Muscarinic receptor characterization in differentiating avian exocrine cells.

The type of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in exocrine cells of the avian nasal gland in the undifferentiated quiescent (naive) stage and in the partly differentiated salt-secreting (stressed) stage was characterized by ligand binding experiments and by probing receptor messenger RNA with oligonucleotide probes specific for the mammalian receptor subtypes. Competition-binding studies using l-quinuclidinyl [phenyl-4-3H]benzilate and a series of other ligands indicated the presence of only one type of receptor in both cell types. Pharmacological characterization of its ligand-binding properties revealed similarities with the mammalian M3 type.

Pulsatile and nonpulsatile pressure-flow relationships in zone 3 excised rabbit lungs.

We compared the effects of pulsatile vs. nonpulsatile flow (Q) on pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)-Q relationships in zone 3 over wide ranges of pulse rate, stroke volume (SV), and Q. Excised left lungs of rabbits (n = 15) were perfused with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-buffered Tyrode solution containing 4% dextran, 1% albumin, and 10 mg/l of indomethacin and were ventilated with room air.

Prediction of the role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in animals and man from in vitro results.

The possibility of predicting the clinical effects of cytokines from in vitro data is discussed, using GM-CSF as an example. GM-CSF incubated with bone marrow cells has been shown to induce proliferation and colony formation, predominantly of the colony-forming unit granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage types. Daily treatment of normal monkeys with GM-CSF resulted in transient neutropenia followed by neutrophilia.

[Neurolytic block of the lumbar sympathetic trunk in advanced stages of peripheral arterial occlusive disease].

Unlabelled: Neurolytic blocks of the lumbar sympathetic trunk enable a less invasive sympathetic denervation if compared to standard surgical procedures.

Methods: 34 patients undergoing chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS) for advanced arterial occlusive disease were prospectively studied. An actual indication for reconstructive vascular surgical intervention had been excluded in all patients.

[Optimization of the image intensifier-assisted technique of lumbar sympathetic block. Computed tomographic simulation of a paravertebral puncture access].

The paravertebral approach is the most common technique for local anaesthetic and neurolytic lumbar sympathetic blocks. However, guidelines on the site of needle insertion differ. As there have been several case reports on accidental trauma to the ureter and the kidney, this study was undertaken to evaluate the site of paravertebral needle insertion and the fluoroscopic landmarks for lumbar sympathetic blocks by computed tomographic puncture simulation.

Cluster arousal analysis in chronic pain-disturbed sleep.

A new cluster arousal analysis system was developed to quantify microdisturbances in the sleep architecture. The system was evaluated in 10 healthy volunteers and the sleep of 23 outpatients with chronic low back pain was investigated before and after a special rehabilitative training. The comparison of sleep parameters before and after the treatment showed a significant reduction of the cluster disturbed sleep (CDS), whereas sleep efficiency and the number of stage shifts remained unchanged.

Radiologic case study. Macrodystrophia lipomatosa.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare form of gigantism involving an extremity consisting of predominately fibroadipose tissue. Radiographically, it appears as hypertrophy of soft tissues and bone. CT and MR scanning delineate the tissues involved and are virtually diagnostic, demonstrating the predominantly adipose component as well as the overgrowth of the bones, nerves, and vessels also involved.

[Problems in the treatment of back pain].

Back pain is a common disease causing tremendous costs for treatment, rehabilitation, litigation and work-loss. The reasons for back pain vary considerably and are often not clear. The effectiveness of current treatment concepts like epidural injection of steroids, blocks of facet joints, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and antidepressants has not been proven.

Induction of early gene expression in murine macrophages by synthetic lipid A analogs with differing endotoxic potentials.

Numerous lipid A analogs have been synthesized in an attempt to dissociate endotoxic activities from beneficial immunomodulatory activities. In the present study, we have evaluated select lipid A analogs in macrophages for their ability to induce a panel of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-inducible genes to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms which underlie endotoxicity. We evaluated three monosaccharide lipid A analogs: SDZ MRL 953, an agonist with an improved therapeutic margin over endotoxin; SDZ 281.

A Gq-type G protein couples muscarinic receptors to inositol phosphate and calcium signaling in exocrine cells from the avian salt gland.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation in isolated cells from the nasal salt gland of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos) results in a rapid increase in the rate of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and pronounced intracellular calcium signals. Both responses can be elicited by treating these cells with fluoroaluminate (AlF4-) indicating the involvement of a heterotrimeric G protein in the transmembrane signaling process. To characterize this G protein, electrophoretically separated membrane proteins were blotted onto nitrocellulose filters and probed with peptide-antibodies raised against portions of different alpha-subunits of mammalian G proteins.

Intrapulmonary shunt in excised dog lobes: comparison of oxygen and inert gas methods.

