Lithium inhibits human sperm motility in vitro.

Lithium is a widely prescribed drug used for the treatment of bipolar affective illness. Previous reports on its effects on sperm motility and male fertility are conflicting. The effect of lithium on human sperm motility was examined in vitro using the modified transmembrane migration method. This technique takes account of the dilution of lithium that occurs during the incubation. Lithium inhibits human sperm motility in vitro in concentrations comparable with those reported to be achieved in semen after oral administration.     

Mitogenic and protein synthetic activity of tissue repair cells: control by the postsurgical macrophage

It is well known that fibroblasts are a main source of extracellular matrix synthesis necessary for tissue repair. In addition, macrophages secrete products that are known to modulate synthesis of extracellular matrix. Accordingly, we studied the incorporation of [3H]thymidine, [3H]proline, and [35S]sulfate into macromolecules produced by fibroblasts recovered from the site of peritoneal tissue repair cultured with and without spent media from postsurgical peritoneal macrophages. Rabbits underwent resection and reanastomosis of their small intestines. Peritoneal exudative cells (PEC) were then collected on postsurgical day 5 and day 10 as well as from nonsurgical controls, separated by discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation, and cultured for 48 h. A second group of rabbits underwent peritoneal wall abrasion from which fibroblast tissue repair cells (TRC) were collected from the site of injury at postsurgical day 7 and maintained in culture for varying times. Incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into DNA, collagen, and sulfated proteoglycans was determined. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine and [3H]proline into untreated TRC gradually decreased with culture duration. Conversely, [35S]sulfate incorporation gradually increased during prolonged culture. Macrophage spent media increased the levels of [3H]thymidine incorporation by the TRC. [3H]Proline and [35S]sulfate incorporation into TRC were also stimulated by macrophage spent media. However, this stimulation may be due to the enhanced proliferation of TRC by macrophage spent media. In conclusion, tissue repair fibroblasts are activated for postsurgical repair at the site of injury by many factors including secretory products from postsurgical macrophages.     

Single course versus maintenance bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for superficial bladder tumors: a prospective, randomized trial

A total of 42 patients with recurrent superficial bladder tumors or carcinoma in situ entered a prospective, randomized trial to compare the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy with and without quarterly maintenance instillations of bacillus Calmette-Guerin. Maintenance therapy did not reduce further bladder tumor recurrence rates or the interval to recurrence in patients who responded to the initial course of therapy. However, prolongation of toxicity was observed with maintenance bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy.     

Alteration of the α-tocopherol content in the brain and peripheral nervous tissue of dysmyelinating mutants

In the brain of quaking and shiverer mutants, vitamin E content was normal when related to both wet weight and dry weight. When related to lipid extract, phosphorus, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E was slightly increased only in the quaking mutant. In the sciatic nerve from trembler mutants, vitamin E was 134% of control values in the dry material, but normal in relation to wet weight. It was 260% in the lipid extract and 716% based on phosphorus. In relation to total fatty acids, there was a threefold increase in trembler mutants. Interestingly, it was increased approximately three times when related to 18∶2 n?6, 20∶4 n?6, and 20∶5 n?3, and seven times when related to 22∶6 n?3. The fact that the amount of vitamin E in fresh weight was normal, suggests that vitamin E plays a role in some nonmembrane material, such as the extracellular matrix or the basal lamina.     

Cerebral venous thrombosis as a cause of neonatal seizures

Intracranial venous thrombosis has been described in newborns, but there have been no reports of intractable neonatal seizures due to this condition. We report cortical venous sinus thrombosis in two term neonates who presented with seizures in the first 24 hours of life. The diagnosis was made by cranial computed tomography and was confirmed by cerebral angiography. Both patients improved clinically after the intracranial venous thrombosis resolved. These patients demonstrate that intracranial venous thrombosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal seizures.     

Fate of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline in cultured hepatocytes

The interaction of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline with cultured hepatocytes has been studied. [Phenyl-3, benzyl-3H] pargyline (38 nM) rapidly enters the cells and a plateau of incorporation into a trichloroacetic acid insoluble form (monoamine oxidase) is reached after 2 hr. The level of labelling is lower in freshly isolated cells than in those in later culture. The maximum incorporation accounts for only 6% of the added radioactivity and produces a 9% inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity. The remaining [3H] pargyline is metabolized and quickly accumulates in the cell culture medium in a form which cannot label exogenous mitochondria. The metabolism of pargyline varies both qualitatively and quantitatively with culture age. In 0 hr and 20 hr-cultured cells one metabolite preferentially appears whilst in 140 hr cultured hepatocytes at least three metabolites are formed. The metabolism of [3H] pargyline in early culture is consistent with a cytochrome P-450 involvement. The use of [3H] pargyline to label monoamine oxidase in cultured hepatocytes offers several attractive features for studying the turnover of this enzyme. These include speed of interaction, non-reutilization, application to normal cells, controlled inhibition of monoamine oxidase and metabolism of non-specific label.     

Long-lasting effects of chronic chlorimipramine treatment of rats on exploratory activity on a hole-board, and on immobility in the forced swimming test

The study concerned the effects of acute and chronic clomipramine administration to male rats on exploratory activity in a novel environment (hole-board) and on immobility in the forced swimming test. Acute clomipramine administration did not alter either exploratory activity on a hole-board as measured 3 or 20 h after drug administration, or immobility in the forced swimming test as measured 20 h after drug administration. Approximately 20 h after the last injection of clomipramine, the rats chronically treated with the drug showed reduced exploratory activity on the hole-board. In contrast, chronic clomipramine treatment significantly increased the activity in the forced swimming test. The effects of the drug on exploratory and forced swimming activities persisted for 14 days after the cessation of clomipramine administration. These data indicate that chronic clomipramine administration exerted profound and long-lasting effects on central nervous system function. The long-lasting action of the drug on behaviour in the forced swimming test might explain the long-term beneficial effect of antidepressant drugs in counteracting behavioral depression.     

Juvenile Parkinsonism: clinical and metabolic characteristics.

Twenty one patients with idiopathic Parkinsonism beginning before the age of 40 years were investigated. The mean duration of the disease was 19 years. There was a good and sustained response to levodopa. Only four patients reached stages IV and V (Hoehn and Yahr). Intolerance to levodopa was observed in the more advanced stages of the disease. In the series the familial incidence of Parkinsonism (2 cases) and essential tremor (3 cases) was very low. Thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus or macrocytic anaemia was not found in any of the cases.