An unusual genomic position effect on Drosophila white gene expression: pairing dependence, interactions with zeste, and molecular analysis of revertants

The white gene in the AR4-24 P[white,rosy] insertion on chromosome 2 has a novel expression pattern, in which it is repressed in the dorsal half of the eye. X-ray mutagenesis led to the isolation of six revertants mapping to chromosome 2, which are wild type in a zeste+ background, and three extreme derivatives, in which white gene expression is repressed in ventral regions of the eye as well. By Southern blot analyses the breakpoints of five of the revertants and one of the extreme derivatives were mapped in the flanking DNA bordering each side of the AR4-24 insertion. The revertants show some dorsal repression of white in the presence of z1, and by this criterion each is only a partial revertant. The extreme derivatives act not only in cis, but also in trans to repress expression of AR4-24 and its various derivatives. We provide evidence that these trans effects are proximity-dependent effects, possibly mediated by pairing of gene copies, as they do not extend to copies of the white gene located elsewhere in the genome. We show that one extreme derivative, E1, is a small deletion spanning the insertion site at the 5' end of the white gene, and propose that the distance between a negative regulatory element in the 5' flanking DNA and the white promoter influences the degree of the repression.

Immunoglobulin and complement studies in children with Schönlein-Henoch Syndrome and other vasculitic diseases

In 35 children with Schönlein-Henoch Syndrome (SHS) serum IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations were increased in 15%, 21%, and 44% of cases, respectively. Seven children with other vasculitic syndromes (VS) had normal serum Ig concentrations. Serum concentration of IgG subclass IgG1 was increased in 72% of children with SHS and 57% with VS. In SHS this was related to the presence of arthritis, but inversely related to nephritic symptoms. Only a few children had IgG subclasses IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4 concentrations outside the normal ranges. Platelet associated Ig (PAIg) was found in 75% of children with SHS or VS. In SHS the identification of increased amounts of PAIgG was related to the presence of nephritis. The serum concentration of properdin, a component of the alternative complement system, was reduced in 21% of children with SHS. This was related to the presence of abdominal symptoms or nephritis. No cases of retinal vasculitis was observed, but 4 of 22 children with SHS had punctuate retinal haemorrhages. SHS and VS may be clinical variations of the same syndrome. The immunological aspects indicate a close relationship with autoimmune diseases.

Nonradioactive, sequence-specific detection of RNA in situ by primed in situ labeling (PRINS)

A new method for the detection of RNA in situ is presented. It is based on sequence-dependent annealing of unlabeled specific oligonucleotide primers to intracellular RNA and subsequent chain elongation catalyzed by reverse transcriptase. Under the conditions described, biotin-labeled nucleotides can be incorporated and the cDNA synthesized in situ can thus be detected using fluorescein-conjugated avidin. Compared to traditional in situ hybridization the use of short oligonucleotide primers has the potential advantage of being better to discriminate between closely related RNA transcripts. Compared to in situ transcription with radioactive precursors we find it more attractive to use fluorescein-conjugated avidin as detection system because it allows a more detailed study of cell and signal simultaneously.

Inverse regulation of glucose transporter Glut4 and G-protein Gs mRNA expression in cardiac myocytes from insulin resistant rats

The present study examined the mRNA levels of glucose transporter Glut4 and G-protein Gs alpha-subunit in isolated ventricular myocytes from lean and genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In obese animals the amount of transcripts coding for Glut4 increased to 122 +/- 6% of lean controls, whereas the mRNA coding for Gs alpha-subunit decreased by 42 +/- 12%. An unaltered level of Gs mRNA was observed in insulin deficient rats. When cardiomyocytes from normal rats were treated with insulin, the Glut4 transcript level increased by 48 +/- 5%, whereas the Gs mRNA level decreased by 55 +/- 8%. The findings suggest that insulin may act as a potential regulator of Glut4 and Gs mRNA expression in the cardiac cell.

