Further investigations into the effect of non-benzo ring bay-region methyl substituents on tumor-initiating activity of polycyclic hydrocarbons

The effect of a methyl substituent at the non-benzo ring bay-region position of benzo[e]pyrene (B[e]P), cholanthrene (CA) and dibenz[a,j]anthracene (DB[a,j]A) on skin tumor-initiating activity was examined. A methyl substituent at the 1-carbon of B[e]P enhanced tumor-initiating activity of the parent compound (0.18 vs. 2.4 papillomas/mouse for B[a]P vs. 1-methyl-B[e]P, respectively, with an 800 nmol initiating dose). A methyl substituent at the 7- and 14-carbons of DB[a,j]A increased the activity of this weak initiator more than 13 times. The introduction of a methyl substituent at the non-benzo ring bay-region position of CA (i.e. carbon atom 6) dramatically increased tumor-initiating activity in SENCAR mice. 6-Methyl-CA was found to be a more potent skin tumor-initiator than 3-methyl-CA, and nearly as potent as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, one of the most potent initiators yet tested in the 2-stage initiation-promotion mouse skin model. When taken together with previous results from our laboratories, the data further support the generality of the enhancing effect of a non-benzo ring bay-region methyl substituent on polycyclic hydrocarbon tumor-initiation.

Increased vascular permeability in spontaneously diabetic BB/W rats and in rats with mild versus severe streptozocin-induced diabetes. Prevention by aldose reductase inhibitors and castration

125I-labeled albumin permeation (IAP) has been assessed in various tissues in spontaneously diabetic insulin-dependent female BB/W rats and in male Sprague-Dawley rats with severe or mild forms of streptozocin-induced diabetes (SS-D and MS-D, respectively). In BB/W diabetic rats and in rats with SS-D, indices of IAP were significantly increased in tissues and vessels predisposed to diabetic vascular disease in humans, including the eyes (anterior uvea, posterior uvea, and retina), sciatic nerve, aorta, kidney, and new vessels formed after induction of diabetes. No evidence of increased IAP was observed in heart, brain, testes, or skeletal muscle in BB/W or SS-D rats. In MS-D rats, indices of IAP were increased only in the kidney and in new vessels formed after the onset of diabetes. Marked tissue differences were observed in the effects of two structurally different aldose reductase inhibitors (sorbinil and tolrestat) and of castration on diabetes-induced increases in IAP and in tissue levels of polyols in SS-D rats. Both aldose reductase inhibitors and castration completely prevented diabetes-induced increases in IAP in new vessels and in sciatic nerve in BB/W and SS-D rats. Both aldose reductase inhibitors also markedly decreased IAP in the anterior uvea (approximately 85%), posterior uvea (approximately 65-75%), retina (approximately 65-70%), and kidney (approximately 70-100%); castration reduced IAP in the anterior uvea (approximately 55%), kidney (approximately 50%), and retina (approximately 30%) but had no effect on the posterior uvea. The diabetes-induced increases in IAP in the aorta were reduced only slightly (approximately 20%) by aldose reductase inhibitors and castration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Galactose ingestion increases vascular permeability and collagen solubility in normal male rats

In view of the similarity of cataracts and neuropathy in galactose-fed and diabetic rats, the present experiments were undertaken to determine whether consumption of galactose-enriched diets (10, 25, or 50% by weight) also increases collagen crosslinking and permeation of vessels by 125I-albumin analogous to that observed in diabetic rats. The observations in these experiments: demonstrate that consumption of galactose-enriched diets for 3 wk selectively increases 125I-albumin permeation of the same vascular beds affected in diabetic rats and by diabetic vascular disease in humans (i.e., the aorta and vessels in the eye, kidney, sciatic nerve, and new tissue formed in the diabetic milieu); demonstrate that the susceptibility of the vasculature to aldose reductase-linked injury (increased permeability) varies greatly in different tissues; indicate that collagen solubility (crosslinking) changes in galactose-fed rats differ sharply from those in diabetic rats; and provide new evidence that consumption of galactose-enriched diets induces a hypogonadal state in male rats.

Decreasing frequency of iatrogenic neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the obstetric events preceding delivery of infants who developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) at one New York City hospital between January 1970 and July 1973, and January 1980 and July 1983. Elective delivery without adequate documentation of fetal maturity occurred in 7 (11.1%) of 63 pregnancies resulting in RDS during 1970-1973 as compared to only 1 (1.4%) of 71 pregnancies resulting in RDS during 1980-1983 (P less than 0.05). This decline in "iatrogenic" RDS presumably reflects improved physician diligence in the prevention of unnecessary RDS, increased availability of ultrasound and fetal lung maturity studies, and advances in the application and interpretation of these diagnostic procedures.

