Early stages of the pathogenesis of rat ventral prostate hyperplasia induced by citral

Typical lesions of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were induced experimentally in the ventral prostate of adolescent (6 week old) male rats by citral, a nonsteroidal compound. Incipient BPH changes were already observed in the acinar glands 10 days after citral administration. A longer period of treatment (1 month) significantly enhanced epithelial hyperplasia, whereas the stromal elements were less reactive. Characteristic BPH lesions involving both prostatic compartments were found after 3 months of treatment. Castration prior to citral administration prevented such BPH changes; however, citral did not prevent the involutive lesions of castration. The mechanism of action of citral is yet unknown, various possibilities concerning the induction of BPH in rats are presented and discussed. The potential advantage of this model, especially as BPH is not necessarily linked to age or exogenous hormones, may offer new alternative pathways for understanding the complexity of BPH pathogenesis in animals and perhaps even in man.     

The effect of season on the circulating concentrations of anterior pituitary, ovarian and adrenal cortex hormones and hormone binding proteins in the subarctic area; evidence of increased activity of the pituitary-ovarian axis in spring

To evaluate the effects of season on the function of the pituitary-ovarian axis and the adrenal cortex in a northern area with great seasonal variation in the length of daylight, 10 healthy women were investigated over 1 menstrual cycle in spring (May-June), autumn (August-September), early winter (November-December) and late winter (February-March). Serum concentrations of LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone, total and free testosterone, cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and cortisol binding globulin (CBG) were measured, and the indices of free estradiol (FEI), free androgen (FAI) and free cortisol (FCI) were calculated on cycle days 3-4, 6-7, 10-11, on the presumed day of ovulation, and 6-7 and 9-10 days after the presumed ovulation. Spring was the season that most significantly differed from the other seasons. It was characterized by a significantly decreased concentration of SHBG and an increased FAI throughout the whole menstrual cycle, an increased FSH concentration during the follicular phase, significantly increased estradiol concentration and an increased FEI, and significantly decreased concentrations of FSH and LH during the luteal phase of the cycle. The concentration of cortisol and the FCI were significantly increased in the autumn compared with late winter, both seasons having similar day-length. The present data demonstrate that spring, with a long photoperiod, seems to be associated with increased pituitary-ovarian axis activity and androgenic activity, whereas adrenal cortex function did not show any association with day-length.     

Functional significance of heterotopic bone formation after total hip arthroplasty

The effects of heterotopic bone formation on hip function after arthroplasty was studied in 145 cases of total hip arthroplasty. Hip muscle strength was determined 1.8-2.9 years after the operation, using a Cybex II dynamometer. Heterotopic bone formation was seen after 75% of the operations, and in 21% significant amounts developed (Brooker's classes III and IV). The gain in range of motion after surgery was significantly less in the groups with class III or IV heterotopic bone than in those without heterotopic bone formation. Heterotopic bone did not cause pain or Trendelenburg's limp after surgery; in fact, patients with trochanteric pain had less heterotopic bone than those without this pain. Hip flexion strength was greater in men with heterotopic bone than in those without heterotopic bone. Also, men with heterotopic bone formation had a higher mean maximum strength in extension but lower mean strength in abduction than did men without heterotopic bone (NS). When only patients with unilateral hip disease were considered, the same differences were found around the healthy hip; men with heterotopic bone formation had greater strength in flexion and extension than men without heterotopic bone formation and the same tendencies were seen in women. Accordingly, heterotopic bone had no serious impact on hip muscle strength in this study.     

Acetabular posterior wall fracture. 38 cases followed for 5 years

Thirty-eight patients with a fracture of the posterior wall of the acetabulum were reviewed after 5 (2-12) years. Of 18 patients with successful manual reduction of a femoral head dislocation, a small fracture fragment, no sciatic nerve injury and who were not operated on, 17 had a good result. Of 20 patients who were operated on either because of the large size of the fracture fragment or because of a persistent dislocation of the femoral head, 6 had a poor result due to femoral head necrosis. In these 6 patients the reduction had been delayed and the acetabular osteochondral lesion was more severe than in the other patients. Skeletal traction seems unnecessary in the treatment of acetabular posterior wall fracture.     

CSF beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in delirium

Cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (CSF BLI) was determined for 69 patients who met DSM-III criteria for delirium and for 8 controls. The CSF BLI was significantly lower in the delirious patient group than in the controls (12.5 +/- 3.0 pg/ml versus 15.0 +/- 3.4 pg/ml, p less than 0.05). CSF BLI had no correlation with age or neuroleptic drug dosage, but did have a significant positive correlation with cognitive functioning as evaluated by the Mini-Mental State. Our findings suggest a role for beta-endorphinergic dysfunction in the development of delirium.     

Enzymatic determination of red cell creatine as an index of hemolysis

An enzymatic assay for creatine, depending on the creatine kinase reaction, has been modified for the determination of creatine in packed erythrocytes, using a centrifugal analyzer (COBAS BIO). The method is precise, sensitive and shows excellent accuracy in recovery experiments when compared to the diacetyl-alpha-naphthol method. The enzymatic red cell creatine correlates with the erythrocyte survival time determined with the radioactive chromium method. It can be used as a rapidly available parameter for the quantification of hemolytic processes.     

Morbidität nach Herztransplantation

The morbidity in the long-term course following heart transplantation in childhood is mainly determined by the morbidity of the transplanted graft, by side effects caused by immunosuppression and by psychosocial morbidity due to the special situation of life and growing up with a transplanted heart. Transplant vasculopathy as a specific disease of the transplanted organ itself, is a common complication following heart transplantation and is an important factor of morbidity and mortality, considerably limiting the long-term prognosis. Progressive disturbance of renal function and cumulative incidence of malignant tumors is a further factor limiting prognosis caused by the side effects of immunosuppression.     

Non-invasive evaluation of hemodynamic, tremorogenic and biochemical effects in response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation

1, 4, 12 and 24 micrograms SOM 1397 CL, a new beta 2-adrenergic bronchodilator, were administered by inhalation to 10 healthy volunteers in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover study in order to assess circulatory, tremorogenic and biochemical effects. 1 microgram SOM 1397 CL did not cause any relevant changes in the measured parameters. After administration of 4 micrograms a slight but continuous increase in tremor amplitude and c-AMP was observed. The effects on hemodynamics and other laboratory values could be considered negligible. Overdoses of 12 and 24 micrograms resulted in a dose-dependent increase in systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, tremor amplitude, alpha-AMP and lactic acid, as well as in a decrease of diastolic blood pressure and potassium. These effects may be partly attributable to beta 2-receptor stimulation. The method described in this paper can be applied as a useful tool for determination of beta 2-adrenergic activity in healthy volunteers, independent of the conventional methods which are used to evaluate efficacy of bronchodilators by the degree of bronchial muscular relaxation.