[The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in gulls in northern Germany]

Out of a total of 207 gulls--20 Black headed gulls, 185 Herring gulls and 2 Common gulls--128 (62%) and 23 (11%) birds, respectively, were infected with Campylobacter spp. (C.) and Salmonella spp. C. jejuni was predominant in gulls less than two years old (89%) and C. coli in older birds (75%). Furthermore, the infection rate with Campylobacters was depending on the habitats of the birds. The rate for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, was in gulls from regional garbage dumps 78% and 4%, from the coast 58% and 21%, and from islands 47% and 47% of the isolations in the corresponding area. Salmonellae were mainly isolated in the period from September to February from gulls less than one year old and from birds from the coast.

Nitrofurantoin versus trimethoprim prophylaxis in recurrent urinary tract infection in children. A randomized, double-blind study

The efficiency of nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim prophylaxis in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) was compared by means of actuarial percentage recurrence-free curves in a randomized, double blind study in 130 children (126 girls, 4 boys) aged 1 to 14 years (mean 7.5). The children received the antibiotics for 6 months. Nitrofurantoin proved to be the most efficient prophylactic drug in patients with abnormal urography and/or reflux (n = 60) as evaluated by actuarial percentage recurrence-free analysis (p = 0.0025). However, no differences was found in patients without urinary tract abnormalities. Nitrofurantoin prophylaxis altered neither the pattern of resistance nor the bacteriological constellation, while patients receiving trimethoprim prophylaxis had 76% trimethoprim resistant bacteria during prophylaxis, compared with 8% before (p less than 0.0001) and 17% after (p less than 0.0001) prophylaxis. The percentage of recurrences due to E. coli (70-80%) was unaffected by trimethoprim prophylaxis, but the proportion due to trimethoprim resistant E. coli was significantly higher during prophylaxis (65%) than before (6%, p less than 0.0001) and after (11%, p less than 0.001). The percentage of Staphylococcus epidermidis UTI was significantly higher during trimethoprim prophylaxis (27%) than before (2%, p less than 0.0003). Following prophylaxis there was no difference in the actuarial percentage recurrence-free curves of the two regimens. Side effects occurred more frequently in the nitrofurantoin group (37%) than in the trimethoprim group (21%) (p = 0.05). The majority of side effects in the nitrofurantoin group derived from gastrointestinal symptoms. In conclusion, nitrofurantoin is recommended as the first choice prophylactic treatment of children with recurrent UTI and urinary tract abnormalities.

Normal fetal growth evaluated by longitudinal ultrasound examinations

Fetal weight estimation was evaluated using the equations of Warsof, Shepard and Hadlock in 192 patients, less than 3 days before delivery. Warsof's and Hadlock's equations resulted in significantly better weight estimates compared to Shepard's equation. No systematic error was found below 2500 g by use of Warsof's equation, whereas Shepard's and Hadlocks's equations resulted in significant over-estimation in the low weight group. In a study of 5 fetuses, of 27-38 weeks gestational age, the intra-observer variation was calculated to 4.6%, whereas the coefficient of variation among observer means was 2.9%. The mixed intra- and inter-observer coefficient of variation was 6.5%. Thirty-five low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancies with reliable last menstrual dates were investigated longitudinally with ultrasound measurements of fetal weight. Population growth curves of fetal weight, fetal femur length, abdominal circumference and biparietal diameter were constructed by weighted polynomial regression. After 27 weeks of gestational age the weight growth curve showed only insignificant non-linearity. Compared to a Danish growth curve based on birth weights, significant higher mean weight was found, especially before 31 weeks of gestational age. The 10th and 90th percentiles for the individual percentage deviation change was +/- 4.4% per 28 days.

Visual evoked potentials in term light-for-gestational-age infants and infants of diabetic mothers

The latency and amplitude of the first negative peak of visual evoked potentials (VEP) were evaluated in 52 term infants, investigated within 48 h after birth. Sixteen were light-for-gestational-age (LGA), 16 were appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and 20 were infants of diabetic mothers (IDM). The VEP latency was shorter in LGA infants compared to AGA infants, and it was closely related to the birth weight deviation. The VEP latency was inversely related to gestational age and positively related to head circumference. When corrected for gestational age and head circumference, the VEP latency was not significantly different between the subgroups, nor related to the birth weight deviation, ponderal index or skinfold thickness. Thus, it could be argued that the high conduction velocity in LGA infants is due to stress maturation or alternatively due to the smaller head circumference. The VEP amplitude was higher in LGA infants when compared with AGA infants, and inversely related to the birth weight deviation. No differences were found in VEP latency or VEP amplitude between IDM and AGA infants.