Tissue differences in vascular permeability induced by leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 in the rat

The activity of synthetic LTB4 and PGE2, in increasing vascular permeability was tested simultaneously in seventeen different organs in the rat. Rats were injected in the aortic arch through a cannula in the carotid artery with 125I-albumin, 51Cr-erythrocytes, and 57Co-EDTA. The rats were then injected through the carotid artery cannula with LTB4, PGE2 or a combination of LTB4 and PGE2. Eight minutes later the rats were killed and the activity of 125I, 51Cr, and 57Co measured in different organs. Changes in vascular permeability were inferred from changes in the ratios of the isotope activities. LTB4 (15 micrograms/kg) induced enhanced permeability in caecum, small bowel, skin, fat pad, stomach, pancreas, and aorta, but not in the heart, brain, colon, testes, diaphragm, forelimb, cremaster muscle, lung, kidney or eye. A lower dose of LTB4, 3 micrograms/kg, enhanced vascular permeability in caecum, small bowel, skin, stomach, and aorta. PGE2 (1 microgram/kg) enhanced vascular permeability only in the caecum. A combination of LTB4 (3 micrograms/kg) and PGE2 (1 microgram/kg) was more potent than either alone. Rats depleted of neutrophils with anti-neutrophil serum were less sensitive to LTB4 than intact rats. These findings suggest that the vasculatures of different tissues in the rat vary markedly in their susceptibility to LTB4 induced increases in permeability.

Islet transplants in diabetic Lewis rats prevent and reverse diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability and prevent but do not reverse collagen solubility changes

The effects of islet transplantation on diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability and collagen solubility were examined in new granulation tissue vessels and collagen formed after induction of streptozotocin diabetes in male Lewis rats. Albumin permeation was increased by 50% (p less than 0.001) and collagen solubility was decreased by 50% (p less than 0.001) in granulation tissue from untreated diabetic animals as compared with controls. The islet transplants reversed diabetes-induced vascular permeability increases in tissues formed prior to islet transplantation (tissue to blood isotope ratio = 2.1 +/- 0.1 - SD for controls, 3.2 +/- 0.2 for diabetic rats and 2.0 +/- 0.2 for diabetic rats given islets) and prevented permeability increases in new tissues formed following transplantation (tissue to blood isotope ratio = 2.1 +/- 0.1 for controls, 3.3 +/- 0.8 for diabetic rats and 1.9 +/- 0.2 for diabetic rats given islets). In contrast, while islet transplants prevented diabetes-induced decreased collagen solubility in tissues formed after transplantation (controls = 24%, diabetic rats = 12%, and diabetic rats given islets = 24%), collagen solubility in tissues formed prior to islet transplantation was virtually unaffected. These findings indicate that collagen changes induced by the diabetic milieu are not nearly as readily reversed by normalization of the diabetic milieu as (diabetes-induced) alterations in vascular functional integrity.

Porcine proliferative enteritis: serological, microbiological and pathological studies from three field epizootics

Three outbreaks of porcine proliferative enteritis were evaluated clinically, pathologically, microbiologically and serologically. The disease was characterized by a chronic intermittent diarrhea. Pathological lesions included a thickened, turbid ileum with the microscopic appearance of proliferating ileal crypt epithelial cells. Comma shaped intracytoplasmic organisms were observed in the apical portions of the proliferating crypt epithelial cells with a Warthin-Starry silver stain. Microbiologically, both Campylobacter sputorum subspecies mucosalis and Campylobacter hyointestinalis, were cultured from ileal specimens of seven pigs with lesions of porcine proliferative enteritis. Microagglutination antibody titers were determined on sera from 12 of 14 pigs with porcine proliferative enteritis and on sera from 91 clinically normal swine. Pigs with porcine proliferative enteritis had a low antibody titer to subspecies mucosalis that ranged from 1-3 with a mean of 2.17. A varied C. hyointestinalis titer from 3-7 with mean of 4.83 was determined. Titers to either subspecies mucosalis and C. hyointestinalis were higher in non-porcine proliferative enteritis pigs. The results indicate that the presence of a positive titer to either C. hyointestinalis or subspecies mucosalis in swine is not indicative of clinical disease. The isolation of C. hyointestinalis from diseased ileal specimens (porcine proliferative enteritis) confirms previous reports implicating this agent in the disease.

Diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability and changes in granulation tissue levels of sorbitol, myo-inositol, chiro-inositol, and scyllo-inositol are prevented by sorbinil

In a recently developed animal model, we investigated the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease and demonstrated that 125I-albumin permeation is markedly increased in new "granulation tissue" vessels formed in subcutaneous tissue after the onset of diabetes. The studies described in this report were undertaken to examine the effects of an aldose reductase inhibitor on diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability in this animal model. 125I-albumin permeation was assessed 3 weeks after the subcutaneous implantation of sterile preweighed polyester fabric (to stimulate angiogenesis) in diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats, in controls, and in diabetic rats given sorbinil approximately 12 or approximately 25 mg/kg/d mixed in ground rat chow. Sorbinil administration prevented the diabetes-induced increase in vascular permeability by approximately 60% at the lower dose and by approximately 80% at the higher dose without affecting body weight or plasma glucose levels. Diabetes-induced changes in tissue levels of sorbitol, myo-inositol, scyllo-inositol, and chiro-inositol were also prevented by the high dose of sorbinil (data were not obtained for the lower dose). These observations are consistent with evidence linking diabetic cataracts and neuropathy to imbalances in sorbitol/inositol metabolism and support the hypothesis that diabetic vascular disease as well as neuropathy and cataracts are mediated by excess metabolism of glucose through the polyol pathway. Furthermore, these observations suggest that increased vascular permeability associated with diabetic microangiopathy in humans may be prevented by inhibitors of aldose reductase without the need to normalize blood glucose levels.

Sex steroid dependency of diabetes-induced changes in polyol metabolism, vascular permeability, and collagen cross-linking

The effects of castration on diabetes-induced increases in collagen cross-linking and vascular permeability and on polyol levels in new granulation tissue formed after induction of streptozocin (STZ) diabetes were examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. New granulation tissue formation was induced by implanting sterile polyester fabric subcutaneously (s.c.) at the time of STZ injection 3 wk before assessment of vascular permeability and collagen cross-linking. Castration was performed 10 days before implanting the fabric. The characteristic increases in collagen cross-linking (manifested by decreased solubility in 0.5 M acetic acid) and in albumin permeation of the vasculature seen in intact diabetic rats were completely prevented by castration. Net collagen accumulation was not affected by diabetes or castration. Castration also markedly diminished diabetes-induced increases in tissue levels of sorbitol and completely prevented the decreases in tissue levels of myo-inositol and scyllo-inositol observed in intact diabetic rats, but had no effect on serum glucose levels, nonenzymatic glycosylation of plasma and granulation tissue proteins, or plasma somatomedin-C levels. The demonstration that castration prevents diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability and collagen cross-linking as well as imbalances in tissue levels of sorbitol, myo-inositol, and scyllo-inositol in this model indicates that all of these changes are sex steroid-dependent phenomena. While the pathogenesis of these vascular permeability and collagen cross-linking changes is clearly multifactorial, these new findings: indicate that the role of sex steroids in the development of late complications of diabetes may be far more important than hitherto suspected, and suggest an explanation for the clinical observation that diabetic complications are uncommon in prepubertal diabetic subjects regardless of duration of diabetes.

