Epidemiology of porcine neonatal steatorrhoea in Sweden. 1. Prevalence and clinical significance of coccidal and rotaviral infections

A study of neonatal steatorrhoea in unweaned piglets was carried out in randomly visited herds. Isospora suis and rotavirus were shown to be incriminated in this type of enteric disease and these agents may be considered important enteropathogens for 1-3-week-old piglets in Sweden. More extensive studies of I. suis were undertaken in one large herd. It was found that steatorrhoea may appear in 4-day-old piglets but oocysts were not detected until some days latter. Piglets that were shedding I. suis were not necessarily steatorrhoeic but oocysts were more frequently found in steatorrhoeic faeces than in faeces of normal consistency. The earliest oocyst output was detected at 5 days of age, the average litterage at first appearance being 12.8 +/- 4.0 days. The occurrence of I. suis oocysts in piglets did not correlate with the oocyst output in sows, which almost exclusively included genus Eimeria. Repeated parasitological and virological examination of steatorrhoeic faecal samples from 5-10 litters per herd at an age of 1-3 weeks would be helpful for making a herd diagnosis.

Genital colonization by Actinomyces israelii and serologic immune response to the bacterium after five years use of the same copper intra-uterine device

An increased risk of developing genital actinomycosis has been found with long-term use of IUDs. In this study a group of women who had used their IUDs for 60 +/- 6 months was compared with a group having worn their IUDs for 36 +/- 6 months. None of the women examined had symptoms of genital infection. No significant differences could be found in colonization frequency of A. israelii on the IUDs or in humoral antibody response to the bacterium.

A longitudinal study of Actinomyces israelii in the female genital tract

A prospective longitudinal investigation was performed to study variations in the occurrence of Actinomyces israelii with reference to four microorganisms, staphylococci, E. coli, P. acnes and C. albicans, in the female genital tract. Fifteen healthy women were studied during all phases of the menstrual cycle. Sampling was made from the cervix, vagina and perineal area three times a week during two consecutive menstrual periods and during menstruation from napkins and tampons. Altogether 1108 samples were taken on 349 sampling occasions for different cultural procedures. A. israelii was identified in all women, in varying frequencies (range 4 to 74% of sampling occasions). As a mean, A. israelii was recovered in 24% of the perineal samples, 13% of the vaginal and 6% of the cervical samples. The occurrence of A. israelii was related neither to the recovery of reference microorganisms nor to the phase of the menstrual cycle, the amount of bleeding or discharge, the pH of the vaginal specimens, the contraceptive method used, or to the use of different sanitary products. It is our conclusion that A. israelii appears to be a part of the indigenous genital flora of healthy women.

Actinomyces israelii in the genital tract of women with and without intra-uterine contraceptive devices

Actinomycosis involving the female genital tract is more common among IUD users than others. The diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. It has been suggested that the finding of Actinomyces-like organisms or A. israelii in cervical smears indicates a risk of developing actinomycosis. A. israelii has not been regarded as a part of the indigenous genital flora. A group of IUD users without symptoms of genital tract infections were compared with a control group without IUDs. No Actinomyces-like organisms were found on cytological examination of cervical smears. Immunofluorescent staining and cultures identified A. israelii in 4% of the IUD users and in 3% of the non-users. Serologic precipitin tests for actinomycosis were negative in all women. None developed actinomycosis on follow-up of positive cases. The study indicates that A. israelii is a commensal of the female genital tract. The identification of A. israelii alone does not indicate that the patient risks developing actinomycosis. Other methods such as a serology test should be useful in defining the clinical significance of the findings.

Kidney radioprotection by temporary hypoxia. Experiments with degradable microspheres

Deep hypoxia protects biological tissue against ionizing radiation. By intra-arterial injection of degradable starch microspheres the renal circulation was temporarily blocked in unilaterally nephrectomized rats. The induced hypoxia was utilized for protection of the kidney against single doses of high-voltage X-rays. Renal function and survival date were compared between animals protected by hypoxia and non-protected animals. The survival rate of the former animals exceeded that of the latter by a factor of 1.6. All irradiated animals showed a lower glomerular filtration rate, Hippuran clearance and urine osmolarity than non-irradiated controls. Surviving, protected animals irradiated with 42 Gy and 52 Gy showed a glomerular filtration rate of about 0.5 ml/min and a Hippuran clearance of about 2 ml/min, whereas all non-protected animals irradiated with 42 Gy died.

Propranolol in chronic schizophrenia: a controlled study in neuroleptic-treated patients

The effect of propranolol at a dose level of 1,280-1,920 mg per day was studied with a double-blind crossover design in twelve chronic schizophrenics with persistent psychotic symptoms despite maintenance treatment with a depot neuroleptic. By use of a psychiatric rating scale (CPRS), an improvement was seen during the two week period of propranolol compared to placebo treatment in six patients, whereas three patients were unchanged and three deteriorated. The effect on total symptom scores for the whole group was significantly better after propranolol. The data indicate that propranolol in high doses has an antipsychotic effect in some schizophrenic patients when receiving neuroleptics.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) inchronic schizophrenia. A controlled study

A controlled study on the effect of synthetic Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) versus placebo in 10 drug-free chronic schizophrenics is presented. TRH 600 mug or placebo was administered intravenously on 4 consecutive days in a double-blind cross-over design and the schizophrenic symptoms were scored daily by use of two rating scales (CPRS and NOSIE). Blood samples were taken before and 30 and 45 minutes after the first and the fourth injection and analyzed for TSH. No changes in symptom intensity were found during the TRH or placebo treatment period and no difference was obtained between the two treatments. The dose of TRH used caused a significant increase in the plasma level of TSH which indicated a normal pituitary responsiveness to TRH. The data do not support the notion that TRH has a beneficial effect in chronic schizophrenic patients.

DC temperature-regulating device for anesthetized experimental animals

A temperature-regulating device for anesthetized experimental animals is presented. The rectal temperature of the animal is measured with a thermistor and this variable controls via nonlinear amplification the power fed to the heating pad on which the animal is placed. Rectal temperature variations of not more than +/- 0.1 degrees C are reached after 30 min of operation.