Chronic treatment with scopolamine and physostigmine changes nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor density and NGF content in rat brain

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and NGF receptors were measured in cortex and hippocampus of rats treated with drugs affecting cholinergic neurotransmission. High (K_d= 0.045nM) and low (K_d= 21nM) affinity¹²⁵I-NGF binding sites were present in both cortical and hippocampal membranes with hippocampus containing higher numbers of both sites than cortex. Chronic treatment of rats with the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine (5 mg/kg, twice daily) decreased the density of high- and low-affinity sites by 50–90% in cortical and hippocampal membranes. These changes were seen after 7 days, but not 3 days, of scopolamine treatment. Chronic infusion of physostigmine (1 mg/kg/day) using minipumps increased the number of high- and low-affinity sites in cortex 3- and 6-fold, respectively. The changes in receptor-binding parameters induced by physostigmine were transient as they were evident after 3 days of treatment, but returned to control levels after 7 days. NGF content in cortex and hippocampus was reduced by about 50% following 7, but not 3, days of chronic physostigmine infusion. In contrast, scopolamine treatment failed to change NGF levels in the cholinergic neuronal target regions but it decreased NGF content in the septal area. The content of NGF mRNA in the cortex measured by Northern blot analysis failed to change following either scopolamine or physostigmine treatment. The results suggest that levels of NGF and NGF receptors in the target regions of cholinergic neurons are regulated by the extent of cholinergic neurotransmitter activity.     

Strecker stent in stenotic hemodialysis Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous fistulas

Flexible tantalum stents (Strecker) were used as an adjunct to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of stenotic arterial or venous limbs of Brescia-Cimino hemodialysis fistulas. The diagnostic procedure was performed using retrograde fistulography. After PTA with unsatisfactory results, stents were placed in 5 patients with significant residual stenoses and poor fistula function. Within the mean follow-up period of 6.4 months (range 3–10 months) all fistulas were functioning. We conclude that Strecker stent is useful in the treatment of stenotic hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas as an adjunct to PTA.     

Proven and nonproven facts in knee arthroplasty

Summary The great number of knee-replacement systems makes a comparative study difficult. Even more confusing are the different criteria used for the evaluation of the results. After a critical review of what can be taken as proven facts, our own experience with the semiconstrained GSB-III knee prosthesis is critically analyzed. The survivorship method is used, presenting the cumulative success rate and analyzing the reasons for the failure rates. We feel that all authors presenting results of knee arthroplasty should adopt this method, using the same or at least comparable evaluation sheets (for instance, that of ERASS). Moreover, more attention should be given to bone dynamics in a prospective study using modern technology (CT densitometry). This will help to detect possible factors responsible for the failure of knee arthroplasty and possibly to prevent failure with medication.

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Zusammenfassung Die große Zahl verschiedener Kniegelenks-Systeme im prothetischen Ersatz erschwert vergleichendes Studium. Zusätzliche Schwierigkeiten erwachsen aus der Verwendung verschiedener Kriterien bei der Auswertung der Ergebnisse. Wir selbst haben zur Erfahrung mit der GSB-III Knie-Endoprothese kritisch analysiert, nachdem wir versucht haben nur eindeutige Fakten miteinzubeziehen. Wir verwendeten die sogenannte survivorship Methode (Überlebenskurven) und untersuchten die cumulative Erfolgsrate und die Gründe für die Fehlschläge. Wir vertreten die Auffassung, daß alle Autoren, die Ergebnisse über Knie-Arthroplastiken vorstellen, diese Methode verwenden sollten, wenn immer möglich unter Gebrauch desselben oder mindestens vergleichbarer Erhebungsbogen (z. B.

     

Management of patients supported on the Hemopump cardiac assist system

The Hemopump Cardiac Assist System is a relatively new intraarterial, axial-flow circulatory assist device that offers temporary left ventricular support to patients in refractory cardiogenic shock, without requiring major surgery for insertion. Use of the Hemopump is associated with a low complication rate. Device-related morbidity is extremely rare. Because the Hemopump is safe for use in community hospitals, the number of patients supported by this device is expected to increase. In this report, we present general guidelines for the care of patients supported by the Hemopump. We describe techniques for the management of afterload reduction, supravalvular dislodgement, device malfunction, ventricular ectopy, intracardiac shunting, and inflow cannula obstruction.     

Soman intoxication-induced changes in serum acute phase protein levels,corticosterone concentration and immunosuppressive potency of the serum

We have studied the effect of soman intoxication on serum acute phase reactants (APR) levels, and the relationship of the APR and corticosterone concentrations and the immunosuppressive activity of the serum. One day after the injection of 1.8 LD₅₀ soman the concentrations of ₂-macroglobulin (₂-MG) and ₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in the serum of antidote protected rats increased 4- and 7-fold, respectively, whereas those of hemopexin (Hx), haptoglobin (Hp) and cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI) were two to three times higher than in the controls. A similar magnitude of increase of serum acute phase reactants levels was observed when 0.3 LD₅₀ soman was administered at 24-h intervals over the 5-day period. The relationship of changes in the APR concentration, corticosterone level and immunosuppressive activity of the serum was also comparable to that observed in the acute phase response to tissue injury.     

ACTH-producing cells of 21-day-old rat fetuses after maternal dexamethasone exposure

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) is essential for developmental maturation of numerous organ systems during the fetal period and for adaptation to environmental challenges. Immunocytochemical and stereological methods were used in the present study to examine the effects of dexamethasone (Dx) administration during pregnancy on fetal rat pituitary ACTH-producing cells. Doses of 0.5, 0.5 and 1.0 mg Dx/kg body weight/day were given to the dams on 3 consecutive days starting on day 16 of gestation. Morphometric analysis of the ACTH-producing cells of fetuses at 21 days of gestation revealed significant inhibition by 24% and 27%, respectively, of cell volume and cell number after maternal Dx administration, whereas the volume of cell nuclei and volume density of ACTH-stained cells were insignificantly decreased. Immunocytochemical analysis showed reduced numbers, sizes and immunopositivity of ACTH cells of 21-day-old fetuses from Dx-treated dams as compared with the control group. Maternal Dx treatment in the period of intense differentiation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system had an inhibitory effect on fetal function and proliferative activity of ACTH-producing cells at 21 days of gestation. Thus, inhibition of activity of fetal ACTH-producing cells may lead to adrenal suppression, modified activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and reduced body weight possibly causing lasting functional abnormalities.