Mutation in autocatalytic reaction networks. An analysis based on perturbation theory.

A class of kinetic equations describing catalysed and template induced replication, and mutation is introduced. This ODE in its most general form is split into two vector fields, a replication and a mutation field. The mutation field is considered as a perturbation of the replicator equation.

Suspected avocado (Persea americana) poisoning in goats.

A herd of 15 Cameroon goats was suspected of having been poisoned by eating leaves of the Fuerte variety of avocado pear (Persea americana). Two of the affected goats were examined clinically, while necropsies were carried out on 3 of the 4 that had died. The most significant clinical findings were tachycardia, hyperpnoea and evidence of lung oedema.

Complementary replication.

Differential equations for the kinetics of complementary replicating macromolecules in a flow reactor are derived. It is shown that such a model has many features in common with the differential equation for direct replication, the replicator equation. Two special cases of replication, and the influence of mutation on them, have been studied in detail.

Diclofenac delays healing of gastroduodenal mucosal lesions. Double-blind, placebo-controlled endoscopic study in healthy volunteers.

The effects of the water-soluble and delayed-release formulations of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, diclofenac, on the healing of gastroduodenal mucosal lesions were compared in a double-blind, double cross-over, placebo-controlled endoscopic study conducted in 14 healthy volunteers. Severe endoscopic lesions (petechiae, erosions, ulcers, and esophageal candidiasis) were found only in the group taking the soluble formulation of diclofenac (P less than 0.05 vs placebo).

Dynamics of autocatalytic reaction networks. IV: Inhomogeneous replicator networks.

The inhomogeneous replicator equation is derived as the continuous time model for parallel first and second order autocatalytic replication of macromolecules in a flow reactor based on mass action kinetics. It is shown that the total concentration of replicating material determines the relative importance of the first order and the second order mechanism. A complete description of the dynamics of the first order model and some special features of the inhomogeneous replicator equation are presented.

[Fallot's tetralogy in a calf--a case report].

A report is given on a calf with tetralogy of Fallot. This is the most common cyanotic congenital heart lesion in calves. Diagnosis was made by two-dimensional echocardiography and heart catheterisation.

Salmonellosis in an adult dairy cow.

An outbreak of diarrhoea occurred in a Jersey herd after the introduction of new stock. One of the cows was examined and treated unsuccessfully. Clinical findings included depression, fever, dehydration, congestion, signs of colic and a severe diarrhoea.

[Selective intraoperative cholangiography].

300 consecutive cholecystectomies performed from 1984 through 1986 were studied retrospectively to answer the following questions: which are suitable preoperative indicators for selective operative cholangiography, and which is the failure rate to detect biliary concrements by selective cholangiography? Patients with a history of jaundice, suspected concrements from preoperative intravenous cholangiography or ultrasound examination, a common bile duct wider than 8 mm, and elevated serum levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, ALAT (GPT) or ASAT (GOT) all had significantly higher rates of biliary concrements. Of these indicators, preoperative radiologic studies, serum levels of ALAT (GPT) and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase showed the best sensitivity, specificity as well as positive and negative predictive value. If two criteria, preoperative radiology and serum levels of ALAT (GPT), had been used, intraoperative cholangiography would have been performed in 34% of the cases.

Dynamics of small autocatalytic reaction networks--I. Bifurcations, permanence and exclusion.

Catalysis in replication networks has become an important issue in biophysics and other areas of biology. Examples are RNA catalysis, idiotype recognition in the immune response and dynamical models of Maynard-Smith games in sociobiology. Chemical reaction networks describing catalysed, template-induced reproduction of three species are analysed in full generality.

Bronchiolo-alveolar adenocarcinoma in a horse.

A bronchiolo-alveolar adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in the lungs of a horse which was euthanased after protracted respiratory disease and radiological evidence of pulmonary neoplasia. Multifocal, large, firm neoplasms occurred throughout both lungs. Neoplastic lesions were not found elsewhere.

[Clinico-pathological changes after intravenous administration of endotoxin in the horse].

The results of a study conducted to determine the clinico-pathological changes in 4 experimentally-induced cases of endotoxaemia in the horse are reported on. Endotoxaemia was induced by injecting commercially available E. coli 055:B5 lipopolysaccharide intravenously at a dose of 1 microgram kg-1.

[Clinical changes after intravenous administration of endotoxin in the horse].

The results of a study conducted to determine the clinical changes in 4 experimentally-induced cases of endotoxaemia in the horse are reported on. Endotoxaemia was induced by injecting commercially available E. coli 055:B5 lipopolysaccharide intravenously at a dose of 1 microgram kg-1.

Adverse effects of a proposed equine sublethal endotoxin model.

