Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity in cat extra-adrenal paraganglia.

In the cat peripheral dopaminergic organs such as the carotid body, subclavian bodies, aortico-pulmonary glomera and small intensively fluorescent cell (SIF cell) clusters of the superior cervical ganglion and the nodose ganglion were found to contain cholecystokinin (CCK)-immunoreactive paraganglionic cells. Thus, the extra-adrenal paraganglionic system may serve as a model for studying peripheral interactions of CCKergic and dopaminergic mechanisms.

Synthesis of estrogen sulfamates: compounds with a novel endocrinological profile.

Estrogen sulfamates are promising hormones by oral administration. Therefore, generally applicable and convenient methods for the multigram synthesis of these derivatives are desirable. Numerous estra-1,3,5(10)-trienes derived from estrone, estradiol. 14 alpha,15 alpha-methylenestradiol, ethinylestradiol, and estriol have been esterified with sulfamoyl chloride and N-methylsulfamoyl chloride by a novel approach involving the use of 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridines as bases and chemoselective hydroxy group protections. These pathways circumvent the nonselective formation of esters and side reactions by in situ generated azasulfenes. For toxicological and clinical studies a new synthesis of estrone sulfamate on a 100-g scale was developed using dimethylformamide as the solvent and base.

Nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus erythropolis: metabolization of steroidal compounds with a nitrile group.

The progestin dienogest (17alpha-cyanomethyl-17beta-hydroxy-estra-4,9-dien-3-one) was metabolized by the nitrile hydratase-containing microorganism Rhodococcus erythropolis. An enzymatic hydrolysis of the nitrile group at the 17alpha-side chain was intended to obtain novel derivatives and to test them for progesterone receptor affinity. In contrast to the rapid enzymatic hydrolysis of nonsteroidal nitriles, the nitrile group of dienogest was cleaved very slowly. The dominant reaction was an aromatization of ring A. After prolonged fermentation, the 17alpha-acetamido derivatives of estradiol and of 9(11)-dehydroestradiol were formed. Three of the metabolites were also prepared synthetically. They were tested for hormonal activity by assessing their binding to progesterone and estrogen receptors in vitro. Neither the aromatized 17alpha-acetamido derivatives nor the dienogest derivative 17alpha-acetamido-17beta-hydroxy-estra-4,9-dien-3-one, which was prepared synthetically only, exhibited affinity for the progesterone receptor.

Satisfaction of inpatients and outpatients with staff, environment, and other patients.

The study described here compared levels of satisfaction with staff, environment, and other patients among 420 first-time and long-term patients in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient settings. The demographic, clinical, and outcome variables associated with satisfaction were explored. Patient satisfaction was related to quality of life, social functioning, treatment expectations, and one-year psychological and physical prognoses. Perceptions of other patients were significantly more positive among long-term patients than among first-time patients. The concerns of first-time patients about other patients are of special importance, and they should be addressed during initial treatment.

Long QT syndrome associated with inflammatory degeneration of the stellate ganglia.

A well-studied case of intermittent long QT syndrome in a 21-year-old female is presented. Electrophysiologic investigation repeated three times revealed changing sinoatrial and atrioventricular dysfunction and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. The patient died 29 months after first hospitalization in a stage of electromechanical dissociation after runs of torsade de pointes although she had been treated with repeated anti-inflammatory therapy as well as high doses of propranolol. Postmortem examination demonstrated active inflammation of stellate ganglia. Myocardium appeared normal.

Tracer studies of urea kinetics in growing pigs: II. The effect of starch infusion at the distal ileum on urea recycling and bacterial nitrogen excretion.

Six gilts, with an average BW of 70 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum to study the effect of continuous starch infusion on urea kinetics by means of a radioisotope dilution technique. The pigs were fed twice daily 600 g of a cornstarch-based diet formulated to contain 16% CP by supplementation with isolated soy protein. Infusion of starch, compared with water, decreased (P < .05) plasma urea concentration, urea pool size, and entry, excretion, and degradation rates; urea turnover rate and urea space were not affected (P > .05). Expressed as a percentage of total entry rate, approximately 40% of urea was recycled into the digestive tract in both infusion treatments. The stimulation of microbial fermentation in the large intestine resulted in an increase (P < .05) in fecal N excretion, which was mainly due to an increased excretion of bacterial N. This increase could not be attributed to a greater secretion of urea into the large intestine and its subsequent utilization by the intestinal microflora. The increased bacterial N assimilation after starch infusion led to a reduction in ammonia absorption from the large intestine, which in turn was reflected by a reduced urinary N excretion. As a result, the overall N balance was not affected. In a second experiment, two barrows, with an average BW of 80 kg, were fed twice daily 1.4 kg of a cereal-based diet. The body urea pool of both pigs was labeled with a single injection of 1 g and 2 g of [15N]urea, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Quantum chemical studies on substituted benzamidines as inhibitors of the serine proteinases trypsin and thrombin]. / Quantenchemische Untersuchungen an substituierten Benzamidinen als Inhibitoren der Serinproteinasen Trypsin und Thrombin.

