The Selective Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMN) Degranulation as the Probable Additional Mechanism of the Hemodialysis (HD)-induced Complement Activation

The intracellular lysozyme and beta-glucuronidase contents were estimated in PMN isolated from peripheral blood before HD and those from the first portion of full blood leaving the dialyser. The lysozyme estimations were done by the use of the turbidimetric method and beta-glucouronidase was assayed by measuring the release of phenolphtalein from its beta-glucuronate. The cells leaving the cellophane dialyser showed the significantly decreased lysozyme contents while the estimated intracellular activity of beta-glucuronidase was practically equal in both evaluated samples.

The results seem to indicate that the HD-associated complement activation may result not only from the simple plasma-cellophane ineteraction. The direct cleavage of the inactive C5 complement component by products released from the PMN specific granules seems to play an important role too.

For several years it has been known that the hemodialysis (HD)-induced granulopenia is the result of the pulmonary polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) sequestration (Toren et al., 1970). Recent studies have established that this phenomenon is the consequence of complement activation leading to PMN aggregation with subsequent pulmonary vascular embolization and/or PMN adherence to endothelial surface (Craddock et al. 1977a, Craddock et al., 1979). It was also observed that the contact of patients plasma or plasma obtained from experimental animals with dialyser cellophane results, both in vitro and during HD, in the appearance of the activities: inducing the PMN aggregation, chemotactic and augmenting the PMN adherence (Craddock et al. 1977b, Wysocki et al. 1980). At least the two first are identified as related to the presence of the C5a complement component (Craddock et al., 1977b, O'Flaherty et al., 1979).

Similarly, the disseminated complement activation appears to be the main reason of granulopenia accompanying the filtration leukapheresis (FL), the procedure suitable for PMN collection from donors peripheral blood (Hammerschmidt et al., 1978). The PMN are there sequestered in nylon wool layer and subsequently eluted for transfusion purposes. The exposition of blood to artificial surface leads there, like during HD, to the complement (C5) activation. Although, as reported by Wright et al.) 1978b), when plasma and leukocyte enriched blood were diverted by a cell separator before passage through nylon wool filters during FL, complement activation was evident only in plasma from blood containing leukocytes, indicating that extracorporeal complement activation during FL is dependent in large part upon the interaction of leukocytes with nylon wool. The more precise studies of these authors (Wright et al., 1978a) may imply, that the PMN granule constituents released after the previous adherence of cells to nylon fibers are responsible for the FL-associated complement activation.

The following studies were done in order to evaluate if the PMN degranulation may take part also in complement activation during hemodialysis carried out with the use of cellophane equipment.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass-induced Complement Activation. Evidence for C5a Participation

Plasma activity inducing polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) aggregation, augmenting PMN adherence, plasma chemotatic activity as well as peripheral PMN count were estimated in patients during cardiopulmonary bypass. In the course of the surgical procedure the chemotactic activity and the activity inducing PMN aggregation were detected in plasma. The top of these two activities was always followed by the significant fall of the peripheral PMN count. The increase of the activity augmenting PMN adherence was observed in a part of cases, but when noticed, always preceded the maximum of the remaining evaluated activities.

Consequences of different growth rates in broiler breeder and layer hens on embryogenesis, metabolism and metabolic rate: A review

Intensive genetic selection of broiler breeders and layer hens for economically important production traits, which has been carried out for almost a century, resulted in considerable differences in the mechanisms of growth and development and, thus, in avian metabolism, both during embryogenesis and after hatching. Selection for meat production (broiler breeders) and eggs (layer hens) led to increased productivity but also brought about metabolic disorders. That intensive genetic selection of broiler breeders and layer hens is effective is seen, for example, in the differences in growth and development, metabolism of the yolk sac, hormones and lipids, gas exchange, and thermogenesis. Due to genetic proximity and different developmental mechanisms in broiler breeders and layer hens, avian embryos and chicks serve as excellent models for fundamental scientific research. This review paper discusses the consequences of different growth rates as a result of long-term genetic selection on embryonic development and metabolic rate of broilers and layers. The evidence presented herein indicates that it would be worth comparing these issues in a meta-analysis.