Influence of concentric resistance training on concentric and eccentric strength

This study investigated the effects of isokinetic concentric training on isokinetic concentric and eccentric torque outputs. Sixteen female subjects (mean age in years +/- SE = 21 +/- 1) were randomly assigned to either a training or a control group. Concentric and eccentric torques of the right knee extensors were assessed at 1.05rad.s-1 using a KinCom isokinetic dynamometer system. Each test consisted of a set of four maximal concentric and four maximal eccentric contractions of the knee extensors. The peak and average torques for each contraction were calculated using the computer software supplied by the KinCom manufacturer. On a separate day, after abstaining from heavy exercise for at least 12 hours, a single cross-sectional image of the thigh at midfemur was obtained using computer tomography (CT) scanning. From this image, cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris group was calculated using the computer software associated with the General Electric 9800 CT Scanning System. Training group subjects trained three days weekly for six weeks on a Cybex II+ isokinetic dynamometer, completing five sets of ten maximal effort knee extensions at an angular velocity of 1.05rad.s-1. Each set of exercise was separated by two minutes of self-selected recovery. Torque outputs were monitored daily to ensure that adequate recovery was provided between sets of exercise, and to document changes in strength as the program progressed. Significant (p less than .01) increases in peak and average concentric torque (11% and 12%, respectively), peak and average eccentric torque (18% and 21%, respectively), and muscle cross-sectional area (3.2%) were observed for training group subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Total body bone mineral in light-for-gestational-age infants and appropriate-for-gestational-age infants

Dual-photon-absorptiometry using 153Gd in a whole body scanner was used to measure total body bone mineral in 51 newborn infants. In preterm light-for-gestational-age infants total body bone mineral was 12.6 g v.s. 25.6 g in preterm appropriate-for-gestational-age infants (p less than 0.05). In term light-for-gestational-age infants total body bone mineral was 41.4 g v. 84.2 g in term appropriate-for-gestational-age infants (p less than 0.001). The correlations between gestational age and total body bone mineral was best described by exponential regression lines.

Limited responsiveness of LHRH neurons to norepinephrine may account for failure of locus coeruleus or medullary A1 electrical stimulation to increase plasma LH in estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats

We recently reported that electrical stimulation (ES) of the locus coeruleus (LC) or the medullary A1 noradrenergic cell groups markedly increased LH secretion. However, these amplifying effects occurred only in rats in which preliminary electrochemical stimulation (ECS) of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) was performed. In contrast, ES of either LC or A1 alone did not alter basal LH secretion. Possible explanations for this dichotomy in LH response include: (1) LHRH neurons in unanesthetized, estrogen-treated ovariectomized (OVX) rats are relatively unresponsive to NE, (2) the chloral hydrate anesthesia used in our brain stimulation studies elevates the threshold of excitability of LHRH neurons to norepinephrine (NE) and/or pituitary responsiveness to LHRH, (3) preliminary MPN-ECS reduces thresholds of responsiveness of LHRH neurons to NE, and (4) the LHRH secreted after MPN-ECS sensitizes the pituitary gland to the subsequent small amounts of LHRH released following LC- or A1-stimulation. To provide answers to these questions, 3 experiments were performed in estrogen-treated OVX rats into which had been inserted the third ventricle and jugular cannulae. In the first study, the effects of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) or ACSF + NE (5, 20, or 45 micrograms) on plasma LH concentrations in unanesthetized, unrestrained rats were examined. The intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of 5 micrograms of NE increased plasma LH by 61.3% above basal levels within 10 min whereas 20 or 45 micrograms NE elevated LH values 166.9 and 182.8%, respectively. The next study examined the effects of anesthetic drugs on LH response produced by ICV infusions of 45 micrograms of NE. Regardless of whether rats were anesthetized with ether, chloral hydrate, urethane, Saffan (alphaxolone + alphadolone) or ketamine + acepromazine, peak LH responses to ICV NE were not significantly different from unanesthetized controls. In a second study we observed that ICV NE (45 micrograms) markedly amplified and prolonged the release of LH after MPN-ECS. Moreover, the peak LH responses in these animals were approximately 10 x greater than those obtained in rats which received ICV NE but not MPN-ECS. The third series of studies demonstrated that pituitary responsiveness to LHRH was not an important factor in dictating the LH response obtained after NE ICV infusions. These data suggest that LHRH neurons in estrogen-primed OVX rats are not particularly responsive to NE and that following MPN-ECS, LHRH neuronal responsiveness to this catecholamine markedly increases.

