Aggravation of injury to liver lysosomes of rats with CCl4 hepatitis by preliminary prolonged administration of chlorpromazine

Preliminary prolonged administration of chlorpromazine (5 mg/kg for three weeks) aggravated the injury to liver lysosomes of rats with acute CCl₄ hepatitis. Similar marked changes were observed in lysosomes sedimented with heavy and light mitochondrial fractions.Central Scientific-Research Laboratory and Department of Psychiatry, Novosibirsk Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician, of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. P. Kaznacheev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 1, pp. 38–41, January, 1977.     

Organization of DNA topoisomerase II isotypes during the cell cycle of human lymphocytes and HeLa cells

We have monitored the organization of DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) in relation to chromatin disaggregation during mitogen stimulation of lymphocytes and to the mitotic chromosome condensation cycle by immunofluorescence microscopy with isozyme-specific antibodies. Labelling for both Topo II and Topo II was diffusely nucleoplasmic and non-nucleolar in resting lymphocytes and the pattern changed little during stimulation. Topo II labelling intensity increased in parallel with the extent of cell stimulation, but a fraction of fully stimulated cells was labelled very brightly. Topo II labelling intensity was also greater in stimulated cells, but all partially and fully stimulated cells were labelled at the same, higher, intensity. In addition, anti-Topo II detected a few small spots within nucleoli of stimulated cells that coincided with regions containing fibrillarin. In lymphocytes and HeLa, chromosome association of Topo II began in prophase and lasted throughout mitosis. In contrast, Topo II stayed nucleoplasmic in prophase, was diffusely cytoplasmic during mitosis, and was first detected post-mitotically in nuclel with decondensing chromosomes and a reformed nuclear envelope. The results are consistent with a role for Topo II, but not for Topo II, in mitotic chromosome condensation, and indicate that the isotypes may play independent roles in the reorganization of chromatin structure during lymphocyte mitogenic activation.accepted for publication by T. D. Allen     

”Reflexes of purpose and freedom” in the comparative physiology of higher nervous activity

The most complex unconditioned reflexes of aim and freedom, discovered by I. P. Pavlov, are compared with the competence drive and the motivation of the resistance to coercion, respectively, described by contemporary ethologists. On the basis of the unconditioned reflex of purpose, conditioned reflexes were developed in which positive emotions arising in connection with the perfection of a skill, irrespective of its pragmatic significance at a given moment, serve as the reinforcement. The unconditioned reflex of freedom is regarded as a phylogenetic precursor of the will, and its acute extinction as the physiological mechanism of hypnosis. It was demonstrated experimentally that the appearance of the state of animal hypnosis (immobilization catatonia) in rabbits is accompanied by the predominance of electrical activity and heat production in the right hemisphere, i. e., by symptoms which are found in hypnosis in man.Translated from Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel'nosti imeni I. P. Pavlova, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 415–420, May–June, 1989.     

Identification and quantitation of cortisol metabolites in rat liver homogenate and -slices

Summary Cortisol-1, 2-H³ was incubated with rat liver homogenate and/or rat liver slices in the presence of a NADPH-generating system. The following metabolites could be identified in adult male rats: -cortol, allo--cortol, 3-allo--cortol, 20-hydroxy-cortisol, 11, 17, 20, 21-tetrahydroxy-5-pregnan-3-one, 3-allotetrahydrocortisol, tetrahydrocortisol, trace amounts of allotetrahydrocortisol and two highly polar metabolites only partly identified. In female rats only tetrahydrocortisol, allotetrahydrocortisol and allodihydrocortisol could be detected in significant amounts.The radioactive metabolites mentioned above were localized and quantitated on paper chromatograms by a 4-radiochromatogram scanner. A nearly perfect correlation was found between these results so obtained and those given by liquid-scintillation counting of each metabolite after its elution from the paper.Part of this work was supported by grant n° 695 of the National Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Geneeskundig Onderzoek.Stagiair of the Nationaal Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek.     