Quality of semen of young boars of the breeds Pietrain and Duroc and their reciprocal crosses

Abstract. The study concerned examination of 120 of young Pietrain and Duroc boars and hybrids descending from reciprocal crossing of those breeds. On 230th, 250th and 270th day of their lives, their sperm was given a detailed examination. It is assessed that Pietrain boars gave ejaculates of the lowest volume, lowest mobility, and the lowest total number of spermatozoa. Semen of boars of this group had also the highest percentage of spermatozoa with major and minor morphological changes, and defected acrosome. Along with the age of boars (from 230th to 270th day of life) there was a significant improvement of quality of semen of all of the groups except the semen of Pietrain boars. We detected the positive effect of crossing especially in hybrids boars descending from mating of Duroc fathers and Pietrain mothers. Even during the first evaluation, they gave the semen of the highest total number of normal sperms, with normal acrosome, and with the highest value of osmotic resistance test and the lowest activity of AspAT in semen plasma. That proves the high quality of ejaculates of those hybrids comparing to the ejaculates of the boars of other groups – purebreds as well as hybrids of the opposite combination, i.e. descending from crossing of Pietrain fathers and Duroc mothers. This conclusion suggests to use Duroc fathers and Pietrain mothers in production of hybrid boars.

Effects of a carane derivative local anesthetic on a phospholipid bilayer studied by molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of two hydrated palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayers each containing eight carane derivative (KP-23) local anesthetic (LA) molecules in neutral (POPC-LA) or protonated (POPC-LAH) forms were carried out to investigate the effect of KP-23 and its protonation on the bilayer. 3-ns trajectories were used for analyses. A pure POPC bilayer was employed as a reference system. In both POPC-LA and POPC-LAH systems a few KP-23 molecules intercalated into the bilayer and moved near the bilayer/water interface. They were located on the hydrophobic core side of the interface in the POPC-LA bilayer, but on the water phase side in the POPC-LAH bilayer. The order of the POPC chains was higher in the POPC-LA bilayer than in the pure POPC bilayer and was lower in the POPC-LAH bilayer. Interactions between polar groups of KP-23 and POPC or water were responsible for a lower hydration of POPC headgroups in POPC bilayers containing KP-23 than in the pure POPC bilayer. KP-23 molecules were found to form aggregates both in POPC-LA and POPC-LAH bilayers. Due to higher amphiphilicity of LAH, the LAH aggregate was more micelle-like and larger than the LA one. The results demonstrate the rapid timescales of the initial processes that take place at and near the bilayer interface as well as details of the atomic level interactions between local anesthetic and the lipid matrix of a cell membrane.

Central activity of new xanthone derivatives with chiral center in some pharmacological tests in mice

The study was designed to investigate some central effects of chiral xanthone derivatives [(R,S)-2-N-(6-chloro-2-xanthonemethyl)-amino-1-propanol - MH-31, R enantiomer - MH-32 and S enantiomer - MH-33] in mice. The effects of these chiral compounds were examined in picrotoxin-induced seizures, spontaneous locomotor activity and chimney tests. The tested compounds demonstrated variable influence on the central nervous system in mice. The compound MH-32 exhibits anticonvulsant activity in picrotoxin-induced seizures, whereas MH-31 and its R enantiomer--compound MH-32 demonstrated antidepressant-like activity in the forced swimming test. Moreover, all tested xanthones reduced the locomotor activity in mice. The obtained results indicate the importance to examine pharmacologically enantiomers rather than only racemic mixtures of newly synthesized compounds.