Substituted benzamidines are competitive inhibitors of trypsin and thrombin. The aim of this work is to find an interpretation for the relation between chemical structure of the inhibitors and the activity on the both enzymes by quantum chemical methods. For the description of the electrostatic interaction between inhibitor and enzyme the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) was used. The interpretation took place with the help of a simple model of reactive groups in the enzyme. The obtained results were discussed and compared with those resulting from CNDO/2--reactivity indices. The application of the MEP shows its advantage to investigations of enzyme-inhibitor interactions.

[The chronically altered appendix in children. Cooperative work of the Austrian Society for Pediatric Surgery]. / Die "chronisch veränderte" appendix beim kind. Gemeinschaftsarbeit der Osterreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinderchirurgie.

In this multicentric study the anamnestic data and parents questionaires of 2-29 children were evaluated, whose appendix vermiformis at the time of operation showed no signs of inflammation. 31,1% macroscopically showed cicatrisation or fasciation, in 13,7% other enteral or gynaecological (1%) findings were present. In 1194 of the cases of patho-histological examination of the appendix had been made of which 36.4% were negative, 37.7% showed cicatrisation, 15,0% oxyuriasis and 10,4% coproliths. In the discussion of the significance of the chronically altered non-inflamed appendix we compared patients with and without macroscopical or microscopical alterations. We came to the conclusion that the probability-index as to sex, duration of symptoms, complexity of symptoms, incidence of postoperative well-being, proved the chronically altered appendix not to be an illness per se, but the result of spontaneously arrested inflammation. Since the rate of children admitted with a perforated appendix is high (15-20%) in comparison with the rate of complications after removal of non-inflamed appendices (2,9%), we believe that according to the diagnostical problems the principle can be maintained: in dubio pro operatione.

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: determination of IgM, IgG and avidity in filter paper-embedded blood.

OBJECTIVE: To detect immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and determine immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer and avidity in filter paper-embedded blood (FPEB) samples of pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 100 FPEB samples of pregnant women (30 positive and 70 negative) were analyzed for anti-T. gondii-specific IgM antibodies. Eleven and nine pairs of serum and FPEB samples were used to standardize IgG titration and avidity, respectively. Then, the correlation of avidity results was determined with 23 serum/FPEB pairs from IgG-positive cases. RESULT: IgM detection in FPEB was 92% sensitive and 100% specific. The titration of IgG antibodies in FPEB correlated with that of serum (r >or=0.9). Significant difference in avidity between the acute and the undetermined/chronic cases was observed in both samples. As expected, no correlation was found between IgM levels and avidity. CONCLUSION: The FPEB is useful to infer infection phase, and thus to speed clinical decisions in congenital toxoplasmosis management.

[Isolation and study of a new marine bacterium growing on hydrocarbons. I. Physiological study (author's transl)]. / Isolement et étude d'une bactérie marine se développant sur hydrocarbures. I. Caractères physiologiques

The bacterial strain L.16.1 isolated from coastal waters polluted by oil-waste, close to the genus Alcaligenes, utilizes preferentially alkanes with a carbon number greater than 9. Sugars and amino-acids cannot serve as carbon source to this bacterium. Cells grown on hydrocarbon the chain length of which ranges from C10 to C18 exhibit very high yield (98%) with a growth rate of 0.47. From our studies it appears that strain L.16.1 is strictly dependent on the presence of the Na+ ion and that this Na+ dependence can be seen at each level of the physiological activity. Alkane-grown cells show morphological features namely disc shaped cytoplasmic vesicles (6-8 per cell). Such vesicles are to be regarded as a consequence of the very high lipid content (twice the standard) which characterizes these cells. Additional lipids belong essentially to the nonsaponifiable fraction (20 times more in hexadecane grown cells); on the contrary, the phospholipid content at both qualitative and quantitative points of view does not depend on the nature of the growth substrate.

[Pharmacokinetic of platin in plasma and urine of man under 1-, 8-, and 24 h-infusion with cis-dichlorodiamine-platin (II) (cis-DDP) (author's transl)]. / Pharmakokinetik von Platin im Plasma und Urin des Menschen unter 1-, 8- und 24-Stunden-Infusionsdauer mit cis-Dichlorodiamino-Platin (II) (cis-DDP).

