Serotonin function and the mechanism of antidepressant action. Reversal of antidepressant-induced remission by rapid depletion of plasma tryptophan.

Brain serotonin content is dependent on plasma levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan. We investigated the behavioral effects of rapid tryptophan depletion in patients in antidepressant-induced remission. Twenty-one patients who were depressed by DSM-III-R criteria received a 24-hour, 160-mg/d, low-tryptophan diet followed the next morning by a 16-amino acid drink, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled (acute tryptophan depletion and control testing), crossover fashion.

Effect of buffer systems and pHi on the measurement of [Ca2+]i with fura 2.

The fluorescent probe, fura 2, is widely used to measure agonist-induced changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured cells. However, in many instances, the results obtained in the same cell type have differed from one study to the next. The possibility that such differences might be due to experimental conditions was examined by using fura 2 in four different cell types responding to appropriate agonists when the cells were incubated in either CO2/HCO3-- or HEPES-buffered media.

Monarthric gonococcal arthritis involving the calcaneocuboid joint.

Gonococcal arthritis is a frequently occurring clinical entity that should be included routinely in a differential diagnosis of pedal joint pain. Unfortunately, the lack of specificity in the presentation makes gonococcal arthritis difficult to diagnose. Indices of suspicion should rise with any sexually active patient, particularly when septic arthritis is suspected without a detectable portal of entry.

Spermidine labels proteins during sea urchin embryogenesis.

We have previously described the presence of a protein containing intact, covalently bound spermidine during very early embryogenesis of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus). Proteins containing other polyamine metabolites also appear as embryogenesis proceeds. These proteins which contain label derived from exogenous radioactive spermidine show a characteristic pattern which changes during the course of embryonic development.

Kinetics of cellular influx and histamine release in normal human bronchi.

Inhalation of certain substances can induce bronchial inflammation followed by bronchoconstriction or bronchial hyperreactivity. We have developed a model of airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction induced by an aqueous extract of cotton bracts (CBE) in which the severity of flow rate reduction correlates with the presence of bronchoalveolar neutrophils. In the current study normal human volunteers underwent local bronchial instillation of CBE.

Characterization of canine renal receptors for the parathyroid hormone-like protein associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Parathyroid hormone-like proteins (PTHLP) display actions in the kidney which are similar to those of parathyroid hormone (PTH). We compared the binding properties of PTHLP and PTH in canine renal cortical membranes to determine if they interacted with the same or different receptors. Radioiodination to high specific activity (greater than 400 microCi/micrograms) of [Nle8,18,Tyr34]human PTH-(1-34)amide and [Tyr36]PTHLP-(1-36)amide was performed using the lactoperoxidase method.

Polyamine metabolism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We have previously shown that polyamines have profound effects on lymphocyte proliferation and function. We now report that the proliferative response of cultured lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is abrogated by the addition of diacetyldiaminohexane (HMBA), the 6-carbon analogue of diacetylputrescine. In addition, this study demonstrates the post-translational modification of proteins by polyamines in CLL-lymphocytes, a decrease in the uptake of exogenous spermidine by CLL-lymphocytes which have been exposed to HMBA, and the significant conversion of spermidine to N1-acetylspermidine in CLL-lymphocytes.

Mania secondary to amantadine treatment of neuroleptic-induced hyperprolactinemia.

The authors report a case of mania secondary to amantadine in a patient for whom amantadine was used to treat galactorrhea and amenorrhea. Attempts to treat the mania and endocrine symptoms simultaneously and the biological implications are discussed.

Factors mediating lipopolysaccharide-induced ganglioside expression in murine peritoneal macrophages.

The ganglioside composition of endotoxin-responsive C3H/HeN murine peritoneal macrophages is known to undergo dramatic changes in vivo in response to intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharides (LPS), unlike endotoxin-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ macrophages. To better investigate the mechanism behind LPS-induced macrophage ganglioside changes, resident C3H/HeN peritoneal macrophages were treated in vitro with 0.1-1.

Synthetic parathyroid hormone-like protein-(1-74): biochemical and physiological characterization.

PTH-like protein-(1-74) [PTHLP-(1-74)] was synthesized and purified. On the basis of chromatographic criteria and amino acid composition of the full-length peptide, direct amino acid sequencing of the N-terminus, and amino acid composition and internal sequence of proteolytic fragments of PTHLP-(1-74), the synthetic peptide appears to be of high quality and purity. Physiological comparison of PTHLP-(1-74) to [Tyr36]-PTHLP-(1-36) amide and bovine (b) PTH-(1-34) indicates that all three peptides are of equivalent potency in the fetal rat long bone and rat osteosarcoma 17/2.

System design considerations for laser angioplasty.

