Die Druck-Durchmesser-Beziehung der intakten A. femoralis des wachen Menschen und ihre Beeinflussung durch Noradrenalin-Infusionen

Zusammenfassung An 12 gesunden Personen (Alter 25±4 Jahre) wurde die Druck-Durchmesser-Beziehung der muskulären A. femoralis in vivo ohne und während Infusion von Noradrenalin (10 bzw. 20 g/min) untersucht und daraus verschiedene Elastizitätskoeffizienten abgeleitet.Der Durchmesser wurde unblutig mit dem Ultraschall-Reflexionsverfahren, der Blutdruck direkt in der kontralateralen A. femoralis bestimmt.Bei einem diastolischen Durchmesser (liegend ohne Noradrenalininfusion) von 0.74±0.05 cm betrug die prozentuale Durchmesseränderung 6,73±0.36%, die Weitbarkeit (D/P) 0,87±0.05·10^–6 dyn^–1. cm³ und die berechnete Pulswellengeschwindigkeit 6,44±0,22 m·sec^–1.Unter Noradrenalininfusion (10 g/min) nahmen der diastolische Durchmesser um 6,8% sowie die Gefäßweitbarkeit um 18,5% signifikant ab, die Pulswellengeschwindigkeit dagegen nahm mit 7% geringfügig zu.Insgesamt zeigten die Untersuchungen, daß die muskuläre A. femoralis wesentlich härter ist als z. B. die elastische A. carotis communis des Menschen und daß ihr Durchmesser und auch ihre Weitbarkeit im Gegensatz zu den Verhältnissen an der A. carotis communis unter Noradrenalineinwirkung abnehmen. Die Ergebnisse werden hinsichtlich ihrer Bedeutung für die Dynamik des arteriellen Pulses diskutiert.Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung der Dentschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (AR 64/3).     

Scanning electron microscopy of merogonous stages ofEimeria falciformis var.pragensis inMus musculus

Asexual stages ofEimeria falciformis var.pragensis in Swiss-Webster mice were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Sporozoites were present in the cecum and colon 2 h post-inoculation (PI) and measured 11.3×2.1 m (9–13.9×2–2.2 m). Sporozoites penetrated epithelial cells with an extended anterior end and were constricted at the site of entry. Asexual generations were found in the cecum and colon epithelial cells. In meronts found at days 3–6 PI, merozoites matured synchronously, were oriented in the same direction, and were arranged in a helical pattern. Such meronts measured 11.3×6.4 m (8–13.7×5–7.4 m) and contained 8–12 meroxoites, which measured 11.9×1.5 m (7.4–15.7×1.3–1.8 m). Meronts which were present at day 7 PI measured 9.5×8.2 m (9–10.5×7–9.5 m) and contained 20–50 small merozoites which budded asynchronously from a central residuum. At days 3–7 PI, parasitized epithelial cells had shorter and fewer or no microvilli. The lumenal plasmalemma of the host cell was often disrupted or absent in cells containing mature meronts and escaping merozoites. At day 6 PI, phagocytic cells appeared on the epithelial surface, some of which were in contact with merozoites. Small foci of exposed basal lamina were present at day 7 PI in areas where cells had sloughed from the epithelium.     

A comparative immunohistological study of cerebellar enolases

Summary A comparative immunohistological study of the neurone-specific enolase and enolase, demonstrates the exclusive neuronal localization of enolase and its absence from glial cells. In contrast, enolase is located in astroglial cells. The validity of enolase as a neuronal marker and enolase as an astrocytic marker, is confirmed both by a double labelling technique, using antibodies to and to revealed with fluorescence or peroxidase in the same tissue sections, and by immunoelectronmicroscopy.     

Participation of β-endorphin in the regulation of conditioned reflex activity of cats

The role of -endorphin in the regulation of conditioned instrumental food-procuring reactions and more complex forms of nervous activity such as reflexes of choice of the side of reinforcement was studied in cats. It was established that the subcutaneous injection of small doses of -endorphin (10 g/kg, 15 ·10^–6 g/kg) exerts a facilitatory nonspecialized effect on positive and negative food-procuring conditioned reflexes that has an overall adaptive character overall. The influence of the same doses of -endorphin on conditioned reflexes of choice is more complex in character, depending upon the initial level of conditioned reflex activity and on the typological features of the experimental animals. A possible mechanism of the influence of -endorphin on higher nervous activity is discUSSed.Deceased.Translated from Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal SSSR imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 76, No. 8, pp. 992–1000, August, 1990.     

