GASMoC method: a phenol-free technique to detect acid-fast bacilli.

The genre Mycobacterium includes a series of pathological species, such as M. tuberculosis, which is important for pathology laboratories to detect for a correct diagnosis. The Ziehl-Neelsen technique (ZNT) is the most commonly histochemical method used to detect these bacilli and uses a heated mixture of carbol-fuchsine, which contains basic fuchsine and phenol. Whereas the former component is responsible for the pinkish staining of acid-fast mycobacteria, the role of phenol is not completely understood and it has been suggested that its exclusion does not impact the detection ability of the ZNT. Since phenol is highly toxic and induces several injuries, the goal of this study is to determine the detection capacity of mycobacteria through a method that excludes the use of phenol. Accordingly, the GASMoC method, a modified ZNT that employs a solution of aqueous basic fuchsine heated at 37 °C, was tested on histological samples positive for mycobacteria and the results were compared to that of the ZNT. Data demonstrated that the GASMoC method was able to detect acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in all analyzed cases. Remarkably, microscopic inspection of mycobacteria was easier when the GASMoC method was applied. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that AFB detection does not require phenol and that the GASMoC method, a phenol-free technique, may substitute the ZNT in pathology laboratories.

Very late presentation of a disorder of sex development.

Disorders of sex development generally present in the neonatal period with ambiguity of external genitalia. We report a very old male patient presenting at 75 years because of panhypopituitarism and a large nonsecreting pituitary macroadenoma secondary to long-standing primary hypogonadism due to 46,XX sex reversal disorder now first diagnosed. Sex development disorders may go unrecognised for the entire life span, despite infertility and long-standing primary gonadic failure may lead to uncommon complications.

Atypical pituitary adenomas: 10 years of experience in a reference centre in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Primary pituitary tumours are classified by the World Health Organization as typical adenoma, atypical adenoma, or carcinoma. Information on the incidence and prevalence of these pituitary tumours is limited, and these data in Portugal are scarce, obsolete, or non-existent. Our study evaluates pituitary adenomas (PA) in the population of Lisbon, and it aims to describe the prevalence of all subgroups in order to revise the incidence of the 'atypical' histological type and its correlation to tumour subtype, invasion, and recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive analysis of patients with PA diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 was performed at Santa Maria University Hospital, a national reference centre. RESULTS: Of the 220 PA cases diagnosed, 28 (12.7%) fulfilled criteria for atypical lesions, and within that group, 23 were macroadenomas (82.1%) and 13 showed radiological evidence of invasion (46.4%). Ages ranged from 29 and 81 years (mean, 53.4 years). Eleven patients (39.3%) had functional tumours. Sixteen of the 28 patients (57.1%) experienced tumour recurrences; in the 100 adenomas monitored for more than 5 years, the recurrence rate in atypical PA was 7 times higher than in typical PA. Immunohistochemically, 28.6% of the tumours stained positively for ACTH, 25% for gonadotrophins, and 17.9% for prolactin. The proliferation index (Ki67) ranged from 3% and 25% (mean, 6.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Atypical PAs make up 12.7% of all surgically treated PA cases, and they tend to be invasive and recurrent macroadenomas. We found no differences in metastatic potential between typical and atypical PA.

Effects of density, climate, and supplementary forage on body mass and pregnancy rates of female red deer in Spain.

The influence of short- and long-term (cohort) effects of climate and density on the life-histories of ungulates in temperate regions may vary with latitude, habitat, and management practices, but the life-histories of ungulates in the Mediterranean region are less well known. This study examined the short- and long-term effects of rainfall and absolute density on hinds in two of the southernmost populations of red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) in Europe. One population received supplementary forage. Unlike more northerly latitudes, where red deer hinds lose body mass in winter as a result of adverse weather, in the Spanish populations, hinds did not lose body mass. Hinds in the population that received supplementary forage were heavier and more likely to become pregnant than were the hinds in the unsupplemented population. The likelihood of pregnancy occurring was strongly influenced by hind body mass; the proportion of yearlings that became pregnant was consequently lower in the unsupplemented population than in the population that received supplementary forage. Cohort effects on hind body mass (negative for density and positive for rainfall at birth) and on the probability of pregnancy (negative for density at birth) were apparent only in the unsupplemented population, which implies that supplemental feeding may partially compensate for negative density-dependent factors during early growth, and that supplemented deer hinds may experience reduced selection pressures. These results reflect the particular seasonal variation in the abundance and quality of food in Mediterranean habitats. The delayed effects of climate and density at birth on adult hind body mass and the prevalence of pregnancy probably affects population dynamics and constitutes a mechanism by which cohort effects affect the population dynamics in Iberian red deer. The management of Iberian red deer populations should take into account cohort effects and supplemental feeding practices, which can buffer density- and climate-dependent effects and reduce natural selection pressures.

