The pharmacology of the behavioral and hypothermic responses of rats to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT)

The hypothermic and motor behavioural responses to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) have been investigated in the rat. The dose-effect relationship showed that hypothermia appeared at a lower dose than a definite motor syndrome. The hypothermic response to 8-OH-DPAT was attenuated following depletion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) by repeated intraperitoneal (IP) administration of parachlorophenylalanine (200 mg/kg) or by injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 100 g) into the region of the third ventricle; the motor behavioural response produced simultaneously was not. Indeed, after 5,7-DHT, it was increased. Quipazine (1 mg/kg, IP) antagonised the hypothermic response and facilitated the motor behaviour. Clenbuterol (2.5 mg/kg, IP) increased both hypothermic and motor responses. (±)-propranolol was without effect on the simple hypermotility produced by 8-OH-DPAT, although it is known to antagonise the hypothermic and stereotyped motor responses. It is concluded that 8-OH-DPAT probably produces its hypothermic effects by actions at 5-HT receptors located presynaptically on 5-HT neurones, while the stereotyped components of the serotonin syndrome appear to be mediated by post-synaptic receptors.     

How Many Swallows Are Required to Establish Reliable Esophageal Peristaltic Parameters in Normal Subjects? An On-Line Computer Analysis

Esophageal manometric parameters are often examined using from four to 10 or more swallows to obtain a manometric profile without addressing the question of the reproducibility of these data. We asked the question of "how much is enough?" by statistically comparing five sets of 10 wet swallows (5 ml) each separated by 20 min in eight volunteers using constant infusion manometry. Peristaltic waves were evaluated for amplitude, duration, and velocity using an on-line computer program. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance and the Newman-Keuls test for uniformity among sets of swallows. The sets of 10 swallows showed no evidence of a training effect over time. Less than 5% of all comparisons (Newman-Keuls) showed significant differences. Using 5% variability outside of 1 SD as a cutoff (95% confidence interval) amplitude of normal wet swallows could be adequately defined by more than or equal to five swallows and velocity by more than or equal to seven swallows. Duration shows the greatest overall variability and required more than or equal to eight swallows for accurate assessment. These data suggest that at least five to eight wet swallows should be performed to describe "typical" manometry parameters for normal subjects.     

Rolandic paroxysmal epilepsy: a long term study in 150 children

150 children with Rolandic paroxysmal epilepsy (RPE) aged 3 to 12 years were followed up clinically and by EEG for 16 years. Antiepileptic drugs were administered initially for 2 years and then suspended for 6–12 months. Treatment was resumed in the 29 patients who had seizures during the drug-free interval and was maintained for a further 5 years.80.6% of all patients were in clinical remission after the 2-year treatment period. Some patients had seizures while on drugs, others during the drug-free interval. Seizure frequency declined with age. No seizures occured after the age of 14 or in the 8 years following final discontinuation of drug therapy. The need for prolonged drug treatment is therefore questioned.

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Sommario 150 bambini affetti da Epilessia a Parossismi Rolandici, di età compresa tra i 3 e i 12 anni, sono stati tenuti sotto controllo clinico ed elettroencefalografico per un periodo di sedici anni.È stato effettuato un trattamento con farmaci antiepilettici per 2 anni. Dopo 6/12 mesi di wash-out farmacologico, in 29 pazienti che hanno manifestato crisi, la terapia farmacologica è stata ripristinata e mantenuta per 5 anni.Dopo i primi due anni di terapia, si è avuta una remissione clinica nell'80.6% dei casi. Alcuni pazienti hanno manifestato crisi durante l'assunzione della terapia, altri durante il periodo di wash-out. In ogni caso l'incidenza delle crisi diminuisce con il crescere dell'età dei pazienti. Al di sopra dei 14 anni non sono state registrate crisi, e l'osservazione durante gli otto anni successivi alla sospensione definitiva della terapia farmacologica non ha rivelato la comparsa di alcuna crisi.Viene quindi discussa la necessità di un trattamento farmacologico prolungato in corso di Epilessia a Parossismi Rolandici.

     

Agarose electrophoresis and inhibitor tests for isoamylase determination can give complementary clinical information

We report the presence of an extremely high proportion of "aged" amylase in the serum and cyst fluid of a patient with a pancreatic pseudocyst. A salivary amylase inhibitor test helped us to differentiate these "aged" pancreatic amylases from salivary fractions having a similar electrophoretic mobility.     

