Potentiation of cholinergic activity with pyridino[1,2-a]imidazo[5,4-b]indole: in vitro studies

1. Effects of a novel imidazoindole derivative on cholinergic function were studied in isolated tissue preparations. 2. The compound demonstrated a dose-dependent (10(-11)-10(-9) potentiation (20-60%) of acetylcholine induced tension in guinea pig ileal tissue. 3. Increases in the size of end-plate potentials and nerve evoked muscle twitches were observed in frog nerve-skeletal muscle preparations. 4. Cholinesterase activity was not inhibited. 5. The results suggest that the compound has actions at the post-synaptic muscarinic receptor complex in smooth muscle and causes pre-synaptic increases in ACh release at the neuromuscular junction.     

Absorption of a novel prodrug of L-dopa, L-3-(3-hydroxy-4-pivaloyloxyphenyl)alanine (NB-355). In vitro and in situ studies

Absorption mechanism and absorption site of a prodrug of L-DOPA, L-3-(3-hydroxy-4-pivaloyloxyphenyl)alanine (NB-355, 1) was investigated using rats. Prodrug 1 (0.5 mM) was taken up by intestinal tissue segments time-dependently in vitro at pH 6.0. However, the rate of uptake was less than that of L-dopa. Inhibitors of the amino acid active transport system (L-Phe, dinitrophenol, ouabain) had no effect on the uptake of prodrug 1. In the intestinal tissue segments, prodrug 1 was extensively hydrolyzed by diisopropylfluorophosphate-sensitive esterase(s). To characterize the absorption site, gastrointestinal tracts were ligated to make acute loops in situ and prodrug 1 or L-dopa was injected into the loops. L-dopa disappeared rapidly from the lumen of the jejunum. In contrast, prodrug 1 disappeared rapidly from the ileum rather than the duodenum or jejunum. From these results, it was suggested that prodrug 1 was slowly absorbed primarily from the lower small intestine.     

A novel method for culturing sweat gland epithelia: comparison of normal and cystic fibrosis tissues.

A new method is described to produce epithelial sheets by direct explantation of human sweat glands onto matrigel-coated millipore filters. The method is applicable to whole glands, separated coils or ducts and to normal and CF tissues. Electrogenic transport studies show that epithelia develop sodium transporting capability, even when explants are derived from secretory coils.     

Effects of hypothermia on testicular ischemia

The ischemic effects of prolonged testicular torsion have been well documented; however, prevention or arrest of the damaging effects of prolonged ischemia has been incompletely studied. Two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to varying lengths of bilateral testicular ischemia. Group I underwent normothermic ischemia for two, four, and six hours. Likewise, Group II underwent similar time periods of ischemia, however, after thirty minutes of normothermic ischemia the scrotum of each animal was placed into an ice bath maintained at 4C. Two weeks postoperatively, bilateral orchiectomy was performed. Histology of the testes of the two groups was compared. Neither group revealed significant destruction of the germinal epithelium after two hours of ischemia. Group I revealed only 25% preservation of the germinal epithelium at four hours and only 8% preservation at six hours of ischemia. In contrast, Group II which received ice showed 90% preservation of germinal epithelium at four hours and 85% preservation at six hours of ischemia. We conclude that external ice application significantly preserves seminiferous tubules at four and six hours of ischemic injury in the rat testicle.     

Endoscopic extraction of eroded Marlex mesh in a Kock pouch

We report a case of recurrent calculi in a Kock pouch continent urinary diversion. An open operation was avoided by successfully excising the Marlex mesh and removing it with the associated calculi in an endoscopic fashion.     

Cleft lip repair in newborn babies.

A method of treatment for cleft lip in children in the first 48 h of life is described and the rationale discussed. My experience over 18 years of the treatment of 300 newborn babies with this deformity is reported.     

Functional diagnosis of early arthroses of the extremities

Patient history and clinical examination are important for the diagnosis of degenerative joint disease. Here the typical statements of a patient suffering from early osteoarthritis are described and, as far as possible, explained. The joint in question must be systematically examined. Furthermore, the neighboring joints and soft-tissue structures, i.e., muscles, tendons etc., should be examined and evaluated with respect to their importance in hindering the functional chain. The neuroreflectory mechanisms involved herein are described.     

Head lice in Israeli children: parents' answers to an epidemiological questionnaire

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the influence of the socioeconomic status of the family and the hygienic practices in the home on the prevalence of head lice infestation in children. METHODS: The study was carried out by analyzing the answers to a standardized epidemiological questionnaire given to parents of school children aged 4-17 in Bet Shemesh, a medium-sized urban town 25 km from Jerusalem. RESULTS: Of 3,000 questionnaires distributed, 958 (31.9%) were completed and returned. The majority of the children (72.4%) had been previously infested with lice. Half of them had other family members, mainly brothers and sisters, who had been infested in the past with lice. In 97.5% of the families the mother was responsible for examining the children for lice, and for carrying out treatment when infestation was present. An association was found between presence of lice infestation and mother's education, age of child, and frequency of shampooing, combing, and examination for lice. There was no association between infestation rates and mother's country of origin, crowding in the home, and the sharing of combs, brushes, hats, scarves, towels, and clothes. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that the incidence of lice infestation depends on the hygienic practices in the home rather than on the socioeconomic status of the family or sharing of personal articles among family members.     

Neurogenic stress ulceration caused by laparotomy under anesthesia plus restraint. The device of a new rat model

We report herein, a new method devised of producing neurogenic stress ulceration in rats. An experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was produced in rats by injecting 0.2 ml of arterial blood from other rats into the cisterna magna. Three days later, the rats were laparotomized for 1 hour under ether anesthesia, followed by restraint for 3 hours in wakefulness. The SAH rats were found to develop stress ulcers (UL-I) in the glandular stomach, which were significantly (p less than 0.001) more marked than those in non-SAH rats. Measurements were performed on gastric acid secretion, an important aggressive factor. It was found that the SAH rats undergoing the laparotomy-restraint stress showed a more marked increase in gastric acid secretion and a more marked reduction in MBF, than the non-SAH rats. The effects of bilateral vagotomy, upper abdominal sympathectomy and bilateral adrenalectomy were examined, and it was revealed that the SAH rats were under the condition of hyperreactivity both in the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and, on this basis, the laparotomy-restraint stress caused the stress gastric ulceration. In this rat model, the laparotomy stress was applied under anesthesia and any exposure to low temperatures which may have interfered with blood circulation was avoided.