Tissue differences in vascular permeability changes induced by histamine

A new method is described for assessing changes in vascular permeation by albumin in multiple tissues of the same animal in response to intravascular injection of vasoactive agents. Following intravenous injection of 51Cr-RBC, 125I-BSA, and 57Co-EDTA, a test substance (i.e., histamine) is injected intravascularly or subcutaneously. Eight minutes later approximately 2.0 ml of blood is withdrawn and the heart is severed from the great vessels. Samples of tissue are then taken for determination of water content and for the ratio of counts in 125I and 51Cr in each tissue. That ratio is then divided by the corresponding ratio of the same isotopes in the blood. If the resulting quotient is greater than 1, it indicates that the volume of distribution of 125I in the tissues is greater than the ratio of plasma to red cells in large blood vessels and is indicative of permeation of the vasculature by albumin into the extravascular space. With this technique we have demonstrated that following intravenous injection of histamine, albumin permeation of vessels in the cecum is increased much more than for vessels in any other tissue in the body including skin and muscle. Following intravenous injection of 1.5 mg/kg histamine, albumin permeation in the cecum is increased 4-fold while that in skin is unchanged, except at sites where histamine also has been injected subcutaneously where it is increased 1.7-fold by 3 microgram and 10-fold by 15 micrograms of histamine. The magnitude of increases in albumin permeation of the vasculature after intravenous injection of 7.5 mg/kg of histamine was: cecum--5.1 X greater than pancreas--2.8 X greater than small intestine--2.7 X greater than cremaster and stomach--2.0 X greater than eye and aorta--1.9 X greater than fat--1.7 X greater than skin--1.6 X greater than diaphragm and forelimb--1.5 X. Even at this high dose of histamine, tissue to blood isotope ratio (tbir)-I/Cr values were not increased for heart, brain, kidney, lung, or testis. These findings attest to marked tissue differences in sensitivity to histamine-induced changes in vascular permeation by albumin. The additional that histamine-induced tbir-I/Cr increases in most tissues far exceed tbir-Co/Cr increases indicates that the increase in albumin permeation of vessels is mediated in large part by an increased rate of diffusion (rather than filtration) via an increase in the number and/or size of vascular pores large enough to accommodate albumin.

Sorbinil prevents diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability but does not alter collagen cross-linking

In recent studies we have demonstrated a marked increase in albumin permeation of new vessels formed by angiogenesis (in subcutaneous tissue) in the diabetic milieu. Likewise, lysyl oxidase-mediated collagen cross-linking is markedly increased in the scar tissue associated with angiogenesis. The present studies were undertaken to determine whether sorbinil, a chemical inhibitor of aldose reductase that has been shown to prevent and reverse diabetic cataracts and neuropathy, also could prevent the vascular permeability and collagen cross-linking changes in this model. Vascular permeation by 125I-BSA, collagen cross-linking, and tissue levels of sorbitol, myo-inositol, and scyllo-inositol were assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats 3 wk after injection of streptozocin and induction of angiogenesis and collagen synthesis in polyester fabric implanted subcutaneously. Sorbinil (approximately 25 mg/kg/day) added to the diet of diabetic rats reduced the diabetes-induced increases in albumin permeation by 80%, completely prevented diabetes-induced changes in tissue levels of sorbitol and myo-inositol, and markedly reduced diabetes-induced changes in tissue levels of scyllo-inositol. In contrast, sorbinil had no effect on plasma glucose levels or collagen solubility (an index of collagen cross-linking). These observations indicate that increased vascular permeability associated with diabetes is linked to imbalances in sorbitol/inositol metabolism. These findings also indicate that diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability and in collagen cross-linking are independent phenomena and diabetes-induced increases in vascular permeability are largely preventable by treatment with an aldose reductase inhibitor in the face of high plasma glucose levels.

Effect of increased systemic venous pressure on thoracic duct and peripheral lymph flow in dogs

In congestive heart failure, lymph flow from the cannulated thoracic duct is greatly increased. However, there has been scant data on lymph flow in the intact lymphatic system with systemic circulatory congestion. In the present study, thoracic duct and peripheral lymph flow were qualitatively determined using heated cross-thermocouples in seven mongrel dogs. Central venous pressure was raised artificially by infusing large volumes of crystalloid solution equivalent to a maximum of 30% of body weight. Although both thoracic duct and peripheral lymph flow increased with an intact (closed) lymphatic system, the increase was notably less than with a transected (opened) cervical thoracic duct. With systemic circulatory congestion, cannulated thoracic duct lymph flow circumvents a major lymph impediment to lymph flow (i.e. high central venous pressure) and therefore considerably overestimates in vivo central lymph flow in this condition.

Albumin permeation of new vessels is increased in diabetic rats

125I-bovine serum albumin (BSA) permeation of the vasculature of 3-wk-old granulation tissue (induced by subcutaneous implantation of polyester fabric) formed in the diabetic milieu was assessed in female BB/W, spontaneously diabetic rats and in male, Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes as well as in corresponding nondiabetic controls. Albumin permeation of new granulation tissue vessels was markedly increased in both groups of diabetic animals relative to that of nondiabetic controls, while albumin permeation of vessels in most other tissues did not differ for controls and diabetics. These observations indicate that the functional integrity of new vessels formed in the diabetic milieu is impaired: (1) to a greater extent than that of older vessels formed before induction of diabetes and (2) relative to new vessels in nondiabetics. The implication of these observations is that molecular constituents of vessels synthesized in the diabetic milieu are quantitatively and/or qualitatively abnormal and/or their incorporation into vessels is defective.