The Involvement of Dopamine in Strengthening Cortical Signals Activating NMDA Receptors in the Striatum (a hypothetical mechanism)

A possible mechanism is proposed for the enhancement/weakening of those cortical signals in the cortex-basal ganglia-thalamus-cortex neural network which induce/do not induce opening of NMDA channels in the spiny neurons of the striatum and which can be regarded as strong/weak in terms of this measure. The mechanism is based on the modulatory influences of dopamine on changes in the efficiency of corticostriatal inputs. In the absence of dopamine, relative increases in the intensity of strong (weak) cortical signals can lead to the induction of long-term potentiation (depression) of corticostriatal synapses. In this case, because of the differently directed influences on thalamic cells of signals passing via strionigral and striopallidal cells, strong signals at the output of the thalamus are weakened, while weak signals are strengthened. Activation of dopamine D₁ (D₂) receptors on strionigral (striopallidal) neurons may facilitate increases in the extent of long-term potentiation/depression (decreases in the extent of long-term potentiation/depression or induction of long-term potentiation/depression). The consequence of this is that strong signals at the output of the thalamus can be strengthened synergistically, while weak signals cab be weakened synergistically. Background cortical signals evoking tonic release of dopamine in the striatum can decrease strengthening because of weakening of the modulatory influence of dopamine on the modification of corticostriatal synapses.     

Prostate specific antigen and prostate specific acid phosphatase in adenocarcinoma of Skene's paraurethral glands and ducts

An autopsy case of adenocarcinoma of Skene's paraurethral gland co-incident with renal cell carcinoma is described. The adenocarcinoma showed distinct prostate specific antigen and prostate specific acid phosphatase pointing to the equivalence between the male prostate and Skene's paraurethral glands and ducts. Skene's gland are the homologue of the prostate in females and tumours arising from them are immunohistochemically similar to male prostate carcinoma.In the title and text the authors used the official term of Nomina Anatomica paraurethral (Skene's) glands and ducts. Nevertheless recently published data on cross-antigenicity between the male prostate and Skene's glands and the newly discovered exocrine and neuroendocrine parameters of the prostate homologue in the female, comparable with the male prostate (Zaviai 1987), support the use of the same term — the prostate — for prostatic tissue in both sexes (Zaviai 1987, Zaviai et al. 1985). The designations female prostate homologue or female prostate equivalent are a compromise between terms the female prostate and Skene's paraurethral glands.     

Sublocalization on chromosome 21 of human interferon-alpha receptor gene and the gene for an interferon-gamma response protein

The cellular responses to alpha and beta interferons (IFN- and -) are mediated through the IFN-/ (type I) receptor, while the response to IFN- is mediated through the IFN- (type II) receptor. The receptors for IFN-/ and IFN- are encoded by genes on human chromosomes 21 and 6q, respectively. The presence of chromosome 21q confers both ligand binding and responsiveness to human IFN-/, whereas chromosome 6q confers binding of Hu-IFN-, but not cellular responsiveness on somatic cell hybrids. Chromosome 6q (i.e., the Hu-IFN- receptor gene) and chromosome 21q are both necessary for the cellular response of somatic cell hybrids (from fibroblasts) to Hu-IFN-. It is conceivable that the factor mediating activity through the IFN- receptor is, in fact, the IFN- receptor, or that the two genes are distinct but part of an interferon response region. Here we more precisely localize on human chromosome 21 the genes for the IFN- receptor and for the factor(s) mediating the action of IFN- through the chromosome 6-encoded receptor. Hamster-human somatic cell hybrids containing various fragments of human chromosome 21 were used. The presence of the human IFN-/ receptor was determined by binding³²P-labeled human IFN- to cells, covalently cross-linking the [³²P]IFN--receptor complex, and analyzing it by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The presence of the IFN- receptor-related factor mediating cellular responsiveness was determined by HLA induction in hybrid cells containing the IFN- receptor (chromosome 6q), a transfected copy of the human HLA-B7 gene, and various portions of chromosome 21. In all hybrids examined, the two genes cosegregate. Specifically, both genes are localized to the region of chromosome 21 containing the markers D21S58, D21S65, and GART and appear to be proximal to D21S58. The implications for IFN action are discussed.     

Farmerlunge

Ohne ZusammenfassungAus den Laboratorien der Marshfield Clinic und Marshfield Clinic Foundation for Medical Research and Education, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA. Die Arbeit wurde durchgeführt mit Unterstützung des US Public Health Service, Bewilligungsnummer UI-00398.Die Autoren sind Dr.Dieter M. Voss für seine wertvolle Hilfe bei der Vorbereitung des Manuskriptes zu Dank verpflichtet.Deutsche Übersetzung: Dr.M. v. Bubnoff, München.     