Fetal abdominal circumference rather than fetal femur length/abdominal circumference ratio predicts fetal malnutrition in high risk pregnancies

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of abdominal circumference (AC) and fetal femur length/abdominal circumference ratio (FFL/AC) measured by ultrasound within a period of 2 weeks before birth to predict low birth weight percentile and neonatal signs related to fetal malnutrition. From longitudinal ultrasound measurements in 35 normal pregnancies reference data of AC and FFL was obtained. FFL/AC ratio was constant from 21 weeks until term (mean 20.9, SD 1.2) (figure 1). In 350 risk pregnancies AC standard deviation score (AC-SDS) correlated far better than FFL/AC ratio with the deviation of birth weight from normal (figure 3). Furthermore AC-SDS correlated better with ponderal index (PI) and skinfold thickness (ST) than did FFL/AC ratio. Using cut-off levels on AC-SDS and FFL/AC ratio, which selected about 30% of the population, the sensitivity of AC-SDS in predicting the infant being LGA was 81.8% versus 42.9% using FFL/AC ratio (table II). The prediction of the infant being SGA was not improved when the change in AC-SDS or FFL/AC over the last 6-8 weeks of pregnancy was considered. We conclude that AC-SDS correlates well with birth weight deviation and predicts the infant being SGA with a precision equal to the best results reported in the literature, and that FFL/AC ratio is unreliable even when GA is not known because of a high false positive rate.

Pattern of platelet-associated immunoglobulin (classes and IgG subclasses) in childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Platelet-associated Ig classes and IgG subclasses were studied by a semiquantitative platelet ELISA test in 17 children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). An elevation of PAIg was found in 94% of the children. In nearly all cases increased amounts of PAIgG of subclass G1 was seen, and in half of the cases increased amounts of PAIgM were also seen. No statistical difference in the composition of PAIg classes and PAIgG subclasses in acute and in chronic ITP was found. However, a correlation of increased amount of PAIgG3 and very low platelet count (20 x 10(9)/l) was observed.

Lean body mass in small for gestational age and appropriate for gestational age infants

Dual photon absorptiometry using 153Gd in a whole-body scanner was used to measure lean body mass (LBM) in 51 newborn infants. LBM% decreased exponentially with increasing gestational age in both small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. In preterm SGA and AGA infants LBM was 104% and 103%, respectively, indicating that no fat was detectable. In term SGA infants LBM was 98%, which corresponded to 48 gm fat on average, and in term AGA infants LBM was 87%, which corresponded to 452 gm fat on average. The LBM%, ponderal index, and skinfold thickness were significantly different between AGA and SGA infants. Infants with clinical signs of intrauterine wastage had significantly higher LBM% than did infants without signs of weight loss. Our results on LBM% by dual photon absorptiometry agree with earlier dissection data; the clinically applicable methods of (1) height combined with weight (i.e., ponderal index), (2) skinfold thickness, and (3) scoring by clinical observations are useful for the estimation of lack of fat as an indicator of intrauterine growth retardation.

Alloimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia and hydrocephalus. Platelet antigen Zwa, ABO-antigens and HLA-antigens in mothers to infants with hydrocephalus

In 27 mothers to infants with hydrocephalus determinations of platelet antigen Zwa, HLA-typing and ABO-typing were performed in order to evaluate whether undiagnosed alloimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia (AINT) could be an aetiological factor in hydrocephalus. All mothers were Zwa-positive, and the frequency of HLA-antigens and ABO-antigens was as in the normal population. Though sporadic cases of hydrocephalus following AINT are reported, this is not a common cause of intracranial haemorrhage and hydrocephalus.