Microrheologic investigation of erythrocyte deformability in diabetes mellitus

This study was undertaken to determine whether diabetes alters the viscoelastic properties of erythrocytes. The oldest and youngest 10% fractions of circulating red cells were separated by centrifugation of freshly drawn blood obtained from ten diabetics with disease of one to 20 years' duration and from an equal number of age- and sex-matched control subjects. Cells from each fraction were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline, and their rheologic behavior was examined in a rheoscope. The elongation of cells, the percentage of cells that tank-treaded in response to shear stress, tank-treading frequency, and the rate of recovery of cell shape upon cessation of shear stress were determined in the oldest and youngest 10% of cells for diabetics as well as for controls. All four parameters were virtually identical for diabetics and controls. Additional aliquots of cells were taken for assessment of nonenzymatic glucosylation of hemoglobin and cell membrane protein. The absence of any measurable difference in rheologic behavior of cells from diabetic and control subjects, despite substantial differences in nonenzymatic glucosylation of hemoglobin and cell membrane proteins, suggests that the magnitude of glucosylation observed in these cellular constituents does not alter the viscoelastic properties of the cells. The implication of these observations is that microvascular complications of diabetes are not attributable to altered deformability of red cells.

Hypophysectomy disturbs the noradrenergic feeding system of the paraventricular nucleus

Injection of norepinephrine (NE) into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of satiated rats is known to stimulate eating behavior. In addition, drinking behavior is potentiated just prior to the onset of eating, followed by a strong inhibition of water intake. To understand the relationship between these PVN noradrenergic phenomena and endocrine processes associated with the PVN, chronically hypophysectomized animals were tested for their behavioral responsiveness to PVN NE injection. Pituitary ablation was found to abolish the NE-elicited eating response and the NE drinking suppressive effect. However, hypophysectomy had no impact on the NE-elicited preprandial drinking response, nor did it affect drinking produced by carbachol, angiotensin, and histamine, or the feeding and drinking responses induced by insulin. These results demonstrate that hypophysectomy disturbs PVN noradrenergic mechanisms in a behaviorally and pharmacologically specific specific manner.

Digital tomosynthesis: technique modifications and clinical applications for neurovascular anatomy

Digital tomosynthesis studies (DTS) using a linear tomographic motion can provide good quality clinical images when combined with subtraction angiotomography. By modifying our hardware system and the computer software algorithms, we were able to reconstruct tomosynthesis images using an isocentric rotation (IR) motion. Since this is the motion used by C-arm and U-arm angiographic units, these modifications allow for the use of DTS studies in most modern angiographic suites at a reasonable cost. Applying a combination of linear tomographic and IR techniques in clinical cases, we performed DTS studies in six patients, five with aneurysms and one with a hypervascular tumor. The results showed detailed definitions of the pathologic entities and the regional neurovascular anatomy. Based on this early experience, DTS would seem to be a useful technique for the preoperative surgical planning of vascular abnormalities.

Campylobacter microagglutination tests of swine with proliferative enteritis

A microagglutination test was developed to determine campylobacter titers in swine with proliferative enteritis. Formalinized whole cell antigens from 24 Campylobacter isolates, including C hyointestinalis (CHI), C sputorum ss mucosalis (CSM), C jejuni/coli (CJC), C fetus ss fetus (CFF), and C fecalis (CF), were tested with 9 rabbit antisera prepared against each of 3 strains of CHI, CSM, and CJC. The CHI appeared to be antigenically homogeneous. All 6 isolates of CHI agglutinated with homologous antisera at high dilutions and did not react with CSM antisera. Five of 6 isolates of CSM agglutinated with homologous antisera, whereas 1 isolate did not. Seven strains of CJC autoagglutinated in saline solution and various antisera. One of 3 CJC antisera, however, cross-reacted with CHI and CSM antigens at high dilutions. The antigens from 5 strains of CFF and CF did not react with CHI, CSM, and CJC antisera. A survey of sera from 1,052 adult pigs from production herds indicated that the majority had high titers to CHI and CSM (mean, in log2: CHI = 5.57, CSM = 6.05). Similar titers were found in weaned pigs from 3 herds with the disease and 2 of 3 herds without the disease. Pigs with confirmed lesions of proliferative enteritis, however, had low titers (mean in log2: CHI = 2.44, CSM = 3.11). Agglutinating antibodies to CHI and CSM were transmitted from farrowing gilts to neonatal pigs via colostrum. The acquired antibodies decayed to low levels in pigs at 4 weeks of age (mean in log2: CHI = 1.09, CSM = 1.27).