Commercially available Escherichia coli 055: B5 lipopolysaccharide was administered intravenously experimentally at a dosage of 10 micrograms/kg to 2 horses. Various clinical and clinico-pathological parameters were monitored before and after the endotoxin administration. Because of a hopeless prognosis, and for humane reasons, euthanasia was applied on both horses 6 h after administration.

[Cervical intervertebral disk prolapse in a horse].

A Hansen type I cervical intervertebral disc prolapse was diagnosed in a 16-year-old American Saddler showing clinical signs of paresis and ataxia. An ante-mortem diagnosis was made by means of plain radiographs and a myelogram. The horse was euthanased and the diagnosis confirmed on a post-mortem examination.

Sodium and responses to infused noradrenaline and angiotensin II in subjects predisposed to hypertension.

A disturbed adrenergic dependent blood pressure regulation may represent a familial component in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension; its possible relation to sodium metabolism is presently unknown. Body sodium, the cardiovascular pressor reactivity to infused noradrenaline or angiotensin II, plasma levels of noradrenaline, adrenalin, renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide were measured on a low or high sodium diet in 10 normotensive young subjects without and 13 normotensive subjects with familial predisposition to hypertension. On the low sodium diet, the two groups did not differ significantly in the considered parameters, while blood pressure was slightly higher in predisposed subjects (+7/+7 mmHg).

Blunted aldosterone responsiveness to angiotensin II in normotensive subjects with familial predisposition to essential hypertension.

The responsiveness of plasma aldosterone to an angiotensin (Ang) II infusion was assessed in normotensive young men, nine without and 13 with a family history of essential hypertension, after 7 days of low (mean urinary sodium 12 +/- 10 mmol/24 h) and 7 days of high (269 +/- 92 mmol/day) sodium intake. Under both conditions, the two study groups did not differ in body weight, arterial pressure, heart rate, plasma or urinary sodium and potassium or plasma renin, aldosterone or Ang II levels. However, after both dietary periods, the relationship between plasma aldosterone and plasma Ang II concentrations had shifted significantly (P less than 0.

Renal tubular handling of sodium and familial predisposition to essential hypertension.

Renal clearance of lithium and sodium, glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and certain other parameters of proximal tubular function were determined in 10 normotensive men without, and 13 normotensive men with a family history of essential hypertension after a low- and high-sodium diet. Under low-sodium conditions, the two groups did not differ in mean body weight, exchangeable sodium, plasma renin activity, clearances of inulin, para-aminohippurate (PAH), lithium, sodium, potassium, uric acid or inorganic phosphate, although blood pressure tended to be slightly, but not significantly, higher in those with a family history of hypertension. After changing to the high sodium diet, body weight, exchangeable sodium, and sodium clearance increased and renin decreased significantly (P less than 0.

[The anterior enteritis syndrome in the horse].

The anterior enteritis syndrome in the horse is reviewed with reference to the aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings, laboratory findings, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and post mortem findings.

Cardiovascular effects of verapamil in essential hypertension.

Calcium antagonists may affect the regulation of body sodium and adrenergic-dependent mechanisms. Exchangeable sodium, blood volume, plasma norepinephrine, renin, aldosterone, pressor responsiveness to norepinephrine, heart rate responses to isoproterenol, and lipid metabolism were studied in 15 patients with essential hypertension after 8 weeks of treatment with verapamil (348 +/- 68 (SD) mg/day). Supine blood pressure decreased from 153/103 +/- 19/12 mm Hg to 140/95 +/- 14/12 mm Hg (P less than 0.

Adult septic arthritis with Hemophilus influenzae.

Two cases of Hemophilus influenzae septic arthritis are reported, one in a rheumatoid patient and the other in a healthy young woman after meningitis. The evolution of this rare infectious arthritis was not as good as usual in spite of early therapy. The first patient later presented a Staphylococcus albus bacteriemia and the other a post-infectious persisting arthritis.

[The clinical pharmacology of glycerol guaiacolate ether in the horse--a review].

The physical and chemical properties, administration, biotransformation, pharmacological effects, clinical applications, side-effects, toxicity and contraindications of glyceryl guaiacolate ether in the horse are reviewed.

Blood pressure regulation on low and high sodium diets in normotensive members of normotensive or hypertensive families.

In members of hypertensive families a high sodium intake may have a pressor effect. The mechanism mediating the sodium sensitivity is unclear. Blood pressure, exchangeable sodium, plasma levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, renin and aldosterone, the pressor response to infused norepinephrine or angiotensin II and the urinary excretion of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and F2 alpha were measured after 7 days of low sodium diet (urinary sodium 13 +/- 10 s.

Diurnal variation of dynamic compliance, resistance and viscous work of breathing in normal horses and horses with lung disorders.

Dynamic compliance, airway resistance, viscous work and respiratory frequency were measured at intervals in horses over 12 h periods. Variation, daily averages and circadian patterns were recorded. Examinations were performed on 24 horses.