Reversible abnormalities of myocardial relaxation in hypothyroidism

Fifteen selected hypothyroid patients without symptoms or signs of cardiovascular disease and an equal number of matched control subjects underwent simultaneous recording of electrocardiogram and phono-, apex-, and echocardiography to assess dynamic systolic and diastolic left ventricular function. Both the systolic preejection period and the isovolumic relaxation period were significantly increased in the hypothyroid group. However, whereas the rate of myocardial contraction, assessed from the echocardiograph of the left ventricular posterior wall, was identical in patients and control subjects, the diastolic thinning rate of the muscle was markedly slowed in the hypothyroid individuals. The abnormalities demonstrated were in the main completely reversed after 3 months of T4 therapy. These results demonstrate a relatively selective and readily reversible disturbance of the rate of myocardial relaxation in hypothyroidism, suggesting an intrinsic abnormality of cardiac muscle. This allows an intriguing parallel to be drawn with the delayed relaxation phase of voluntary muscle contraction, long recognized as a direct measure of tissue thyroid function in hypothyroidism. The abnormality of diastolic function we have described is of similar character to that found in patients with other cardiomyopathies and which has been shown to be a major cause of disturbance of global cardiac action.

Fatigue of voluntary contractions in normal and myasthenic human subjects

The effect of fatigue developed during 96 repeated rapid maximal voluntary finger muscle contractions (MVC), 12 contractions per minute, was followed in 4 control subjects and 4 myasthenic patients. The tension-time integral (T-TI) was determined during either the first 1 or 1.25 s of each contraction. Fatigue decreased the T-TI by 21% in the control subjects and by 65% in the patients. While ordinary MVC showed a slow rate of rise of tension and gradually increasing electromyographic activity, rapid MVC from both groups showed a steep rate of rise of tension, a 'notch' after about 0.3-0.4 s separating two relative maxima and a larger electromyographic activity during the first half second of the contraction. The mechanograms from rapid MVC were divided by an arbitrary straight line connecting the starting pint of the contraction curve and the notch. The line separated an area (N X s) above and to the left (alpha-component) from an area below and to the right (beta-component of the line. Fatigue affected the beta-component selectively in both control subjects and myasthenic patients. Only when the beta-component was reduced by more than 80%, was a reduction of the alpha-component also seen. At any time during a sustained contraction, the patients could briefly increase their instantaneous strength, but for only about one half second. The results suggest that human muscle contractions can be divided into two parts with a different sensitivity to fatigue in both control subjects and myasthenic patients.

Effect of tubocurarine on static and dynamic muscle contractions in man

The effect of a bolus injection of tubocurarine (0.1 mg X kg-1 i.v.) was followed in six young subjects by registration of static, and slow (30 degrees X s-1) and fast (150 degrees X s-1) dynamic (isokinetic) maximal voluntary leg extensions. Mechanograms from both unblocked and curarized muscle contractions showed a "notch" after about 440 ms separating two relative maxima. The mechanograms were divided by an arbitrary straight line connecting the starting point of the contraction curve and the notch. The line separated an area (Nm X s) above and to the left (alpha-component) from an area below and to the right (beta-component) of the line. Tubocurarine affected the beta-component selectively until about 70% reduced in the static contractions. With further curarization the alpha-component was also reduced in size. The alpha-component was equally affected during the three types of contractions, while the faster the contraction the more the beta-component was reduced. The results suggest that static as well as dynamic human muscle contractions can be divided into two parts with a different sensitivity for tubocurarine, one of which seems to have a sensitivity which depends on the contraction velocity.

The mechanism of gastrin release in cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer

Duodenal ulcer can be induced in rats by a single dose of cysteamine. The ulcer formation is accompanied by acid hypersecretion and elevated serum gastrin levels. This study was performed to elucidate the mechanisms of gastrin release after an ulcerogenic dose of cysteamine. Cysteamine induced a rise in serum gastrin from 29 +/- 5 pg/ml to a maximum of 203 +/- 62 pg/ml after 3 h in unoperated rats, whereas no rise was seen in vagotomized or antrectomized rats. The beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol strongly inhibited cysteamine-induced gastrin release, whereas atropine dependent on an intact vagus and may be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors.

