Evidence for a functional role of cholecystokinin receptors in the rat thyroid gland.

The aim of the present study was to examine the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) and/or cholecystokinin receptors subtypes (CCK1R and CCK2R) in the regulation of the thyroid gland structure and function. Animals were autopsied after 6 days of treatment with CCK or CCK receptor-specific antagonists (CCK1a--PD 140,548 or CCK2a--PD 135,158) solely or in combination with CCK. Results suggest that CCK exerts a stimulatory effect on follicular thyroid cells manifested by increased epithelium/colloid volume fraction ratio (E/C).

Rat thyroid gland expresses the long form of leptin receptors, and leptin stimulates the function of the gland in euthyroid non-fasted animals.

Leptin is an adipose tissue-secreted hormone, which decreases caloric intake and increases energy expenditure. Some effects of leptin on energy balance seem to be mediated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis. The present study was designed to ascertain whether i) rat thyroid gland expresses the long form of leptin receptor (ObRb) and ii) the prolonged leptin administration (daily subcutaneous injections of 24 nmol/kg leptin for 6 consecutive days) affects thyroid-gland function in this species.

[Analysis of pulmonary venous blood flow in growth retarded fetuses above 30 weeks of gestation].

Abnormal spectra of blood flow are observed in many fetal vessels in pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth restriction. Redistribution of blood flow to the most important organs causes a diminished perfusion of the others. The disturbances of lung perfusion in utero are related to abnormal growth and development of the fetal lung.

Ultrasound in the diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome--a preliminary report.

Objective: The aim of this study was to show the diagnostic possibilities of ultrasound in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), to demonstrate its usefulness in cases of hemoglobin difference < 5 g/dL in neonates as well as in cases complicated by intrauterine death of one or both twins.

Study Design: The study included 4 pairs of twins. In two cases 3 fetuses died in utero.

Decrease of TSH levels and epithelium/colloid ratio in rat thyroid glands following administration of proadrenomedullin N-terminal peptide (12-20).

Adrenomedullin (AM) exerts a potent and long-lasting hypotensive effect and is considered to be an important hormone in blood pressure control. AM is a 52-amino-acid peptide synthesized as part of a 185-amino-acid preprohormone that also contains 20-amino-acid residues in the N-terminus, which has similar biological activity. This sequence is named a proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP).

Effects of bilateral splanchnic-nerve section and chemical sympathectomy on PACAP38 content in the rat adrenals.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a basic 38-amino acid regulatory peptide contained in the adrenal gland and involved in the control of its secretory activity. Bilateral splanchnic-nerve section caused in the rat a significant decrease in PACAP38 adrenal content and concentration, as measured by RIA. In contrast, chemical sympathectomy, obtained by administering newborn rats with 6-hydroxydopamine, was ineffective.

[Compensatory mechanisms of food transmission and lower respiratory tract protection after classical and extended supraglottic laryngectomies. Computerized topokinetic analysis of roentgen-cinematographic images].

Studies were performed on 22 patients, aged from 17 to 78 years, in whom, owing to laryngeal cancers, partly classical or extended supraglottic laryngectomy was carried out. The evaluation involving the pharyngeal deglutition course was accomplished by resorting to computerized topokinetic analysis of the roentgen-cinematographic images. The completed observation revealed good mobility of the anatomical structures participating in deglutition, small volume and number of glossolaryngeal recesses.

Effects of bilateral splanchnic-nerve section and chemical sympathectomy on PACAP38 content in the rat adrenals.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a basic 38-amino acid regulatory peptide contained in the adrenal gland and involved in the control of its secretory activity. Bilateral splanchnic-nerve section caused in the rat a significant decrease in PACAP38 adrenal content and concentration, as measured by RIA. In contrast, chemical sympathectomy, obtained by administering newborn rats with 6-hydroxydopamine, was ineffective.

[Disorders of the pharyngeal stage of deglutition after classical and extended supraglottic laryngectomies. Computerized tomographic analysis of x-ray images].

In 20 patients with laryngeal cancers, of both sexes and aged from 17 to 76 years, a partly classical or extended supraglottic laryngectomy was performed. The accomplished roentgenocinematographic analysis dealt with the disorders of the pharyngeal phase of deglutition act (RTGC). Next, by selecting characteristic schemas of frames for individual phases of deglutition, a computerized topokinetic analysis was carried out (CTA).

[The course of the oropharyngeal stage of deglutition in physiological condition. Computer topokinetic analysis of videofluoroscopic images].

The performed analysis covers the physiology of the pharyngeal phase of deglutition in 11 patients aged 45-65 years. The studies were carried out with the aid of roentgenocinematographic examinations (RTGC) and after preparing an adequate computer program, a computer topokinetic analysis was accomplished (CTA). The measurement of parameters established in CTA make it possible to obtain the image of the pathway passed by the anatomical structures, the dynamics, the shape and the relative distances of two anatomical structures, with the duration of the deglutition act being taken into consideration.

Stereology of human fetal adrenal medulla.

Stereological studies were performed on 27 pairs of adrenal glands of human fetuses (9-38 weeks of intra-uterine development). Medullary chromaffin cells were identified by immunostaining for chromogranin-A. The volume of adrenal medulla, average cell volume, and the number of chromaffin cells were calculated.

Chromogranin A immunoreactivity in epithelial cells of the thymus.

We have examined the localisation of chromogranin A (CGA) in rat thymus using immunocytochemistry. In the adult female animals we found CGA-like immunoreactivity in the epithelial cells in the subcapsular zone, the outer part of medullary region and associated with Hassall bodies. In pregnant rats more epithelial cells were immunolabelled, suggesting an increase in CGA synthesis during pregnancy.

Three dimensional analysis of thymic medulla.

In consecutive serial paraffin sections centers of gravity were defined for individual cross-sections of thymic medulla of the rat. Coordinates of the centers provided grounds for a three-dimensional reconstruction of thymic medulla using for the purpose computer techniques. In all cases the medulla exhibited continuity throughout the organ and showed dendritic character with up to IVth order branching.

Distribution of dividing thymocytes in rat thymic cortex during daily cycle.

In the present study, frequency of thymocyte divisions was analyzed in the rat thymic cortex, as related to (1) distance from thymic capsule and (2) the daily cycle. Frequency of thymocyte divisions was estimated in successive 10 micron(s) thick layers of the cortex. An evident daily cycle was detected in the thymic cortex with increase in the number of cell divisions around 8 pm.

ACTH-induced ultrastructural changes in the zona fasciculata of the hamster adrenal cortex. Are intraadrenal thrombi regulators of corticosteroid secretion?

Correlated stereological and functional studies were performed on the effect of massive ACTH doses on adrenal cortex of the female hamster. ACTH resulted in a marked increase in adrenal gland weight at day 6 of treatment followed by a drop at day 9. Stereology showed significant enlargement of the zona fasciculata (ZF) cells with the highest value at day 6 and subsequent drop at day 9 of treatment.

Autoradiographic studies on glucose utilization in individual zones of the rat thymus.

Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with 2-(14C)deoxyglucose and their thymuses were processed for thaw-mount autoradiography after 5, 10 or 35 min. Highest levels of radioactivity were demonstrated in the thymic medulla (5-fold higher than in the cortex). Scanning of autoradiograms for regional differences in grain densities indicated particularly intense glucose utilization in the cortico-medullary zone.