Cardiac catecholamine stores after cardiac sympathectomy, 6-OHDA, and cardiac denervation.

Sympathetic nerves are known to reach the heart via classical vagal pathways. Bilateral cervicothoracic sympathectomy (CS) might be expected therefore to leave significant amounts of releasable catecholamines in the myocardium if the vagi are left intact. Cardiac responses to tyramine (500 micrograms intracoronary) were compared in animals with CS, extrinsic cardiac denervation (CD), and chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

Characterization of lipoteichoic acid binding to polymorphonuclear leukocytes of human blood.

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were shown to possess specific binding sites for lipoteichoic acid (LTA). LTA binding was reversible and time and temperature dependent. Scatchard plot analysis revealed an apparently single population of 6.

Depth perception in linear and inverse perspective pictures.

The range of pictorial depth perception was tested with four pictures from the repertoire of European art, rather than the customary line drawings or photographs. These pictures included those rendered in linear perspective and inverse perspective, as well as those with different degrees of depth. Using Pandora' Box, the subjects were asked to place a lamp at the same apparent depth as objects in the pictures.

Kidney size compared with vertebral height. Importance of possible variations in normal values.

Results are presented showing that the normal values derived in one research centre, for the relationship between kidney length and the heights of the first 3 lumbar vertebrae, are not applicable to children in another one. The girls who are the subject of this investigation are those taking part in the survey on asymptomatic bacteriuria in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Reaction of a harassed administrator.

CMHC's do not currently have the capacity to deal successfully with the complex issues of citizen participation in governance, service delivery and evaluation. The primary obstacle is the continuous financial crisis in which the CMHC finds itself, and the associated disparity between special CMHC funding and the funding of mainstream health services. Until the financial dilemmas of CMHC's are solved, citizen participation in their operations will remain problematic.

Bioavailability of atenolol formulations.

In this comparative bioavailability study two tablet formulations of atenolol (sales and clinical trial) were compared with an oral solution. Twelve healthy adult male volunteers received, on a cross-over basis, on three separate occasions, 100 mg oral dose of the three formulations of atenolol. Bioavailability was based on concentrations of atenolol in whole blood and urine.

Combination chemotherapy in invasive thymoma role of COPP.

Combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and procarbazine (COPP) was administered to 5 patients with invasive lymphoepithelial thymoma. Objective evidence of tumor regression was seen in 4 patients. Given prior to preoperative radiation therapy, COPP produced partial remissions in 2 patients, making possible smaller radiation treatment fields.

The effect of adrenertgic agonists on the cyclic AMP levels in atria from euthyroid and hypothyroid rats.

To examine the effects of thyroid state on the production of cyclic AMP, left and right atria isolated from euthyroid and thyroidectomized male rats were exposed to the alpha adrenergic agonist methoxamine and the beta adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. Methoxamine increased force and rate in paced (1 Hz) left and spontaneously beating right atria, respectively, to a greater extent in the hypothyroid state than in the euthyroid state. Methoxamine was found to have no effect on cyclic AMP production in either the euthyroid or hypothyroid left and right atria.

Blockade of the rate and force responses to phenylephrine on rat atria with labetalol.

Evidence suggests that the combined alpha and beta adrenergic agonist phenylephrine influences cardiac tissue through stimulation of both alpha and beta adrenoceptors. Phenylephrine effected a positive inotropic and chronotropic response in paced (1 Hz) left and spontaneously beating right atria, respectively. In the presence of the combined alpha and beta adrenoceptor antagonist labetalol (5 x 10(-6)M) the rate and force responses to phenylephrine were completely abolished.

Lipoteichoic acid-binding and biological properties of T protein of group A streptococcus.

T protein was extracted with trypsin from an avirulent, M protein-deficient, type 1 group A Streptococcus and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and anion-exchange chromatography. The latter procedure removed contaminating lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from the T protein, which consisted of a heterogeneous mixture of polypeptides resistant to digestion by trypsin and ranged in molecular size from 160,000 to 200,000 daltons. Threonine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, and valine were the most predominant amino acids.

Binding of streptococcal lipoteichoic acid to the fatty acid binding sites on serum albumin.

The ability of the fatty acid binding sites of serum albumin to bind lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus pyogenes was investigated. Initial studies indicated that lipoteichoic acid, but not its deacylated deprivative, protected albumin from being denatured by heat (80C for 1 h) and changed its mobility in an electrical field. Albumin covalently linked to agarose beads bound radiolabeled lipoteichoic acid, and the bound [3H]lipoteichoic acid could be specifically eluted with unlabeled lipoteichoic acid or albumin but not with other proteins tested.

Salmonella montevideo salmonellosis in laboratory mice: successful treatment of the disease by oral oxytetracycline.

In an epidemic outbreak of salmonellosis associated with Salmonella montevideo in 6 mouse colonies, most deaths occurred in BALB/c and ASI mice, although the carrier rate was similar in other mouse strains. The salmonella was eradicated from ASI mice of 4-6 weeks old, and the carrier rate considerably reduced at 12-26 weeks of age, by use of oral oxytetracycline in conjunction with strict hygiene measures. Housing mice on wire grids instead of wood shavings did not affect the efficacy of the treatment.

Fatty acid binding sites of serum albumin as membrane receptor analogs for streptococcal lipoteichoic acid.

The ability of bovine serum albumin to inhibit the binding of group A streptococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) to human cells was investigated. Albumin blocked the ability of LTA to sensitize erythrocytes to agglutinate in the presence of anti-LTA in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of LTA binding to erythrocytes was demonstrated directly with radiolabeled LTA.

Characteristics of the binding of streptococcal lipoteichoic acid to human oral epithelial cells.

Membrane receptors for lipoteichoic acid (LTA) may be involved in the adherence of streptococci to human pharyngeal epithelial cells. Since streptococcal binding to oral epithelial cells has been shown to be low at birth with a gradual increase to adult levels within three days, the characteristics of the binding of radiolabeled LTA to epithelial cells were investigated. LTA binding to epithelial cells from both infants and adults was time- and cell concentration-dependent.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: a new approach.

Less than 10% of patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma survive 5 years when treated by operation and conventional irradiation, but survivors who are disease-free at 2 years appear to be cured. The administration of a small number of large radiation fractions (350 to 800 rads) failed to eradicate the local disease in 14 patients, all of whom died within 9 months. Hyperfractionation (100 rads qid at 3-hour intervals) caused complete tumour regression of 6 of 14 patients and partial regression in 7 others; the 1 patient whose tumour failed to respond was treated only once daily.

Two Actinobacillus species isolated from laboratory rodents.

A study was made of the cultural and biochemical characteristics of 17 strains of Actinobacillus isolated from laboratory rats and hamsters. 2 types were recognized which differed in their urease reaction and colony colour on blood agar. The results obtained suggest that one was Actinobacillus equuli but the other could not be identified as belonging to a described species.

Irradiation as an etiologic factor in tumours of the thyroid, parathyroid and salivary glands.

Irradiation to the head and neck region, usually of low dosage, results in an increased frequency of thyroid, parathyroid and salivary gland tumours. The authors have reviewed their experience with these tumours. Fifty of 475 patients with carcinoma of the thyroid had received previous irradiation.