Two-Proton Radioactivity of

In an experiment with the BigRIPS separator at the RIKEN Nishina Center, we observed two-proton (2p) emission from ^{67}Kr. At the same time, no evidence for 2p emission of ^{59}Ge and ^{63}Se, two other potential candidates for this exotic radioactivity, could be observed. This observation is in line with Q value predictions which pointed to ^{67}Kr as being the best new candidate among the three for two-proton radioactivity. ^{67}Kr is only the fourth 2p ground-state emitter to be observed with a half-life of the order of a few milliseconds. The decay energy was determined to be 1690(17) keV, the 2p emission branching ratio is 37(14)%, and the half-life of ^{67}Kr is 7.4(30) ms.

Standards of nutrition for athletes in Germany.

The Deutscher Olympische Sportbund (DOSB) founded recently an advisory board for German elite athlete nutrition, the 'Arbeitsgruppe (AG) Ernahrungsberatung an den Olympiastutzpunkten'. The 'Performance codex and quality criteria for the food supply in facilities of German elite sports' have been established since 1997. The biochemical equivalent (ATP) for the energy demand is calculated using the DLW (Double Labeled Water)-method on the basis of RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) and BMR (Basic Metabolic Rate) at sport type specific exercises and performances. Certain nutraceutical ingredients for dietary supplements can be recommended. However, quality criteria for nutrition, cooking and food supply are defined on the basis of Health Food and the individual physiological/social-psychological status of the athlete. Especially food supplements and instant food have to be avoided for young athletes. The German advisory board for elite athlete nutrition publishes 'colour lists' for highly recommended (green), acceptable (yellow), and less recommended (red) food stuff.

Receptive music therapy and salivary histamine secretion.

INTRODUCTION: Receptive music therapy (rMT) not only provides a good feeling but also a more effective healing process and mastery of stress. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a preliminary study it could be shown that American Doudouk-music (feel-good music) suppressed salivary histamine secretion in two groups (n = 4) of allergic and non-allergic young volunteers. Stress was induced by eating adverse food/allergenic food during music exposure. There was no response in the vein blood samples and no significant difference between the allergic and non-allergic groups. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that saliva is an appropriate medium for histamine measurements during music exposure.

Histamine regulates placental cytokine expression--in vivo study on HDC knockout mice.

Successful pregnancy is closely related to polarization toward a Th2 type immune response. As histamine is known to initiate Th2 dominance during inflammatory processes we raised the question whether histamine has any effect on the actual tuning of proper cytokine balance for the proceeding of the gestation. Histamine has multiple functions in the process of pregnancy, different studies have shown the direct and/or indirect presence of histamine action in the placenta as well. As HDC is the unique histamine producing enzyme in eukaryotes, we used HDC (so endogenous histamine)-deficient knockout mice as reliable model for studying histamine-related processes in vivo. We examined the placental histamine content and the expression of histamine receptors and Th1/Th2/Th3 type cytokines in the placenta. We showed for the first time the influence of histamine on the orchestrated regulation of placental cytokine expression. In the absence of local histamine the cytokine balance is shifted toward Th1 types at the maternal-placental interface, threatening pregnancy. We also measured splenic lymphocyte subpopulation ratios in pregnant and non-pregnant mice and found that in pregnancy they are independent of the presence of histamine.

Dose-dependent effects of linear and cyclic somatostatin on ethanol-induced gastric erosions: the role of mast cells and increased vascular permeability in the rat.

Somatostatin prevents hemorrhagic gastric erosions produced by ethanol. In this paper we describe studies with linear (reduced) and cyclic (oxidized) synthetic somatostatin-14 in the rat model of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury. The linear form of somatostatin was more potent at concentrations of 10(-9) to 10(-8) mol per rat than the cyclic isomere. However, at a concentration of 10(-7) mol per rat i.p. injection of linear somatostatin significantly (P less than 0.01) enhanced gastric erosions caused by the alcohol. The area of hemorrhagic mucosal lesions correlated significantly (r = -0.846) with mast cell depletion in the gastric mucosa of the animals. Increased vascular permeability and mast cell degranulation were also observed after intradermal injection of linear or cyclic somatostatin. The 'cytoprotective' as well as the aggravating potency of linear somatostatin may be connected to gastric mucosal mast cell activity in the rat.

Pyrethroids and piperonyl-butoxide affect human T-lymphocytes in vitro.