Content of lipid components in <i>m. longissimus dorsi</i> of progeny of the boars descending from reciprocal crossing of the Pietrain and Duroc breeds

Abstract. The study has been carried out on 72 fatteners being the offspring of crossbreed sows x Pietrain boars (group I) and hybrid boars of the ♂ Pietrain x ♀ Duroc breeds (group II) and, on the ♀ Duroc x ♂ Pietrain breed (group III). In m. longissimus dorsi, the content of dry matter, protein, intramuscular fat and total cholesterol has been determined. In the intramuscular fat of the muscle, the composition of the fatty acids has been determined. The hybrid boars with the participation of the Duroc breed (groups II and III) caused the increase (P ≤ 0.01) of the intramuscular fat and of total cholesterol in m. longissimus dorsi of their offspring, in comparison with the progeny of the Pietrain boars. However, the bigger quantity of those components (P ≤ 0.01) has been ascertained in the muscle of progeny of the hybrid boars, where the Duroc breed was in the position of the father (group III), in comparison with the reverse combination (group II). The intramuscular fat of the m. longissimus dorsi of progeny of the hybrid boars D x Pi (group III), contained more (P ≤ 0.01) SFA and less (P ≤ 0.01) UFA, including PUFA, in comparison with the progeny of the Pi boars (group I) and of the hybrid boars Pi x D (group II). The content of the aforementioned acids in fat of the muscles of the fatteners from the groups I and II, was similar. The gilts were characterised by better meatiness (P ≤ 0.01) and they contained less (P ≤ 0.01) intramuscular fat and of total cholesterol in m. longissimus dorsi, in comparison with the barrows. The fat of the gilts muscle contained less (P ≤ 0.01) of SFA and more (P ≤ 0.01) of PUFA, in comparison with barrows.

Comparative investigations of hydroxyamine carane derivative and its R,S-diastereoisomers with strong local anesthetic activity

Our previously conducted pharmacological screening led as to the discovery of the strong local anesthetic activity of the compound designated as KP-23. Earlier crystallographic studies revealed that the compound KP-23 crystallized in diastereoisomeric form in lowest symmetry. The aim of these comparative investigations was to evaluate anesthetic activity of KP-23 and its R,S-diastereoisomers, which were synthesized at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Wroclaw University of Technology.

Antianaphylactic and antiasthmatic properties of new piperazinyl 7-(beta-hydroxypropyl)-theophylline derivatives in guinea pigs

The present studies have demonstrated that new piperazinyl 7-(beta-hydroxypropyl)-theophylline derivatives (R3, R6, R7) possess antihistamine, antianaphylactic and antiasthmatic properties. The compound R6 exerted especially pronounced selective protective action in experimental histamine asthma and provided effective prevention against anaphylactic shock in guinea pigs. The evidence was also presented that compound R6 inhibited in vitro mast cell degranulation induced by the preparation 48/80 liberating endogenous histamine. It was shown that the compound R6, i.e. 7-beta-hydroxy-gamma-[N1-(N4-benzyl)-piperazinyl)-theophylline efficiently competed with histamine of both endo- and exogenous origin and inhibited the mediator release from the mast cells.

[The effect of cocarboxylase treatment on erythrocyte transketolase and blood thiamine in patients with end stage renal disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis]

