Stimulation of aquaporin-5 and transepithelial water permeability in human airway epithelium by hyperosmotic stress

Osmotic water permeability (P(f )) was measured in spheroid-shaped human nasal airway epithelial explants pre-exposed to increasing levels of hyperosmotic stress. The fluid-filled spheroids, derived from nasal polyps, were lined by a single cell layer with the ciliated apical cell membrane facing the outside. The P(f ) was determined from diameter changes of the spheroids in response to changes in bathing medium osmolarity forth and back between 300 and 225 mOsm x l(-1). Continuous diameter measurements also allowed determination of spontaneous fluid absorption. Hyperosmotic pretreatment (increase from 300 up to 600 mOsm x l(-1)) caused a time- and osmolarity-dependent increase (up to approximately 1.5 times) in epithelial P(f ) which was of similar magnitude in cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF spheroids. The effect saturated at approximately 450 mOsm x l(-1) and at approximately 24 h. Expression of aquaporin-5 (AQP5), studied by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, showed an increase in parallel with the increase in P(f ) following hyperosmotic stress. The AQP5 was localized both in cytoplasmic vesicles and in apical cell membranes. Spontaneous fluid absorption rates were equal in CF and non-CF spheroids and were not significantly influenced by hyperosmotic stress. The results suggest that hyperosmotic stress is an important activator of AQP-5 in human airway epithelium, leading to significantly increased transepithelial water permeability.

Nucleotide regulation of paracellular Cl- permeability in natural rabbit airway epithelium

In this study, we demonstrate a novel regulatory mechanism by which mucosal nucleotides via P2Y receptors decrease paracellular Cl(-) ion permeability in natural rabbit airway epithelium (in addition to a decrease in active Na(+) absorption). In contrast to primary cultures, the natural airway epithelium is a low-resistance epithelium, and an equivalent circuit model predicts that changes of more than approximately 12% in transepithelial conductance (G (t)) must include an effect on paracellular conductance (G (s)). Mucosal P2Y receptor stimulation with uridine triphosphate (UTP; 200 microM) decreased G (t) by up to 50% (average, 24%) and simultaneously decreased the paracellular Cl(-) permeability (mucosa-to-serosa Cl(-) flux) by 16%, but had no effect on mannitol permeability. The G (t) response to UTP was mimicked and attenuated by ionomycin (1 microM), suggesting a dependence on Ca(2+) (i). Amiloride (100 microM) and hyperosmolarity (+75 mM mannitol) also decreased G (t), indicating a role of cell shrinkage. Elevation of cAMP with forskolin (8 microM) or isoproterenol (10 microM) increased G (t) by 55 and 32%, and forskolin increased paracellular Cl(-) permeability by 37% without affecting mannitol permeability. The opposite effects of Ca(2+) (i) and cAMP on G (t) suggest an autocrine nucleotide signaling sequence where P2Y-dependent decrease in passive, paracellular Cl(-) transport is succeeded by a reversion of this effect due to P1-receptor-stimulated cAMP formation by adenosine originating from a time-dependent breakdown of mucosal ATP.

Water permeability in human airway epithelium

Osmotic water permeability (P(f)) was studied in spheroid-shaped human airway epithelia explants derived from nasal polyps by the use of a new improved tissue collection and isolation procedure. The fluid-filled spheroids were lined with a single cell layer with the ciliated apical cell membrane facing the outside. They were capable of surviving hours of experiment involving continuous superfusion of the bathing medium and changes of osmolarity. A new image analysis technique was developed for measuring the spheroid diameters, giving high time and measurement resolutions. The transepithelial P(f), determined by the changes of the apical solution osmolarity, was not influenced by the presence of glucose, Na(+), or Na(+)/glucose-cotransport inhibitors in the bath, but was sensitive to the aquaporin (AQP) inhibitor HgCl(2). The measured P(f) levels and the values of activation energy were in the range of those seen in AQP-associated water transport. Together, these results indicate the presence of an AQP in the apical membrane of the spheroids. Notably, identical values for P(f) were found in CF and non-CF airway preparations, as was the case also for the calculated spontaneous fluid absorption rates.

