Binding of brain and atrial natriuretic peptides to cultured mouse astrocytes and effect on cyclic GMP.

125I-Porcine brain natriuretic peptide (125I-pBNP) bound to mouse astrocytes in primary culture in a time-dependent manner (t1/2 = 4.5 min), similar to 125I-human atrial natriuretic peptide (125I-hANP) (t1/2 = 5 min). Binding was saturable and reached equilibrium after 90 min at 22 degrees C for both radioligands.

Atrial natriuretic peptide in the central nervous system.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), first isolated from rat atrial cardiocytes, is a potent natriuretic, diuretic and vasorelaxant hormone when given intravenously. In keeping with increasing evidence that many bioactive peptides that were first discovered in peripheral organs, are often present in the central nervous system, ANP and its binding sites have been localized on neurons in different regions of the brain. Further, ANP binding sites have been found on primary astrocyte and glial cell lines and ligand binding results in cyclic GMP production.

Urinary excretion of albumin and enzymes in non-insulin-dependent Chinese diabetics.

Urine albumin (Alb), total protein (TP) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations and the activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were measured in untimed random urine samples from 157 non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) diabetic subjects and 54 healthy subjects. In NIDDM subjects the excretions of TP, Alb, NAG, AAP, GGT (expressed in relation to creatinine) were significantly higher and were abnormal in 59.9%, 68.

Urinary excretion of transferrin by non-insulin-dependent diabetics: a marker for early complications?

We measured concentrations of transferrin (TRF, in micrograms), and creatinine (Cr, in millimoles) in samples of untimed urine from 53 healthy subjects and 157 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDD) subjects. The urinary TRF/Cr ratio was significantly higher in the NIDD group (P less than 0.001).

Preparation of microencapsulated liposomes, II. Systems containing nylon-gelatin and nylon-gelatin-acacia walling material.

Liposome suspension was encapsulated and isolated in nylon-gelatin and nylon-gelatin-acacia walled microcapsules. The resulting liposomal microcapsules could be stored in the dry state as a free-flowing powder. Liposomes remained intact after the microencapsulation, and encapsulation efficiency was greater than 90 per cent.

Preparation of microencapsulated liposomes.

Liposomal microcapsules were prepared by encapsulating a liposome suspension in a nylon wall formed by the interfacial polymerization technique. The resulting microcapsules were washed in ether to remove the chloroform and cyclohexane. Residual ether was removed by rinsing with distilled water prior to resuspending the microcapsules in aqueous medium.

Cretinism and lingual thyroid presenting in an adult.

A 29 year old woman presented with menorrhagia secondary to hypothyroidism. Subsequent investigation confirmed the presence of a lingual thyroid. Features of cretinism were present despite the late presentation.

Polymorphonuclear pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid during chemotherapy for tuberculous meningitis.

Five patients on chemotherapy for tuberculous meningitis developed sudden and unexpected cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis consisting predominantly of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The cellular changes, which developed 4-108 days after starting treatment, were not accompanied by an alteration in the clinical state and disappeared within a week whether or not an additional antibiotic was prescribed. Through the cause is uncertain, possible mechanisms are discussed.