Intrathecal dynorphin A administration causes pressor responses in rats associated with an increased resistance to spinal cord blood flow.

Hemodynamic responses (blood pressure, as well as cardiac output (CO), peripheral and CNS blood flow changes measured via radioactive microspheres) were analyzed in anesthetized rats 2 min following intrathecal (IT) administration (10 microliters) of either 5-ion control solution or 20 nmol of dynorphin A(1-13) into the lower thoracic space (T10-T12). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) significantly increased within 2 min following IT dynorphin A(1-13) due to rise in total peripheral resistance, whereas CO significantly declined. Two minutes post-IT-dynorphin A(1-13) administration spinal cord blood flow also significantly decreased for 2 cm anterior and 1 cm posterior from the tip of the spinal catheter, which reflected a significant elevation in tissue flow resistance of spinal cord vessels in spite of the reduction of CO.

Intravenous morphine infusion (IMF) to drug-naive, conscious rats evokes bradycardic, hypotensive effects, but pressor actions are elicited after IMF to rats previously given morphine.

Hemodynamic (blood pressure and heart rate) responses of conscious drug-naive rats were studied following intravenous (i.v.) infusion of sterile saline, morphine sulphate, and then naloxone hydrochloride, as well as of other groups previously injected with morphine sulphate.

Opiate and alpha receptor antagonists block the pressor responses of conscious rats given intravenous dynorphin.

Conscious, unrestrained rats were used to determine the hemodynamic (blood pressure and heart rate) responses following intravenous (IV) injection of dynorphin A(1-13) and the possible receptor mechanisms mediating those changes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (300 g) were given IV bolus injections (via femoral venous catheter) of 6.0 to 600 nmoles/kg of dynorphin A(1-13), 8.

Physician-dependent prognostic variables in the management of testicular cancer.

A study of 246 cases of germ cell testicular cancer in Ireland between 1980 and 1985 confirmed that the personnel and the manner of management can significantly influence the outcome. Inadequate staging by omitting marker assays or CT scan reduced prognosis. Failure to use standard chemotherapy (PVB, BEP, POMBACE, VAB) or a reduced dosage diminished survival.

Non-seminomatous germ cell testis cancer in Ireland (1980-1985). Management, results and prognostic variables with relevance to national management protocols.

All non-seminomatous germ cell testis cancer in Ireland (1980-1985) was analysed (n = 131) and 3-year survival was: stage I = 95% (n = 58), stage II = 54% (n = 36), stages III and IV = 24% (n = 34). Countrywide results were not as favourable as those achieved in specialist units and this supports the development of a national strategy to maximise disease control. No management protocols existed during this study and the variety of approaches helped to identify the most suitable types of treatment in this broad context.

An evaluation of predisposing factors for testis cancer in Ireland.

All testis cancer in Ireland (1980-1985) was analysed (n = 240). Incidence was highest in young adults (5.8/10(5)/year in those aged 25-34 years) with a moderate level in the elderly (1.

Pressor, tachycardic and feeding responses in conscious rats following i.c.v. administration of dynorphin. Central blockade by opiate and alpha 1-receptor antagonists.

Experiments were designed to determine the hemodynamic responses of conscious, unrestrained rats given intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.

The effects of endogenous opioids on tension development of isolated, electrically stimulated rat atria.

The possible inotropic effects of all three classes of endogenous opioids were tested alone or in combination with noradrenaline, adrenaline, or carbachol on electrically stimulated atria isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Noradrenaline (6.0 and 12 microM) and adrenaline (4.

Patients' delay in the presentation of testis cancer in Ireland.

A study of 217 cases of testis cancer in Ireland revealed a longer duration of symptoms (median 2.8 months, mean 10 months) than elsewhere: 32% of patients waited at least 6 months before seeking medical advice. Delay was associated with metastases (P = 0.

Increased oviposition and growth in immature Biomphalaria glabrata after exposure to Schistosoma mansoni.

Biomphalaria glabrata snails are known to be castrated by infection with the trematode parasite Schistosoma mansoni 4-6 weeks post-infection. The pattern of oviposition in the first 35 days post-exposure (p.e.

Pressor effects of systemic administration of methionine and leucine enkephalin in the conscious rat.

Experiments were designed using conscious Sprague-Dawley rats to determine the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses to intravenous doses of (1) the adrenal catecholamines noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A), (2) adrenal pentapeptides methionine enkephalin (ME) and leucine enkephalin (LE), (3) combination (i.v.) injections of both ME or LE with NA or A that modulate the hemodynamic responses when the adrenal catecholamines were given alone, and (4) the possible receptor mechanisms mediating the resultant BP and HR response to i.

Recent trends in mortality due to testicular cancer in Ireland: a comparison with England and Wales.

In the period 1961-84, the number of deaths in Ireland due to the testis cancer rose by 64%. This was due both to significant male population expansion (25.3%) and to an increased mortality rate.

Pressor, tachycardic and behavioral excitatory responses in conscious rats following ICV administration of ACTH and CRF are blocked by naloxone pretreatment.

Experiments were conducted to compare the blood pressure and heart rate responses of conscious rats given intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH 1-24) and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Under sodium pentobarbital anaesthesia, rats were implanted with a stainless-steel cannula into the lateral cerebral ventricle and had their right femoral artery and vein cannulated. Upon recovery (24-48 hr later) conscious, unrestrained rats were given ICV injections (total volume 5 microliter by gravity flow) of sterile saline, ACTH (1-24) (0.

The role of the pituitary-adrenal axis in the hyperthermia induced by acute peripheral or central (preoptic anterior hypothalamus) administration of morphine to unrestrained rats.

The role of the pituitary-adrenal axis in the mediation of morphine-induced hyperthermia of conscious, unrestrained rats was investigated. Rectal (TR) and tail (Tt) temperatures and oxygen uptake rates (VO2) were measured following peripheral or central injection of morphine sulphate (MS) in groups of Sprague-Dawley rats before and after adrenalectomy (adx), hypophysectomy (hyp), or pituitary suppression (via dexamethasone treatment). The hyperthermic TR responses of groups given MS either subcutaneously (5 or 15 mg/kg) or directly into the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH, 1 or 10 micrograms/microL) before adx were not different upon retesting with the same dose of MS 2 weeks later following adx.

Blood pressure responses of conscious rats to intravenous administration of enkephalin derivatives (D-ala2 methionine and leucine enkephalinamide, and methionine and leucine enkephalinamide.

The present study was designed to determine the blood pressure (BP) responses of conscious rats given intravenous (IV) injections of enkephalin derivatives (D-ala2-methionine enkephalinamide, DAMEA; D-ala2-leucine enkephalinamide, DALEA; methionine enkephalinamide, MEA; leucine enkephalinamide, LEA) and the receptor mechanisms mediating the resultant change in BP. IV injection of 1.6-16.

Thermoregulatory responses of dystrophic hamsters to changes in ambient temperatures.

The ability of dystrophic hamsters to maintain their body temperature despite abnormal muscle and brown adipose tissue, two organs involved in thermoregulation, was evaluated. Dystrophic hamsters (CHF 146) between the ages of 30 and 160 days kept at 21 degrees C had core (rectal) temperatures (TR) that were 0.5-1.