Regulation of ion transport via apical purinergic receptors in intact rabbit airway epithelium

We investigated purinergic receptors involved in ion transport regulation in the intact rabbit nasal airway epithelium. Stimulation of apical membrane P2Y receptors with ATP or UTP (200 microM) induced transient increases in short-circuit current (Isc) of 13 and 6% followed by sustained inhibitions to 8 and 17% below control level, respectively. Serosal application of nucleotides had no effect. The ATP-induced response appeared to involve additional activation of apical adenosine (P1) and P2X receptors. The inhibitory effect of ATP and UTP on Isc was eliminated by pretreatment with amiloride (100 microM), while the stimulatory effect was potentiated, indicating that ATP and UTP inhibit Na+ and stimulate Cl- current. Ionomycin (1 microM) induced responses similar to UTP and ATP and desensitized the epithelium to the nucleotides, indicating involvement of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+ i. Furthermore, ATP, UTP and ionomycin induced 21, 24, and 21% decreases, respectively, in transepithelial conductance. Measurements of unidirectional isotope fluxes showed a 39% decrease in the dominant net Na+ absorption in response to ATP, while the smaller net Cl- secretion increased only insignificantly and unidirectional Cl- fluxes decreased significantly. The results suggest that nucleotides released to the airway surface liquid exert an autocrine regulation of epithelial NaCl absorption mainly by inhibiting the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and paracellular anion conductance via a P2Y receptor-dependent increase in Ca2+ i, while stimulation of Cl- secretion is of minor importance.

The sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase 2b is an endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducible protein

The sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) translocates Ca(2+) from the cytosol to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. This Ca(2+) storage is important for cellular processes such as calcium signaling and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated posttranslational protein modifications. We investigated the expression of the SERCA2 and SERCA3 isozymes in PC12 cells exposed to agents interfering with different aspects of the posttranslational protein processing within the ER, thereby activating the ER stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR). All agents increased the SERCA2b mRNA level 3-4-fold, in parallel with increasing mRNA levels for the ER stress marker proteins BiP/GRP78 and CHOP/GADD153. In contrast, SERCA3 mRNA levels did not change. SERCA2b mRNA stability was not changed, indicating that the mechanism of its up-regulation was transcriptional, in accordance with the presence of ER stress response elements in the promoter region of the SERCA2 gene. SERCA2b was also increased at the protein level upon ER stress treatments. Induction of ER stress by tunicamycin, dithiothreitol, or l-azetidine 2-carboxylic acid did not result in depletion of ER calcium, showing that such depletion was not necessary for up-regulation of SERCA2b expression or UPR activation in general. We conclude that the SERCA2b expression can be controlled by the UPR pathway independently of ER Ca(2+) depletion.

Fluid absorption related to ion transport in human airway epithelial spheroids

Airway epithelium explants from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and non-CF subjects formed monolayered spheres, with the apical ciliated cell membrane facing the bath and the basolateral cell membrane pointing toward a fluid-filled lumen. With the use of two microelectrodes, transepithelial potential difference and changes in potential difference in response to passage of current pulses were recorded, and epithelial resistance and the equivalent short-circuit current were calculated. Non-CF control potential difference and short-circuit current values were significantly lower than the CF values, and amiloride inhibited both values. Fluid transport rates were calculated from repeated measurements of spheroid diameters. The results showed that 1) non-CF and CF spheroids absorbed fluid at identical rates (4.4 microl x cm(-2) x h(-1)), 2) amiloride inhibited fluid absorption to a lower residual level in non-CF than in CF spheroids, 3) Cl(-)-channel inhibitors increased fluid absorption in amiloride-treated non-CF spheroids to a level equal to that of amiloride-treated CF spheroids, 4) hydrochlorothiazide reduced the amiloride-insensitive fluid absorption in both non-CF and CF spheroids, and 5) osmotic water permeabilities were equal in non-CF and CF spheroids ( approximately 27 x 10(-7) cm x s(-1) x atm(-1)).

