Comparison of PGE2, 6-keto PGF1α and renin release from dog kidneys

Several renal cell types synthesize prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and prostacyclin (PGI₂). To examine whether the release of these prostaglandins varies in proportion, prostaglandin synthesis was stimulated in anaesthetized dogs by renal arterial constriction, ureteral occlusion, intrarenal angiotensin II infusion and infusion of arachidonic acid, the precursor of PG synthesis. PGI₂ was measured as its stable hydrolysed product, 6-keto PGF_1α. The two former procedures raised PGE₂ release to 13 ± 2 pmol min^-1, 6-keto PGF_1α release to 5 ± 2 pmol min^-1 and renin release to 23 ± 5 μg AI min^-1, Angiotensin II infusion, reducing the renal blood flow by 30%, increased PGE₂ and 6-keto PGF_1α release only half as much as ureteral and renal arterial constriction, and exerted no significant effect on renin release. By increasing the infusion rate of angiotensin II up to 10 times, the renal blood flow remained unaltered in four dogs and fell to 50% of control in two dogs, but PGE₂ and 6-keto PGF_1α release did not increase further in any of the experiments. Arachidonic acid, infused at 40 and 160 μg kg^-1 min^-1, increased prostaglandin release in proportion to the infusion rate. At the highest infusion rate, PGE₂ release averaged 166± 37 pmol min^-1 and 6-keto PGF_1α release 98 ± 28 pmol min^-1. All procedures increased PGE₂ and 6-keto PGF_1α release in a fixed proportion of about 2.5:1, whereas renin release increased only during autoregulatory vasodilation.     

Communication and interaction between customers and pharmacy personnel in two Norwegian pharmacies — an observational study

During the summer of 1993, a social anthropologist carried out non-participating observations in two pharmacies in Oslo, Norway, in order to describe the communication and interaction between the customers and the pharmacy staff. The ways the personnel encountered their customers varied in a striking way. Few indicators could be relied upon in predicting staff behaviour. Informational interaction did occur between customers and staff, but this practice did not seem to be systematic with regard to rules or routines. In the cases of customer-initiated questioning, the customer seemed to be taken good care of. The observations made in this study highlight three important features of pharmacy: a lack of control of admission, the transactional nature of the interaction between customer and staff and a lack of systematic approach for serving customers with particular needs. The quality and content of the information and interaction did not seem to be dependent on the physical layout of the pharmacy. It also seemed more dependent on the personal characteristics of the staff member concerned than on his or her formal competence, and dependent on when, during opening hours, the interaction took place. These features should be taken into account when more standardised routines are implemented for serving pharmacy customers.     

The effect of extrusive orthodontic forces on human pulp and dentin

abstract – The effect of extrusive orthodontic forces on dentin and pulp has been studied histologically on 26 human premolars. Minor reactions related to the circulatory system in the pulp were observed when extrusive forces were opposed by biting forces. Allowing the tooth to extrude freely, it was found that somewhat more pronounced reactions occurred. In addition to circulatory disturbances in the pulp, small epithelial cell islands were found in the apical area. Reparative processes were seen to take place in resorption defects on the root surface shortly after forced removal.     

Dissociation between renal prostaglandin E2 and renin release. Effects of glucagon,dopamine and cyclic AMP in dogs

