Structural order of membranes and composition of phospholipids in fish brain cells during thermal acclimatization.

A comparison of the structural orders of membranes of a mixed brain-cell population isolated from Cyprinus carpio L. acclimated to either summer (23-25 degrees C) or winter (5 degrees C) revealed a high degree of compensation (80%) for temperature, as assayed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The cells rapidly forget their thermal history and adjust the physical properties of the membranes when shifted to the other extreme of temperature either in vivo or in vitro.

Overlapping and distinct actions of the neurotrophins BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5 on cultured dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons of the ventral mesencephalon.

The neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5) were compared for their effects in promoting the survival and/or regulation of expression of phenotypic markers of dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons in cultures derived from embryonic rat ventral mesencephalon. Dopaminergic neuron number and phenotypic expression were monitored by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, and measurement of high-affinity dopamine uptake activity and dopamine content, respectively. High-affinity GABA uptake, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity, and endogenous GABA content were used to detect GABAergic neurons.

[Aeropollinologic and allergologic studies for the clarification of "poplar tree hay fever"].

The authors performed allergen research on patients reported hay fever symptoms during the poplar pollen season (March), and in patients with hay fever symptoms during the time of the year that the seed hairs of the poplar trees are blowing in the air (May). Skin prick tests (Epipharm) and serum specific IgE tests (Epignost IgE Quick and Phadezym Populus deltoides RAST, Pharmacia) were performed on the basis of the pollen calendar of Szeged region on 30 patients. The pollen containt of the air was measured by means of a Lanzoni sampler.

[A case of numerous foreign bodies found in the esophagus and the right main bronchus].

The authors report about the elimination of foreign bodies fixed in the oesophagus and aspirated into the right main bronchus. They discuss the diagnostic work and the ways of its elimination. They emphasize the importance of cooperation between the endoscopist and the surgeon.

[Results of skin tests, based on pollen count, in patients allergic to summertime seasonal rhinitis].

Atmospheric pollen and spore contents in Szeged were determined with Lanzoni Sampler from July to October in 1989. Late-summer pollen calendar for Szeged was produced on the basis of this pollen counting. Skin prick tests in 69 patients with late-summer seasonal allergic rhinitis were carried out on the basis of this pollen calendar.

BDNF is a neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), present in minute amounts in the adult central nervous system, is a member of the nerve growth factor (NGF) family, which includes neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). NGF, BDNF and NT-3 all support survival of subpopulations of neural crest-derived sensory neurons; most sympathetic neurons are responsive to NGF, but not to BDNF; NT-3 and BDNF, but not NGF, promote survival of sensory neurons of the nodose ganglion. BDNF, but not NGF, supports the survival of cultured retinal ganglion cells but both NGF and BDNF promote the survival of septal cholinergic neurons in vitro.

[Left ventricular function in young type I diabetic patients. A Doppler echocardiography study].

Systolic and diastolic left ventricular function was assessed by M-mode and pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 10 young type I diabetic patients without late complications and maximal diabetes duration of 5 years and in 10 healthy persons. Fractional shortening, a measure of systolic ventricular function, was significantly lower in diabetics than in controls (33.9 +/- 2.

Ultrasonography and water content of the liver in chronic diffuse liver disease.

Water content in the liver in vivo was determined in 89 patients (33 with normal liver and 56 with chronic liver disease), simultaneously with ultrasonography and histopathological examination. A part of each biopsy specimen was used for this purpose. The difference between wet and dry weights was calculated from the pre- and post-lyophilization weights.

Ultrasonography in the preoperative diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis causing severe obstruction, and in indication for surgery.

It is pointed out that some cases of chronic pancreatitis causing severe obstruction may clinically simulate tumour. This can occasionally be confirmed by other examinations (e.g.

Noninvasive assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by pulsed Doppler echocardiography in young alcoholics.

M-mode echo recordings of the left ventricle and left ventricular inflow Doppler velocimetry were performed in 34 male alcoholics below age 45 and in 25 nonalcoholic male controls. Groups were well matched for age, body surface area and heart rate. Systolic arterial pressure was slightly higher in alcoholics and none of the subjects studied had cardiorespiratory symptoms.

Autoradiographic distribution of binding sites of [3H]SKF 38393, a selective dopamine D1 receptor agonist, in the mouse forebrain.

Distribution of binding sites of [3H]SKF 38393, a selective dopamine D1 receptor agonist, was studied on forebrain coronal sections of CXBI/ByJ mice by radioligand binding and digital subtraction autoradiography. Highest levels of [3H]SKF 38393 binding were detected in olfactory tubercle and caudate nucleus/putamen. Intermediate to low concentrations of receptors were indicated in cortex, amygdala, hypothalamus, claustrum, and septal area, whereas the lowest binding was found in white matter tracts (commissura anterior, corpus callosum).

Determination of sulphate by pH titration.

A simple and inexpensive method has been developed for the determination of sulphate and other very weak bases and acids. It utilizes the partial protonation of the weak base or the partial dissociation of the weak acid, which has not been exploited for analytical purposes thus far. The procedure consists of three pH titrations: one with a test solution of known sulphate content, the second with the sulphate sample, and the third with a blank.

The importance of pulmonary complications as a cause of death in surgical patients.

The authors have retrospectively reviewed 390 autopsy reports from their surgical clinic, to establish the frequency of chronic and acute lung complications in surgical patients. The retrospective analysis revealed that pneumonia was the most frequent acute pulmonary complication among patients who died in the surgical department. In postoperative cases, pneumonia contributed to or was responsible for 65% of all deaths.

The changed activity of the serum kallikrein-kinin system after ligation of the superior mesenteric artery in rats.

The aim of the experiments was to study the effect of ligation of the superior mesenteric artery on the activity of the kinin-kallikrein system in the plasma and on arterial blood pressure. Ligation of 60 minutes did not change the free kallikrein activity of the plasma, while prekallikrein activity significantly decreased. Blood pressure showed a tendency to increase but not to a significant degree.

[Treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome following fracture of the clavicle with resection of the 1st rib (author's transl)].

The resection of the first rib with a transaxillary approach has been used in the operative treatment of this condition. This approach is though to have more advantages over the anterior (supraclavicular) or posterior (parascapular) ones. The segment resection of the middle third of clavicle would not seem to be justified in these cases.