Ribonucleic acids of Machupo and Lassa viruses

Summary Sucrose gradient velocity centrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and RNA-RNA hybridization were used to characterize Lassa and Machupo virion RNAs as well as virus-specific RNAs from cells infected with Pichinde and Machupo viruses. Five RNA species: 30–31S, 28S, 22–24S, 18S and 4–6S have been detected in Lassa, Machupo, and Pichinde virion RNAs. Among them 28S, 18S and 4–6S RNAs cosediment and comigrate with respectivelv cell RNAs. RNase resistance analyses suggest the presence of extensive secondary structures and complementary RNAs in Lassa, Machupo, and Pichinde virion RNAs. Annealing with poly(A)-containing RNA from infected cells has revealed that the bulk of minus strands of Machupo virion RNA is located in 22–24S and 28–31S fractions of sucrose gradient. Thus Machupo and Lassa viruses as well as Pichinde virus contain two genomic RNA fragments: large (molecular weight of about 2.2 × 10⁶) and small (molecular weight of about 1.3 × 10⁶).In the cells infected with Pichinde virus and treated with actinomycin D (1.0 µg/ml) synthesis of 18S,22–24S and 30–31S RNAs has been registered. At least 22–24S and 30–31S classes comprise plus and minus strands. In cells infected with Machupo virus in the presence of actinomycin D the synthesis of similar sedimentation classes of RNAs and certain amounts of 28S RNA have been detected.With 4 Figures     

Interferon β1a Treatment Modulates TH1 Expression in γδ + T Cells from Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients

A paradigm exists that multiple sclerosis is causally related to dysregulation of T_H1 inflammatory cytokines and T_H2 antiinflammatory cytokines. The cytokine source(s) that initiate the imbalances are unknown. In this study, , CD4, and CD8 T cell receptor-positive (TCR+) cells were isolated from the blood of 26 definitive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients prior to interferon -1a (IFN1a) therapy and following 8–10 weeks of this therapy. The bioactivities of interferon (IFN), interleukin 10 (IL10), and interleukin 12 (IL12) were determined. The concentrations of IFN, IL10, and IL12 from each cell type did not change significantly with IFN1a treatment. The IL10 secreted by TCR+ cells strongly correlated with the IL12 secreted by the same TCR+ cells, supporting the paradigm. Furthermore, IFN1a therapy decreased the TCR+ cell secretion of T_H1 cytokines after 8–10 weeks of therapy.     

A monovalent ion-selective cation current activated by noradrenaline in smooth muscle cells of rabbit ear artery

We have studied chloride influx and efflux in a highly purified preparation of type n cells freshly isolated from adult guinea-pig lung using ³⁶Cl^–. Chloride uptake was time-dependent, saturable (K_m<10 mM) and was inhibited by 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulphonic acid (DIDS; K_i80 M). In the absence of external chloride (substituted by gluconate), ³⁶Cl^– uptake exhibited an overshoot above equilibrium. The rate of ³⁶Cl^– entry was strongly inhibited by addition of external nitrate; sulphate was a weaker inhibitor. ³⁶Cl^– efflux was stimulated by external bromide > bicarbonate chloride citrate; and was inhibited by proprionate > acetate > oxalate. Although the chloride channel blocker 4-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate (0.14 mM) caused an inhibition, ³⁶Cl^– influx did not appear to be electrogenic. These data are compatible with the existence of a substantial electroneutral anionexchange pathway for chloride transport in freshly isolated adult type II pneumocytes.     

Neural nicotinic acetylcholine responses in solitary mammalian retinal ganglion cells

Using the patch-clamp technique,whole-cell recordings from solitary rat retinal ganglion cells in culture have established the nicotinic nature of the acetylcholine responses in these central neurons. Currents produced by acetylcholine (5–20 mol/l) or nicotine (5–20 mol/l) reversed in polarity near –5 mV and were unaffected by atropine (10 mol/l). Agonist-induced currents were blocked by low doses(2–10 mol/l) of the classical ganglionic antagonists hexamethonium and mecamylamine, as well as by d-tubocurarine and dihydro--erythroidine (the latter two do not discriminate clearly between ganglionic and neuromuscular junction receptors). Treatment with the potent neuromuscular blocking agent -bungarotoxin (10 mol/l) did not affect the cholinergic responses of these cells, while toxin F (0.2 mol/l), a neural nicotinic receptor antagonist, readily abolished acetylcholine-induced currents. Thus, the experiments performed to date show that the nicotinic responses of retinal ganglion cells in the central nervous system share the pharmacology of autonomic ganglion cells in the peripheral nervous system. The ionic current carried by the nicotinic channels was selective for cations, similar to that described for nicotinic channels in other tissues. In addition, single-channel currents elicited by acetylcholine were observed in whole-cell recordings with seals > 5 G as well as in occasional outside-out patches of membrane. These acetylcholine-activated events, which had a unitary conductance of 48 pS and a reversal potential of 0 mV, represent the ion channels that mediate the neural nicotinic responses observed in these experiments on retinal ganglion cells.     