Summation and adaptation in stimulation of the motor cortex in adult and newborn animals

Summary In rabbits and their progeny an investigation was made of summation and adaptation of the neurones of the motor cortex; unipolar stimulation was used, and the muscular response recorded. Two types of summation curves were found: exponential and Y-shaped,, and were related to the direct and indirect summation of stimulation. In adults, Y-shaped summation curves were more frequent, whereas in rabbits aged 24 h exponential curves preponderted. We found very little capacity for adaptation at any age.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR A. F. Turom) Translated from Byulleten Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Medisiny, Vol. 55, No. 6, pp. 3–7, June, 1963     

Effect of Individual and Combination Treatment with Cytokines on Expression of Sialoadhesin by Bone Marrow Macrophages

We studied the effects of lipopolysaccharide, interferon-, interleukin-1, or tumor necrosis factor- and combination treatment with tumor necrosis factor- and interleukin-1 or interferon- on the expression of sialoadhesin receptors on the membrane of bone marrow macrophages, macrophage adherent ability, and production of nitric oxide by these cells. Sialoadhesin expression was evaluated by binding of macrophages to sheep erythrocytes labeled with radioactive ⁵¹Cr. Treatment of bone marrow cells with interferon- improved adhesive properties of macrophages, but did not modulate expression of sialoadhesin. Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor- had no effect on the test parameters. Combination treatment with these cytokines enhanced binding of sheep erythrocytes to macrophages. Administration of lipopolysaccharide or combination treatment with interferon- and tumor necrosis factor- increased the count of macrophages adhering to plastic and stimulated expression of sialoadhesin. Combination treatment with interferon- and tumor necrosis factor- stimulated production of nitric oxide by bone marrow macrophages. Blockade of nitric oxide synthesis had no effect on adhesive properties of macrophages and expression of sialoadhesin.     

Eine neue Bestimmung der Neutralfette im Blutserum und Gewebe

Zusammenfassung Die Neutralfette im Blutserum und Gewebe lassen sich über Glycerin exakt ermitteln. Freies und nach alkoholischer Verseifung nachweisbares Gesamt-Glycerin werden mit Glycerokinase in einer dreistufigen enzymatischen Nachweisreaktion im Mikroverfahren bestimmt. Die Differenz wird als Glycerid-Glycerin angesprochen. Reaktionsprinzip, Durchführung der Methode und Berechungsweise werden ausführlich besprochen.Für freies Glycerin werden 0,2 ml Serum, für Gesamtglycerin etwa 0,007–0,015 ml Serum äquivalente Hydrolysatmengen in den Test eingesetzt. Bei einer Empfindlichkeit von 0,0008 µMol (wenn bei 340 nm, bzw. 0,0015 µMol Glycerin, wenn bei 366 nm gemessen wird), können noch 1/20 bis 1/10 des im Normalserum vorhandenen freien bzw. Gesamtglycerins mit den Standardansätzen erfaßt werden. Die obere Nachweisgrenze reicht dann bis 0,15 bzw. 0,3 µMol Glycerin, das entspricht der 8- bzw. 15fachen Normalmenge für freies und Gesamtglycerin. In den angegebenen Grenzen liegen die über Glyceridglycerin nachweisbaren Triglyceridkonzentrationen. Empfindlichkeit und obere Nachweisgrenze können durch andere Serum- bzw. Hydrolysatmengen in weiten Grenzen variiert und der jeweiligen Fragestellung angepaßt werden.

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Summary Triglycerides in blood serum and tissue can be identified exactly by means of glyceride-glycerol. Free and total glycerol, measurable after alcoholic saponification, are determined by glycerolkinase in a three-step enzymatic proof-reaction by means of micro-methods. The difference between total and free glycerol is called glycerideglycerol. Reaction principles, working instructions and the calculation will be discussed in detail.The sensitivity of the standard test runs to 0,0008 respeccively 0,0015 µMol glycerol or 1/20 resp. 1/10 of the normal contentrations. The upper proof limit is at 0,15 respectively 0,3 µMol glycerol per test. This is equal to 8–15 times more than the normal of free and total glycerol. Sensitivity and upper proof limit can easily by varied and adapted to the formulation of the question.