Synthetic pyrethroids are increasingly used as insecticides and are claimed to have a relatively low human toxicity. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro effects of the synthetic pyrethroid S-bioallethrin alone and in combination with the common synergist piperonyl-butoxide (PBO) on human blood lymphocytes and basophils in atopic individuals and non-atopic control subjects. S-bioallethrin and PBO also caused inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation (MTT-test) after a 72-h culture period in a concentration dependent manner. In contrast to the MTT-measurements the combined agents are more effective in inhibiting interleukin-4 (IL-4)- and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-production. The regulatory IL-4/IFN-gamma balance showed a significant difference between atopic and non-atopic subjects after a culture period of 24-48 h in the presence of micromolar S-bioallethrin (P < 0.001). Furthermore S-bioallethrin, PBO and the combined agents induced histamine release from human basophils. Although this effect was little compared to histamine liberators like FMLP and anti-IgE, the response to S-bioallethrin and PBO was significantly different in atopic donors compared with non-atopics (P < 0.01). In scratch test experiments 4 of 18 tested atopic volunteers showed positive reaction (wheals and flares) to S-bioallethrin and permethrin, whereas no reaction could be measured in the control group (age-matched). These findings demonstrate the immuno- and allergo-toxicological properties of the synthetic pyrethroid S-bioallethrin combined with the synergistic PBO using this in vitro approach with human lymphocytes and basophils.

In vitro interleukin 4 and interferon-gamma production by mononuclear cells from atopic dermatitis patients.

In order to elucidate further the possible role of specific cytokines in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) the in vitro production of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with severe atopic dermatitis (n = 4) was compared with that in a group of non-atopic healthy controls. Overall IL-4 production by PHA- and PWM-driven PBMNCs was increased in controls during the first 48 h in culture. Addition of interleukin 2 (IL-2) into parallel cultures generated an insignificant (p > 0.05) increase in IL-4 production in AD patients compared with that from controls. IFN-gamma production by PWM-stimulated PBMNCs was markedly decreased in AD patients compared with controls (p < 0.01). Addition of IL-2 (250 U/ml) to parallel cultures failed to restore IFN-gamma production in AD patients. Finally, no IL-4 or IFN-gamma activity could be detected in any of the sera. In conclusion, the data suggest a possible dysregulation of cytokine production in at least a subgroup of AD patients, with an impaired capacity to secrete IFN-gamma, but a partially intact IL-4 generating capacity.

Effects of somatostatin on ethanol-induced gastric erosions in the rat: role of mast cells.

Somatostatin (S) inhibits hemorrhagic gastric erosions produced by ethanol. In this study we compared the dose-dependent effects of linear (reduced) and cyclic (oxidized) S with respect to mast cell degranulation. The gastric mucosal injuries were more inhibited by linear S than by cyclic S. But linear S aggravated injury at a certain dose (10(-7) mol/rat). Mucosal mast cell degranulation correlated significantly with the area of hemorrhagic mucosal lesions (r = 0.91). Both cytoprotection as well as aggravation potency of S may be connected to gastric mucosal mast cell activity in the rat.

Occurrence of calcitonin, somatostatin-like immunoreactivity, and carcinoembryonic antigen in two sisters suffering from familial thyroid medullary carcinoma.

The presence of calcitonin, somatostatin-like immunoreactivity and carcinoembryonic antigen in tumor tissues (surgically obtained) and identified by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique, is reported in two sisters suffering from familial thyroid medullary carcinoma. C-cell hyperplasia occurred in both individuals. Preoperatively, both patients had elevated calcitonin serum levels (290 pM, 991.8 ng/l), and carcinoembryonic antigen (60 micrograms/l). No ACTH or thyroglobulin immunoreactivity could be found in the tumor tissue. After thyroidectomy, 131I-treatment and percutaneous radiation, somatostatin-like immunoreactivity and carcinoembryonic antigen plasma levels were in the normal range, whereas calcitonin was still elevated. It is proposed that calcitonin, somatostatin, and carcinoembryonic antigen are produced by the thyroid medullary carcinoma.

Histamine secretion in leukocyte incubates of patients with allergic hyperreactivity induced by somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-28.

Somatostatin is a potent histamine secretagogue found not only in rat mast cells but also in human leukocyte preparations. In concentrations greater than or equal to 5 mumol/l, somatostatin-14 induces histamine release, which correlates with the basophilic blood cell count, as shown in samples from allergic patients suffering from slight basophilia. Somatostatin-14 is twice as effective as somatostatin-28 on a molar basis, and acylating the tetradecapeptide with N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-p-hydroxy-phenyl-propionate decreases significantly the potency of histamine release.

Failure of somatostatin and beta-endorphin to affect bovine adrenal cortex cells in vitro.

The main intention of this study was to examine the effect of cyclic somatostatin (SRIF) on bovine adrenal cell activity in vitro. beta-Endorphin was applied in another course of experiments. Basal aldosterone secretion when measured was found to be 0.86 +/- 0.33 ng per 10(5) cells and 1.5 h incubation time in the glomerulosa cell fractions. Cortisol production was 1.6 +/- 0.3 ng per 10(5) cells in the fasciculata/reticularis cell incubates respectively. No effect was observed when cyclic somatostatin (SRIF) was added to cell incubates of the bovine adrenal cortex. However, aldosterone secretion was increased 4.5-fold in the presence of 10(-9)M ACTH or 10(-8)M At II. Cortisol production was enhanced similarly after addition of 10(-9)M ACTH.

