Mediator release during nasal provocation. A model to investigate the pathophysiology of rhinitis

The pathogenesis of rhinitis was investigated using a model of nasal provocation with different types of stimuli. Allergic subjects had an immediate response to antigenic challenge with symptoms of rhinitis highly correlated with increments in the concentrations of histamine, prostaglandin D2, kinins and kininogens, leukotrienes, and toluene sulfonyl arginine methyl ester esterase activity in their nasal secretions. This reaction was abated by a tricyclic antihistamine also capable of inhibiting mediator release from human mast cells in vitro and, in some subjects, by disodium cromoglycate. In a number of patients, symptoms reappeared three to 12 hours after nasal provocation. This late reaction also involves release of all of the aforementioned mediators except for prostaglandin D2, and preliminary data suggest that it can be inhibited by oral or topical steroids. Cold, dry air can induce rhinitis with mast cell mediator release from selected subjects. The pathogenesis of this reaction is unclear, but there are indications that osmolarity changes are responsible for mast cell activation. Thus, mast cells can be induced to release mediators and cause nasal symptoms by both immunologic and physical mechanisms, which may account for the pathophysiology of several types of rhinitis.

Vasopressin-mediated slow EPSPs in a mammalian sympathetic ganglion

Vasopressin is one of numerous neuropeptides contained in sympathetic ganglia, but whose function remains unresolved. In this report, we present electrophysiological evidence that arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is a neurotransmitter in guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG). AVP superfused over the IMG, in vitro, produced in a population of neurons a membrane depolarization accompanied by a resistance increase, both of which were blocked by a specific V1 receptor antagonist. Moreover, slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) elicited by repetitive nerve stimulation were attenuated in 75% of cells tested in the presence of excess AVP, and occasionally in the presence of the antagonist. Thus, AVP joins substance P as a putative transmitter of slow potentials in the guinea pig IMG.

A slow EPSP in mammalian inferior mesenteric ganglion persists after in vivo capsaicin

The non-cholinergic slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in the guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) is believed to be mediated by substance P (SP). Yet, in ganglia of guinea pigs treated with capsaicin (50, 100, or 350 mg/kg, s.c.), a compound that depletes SP from sensory neurons, slow EPSPs were only 50% smaller in amplitude than those in vehicle-treated controls; this was true at all dosages. When ganglia from capsaicin-treated animals were desensitized to SP, slow EPSP amplitude was decreased by 50% from predesensitization values. These data indicate that capsaicin does not eliminate the slow EPSP in the IMG and suggest that both SP and another transmitter are involved in co-mediating this response.

Immunoperoxidase examination of cutaneous infiltrates of mycosis fungoides and large-plaque atrophic parapsoriasis with OKT10

A monoclonal antibody (OKT10), which was developed recently, reacts with pro-thymocytes, T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells, cells in normal bone marrow (including plasma cells), and activated T cells. Tissues from patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma were studied for the presence of OKT10-reactive cells with the use of an indirect immunoperoxidase technic. OKT10-reactive cells were identified in three of eight cases of mycosis fungoides, one of two cases of Sézary syndrome, with an equivocal reaction in one of ten cases of large-plaque parapsoriasis and in one of seven positive patch tests (allergic contact dermatitis). The biologic and possible clinical implications are discussed.

Minor physical anomalies and behavior in children: a review

The recent literature concerning minor physical anomalies (MPA) and their relation to behavior is reviewed. Research seems to indicate that for males there is considerable consistency in the results but the finding with females is tenuous at best. It appears that a high number of MPA are evident in several pathological groups of boys, as compared with normal controls. In addition, there is a suggestion that MPA are correlated with severity of hyperactivity, IQ, and school achievement. Furthermore, there is also a relationship between a high number of MPA and obstetrical complications. The etiology of MPA and their utility in predicting pathological behavior is discussed.

Recurrent abdominal pain: a psychogenic disorder?

A controlled study of 30 children with recurrent abdominal pain and 30 pain free children failed to show any statistically significant differences between the groups on a variety of psychological variables thought to be associated with psychogenicity. A psychogenic basis has often been assumed as the cause in diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain when clinical examination and laboratory tests show no organic or medical reason. We emphasise that establishing a psychogenic cause is only indicated where there is positive evidence for psychological factors such as family or school stress, extreme personality characteristics, or modelling of family pain behaviour.

Differing effects of pectin, cellulose and lignin on stool pH, transit time and weight

Randomized cross-over studies were undertaken to determine the effects of daily dietary supplements of pectin (12 g/d), cellulose (15 g/d) and lignin (12 g/d) on stool characteristics of healthy volunteers. Detailed dietary records were kept throughout the study. Stool collections over 48 h were used to determine mean stool pH and weight. The single stool transit time was measured using radio-opaque markers. Pectin did not significantly alter the mean stool pH, transit time or 24 h wet weight. Cellulose lowered the mean stool pH from 6.38 to 6.12, decreased mean stool transit time by 27% and increased mean wet stool weight by 57%. Lignin lowered the mean pH from 6.34 to 6.25, decreased the stool transit time by 20% and increased stool weight by 27% but these changes were not statistically significant. These findings have shown that individual fibre components have different colonic metabolic effects and support the view that associations between dietary fibre intakes and diseases such as colorectal cancer should be evaluated with regard to the type of fibre components consumed.

