Catecholamine plasma levels following immune stimulation with rabies vaccine in dogs selected for their paw preferences

Epinephrine and norepinephrine plasma levels were assessed in dogs in relation to paw preference following an immune challenge with rabies vaccine. The results showed that both catecholamines increased after the vaccine administration, confirming the main role of the sympathetic nervous system in the modulation activity between the brain and the immune system. Moreover, ambidextrous dogs showed a significantly higher increase of epinephrine levels 8 days after immunization with respect to right- and left-pawed dogs, suggesting that the biological activity of this molecule could be key for a different immune response with regard to laterality.     

The port-hole method in the treatment of congenital nystagmus

The so-called "port-holes method" is a bilateral peripherical occlusion. It was used for the treatment of 38 cases of congenital nystagmus; the duration of treatment was 5 years. The method produces improvement of visual acuity and diminution of the nystagmus, evidenced by E.N.G. The method is of easy practice, and well-accepted by the children.     

Comparison of microtransducer and fiberoptic catheters for urodynamic studies

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reproducibility of a fiberoptic transducer urodynamic catheter for urethral closure pressure profiles and leak point pressure determination, using a microtransducer catheter as the standard. METHODS: Ninety women without significant pelvic organ prolapse underwent urodynamic evaluations with both fiberoptic and microtransducer catheters. Maximal urethral closure pressures and "leak point pressures" were repeatedly measured by the two catheters and statistically compared. The order of catheter use was randomized. RESULTS: Significantly lower mean maximal urethral closure pressures were recorded by the fiberoptic system than by the microtransducer system (28.9 cmH(2)O +/- 17.3 versus 43.2 cmH(2)O +/- 24.9, P <.001). The fiberoptic catheter predicted microtransducer values for maximum urethral closure pressure only within a range of 27 cmH(2)O. Mean "leak point pressure" recorded by the fiberoptic catheters (66.9 cmH(2)O +/- 2.9) was not significantly different than that recorded by the microtransducer catheters (66.4 cmH(2)O +/- 2.9, P =.97). CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference between maximum urethral closure pressure values recorded by the microtransducer and fiberoptic catheter systems. No significant difference was found between the two systems in measurement of Valsalva "leak point pressure."     

Histochemical detection of glycoproteins in the gastric epithelia of Columba livia

A histochemical investigation was carried out to detect glycoproteins in the lining and glandular epithelia of 4 regions of the stomach of Columba livia: proventriculus, intermediate region between proventriculus and gizzard, gizzard, intermediate region between gizzard and duodenum. It was noticed the presence of neutral and sulphoglycoproteins, with a clear predominance of the latter in the lining epithelia and in the simple tubular glands of the mucosa of these regions, except for the gizzard. Absence of glycoproteins was noticed in the oxynticopeptic cells of the branched tubular glands of the proventriculus. Neutral glycoproteins and traces of sulphoglycoproteins were present in the lining epithelia of the folds of its central cavity and of its exit duct. Lining the above mentioned structures, the correspondent of the gizzard, inclusively there was a pellicle of sialoglycoproteins.     

Estrogen replacement raises rat CRP without evidence of complement activation

Given current controversies regarding anti- and pro-inflammatory effects of estrogen, there is a need to explore relationships between gonadal hormones and inflammation using appropriate animal models. It has been proposed that rats are not appropriate for such research since, contrary to the effect of estrogen in humans, earlier animal studies had reported that estrogen downregulates serum C-reactive protein (rCRP) levels in the rat. With these considerations in mind, we re-examined the effects of estrogen withdrawal and replacement on CRP expression and complement activation in the rat. F-344 rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy or sham surgery at 9-10 months of age. Four months later, ovariectomized rats were treated with traditional high-dose 17beta-estradiol (Hi-E2) capsules, lower-dose (Lo-E2) 17beta-estradiol capsules, or placebo capsules for 7 days prior to sacrifice. Levels of plasma rat C-reactive protein (rCRP) were significantly lower in ovariectomized vs. sham-operated animals (415.5 +/- 10.6 vs. 626.6 +/- 23.0 mg/L, p < 0.001). Estrogen replacement significantly raised rCRP levels in ovariectomized animals (690.0 +/- 28.0 mg/L in Lo-E2 and 735.5 +/- 35.8 mg/L in Hi-E2, respectively, p < 0.001). Plasma rCRP levels correlated significantly with both hepatic rCRP (r = 0.79, p < 0.001) and serum estradiol (r = 0.70, p < 0.001) levels. However, no significant differences were observed in indices of complement activation (C4b/c) or CRP-complement complex generation (rCRP-C3 complex). In the mature female rat, ovariectomy reduces and estrogen replacement raises rCRP. Effects of estrogen on plasma rCRP induction are mediated, at least in part, through hepatic mechanisms and do not appear to require or be associated with complement activation.     

Respiratory insufficiency in neuronopathic and neuropathic disorders

Twenty-nine patients with a neuronopathic or neuropathic disorder were referred for assessment of respiratory insufficiency between 1978 and 1994. Diagnoses included spinal muscular atrophy (6), chronic idiopathic demyelinating neuropathy (4), Vialetto-van Laere syndrome (3), hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (3) and a miscellaneous group (5). We also describe seven patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) who required long-term ventilatory support for over 6 months to 7 years after the initial illness. Respiratory insufficiency occurred as a consequence of respiratory muscle weakness, impaired bulbar function and restrictive lung defects. In some groups presentation was with progressive nocturnal hypoventilation culminating in acute respiratory failure. Five patients with GBS or chronic idiopathic demyelinating neuropathy were weaned from ventilatory support up to 18 months after the initial illness. The remaining 24 patients required continuous or nocturnal ventilatory support using intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (13), negative pressure ventilation (4), nasal-mask-delivered intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (4), nasal-mask-delivered continuous positive-pressure ventilation (3), mouthpiece-assisted ventilation by day (2) and rocking bed (1). None have been weaned from support after a period of ventilation ranging from one month to 10 years. Eight patients have subsequently died.      

胃癌癌前病变癌变机制及其逆转的研究进展

胃癌癌前病变与胃癌的发生关系,日益受到重视,近几年来特别强调幽门螺杆菌为引起慢性萎缩性胃炎与胃癌的重要危险因子.因此,许多学者进一步深入研究幽门螺杆菌感染对发生胃癌的危险性,胃癌癌前病变发生癌变的机制以及如何使其逆转,是预防和降低胃癌发病的重要课题.