Prevalence of tooth agenesis correlated with jaw relationship and dental crowding

Two groups of patients were selected from the State University Dental School in Ghent--an experimental group with tooth agenesis and a control group with complete dentitions. Skeletal anomalies were diagnosed by means of lateral cephalograms according to the Sassouni analysis. The amount of crowding was measured on standardized photographs by Little's Irregularity Index. The prevalence of Class I skeletal relationship appeared to be significantly higher in the agenesis group than in the control group. Skeletal deep- and normal-bite cases occurred more often in patients with hypodontia than in the control group. As far as crowding was concerned, it was less pronounced in the hypodontia group (lateral segments) than in the control group. This conclusion held true only when the "amount" of crowding was not taken into account.     

Chernobyl accident: dosimetric evaluation and estimation of risks

The results of dosimetric evaluations carried out after Chernobyl accident in the Health Physics Department of Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital (Milan) on air, rain and ground contamination are presented. The results obtained show that the incidence of stochastic late effects, both somatic and genetic, will be so low that practically will not be distinguishable from "natural" incidence.     

Comparative performance of two copper IUDs: Nova-T and MLCu375

A comparative randomized trial was made of two intrauterine contraceptive devices: Nova-T and MLCu375. The IUDs were used by 637 and 606 women, respectively, for one year, unless the device was removed earlier. The reasons for IUD removal were analyzed after one year using the life-table method. Statistically significant differences were found in expulsion and removal for bleeding and/or pain rates.

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Sumario Se hizo un estudio comparativo al azar de dos dispositivos anticonceptivos intrauterinos: el NOVA T y el MLCu375. Durante un año, a menos que el dispositivo hubiese sido quitado antes, los DIU fueron usados por 637 y 606 mujeres respectivamente. Las razones de la remoción de un DIU fueron analizadas después de un año usando el método de la tabla de vida. Se encontraron diferencias estadisticamente significativas en tasas de expulsión y de remoción por sangrado y/o dolor.

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Resumé Une étude comparative randomisée a été effectuée sur deux dispositifs intrautérins contraceptifs: NOVA T et ML CU 375. Les DIU devaient être utilisés respectivement par 637 et 606 femmes, pendant une année, exception faite des cas où le stérilet a dû être retiré plus tôt. Les motifs du retrait ont été analysés une année plus tard grâce à la méthode des tables de survie. Les statistiques ont montré des différences significatives des taux d'expulsion et de retrait pour saignements ou douleurs.

     

The effects of a 5-HT1 receptor ligand isapirone (TVX Q 7821) on 5-HT synthesis and the behavioural effects of 5-HT agonists in mice and rats

The effects of 2-(4-(4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl)-butyl)-1,2-benzoisothiazol-3(2H)one-1,1-dioxide hydrochloride (isapirone, TVX Q 7821), a putative 5-HT₁ receptor antagonist, has been studied on various models of 5-HT receptor sub-type function. In mice TVX Q 7821 produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the hypothermia induced by 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) with an ED₅₀ of 5.3 mg/kg suggesting that TVX Q 7821 was an antagonist of the presynaptic (possibly somato-dendritic) 5-HT_1A receptor. TVX Q 7821 did not alter the locomotor response to the suggested 5-HT_1B agonist RU 24969. The rate of mouse brain 5-HT synthesis was accelerated by TVX Q 7821 (10 mg/kg). 5-HT₂ receptor-mediated head twitch behaviour induced by precursor loading with 5-HTP was unaffected by TVX Q 7821 (10 mg/kg) pretreatment 75 min earlier, but the head-twitch induced by the agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine was enhanced by prior treatment with TVX Q 7821.In rats the hypothermia induced by 8-OH-DPAT was partially antagonised by TVX Q 7821 while the behavioural serotonin syndrome induced by 8-OH-DPAT (a possible post-synaptic 5-HT_1B-mediated effect) was unaffected by TVX Q 7821 as was the locomotion induced by RU 24969.The data suggest that TVX Q 7821 is a good presynaptic 5-HT_1A antagonist in mice, as indicated by the 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia and 5-HT synthesis rate studies. It did not antagonise 5-HT_1B-mediated behaviour in mice or rats and appeared to have an antagonist action at pre- but not post-synaptic 5-HT_1A receptors in rats. Offprint requests to: G.M. Goodwin     

Trigeminal neuropathy and partial nose destruction

Summary Two cases of trigeminal neuropathy with tissue loss are described, one in a Spillane-Wells syndrome, the other in a Riley-Day syndrome. Although the etiology was different, nose-picking led in both cases to a typical punchedout lesion of the skin and cartilage of nose tip, columella and alae nasi. Reconstruction was performed only in the first case, after resolution of the neuropathy. Reconstruction should not be considered for cases with persistant anaesthesia.Head: M. Lejour