Scleroderma-like alterations in collagen metabolism occurring in the TSK (tight skin) mouse.

Abnormalities in collagen metabolism similar to those occurring in the skin of patients with scleroderma have been demonstrated in the TSK (tight skin) mouse, a dominant mutant of the inbred B10.D2(58N)/SN mouse strain. These abnormalities, which consist of increased collagen content, accelerated biosynthesis, and increased extractibility of the newly synthesized molecules, suggest that the TSK mouse may be an excellent animal model for the study of the connective tissue alterations characteristic of scleroderma.

[Effect of sub-pressor doses of dopamine on renin secretion in the anesthetized dog].

The effects of dopamine, its precursor L-dopa, and the dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine (BEC), on plasma renin activity (PRA), in pentobarbital anesthetized male dogs were investigated. Infusion of dopamine at a dose which did not change blood pressure ( 4 ug/kg/min) had no effect on the secretion of renin, nor did it produce modifications in the PRA response to furosemide (10 mg i.v.

[The renin angiotensin system in the pathology of arterial hypertension of aortic coarctation].

Nine patients with aortic coarctation were studied. On the fourth day of a low diet, blood samples were obtained for plasma renin activity (PRA) at 8:00 A.M.

Granulocyte transfusion therapy in children.

A prospective study of 45 granulocyte transfusions in children using continuous flow centrifugation is reported. During 13 episodes of proven or presumed infection, only two children failed to show a favorable response to granulocyte transfusion. The neutropenic child shows a significantly increased absolute granulocyte count one hour after transfusion.

[The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the diagnosis of renovascular arterial hypertension].

Twenty one subjects with sistemic arterial hypertension and arteriographic signs of obstructive lesion of the renal artery were studied and classified in 3 groups: group A, 13 cases with bilateral renovascular lesions; group B, 4 patients with unilateral renovascular stenosis and group C, formed by 4 subjects with a segmental branch stenosis of a renal artery. In all cases an special protocol was followed to measure plasma renin activity (PRA) in blood taken from a peripheral vein, inferior vena cava and both renal veins and also to determine 24 hrs. urinary excretion of aldosterone (UEA).