The effect of dopaminergic blockade on thyrotrophin response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone and somatostatin

Using a large number of animals we have been able to demonstrate that somatostatin administration (20 micrograms/100 g bw) significantly reduces both basal serum thyrotrophin (TSH) levels and the response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the normal rat. Pretreatment with the dopaminergic antagonist domperidone resulted in increased TSH levels, increased response to TRH but no modification in the response to somatostatin.

Hypertensinogenic factors and renal alpha-adrenoceptors in young SHR and WKY rats

The effects of high sodium intake (drinking 1% NaCl), DOCA and DOCA + 1%NaCl for 6 weeks on renal alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors and on systolic blood pressure (SBP) were examined in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). On normal sodium intake, SHR rats had higher renal alpha 1 (p less than .001) and alpha 2-adrenoceptor densities (p less than .001) and SBP (p less than .001) than WKY rats. Although, WKY rats given either 1% NaCl, DOCA, and DOCA + 1% NaCl developed hypertension after 6 weeks of treatment, only 1% NaCl administration for the same period produced an increase in the alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor densities when compared to the control (p less than .01 and p less than .001, respectively). In the SHR rats, to the contrary, ingestion of 1% NaCl and DOCA + 1% NaCl increased the already elevated alpha 2-adrenoceptor density (p less than .001) and SBP even more in this strain after 6 weeks of treatment. Equilibrium dissociation constants (KD), however, were similar for both classes of receptors in experimental and control rats. This study indicates that postweaning exposure of the WKY and SHR rats to a high salt treatment and DOCA can influence the renal alpha-adrenoceptor densities. Although the functional significance of the changes is unclear, it is reasonable to speculate that postweaning exposure to a hypertensinogenic stimuli such as a 1% NaCl and/or DOCA may ultimately interfere with the functional development of the kidney differently in rats genetically predisposed to hypertension (SHR) from normotensive (WKY) rats.

[Chronic effect of prazosin and yohimbine on the renal epinephrine content of DOCA-sodium and SHR-hypertensive rats]

The chronic effect of two alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers, prazosin and yohimbine, on the renal noradrenaline (NA) content was investigated in two models of hypertensive rats, the DOCA-salt and the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In DOCA-salt rats an inversal relation exists between the level of blood pressure and renal NA content in all groups studied, except those treated with yohimbine and prazosin plus yohimbine. In SHR rats a decreased renal NA content has been detected with respect to their normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat controls. The administration of prazosin and/or yohimbine did not alter the renal NA content of the SHR rats, while on the contrary these agents produced an elevation of these levels in kidneys from normotensive WKY rats. These results suggest that the alpha-selective blocker agents used, demonstrate a different effect on the renal NA content in the two models of hypertension studied.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the matrix protein mRNA and three intergenic junctions of human parainfluenza virus type 3

The complete sequence of the gene encoding the matrix protein (M) of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) was determined from cDNA clones and from primer extension dideoxy sequencing of the viral genome. The M mRNA is 1150 nucleotides in length, exclusive of polyadenylate, and codes for a protein of 353 amino acids, having a calculated molecular weight of 39,480. The M protein of PIV-3 was found to have a high degree of sequence homology with that of a closely related paramyxovirus, Sendai virus, and to a lesser extent it contained sequence homology with two more distant paramyxoviruses, measles virus and canine distemper virus. We also determined the sequences of the intergenic junctions for the first four genes of PIV-3: NP, P, M, and F. Comparison of these sequences yielded a consensus mRNA start sequence of 5'-AGGANNAAAGA-3', an mRNA end sequence of 5'-UAAGAAAAA-3', and an intergenic sequence of 5'-CUU-3'. The end sequence of the M gene is unusual in that it contains an eight base insertion prior to the A5 tract found in the consensus sequence. This disruption appears to cause a high frequency of readthrough by the viral transcriptase at this junction.

Messenger RNA encoding the phosphoprotein (P) gene of human parainfluenza virus 3 is bicistronic

The complete nucleotide sequence of the phosphoprotein (P) mRNA of human parainfluenza virus 3 (PIV-3) was derived from two cDNA clones spanning almost the entire P gene. The mRNA, excluding the poly(A) tail, is 2014 nucleotides long and is bicistronic. The first open reading frame (ORF) codes for the phosphoprotein (P) of mol wt 68,860. Seven nucleotides downstream from the first AUG codon, in a +1 reading frame, there is an additional ORF which can code for a polypeptide of mol wt 23,266. The latter protein appears to be similar to the C proteins found in cells infected with several paramyxoviruses. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of the P and C proteins of PIV-3 with the corresponding Sendai virus proteins reveals considerable homology at the C-terminal half. In contrast, the P and C proteins of PIV-3 share very little homology with the measles virus P and C proteins, respectively.