Concentrations of platin were determined with the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy in plasma and urine from the 1st until 28th day after cis-DDP (3 mg/kg) infusion for 1, 8, and 24 h. Maximum of plasma concentration was measured always at the end of the application time. Minimal concentration was 1.9 micrograms/ml, maximal concentration 5.8 micrograms/ml. Platin could be detected until the 21st respectively 28th day between 0.01 and 0.9 micrograms/ml. The duration of cis-DDP infusions was without influence on the mean excretion of platin. Between 24 and 25% of the infused platin was excreted after 24 h, between 4.8 and 7% after further 24 h, between 1 and 2% between the 3rd and 21st day, and less than 1% thereafter. Difference in pattern of toxicity could not be clearly detected.

Effects of a GABA-mimetic drug (sodium valproate) on visually evoked potentials in chronic schizophrenics.

Data were obtained from 14 chronically schizophrenic women (age 40-59) living in the same ward of a psychiatric hospital (Marburg, FRG), and having been treated with clozapine (450-600 mg/day) during the last 2 years. The uncontrolled study was initiated by the addition of sodium valproate (900 mg/day) for 3 months. The observation commenced after the discontinuation of the valproate medication with the evaluation of the symptoms (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, BPRS) and the visually evoked potentials (VEP). The VEP were recorded after 3, 12 and 30 days and the rating was repeated after 4 weeks. No significant changes in symptomatology were obtained with the BPRS in patients under combination therapy in comparison with the scores 30 days after discontinuation of the valproate medication. On the other hand, after single flash stimulation, the amplitudes of the components N110, P260, and N300 of the VEP were significantly (p less than 0.05) increased during the same time interval. These findings are interpreted as an expression of an inhibiting action of the GABA system on the reactivity of the visual system in chronic schizophrenics induced by the comedication of sodium valproate.

[Social vulnerability, social isolation of chronic psychiatric patients]. / Soziale Vulnerabilität, soziale Isolation bei chronisch psychisch Kranken.

Social vulnerability and social isolation as to different, light and severe grades of chronically ill psychiatric patients were evaluated. A social vulnerability index, composed out of marital status, income, health, living conditions, occupation, and risk factors in childhood was used. The vulnerability of 64 severely chronically ill patients and of 84 chronically ill patients was assessed. According to their vulnerability, the patients were divided into a group of highly vulnerable and a group of less vulnerable patients. The social isolation of the two groups (severely chronically und chronically ill patients) was compared and assessed. We used objective criteria (such as living alone, no friends, no contact to family members) and subjective criteria (feeling isolated). Social Vulnerability and social isolation are higher in severely chronically ill patients compared to chronically ill patients. The severely sick group is significantly more affected by objective and/or by subjective isolation than the less sick group. In both groups patients have more difficulties in social relationships than non-isolated patients. There is no significant correlation between objective isolation and subjective isolation.

[Quality of life of the mentally ill]. / Die Lebensqualität psychisch Kranker.

Object of this research project was to study the subjective quality of life of psychiatric patients. The vulnerability of 424 out- and inpatients was assessed. The Vulnerability Index, composed of: marital status, income, health, life conditions, occupation, and risk factors in childhood was used. According to their vulnerability, two groups of patients were differentiated: patients with high and low vulnerability. We compared these objective criteria of vulnerability with the subjective quality of life (Q-LES-Q). Quality of life was also compared with diagnosis, severity of illness, and treatment (first contact/long-term contacts). Quality of life of 250 patients was analysed after one year follow up. Patients with a low vulnerability score are more satisfied with 'social relations' than patients with a high vulnerability score. In-patients are more satisfied with 'social relations' than out-patients. Out-patients are more satisfied with their 'physical health', 'subjective feelings', 'leisure time activities', and 'overall life satisfaction' than in-patients. Patients with a mild affective disorder have a better 'life satisfaction' than patients with severe affective disorder. Quality of life of schizophrenics and of patients with anxiety and adjustment disorders has improved significantly after one year.

Structure-activity relationship in nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, including QSAR in fenamate derivatives.

First, it is shown that it is not yet possible to outline a generally valid receptor model for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. This is demonstrated by three examples of receptor models, namely by the model according to Shen, by the receptor concept of Appleton and Brown, and by the concept concerning chelate complex formation between NSA and heme iron of the cyclooxygenase complex according to Peterson et al. This means that the "custom-made" synthesis of NSA with, perhaps, quantitatively and qualitatively better properties is not yet possible. On the basis of this statement, QSAR investigations may be justified in order to optimize known NSA. In this paper, QSAR calculations on 21 fenamate derivatives are reported. For this, both the multivariate and the univariate Hansch Analysis were used. Altogether, 16 approaches to QSAR has been performed using 1 - 4 biological and 3 - 19 physico-chemical parameters, respectively, with 7 - 21 objects. In all cases a dominating influence of pi has been indicated. Other physico-chemical parameters seemed to be of less importance, e. g., sigma, Es, log xi MR, MV, parachor, and Verloop's steric constants. Possible new fenamate structures of higher biological activity are briefly discussed.