Prognostic implications of telomerase expression in pituitary adenomas. / Implicación pronóstica de la expresión de telomerasa en adenomas hipofisarios.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prognostic value of telomerase expression in patients with pituitary adenomas (PAs) followed-up for at least 8 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of samples from 51 PAs (40 typical and 11 atypical) from patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery between 2006 and 2008 and from 10 normal pituitary glands obtained by autopsy. Telomerase expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, correlating the expression with that of Ki-67 and p53. RESULTS: We observed telomerase expression in 43 PAs (84.3%, 32 of the 40 typical PAs and in the 11 atypical PAs), which was higher in the clinically nonfunctioning cases (P=.0034) and very rare in the patients with acromegaly (P=.0001). There was a significant association between the percentage of tumour cells (>10%) and the recurrence of the adenoma (P=.039). There was no correlation with the expression of Ki-67 and p53 (P=.4986), and there were no differences according to age, sex, tumour size and invasiveness. CONCLUSIONS: A telomerase expression rate greater than 10% in the pituitary tumour tissue was associated with recurrence or progression of the PA, especially in the nonfunctioning cases.

Viability and functionality of bovine chromaffin cells encapsulated into alginate-PLL microcapsules with a liquefied inner core.

Implantation of adrenal medullary bovine chromaffin cells (BCC), which synthesize and secrete a combination of pain-reducing neuroactive compounds including catecholamines and opioid peptides, has been proposed for the treatment of intractable cancer pain. Macro- or microencapsulation of such cells within semipermeable membranes is expected to protect the transplant from the host's immune system. In the present study, we report the viability and functionality of BCC encapsulated into microcapsules of alginate-poly-L-lysine (PLL) with a liquefied inner core. The experiment was carried out during 44 days. Empty microcapsules were characterized in terms of morphology, permeability, and mechanical resistance. At the same time, the viability and functionality of both encapsulated and nonencapsulated BCC were evaluated in vitro. We obtained viable BCC with excellent functionality: immunocytochemical analysis revealed robust survival of chromaffin cells 30 days after isolation and microencapsulation. HPLC assay showed that encapsulated BCC released catecholamines basally during the time course study. Taken together, these results demonstrate that viable BCC can be successfully encapsulated into alginate-PLL microcapsules with a liquefied inner core.

[Prognostic implications of folliculo-stellate cells in pituitary adenomas: relationship with tumoral behavior]. / Implicacion pronostica de las celulas foliculo-estrelladas en adenomas hipofisarios: relacion con el comportamiento tumoral.

INTRODUCTION: Despite progress in understanding its pathogenesis, there has not yet been found any independent predictive marker of aggressive behavior of pituitary adenomas, to facilitate the treatment and monitoring of patients. AIM: To analyze the expression of folliculo-stellate cells by immunostaining with S-100 protein, in a series of patients with pituitary adenomas followed for at least seven years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 51 patients diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma between 2006 and 2008 was performed, according to current criteria established by the World Health Organization. The S-100 expression in folliculo-stellate cells was immunohistochemically evaluated, correlating it with clinico-radiological and histopathological tumor parameters and post-operative progression/recurrence. RESULTS: Of 51 tumors, 40 were classified as typical and 11 as atypical pituitary adenomas. Most typical pituitary adenomas showed positive folliculo-stellate cells for S-100 (mean: 3.93%); atypical had little/no cell S-100 positive (mean: 0.83%). There were no significant differences in the expression of S-100 with respect to age or sex of the patient, size, invasiveness or post-operative tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In our study group, with the exception of non-functioning adenomas immunopositive for prolactin, with the lowest and highest average of all subtypes in both groups (typical 0.25% vs atypical 9.24%; p = 0.0028), the predictive factor of tumor aggressiveness for pituitary adenomas, is not represented by a low value of S-100 in folliculo-stellate cells, not allowing select patients for intensive post-operative treatment.