Effect on serum calcium of a alpha-hydroxy-vitamin D3 supplementation in infants of low birth weight, infants with perinatal asphyxia, and infants of diabetic mothers

Thirty infants of low birth weight, 35 infants with perinatal asphyxia, and 16 infants of diabetic mothers were investigated for early neonatal hypocalcaemia. The infants were randomized into a group prophylactically given 1 alpha-hydroxy-vitamin D3, 0.05 or 0.10 micrograms/kg i.v. on the first 3 days of life, and an untreated control group. In infants of low birth weight and infants of diabetic mothers there were no differences in serum ion-Ca concentrations on days 2, 3, 5, and 7 between the treated and untreated groups. In infants with perinatal asphyxia, however, serum ion-Ca concentrations on days 5 and 7 were significantly higher in the treated than in the untreated group, while on days 2 and 3 the differences were not statistically significant. The hypocalcaemia in asphyctic infants was not correlated to bicarbonate treatment, but infants with severe signs of asphyxia had lower serum ion-Ca concentrations than infants with only mild or no signs. Hypocalcaemia in asphyctic infants might be explained by a decreased concentration of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 following reduced 1 alpha-hydroxylation in the kidney as a consequence of anoxia during perinatal asphyxia.

Serum indomethacin concentrations after intravenous administration to preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus

Six preterm infants with PDA received 14 treatments with indomethacin 0.2 mg/kg intravenously. Auscultatory and echocardiographic assessment indicated closure of the duct in 2, partial closure in 2, and no effect in 2 infants. The mean serum concentration of indomethacin was: 15 min after the first injection 1 314 ng/ml, after 1 hour 970 ng/ml, after 6 hours 718 ng/ml, and after 24 hours 388 ng/ml. The mean half-life of indomethacin in the serum was 20 hours (range 9-50 hours). Side effects in all infants were hyponatraemia, decreased urinary output, decreased urinary sodium excretion, and weight gain. One infant had transient thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. By intravenous administration of indomethacin in a dose of 0.2 mg/kg to preterm infants a sufficiently high serum concentration is obtained shortly after the injection. To maintain a high serum concentration for a longer period it is recommended to give a second dose of 0.2 mg/kg after 6 hours and if necessary a third dose of 0.1 mg/kg 24 hours after the first dose.

Correlated changes in feeding behavior on selection for large and small body size in mice

An automated method was used to record the temporal pattern of feeding of lines of mice selected over 15 generations for high and low body weight (L-mice and S-mice, respectively). Both L-mice and S-mice eat in meals concentrated during the night, and meal frequency is similar in the two lines, but L-mice consume much larger meals, each made up of many more separate feeding bouts. The outbred strain from which the selected lines were derived has a similar basic pattern of feeding in meals, which becomes like that of L-mice when the animal's thermogenic metabolic rate is high, and like that of S-mice when it is low, suggesting that the differences between the feeding patterns of the two selected lines are a secondary consequence of alterations in whole body metabolic rate.

Hypernatraemia, diabetes mellitus, hyperprolactinaemia, retarded growth and delayed puberty in a 14 year old girl. Effect of bromocriptine treatment

Investigations in a 14 year old girl with arrested growth for 2 years, delayed pubertal development, hypernatraemia without thirst, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipaemia are reported. The hypernatraemia was accompanied by a low vasopressin concentration with an abnormal response to thirst, high plasma renin but normal plasma aldosterone concentrations. Treatment with vasopressin and increased fluid intake decreased serum sodium levels. Serum gonadotrophins were low; GH response during an insulin tolerance test was subnormal and basal serum Prl concentration was elevated. Bone age, thyroid function and adrenal function were normal. After initiation of bromocriptine treatment her growth accelerated and regular menstruations commenced. The serum gonadotrophin levels increased and showed pulsatile release. A hypothalamic disorder is suggested, but no cerebral lesion could be demonstrated.

