Effect of cholera toxin and pertussis toxin on opioid tolerance and dependence in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus

Opioid tolerance and dependence are characterized in terms of inhibitory and excitatory neuronal mechanisms. Bacterial toxins were used to investigate these phenomena in the isolated guinea-pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD). Cholera toxin (CT) and pertussis toxin (islet activating protein; IAP) have been demonstrated to selectively impair the function of either the stimulatory or inhibitory nucleotide regulatory protein, mediating the signal transmission to the adenylate cyclase. It has been found that CT failed to affect electrically evoked twitch tension in naive and tolerant GPI and MVD. Twitch tension evoked by excitatory drugs, e.g. neurotensin, was attenuated in the GPI, but not in the MVD. CT did not interfere with the actions of opioids or nonopioids in either the GPI or the MVD. Similarly, IAP failed to affect electrically evoked twitch tension. It virtually lacked an effect on the inhibitory action of opioids and nonopioids on electrically stimulated naive and tolerant GPI and MVD. On the other hand, both CT and IAP dose-dependently attenuated the naloxone precipitated withdrawal contracture in the GPI rendered opioid-dependent. These findings may suggest that opioid receptors at nerve terminals of the GPI and the MVD are not linked to adenylate cyclase, and those receptors relate to the state of tolerance. In contrast, opioid receptors located at nerve somata may be linked to adenylate cyclase. Those receptors may be associated with the development of dependence. The experiments with CT suggest a synaptic excitatory input of neighboring nerve elements necessary for the generation of a withdrawal contracture.     

Ways of tooth conservation by surgical techniques

Based upon innovations in the past 20 years regarding material--as well as surgical techniques indications are given for surgical conservation of teeth, in addition questions of current interest referring to root fillings are answered. Possible ways of tooth conservation by periodontal operations are shown. To conserve traumatically injured teeth guides for emergency treatment are given.     

Normalization of skin appearance in a patient with scleromyxoedema after intensive chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease

A patient with scleromyxoedema was treated for 6 years with cytostatic drugs. During this time the skin lesions followed a fluctuating but progressive course. After 6 years she developed Hodgkin's lymphoma of the mixed cellularity type. Intensive cytostatic treatment given for Hodgkin's disease resulted in virtually complete disappearance of the scleromyxoedema lesions. The development of Hodgkin's disease is considered fortuitous and not due to the previous cytostatic drugs.     

Prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis G (HGV) infection in haemodialysis patients: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis G virus (HGV) or GB-virus type C (GBV-C) is, like hepatitis C, a blood-borne virus and a member of the family of flaviviridae. HGV is distributed globally and is present in the volunteer blood donor population. Thus, for epidemiological reasons, HGV is of interest in haemodialysis patients, who are at risk of parenterally transmitted infections. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the prevalence of HGV by antibody testing and HGV-RNA determination by PCR. METHODS: The study was performed in haemodialysis units of the Patienten-Heim-Versorgung, an organization of haemodialysis units throughout Germany. A total of 2796 out of 3042 patients (92%) from 43 haemodialysis units were enrolled prospectively in the trial. Liver function tests were performed and epidemiologic data were obtained to evaluate risk factors for HGV in haemodialysis patients. RESULTS: Antibodies against HGV were detected in 485 patients (17.5%). Viraemia was seen in 380 out of 1935 patients tested (19.6%). Fifty-eight patients (3.0%) were positive for both antibodies and HGV-RNA. Using a standard questionnaire in 1717 out of the 2786 patients, it was found that more than five blood transfusions increased the risk of HGV infection significantly (P<0.05). There was no association found between HGV infection and the length of time on haemodialysis. CONCLUSION: HGV is common in German haemodialysis patients but, in contrast to other parenterally transmitted viruses, there is no further risk for new infections during haemodialysis, except for patients who have received several blood transfusions.     

Eradication of a dysfunctional HLA-haploidentical T cell system by a second HLA-identical BMT.

A 12-year-old boy treated for SCID at 1 month of age by HLA-haploidentical BMT developed a lymphoproliferative disease of unknown etiology at the age of 9 years characterized by sustained, marked elevation of circulating CD8+ donor T cells and by diffuse infiltration of the liver by CD8+ T cells. Because of progressive liver disease, the patient underwent a second BMT from a younger HLA-matched sister. This treatment induced an effective graft-versus-graft reaction and led to complete replacement of the HLA-nonidentical, dysfunctional T cell system, resolution of the hepatopathy and full reconstitution of T and B cell functions.     

Tödliche Blutung in die Beckenhöhle nach transrektaler Stanzbiopsie der Prostata

A 79-year-old man died of fatal haemorrhage into the soft tissue of the true pelvis 2 days after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy. Autopsy revealed a perforation of the left prostatic lobe with ruptures of the periprostatic vessels. A similar case of transrectal prostatic biopsy-associated complication has not been described previously. The judicial enquiries were discontinued.     

Soluble poly(1,4-phenyleneethynylene)s

New monomers are described for the synthesis of rod-like poly(1,4-phenyleneethynylene)s with long flexible aliphatic side chains. By palladium catalyzed polycondensation soluble polymers with melting points around 100°C could be obtained. The molecular weight was estimated by GPC, VPO and elemental analysis: GPC showed a multimodale distribution with P_n = 9–15. NMR spectra were found to be in agreement with the assumed polymer structure, but signals of the acetylenic carbons could not be detected. A broad, structureless absorption with a maximum at λ = 410 nm is seen in the UV-VIS-spectra. The thermal decomposition of the substituted PPE's starts at about 400°C and is comparable to that of unsubstituted PPE in air.