Effect of dihydroergosine (DHESN) on the serotoninergic system and behaviour: Is DHESN a new antidepressive agent?

Acute (50.0 mg/kg) and repeated (0.1–10.0 mg/kg) administration of dihydroergosine (DHESN) to rats over 5 days lowered the concentration of 5-HIAA in the brain. DHESN given acutely increased the brain 5-HT in p-CPA-treated animals and diminished the probenecid-induced increase in brain 5-HIAA. In pargyline-treated rats DHESN enhanced the 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio. DHESN administered to rats repeatedly over 5 days decreased the level of 5-HT in blood platelets, and in vitro at concentrations of 10^-4 M and 10^-3 M inhibited the uptake of [¹⁴C]-5-HT in platelets. DHESN (10.0–100.0 mg/kg) potentiated the 5-HT syndrome produced in rats by pargyline and 5-HTP. This potentiation was blocked with cyproheptadine but not with haloperidol. DHESN (1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) lowered the locomotor activity of rats and 10.0 mg/kg DHESN also reduced the duration of immobility in rats forced to swim in a restricted space. The results indicate that DHESN, like antidepressants, decreases the turnover of serotonin in the brain and potentiates the 5-HT-mediated behaviour. This might suggest that the drug should be further investigated for its potential antidepressive properties.     

Biochemical studies of the renal radiopharmaceutical compound dimercaptosuccinate. IV. Interaction of 99mTc-DMS and 99Tc-DMS complexes with blood serum proteins

As a crucial step towards understanding the mechanism of localisation of radiopharmaceuticals in specific target organs, the interaction of the radiopharmaceuticals ^99mTc-DMS and ⁹⁹Tc-DMS with blood serum proteins was studied. The interaction of ^99mTc-DMS radiopharmaceutical was examined from two aspects: total protein binding as well as specificity of binding to certain classes of proteins.After in vitro labelling of human sera with ^99mTc-DMS, the following values of bound radioactivity to total serum proteins were determined: 65%±3.2% by gel-filtration chromatography; 72%±4.6% by dialysis; while on the basis of precipitation by perchloric and trichloroacetic acid 72.7%±6.8% and 71%±2.3%, respectively. Distribution of ^99mTc-DMS or ⁹⁹Tc-DMS among serum proteins was analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis of the sera at pH 8.6 after in vivo and in vitro labelling of human sera with ^99m-Tc-DMS, while the same analysis was performed with ⁹⁹Tc-DMS complex after in vitro labelling of human and rat sera as well as after in vivo application to the rats.The results obtained demonstrate that carrier serum proteins investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis were in the migration zone of ₂-, ₁- and ₁-globulins, whereas the radioactivity found in the serum albumin zone was negligible. Interaction of both Tc-DMS complexes with proteins was very similar, and this conclusion was in good correlation with our previously obtained results in investigations concerning the biochemical behaviour of these complexes.     

Effects of high doses of testosterone propionate and testosterone enanthate on rat seminiferous tubules — a stereological and cytological study

The effects of exogenous testosterone on various testicular variables has become of increasing significance because of its potential use in male contraception. For this reason, high doses of two testosterone esters [testosterone propionate (TP) and testosterone enanthate (TE)] were used in a study of their influence on the morphology, length and curvature of the seminiferous tubules of the rat testis, and on cytological smears of the seminiferous tubules epithelium. TP was given for 14 days (3 mg/100 g body weight, i. m.) to assess the acute effects of testosterone on the seminiferous tubules. TE was administered for 60 days (in the same manner as TP) to study possible chronic effects on the rat testis. After TP and TE treatment the seminiferous tubule epithelium showed disorganization and desquamation of spermatogenic cells. In the TP-treated testes the tubules lined with Sertoli cells only were observed. The values for the length and curvature of seminiferous tubules of the TP- and TE-treated rats were significantly reduced (p<0.001). All these changes were observed earlier in the TP-treated than in the TE-treated animals. In cytological smears of the testis of the TP- and TE-treated rats an increase of vacuoles and residual bodies in Sertoli cell cytoplasm was noted. In addition, a reduction of spermatogenic cells, particularly sperms, was manifest in the smears after treatment. Large groups of Sertoli cells were seen in the smears from these testes.The study was supported by a Grant for Scientific Research No. 3-01-041 from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Informatics of the Republic of Croatia     

Progressive tubulointerstitial nephritis and chronic cholestatic liver disease

We report the clinical and morphological features of a distinctive hepatorenal disorder in four patients and review the five similar patients in the literature. The main clinical characteristics were early onset of cholestatic liver disease and progressive tubulointerstitial nephritis leading to renal death in early childhood. Liver histology showed disturbed architecture with nodular and acinar formations and portal fibrosis and bile duct proliferation. Histological abnormalities in the kidney were severe interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy and dilatation, while the typical features of nephronophthisis were lacking. These clinical and morphological characteristics distinguish our patients from the majority described, as having nephronophthisis and congenital hepatic fibrosis or any other known syndrome with concomitant hepatorenel involvement. We suggest that the association of cholestatic liver disease and progressive tubulointerstitial nephritis represents a new syndrome.     