Immunofluorescent demonstration of Campylobacter hyointestinalis and Campylobacter sputorum subsp mucosalis in swine intestines with lesions of proliferative enteritis

An indirect fluorescent antibody technique was developed to identify Campylobacter spp in lesions of swine proliferative enteritis (SPE). Rabbit antisera to C hyointestinalis and C sputorum subsp mucosalis were produced. Bacterial smears stained by fluorescent antibody test with homologous antisera differentiated C hyointestinalis from subsp mucosalis. Ileal frozen sections from 29 pigs with histologic lesions of SPE had specific fluorescent staining of C hyointestinalis in all 29 and subsp mucosalis in 24. Bacterial structures of C hyointestinalis were seen in large numbers and were broadly distributed in intestinal luminal exudate, mucosal necrotic tissues, surface epithelium, lamina propria, and proliferative cryptal epithelium. Numerous C hyointestinalis organisms were always present in the apical cytoplasm of proliferative cryptal epithelium. Fluorescent subsp mucosalis bacteria were seen less frequently and were distributed focally in the mucosa. Numerous subsp mucosalis organisms were more common in cellular debris and in necrotic tissues of surface mucosa, and less common in the epithelial cells of proliferative crypts. Ileal sections from 13 pigs without SPE had no fluorescent staining of C hyointestinalis and subsp mucosalis.

Cell-mediated immune responsiveness to cardiac extracts by peripheral blood leukocytes from patients after myocardial infarction or open-heart surgery

A microdroplet in vitro procedure measuring migration inhibition was utilized to assess cell-mediated immune reactions by peripheral blood leukocytes from patients after myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery. The antigen preparations were derived from human cardiac tissue. Whereas whole-cell extracts and human myoglobin preparations had little effect on migration, mitochondrial preparations markedly inhibited the migration of blood leukocytes from a majority of the patients. Inhibition of migration appeared to reflect development of cell-mediated immunity to heart antigens after myocardial infarction or surgery. These results extend observations of anticardiac immune development in patients following cardiac injury. Two patients demonstrated a direct relationship between enhanced migration inhibition and clinical disease. It is likely that autoreactive responses to cardiac tissue may be involved and influence subsequent physiological events following initial cardiac infarction or surgery.

Feeding behavior induced by central norepinephrine injection is attenuated by discrete lesions in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Extensive brain-cannula mapping studies in the rat have demonstrated that the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is the most sensitive brain site for eliciting eating behavior with central norepinephrine (NE) injection. The present experiments examined the impact of lesions aimed at the PVN on this NE-elicited eating response. In rats with NE injection cannulas aimed at the lateral ventricle, bilateral lesions of the PVN significantly attenuated, by 60 to 70%, the eating effect induced by NE, at doses ranging from 20 to 160 nmoles. PVN lesions which extended ventrally to damage tissue lying within the periventricular region were more effective in abolishing the NE response than were lesions that remained confined to the dorsal aspects of the PVN. Large lesions located just dorsal to the PVN had no impact on the NE response. This evidence supports the primary role of the PVN in mediating the eating behavior elicited by central noradrenergic activation.

Changes of serum protein and immunoglobulins in ovarian agenesis

The levels of serum proteins and immunoglobulins were determined in five cases of Turner's syndrome, in five secondary amenorrheic patients who responded to progesterone, and in five healthy women as controls. Compared with the controls, the patients with secondary amenorrhea showed significantly lower albumin, but higher alpha 1- and beta-globulins; IgG was also lower. In the Turner's syndrome group, gamma globulin, IgG and IgM levels were significantly lower. These results support the suggestion that at least some of the serum proteins and immunoglobulins are related to estrogen.

