experiment on the mating behavior of male albino rats paired with receptive females established that in comparison with control animals, males under the influence of ginseng (a) began ejaculation earlier and repeated the action more often in a 45-minute observation period and (b) deposited more copulation plugs in 10 days. The data suggest that ginseng facilitates the mating behavior of male rats.