Steady-state carbamazepine plasma concentration-dose ratios in epileptic patients

The distribution of carbamazepine plasma concentration-dose ratio was studied in 322 samples from patients undergoing long term treatment. Data have been grouped according to: age--3 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 14, and above 15 years old; number of drugs used in the treatment--mono- and polytherapy; dose--less than or equal to 10, 10.1 to 14.9, 15 to 19.9, and greater than or equal to 20 mg/kg; and plasma concentration found--less than 4, 4 to 8, 8.1 to 12, and greater than 12 mg/L. From the results it is concluded that the carbamazepine concentration-dose ratio increases with age in children, but is less than in adults, is higher in monotherapy than in polytherapy, and decreases as the dose increases.

Conserved structures among the nucleocapsid proteins of the paramyxoviridae: complete nucleotide sequence of human parainfluenza virus type 3 NP mRNA

The nucleotide sequence of the mRNA coding for the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of the paramyxovirus, human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3), has been determined. The NP mRNA was found to contain 1642 bases, excluding poly(A), and encode a protein of 515 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 57,823. Amino acid residues 1 through 420 of PIV-3 NP protein showed extensive sequence homology with the corresponding amino acids of Sendai virus nucleocapsid protein. There was virtually no homology between the last 95 amino acids. Comparison of the NP proteins of PIV-3, Sendai virus, measles virus, and canine distemper virus revealed, from amino acid residues 160 through 390, some conserved areas between the corresponding proteins of these paramyxoviruses. The 5' terminal sequence of PIV-3 NP mRNA (5'-AGGATTAAAG-3') was similar to the conserved sequence (formula; see text) found at the 5' termini of Sendai virus mRNAs. Both PIV-3 NP and Sendai virus mRNAs had a common 3' terminal tetranucleotide (5'-TAAG-3') preceding the poly (A) tail.

Ontogeny of renal alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Renal alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors were characterized during the development of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats through Scatchard analysis of [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine binding to kidney membrane preparations in an attempt to correlate biochemical changes with the reported functional changes occurring in hypertension development in the SHR. Renal alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptor density was higher in SHR than in Wistar-Kyoto rats at all ages tested. In contrast to Wistar-Kyoto rats, in which the number of alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors remained relatively constant with age, the number of renal alpha-1 adrenoceptors in the SHR was lowest at the 4th week of age (61 fmol/mg) increasing transiently at 5 weeks and then again at 8 week reaching a plateau at that time. The maximum number of binding sites for [3H]yohimbine binding in the SHR was also age dependent. The number of renal alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the SHR was lowest at 4 weeks of age (125 fmol/mg) increasing to 220 fmol/mg at 5 weeks of age and to 260 fmol/mg at 8 weeks of age. Adult levels (308 fmol/mg) were reached by 18 weeks of age. Unlike receptor densities, affinity constants were not significantly altered during postnatal development. The changes in alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the kidneys of SHR may suggest an important developmental role which is not yet understood.

Roentgenographic features of the arthropathy associated with CPPD crystal deposition disease. A comparative study with primary osteoarthritis

We assessed the radiological features of the arthropathy seen in patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) disease or pseudogout. Standard AP projections of the hands, pelvis and knees were evaluated in 74 patients with pseudogout, 68 cases of primary osteoarthritis (OA) and 78 "normal" controls matched by age and sex. A grade from 0 to 3+ was assigned to each of the 4 variables of OA: joint space narrowing, sclerosis, osteophytosis and subchondral cysts. Radiographic findings of OA were more prevalent (p less than 0.005) and severe (p less than 0.001) in the group with pseudogout than in the controls. When the groups with pseudogout and primary OA were compared, no significant differences were found in the overall severity of radiographic changes with only minor differences in its distribution. The pseudogout patients had greater changes in the metacarpophalangeal joints and a lesser involvement of the trapeziometacarpal joints. No radiological differences were observed in patients meeting McCarty's criteria for clinical types A and C.