Megakaryocytes in the foetal circulation and in cubital venous blood in the mother before and after delivery

22 newborn infants delivered by Caesarean section were investigated in order to ascertain the number and morphology of megakaryocytes in the umbilical artery and vein. Averages of 65.5 and 47 MK per ml blood were found, respectively. 25% of MK in the artery and 8% in the vein had copious cytoplasm. Thus there was a significantly higher total number of MK and number of MK with copious cytoplasm in blood from the artery than from the vein (P less than 0.05). In blood from the aorta in 16 newborn infants we found an average of 28 MK per ml blood, 8% had copious cytoplasm. There was a significantly smaller number of MK in the aorta than in both the artery and the vein of the umbilical cord (P less than 0.05). There was the same percentage of MK with copious cytoplasm in the aorta as in the umbilical vein. The number of MK in cubital venous blood from the mother prior to delivery was 17.5 MK per ml and was significantly higher than about 3 months after delivery when it was 5 MK per ml blood, which is a normal value (P less than 0.05). In both series, 1.5% of MK had copious cytoplasm, as in a normal material.

Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in childhood. A 10-year review and follow-up

Seventy-three children, who were admitted to hospital during the period 1965-1976 with osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, were included in a retrospective study as well as a clinical and radiological follow-up. Ten cases of osteomyelitis occurred during the neonatal period and about half of the cases of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis occurred before the age of 2 years. Staph. aureus was the dominating pathogen isolated and half of the strains were penicillin-resistant. The group of children with osteomyelitis who were given early treatment, i.e. within 1 week, against penicillin-resistant Staph, aureus had a higher clinical cure rate after 1 month (0.01 < P < 0.025) compared with the rest of the children. Five children developed recurrent or chronic osteomyelitis. An early follow-up in 69 children 1-11 years after the disease showed that none had any complaints or invalidity. However, one patient with neonatal septic arthritis presented severe dysplasia and subluxation of the hip and four children with osteomyelitis had severe, but asymptomatic, radiological changes.

Fetal thyrotoxicosis in utero

A case of fetal thyrotoxicosis in utero in a boy with familial predisposition to thyrotoxicosis is reported. At 26 weeks of gestation fetal hyperkinesia and fetal tachycardia developed. This was preceded by a significant pathologic increase in long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) in the mother. The fetal hyperkinesia and tachycardia were considered to be signs of fetal thyrotoxicosis, possibly induced by placentally transferred LATS. The fetal thyrotoxicosis responded well to propylthiouracil given to the mother. After birth the boy developed slight signs of neonatal thyrotoxicosis although his serum thyroxine values increased analogous to those of his elder sister, who had presented classical neonatal thyrotoxicosis.

Long-term prophylaxis with methenamine hippurate in girls with recurrent urinary tract infections

Twenty girls, aged 5-12 years, with recurrent urinary tract infections, were treated with methenamine hippurate, Hiprex, for a period of 12 months. The number of infections per patient per year was reduced from 3.1 to 0.7 (p less than 0.001). After prophylaxis was stopped this number increased to 1.4 which is a significantly higher incidence than occurred during treatment (p less than 0.05). A few girls complained of the taste but no side-effects were observed. Methenamine hippurate is a useful alternative in long-term prophylaxis against recurrent urinary tract infections in girls.

Effects of testosterone upon feeding in male mice

Food intake and pattern of feeding were recorded in intact and castrate male mice. Intact adults are larger and eat more than pre-pubertal castrates, due to rapid growth at puberty. Castration in adulthood has little effect upon food intake, but feeding becomes concentrated into large, infrequent meals. The change in meal size appears primary and is reversed by testosterone. During rapid growth at puberty, both meal size and frequency are high. It is suggested that testosterone affects feeding in two ways. Rapid weight gain at puberty leads to high meal size and frequency, but in adulthood meal size is depressed. Meal size in adults is further depressed by stimuli from females, and it is argued in this case that testosterone affects a general mechanism for altering feeding when other activities have a high priority.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism. Clinical, biochemical and morphological studies in a long-term follow-up

A boy with pseudohypoaldosteronism was followed from birth to the age of 7 years. Failure to thrive, vomiting, dehydration, hyponatraemia and urinary sodium loss were prominent findings. Urinary excretion of corticosteroid metabolites was normal. Before treatment, excessively high plasma renin concentration was found, associated with a marked activation of aldosterone secretion. A renal biopsy showed pronounced hypertrophy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Persisting metabolic acidosis and an insufficient urinary acidifying capacity suggested the presence of distal renal tubular acidosis. Treatment with sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride from 19 to 31 months of age resulted in normal growth and normal physical and mental development. The plasma electrolytes were normalized but a pronounced activation of the renin-aldosterone system persisted after therapy, and on sodium restriction this system responded with a considerable further activation.