Virus-specific RNA formed in Newcastle disease virus-infected cells after suppression of protein synthesis by cycloheximide

Summary In Newcastle disease virus-infected cells the accumulation of virus-specific RNA is prevented if protein synthesis is inhibited by cycloheximide at an early stage of infection. At a later stage cycloheximide enhances the synthesis of smaller (18–35 S) virus-specific RNA while the synthesis of 49 S RNA is suppressed. This is accompanied by a corresponding change in the relative amounts of plus and minus RNA strands: the proportion of plus strand is sharply decreased. A possible significance of the phenomenon for the regulation of virus-specific RNA synthesis is discussed.     

Prediction of peak torque and contraction work at different isokinetic angular velocities of plantarflexion

Summary Contraction work (CW) and peak torque (PT) of maximum isokinetic plantar flexions were measured in clinically healthy subjects randomly chosen from the official census list of Umeå, Sweden, in three groups: 40–44, 50–54 and 60–64 years of age, with similar proportions of men and women. Maximum isokinetic plantarflexions were performed at angular velocities of 30, 60, 120 and 180 · s^–1. Body-weight, height and crural circumference were measured. Subjects rated their levels of leisure and occupational activities.To establish formulae to predict CW and PT, stepwise regression procedures were applied. The predictive powers (r ²) of the formulae which incorporated age, sex and crural circumference, were higher for PT (30 · s^–1: 0.82, 60 · s^–1: 0.79, 120 · s^–1: 0.75, 180 · s^–1: 0.56) than for CW (30 s^–1: 0.63, 60 s^–1: 0.63, 120 s^–1: 0.60, 180 s^–1: 0.52). Thus the part of the variance explained decreased with increasing angular velocity, but more than 50% was still explained at 180 s^–1.The results indicate that the mechanical output of the plantar flexors is predictable.     

Role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and protein kinase Cζ in the adenylate cyclase signal mechanism of action of relaxin in muscle tissues of rats and mollusks

We showed that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and protein kinase C are involved in the adenylate cyclase signal mechanism of relaxin action. A selective inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase wortmannin blocked the stimulatory effect of relaxin on adenylate cyclase in rat skeletal muscles and Anodonta cygnea smooth muscles. Antibodies against protein kinase C abolished the relaxin-induced stimulation of adenylate cyclase in rat muscles, but not in mollusk muscles. Our results indicate that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and protein kinase C play a role in the adenylate cyclase signal mechanism of relaxin action.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 10, pp. 420–423, October, 2004     

Trennung der intestinalen β-Galactosidasen beim lactose-toleranten Erwachsenen durch Ultrazentrifugation im Dichtegradienten

Zusammenfassung Die intestinalen-Galactosidasen von 4 lactose-toleranten, erwachsenen Mitteleuropäern wurden im Saugbiopsie-Gewebe nach Solubilisierung mit Triton X-100 in einem linearen Mannitol-Gradienten (5–20%) auf der Ultrazentrifuge bei 4°C und 44000 U/min getrennt. Bei 12stündiger Zentrifugation fanden sich 3 Fraktionen, von denen die beiden schneller sedimenticrenden Lactose spalten. Alle 3 Fraktionen hydrolysieren p-Nitrophenyl--Galactosid. Die 3 isolierten-Galactosidasen entsprechen wahrscheinlich der neutralen Bürstensaum-Lactase, der sauren lysosomalen Lactase und einer cytoplasmatischen Hetero--Galactosidase.     