Ion transport in epithelial spheroids derived from human airway cells

In the present study, we describe a novel three-dimensional airway epithelial explant preparation and demonstrate its use for ion transport studies by electrophysiological technique. Suspension cultures of sheets of epithelial cells released by protease treatment from cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF nasal polyps developed free-floating, monolayered epithelial spheres, with the apical, ciliated cell membrane facing the bath and the basolateral cell membrane pointing toward a fluid-filled lumen. Microelectrode impalement of both non-CF and CF spheroids revealed lumen-positive transepithelial electrical potential differences (PDs) that were inhibited by amiloride, indicating that the spheroids were inflated due to amiloride-sensitive Na+ absorption followed by water. Transformation to a Cl- secretory state was achieved by addition of ATP to the bath, leading to the development of a diphenylamine-2-carboxylate-sensitive PD. A cAMP-induced increase in PD was seen in non-CF spheroids only. In response to hydrocortisone treatment, Na+ transport reflected by amiloride-sensitive PD increased and more so in CF than in non-CF spheres. We concluded that this preparation is a useful model for the airway surface epithelium and is suitable for studies of transport mechanisms and regulation.

Influence of extracellular bicarbonate on the short-circuit current and intracellular free calcium of human cultured sweat duct cells

Transepithelial short-circuit current (Iscc) and intracellular free Ca2+ (Ca2+i) was studied in monolayers of cultured human sweat duct cells (CSDCs) in the presence or absence of HCO3- (and CO2) in the bathing solutions. Addition of HCO3- (and CO2) increased the control Iscc by more than 50%. The effect of HCO3- (and CO2) on Iscc was confined to the serosal bath. The HCO3- (and CO2) effect was also studied during stimulation with the cholinergic agonist methacholine (MCh), which in CSDC induces a complex response consisting of an initial Iscc and Ca2+i spike, which is independent of extracellular Ca2+, followed by regular Iscc and Ca2+i oscillations, which are absent during Ca(2+)-free bathing conditions. The sustained Iscc and Ca2+i oscillations, but not the initial Iscc and Ca2+i spike were abolished by the removal of extracellular HCO3- (and CO2). It is concluded that the Ca2+ influx and the Iscc in CSDCs are critically influenced by the presence of extracellular HCO3- (and CO2) in the bathing solutions.

Chloride and potassium conductances of cultured human sweat ducts

The purpose of this study was to characterize the ion conductances, in particular those for Cl- and K+, of human sweat duct cells grown in primary culture. Sweat duct cells from healthy individuals were grown to confluence on a dialysis membrane, which was then mounted in a mini-Ussing chamber and transepithelial and intracellular potentials were measured under open-circuit conditions. Under control conditions the epithelia developed mucosa-negative transepithelial potentials, Vte, of about -10 mV. The apical membrane potential, Va, was -25 mV to -30 mV (n = 97) in most cells, but several cells had a higher potential of about -55 mV (n = 29). Mucosal amiloride (10 mumol/l) hyperpolarized Va from -31 +/- 1 mV to a new sustained level of -46 +/- 2 mV (n = 36). These changes were accompanied by increase in the fractional resistance of the apical membrane, fRa, and decreases of Vte and the equivalent short-circuit current, Isc. In amiloride-treated tissues an increase in mucosal K+ concentration (5 mmol/l to 25 mmol/l) depolarized Va by 5 +/- 1 mV (n = 8), while the same step on the serosal side depolarized Va by 20 +/- 2 mV (n = 8). A Cl- channel blocker 3',5-dichlorodiphenylamine-2-carboxylate DCl-DPC; 10 mumol/l) depolarized Va by 5 +/- 1 mV (n = 6), an effect that was lost after amiloride application. The blocker had no effect from the serosal side. Reduction of mucosal Cl- (from 120 to 30 or 10 mmol/l) depolarized Va by 9-11 mV (n = 35), an effect that was often followed by a secondary hyperpolarization of 10-30 mV (n = 27).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Separate agonist-specific oscillatory mechanisms in cultured human sweat duct cells

1. Cultured sweat duct cells (CSDCs) were grown to confluency on a permeable support, and the pharmacological ion transport regulation was assayed by transepithelial voltage clamp techniques. 2. Exposure of the serosal membrane of CSDCs to methacholine (MCh), lysylbradykinin (LBK) or histamine produced an oscillating short-circuit current (Iscc) response, which could be divided in an initial transient phase and a sustained oscillating phase, the latter of which was totally dependent on external Ca2+. 3. The Iscc responses evoked by LBK and histamine were, in contrast to the cholinergic response, characterized by a marked desensitization and short duration of the subsequent phase of Iscc oscillations. 4. Prolonged Iscc oscillations, reflecting continuous Ca2+ influx, were seen following MCh stimulation, and in response to LBK or histamine stimulation, when cells had been pre-treated with MCh. This pre-treatment effect of MCh was independent of continuous muscarinic receptor occupation, and it was unrelated to nicotinic receptor occupation. 5. It is suggested that MCh stimulation selectively initiates an influx of Ca2+ to an intracellular pool, from where Ca2+ can be discharged repetitively. In contrast, LBK and histamine only activate discharge of Ca2+ from such an intracellular pool, resulting in a limited response, given no prior stimulation by MCh of the Ca2+ influx mechanism.