The depressed ETKA in ESRD patients is supposed to be caused and/or aggravated by several factors among which the diminished content of thiamine in blood and/or disturbances of thiamine utilization seem to play the major role. This role stems from the fact that thiamine acts as the cofactor of transketolase. In order to check the therapeutic significance of this relationship we introduced the thiamine pyrophosphoric acid ester chloride (Cocarboxylasum-CC) administration in 25 patients (mHD + CC). Immediately after each HD performance CC was given i.v. during 12 weeks in a doses of 5 mg/kg b.w., 3 times a week. The blood for ETKA value, free and total thiamine in plasma and erythrocytes, as well as, the total protein and albumins/globulins index investigation was drawn before, after 6 and 12 weeks of CC administration, and 3 months after cessation of this therapy. In 10 patients, on maintenance HD nontreated by CC (mHD), the blood was drawn at the same time intervals. Normal values we obtained from 15 healthy volunteers. For ETKA evaluation photocolorimetric method was used, thiamine content in blood was estimated by fluorimetric method. At the beginning of the study the mean value of ETKA, in two examined groups, was found statistically decreased (p < 0.01) when compared with normals. Mean values of thiamine in plasma and erythrocytes were lower but did not differ significantly from those in normals. After 6 weeks of CC administration ETKA value increased, but only after 12 weeks it increased significantly (p < 0.01), reaching normal value. On the other hand, striking increase in plasma thiamine and erythrocyte thiamine levels was observed after 6 weeks of CC administration already (p < 0.01). Three months after cessation of CC administration significant decrease in ETKA value and thiamine level in blood was observed (p < 0.01). ETKA returned to lower value than in normals even in the presence of still high thiamine levels in blood. In mHD patients nontreated by CC the ETKA value and thiamine levels in blood did not change significantly during all periods of study. The nutritional status assessed by total protein and albumins/globulins index did not change in both groups through the study. We conclude, the administration of high doses of CC to ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis HD was successful in terms of increasing ETKA value and thiamine levels in blood without any side effects. Thus, supplementation with large doses of CC deserves further study because it promises to be another adjunct in the treatment of potential thiamine deficiency and metabolic disturbances in the course of dialysotherapy.

Association od the DdeI growth hormone gene polymorphism with some performance traits in Polish Large White and Czech Large White x Polish Large White pigs

The genotypes of growth hormone gene polymorphisms (GH-DdeI, GH-MspI, GH-HaeII, GH-ApaI, GH-CfoI) were determined in 78 pigs [Czech Large White sires (CLWsire line) x Polish Large White (PLW) sows, Polish Large White sires x Polish Large White sows], by the PCR-RFLP method. Preliminary studies found only GH DdeI polymorphism to be associated with performance traits. The associations of this polymorphism with growth and carcass traits were investigated. The linear model included the effects of candidate genes, genetic groups, sex and linear covariables of age at slaughter and body weight at weaning. The DdeI polymorphism of the GH gene showed associations with carcass length (P <or= 0.05), average daily gain from birth to weaning (P <or= 0.05) and average daily gain from weaning to slaughter (P <or= 0.05). The association of GH genotypes with feed conversion was near significance. Sex influenced average daily gain from birth to weaning. The genetic groups (Czech or Polish sires) improved fat thickness at sacrum point 3, average daily gain from birth to weaning, lean meat content, weight of chop, weight of shoulder, weight of neck and average daily gain from weaning to slaughter. The regression on age at slaughter and on body weight at weaning influenced the majority of production traits.

Local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic effect of some imidazolidin-2-one derivatives

A series of the new derivatives of imidazolidin-2-one was investigated in order to determine their local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic activity. All compounds tested showed strong local anesthetic properties and variable effects on adrenaline-, aconitine- and barium chloride- induced arrhythmia. The results suggest that the antiarrhythmic properties of these compounds is related to their local anesthetic properties.

Influence of new monoterpene homologues of GABA on the central nervous system activity in mice

This behavioral study in mice showed that the monoterpene homologues of GABA (SL-1, SL-2 and SL-3), characterized by low toxicity, induced an increase in spontaneous locomotor activity (SL-2 and SL-3). Moreover, SL-3 shortened hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, and SL-1 showed anticonvulsant activity in pentetrazole-induced seizures.

Effect of monoterpene derivative KP-19 on the pressor activity of catecholamines in rats

The present study investigated the influence of KP-19, the propranolol analogue, bearing natural monoterpene moiety in its structure, on the blood pressure and respiration, the effect on the isolated heart rhythm disturbances induced by occlusion and reperfusion and on the pressor activity of catecholamines in normotensive rats.