TITLE: Implicacion pronostica de las celulas foliculo-estrelladas en adenomas hipofisarios: relacion con el comportamiento tumoral.Introduccion. A pesar del progreso en la comprension de su patogenia, no se ha encontrado ningun marcador predictivo independiente del comportamiento agresivo de los adenomas hipofisarios que facilite el tratamiento y seguimiento de pacientes afectados. Objetivo. Analizar la expresion de celulas foliculo-estrelladas, mediante inmunomarcacion con proteina S-100, en una serie de pacientes con adenomas hipofisarios seguidos durante al menos siete años. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 51 pacientes diagnosticados de adenoma hipofisario entre 2006 y 2008, segun los criterios vigentes de la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud. Se evaluo inmunohistoquimicamente la expresion de S-100 en celulas foliculo-estrelladas, y se correlaciono con parametros clinicorradiologicos e histopatologicos del tumor y la progresion/recurrencia postoperatoria. Resultados. De 51 tumores, 40 se clasificaron como adenomas hipofisarios tipicos y 11 como atipicos. La mayoria de los tipicos mostro celulas foliculo-estrelladas positivas para S-100 (media: 3,93%); los atipicos tenian pocas o ninguna celula S-100 positivas (media: 0,83%). No hubo diferencias significativas en la expresion de S-100 con respecto a la edad o sexo del paciente, tamaño, invasividad o recidiva tumoral posquirurgica. Conclusiones. En el grupo de estudio, a excepcion de los adenomas no funcionantes inmunopositivos para prolactina, con la media mas baja y mas alta de todos los subtipos en ambos grupos (tipicos, 0,25%, frente a atipicos, 9,24%; p = 0,0028), el factor predictivo de agresividad tumoral para los adenomas hipofisarios no esta representado por un bajo valor de S-100 en las celulas foliculo-estrelladas, lo que no permite seleccionar a pacientes para un tratamiento postoperatorio intensivo.

Intrathecal grafting of porcine chromaffin cells reduces formalin-evoked c-Fos expression in the rat spinal cord.

Chromaffin cells from the adrenal gland secrete a combination of neuroactive compounds including catecholamines, opioid peptides, and growth factors that have strong analgesic effects, especially when administered intrathecally. Preclinical studies of intrathecal implantation with xenogeneic bovine chromaffin cells in rats have provided conflicting data with regard to analgesic effects, and recent concern over risk of prion transmission has precluded their use in human clinical trials. We previously developed a new, safer source of adult adrenal chromaffin cells of porcine origin and demonstrated an in vivo antinociceptive effect in the formalin test, a rodent model of tonic pain. The goal of the present study was to confirm porcine chromaffin cell analgesic effects at the molecular level by evaluating neural activity as reflected by spinal cord c-Fos protein expression. To this end, the expression of c-Fos in response to intraplantar formalin injection was evaluated in animals following intrathecal grafting of 10(6) porcine or bovine chromaffin cells. For the two species, adrenal chromaffin cells significantly reduced the tonic phases of the formalin response. Similarly, c-Fos-like immunoreactive neurons were markedly reduced in the dorsal horns of animals that had received injections of xenogeneic chromaffin cells. This reduction was observed in both the superficial (I-II) and deep (V-VI) lamina of the dorsal horn. The present study demonstrates that both xenogeneic porcine and bovine chromaffin cells transplanted into the spinal subarachnoid space of the rat can suppress formalin-evoked c-Fos expression equally, in parallel with suppression of nociceptive behaviors in the tonic phase of the test. These findings confirm previous reports that adrenal chromaffin cells may produce antinociception by inhibiting activation of nociceptive neurons in the spinal dorsal horn. Taken together these results support the concept that porcine chromaffin cells may offer an alternative xenogeneic cell source for transplants delivering pain-reducing neuroactive substances.

Efficacy of octreotide in the management of chronic diarrhoea in AIDS.

Patients with HIV infection were studied to assess the efficacy of octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, in the long-term management of refractory diarrhoea. Dosage of subcutaneous octreotide was increased progressively at 48 h intervals from 150 to 300, 750 and 1500 micrograms/day according to response. Twenty-nine patients, 21 with Cryptosporidium enteritis, one with Isospora belli enteritis and seven with no identifiable pathogen were selected for the study; four of these were excluded from the study because of death during the first month (two cases), abdominal pain and acute pancreatitis (one case each). Twenty-five patients were evaluable for response. Ten patients (four with Cryptosporidium enteritis, five without an identifiable pathogen and one with I. belli enteritis) achieved a complete response (40%) and nine cases (all with cryptosporidial enteritis) had a partial response (36%). Patients with higher weight and Karnofsky performance status and non-cryptosporidial enteritis had a better response to treatment. Mean durations of treatment and response were 4.2 +/- 4.2 and 4.4 +/- 4.5 months, respectively. In the absence of specific agents for cryptosporidial enteritis and HIV enteropathy, octreotide was found to be useful in the management of chronic diarrhoea in AIDS patients.