Laser angioplasty, or the use of laser radiation to vaporize or remove obstructure atherosclerotic plaque, has been an active area of research for the past several years. This article reviews current design considerations for developing a safe, effective clinical laser angioplasty system. The choice of laser, fiber, and catheter determines the performance characteristics of such a system.

Cynical Mistrust and the search for self-worth.

Cynical Mistrust was examined among 64 medical and surgical patients, 23 of whom were selected for a history of CHD and 41 for an absence of such a history. Cynical Mistrust was found to differentiate subjects with a positive history from those without such a history. As hypothesized, persons scoring high in Cynical Mistrust also scored high in Self-Worth by Social Comparison, Playing Hardball with Others and Self-Criticism.

Septic arthritis and osteomyelitis from a cat bite.

A 39-year-old man with no prior history of underlying arthritis developed osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in his hand following a cat bite. This case illustrates the virulence of Pasteurella multocida infections associated with animal bites, particularly those of cats, whose teeth can inoculate bone directly. The onset of cellulitis caused by P.

Arginine vasopressin promotes growth of rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) binds specifically to vascular smooth muscle-like mesangial cells (MCs) and affects contraction. We tested whether this peptide also modulates growth behavior of rat MCs in early subculture (passage 2-5). Subconfluent, serum-starved MCs were exposed to AVP (10(-10)-10(-6) M) in the presence or absence of insulin (5 micrograms/ml).

Metamemory in temporal lobe epilepsy: self-monitoring of memory functions.

Temporal lobe seizure patients and control subjects participated in an investigation of metamemory. The two-part study explored the individual's perception of memory abilities for both encoding and retrieval. Experiment I addressed self-monitoring of encoding through a study of prediction of memory span.

System dynamics in complex psychiatric treatment organizations.

One of the major challenges facing contemporary psychiatry is the coordination of diverse services through organizational integration. With increasing frequency, psychiatric treatment takes place in complex treatment systems composed of multiple inpatient and outpatient programs. Particularly in public health care systems serving the chronically ill, contemporary practice demands a broad spectrum of programs, often geographically dispersed, that include crisis intervention teams, day treatment programs, substance abuse units, social rehabilitation programs and halfway houses (Bachrach 1983; Turner and TenHoor 1978).

Use of imipramine for attention deficit disorder in a borderline patient.

A subcategory of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who also meet criteria for attention deficit disorder (ADD) has recently been described. The present case involves a young man with BPD and ADD who failed to respond to methylphenidate but experienced a marked reversal of anxiety, explosiveness, restlessness, and affective lability when treated with imipramine. Tricyclics may prove to be helpful in borderlines who also meet criteria for ADD.

Bronchoalveolar cell activation after inhalation of a bronchoconstricting agent.

Airway inflammation is thought to be an important determinant of bronchoconstriction and bronchial hyperreactivity. We have recently demonstrated that bronchoconstriction induced by an aqueous extract of cotton bracts (CBE) is associated with bronchoalveolar complement activation, release of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) chemoattractants by pulmonary cells, and increased numbers of bronchoalveolar lavage PMN's. In the present study we performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on subjects after CBE or control (saline) challenge and examined whether BAL cells were activated in vitro to produce other inflammatory agonists.

Synthetic human parathyroid hormone-like protein stimulates bone resorption and causes hypercalcemia in rats.

Parathyroid hormone-like adenylate cyclase-stimulating proteins (hACSPs) have been implicated as one of the calcemic, bone-resorbing agents in patients with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. We report the synthesis of an amino-terminal hACSP fragment, Tyr36 hACSP (1-36) amide. The synthetic hACSP is a potent agonist of renal membrane adenylate cyclase (Km, 1.

Pneumocystis carinii thyroiditis.

A 38-year-old black man with a history of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome associated with intravenous drug abuse presented with two weeks of left-sided neck swelling. Results of thyroid function tests were within normal limits. Thyroid scan demonstrated nonvisualization of the left lobe.

Enhanced production rate of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in sarcoidosis.

We determined the metabolic clearance and production rates of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] in 5 patients with sarcoidosis who had either hypercalciuria or hypercalcemia to examine whether abnormalities in the metabolism of this hormone existed. The mean MCR in the 5 patients with sarcoidosis [40 +/- 9 (+/- SD) mL/min] was similar to that in 13 normal subjects (37 +/- 6 mL/min) and that in 9 patients with absorptive hypercalciuria and renal stones (35 +/- 4 mL/min). However, the mean serum 1,25-(OH)2D concentration was significantly higher in the patients with sarcoidosis (211 +/- 60 pmol/L) than in either of the other 2 groups.

Mechanisms of drug-induced pulmonary disease.

Administration of a number of therapeutic agents is associated with respiratory alterations. Mechanisms of these alterations are unclear but may include both direct toxic effects of the drugs and indirect effects through actions of the drugs on inflammatory cells. This review discusses mechanisms of the varied patterns of drug-induced pulmonary disease.