[The efficacy of the substitution of carnivit in patients with chronic failure treated with hemodialysis]

Low serum concentration of the carnitine is one of the causes of muscle weakness and cardiomyopathy in patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis. The carnitine facilitate transport of the free fatty acid into the straitened muscle cells where the product of oxidation is energy-ATP. In the present paper we presented the investigation of the influence of L-carnitine substitution on cardiac performance. The results indicate the positive influence of this treatment on metabolic and haemodynamic cardiac parameters. The subjective patients opinion of L-carnitine treatment was also positive.

[Hepatoprotective effect of flower pollen lipid extract in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice]

Hepatoprotective effects of the lipid flower pollen extract (LEPK) in paracetamol intoxication in mice were shown. Normalisation of A1AT and LDH--biochemical indicators of necrotic changes in the hepatic cells, and high protection ultrastructural cell organelle such as mitochondrion substantially testifies to the hepatoprotective effect of investigated lipid flower pollen extract on the hepatic cells.

Propranolol analog with the natural monoterpene structure as a potent antiarrhythmic drug

Antiarrhythmic effects and intracellular electrophysiological properties of a new antiarrhythmic compound (-)trans-4-[2-hydroxy-3(N-isopropylamino)-propoxyimino]-cis-car ane (9) were studied in several models of arrhythmia and in isolated guinea-pig myocardial preparations. Compound 9 prevented the aconitine-induced arrhythmia, reversed the ouabin-induced arrhythmia depressed the maximum rate depolarization (Vmax), and shortened the action potential duration (ADP) and the effective refractory period (ERP). The data indicate that compound 9 is an effective antiarrhythmic presumably with a class 1 B mechanism of action.

[Levels of L-carnitine in serum of patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis (HD)]

Low serum levels of the carnitine in chronic uremic patients treated by hemodialysis is one of the causes of muscle weakness. In 50 patients with chronic renal failure treated by HD and in 13 nondialyzed patients EMG and measurement of nerve conduction velocity were performed. In 25 of 50 patients treated with HD and in 13 non-dialyzed patients serum concentration of free and total carnitine were measured. In HD patients serum level of carnitine was significantly lower as compared to the control group of healthy subjects and to the nondialyzed patients. In all patients the EMG investigations showed the traits of the neurogenic atrophy of the muscles. The correlation between the amplitude of muscle potentials and serum levels of carnitine suggests that the depletion of carnitine may play a role in severity uremic myopathy.

QT dispersion magnitude is related to the respiratory phase in healthy subjects

Twelve-lead electrocardiograms in 20 healthy volunteers during quiet respiration, maximum inspiration, and maximum expiration were recorded. QT dispersion was statistically significantly shorter both at maximum inspiration and maximum expiration than during quiet breathing.

[The hepatoprotective and hyoplipidemic effect of flower pollen lipid extract in androgenized rats]

Hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of the lipid flower pollen extract in subchronically testosterone-androgenized rats were shown. Normalization of AspAT, A1AT and alkaline phosphatase--biochemical indicators of necrotic changes in the hepatic cell--substantially testifies to the hepatoprotective effect of the investigated lipid flower pollen extract on the hepatic cell, and constitutes a premise for further clinical studies.

[Fattening and slaughter values of pigs in relation to their genotype and to the protein source in their feed rations]