Anatomic and clinical analysis of 96 Beall prostheses explanted over a 13-year period

Over 13 years, 96 Beall prostheses (80 Teflon, 16 Pyrolite) explanted at surgery were examined for durability, material wear, and clinical symptoms leading to surgical indication for excision were evaluated. The Teflon valves showed progressive disc wear and notching and two cases of disc escape from the cage; the Pyrolite discs were intact in all prostheses. The Dacron-Velour covering common to both types showed dehiscence at the inlet, significantly more severe after the third implant year in the Teflon (p less than 0.005) than in the Pyrolite prostheses. Sixty-nine (85 percent) cases with Teflon valves showed clinical manifestations of congestive heart failure due to prosthetic dysfunction; in 50 there was significant hemolytic anemia. Seven (44 percent) of the 16 Pyrolite disc valves were excised primarily because of dysfunction. The degree of hemolysis with the Pyrolite valves was usually mild. These data clearly suggested the advisability of early excision of the Beall Teflon prostheses in symptomatic patients and a close follow-up in patients with the Pyrolite models.

Campylobacter hyointestinalis (new species) isolated from swine with lesions of proliferative ileitis

Intestines from 48 swine with enteric disease were examined by bacteriologic cultural technique for the presence of various Campylobacter species. Histopathologic techniques were used to determine whether the submitted specimens had lesions of either swine proliferative ileitis or other enteric diseases. Three species of Campylobacter were identified as Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Campylobacter sputorum ss mucosalis, and Campylobacter hyointestinalis (proposed new species) on the basis of biochemical characteristics and response to various inhibitory substances. The C hyointestinalis was isolated from 18 of 27 (67%) swine with proliferative ileitis and from only 1 of 21 (5%) swine with other enteric diseases. The C sputorum ss mucosalis was obtained from 16 of 27 (59%) swine with proliferative ileitis and from 2 of 21 (10%) swine with other enteric disease. The C jejuni/coli was isolated from 2 of 27 (7%) swine with proliferative ileitis and from 8 of 21 (38%) swine with other enteric disease. The new organism, C hyointestinalis, was catalase-positive, hydrogen sulfide positive in triple sugar iron agar, glycine tolerant, intolerant to 3.0% sodium chloride, able to grow at 25 C, sensitive to cephalothin, and resistant to nalidixic acid. On the basis of these characteristics, C hyointestinalis was differentiated from other campylobacters isolated from swine and from other sources.

Cell-mediated immune injury to the heart

A micro in vitro procedure was utilized to assess cell-mediated immunity of patients following myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery. For this purpose, peripheral blood leukocytes from patients were tested in a microdroplet assay with antigen preparations derived from human cardiac tissue. Whereas whole saline extract and human myoglobin preparations had little effect on the migration of peripheral blood leukocytes in vitro, mitochondrial preparations were markedly effective in inhibiting migration of the leukocytes in the presence of mitochondrial extracts appeared to reflect development of cell mediated immunity to heart antigens after the myocardial infarct or surgery. These results extend the observations that humoral antibody may appear in patient following cardiac injury. The role of either antibody or sensitized lymphoid cells in mediation of post-myocardial infarction or post-cardiotomy syndromes is not clear, but it appears clear that injury to the heart induced auto-reactive responses which may play a role in subsequent pathologic events following the initial cardiac injury.

Hemofiltration treatment of psoriasis

Eleven patients with severe psoriasis were treated with hemofiltration once weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Hemofiltration is a method of extracorporeal dialysis that uses a pressure gradient, rather than passive diffusion, to remove small and medium molecular weight substances from the blood. Six of the patients had very substantial clearing of their psoriatic lesions. Five patients had little or no apparent benefit during the course of hemofiltration treatments. They subsequently had dramatic clearing, however, when previously ineffective topical therapy was resumed. No patient had worsening of his condition during the hemofiltration series, and there were no perceived adverse effects.

Increased collagen cross-linkages in experimental diabetes: reversal by beta-aminopropionitrile and D-penicillamine

The effects of diabetes on collagen cross-link formation and solubility were investigated in granulation tissue collagen induced by polyester fabric implanted subcutaneously in rats at the same time diabetes was produced by injection of streptozotocin. Thus, all the collagen analyzed was formed in a diabetic milieu. Ten days later the implants were removed and the total collagen content as well as the fraction soluble in 0.5 M acetic acid was determined. Predominantly type I collagen accumulated in the implants. Total collagen content was the same in diabetics and controls; however, the acid-soluble fraction in diabetic animals was only half that of controls (8.5% and 17.7%, respectively), and the ratio of beta chains to alpha chains in the acid-soluble fraction was higher in diabetics (0.89) than in controls (0.69). In animals treated with beta-aminopropionitrile or D-penicillamine the acid-soluble fraction of collagen from diabetics equaled that from controls. These observations indicate that both intramolecular and intermolecular cross-links are increased in type I collagen from diabetic animals. Since these cross-links interfere with degradation of collagen by collagenase, they may contribute to accelerated intimal sclerosis of arteries and to capillary basement membrane thickening in diabetes.

