Renin angiotensin system gene polymorphisms in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

Genetic variability in the renin angiotensin system may modify renal responses to injury and disease progression. We therefore examined whether the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, the Met235-->Thr polymorphism of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, and the A1166-->C polymorphism of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (ATR1) were associated with disease progression and outcome after renal transplantation (Tx) in 100 Caucasian pediatric renal transplant recipients. The observed allele frequencies were: DD 31%, DI 41% and II 28%, for ACE; MM 42%, MT 37% and TT 21%, for the methionine (Met)235-->threonine (Thr) polymorphism of AGT; and AA 51%, AC 38% and CC 11%, for the adenine (A)1166-->cytosine (C) gene polymorphism. The slope of 1/creatinine was determined by linear regression analysis of a median of 12 points before and after renal Tx, and the population was divided in two equal groups, according to the slope, both before and after Tx. There were no statistically significant differences for AGT, ACE, and ATR1 polymorphisms with regard to the slope of 1/creatinine before renal Tx. After renal Tx, the ACE II genotype (p = 0.024, chi-square test) and the presence of the I allele (p=0.033, chi-square test) were associated with a favorable slope of 1/creatinine. There was no association of the AGT or the ATR1 polymorphism with outcome after renal Tx, and none of the genotypes were associated with hypertension before or after renal Tx. We suggest that the beneficial association of disease progression after renal Tx with the II genotype and/or the presence of the I allele in our pediatric cohort might be explained by a lower activity of the circulating ACE enzyme associated with the I allele.

[Climatic chambers for animals]. / Klimakammern für Tiere.

The KTLK 20 000 is a climatic thermolight chamber developed for plant research by VEB Nema Netzschkau. It was modified into a climatic thermal chamber for animals by the Institute of Applied Livestock Hygiene in cooperation with the above manufacturers. Two climatic chambers are in operation. They are different in size. Their structure and working principle are described.

[Interaction between the temperature of the surroundings, performance and level of feed for growing pigs]. / Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Umgebungstemperatur, Leistung und Fütterungshöhe bei wachsenden Schweinen.

Investigations of the performance of growing pigs in the live weight range of 30 to 60 kg kept individually and in groups with ad libitum and rationed feeding were carried out in two air-conditioned rooms. The air temperature in the individual experiments was 20 degrees C, 10 degrees C and 5 degrees C, the relative atmospheric moisture in all experiments was between 70 and 80%. A diminished growth of 24 g per day per degrees C below 20 degrees could be ascertained for pigs kept individually. The diminishing of the growth can be compensated by an increase of the feed intake of 1.3 g per kg live weight, day and degrees C resp. the intake of metabolisable energy of 4 kcal per kg live weight, day and degrees C until the capacity of feed consumption is reached.

[Air movements and animal performance in temperatures above the optimum]. / Luftbewegung und Tierleistung bei Temperaturen über dem Optimalbereich.

High indoor temperatures in modern stables of livestock farming units have to be offset to avoid loss in animal performance, and this is possible only through improved heat emission of the organism. Increase in air movement, for the time being, is the most effective method. A theoretical account is given of the amount of air movement required in temperatures above optimum and compared with literature data.

[Single and complex effect of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the air on small laboratory animals (rats) under various environmental conditions. 1. Effect of ammonia]. / Die Einzel- und Komplexwirkung von Ammoniak und Schwefelwasserstoff in der Luft auf kleine Versuchstiere (Ratten) bei unterschiedlichen Umweltbedingungen 1. Mitteilung: Die Wirkung von Ammoniak

The maximum per-animal-position concentration of ammonia was studied under defined environmental conditions and with reference to basic stress on thermoregulation. The normal value of 30 ppm NH3, laid down in TGL 29084, was experimentally confirmed.

[Single and complex effect of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the air on small laboratory animals (rats) under various environmental conditions 2. Effect of hydrogen sulfide alone and hydrogen sulfide with ammonia and dust]. / Die Einzel- und Komplexwirkung von Ammoniak und Schwefelwasserstoff in der Luft auf kleine Versuchstiere (Ratten) bei unterschiedlichen Umweltbedingungen 2. Mitteilung: Die Wirkung von Schwefelwasserstoff sowie Schwefelwasserstoff, Ammoniak und Staub

The maximum tolerable concentrations per animal position of hydrogen sulphide alone (5 ppm) and with ammonia (5 ppm H2S; 30 ppm NH3) were established by model experiments under defined environmental conditions. The normal values of the contaminant gas combination were found to be acceptable even with additional dust load on the experimental animals. TGL 29084 should stipulate 5 ppm hydrogen sulphide as the new maximum concentration per animal position.