We evaluated the contribution of measurement errors in PO2 to the discrepancy between the intrapulmonary shunt values simultaneously obtained by the conventional O2 method (O2-shunt) and the multiple inert gas elimination technique (IG-shunt). Excised left lower lobes of dogs were perfused at a constant flow and ventilated at constant volume. Variable degrees of intrapulmonary shunt were created by O2 absorption while the lobes were collapsed.

[Routes of transmission of hepatitis B in Piotrokow and Sieradz provinces in 1986-1987].

Epidemiological investigations of 1883 cases of acute viral hepatitis type B reported in two voivodships (Piotrków, Sieradz) has been analysed. In 1104 cases (58%) parenteral procedures for therapeutical and diagnostic purposes have been performed during 6 months before the onset of disease. The incidence of cases after medical procedures was the highest in children aged 0-4 years (67%) and adult persons aged over 50 years (68%).

Efficacy of anticholinergic and beta-adrenergic agonist treatment of maximal cholinergic bronchospasm in tracheally intubated rabbits.

Cholinergically induced bronchoconstriction is thought to be a major cause of bronchospasm during anesthesia. We used tracheally intubated rabbits (4-mm endotracheal tube) stimulated with methacholine to assess the efficacy of beta-adrenergic agonist and anticholinergic treatment in reversing the increases in respiratory system resistance. Four groups were compared: (a) inhaled metaproterenol, 20 puffs via metered dose inhaler (0.

Osmotic and ionic regulation during hypoxia in the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis L.

The concentrations of inorganic and organic ions and osmolality in the blood of the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, were determined during normoxia and hypercapnic and hypocapnic hypoxia. In normoxic animals, the blood sodium concentration was 124.5 +/- 4.

Acyclic analogues of lipid A: synthesis and biological activities.

The synthesis of a series of novel acyclic analogues of lipid A, the lipophilic terminal of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is reported. In these compounds, the reducing glucose unit of lipid A has been replaced by an acyclic analogue unit (abbreviated as AAU) consisting of a spacer (of varying length), an (R)-3-hydroxytetradecanamido moiety (of varying configuration at the carbon of attachment), and a CO2H group. The AAU has been attached to the anomeric carbon of the nonreducing glucose unit of lipid A, either through glycosidic linkage or through an acyl linkage.

Influence of lung volume history and increased surface forces on collateral resistance.

In order to investigate the major route for collateral ventilation, the influences of lung volume history and increased surface forces on collateral resistance (Rcoll) were studied in excised canine lower lobes. Measurements were made during inflation and deflation in two states, i.e.

Calcium-sensitivity of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate metabolism in exocrine cells from the avian salt gland.

The generation of inositol phosphates upon muscarinic-receptor activation was studied in [3H]inositol-loaded exocrine cells from the nasal salt glands of the duck Anas platyrhynchos, and the metabolism of different inositol phosphates in vitro was studied in tissue homogenates, with particular reference to the possible interaction of changes in intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) with the metabolic processes. In intact cells, there was a rapid (within 15 s) generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, followed by an accumulation of their breakdown products, Ins(1,3,4)P3 and inositol bis- and monophosphates. Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase was demonstrated in tissue homogenates, with the rate of phosphorylation increasing 2-fold at free Ca2+ concentrations greater than 1 microM.

Volume infusion produces abdominal distension, lung compression, and chest wall stiffening in pigs.

The effect of severe generalized edema on respiratory system mechanics is not well described. We measured airway pressure, gastric pressure, and four vertical pleural pressures in 13 anesthetized paralyzed pigs ventilated in the upright position. Pressure-volume relationships of the respiratory system, chest wall, and lung were measured on deflation from total lung capacity to residual volume and during tidal breathing both before (control) and 50 min after one of two interventions.

[Selective proximal vagotomy with and without pyloroplasty in uncomplicated chronic duodenal ulcer. Results of a randomized clinical study 5 and 10 years following surgery].

SPV with and without pyloroplasty were compared in a randomized clinical study for uncomplicated chronic duodenal ulcer. Additional pyloroplasty according to Finney reduced recurrence rate nor after 5 years (7.9:7.

Practical implications of coexistent different technologies in clinical chemical laboratories. Solid phase chemistry and conventional analysis.

If different analytical methods are alternatively used for the determination of the same analyte, basic differences in test methodology can give rise to an increased number of deviating results. Such coexistence of methods might be necessary, for example, during a transition phase while upgrading to new technologies. We have exemplarily investigated this topic for the comparison of solid phase chemistry ("dry chemistry") versus conventional methods ("wet chemistry").

A mutation in the putative Mg(2+)-binding site of Gs alpha prevents its activation by receptors.

The properties of a Gs alpha mutant with an Asn substituted for Ser at position 54, designated mutant 54Asn alpha s, were studied after expression in S49 alpha s-deficient (cyc-) cells. Ser-54 in alpha s is comparable to Ser-17 in Ras, which is involved in binding Mg2+ associated with bound nucleotide. 54Asn alpha s did not restore either hormone-induced cyclic AMP production in intact cyc- cells or hormone-induced adenylyl cyclase activation in membranes isolated from these cells.