The studies were carried out on F1 progeny of multiparous Polish Large White sows and boars of Belgian Landrace, Hampshire x Pietrain hybrid, and Pietrain breed. The control group consisted of purebred Polish Large White pigs. The experimental part of the studies was performed on 120 fatteners divided up to 4 race groups, with 30 heads in each (namely 15 barrows and 15 gilts). Moreover, each group was divided into two following subgroups: the SoS one, which was given feed mixture with extracted soybean meal and the RpS one, which was given feed mixture with extracted rapeseed meal. The fattening started with 23 kg of body weight and was realized up to 100 kg. Twenty fatteners from each group (including 5 barrows and 5 gilts from a subgroup) were subjected to the control slaughter. The fatteners average daily body weight gains, and energy and digestible crude protein conversion per 1 kg of gain were as follows: after Belgain Landrace boars 788 g, 32.3 MJ and 358 g; after Hampshire x Pietrain boars 766 g, 33.6 MJ and 373 g; after Pietrain boars 720 g, 34.4 MJ and 382 g; after control group boars 705 g, 36.3 MJ and 403 g, respectively. It was found that hybrids after boars of evaluated breeds have positively (P < or = 0,01) better carcass meatness, and in a better way use digestible protein and metabolizable energy for production of 1 kg of meat. On that reason the best are hybrids after Belgian Landrace boars, carcasses of which yielded 52.4% of meat and converted 27% less of digestible crude protein and metabolizable energy for 1 kg meat production, than the White Large Polish fatteners. For no examined feature interaction between genotype and protein source in feeding diet was found. The growth rate and utilization of fodder were better for pigs fed on mixture with extracted soybean meal than for the ones fed on mixture with extracted rapeseed meal (P < or = 0.05). The fodders with high protein content did not differentiate meatness traits, whereas digestible crude protein and metabolizable energy conversion for 1 kg meat production in pigs, being given extracted soybean meal in diet, was lower (P < or = 0.05) than in pigs given extracted rapeseed meal.

The effect of (-)-4-(2-hydroxy-3(N-isopropylamino)-propoxyimino)-cis-carane on basal and forskolin-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP in the cerebral cortical slices of the rat

(-)-4-(2-Hydroxy-3(N-isopropylamino)-propoxyimino)-cis-carane++ +, a local anaesthetic and platelet aggregation inhibitor which is much more potent than lignocaine, facilitated forskolin-induced cyclic (c) AMP accumulation in cerebral cortical slices of the rat. Lignocaine was ineffective in this respect. It is hypothesized that a cAMP-related mechanism may be involved in increased efficacy of the compound.

[The effect of blood pressure changes during hemodialysis on left ventricular systolic function]

Echocardiographic study was performed in 31 uremic patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with no apparent heart failure, valvular heart disease, pericardial effusion or coronary artery disease. On the basis of blood pressure patients were classified into two groups: 1) patients with normal arterial pressure (group I) (n = 19), 2) patients with blood hypertension (group II) (n = 12). Cardiac function was assessed immediately before and after HD session. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (EDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (ESD) and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated. Body weight, heart rate and mean blood pressure (mBP) were also measured. A significant decrease of EDD was noted in both groups during HD but it was less evident in group II (p < 0.05). ESD decreased significantly in group II (p < 0.01) when it did not change in group I. EF increased significantly only in group II (p < 0.05). Blood pressure decreased during HD in both groups. A significant inverse linear association between EF and ESD was noted during HD in both groups (r = -0.685; p < 0.001) but was more evident in group II. There was no association between and EDD (r = 0.199; NS). Similar analysis shows that ESD was significantly with mBP (group II--r = 0.914; p < 0.001, group I--r = 0.565; p < 0.05). Such association were not found for EDD and RR. Only in group II the decrease in mBP was statistical significantly correlated with the increase in EF. The decrease in EDD during HD exists probably due to changes in intravascular volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Propranolol analogs containing natural monoterpene structures: synthesis and pharmacological properties

A few derivatives of natural, bicyclic monoterpenes, which are propranolol analogs, were synthetized. Those compounds were studied pharmacologically in order to determine their toxicity, antiarrhythmic activity in selected experimental models of arrhythmia, the local anesthetic effect and influence on the cardiovascular system. The tested compounds showed a less potent or similar toxicity towards reference drugs, were devoid of an antiarrhythmic activity in the model of barium arrhythmia, yet some of them (compounds 9 and 12) increased the arrhythmogenic dose of strophanthin. All the compounds studied had a local anesthetic effect stronger than lidocaine in infiltration anesthesia, and compound 8--also in surface anesthesia.

