Identification of the Transcription Factor ATF3 as a Direct and Indirect Regulator of the LDLR.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex, multifactorial disease caused, in particular, by inflammation and cholesterol metabolism. At the molecular level, the role of tissue-specific signaling pathways leading to CAD is still largely unexplored. This study relied on two main resources: (1) genes with impact on atherosclerosis/CAD, and (2) liver-specific transcriptome analyses from human and mouse studies.

[Hematuria: which algorithm for an effective diagnostic strategy?].

Microscopic hematuria is common in medical practice; its prevalence in the adult population varies between 2.5 and 13%. Currently available data are insufficient to determine an algorithm based on evidence of the most effective diagnostic strategy of hematuria.

Seminal carnitine concentration in obstructive azoospermia.

Seminal carnitine levels were studied in 67 patients with obstructive azoospermia. In 25 patients a bilateral vasectomy had been performed previously and for refertilization a vasovasostomy was performed. In the remaining 42 men the occlusion was located within the epididymis.

[Surgical refertilization following vasectomy--an increasing need].

Surgical refertilization by vaso-vasostomy, taking place a long time after vasectomy, gains increasing importance in men whose partnership condition has changed since the time of sterilization. Apart from the surgical technique, the length of time between vasectomy and vaso-vasostomy, the age of the patient and immunological factors are of importance for the success of the vaso-vasostomy, that is the procreation of sound children. From the view of the surgical technique the single-layered anastomosis without splinting, carried out with magnifying glasses, produces satisfactory results comparable to those of more complicated techniques (operation microscope).

Testicular dysplasia causing disturbance of spermiogenesis in patients with unilateral torsion of the testis.

Fifty-five patients were followed up for their state of fertility at a time varying in length after testicular torsion. In addition to the spermiogram they were screened for sperm antibodies. Biopsy samples were collected from the contralateral (not contorted) testis in 34 patients at the time of torsion or immediately afterwards.

Study of long-term survival after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in clinically normal dogs.

Experimental hypophysectomies were performed in 7 clinically normal dogs, using a new modification of the transsphenoidal approach. This approach facilitated centering of the sphenoid bone trephination and allowed safe exposure of the hypophysis regardless of the size or shape of a dog's skull. Complications did not occur during surgery and all dogs recovered well from surgery.

Insulin-like growth factor I levels in proportionate dogs, chondrodystrophic dogs and in giant dogs.

Plasma insulin-like growth factor I concentrations from proportionate, chondrodystrophic and giant breeds were evaluated and compared with body size. IGF-I plasma concentrations were 91.2 +/- 10.

Medroxy-progesterone acetate administration to ovariohysterectomized, oestradiol-primed beagle bitches. Effect on secretion of growth hormone, prolactin and cortisol.

Growth hormone (GH), prolactin (Prl) and cortisol secretion was studied in 5 ovariohysterectomized dogs before and after oestradiol implantation and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) administration. MPA was given at regular intervals during a period of 10 months in a total of 12 injections. Short-term effects of oestradiol were restricted to significantly enhanced Prl responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).

Insulin-like growth factor I and growth hormone in canine starvation.

The roles of plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) and growth hormone (GH) were studied in 7 beagle dogs before and during starvation and during refeeding. IGF I levels significantly decreased from 75.2 +/- 5.

Body size parallels insulin-like growth factor I levels but not growth hormone secretory capacity.

The relationships between body size, growth hormone (GH) secretory capacity and circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) levels were studied in genetically-determined subgroups of disparate size within one breed of dogs, the Poodle. Standard (large) Poodles exhibited six times the mean plasma IGF I concentration found in Toy Poodles. The mean IGF I level found in Standard Poodles significantly differed from the one found in Miniature and Toy Poodles (P less than 0.

Acromegaly in the dog.

The main characteristic findings in canine acromegaly are a visible increase in soft tissue mass, prominent skin folds, abdominal enlargement, and/or radiographic evidence of an increase in soft tissue mass in the orolingual, oropharyngeal, and orolaryngeal region. Acromegalic dogs almost invariably show some degree of respiratory stridor. Enlargement of the interdental spaces can be seen, but it is felt that these changes are less specific for the disease.

Insulin-like growth factor I in the dog: a study in different dog breeds and in dogs with growth hormone elevation.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) devised for the measurement of human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) was employed for the measurement of canine IGF I. Canine IGF I was extracted from plasma specimens by gel chromatography. Columns were eluted with 1 M acetic acid and the fractions representing the 55 to 85% bed volume were pooled, lyophilized and reconstituted with assay buffer.

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I in German shepherd dwarf dogs.

The roles of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) were studied in 9 German Shepherd dwarf dogs. GH deficiency was evidenced in all dogs by an absence of increase in GH levels in response to clonidine administration. While the mean IGF I concentration in normal adult German Shepherds was 280 +/- 23 ng/ml and 345 +/- 50 ng/ml in immature animals, the mean IGF I concentration in the dwarf dogs was 11 +/- 2 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM, P less than 0.

Progesterone-controlled growth hormone overproduction and naturally occurring canine diabetes and acromegaly.

Female pet dogs exhibiting either glucose intolerance alone or glucose intolerance and acromegaly were investigated. Some dogs developed the disorder(s) during dioestrus and some animals developed the disorder(s) after they were given medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Elevated fasting plasma glucose levels (12.

Radioimmunoassay of canine growth hormone.

A sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for canine growth hormone (GH) was developed. Antibodies were elicited in rhesus monkeys. One antiserum exhibited a working titer at a dilution of 1: 500 000.

[Prevention of oestrus and/or pregnancy in dogs by methods other than ovariohysterectomy (author's transl)].

The present paper is based on findings reported in the literature and concerned with various possible methods of preventing heat and/or pregnancy without resorting to ovariohysterectomy. The drugs used to suppress and prevent oestrus, such as progestagens, testosterone and 19-nortestosterone derivates, are reviewed, the mechanism of action, mode of administration and advantages and disadvantages being discussed. Progestagens are particularly found to affect the uterus (CEH) and mammary glands (increased incidence of mammary tumours), and they may also induce diabetes mellitus and acromegaly.

Influence of medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) on plasma growth hormone levels and on carbohydrate metabolism. II. Studies in the ovariohysterectomized, oestradiol-primed bitch.

The combined effects of oestradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate on growth hormone (GH) levels and carbohydrate metabolism were studied in 6 ovariohysterectomized dogs, which previously had shown moderate increments in GH after medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) administration. Oestradiol (Oe2) implants were administered 5 months after the last MPA injection, when MPA and GH levels tended to decrease. Following Oe2 administration GH levels rose significantly.