The Effect of Castration and Androgen Replacement on Rat Pituitary Follicle Stimulating Hormone Investigated by Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Rat follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) was analysed in extracts of rat anterior pituitary using a newly developed separation method of reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and post-column detection of immunoreactivity (rFSH-IR) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) or immunoprecipitation with a specific anti-rFSH antibody. Good separation of rFSH was achieved on a Waters Radial-Peak 8MBC18 cartridge with a linear (60 min) gradient from 10-60% acetonitrile at constant 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid concentration. The elution profiles of radioiodinated purified rFSH [(125I)rFSH] as well as extracts of adult male and female rat pituitaries contained two main immunoreactive components (peaks 1 and 2) which eluted at 16-17 min and 21 min respectively. In the (125I)rFSH elution profile, the peaks of immunobinding corresponded to two major peaks of radioactivity. The male pituitary showed greater binding to anti-rFSH-serum of peak 1 and 2 eluate compared to female pituitary. At day 20 after orchidectomy, the amount of immunoreactive rFSH (rFSH-IR) increased in both peaks (by 30% in peak 1 and 180% in peak 2); however, the rFSH-IR level in peak 2 appeared to be more variable compared with that in peak 1. Subcutaneous implantation of 5 mg or 15 mg of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at the time of orchidectomy prevented the post-castration elevation of rFSH-IR at 10 and 20 days after surgery. The precise nature and physiological significance of the two elution peaks are not clear at this time; however, only peak 2 showed immunoreactivity with anti-rLH-alpha-subunit antibody (AFP 87713681) and the elution time of peak 2 coincided with that of (125I) rLH-alpha subunit (AFP-7264 B).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

EVIDENCE FOR DIFFERING DOPAMINERGIC ACTIVITY IN CHILDHOOD- OR ADULT-ONSET OBESITY

In order to investigate dopaminergic activity in two types of human obesity, childhood- and adult-onset, we have studied the responses of plasma TSH and prolactin to domperidone, a dopamine receptor antagonist, in 12 patients obese since early childhood, 12 patients with adult-onset obesity, and in 12 lean controls. All subjects were females. In childhood-onset obese patients the responses of plasma prolactin and TSH to antidopaminergic stimulation were lower than those of adult-onset obese patients and lean controls. Conversely, the stimulus elicited a normal response of plasma prolactin and an exaggerated response of plasma TSH in adult-onset obese patients. These data indicate the presence of differing dopaminergic tone in the two types of human obesity.     

Isolation,structure determination and synthesis of a novel tryptophan-containing heptapeptide (basic tryptophyllin) from the skin of Phyllomedusa rohdei

A novel tryptophyllin has been isolated from the methanol extracts of the skin of the South American frog Phyllomedusa rohdei. Its primary structure, as determined by chemical/enzymatic methods and by FAB mass spectrometry, is the following: Lys-Pro-Hyp-Ser-Trp-Ile-Pro-NH₂. This basic tryptophyllin has been synthesized in solid phase, in order to allow its complete pharmacological characterization.     

Low Energy Intracardiac Cardioversion of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

The aims of the study were to verify the efficacy and safety of low energy internal Cardioversion (LEIC) in patients with persistent at rial fibrillation (AF) and to identify the factors affecting the at rial defihrillation threshold (ADT). Forty-nine patients with persistent (lasting ≥ 10 days) AF underwent LEIC. In each patient, two 6 Fr custom-made catheters with large active surface areas were positioned in the coronary sinus (cathode) and the lateral right wall (anode), respectively, for shock delivery, and a tetrapolar lead was placed in the fight ventricular apex for R wave synchronization. Truncated, biphasic (3 ms+3 ms). exponential shocks were used, beginning at 50 V and increasing in steps of 50 V until sinus rhythm had been restored. Mild sedation (diazepam 5 mg IV) was administered to 12 patients. Sinus rhythm was restored in all the subjects with mean voltage and energy levels of 352.0 ± 80.3 V and 8.2 ± 3.4 J, respectively. The ADT in patients pretreated with amiodarone (6.4 ± 1.8 J) was lower than that of patients who had not received any antiarrhythmic drugs (9.2 ± 3.7) (P = 0.04). No ventricular arrhythmias were induced by any of the atrial shocks, and no other complications were observed. During a mean follow-up of 162.9 ± 58.7 days, AF recurred in 21 (43%) patients; 71% of these occurred in the first week after Cardioversion. LEIC is effective in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with persistent AF. The technique seems to be safe and does not require general anesthesia or, in most cases, sedation. Patients pretreated with amiodarone have lower ADTs.     