Melatonin concentration before and during testosterone replacement in primary hypogonadic men.

OBJECTIVE: To study circadian levels of melatonin in primary hypogonadic adult men before and after testosterone treatment. DESIGN AND METHODS: Circadian serum melatonin profiles were studied in six men with primary hypogonadism before and during testosterone substitution and compared with an age-matched control group (n = 6). RESULTS: Hypogonadal patients had higher plasma melatonin concentrations than the control group during day time (34.2 +/- 8.8 compared with 5.4 +/- 0.5 ng/l, means +/- SD; P < 0.005) and night-time (74.8 +/- 34.5 compared with 30.8 +/- 3.2 ng/l). A 3 months course of testosterone replacement treatment in the hypogonadal group was followed by a diminution of the amplified melatonin circadian rhythm, with lower mean values both during the day (34.2.8 +/- 8 compared with 12.7 +/- 2.45 ng/l, P < 0.001) and at night (74.8 +/- 34.5 compared with 41.5 +/- 13.5 ng/l, P < 0.01), and a decrease in the total area under the curve (958 +/- 318 compared with 475.5 +/- 222.9, P = 0.046). There was a significant negative correlation between melatonin (r = -0.69) and testosterone concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that diminished testosterone in male primary hypogonadism is associated with enhanced plasma levels of melatonin, and that testosterone substitution treatment induces a deamplification of the circadian rhythm of melatonin values in humans.

Genetic, clinical, and biochemical analysis of unrelated Spanish families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To study seven unrelated Spanish families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I), describing clinical features and investigating the presence of germline mutations in the MEN1 gene, and (2) to establish reference values for pancreatic polypeptide and gastrin after a standardized test meal in a healthy control group, analyzing the usefulness of this test for detecting neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors in subjects with MEN I. METHODS: Two or three generations of 7 kindreds with MEN I, consisting of a total of 39 individual family members, were investigated. Three of the families were subjected only to genetic analysis, and the other four families were also assessed clinically. A group of 23 healthy control subjects were also studied. RESULTS: Mutations in the MEN1 gene were found in six of the seven families studied. Of the 4 families studied clinically, 12 family members were genetically affected. In these study subjects, hyperparathyroidism, adrenal adenomas, neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors, and pituitary adenomas developed in 100%, 50%, 16%, and 12%, respectively. All demonstrated pancreatic tumors were associated with abnormal results after a test meal, but 75% of them also showed high basal hormonal measurements. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the MEN1 gene decreases the total number of subjects who need to undergo repeated clinical and biochemical studies, but genetic mutations are not detected in all families with MEN I. Hyperparathyroidism is the most common manifestation of the syndrome, but the presence of adrenal adenomas has probably been underestimated. Ingestion of a standardized test meal for stimulation of gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide could be a complementary procedure for diagnosing gastroenteropancreatic tumors in selected patients with MEN I in whom basal gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide levels are normal.

Three decades of psychological research in the journal Cognitive Psychology (1979-1999).

We examined the journal Cognitive Psychology, as representative of the evolution of cognitive psychology during the last three decades (1979-1999). Analysis of changes in the impact factor defined according to the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) is an indication of the ranking of this journal both in the general classification of archival research journals as well as in relation to other periodicals in the area of cognitive psychology. This single quantitative measure of articles published in Cognitive Psychology indicates a change in the topics of interest. An analysis of the research topics and identification of the most productive authors identifies important indicators of the psychological topics of primary interest during this time.