Cardiac specific antigen and antibody in immunopathogenesis of cardiac disease

Antibody to human cardiac extracts was detected in the sera of many patients undergoing open heart surgery. A passive hemagglutination assay using cardiac extracts as antigen coated onto erythrocytes showed the development of cardiac antibody in the patients, with peak titers usually one to three weeks after the surgery. Radioimmunoassay revealed the presence of cardiac specific myoglobin antigen antigen in the sera of many patients, with peak levels 1-3 days after the procedure. A correlation was observed between development of circulating serum antibody and appearance of cardiac myoglobin antigen. These results support the view that immunologic disease related to release of cardiac antigen in patients undergoing heart surgery may be a factor in post-cardiotomy disease.

Effects of the mycotoxin zearalenone on swine reproduction

Concentrations of 25, 50, or 100 ppm of 95% purified zearalenone fed to groups of healthy, multiparous sows during preestrus or throughout the gestation period (or both) produced multiple reproductive deficiencies. These reproductive disorders included infertility, constant estrus, pseudopregnancy, diminished fertility, reduced litter size, smaller offspring, malformation, juvenile hyperestrogenism, and probably fetal resorption. Gross and histologic examinations of sows revealed lesions in the reproductive organs. Marked epithelial changes characterized by squamous metaplasia were noticed in the uterus, uterine duct, cervix, vagina, and mammary glands.

Effect of heat on the circular dichroism of spectrin in hereditary pyropoikilocytosis

Hereditary pyropikilocytosis is a hemolytic anemia in which the erythrocytes show increased sensitivity to heat-induced fragmentation. Circular dichroism measurements were employed to study the effect of heat on the secondary structure of pyropoikilocyte membrane proteins. The magnitude of the ellipticity at 222 nm over the temperature range from 25 degrees to 70 degrees C was determined for erythrocyte ghosts, spectrin, and ghost residue after extraction. In pyropoikilocyte ghosts, protein denaturation began at a lower temperature and the midpoint of the structural transition was displaced from 49 degrees C (the value for normal ghosts) to 44 degrees C. This thermal transition was present in spectrin, but not in the ghost residue after extraction. We conclude that an abnormality in the spectrin molecule alters the physical and morphologic properties of the erythrocyte membrane in pyropoikilocytosis.

The Nitration of Brominated Pyrazoles in Aqueous Sulfuric Acid

Nitration in 80% sulfuric acid of 4-bromopyrazoles gives rise to considerable nitrodebromination. Compounds with no alkyl or aryl substituent on nitrogen give only the 4-nitro products (except 4-bromo-3-phenylpyrazole which gives the p-nitrophenyl compound). N-Alkyl-4-bromopyrazoles give products of nitrodebromination as well as those arising from nitration in the 3- and/or 5-positions. N-Aryl-4-bromopyrazoles can also undergo nitration of the aryl substituent.

Interactions between drugs and saliva-stimulating parafilm and their implications in measurements of saliva drug levels

The interaction between Parafilm and four tranquilizers in their neutral phosphate buffer solutions resulted in various degrees of loss of the drugs from the solutions. The values of loss ranged from 15 to 34% for chlorpromazine and 8 to 42% for butaperazine at the initial concentration range of 2 to 20 mug/ml at room temperature (22 +/- 1 degree C). Under the same conditions, the values of loss from saliva for these two drugs were fairly constant; about 25% and 17%, respectively. For diazepam and chlordiazepoxide, the losses from the buffer solution were below 5%.

Fluorocarbon aerosol propellants IX: adsorption on activated charcoal

The adsorption of three commonly used fluorocarbons, trichloromonofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, and dichlorotetrafluoroethane, on activated charcoal was studied at 25 degrees. The adsorption versus pressure plots are consistent with the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) type II and type IV isotherms, which can be explained as the condensation of the gaseous molecules in a wide range of pores in the activated charcoal. The monolayer capacity derived from the BET equation is discussed and used to estimate the volume of micropores present in the activated charcoal. Below the relative pressure of 0.01, the adsorption deviated from the BET plot. The deviation revealed that the adsorption capacity and adsorption potential at these lower pressures are greater than the extrapolated values. It is concluded that activated charcoal can be used effectively to remove propellants from the air in pollution control.