     

Isoenzymes of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in liver diseases

Summary A new method for the separation of isoenzymes of-glutamyl-transpeptidase is described, using electrophoresis on acetate cellulose gel and a developing solution composed by-glutamyl-naphthylamide, and a colored diazonium compound.The method permits the separation of up to four different isoenzymes, which we called-GT₁,-GT₂,-GT₃,-GT₄, the first two showing an electrophoretic migration similar to that of ₁- and ₂-globulins and the other two to that of-globulins.The present technique has proved its usefulness in detecting isoenzymes in serum with values of total-glutamyl-transpeptidase higher than 80 U/L.The application of this method in 52 patients with different types of biliary obstruction and hepatocellular damage has shown that it provides new possibilities in differential diagnosis.     

Recognition by peptide mapping of three different structural groups of outer membrane protein YOP-1 of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

The structural relation of YOP-1 of european and american Yersinia enterocolitica serotypes O3, O9, O5, 27, and O8 and O20, respectively, and Y. pseudotuberculosis serotypes I, II, and III was compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and peptide mapping using Staphylococcus aureus protease V8. Apparent molecular weights of YOP-1 ranged from 206,000 (O3) to approx. 180,000 (O8). According to their respective peptide maps YOP-1 of the european and american Y. enterocolitica serotypes and Y. pseudotuberculosis serotypes could be assigned to three different groups. Evaluation of several isolates of Y. enterocolitica serotypes O3, O9, and O8 by peptide mapping indicated that YOP-1 is conserved within a serotype. However, one serotype O8 isolate differed from the consensus peptide pattern of the other serotype O8 and O20 isolates. The similarity of the peptide patterns of Yersinia serotypes which predominate in certain geographical locations, i. e., european and american Y. enterocolitica serotypes, suggest common evolution of YOP-1 of these serotypes independent of the evolution of the other serotypes.     

Mother-Baby psychiatric units (MBUs): National data collection in France and in Belgium (1999–2000)

Summary The French version of the Marcé checklist was used to collect data for 176 joint admissions to 11 psychiatric mother-baby units in 1999 and 2000. Mean age of the babies at admission ranged from 4 to 16 weeks. Two units also admitted older children. Mothers admitted were diagnosed with schizophrenia or chronic delusional disorders (n=44), acute transitory psychosis Bouffée délirante (n=20), bipolar disorders (n=20), depressive illness (n=38), personality disorders or intellectual disability (n=39), and other disorders (n=15). The mean duration of hospitalisation was 11 weeks. Units that also offered day-care admission in the same or a near-by unit had shorter mean admissions. More than half the womens partners (or babies fathers) had mental health problems. Women with schizophrenia or chronic delusional disorders and personality disorders or intellectual disability remained hospitalised longer, improved less, and were more often separated from their babies, or discharged with supervision, than women admitted with other diagnoses.     

Disturbance of delayed match-to-sample in macaques by tetanization of anterior commissure versus limbic system or basal ganglia

Summary Three pig-tailed macaques were trained to select (match) from a pair of colored images that which they had seen (sample) and responded to 5–15 s previously. The anterior commissure (AC) and/or its radiation, various loci in basal ganglia, hippocampal formation and control areas, (splenium of corpus callosum, precentral gyrus, insular cortex), totalling 40 loci, were each tetanized for 4 s during presentation of the sample image, during the delay period, or when the monkey was required to select the matching image. For several loci in the hippocampal formation tetanization at any phase of the task reduced matching to chance levels and gave evidence of electrical after-discharge; but other comparable hippocampal loci had little or no effect. Response to sample or match stimuli were absent during tetanization of basal ganglia or anterior commissure. When finally made, upon cessation of tetanization, responses were equally correct for basal ganglia and control sites, but for AC were at chance levels.     

Effects of sleep deprivation on the activity of selected metabolic enzymes in skeletal muscle

Summary The present study gives the results of a comparison of the recorded and true tibia-calcaneal angles in 17 normal subjects and in 14 patients with abnormally hypoextensible non contracting triceps. 1. For a minimal passive torque, the difference between true and recorded angles varied considerably from one individual to another. The means and ranges for the two groups were respectively: –8 (+7, –21) and –7 (+5, –20). 2. When the passive torque increased as a result of slow passive lengthening of the muscle, the true curve was steeper than the recorded one, owing to differences between the two angle measurements. For each of the two groups the differences in means and ranges were respectively: 6 (0, +13.5) and 8 (3, 12). 3. Subjects made isometric voluntary contractions of the triceps surae at fixed angles which corresponded to step by step muscle lengthening. The resulting true curve was much steeper than the recorded curve. The differences in means and ranges were: 7 (1.5, +15) in children of the two groups and respectively 3 (0, +9) and 12 (10, 14) in adults of the two groups. The present results show that this methodology was the only reliable way of correctly obtaining passive and active torque-angle curves, measuring differences between subjects, appreciating the effects of treatments and these by ascertaining whether or not trophic muscle regulation was defective.     