Cation transport by sweat ducts in primary culture. Ionic mechanism of cholinergically evoked current oscillations

1. The coiled reabsorptive segment of human sweat ducts was cultured in vitro. Cells were then harvested and plated onto a dialysis membrane which was glued over a hole in a small disc. Cultures were maintained in a low serum, hormone-supplemented medium that allowed the cells to grow to confluency. The disc was then placed as a partition between two compartments of a miniature Ussing chamber. The chamber was mounted on the stage of an inverted microscope and intracellular potentials were recorded under transepithelial open-circuit or voltage clamp conditions. All values are given as means +/- S.E.M. and n refers to the number of preparations or duct cells. 2. Under control conditions, the cultured epithelia developed mucosa-negative transepithelial potentials (Vt) ranging from -2.5 to -38 mV (-13.5 +/- 1.5 mV, n = 36). The basolateral membrane potential (Vb) was -39.4 +/- 0.7 mV (n = 50 cells), and the apical membrane potential (Va) was linearly correlated with Vt:Va = 1.0 Vt -39.3 mV (r = -0.78, n = 50). 3. The epithelium generated inwardly directed short-circuit currents (Isc) of 12-95 microA cm-2 (45 +/- 4 microA cm-2, n = 36) with a steady-state intracellular potential. Vc = -31.1 +/- 0.6 mV and a fractional resistance of the apical membrane, fR = 0.59 +/- 0.01 (n = 115 cells). 4. The Na+ channel blocker amiloride (mucosal bath, 10 microM) abolished Isc -0.8 +/- 0.6 microA cm-2), the cells hyperpolarized to -61.0 +/- 1.2 mV, and fR increased to 0.85 +/- 0.01 (n = 44). These effects were fully reversible. 5. During initial stimulation with the cholinergic agonist, methacholine (serosa, 5 or 10 microM), the short-circuit current increased to 80 +/- 10 microA cm-2, the cells hyperpolarized to -55.8 +/- 1.2 mV, and fR increased to 0.82 +/- 0.01 (n = 35). 6. In short-circuited preparations stimulated with methacholine an increase in mucosal potassium concentration ([K+]m) from 5 to 25 mM had no significant effect, while a similar increase in the serosal K+ concentration ([K+]s) produced a change in Vc of 44 +/- 3 mV per log10[K+]s (n = 9). In non-stimulated preparations this change was only 16 +/- 2 mV per log10[K+]s (n = 13). After blocking the apical Na+ channels with amiloride the slope was 24 +/- 5 mV per log10[K+]s in unstimulated preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cholinergic-induced oscillating transepithelial short-circuit current in cultured human sweat duct cells

Human sweat duct cells in primary culture were investigated by voltage-clamp technique. Stimulation with the muscarinic agonist, metacholine (MCh), produced an abrupt transient rise followed by sustained regular oscillations in the transepithelial short-circuit current (Iscc), which in these cells is carried by a mucosal amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx, secondary to a Ca2(+)-activated, voltage-dependent, large K+ shunt across the serosal membrane. The time of latency, the initial transient phase, and the sustained oscillating phase of the MCh-induced Iscc response were demonstrated to be differently affected by changes in temperature, agonist concentration and external Ca2+ supply. From these results a model is proposed for the MCh-induced signal transduction in cultured sweat duct cells, involving a primary intracellular oscillatory Ca2+ mobilization, activated by IPP, sustained by a temperature-regulated external Ca2+ supply, and counter-regulated by cytosolic Ca2+.

