Differential ontogeny of divalent cation effects on rat brain delta-, mu-, and kappa-opioid receptor binding

The effect of the divalent cations, Mn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ on rat forebrain delta-, mu- and kappa-receptor binding was examined during postnatal development. It was found that delta-receptor binding, assessed with [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin ([3H]DADLE) (+ 10 nM D-Ala2- MePhe4-Gly-ol5-enkephalin (DAMGE)), was stimulated by the 3 cations in a dose- and developmental time-dependent manner. delta-Binding was most sensitive to the cations during the first week postnatal, prior to the appearance of high-affinity delta-binding. In contrast, inhibition of mu-receptor binding ([3H]DAMGE) by divalent cations appeared early in development and remained constant throughout the postnatal period. Divalent cation inhibition of kappa-binding ([3H]ethylketocyclazocine ([3H]EKC) + 100 nM DAMGE and 100 nM DADLE) appeared after the second week postnatal. These results demonstrate that the characteristics and postnatal development of divalent cation modulation of mu-, delta- and kappa-binding is distinctly different. Thus, the neonate may be a good model system to examine the binding properties and functions of delta- and kappa-receptor subtypes.     

Ocular findings in familial adenomatous polyposis

Background: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)lesions are predictive congenital phenotypic markersfor familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Thisprospective screening study aims at assessing theincidence and significance of these lesions in FAPpatients and their family members.Methods: Sixty-two members from three familiesincluding five patients with the diagnosis of FAP havebeen ophthalmologically surveyed. All RPE lesions weredocumented with fundus photography and fluoresceinangiography was performed in 13 subjects.Sigmoidoscopy and/or radiological examination wereperformed annually in 9 family members with typicalRPE lesions during 4 years to allow early diagnosis ofFAP.Results: Typical RPE lesions were present infive FAP patients and 15 family members.Telangiectatic dilatations in the retinal peripherywith small dot-like hemorrhages were detected in 6subjects from 3 families These lesions wereparticularly evident on fluorescein angiography.Annual colon analysis showed polyps in 3 out of 9subjects who were positive for RPE lesions.Conclusion: RPE lesions are valuable as aclinical marker in predicting FAP. The co-existingperipheral vascular alterations which have not beenreported before, are probably related to FAP.     

Expression of the c-erbB-2-encoded oncoprotein and progesterone receptor in human meningiomas

The present study investigated the expression of c-erbB-2 in 59 meningiomas, including different histological subtypes and anaplastic variants, by immunocytochemistry and molecular biological techniques. Immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody FWP-51 directed against c-erbB-2-encoded oncoprotein gp185 demonstrated variable degrees of immunoreactivity in all meningiomas. The intensity of immunostaining correlated with the degree of expression as assessed by Western analysis in 28 meningiomas using polyclonal antiserum 21N. There was no correlation between the degree of expression and histological variants. Immunoreactivity of all menigiomas was distinctly less intense, however, than that of the human breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3, and slightly lower than that of brain metastases of breast and ovarian carcinomas that served as positive controls for both methods. By Southern analysis all meningiomas showed a single copy of the c-erbB-2 gene. Non-neoplastic arachnoid cap cells also exhibited c-erbB-2 expression and the degree of immunoreactivity was comparable with the majority of meningiomas. These data argue against an overexpression of c-erbB-2 in meningiomas, but rather indicate a cell-type-specific constitutive expression of the c-erbB-2 gene product in meningiomas and their putative progenitor cells. Since a subgroup of meningiomas is known to express progesterone receptors (PR), gp185 immunoreactivity was compared to the hormone receptor status using monoclonal antibody KD68. Fifty-six percent meningiomas showed PR immunoreactivity, but there was no statistically significant correlation with the degree of gp185 expression.This study was supported by a grant of the Tumorzentrum Heidelberg/Mannheim (M.K., No. 10028060)     

Sequential bilateral germ cell tumours of the testis

Bilateral germ cell tumours of the testis are rare but a rise in their incidence is expected since with the new therapeutic possibilities a significant improvement in prognosis has been achieved even in patients with advanced metastatic spread. Of the 210 patients treated for malignent germ cell tumours at our Department, six (2.9%) developed a contralateral testicular tumour. All patients had metachronous tumours and the second tumours occurred after an interval ranging between 1 and 22 years. The epidemiology, histology, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis are discussed, and the significance of regular self-examination of the remaining testis in patients with testicular tumour is emphasized.     