OKT 9 reactivity in mycosis fungoides and large plaque (atrophic) parapsoriasis

A monoclonal antibody OKT 9 which detects a determinant expressed by a variety of proliferating cell types has been recently developed. This antibody was used in conjunction with the immunoperoxidase technique to study the cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates of nine patients with mycosis fungoides, one patient with lymphomatoid papulosis, two patients with Sézary syndrome, and ten patients with large plaque atrophic parapsoriasis (a condition which may terminate in overt mycosis fungoides.) OKT 9 reactive cells were identified in all cases of mycosis fungoides examined, in one case of lymphomatoid papulosis, one of two cases of Sézary syndrome, and one of ten cases of large plaque atrophic parapsoriasis. These results suggest that further studies using OKT 9 should be performed to assess whether OKT 9 reactivity may be used as a prognostic marker in cutaneous lymphomas and prelymphomas.

Demonstration of cells bearing the OKT6 determinant in human tonsil and lymph node

An immunoperoxidase study was carried out on human tonsil (15 specimens) and human lymph node (5 specimens) using OKT6, a monoclonal antibody which was raised against a determinant on immature thymocytes. OKT6-positive cells were identified in the crypt epithelium of all tonsils examined and in occasional clusters in the interfollicular areas of two lymph nodes. OKT6 has recently been shown to react with epidermal dendritic cells (Langerhans' cells). This study confirms that OKT6-reactive cells may be found outside the thymus. The pattern of staining obtained suggests that OKT6 reactivity belongs to a dendritic subpopulation. The significance of the finding in relation to physiology and pathology is discussed. These physiological findings may also be relevant to the immunotherapy of T-cell lymphomas.

Developmental overproduction and selective attrition: new processes in the epigenesis of birdsong

All phases of song development from infancy to adulthood were studied intensively in a group of laboratory-reared birds. Male swamp sparrows, Melospiza georgiana, trained with tape-recorded songs in infancy, developed song some 8 months later, averaging 2.2 song types per bird. Analysis of the intermediate stage of plastic song revealed that the birds generated 4 to 5 times more song material than was needed for the species-specific song repertoire. The excess was discarded at the time of full song crystallization. Indications that the attrition process is selective include tendencies to retain imitated rather than nonimitated elements, and the rejection of heterospecific elements. Attrition may also be influenced by vocal stimulation at the time of song crystallization, providing an opportunity for behavioral adjustment even though new themes can no longer be learned. Attrition has been described in the transition in human infants from babbling to speech.

[Examinations by psychological tests in basic stages and pure residual syndromes of schizophrenic diseases (author's transl)]

Three groups of schizophrenic diseases which cannot be differentiated with regard to psychopathological cross-section syndromes were investigated by psychological tests: one group (22 cases) of reversible postpsychotic basic stages and two groups of pure residual syndromes with an average duration of disease of 9.3 years (20 cases) and 17.5 years (21 cases). All three groups revealed findings deviating significantly from the norm. The pathological values were most marked in the performance scale of HAWIE (Hamburg-WAIS), which in all groups showed a significant lowering of performance compared with verbal scale (which corresponds approximately to the premorbid intelligence level), in "KVT" and in measures of sensory-motor reaction time by "Wiener Reaktionsgerät", less in "Benton test" and in examination with "Schreibdruckwaage". Reversible postpsychotic asthenic basic stages could not be significantly differentiated in psychological tests from pure residual syndromes which were comparable with regard to sex and age at the onset of the disease and--in the pure residues group of 1980--with regard to age and school success. The decrease of performance in the reaction test, in the concentration test of Abels, and in the averbal part of HAWIE correlated with symptoms and factors which were found with the help of "Frankfurter Beschwerdefragebogen" in the same patients. This positive correlation was more distinct in the reversible postpsychotic basic stages than in pure residues. The findings support the global hypothesis that the deficiencies of schizophrenic stages with a component of reversible or irreversible pure potential reduction are based on disturbances of perception and interpretation of information. Also that there are no fundamental differences between cerebro-organic or psychosyndromes of schizophrenic diseases determined by the dynamic and cognitive disorders of pure deficiency.

Microwave thawing of frozen minibag admixtures

An efficient system is described for the preparation of high volume minibag admixtures e.g. cefazolin. The system includes use of bulk reconstitution, freezing and microwave thawing techniques; special admixture dosage forms; and, the use of technical staff. The system can be utilized in any centralized, intravenous, admixture service where the workload is demanding for existing staff.