Molecular structure and antiaggregating activity of the potent local anaesthetic (-)-4-[2-hydroxy-3-(N-isopropylamino)-propoxyimino]-cis-carane

The molecular structure of (-)-4-[-2-hydroxy-3-(N-isopropylamino)- propoxyimino]-cis-carane (C16H30O2N2.HCl), a recently synthesized potent local anaesthetic, including the absolute configuration at 4 chirality centres was determined using X-ray diffraction method. The substance crystallizes in diastereoisomeric form in lowest symmetry (triclinic P1 space group). Determined intermolecular close contacts between chlorine atoms and nitrogen and hydroxyl oxygen are the main determinants of crystal packing. In the crystalline state nitrogen of the isopropylamine group has quaternary coordination. The influence of the title compound on blood platelets aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate was studied. The results of parallel tests conducted for lidocaine and bupivacaine show that the antiaggregating activity of the title compound is much stronger. This property could be attributed to the monoterpene part of its molecule, in analogy to the observed cyclic adenosine monophosphate inhibitory action of forskolin (diterpene).

[Arteriovenous hemofiltration as an adjuvant therapy in peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis in a patient with terminal renal failure]

In the uraemic patient regularly treated with peritoneal dialyses occurring peritonitis caused a decrease of ultrafiltration and transfer abilities of the peritoneum. Other symptoms dangerous for life also appeared: uraemic pericarditis and significant overhydration. Peritoneal dialyses lost its effectiveness. Therefore they were supplemented by arterio-venous haemofiltration. Haemofiltration was also conducted at the beginning of haemodialysis treatment, which was initially unregular. Application of haemofiltration enabled the patient to survive during the time of waiting for regular haemodialyses. It may be useful to consider such a treatment, when the adequacy of proper renal substitutive management of uraemia by other methods is impossible to obtain.

Synthesis and local anesthetic and circulatory actions of aminoesters and hydroxyamine monoterpene derivatives

Esters of N,N-diethylaminoacetic acid and hydroxyamines, obtained from structurally different natural monoterpenes, were pharmacologically examined. It was proved that salts of the obtained compounds had local anesthetic properties in infiltration anesthesia, compounds 9, 6 and 8 having been more potent than lidocaine. Compounds 7-9 slightly increased the arrhythmogenic dose, and compound 12 - the lethal dose of strophanthin. All the examined compounds transiently decreased the arterial blood pressure and displayed a cardiopressive activity.

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 1,2-amino ethers with natural monoterpene structures

Synthesis and physicochemical and pharmacological properties of 10 analogs of 2-[2-(6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en-2-yl)ethoxy]N, N-diethylamino ethane (3) have been described. The compounds possess toxicity close to or lower than the parent compound--myrtecaine, have no antiarrhythmic activity but some of them (15, 16, 22, 24), similarly as compound 3, show quite strong local anesthetic action.

Intravascular degranulation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils during hemodialysis. The effects of pretreatment with colchicine

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) counts, plasma activity inducing PMN aggregation, augmenting PMN adherence and chemotactic activity were estimated during hemodialysis (HD) with cuprophane membranes. All these plasma activities are accepted as related to the presence of activated complement (C). The same estimations were made for hemodialyzed patients pretreated with colchicine. The results, especially comparison of plasma activities in blood entering and leaving the dialyzer, indicate that significant amounts of activated C components are generated within the patients vascular bed. The PMN entrapped in the pulmonary microcirculation that undergo subsequent degranulation are most probably the source of these C components. This concept was confirmed by the results for patients pretreated with colchicine, who had significantly less of the activities generated in the patients own circulation.

Phagocytosis and neutrophil bactericidal capacity in patients with uremia

The phagocytic activity and bactericidal capacity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were evaluated in patients with advanced chronic renal failure. The studies were made in patients undergoing hemodialysis, maintenance peritoneal dialysis as well as in nondialysed patients. Evaluations were carried out by using of the recently described fluorochrome microassay which enabled these parameters to be estimate independently. The phagocytic activity was seriously diminished in nondialysed patients, whereas it was similar to controls in those hemodialysed and undergoing peritoneal dialysis patients. In all evaluated groups of patients the bactericidal capacity was significantly reduced. The lowest values could always be observed in nondialysed patients. The decrease of bactericidal capacity was significantly more evident in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis as compared with those hemodialysed. The obtained results confirm some previous reports suggesting the impairment of PMN function in uremic patients. This results in their increased susceptibility to infection. They also reveal the existence of a close relationship between the extent of observed dysfunctions and the management applied.