Chloride permeability regulation via a cyclic AMP pathway in cultured human sweat duct cells

1. Isolated coiled reabsorptive sweat ducts from normal subjects and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were cultured in vitro. Cells were harvested and plated onto permeable supports to form confluent cell sheets. The Ussing chamber technique was used to study pharmacological regulation of the transepithelial ion transport in these membranes. 2. Addition of a stable cyclic AMP analogue, 8-Br-cyclic AMP, to normal cell cultures resulted in a decrease of the transepithelial potential difference (PD). 3. Forskolin exposure resulted in a similar PD decrease, which was augmented by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). 4. Exposure to isoprenaline, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and phenylephrine resulted in a response mimicking the forskolin-induced response, that was also amplified by IBMX. 5. Pre-incubation with cholera toxin abolished the isoprenaline response and reduced the control resistance. 6. Propranolol abolished the responses induced by isoprenaline and phenylephrine, whereas phentolamine had no effect. PGE2-induced responses were inert to both types of blockers. 7. Indomethazine addition to an unstimulated membrane resulted in a weak PD increase, i.e. a response opposite to that induced by isoprenaline. 8. IBMX addition to an unstimulated membrane resulted in a weak isoprenaline-like response. When the cells were pre-treated with indomethazine this IBMX response was absent. 9. Unidirectional Cl- isotope flux studies demonstrated a large increase of net Cl- reabsorption in response to isoprenaline and PGE2. 10. Mannitol isotope flux studies revealed that the paracellular permeability was unaffected by isoprenaline exposure. 11. Membranes derived from CF patients did not respond similarly to any of these agents. However, a weak spike, occasionally followed by a gradual increase of the short-circuit current (Iscc), was observed in both normal subjects and CF patients. 12. It is concluded that the primary effect on ion transport of factors increasing the cyclic AMP in normal cultured sweat duct cells is an activation of a transcellular Cl- permeability. This effect was missing in cells derived from CF patients.

Human sweat duct cells in primary culture. Basic bioelectric properties of cultures derived from normals and patients with cystic fibrosis

Human sweat duct cells from the coiled reabsorptive segment have been cultured successfully, free from fibroblasts, in a low serum, hormone-supplemented medium, Ham's F12. The cultured cells exhibited a typical epithelial cobblestone pattern, and microvilli-covered luminal cells were seen joined together with typical junctional complexes. In cultures derived from normals and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), growth and morphologic characteristics were indistinguishable. When grown on a membranous support, and mounted in an Ussing chamber, vectorial electroconductive ion-transport could be identified. The epithelial preparations produced active mucosa to serosa-directed sodium flux via amiloride-sensitive, apical sodium channels and ouabain-sensitive sodium pumps located in the basolateral membrane, which also contained a potassium shunt. These findings are consistent with a polarized epithelium with properties similar to the intact organ. High transepithelial resistance and increased amiloride sensitivity were typical for cells derived from CF, indicating that principal normal as well as pathologic properties of the sweat duct are preserved in culture.

Formation of inositol polyphosphates in cultured human sweat duct cells in response to cholinergic stimulation

Inositol phosphate formation in response to cholinergic stimulation was studied in cultured human sweat duct cells, prelabelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol. Formation of inositol mono-, bis-, tris- and tetrakisphosphates was increased after 15 min stimulation by 30 microM carbachol. Formation of inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and inositol tetrakisphosphate was significantly increased within 1 min at carbachol concentrations between 10 microM and 100 microM. No detectable increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation was observed at 15 s or 1 min, but an increase was observed after 15 min at a carbachol concentration of 30-100 microM. The data are consistent with an involvement of inositol polyphosphates in the biphasic response of ion transport, to cholinergic stimulation in these cells (see Pederson, P.S. (1986) 6th Professional Conference "Broken Arrow 1986". Genetic and Eptihelial Dysfunction in Cystic Fibrosis (Riordan, J.R. and Buchwalds, M., eds.), Alan Liss, New York and Pedersen, P.S. (1987) Med. Sci. Res. 15, 769-770) and suggest a different pattern of metabolism from exocrine acinar cells.

Isolation of a human gene with protein sequence similarity to human and murine int-1 and the Drosophila segment polarity mutant wingless

An expressed gene sequence which was identified by the isolation of a methylation free CpG island from human chromosome 7 has been cloned from a human lung cDNA library. The deduced protein sequence contains 360 amino acids and has several features of a secreted protein; it is cysteine rich with a signal peptide sequence and two potential asn-linked glycosylation sites. The protein sequence shows marked similarity with human and murine int-1 and their Drosophila homolog wingless (Dint-1). This human int-1 related protein, int-1 and Dint-1 have diverse patterns of expression, but the inferred structural similarities suggest that some of the functional characteristics of these proteins may be shared.

