Hormone control in regeneration: effects of somatostatin on appendage regeneration, blood glucose and liver glycogen in Diemictylus viridescens

In the present communication, synthetic somatostatin, a hypothalamic factor which has a known inhibitory effect on the release of growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, insulin and glucagon in man and other mammals, was found to have an inhibitory effect on limb and tail regeneration in adult Diemictylus viridescens, when the newts were treated with a daily dose of 3·5 or 15 µg/animal for a period of 34 days post-amputation. At the higher dose, the animals exhibited total inhibition of appendage regeneration in a few cases and the remainder showed a considerable delay compared to the controls; none of the experimental animals reached the advanced four-digit stage achieved by the controls. Furthermore, the blood glucose and liver glycogen values in the somatostatin-treated animals were significantly lower than the control values. Mechanisms in the storage, mobilization and utilization of glucose (involving hormones) are discussed in relation to appendage regeneration in the newt and possible controls of regeneration at the level of the hypothalamus are suggested.

[Prajmalium bitartrat-induced liver damage (author's transl)]

Liver damage was found in five patients (three men, two women) who were receiving prajmalium bitartrate. The cause was proven by re-exposure which was positive in all instances. The illness tended to start with acute fever and severe upper abdominal pains. When the drug was continued in one case, laparotomy was performed for suspected obstructive jaundice. Another patient had been admitted for operation because of jaundice. On re-exposure the most striking feature was a definite rise in glutamate-dehydrogenase. Prajmalium bitartrate is thus no better tolerated by the liver than ajmalin: both clinically, biochemically and morphologically the two drugs affect the liver similarly.

Load-bearing capacity of functioning alumina dental endosseous implants

The average load that did not produce measurable plastic deformation (5 mum) of the bone that supported six Al2O3 implants in this study was 57.5 kg. Histological slides from specimens that were loaded to the point that measurable plastic deformation (5 mum) was produced showed lines along which stain was concentrated. These lines emanated from the point of maximum stress and extended in the direction of the applied load. They were concluded to indicate regions of microplastic deformation. No untoward histological response to the solid Al2O3 implants was observed and no evidence of apical migration of epithelial tissue was noted.

[Electrotherapy of life-threatening arrhythmia in acute myocardial infarct]

As a result of an adjustment of the experiences which were made in four clinics with the electrotherapy of life-threatening disturbances of rhythm in acute myocardial infarction recommendations for the use of this therapy are given. The value of the various methods of electrotherapy compared with medicamentous treatment are elaborated.

[Infusion- and microcatheterization technics at an internal medicine intensive care unit]

It is reported on the infusion, stimulation and microcatheter technique in an internal intensive therapy ward. From July 1st 1970 to November 11th 1974 were altogether laid 1,642 superior cavacatheters, 1,057 times by puncture of the subclavian vein and 585 times through the brachial veins. Compared with the usual infusion techniques the advantages of the cava-catheter technique consist in the fact that a constant venous approach is existing and that solutions of a high percentage and medicaments may be infused relatively undangerously. Apart from this the cava-catheter gives the possibility to carry out continuous measurements of the central venous pressure and guarantees the taking of blood samples at any time. The phlebitides or thromboses, respectively, which are regularly appearing in flexules lying longer than 40 hours are avoided in most cases. Taking into consideration the contraindications and the exact performance of the various methods especially early complications such as puncture of the arteries, pneumothorax, detachment of the catheter, extended haematomas and wrong positions of the catheter may be reduced to a minimum. As late complications distinct infections in the place of puncture, unclear, partly septic temperatures and clinically manifest thromboses were observed. In these cases the cava-catheters should be removed. The temporary electrostimulation through electrode catheters plays an important part in the emergency medicine and the mastering of the various methods of the cava-catherization is taken for granted. During the period of report altogether 423 stimulation catheters were laid. The cardiac microcatheterization should be reserved for more special cases.

[Report on results of an intensive care unit at a district hospital]

The experiences of an internal intensive observation and therapy unit in a district hospital are reported. During 4 years 2,803 patients were admitted. 65% showed life-threatening disturbances of the heart and of the circulation. Arrangement of the rooms, personal staff as well as special diagnostic and therapeutic methods are described.

Coated versus non-Proplast-coated endosseous blade-vent dental implants

In order to determine the efficacy of applying Proplast to dental endosseous bladevent implants, this material was coated on half of sixteen such implants which were bilaterally placed in the mandibles of eight rhesus monkeys. No difference in the clinical acceptability could be ascertained between the two groups. Histologic examination revealed a loose connective tissue layer around the noncoated implants which was not evident around the coated ones.

Effect of Finclipping on Survival of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

A finclip and a chemical (tetracycline) mark were applied, in similar numbers, to hatchery-reared fingerling sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). In mark-sampling of returning adults 3 and 4 years after release from the hatchery, numerical comparison of fish with the two marks showed that fewer finclipped fish returned than expected. It was demonstrated that the tetracycline mark did not affect survival and that the difference between returns of fish with the two marks originated in mortality caused by finclipping. The mortality attributed to finclipping was estimated as 39%.

Marking Pacific Salmon with Tetracycline Antibiotics

Diets containing tetracycline antibiotics were fed to hatchery populations of Pacific salmon. Subsequent examination of bone samples from these populations indicates that the tetracyclines are deposited permanently in the skeletal structure, are readily detectable after a period of rapid growth, and do not affect growth or survival. The most satisfactory and consistent marks were obtained by feeding 250 mg of tetracycline antibiotic per kilogram of body weight per day for 4 consecutive days.

Alkanes in fungal spores

The chlamydospores of Ustilago maydis, U. nuda, and Sphacelotheca reiliana were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for their hydrocarbon contents. For the first time we observed that they contain paraffinic hydrocarbons; the average contents were 42, 58, and 146 parts per million, respectively. n-Alkanes having odd numbers of carbon atoms predom-inate, with carbon-chain lengths ranging from C(14) to C(37). The major alkanes are n-C(27) in U. maydis, n-C(27) and n-C(35) in U. nuda, and n-C(29) in S. reiliana. Each type of spore carried a distinctly characteristic population of hydrocarbons.