Selenium in serum as a possible parameter for assessment of breast disease

Summary The level of selenium in blood serum was determined in 33 patients with breast cancer, 13 women with verified mastopathy, and 43 healthy subjects from the Zagreb area. In the second and third quartiles the values of selenium obtained from sick subjects (41–58µg/L) and healthy subjects (73–89µg/L) differed significantly (P < 0.001). In the group of subjects with mastopathy, serum selenium in the same way ranged from 67–76µg/L and did not differ significantly from the group of healthy women, but differed significantly from the patients with breast cancer (P < 0.001).Such a result leads to the conclusion that determination of selenium in the blood could be used as a non-invasive diagnostic parameter in clinical assessment of malignant breast disease.     

Surgical prevention of paralytic dislocation of the hip in cerebral palsy

Summary Paralytic dislocation of the hip in cerebral palsy may be prevented by soft tissue surgery and the results of two procedures are reported. Twenty hips were treated by adductor tenotomy alone and this was unsuccessful in every case. An alternative method was carried out in 42 hips in 25 patients. The procedure combined adductor tenotomy with release of the hip muscles including iliac crest resection, tenotomy of the rectus femoris, recession of the iliopsoas and, when necessary, either release or transposition of the knee flexors. This was much more successful in decreasing migration of the femoral head.

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Résumé Dans la paralysie cérébrale la luxation de la hanche peut être efficacement évitée grâce à des interventions chirurgicales portant sur les parties molles. Nous avons étudié les résultats de deux types d'opération: la ténotomie des adducteurs et cette même opération associée à la désinsertion de la hanche (avec transposition du psoas sur la partie proximale de la capsule) et éventuellement avec allongement des fléchisseurs du genou ou transposition de ceux-ci sur la partie distale du fémur. Soixante-deux hanches ont été opérées chez 45 malades. Les résultats de la ténotomie isolée des adducteurs ont été insuffisants dans les 20 cas opérés (âge moyen au moment de l'opération, 4, 5, ans, recul 6,5 ans). Les résultats du deuxième type d'intervention ont été meilleurs dans les 42 hanches opérées, le pourcentage migratoire de la tête fémorale a été réduit de 45% (âge moyen lors de l'opération 7 ans, recul 5 ans). Plus de la moitié des malades étaient capables de se déplacer.

     

Incidence of IDDM during 1988–1992 in Zagreb,Croatia

Summary The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the population of Zagreb, Croatia, during 1988–1992. A centralized diabetes registry was the primary source of data, while secondary sources were used to assess ascertainment. A total of 282 new cases of IDDM were diagnosed in the study period, the primary and secondary sources identifying annually 93–100% of the cases. The annual incidence rate ranged from 5.6 per 100,000 to 6.6 per 100,000. Early fatality in persons older than 50 years was the major cause of underascertainment. The incidence peaked in the 10–14 years age group (12.4 per 100,000), and remained stable after age 24 years. Males had a significantly higher incidence in the 5–9 and 24–44 years age groups. In the 45–54 years age group, females had a significantly higher incidence. No seasonality was observed. Despite the war conditions in Croatia, the low overall IDDM incidence rates did not change significantly during the study period.Abbreviations IDDM Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus - DKA diabetic ketoacidosis     

An external approach without tracheotomy for submucosal cordectomy with laterofixation for bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal folds

There are numerous surgical procedures now available to manage bilateral abductor paralyses of the vocal folds. These procedures have various success rates but mostly do not offer reliable and predictable postoperative results, and usually require ,tracheotomy. The technique described in this report is based on a trial study to obtain a safe airway for an affected patient and avoid tracheotomy, if possible. Submucosal cordectomy was used with lateral fixation of one vocal fold and preservation of the arytenoid. The procedure was performed by using continuous intravenous anesthesia, which does not require intubation of the patient's airway. Seven patients were operated with this technique with excellent postoperative results. The glottal airway was largely improved in all patients, with only minor temporary complications.     

Isolated hydatid cyst of the adrenal gland

Hydatide disease of the adrenal gland is extremely rare, even in disseminated disease. Isolated cyst of the gland is even more rare. Only 9 of such cases seem to have been described so far. We present a 49 year old woman in whom a hydatide cyst of the right gland was found during the investigation for the dull pain in the area. She was successfully operated. Hydatide etiology was confirmed at operation and by histology. She had an uneventful recovery. The preoperative pain disappeared postoperatively.