Synergism of chronic alcoholism and hepatitis B infection in liver disease

One hundred and fifty-seven patients with alcoholic liver disease were studied. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was positive in 20.4% of the patients. Those who were positive for the HBsAg presented at an earlier age, had a lower albumin level, a higher globulin level, a more prolonged prothrombin time, were more likely to have features of cirrhosis in the liver biopsy, and were probably more likely to suffer from hepatic encephalopathy in the follow-up compared with those negative for HBsAg. The mortality of subjects was low both on admission and during follow-up. It is concluded that chronic alcoholism and hepatitis B virus infection act synergistically in producing more severe liver damage and causing cirrhosis at a younger age compared with chronic alcoholism alone. One possible reason for the low mortality of the patients might have been their relatively good nutritional status.     

CORRELATION BETWEEN CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FINDINGS WHEN E WHOLE BLOOD FILTERABILITY RATE IS MODIFIED BY TICLOPIDINE IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

This double-blind study assessed the effects of oral ticlopidineversus placebo on whole blood filterability in two homogenousgroups of 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients taking one NSAID.The patients' clinical progress was monitored to see if modificationsin the whole blood filterability rate could be correlated withany improvement in the clinical picture. Our results showedtreatment with ticlopidine significantly (p<0.01) improvedboth the ESR (–28%) and the whole blood filterabilityrate (–15%), pain (–24%), and morning stiffness(–28%). These clinical benefits correlated with improvementin the whole blood filterability rate. Clinical benefits mayhave resulted from improved perfusion and transport of NSAIDto target tissues. KEY WORDS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Efficacy, Haemorheology, Platelet aggregation, Red cell deformability, Plasma fibrinogen     

Initial Clinical Experience with a Minute Ventilation Sensing Rate Modulated Pacemaker: Improvements in Exercise Capacity and Symptomatology

A minute ventilation sensing rate modulated pacemaker was implanted in nine patients with bradycardia. Minute ventilation is sensed in this pacemaker by means of a standard bipolar pacing electrode. Compared with exercise in the constant rate ventricular pacing (WI) mode at 1 month after pacemaker implantation, rate responsive pacing resulted in an improvement of exercise capacity of 33 ± 5% (from 437 ± 42 s in the WI mode to 593 ±57 s in the rate modulated mode, P < 0.01, Bruce protocol). This improvement was maintained in the seven patients in whom an exercise test was repeated at 3 months after implantation. The pacing rate was significantly correlated with oxygen consumption (r = 0.8A ± 0.04) and measured minute ventilation (r = 0.76 ± 0.06), Symptomatology in these patients was assessed by means of self-assessment questionnaires in a double blind, randomized cross-over study in which the pacemaker was alternatively programmed into the WI and rate modulated modes. Significant improvements in "shortness of breath" and "energy during daily activities" were documented during rate modulated pacing and "palpitations" and "chest pain" were not worsened. Most patients preferred the rate modulated mode during the study. In conclusion, rate modulated pacing by sensing minute ventilation resulted in better exercise capacity and symptomatology. The pacing rate also showed good correlation with the individual's oxygen requirement.     

Nonmelanocytic Lesions Defying the Two-Step Dermoscopy Algorithm

The first step of the two-step algorithm of dermoscopy aims at differentiating melanocytic from nonmelanocytic pigmented lesions, using a stepwise evaluation for the presence of specific dermoscopic criteria. The purpose of this article is to heighten awareness of clinicians to nonmelanocytic lesions that defy the two-step algorithm, thus simulating melanocytic lesions dermoscopically. Seborrheic keratosis, solar lentigo, dermatofibroma, and supernumerary accessory nipple may present with network-like structures. Seborrheic keratosis, dermatofibroma, subcorneal hemorrhage, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and cutaneous metastases of breast and other cancers may contain pigmented globules. Peripheral streaks can also be seen in seborrheic keratosis and BCC. Homogenous bluish pigmentation, simulating a blue nevus, can also be seen in benign vascular lesions, Kaposi sarcoma, radiation tattoo, and BCC. This overlap of features between melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions suggests that integration of all dermoscopic features in the lesion, rather than a stepwise evaluation, may facilitate reaching the correct diagnosis in select cases as outlined in this article.