Adenomas hipofisarios atípicos: experiencia de 10 años en un centro de referencia de Portugal / Atypical pituitary adenomas: 10 years of experience in a reference centre in Portugal

Introducción: Los tumores hipofisarios primarios son clasificados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como adenoma típico, adenoma atípico y carcinoma. Existen datos limitados sobre la incidencia y la prevalencia de tumores hipofisarios, siendo en Portugal escasos, obsoletos o inexistentes. Presentamos un estudio que evalúa los adenomas hipofisarios (AH) basado en la población de Lisboa, cuyo objetivo es describir la prevalencia de todos los subgrupos, revisando la incidencia de este tipo histopatológico «atípico» y su correlación con el subtipo de tumor, invasión y recurrencia. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un análisis descriptivo retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de AH entre 2004 y 2013, en el Hospital Universitario de Santa Maria (Lisboa), un centro de referencia nacional. Resultados: De 220 AH diagnosticados, 28 (12,7%) cumplían criterios de lesiones atípicas, 23 de los cuales (82,1%) fueron macroadenomas y 13 (46,4%) mostraron radiológicamente evidencia de invasión. La edad osciló entre 29-81 años (media 53,4 años). Once pacientes (39,3%) tenían tumores funcionantes. Dieciséis (57,1%) de los 28 pacientes presentaron tumores recurrentes; en 100 de los adenomas diagnosticados, con seguimiento superior a 5 años, se observó una tasa de recurrencia en AH atípicos hasta 7 veces superior. En estudios inmunohistoquímicos destacaron los positivos a ACTH (28,6%), a gonadotrofinas (25%) y a prolactina (17,9%). El índice proliferativo (Ki67) varió entre el 3 y el 25% (media 6,4%). Conclusiones: Los AH atípicos corresponden al 12,7% de los AH resecados, tendiendo a ser macroadenomas, invasivos y recurrentes. No encontramos diferencias entre AH típicos y atípicos en cuanto al potencial metastásico

Introduction: Primary pituitary tumours are classified by the World Health Organization as typical adenoma, atypical adenoma, or carcinoma. Information on the incidence and prevalence of these pituitary tumours is limited, and these data in Portugal are scarce, obsolete, or non-existent. Our study evaluates pituitary adenomas (PA) in the population of Lisbon, and it aims to describe the prevalence of all subgroups in order to revise the incidence of the ‘atypical’ histological type and its correlation to tumour subtype, invasion, and recurrence. Patients and methods: A retrospective, descriptive analysis of patients with PA diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 was performed at Santa Maria University Hospital, a national reference centre. Results: Of the 220 PA cases diagnosed, 28 (12.7%) fulfilled criteria for atypical lesions, and within that group, 23 were macroadenomas (82.1%) and 13 showed radiological evidence of invasion (46.4%). Ages ranged from 29 and 81 years (mean, 53.4 years). Eleven patients (39.3%) had functional tumours. Sixteen of the 28 patients (57.1%) experienced tumour recurrences; in the 100 adenomas monitored for more than 5 years, the recurrence rate in atypical PA was 7 times higher than in typical PA. Immunohistochemically, 28.6% of the tumours stained positively for ACTH, 25% for gonadotrophins, and 17.9% for prolactin. The proliferation index (Ki67) ranged from 3% and 25% (mean, 6.4%). Conclusions: Atypical PAs make up 12.7% of all surgically treated PA cases, and they tend to be invasive and recurrent macroadenomas. We found no differences in metastatic potential between typical and atypical PA

Evaluation of alginate microspheres for mesenchymal stem cell engraftment on solid organ.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be used as a cell source for cell therapy of solid organs due to their differentiation potential and paracrine effect. Nevertheless, optimization of MSC-based therapy needs to develop alternative strategies to improve cell administration and efficiency. One option is the use of alginate microencapsulation, which presents an excellent biocompatibility and an in vivo stability. As MSCs are hypoimmunogenic, it was conceivable to produce microparticles with [alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules] or without (alginate microspheres) a surrounding protective membrane. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the most suitable microparticles to encapsulate MSCs for engraftment on solid organ. First, we compared the two types of microparticles with 4 × 10(6) MSCs/ml of alginate. Results showed that each microparticle has distinct morphology and mechanical resistance but both remained stable over time. However, as MSCs exhibited a better viability in microspheres than in microcapsules, the study was pursued with microspheres. We demonstrated that viable MSCs were still able to produce the paracrine factor bFGF and did not present any chondrogenic or osteogenic differentiation, processes sometimes reported with the use of polymers. We then proved that microspheres could be implanted under the renal capsule without degradation with time or inducing impairment of renal function. In conclusion, these microspheres behave as an implantable scaffold whose biological and functional properties could be adapted to fit with clinical applications.