Neonatal thyrotoxicosis

Neonatal thyrotoxicosis is a transient hyperthyroidism in infants of mothers with current or previous thyrotoxicosis. The pathogenesis have been accepted to be placental transfer of maternal thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins. Of two siblings from a previous thyrotoxic mother the first had marked symptoms of thyrotoxicosis but during the second pregnancy antithyroid treatment was given to the mother and though the child had high levels of thyroid hormones for 6 weeks it had only minimal symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.

Neonatal septic osteo-arthritis due to umbilical artery catheterisation

Three cases of neonatal septic osteo-arthritis due to umbilical artery catheterisation are described. The clinical features were characteristic. A week after removal of the catheter a septic osteo-arthritis developed. The etiological agent in all three cases was Staphylococcus aureus, resistant to penicillin. The disease is probably caused by haematogenous spread of septic clots from thrombus formation on the catheter. Symptoms and signs were few and vague. It is suggested that septic osteo-arthritis due to umbilical catheterisation is more frequent than hitherto believed, and low-grade forms might remain undiagnosed.

Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy treated with propylthiouracil. The significance of maternal and foetal parameters

Hyperthyroidism during pregnancy may be dangerous to the infant. The major risks are prematurity and neonatal thyrotoxicosis. The latter may be due to placental transfer of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins from mother to fetus. Of two siblings of a previously thyrotoxic mother the first had marked symptoms of neonatal thyrotoxicosis after a pregnancy where no antithyroid treatment was given. The second child had only minimal thyrotoxic symptoms but almost as high levels of thyroid hormones as the first. During the second pregnancy propylthiouracil was given to the mother from 26 weeks' gestation, because of increased fetal movements and fetal tachycardia. Fetal movements and fetal heart rate were considered to be most valuable indicators of thyroid function in the fetus. Intense control is necessary from the beginning of the second trimester.

The temporal pattern of feeding over the oestrous cycle of the mouse

The detailed temporal pattern of feeding in female mice was measured by an automated method over the oestrous cycle whilst feeding on either of two foods differing in stimulus characteristics, but of similar calorific value. The total time spent feeding varied systematically over the cycle, being increased for sweet food and decreased for laboratory chow at the time of sexual receptivity. and increased for both foods towards the end of the cycle. The temporal pattern is analysed into a number of variables, which are seen to alter in different ways over the oestrous cycle. The pro-oestrus disturbance is due to alterations in meal size brought about solely by changes in mean bout length, themselves products of variations in the initial bouts of the meal. Inter-meal interval is unrelated to changes in meal size at this time, allowing the latter to affect food intake. The changes towards the end of the cycle are produced by alterations of meal frequency at constant meal size. It is argued that separable 'phasic' and 'tonic' effects of reproductive condition on feeding may therefore be identified, and that they might possibly have different functions.

Some effects of light on the viability of rhodopsin-containing halobacteria

Under starvation conditions, rhodopsin-containing halobacteria show a light-accelerated death under aerobic conditions. This is attributed to photooxidative processes. Under anaerobic conditions, halobacteria die rapidly in the dark, and light prevents death. Since it has been shown by others that lightdriven ATP synthesis can occur under anaerobic conditions, it is postulated that rhodopsin-mediated photophosphorylation is of survival value for this organism in the brines in which it lives, especially because the solubility of oxygen is low in highly saline waters and anaerobic conditions can often develop.

Pleural empyema in a newborn infant. An unusual cause of respiratory distress

In a 2-day-old baby with symptoms of respiratory distress a right-sided pleural empyema caused by haemolytic streptococci was found. Possible sources of infection are discussed. The mother had purulent discharge from a tooth a few weeks before delivery, and this may have been the focus. The baby was treated with pleural drainage and ampicillin with good result.