"On-off"-induced lethal hyperthermia

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is being increasingly recognized as a potential complication of neuroleptic therapy. Similar hyperthermic episodes have also been described in other settings of abrupt cessation of dopaminergic stimulation such as levodopa withdrawal. We report a fatal NMS-like episode occurring as a complication of an "off" period in a patient with Parkinson's disease.     

Potentiation and restitution of heart muscle contraction in rats adapted to exercise

The original amplitude of contraction of strips of myocardium determined the inotropic response to paired stimulation. The higher the initial amplitude, the lower the degree of potentiation and the higher the degree of restitution of contraction. For equal amplitude, the degree of potentiation of myocardial contraction of exercise-adapted rats was greater and the degree of restitution smaller than in the control. These changes probably reflect changes in the ion transport system of the myocardial cells.Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. M. Chernukh.Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 7, pp. 780–782, July, 1976.     

Localization of corticotropin-releasing activity in the rat hypothalamus

Hypothalamic nuclei were removed from frozen sections of rat brain and examined for their corticotropin-releasing activity. The highest concentration was measured in the median eminence. In addition there was significantly more activity detected in the nuclei paraventricularis, supraopticus, suprachiasmaticus and arcuatus than in the other nuclei.     

Absence of fibula and ulna with oligodactyly, contractures, right-angle bowing of femora, abnormal facial morphology, cleft lip/palate and brain malformation in two sibs: a possibly new lethal syndrome

Absence of fibulae, and unilateral absence of ulna, associated with lateral oligodactyly, and rectangular bowing of the femora are the prominent features of a lethal syndrome studied in two children of related parents. Other malformations are cleft lip and palate and posterior midline abnormalities of the brain. One similar though not identical MCA-syndrome was reported. The literature is reviewed with respect to ulno-fibular malformations.     

Mechanisms of DNA double-strand break repair and their potential to induce chromosomal aberrations

DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) are considered to be critical primary lesions in the formation of chromosomal aberrations. DSB may be induced by exogenous agents, such as ionizing radiation, but also occur spontaneously during cellular processes at quite significant frequencies. To repair this potentially lethal damage, eukaryotic cells have evolved a variety of repair pathways related to homologous and illegitimate recombination, also called non-homologous DNA end joining, which may induce small scale mutations and chromosomal aberrations. In this paper we review the major cellular sources of spontaneous DSB and the different homologous and illegitimate recombination repair pathways, with particular focus on their potential to induce chromosomal aberrations.     

The influence of obesity on the frequency and distribution of medication

Obesity is a serious health problem in industrialized countries and is associated with a significant increase in total health care costs. Only few data are available about the costs of drug therapies in patients with an increased body weight treated under clinical routine procedures. Such data could support efforts to intensify obesity prevention and treatment programmes in order to reduce comorbidities and costs. We have evaluated body mass index (BMI), diagnosis, and medication in 3360 outpatients (2175 women and 1185 men; mean age: 56.7 +/- 17.5 years). All patients underwent physical examinations, including BMI determination, and provided a detailed record concerning medication. In 1809 patients, the percentage of body fat content was measured with a bioimpedance method (OMRON BF 302 body fat monitor). Continuous variables were compared using the t-test or Wilcoxon U-test. Frequency distributions were compared using chi-squared tests. With respect to BMI, most of the patients (n = 1793; 53 %) were overweight or obese, 1349 (40 %) showed a normal BMI and 218 (7 %) a low BMI. The majority of cardiovascular (61 %), rheumatological (61.1 %) and metabolic (60.4 %) medication was administered to overweight and obese patients. Parallel findings could be obtained by analysing the percentage of body fat and the frequency of medication. Overall, 82.5 % of all medication was given to patients with a body fat content >20 %. Our results support the importance of weight-reduction programmes in order to prevent an overall increase in the costs of medication as a consequence of overweight and obesity.