A chronic gastric fistula for rats

Summary We tested various kinds of gastric fistulae (for rats) made of different materials, and a sturdy model was designed capable of functioning for many months. Its main part consisted of polythene feet placed between the serous coat and the internal surface of the abdominal wall.For a study of gastric function we used special hammocks made of thick tarpaulin, and found that they afforded the most favorable conditions for fixing the rat, and were superior to hard extensible sliding cages.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR V. V. Parin) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 55, No. 6, pp. 111–113, June, 1963     

Temperament as a potential predictor of mortality: Evidence from a 41-year prospective study

Psychological factors were hypothesized to influence mortality, in particular, early versus later mortality. To explore the relationship between temperament, a psychological factor, and mortality in a prospective study of 1337 medical students, we constructed a measure portraying three temperament types, using latent class analysis. Death occurred in 113 subjects over 25–41 years of follow-up. In univariate survival analysis, subjects tending to direct tension inward when under stress (Tension-In) had a higher risk of mortality than Tension-Out or Stable types. These associations persisted after adjustment for age, smoking, cholesterol level, and Quetelet Index. The relative risk (RR) of mortality for Tension-In was 1.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.00–2.44) compared with the Stable group. The risk was due entirely to the excess risk in persons under 55 years of age (RR, 2.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.46–4.62); the corresponding risk of death in older persons was 0.66 (0.30–1.48). Thus temperament is a significant risk factor for mortality, in particular, premature death.     

Ability of L-histidine to decrease desensitization of the myometrium to epinephrine

Experiments were performed with 62 longitudinal strips of the uterine horns from 10 nonpregnant rats. The ability of continuously infused epinephrine in high concentration (10^–6 g/ml, 30 min) to suppress spontaneous contractions due to activation of -adrenoceptors progressively decreased, which was associated with receptor desensitization. Histidine in a concentration of 3×10^–11 g/ml had no effect, while in concentrations of 3×10^–8, 3×10^–7, and 3×10^–6 g/ml decreased the degree of desensitization. Our results indicate that histidine not only potentiates -adrenoceptor activation, but also prevents the development of desensitization. These data should be taken into account during therapy with -adrenoceptor agonists.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 10, pp. 364–367, October, 2004     

Down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor α activity by acute ethanol treatment in human peripheral blood monocytes

As the most commonly used drug that can modulate both metabolic and immune pathways, ethanol is evaluated in this report as a regulator of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in human peripheral blood monocytes (M) in combination with a variety of stimuli. While acute ethanol treatment did not induce TNF in M, it was a potent down-regulator of M TNF production whether induced by the combination of interferon- plus muramyl dipeptide (MDP) (P<0.001), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone (P<0.01), or interferon- plus LPS. Down-regulation of M TNF by ethanol was dose dependent and statistically significant in the biologically relevant, 25–150 mM, ethanol concentration range. We also demonstrate that these ethanol concentrations did not affect M viability. TNF down-regulation by ethanol was most effective when ethanol was administered 4 hr prior to MDP stimulation; however, it was also effective—though to a lesser extent—if it was added at the time of MDP stimulation. Furthermore, ethanol also down-regulated TNF production of thein vivo preactivated M of trauma patients, which produce hyperelevated levels of TNF. We have previously shown that the majority of posttrauma elevated M TNF is produced by the M subpopulation expressing high-affinity type I Fc receptors (FcRI). When the FcRI cross-linking-stimulated M subpopulation was treated with acute ethanol, TNF production was suppressed again both inin vivo preactivated M of trauma patients and in M of normal controls. In experiments utilizing cyclooxygenase inhibitor, we also demonstrate that ethanol has a direct, prostaglandin E₂-independent, effect on M TNF production. These results demonstrate that acute ethanol exposure has the potential to down-regulate M production of TNF significantly regardless of the TNF-inducing stimulus. Decreased capacity of M to produce TNF might, therefore, contribute to the immunological and metabolic abnormalities described after ethanol uptake.     

Hb Tübingen. Eine neueβ-Kettenvariante (β Tp 10–12) mit erhöhter Spontanoxydation

Zusammenfassung Bericht über eine neue-Kettenvariante in einer in Süddeutschland ansässigen Familie. Von insgesamt sieben eingehend untersuchten Familienmitgliedern konnte die Anomalie in der heterozygoten Form bei zwei Angehörigen (Mutter und Sohn) nachgewiesen werden. Der Erbgang ist autosomal dominant. Das anomale Hämoglobin verursacht bei den Teilträgern infolge erhöhter Spontanoxydation eine Methämoglobinämie mit sichtbarer Cyanose sowie eine leichte kompensierte hämolytische Anämie ohne Innenkörperbildung. Der anomale Blutfarbstoff ist hitzelabil. Ein Enzymdefekt der Erythrocyten einschließlich Diaphorasemangel konnte ausgeschlossen werden. Globinanalysen ergaben einem im core ( Tp 10–12, Aminosäurenposition 83 bis 120) der-Kette gelegenen Defekt. Die Anomalie, die mit keiner der bisher bekannten Strukturvarianten übereinstimmt, wurde nach dem Ort des Auffindens als Hb Tübingen bezeichnet.