Application of rat mast cell incubates as a possible short-time test for sensitizing occupational chemicals.

The direct action of sensitizing occupational chemicals (formaldehyde, phenol, phenylhydrazine, p-aminophenol) on rat mast cells was investigated by determination of histamine using HPLC separation and fluorimetric detection. It turned out that dispensed mast cells from immunized and non-immunized Wistar-rats are more sensitive than small-cut lung tissue slices. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was negative after a fortnight sensitizing experiment with the here described occupational chemicals. Short-time tests with rat mast cells reflect anaphylactoid response and are suitable for the screening of sensitizing chemicals.

Somatostatin-induced histamine release in mast cell incubates from thymusaplastic nude rats.

Both cyclic and linear somatostatin-14 are potent histamine secretagogues in rat mast cell incubates. Linear somatostatin-14 is more effective than cyclic somatostatin-14 in a concentration range up to 10(-6) mol/l, in normal Sprague-Dawley rats, and even more responsive in sensitized hooded Lister rats. This additional mast cell stimulation capacity of linear somatostatin-14 depends on circulating IgE levels. No differences are observed in athymic rat mast cell incubates between the linear and the cyclic isomer of somatostatin-14. A direct unspecific interaction of linear somatostatin with cell surface antibodies can be concluded.

Coexistence of somatostatin-immunoreactivity in an adrenal pheochromocytoma and a thyroid medullary carcinoma (Sipple syndrome).

The presence of somatostatin-immunoreactivity in tumor tissue of adrenal pheochromocytoma and thyroid medullary carcinoma identified by peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique is reported in one case of Sipple syndrome. This patient was found to have a high concentration of somatostatin-immunoreactivity in the peripheral blood (40 ng/l, normal 0-20 ng/l). After removal of the tumors, the plasma somatostatin-immunoreactivity fell within normal range (12.5 ng/l). This seems to be the first report of Sipple syndrome that produces somatostatin-immunoreactivity in both: pheochromocytoma and thyroid medullary carcinoma.

Pyrethroid insecticides influence the signal transduction in T helper lymphocytes from atopic and nonatopic subjects.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Pyrethroids are claimed to have a low human toxicity with some neuro- and immunotoxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the immunotoxicological properties of six commercially used pyrethroids, including natural pyrethrum and synergist piperonyl-butoxide (PBO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PHA-stimulated cultures of T-helper lymphocytes and blood basophil incubates from nonatopic and atopic patients (IgE > 1000 IU) provided cytokine and histamine determination. Western blot analysis was used for the measurement of Th2-specific signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT6). Pyrethroids and xenobiotics were added 4 h post-plating. RESULTS: We demonstrated that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and expression was correlated with lymphocyte proliferation, however, interleukin-4 (IL-4) was down-regulated at the end of the 3 day culture. Atopics showed significantly higher IL-4 activity than nonatopics. Pyrethroids inhibited IFN-gamma and IL-4 in both groups at around 10(-5) M. Only fenvalerate and S-bioallethrin combined with 10-fold PBO in the atopic-enriched blood basophil incubates caused a weak but significant increase in histamine release. Histamine acted bidirectionally on STAT6, but pyrethroids inhibited the intracellular Th2-specific STAT6 more effectively in atopics than in nonatopics. CONCLUSION: It can be suggested that pyrethroids inhibit signal transduction in human lymphocytes ex vivo, and do not act via lymphocyte-influencing histamine release.

Somatostatin binding factor from chicken pancreas.

A soluble somatostatin binding factor was detected in cell-free extracts from chicken pancreas. For binding measurements Tyr1-somatostatin was radio-labeled with 125I by the lactoperoxidase technique. Specific radioactivity of about 18.5 MBq/nmol was achieved. Maximal total binding is approximately 0.17 (B/T) in the presence of 30 mg/l pancreatic protein. The specific binding is 0.10 and is suppressed by addition of 1 mg/l synthetic cold cyclic somatostatin. The dose-response curve of synthetic cyclic somatostatin is in the range of 0.6-600 nmol/l. Ca2+ and reduced thiol-reagents inhibit the specific binding. Insulin, glucagon and corticotropin show a low, and luliberin and reduced somatostatin a high cross-reactivity. Molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration and the specific binding molecule was eluted at a Kav = 0.2 on an Ultrogel (AcA 54) column. This corresponds to Mr 40 000. Electrophoretic properties of the binding complex and semipurification by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis: relative mobility of the 125I-Tyr-somatostatin binding complex is about 0.6. Relative mobilities of binding-protein fractions are 0.71 and 0.74. Highest relative specific binding was detected in the (100 000 g) cytosol fractions. Binding with cell-free extracts from the splenic lobe area was 4-fold higher than that from other parts of the chicken pancreas.