Partial Purification and Characterization of Hemolysin from a Psychrotrophic Kanagawa-Positive Marine Vibrio

Psychrotrophic Kanagawa-positive marine vibrios were isolated from soft-shelled clams ( Mya arenaria ) collected in Yaquina Bay, Oreg. The 235 vibrio isolates obtained were screened for Gram reaction and morphology, Kanagawa reaction on Wagastsuma agar, and response to selected biochemical tests. The vibrio selected for further study was grown in broth, and the hemolysin was precipitated from a cleared supernatant with solid ammonium sulfate. The hemolytic substance was partially purified by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The hemolysin contained protein essential for activity, was thermolabile, and was more active against rabbit erythrocytes at 37°C than at lower temperatures. The molecular weight was estimated at 55,000 by using a Sephadex G-100 column. Hemolytic activity was partially inactivated by gangliosides and lowered against horse erythrocytes. The hemolysin did not react with antibody prepared against vibriolysin from Vibrio parahaemolyticus WP-1 by the Ouchterlony method. The hemolysin was high in aspartic and glutamic acids and low in arginine and histidine. Electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel gave three major bands. The hemolysin from a psychrotrophic vibrio and the hemolytic exotoxin of V. parahaemolyticus had some similar and dissimilar characteristics. The possibility that a Vibrio sp. other than V. parahaemolyticus might serve as the reservoir for the Kanagawa phenotype is discussed.

Sparrows Learn Adult Song and More from Memory

Male swamp sparrows reared in the laboratory and exposed to taped songs during infancy produce accurate imitations of the material following an 8-month interval with no rehearsal. When the first rehearsal occurs, at about 300 days of age, large numbers of syllables are perfected. They are developed through invention and improvisation as well as imitation. Most are discarded at the time of song crystallization. Hence, these songbirds learn more than they manifest in full adult song.

[Evaluation of a simple nursing load score (author's transl)]

It becomes increasingly important to assess the nursing load in geriatric medicine in order to gauge the needs of the geriatric patients. To this purpose a simple system is needs. We evaluated a Swedish (1) scoring system by comparing thr nursing load in 3 geriatric wards (with a total of 171 patients 1977 and 160 patients 1978) at the end of the calender year. The nursing load was similarly distributed in each ward at the beginning and the end of the observation period. Marked differences was observed between patients who were discharged, who remained in the clinic or who died within the one year period. Of particular importance is the finding that mental deterioration correlated significantly (p smaller than 0.001) with increased overall nursing requirements. This points to the great importance of psychogeriatric diseases for future demand in nursing care.

Serotonin and pulmonary hypertension in human septic ARDS

Pulmonary hypertension gives an indication of poor prognosis in adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complicating sepsis. In this study, we examined the role of the platelet and the vasoactive amine, serontonin, in pulmonary hypertension accompanying septic ARDS. The lack of any significant difference in platelet number (delta + 3.9 +/- 8.4, X 10(3)/mm3) or serum serotonin (delta - 0.03 +/- 0.06 nm/mm3) across the pulmonary vascular bed (pulmonary artery minus pulmonary vein), would suggest that platelet sequestration and/or release of serotonin is not a major factor in septic ARDS. However, we did note a direct positive relationship between serum serotonin (Ss) and the pulmonary artery diastolic minus pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PAd-PCWP) gradient (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) implying that serum serotonin may be related to pulmonary hypertension in septic ARDS.

Biomechanical characteristics of the human trachea

Previous experiments using mercury-in-Silastic strain gauges in dogs revealed the trachea to be a dynamic organ. The cartilaginous rings and intercartilaginous membranes are unique in adapting to the physiologic demands of respiration, deglutition, and gravity. Alterations in tracheal biomechanics following segmental tracheal resection were also documented. In the present study, a new device was used to measure the stress-strain characteristics of the human trachea. The machine can be used to measure tension across trachea rings or the entire trachea. The results of these experiments indicate that the human trachea is a complex biomechanical organ and that it responds distinctively to stress.

Selective Vocal Learning in a Sparrow

Male swamp sparrows learn their songs; they fail to learn songs of the sympatric song sparrow. Syllables from tape recordings of both species of sparrow were spliced into an array of swamp sparrow-like and song sparrow-like temporal patterns. Swamp sparrows learned only those songs made of swamp sparrow syllables. They did so irrespective of whether the temporal pattern was swamp sparrow-like or song sparrow-like. Selectivity was retained by birds reared in total isolation from adult conspecific sounds.

Effect of glutaraldehyde treatment on enzyme-loaded erythrocytes

In principle, enzyme-loaded erythrocytes can be used as a vehicle for enzyme replacement therapy in lysosomal storage diseases. Glutaraldehyde treatment renders these erythrocytes more resistant to lysis without inactivating the enzymes that have been entrapped inside them. Glutaraldehyde treatment does not prevent ingestion of enzyme-loaded erythrocytes by macrophages in vitro so that these cells can be used to deliver enzymes to lysosomes. In vivo, the glutaraldehyde-treated cells are quickly removed from the circulation by the spleen or liver. The degree of glutaraldehyde treatment allows the erythrocytes to be targeted either to the spleen (low glutaraldehyde concentrations) or to the liver (higher glutaraldehyde concentrations).