VIKSE, A., BUGGE, J., DAHL, E. & KIIL, F. 1985. Dissociation between renal prostaglandin E₂ and renin release. Effects of glucagon, dopamine and cyclic AMP in dogs. Acta Physiol Scand 125 , 619–626. Received 14 March 1985, accepted 10 May 1985. ISSN 0001–6772. University of Oslo, Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Ullevaal Hospital, Norway. To examine the relationship between prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and renin release, glucagon, dopamine and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DB-cAMP) were infused into dog kidneys during autoregulatory dilation of preglomerular vessels. Autoregulatory vasodilation, which enhances PGE₂ and renin release, was induced by renal arterial constriction or ureteral occlusion. Glucagon infusion increased both PGE₂ and renin release during autoregulatory vasodilation, and renin release was almost abolished after inhibiting PGE₂ release by indomethacin. In contrast, dopamine and DB-cAMP infused during autoregulatory vasodilation increased renin release without significantly changing PGE₂ release. Stimulation of renin release was not dependent on vasodilatory effects, which for all drugs were greatly diminished during autoregulatory vasodilation. Hence, glucagon stimulates both PGE₂ and renin release. Most of the increase in renin release during glucagon infusion is prostaglandin-dependent since indomethacin greatly reduced the stimulatory effect. In contrast, dopamine and DB-cAMP stimulate renin release without increasing PGE₂ release as previously found for β-adrenergic stimulation.     

Segmental distribution of vascular resistances during ureteral occlusion: The vasoconstrictive effects of angiotensin and CaCl2 differ from those of catecholamines and renal nerve stimulation

Examinations of renal autoregulation and renin release suggest that α-adrenergic agonists, in contrast to other vasoconstrictors, preferentially constrict the preglomerular arteries. To examine this hypothesis, experiments were performed in anesthetized dogs during ureteral occlusion. At a ureteral pressure (UP) of 100 mmHg the afferent arterioles are dilated and mechanical constriction of the renal artery does not alter intrarenal vascular resistances. Whereas angiotensin and CaCl₂ infused into the renal artery reduced renal blood flow (RBF) by 25–30% without reducing UP, renal nerve stimulation reduced RBF and UP in proportion. During angiotensin and catecholamine infusion, measurements of UP and intrarenal venous pressure permitted calculations of preglomerular, efferent vascular and intrarenal venous resistances. Until RBF was reduced by 25%, angiotensin raised both preglomerular and efferent vascular resistances, whereas norepinephrine and the α-adrenergic agonists, phenylephrine and methoxamine raised preglomerular more than efferent vascular resistance. When RBF was reduced by more than 25%, all vasoconstrictors showed a similar pattern with large increments both in preglomerular and efferent vascular resistances. Conclusions: Humoral and nervous stimulation of α-adrenergic receptors reduce glomerular capillary pressure by preferentially constricting the preglomerular arteries and may affect renal autoregulation and renin release by reducing the transmural pressure of the afferent arterioles.     

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery on a day case out-patient basis

One hundred patients, aged 13-79 years, have undergone 195 endoscopic ‘ethmoidectomies’. The operative method was entirely based upon the Messerklinger technique. In this study there were two main groups. (1) Patients with moderate to massive nasal/endonasal polyposis. (2) Patients with recurrent sinusitis. In the second group, the preoperative endoscopic findings were dominated by disease in the middle meatus and in the area of the anterior ethmoid, verified either by conventional hypocycloidal or computed tomography. Close to 90% of the patients were treated on an out-patient basis, under local anaesthesia. No serious peroperative complications (major bleeding, CSF leak, or visual problems) have been encountered. Thorough and meticulous post-operative care to avoid adhesions and renewed ostiomeatal obstruction, is felt to be important. The mean follow-up was 14 months. The post-operative results are encouraging, and correspond to larger European and American reports. The Messerklinger technique has proved to be suitable for smaller ENT departments, such as ours, especially as the patients can be treated on an out-patient basis using local/topical anaesthesia.     

Occurrence of Leukemia and Lymphoma in Patients with Agammaglobulinemia

1) Two case reports of children with congenital agammaglobulinemia wholater developed malignant lymphoma are presented.

2) Two additional cases of malignant lymphoma developing in adult patients with hypogammaglobulinemia are reviewed.

3) The occurrence of diseases of this group among patients with this immunologic defect appears to be a greater-than-chance association. Possiblereasons for the association are discussed.

Submitted on July 24, 1962 Accepted on October 29, 1962