In situ expression of β1, β3 and β4 integrin subunits in non-neoplastic endothelium and vascular tumours

Endothelial cells play an important role in adhesive interactions between circulating cells and extracellular matrix proteins. In vitro studies have shown that many of these processes are mediated by a superfamily of heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins called integrins. The distribution patterns of 1, 3 and 4 integrin subunits in endothelial cells (EC) in situ were examined immunohistochemically on serial forzen sections of a wide range of non-neoplastic tissues and of vascular tumours, both benign and malignant. Expression of the 1 subunit was a constitutive feature of EC. Among the 1-associated subunits, 5 and 6 were broadly distributed in EC, irrespective of vessel size and microenvironment. The 3 subunit displayed intermediate levels of expression with a slight preference for small vessel EC. Presence of 1 was confined to EC of capillaries and venules/small veins. Expression of 2 in EC was inconsistent. With rare exceptions, the 4 chain was absent in EC. The 3 and v subunits were expressed in most EC, though not always concomitantly. In contrast to the 1 chain, however, these integrin subunits were absent in EC of glomerular capillaries and were expressed variably in sinusoidal EC. The 4 chain was evenly present in the great majority of EC, except for those of large vessels. In vascular tumours, the patterns of 1 and 1 to 6 subunit expression generally corresponded to those found in their non-neoplastic counterparts. Expression of 3, v and 4 chains, however, decreased in neoplasia, especially in angiosarcomas. These data show that EC dispose of broad and at the same time differential repertoires of integrin subunits that presumably reflect vessel-type associated functional differences among these cells. In vascular tumours, the orthologous distribution patterns of 1 and 1 to 6 chains are conserved in most instances while the amounts of 3, v and 4 subunits expressed in EC tend to decrease in the course of malignant transformation.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med. Dres. h.c. Wilhelm Doerr on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Expression of cytokine genes in adhesions on uterine tubes

We studied expression of genes of interleukins, interferon-, tumor necrosis factor-, and transforming growth factor-₂ in adhesions on uterine tubes. In tubal adhesions the intensity of production of mRNA for proinflammatory cytokines, antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10, and regulator of cell proliferation surpassed that in normal tissues by 2.5-7.4, 2.2, and 50.2 times, respectively. Correlations were found between production of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor- and transforming growth factor-₂, interleukin-12, and interferon- and interleukin-12 and transforming growth factor-₂. Our results suggest that expression of these genes during adhesion formation is regulated by the feedback mechanism.     

Direct immuno-electron microscopy and some morphological features of hog cholera virus

Summary Characteristic particles of hog cholera virus were identified by direct immuno-electron microscopy. The virion is 40–50m, often asymmetrically shaped, and is enveloped in a membrane that bears 12–15 m surface projections. The surface projections are shear-sensitive and are antigenically different from the virion's envelope. They may represent hog cholera virus soluble antigen.     

Flow Cytometry Evaluation of the T-Cell ReceptorVβ Repertoire Among HIV-1 Infected Individuals Before and After Antiretroviral Therapy

HIV-1 infection leads to serious impairment of the immune system and perturbations in the T cell receptor V repertoire are also described. Immune reconstitution can be potentially achieved in response to HAART. In the present study 10 patients were investigated for the V pattern expression before and after six months of HAART. TCR were analyzed for T CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, separately, by flow cytometry, using a monoclonal antibody set of 24 different V chains. Compared to eight Brazilian healthy controls, no differences in V pattern of expression was observed for patients before or on antiretroviral therapy. Some chains such as V 3, 14, 16, 20 and 21.3 were over utilized by both T subsets, independently of HIV infection and/or antiretroviral treatment, differing from the ones described for individuals of other nationalities. However, when each patient was taken individually, particular alterations were detected for the V gene usage, compared to controls, for all individuals. After treatment, significant V usage changes were observed for seven patients. One or more chains on both T subsets were engaged in this process, defining a preferential oligoclonal profile for TCR repertoire distribution, after HAART. Although no pattern of specific V changes was detected in the circulating T cells, we cannot exclude that differential immune responses to HIV or other important antigens are being focused by these cells.