Implicación pronóstica de la expresión de telomerasa en adenomas hipofisarios / Prognostic implications of telomerase expression in pituitary adenomas

Objetivos. Analizar el valor pronóstico de la expresión de telomerasa en pacientes con adenomas hipofisarios (AH) seguidos durante al menos 8 años. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de las muestras de 51 AH (40 típicos y 11 atípicos) de pacientes sometidos a cirugía transesfenoidal entre 2006 y 2008, y de 10 hipófisis normales obtenidas por autopsia. Se evaluó la expresión de telomerasa por inmunohistoquímica correlacionándola con la de Ki-67 y p53. Resultados. Se observó expresión de telomerasa en 43 AH (84,3%, 32 de los 40 típicos y en los 11 atípicos), siendo mayor en los casos clínicamente no funcionantes (p=0,0034) y muy escasa en los pacientes con acromegalia (p=0,0001). Hubo una asociación significativa entre el porcentaje de células tumorales (>10%) y la recurrencia del adenoma (p=0,039). No hubo correlación con la expresión de Ki-67 y p53 (p=0,4986) ni se observaron diferencias en función de la edad, el sexo, el tamaño o la invasividad tumoral. Conclusiones. Un índice de expresión de telomerasa mayor del 10% en el tejido hipofisario tumoral se asoció a recurrencia o progresión del AH, especialmente en los no funcionantes

Objectives. To analyse the prognostic value of telomerase expression in patients with pituitary adenomas (PAs) followed-up for at least 8 years. Patients and methods. A retrospective study was conducted of samples from 51 PAs (40 typical and 11 atypical) from patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery between 2006 and 2008 and from 10 normal pituitary glands obtained by autopsy. Telomerase expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, correlating the expression with that of Ki-67 and p53. Results. We observed telomerase expression in 43 PAs (84.3%, 32 of the 40 typical PAs and in the 11 atypical PAs), which was higher in the clinically nonfunctioning cases (P=.0034) and very rare in the patients with acromegaly (P=.0001). There was a significant association between the percentage of tumour cells (>10%) and the recurrence of the adenoma (P=.039). There was no correlation with the expression of Ki-67 and p53 (P=.4986), and there were no differences according to age, sex, tumour size and invasiveness. Conclusions. A telomerase expression rate greater than 10% in the pituitary tumour tissue was associated with recurrence or progression of the PA, especially in the nonfunctioning cases

Plasma chemistry reference values from captive red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa).

1. Haematological and plasma biochemical parameters of 66 captive red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) of both sexes were analysed in order to determine reference values, taking sex and age into account. 2. There were no statistically significant differences in haematocrit, plasma glucose content or creatine kinase activity either with age or between sexes. 3. Plasma cholesterol concentrations showed differences between sexes, whereas the plasma concentrations of urea, uric acid and creatinine were significantly affected by age. 4. Plasma triglyceride and total protein concentrations were affected by both sex and age. 5. A peak at 6 months old in those parameters related to protein metabolism, such as urea, uric acid and creatinine may be related to the end of the growing period and the start of ovulation after moulting.

Episodic nyctohemeral secretion of melatonin in adult humans: lack of relation with LH pulsatile pattern.

The concentration of melatonin and LH were determined in plasma samples obtained at 10-min intervals during 4 h of darkness (00.00-04.00 h) from 4 normal women, age 23-27 years, in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and in 6 normal men, age 23-31 years. Additionally, melatonin concentration was determined in samples obtained from the men at 10-min intervals for 4 h during the day (10.00-14.00 h). A pulsatile pattern of melatonin secretion was found for all the subjects during darkness. There was no significant difference between women and men as to the number of pulses (2.8 +/- 0.5 vs 5.2 +/- 1.0 per h), amplitude of pulses (51.3 +/- 28 vs 27.2 +/- 6 ng/l), concentration per 4 h (32.5 +/- 13 vs 31.0 +/- 5 ng/l), or apparent half-life of melatonin (19.3 +/- 2.3 vs 15.3 +/- 7.5 min). The mean amplitude of the melatonin pulse correlated (r = 0.863, p less than 0.001) with the mean melatonin concentration per 4 h. A pulsatile LH secretion pattern was found for the 10 subjects and did not correlate significantly with the melatonin secretion pattern. The results are consistent with an independent signal for the demonstrated nyctohemeral pulsatile melatonin and LH secretions.