Desamino-D-arginine vasopressin in childhood nocturnal enuresis

The effect of desamino-D-arginine vasopressin was investigated in a double-blind study of 37 children more than 9 years old with nocturnal enuresis resistant to conventional therapy. A significant reduction of wet nights was observed but as soon as the medication was stopped the children reverted to earlier bedwetting habits.

Methylprednisolone resistance of cystic fibrosis lymphocytes

In the current study, the in vitro viability and resistance to methylprednisolone (MP) was investigated in lymphocytes from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and normal controls. The addition of MP to phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte cultures inhibits the proliferative response in a dose-dependent way. The dose response curves to MP were similar in CF cultures and controls (P greater than 0.05). Neither preincubation nor pulse exposure to MP revealed any difference between normal and CF lymphocytes. Skin fibroblasts from patients with CF have been reported to show increased resistance to the toxic effect of dexamethasone (1-3, 5-6). This study was undertaken to investigate the suppressive effect of glucocorticoids on another cell culture system using MP on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes.

Prolidase deficiency

The clinical and biochemical findings in a four-year-old girl with prolidase deficiency, treated with L-proline, manganese and ascorbic acid, are presented.

Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of dihydrobiopterin deficiency

The first Scandinavian hyperphenylalaninaemic patient with a cofactor deficiency is described. By neonatal screening the Guthrie test showed a serum phenylalanine of 302 mumol/1 (5 mg/dl), which at age 6 weeks had fallen to high normal values. At age 5 1/2 months the serum phenylalanine was around 2000 mumol/1 and the child presented with severe neurological symptoms. The diagnosis of defect dihydrobiopterin biosynthesis was made by high performance liquid chromatography of the urine. Loading tests followed by daily treatment of the missing cofactor was able to keep the serum phenylalanine in the normal level. Because of persisting, yet diminishing neurological symptoms neurotransmitter treatment was started. Breast feeding as the cause of the low neonatal levels of serum phenylalanine and the late start of clinical symptoms is proposed and the importance of screening all hyperphenylalaninaemic newborns for defect biopterin metabolism is stressed.

Intrinsic asthma and bacterial histamine release

In this study of intrinsic asthma (IA) in children the pathogenic role of bacteria in respiratory disease was elucidated by a basophil histamine liberation technique. Several strains of bacteria caused release of histamine from peripheral leukocytes in vitro. Normal, non-infectious and non-atopic children frequently responded in a similar fashion, although positive responses were less frequent. It seems that two different mechanisms of bacterial histamine release exist: interaction with the basophil-bound IgE and a direct interaction with the cell surface. It is suggested that the histamine release takes place only in the lung of IA patients, where a defective pulmonary barrier could permit the bacteria to enter, but not in healthy individuals.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis combined with protein-losing enteropathy and recurrent thrombosis

Two siblings, suffering from recurrent thrombosis and protein-losing enteropathy are presented. Histopathological examination of the liver in one of the patients, who died of multiple thrombosis, showed changes characteristic of Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis. Coagulation studies in the second child revealed decreased antithrombin-III in plasma, which might have had pathogenetic implications for the thrombosis tendency seen in both patients.

Herd incidence of bovine mastitis in four danish dairy districts. III. Relation between frequency of mastitis and cell counts on bulk molk samples

The correlations between monthly bulk milk cell counts and the actual frequency of mastitis was investigated in 399 Danish dairy farms with a total of about 7000 cows. The correlation coefficients varied from 0.3 to 0.5. Correlations were improved by using more than one cell count, but not further improved by using more than two cell counts. The correlations were higher for large than for small herds. It was not possible by combining cell counts in different ways, as indicated in (Table IV, to point out every heavily mastitis-affected herd without also pointing out some not so heavily affected ones. Table IV shows what infection levels can be expected when different criteria based on bulk milk cell counts are applied. The figures cannot be transferred directly from Danish conditions to conditions in other countries, but similar tendencies can probably be found anywhere.

Congenital stapes fixation, symphalangism and syndactylia

An autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome is described consisting of congenital deafness, characteristic finger and toe deformities, with absence of the proximal interphalangeal joint together with syndactylia. The syndrome has been observed in 5 members of a Danish family, and the study confirms the autosomal dominant trait.