Influence of hemodialysis on plasma chemotactic activity and the chemotactic responsiveness of polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Thirty patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) were studied. Plasma chemotactic activity was estimated using the "under agarose" chemotaxis assay during the first 2 h of HD. It was found that in the fifth minute of HD, patients' plasma became chemotactic, reaching the maximum activity at the tenth minute. The chemotactic activity appearance correlated significantly with the decline in the number of the peripheral neutrophils. Patients' neutrophils, after a single passage through the cellophane coil of the dialyzer, revealed significant impairment of directed migration toward both complementary and bacterial chemoattractants. Moreover, the chemotactic properties of neutrophils obtained from dialyzed patients before HD were significantly lower than had been estimated in 15 nondialyzed patients with chronic renal failure. The results confirm HD-induced complement activation and might explain the mechanisms of the increased susceptibility of dialyzed patients to bacterial infections.

Severe anaemia: its CT findings in the cardiovascular system

Computed tomography of the upper abdomen and of the heart was performed in 21 patients with severe anemia (mean haematocrit value 0.23, mean haemoglobin content 39.6%). Gross morphology of the heart and great vessels (wall thickness, size of the chambers, lumina and walls of the vessels) were visualized in all patients without the use of contrast media. The smallest discernible difference between the normal heart muscle and blood filling its cavities was about 6-8 H and the smallest discernible difference between the aorta and the aortic blood was about 8-10 H (window width 150 H, window level 50 H). There were no CT signs of haemochromatosis of the heart, while CT measurements were highly suggestive of liver haemochromatosis in several cases. Visual evaluation of liver density in comparison to the density of blood in hepatic and portal vessels is misleading.

Cardiopulmonary bypass-induced complement activation. Evidence for C5a participation

Plasma activity inducing polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) aggregation, augmenting PMN adherence, plasma chemotactic activity as well as peripheral PMN count were estimated in patients during cardiopulmonary bypass. In the course of the surgical procedure the chemotactic activity and the activity inducing PMN aggregation were detected in plasma. The top of these two activities was always followed by the significant fall of the peripheral PMN count. The increase of the activity augmenting PMN adherence was observed in a part of cases, but when noticed, always preceded the maximum of the remaining evaluated activities.

A CT evaluation of the intraperitoneal fluid distribution

The intraperitoneal distribution of fluid and its detectability with a CT scanning were investigated in 13 patients during infusion of dialysate for peritoneal dialysis. An ascending pattern of spread i.e. from the lesser pelvis through the inframesocolic compartment to the supramesocolic compartment prevailed. Accumulation of fluid in the perihepatic space and in Morison's pouch as a function of fluid volume is at best approximated by a parabolic curve. Fifty to two hundred fifty ml. of fluid were detectable with a CT scanning in supine position in the majority of cases within the perihepatic space and Morison's pouch. The lowest amount of fluid detectable in the peritoneal cavity--25 ml. was found between the anterior abdominal wall and bowel loops in right decubitus.

Anticonvulsive properties of 5-allyl-(beta-hydroxy)propyl-N-phenylbarbituric acid and the corresponding lactone

The anticonvulsive effects of 5-allyl-(beta-hydroxy)propyl-N-phenylbarbituric acid (AP) and the product of its tissue and extraneous metabolism, alpha-allyl-alpha-allophanyl-gamma-butyrolactone (T1), were compared with the effect of phenobarbital. The anticonvulsive action of the substituted butyrolactone was more potent but shorter than that of AP, and the drug showed no hypnotic or general anesthetic action. The effect of AP was similar but much more prolonged.