Cloning and gene assignment of mRNAs of human parainfluenza virus 3

Cytoplasmic poly(A)-containing RNA from parainfluenza virus 3-infected cells was used as template to construct a cDNA library that was cloned into the EcoRV site of the plasmid pMG5. The resulting clones were screened with [32P]-labeled cDNA probes made from infected and mock-infected cell mRNAs. The virus specificity of the clones was confirmed by Northern blot hybridization. The viral clones were grouped into five different families by hybridization with individual size-selected reverse transcripts representing the major classes of poly(A)+-RNA from virus-infected cells. The five groups were shown to be unrelated on the basis of cross-colony hybridization and corresponded to five unique classes of intracellular viral poly(A)+-RNAs. Clones representing the NP and P genes of PIV-3 were identified by both hybrid-selected and hybrid-arrested translation. Clones specific for the P gene selected mRNA that directed the synthesis of P protein and another polypeptide of 21 kDa. This additional polypeptide comigrated with protein VP8 previously identified in virions and in infected cell lysates.

Studies on human parainfluenza virus 3: characterization of the structural proteins and in vitro synthesized proteins coded by mRNAs isolated from infected cells

The structural proteins of human parainfluenza virus 3, a member of the paramyxovirus family, were characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of radiolabeled virus. The purified virion contains at least eight structural proteins, with estimated molecular weights of 251K, 90K, 71K, 68K, 65K, 51K, 35K, and 21K, respectively. Three of the polypeptides (71K, 65K, and 51K) were identified as glycoproteins based on their incorporation of [3H]glucosamine. Disruption of the virus by Triton X-100 in the presence of increasing salt concentrations indicated that the polypeptides of molecular weights 251K, 90K, 68K, and 21K were components of the nucleocapsid. In parainfluenza virus 3 infected BS-C-1 cells, seven virus structural polypeptides were identified. Six structural proteins (90K, 71K, 68K, 51K, 35K, and 21K) were detected in the cell lysate at 7 hr after infection, while at 10 hr an additional polypeptide (251K) was also observed. At least two nonstructural polypeptides of molecular weights 30K and 25K were also detected in infected cells. mRNAs isolated from virus-infected cells were translated in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system. The in vitro translation products were identical to the authentic virion polypeptides as determined by partial digestion with staphylococcal V8 protease.

In vitro phosphorylation of NS protein by the L protein of vesicular stomatitis virus

The structural proteins L and NS of vesicular stomatitis virus were obtained from purified viral ribonucleoprotein complex followed by phosphocellulose column chromatography and assayed for protein kinase activity using [gamma-32P]ATP as the phosphate donor. The fractions containing purified L protein phosphorylated NS protein in vitro. 8-Azido-ATP, a photoreactive analogue of ATP, was also used as the phosphate donor for phosphorylation of NS protein by the L protein. In the presence of ultraviolet light, only L protein was specifically cross-linked with 8-azido-[gamma-32P]ATP. In the absence of u.v. light 8-azido ATP did no inhibit RNA transcription in a reconstituted reaction or substitute ATP for RNA synthesis in vitro. The above results, taken together, suggest that 8-azido-ATP was bound to the kinase site and phosphorylation of NS protein was mediated by the L protein. Exogenous phosphate acceptor proteins such as phosvitin and casein were also phosphorylated by the L protein fraction. However, addition of an excess of phosvitin failed to compete with the phosphorylation of NS by L, indicating that the protein kinase activity possessed higher affinity for NS. The phosphorylation of NS was strongly inhibited by photoreaction of L protein with 8-azido-ATP with concomitant inhibition of transcription in vitro. These results suggest that phosphorylation of NS protein by L may have a role in the regulation of the virus genome transcription in vitro.

Effect of prazosin and yohimbine on systolic blood pressure and on renal norepinephrine content in DOCA-salt rats

We studied the effect of alpha-1 and alpha-2 blockers (prazosin and yohimbine) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and on renal norepinephrine (NE) content in Sprague-Dawley normotensive and DOCA-salt rats. The administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) to these rats for 6 weeks increased their SBP from 137 to 183 mmHg (p less than .001). This increase was prevented by simultaneous administration of prazosin (p less than .001), yohimbine (p less than .01), or prazosin + yohimbine (p less than .001). DOCA rats on saline and on yohimbine had lower renal NE content (p less than .05 and p less than .001, respectively) than normotensive rats. Renal NE content of DOCA rats on yohimbine decreased with respect to those treated with prazosin (p less than .001) or prazosin + yohimbine (p less than .05). Besides, renal NE content of DOCA rats on prazosin increased when compared to control DOCA rats (p less than .05). However, these drugs showed no effect on SBP and on renal NE content in normotensive rats. These findings further confirm that the alpha adrenoceptor blockade can prevent the hypertension of DOCA-salt rats in such a way that their blood pressure stabilizes at similar levels to those observed in normotensive treated animals.