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Hb Tübingen. A new-chain variant ( Tp 10–12) showing increased spontaneous oxidation

Summary Hemoglobin Tübingen, a new-chain variant ( Tp 10–12) was discovered in two members out of seven of a German family. The abnormal hemoglobin is characterized by increased spontaneous oxidation, heat instability, normal methemoglobin spectrum, and the absence of spontaneous Heinz body formation. The carriers suffer from a mild and compensated hemolytic anemia; the main clinical symptom is a mild cyanosis. The amount of abnormal hemoglobin was approximately 40 per cent when DEAE-chromatography was performed with methemoglobin hemolysates; no separation could be achieved using hemolysates in the cyanmethemoglobin form. It was not possible to separate the abnormal-chain from normal-chain by globin electrophoresis or by chromatography on CM 52. Globin analyses showed a defect located in the core of the-chain ( Tp 10–12, amino acid position 83–120). This anomaly which does not correspond to any of the structural variants known so far was named Hb Tübingen according to the city in which it was found.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. K. H. Schäfer, Hamburg, zum 60. Geburtstag.

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Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Diameter and flow velocity changes of feline small pulmonary vessels in response to sympathetic nerve stimulation

Using an X-ray television system, we measured directly changes in the internal diameter (ID), flow velocity, and volume flow of the small pulmonary vessels (100–500 m ID) in response to electrical sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS) in anaesthetized cats before and after adrenergic receptor blockade. Flow velocity was obtained by measuring the distance that the leading edge of the contrast medium moved per 0.1 s in the small arteries. Volume flow was obtained from the product of flow velocity and cross-sectional area calculated from the ID of the small arteries. SNS was accolmplished with 10- to 15-V square-wave pulses of 2-ms duration at 20–30 Hz for 20-s periods. In response to SNS, arterial ID decreased significantly by 8–13% in the 200- to 500-m vessels but not in the 100- to 200-m vessels. In the veins, on the other hand, there was no significant ID decrease in any of the 100- to 500-m vessels. After -receptor blockade (phentolamine, 2 mg/kg i.V.), there were significant ID increases (4–9%) in the 100- to 500-m arteries in response to SNS, the maximum increases being in the 100- to 200-m arteries. After -blockade (propranolol, 2 mg/kg i.V.), the ID decrease due to SNS in the 200- to 500-m arteries was enhanced (24–27%) and, in addition, the 100- to 200-m arteries exhibited a significant ID decrease (18%). Combined and -blockade completely abolished the ID decrease due to SNS. In the veins, on the other hand, no ID change occurred even after - or -blockade. The results indicate that SNS selectively constricts 200- to 500-m arteries. The data suggests that SNS has -mediated vasoconstrictor and -mediated vasodilator effects on the 100- to 500-m arteries and that the ID response pattern to SNS depends chiefly on the balance between -mediated vasoconstriction and -mediated vasodilation. Associated with the ID decrease due to SNS, flow velocity was increased by 21%. However, SNS did not affect volume flow, because the increase in velocity was compensated by the reduction in the cross-sectional area (due to the decreased ID).     

Morphological study of the hearts of rats carried on board biosatellites

The hearts of rats carried on board the biosatellites Kosmos-605 and Kosmos-782 were studied histologically and histochemically. A long space flight (up to 22 days) did not cause any significant structural or metabolic changes to develop in the heart. The absolute weight of the heart also was unchanged. A transient increase in phosphorylase activity in the myocardium of the rats 10–11 h after the end of the flight was due to stress resulting from exposure to the combination of extremal factors accompanying landing of the satellite.Institute of Medico-Biological Problems, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 4, pp. 485–486, April, 1977.     

Comparison of the properties of five pox virus strains isolated from monkeys

Summary Five strains of monkey pox viruses were compared with respect to their cultural characteristics in primary and continuous cell cultures and the lesions developed in embryonated eggs and in rabbit skin as well as to their hemagglutinating activity.Four strains (Copenhagen 65-31 65-32 and 7-61) appeared to be similar in their properties. The cytopathogenic effect (CPE) was identical to that induced by vaccinia virus. There was no detectable virus multiplication in an pig kidney cell line (PEK). All four strains produced small, white, compact, hemorrhagic pock-like lesions on the chorioallantoic membrane.The strain 64–7275, isolated from healthy monkeys kidneys, had all properties of variola virus. It multiplied in the PEK cell line with a CPE. The lesions on the CAM were more compact without hemorrhage. In rabbit skin no detectable reaction occurred after infection with this strain.