The effect of physeal traction applied to the triradiate cartilage on acetabular growth

Summary Physeal distraction was applied with an external fixator to the triradiate cartilage of dogs with the aim of increasing the capacity of the acetabulum. The force was continued for from 2 to 6 weeks and the consequent changes were evaluated with regard to function and structure by radiography and microscopy. The distraction, without producing epiphysiolysis and destruction of the cartilage, resulted in expansion of the pelvic bones. The depth and volume of the acetabulum were increased, but the acetabular angle was decreased. Distraction also caused proliferation of the lacunar cells and the number of mammillary processes in the cartilage columns increased. Distraction can therefore be applied to the triradiate cartilage to enlarge the capacity of the acetabulum without producing epiphysiolysis.

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Résumé Dans cette étude une distraction a été appliquée sur le cartilage en Y. Douze chiens bâtards, âgés de 2.5 à 4 mois, ont été utilisés pour cette expérimentation. Une force de distraction de 80 Newton a été appliquée d'emblée sur le cartilage en Y. L'application de cette force a été poursuivie sur les animaux pendant 2, 4 ou 6 semaines. A la fin de cette période, les changements de la cavité cotyloïde et du cartilage en Y ont été évalués sur le plan fonctionnel, morphologique, radiologique et histopathologique Aucune altération fonctionnelle n'a été mise en évidence dans les groupes opérés par rapport au groupe de contrôle. On a observé que la distraction a déterminé une expansion massive de l'ilion, du pubis et de l'ischion. Sur les hanches de contrôle la profondeur de la cavité cotyloïde a été évaluée à 13.5 mm, le volume à 1.96 cc et l'angle de la cavité cotyloïde à 29.9°. Après distraction ces valeurs ont été respectivement de 14.4 mm, de 2.10 cc et de 25.7°. La distraction entraîne donc un accroissement de profondeur et de volume de la cavité cotyloïde, mais inversement une diminution de l'angle de cette cavité. Ces résultats montrent que la distraction détermine une prolifération des cellules lacunaires et un accroissement des processus mammaires dans les colonnes du cartilage en Y. Ils montrent également qu'elle peut augmenter la taille de l'acetabulum.

     

Value of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy in treatment of gallstone disease

Alternative techniques were introduced in the last 20 years for the treatment of gallstones. Among these the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy followed by a systemic litholytic therapy represents undoubtedly the most attractive one. A group of two surgeons and two gastroenterologists has started to evaluate this treatment in April 1988, using a piezoceramic lithotryptic system (Piezolith 2300). From April 1988 to May 1989 we have treated 32 patients who fulfilled the selection criteria-symptomatic gallstone disease, 1-3 radiolucent concrements of less than 30 mm of diameter, functioning gallbladder. We noted only one pancreatitis as a complication of this treatment. The overall stonefree rate is 16% after two months, 32% after four months and 56% after six months, depending on the size and number of stones. A definitive evaluation and final conclusion will only be possible when the rate of late recurrences after this treatment will be known.     

Electrophysiologic effects of betaxolol on conduction properties of the antegrade and retrograde pathway in patients with typical atrioventricular node reentry tachycardia following intravenous and oral administration

The electrophysiologic effects of the beta-1 selective beta adrenergic blocking drug Betaxolol were investigated after intravenous (0.15 mg/kg body weight) and oral (20 mg/day) administration in 11 patients with atrioventricular-nodal reentrant tachycardia. Betaxolol significantly (p less than 0.01) prolonged cycle length, sinus node recovery time, AH-interval, as well as the antegrade functional refractory period of the slow and fast AV-nodal pathway. The effective refractory period of the fast AV-nodal pathway was also markedly increased (p less than 0.05). In only six patients could the effective refractory period of the slow AV-nodal pathway be determined; in the other patients, it was shorter than the effective refractory period of the atrium. The effective refractory period of the atrium and the ventricle was not significantly altered by Betaxolol. Intravenous administration of Betaxolol suppressed induction of tachycardia in eight patients, whereas after oral Betaxolol, tachycardia was not inducible in ten patients. Betaxolol prevented induction of tachycardia in two patients by prolonging antegrade conduction over the slow AV-nodal pathway. The retrograde fast AV-nodal pathway was blocked in eight patients. Presumably the increased effectiveness of oral Betaxolol can be attributed to higher Betaxolol plasma concentrations, reached after oral treatment (58 +/- 38 ng/ml), as compared to intravenous administration (40 +/- 40 ng/ml). There were no false positive results after intravenous testing of Betaxolol.