[Long-term (8 years) follow-up study of 204 bioprostheses]

From june 1974 to december 1975, 204 Hancock prosthetic valves were engrafted. The in-hospital mortality was 8.7%. The eight year survival rate was 78.9%. Of the 171 patients who had surgery, 121 reverted to functional class I, 123 had a mild or absent cardiomegaly. After 8 years of follow up 92% of the cases had not thromboembolic episodes. Ninety five percent of the patients with mitral valve replacement and 95% with aortic valve replacement were free of bacterial endocarditis. During the follow-up period; there were 49 valvular malfunctions, 16 of them mild that required no treatment. In 32 cases the alteration was severe and required surgical intervention. Thirty six prosthetic valves had to be removed; 22 of them had degenerative changes, 10 had bacterial endocarditis and in 4 the suture line broke down. After 8 years 77% of the valves were functioning well. The in-hospital mortality after the second valve replacement was 9.4%.

Post-secretional modification of exo-1,3-beta-D-glucanases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Exo-1,3-beta-D-glucanase secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergoes extracellular modifications in its carbohydrate moiety that change the affinity towards the lectin concanavalin A. The transition of negatively reacting enzyme form into positively reacting one depends on temperature. Results from experiments with glucono-delta-lactone and from treatments in vitro with hydrolases suggest a glycosidase-mediated mechanism.

Effect of tunicamycin on exo-1,3-beta-D-glucanase synthesis and secretion by cells and protoplasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Addition of tunicamycin to the culture medium of growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae protoplasts or cells resulted in the formation of a modified exo-1,3-beta-D-glucanase which was detectable in both extracellular and intracellular fractions. This modified enzyme had a lower molecular weight than the native form and did not bind to concanavalin A. The activation energy and Km values of both enzyme forms were identical. Antibodies raised against the native protein readily precipitated the exo-1,3-beta-D-glucanase produced after tunicamycin treatment. The latter enzyme was comparable, in terms of molecular size and lack of affinity for concanavalin A, to the beta-D-glucanase obtained by treatment of the native form with endoglycosidase H; both lacked the carbohydrate moiety present in the native enzyme. The exo-1,3-beta-D-glucanase obtained in the presence of the antibiotic was more sensitive to variations in temperature and pH than both endoglycosidase H-treated and non-treated enzymes. Our results suggest that the carbohydrate moiety, if not necessary for exo-1,3-beta-D-glucanase secretion, may play a role in the conformation of the protein and in stabilizing the enzymic activity.

Effect of microwave heating of soybeans on protein quality

The purpose of this study was to determine the protein quality of microwave cooked soybeans by the rat growth and protein efficiency ratio method (PER). It was found that properly cooked, dry, hulled, whole soybean seeds had a PER of 2.4 +/- .06 (mean +/- standard error) and a mean weekly weight gain of 21.2 +/- 1.1 which were equivalent to 2.53 +/- .10 and 18.3 +/- 1.0 g for casein, respectively. These data demonstrate the value of microwave cooked soybeans and suggest further research on the possible economical and biological advantages of microwave cooked soybeans.

[Pheochromocytoma and sudden death (author's transl)]

Five cases of pheochromocytoma are described in which sudden death was the form of the initial clinical presentation in almost all of them. After a brief review on the history and the incidence of the tumor within the general population, diverse cases are analyzed from a clinical point of view and in relation to the data appeared in the literature. In the analysis of the symptoms emphasis is placed on the important psychomotor manifestations which are present in the majority of those patients and which causes serious difficulties in the initial diagnosis. All of the patients showed signs of shock at the time of being observed or during the course of this observation, and in the majority of them the presence of acute pulmonary edema was confirmed; facts which we attribute to an initial hypertensive episode associated to a left heart failure. The onset of the crisis in two patients was related to known triggering factors: anesthesia and sulpiride. In other two patients associated conditions were diagnosed: medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland in one of them, and cystic necrosis of the middle layer of the aorta in the other.

Multiplication of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (Mucambo) virus in cultured mosquito cells

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (Mucambo) virus was able to multiply at 28degree C in cultured mosquito cells (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) without inducing any apparent cytopathology. The kinetics of virus multiplication was similar in mosquito and mammalian (Vero) cells. Twelve to twenty four hours post-infection, a maximum of 10-50 per cent of the cells were engaged in virus production; however, almost immediately this proportion fell abruptly tending to stabilize in the order of 0.01 to 0.05 per cent. No significant increase of infectious centers was observed after cell subculturing. Study of subpopulations of mosquito cells revealed a differential suceptibility to virus infection, which suggests that a balance of susceptible and virus resistant cells may play a role in the establishment and persistence of the chronic infection.