Long-term follow-Up of an infant with thyrotoxicosis due to germline mutation of the TSH receptor gene (Met453Thr)

A 18-year clinical follow-up period in a male patient with a germline TSH-R gene mutation (Met453Thr) is described. Nonautoimmune thyrotoxicosis was diagnosed at the age of 7 months. The patient had exophthalmus, failure to thrive, advanced bone age and no goiter. Long-term antithyroid drug treatment (ATD) was necessary during childhood. At the age of 7 years he developed a goiter. Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed at the age of 9 years, followed by repeated ablative radiotherapy at the age of 9.5-13 years due to a toxic multinodular goiter. After 13 years ATD could be discontinued and the patient was euthyroid until 16 years of age, where L-thyroxine substitution had to be started. The exophthalmus diminished, and had disappeared at the age of 18 years, when CT scan of the orbit was performed. Conclusion: TSH-R mutation must be considered in early nonautoimmune thyrotoxicosis. A very aggressive treatment strategy is necessary.     

Full-thickeness anterior blepharotomy and transpalpebral fat decompression in Graves' orbitopathy

A chief morbidity of Graves eye disease is eyelid retraction and exophthalmus. Transpalpebral orbital fat removal accomplished with full thickness anterior blepharotomy was performed in 4 patients (5 orbits). Preoperative and postoperative ocular exposure symptoms, visual acuity, upper eyelid retraction and proptosis were evaluated. In all 5 operated orbits preoperative symptoms resolved; good results were achieved from the functional and cosmetic point of view. Full-thickness anterior blepharotomy combined with fat decompression is a safe and effective surgery for patients with upper eyelid retraction and exophthalmus due to enlarged orbital fat compartment.     

Transforming growth factor beta-1 up-regulates clusterin synthesis in thyroid epithelial cells

Porcine epithelial cells in primary culture seeded on plastic substratum form a monolayer containing pseudo-vesicles. When cultured in the presence of thyreotropin (TSH) thyrocytes adopted a follicular-like structure and formed clusters. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta1) induced a rapid spreading of the TSH-treated cells only. At the same time, TGFbeta1 enhanced clusterin protein and mRNA expression. The increase of clusterin synthesis was proportional to the TGFbeta1 concentration in the culture medium. Tunicamycin abolished the up-regulation of whole clusterin synthesis and morphological changes. The activator protein-1 binding site partly directed the TGFbeta1-stimulated clusterin expression. Phorbol ester caused rapid spreading of the cells with disappearance of vesicular and follicular structures. It decreased clusterin mRNA and protein expression, but increased Mr 45, 000 protein secretion in both TSH-treated and nontreated cells. Up-regulation of clusterin expression may be a marker of TGFbeta-mediated thyrocyte dedifferentiation.     

Thyroid effect on brain activity in adolescents during heart rhythm biofeedback session

Types of neurophysiologic and thyroid condition in 15-17-year old adolescents were studied for the purpose of heart rhythm biofeedback session effect by heart rhythm variability parameters. Changes of heart rhythm vegetative regulation activity modulate functional capacities of central vegetative regulation structures. The biofeedback training with heart rhythm variability parameters increases brain bioelectrical activity in different frequency ranges. The thyroid system modulates functional activity of vegetative regulation central structures uppermost at sympathotonic and thyreotropin increasing leads to increase of rhythm maker structure reactivity in brain.     

Linkage of bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus (BCSE) to BTA5 and BTA18 in German Brown cattle

Bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus (BCSE) is a widespread inherited eye defect in several cattle populations. Its progressive condition often leads to blindness in affected cattle and decreases their usability. Furthermore, the German animal welfare laws prevent breeding with animals whose progeny are expected to be affected by genetic defects. Identifying genes involved in the heredity of BCSE should lead to insights into the molecular pathogenesis of this eye disease and permit the establishment of a genetic test for this disease. A whole-genome scan for 10 families containing a total of 159 genotyped individuals identified two BCSE loci. One BCSE locus mapped to the centromeric region on bovine chromosome (BTA) 5 and the other BCSE locus mapped to the telomeric region of BTA18. Thus, it is possible that two genes are involved in the development of BCSE. Alternatively, one of these loci could be the cause for the development of BCSE and the other locus could affect the progression and severity of the defect.     

Diurnal rhythms of thyroid hormones in rooster chicks (Gallus domesticus). 3. Studies on the changes in deiodination rate of thyroxine-I-131]

As a measure for the availability and efficiency of the so-called free hormone to repress the thyreotropin-secretion (Mouriz et al., Endocr. 79, 248-260 (1966) we investigated the deiodination of thyroxine-I-131 (T4-I-131). This was done with special regard to a possible cyclic variation. By means of the reutilisation we could measure the removed radio-iodide in the thyroid 1-1/2 hours after T4-I-131 application. Using I-125 as a reference-isotope for the radioiodine uptake we could specify the actual extent of deiodination. The deiodination had a diurnal variation: The minimal values at 9 am and 9 pm ("deiodination" 10 or 9 percent) were significantly different (2 P less than 0.025) from the maximal values at 3.00 am and 3.00 pm ("deiodination-rate" about 17 percent). We propose the following explanation: 1) While the deiodination is decreasing in the morning and evening the pituitary releases more thyreotropin; 2) Thereby the thyroid releases more hormone and so the protein-bound iodine and the so-called free hormone raises. This would be in good agreement with our prior investigations.     

Developmental anomalies induced by all-trans retinoic acid in fetal mice: I. Macroscopic findings

The administration of a single dose of all-trans retinoic acid on day 8 of gestation to pregnant mice, ICR strain, led to malformed fetuses in all of the litters. All-trans retinoic acid (RA) was dissolved in olive oil and given in doses of 60 or 40 mg/kg of body weight. The control mice were given vehicle alone. Examination on day 18 of gestation of the fetuses exposed to 60 mg/kg showed various malformations, such as exencephaly, exophthalmus, micrognathia, agnathia, cleft palate, cleft lower lip, spina bifida, atresia ani, tail anomalies, agenesis of the kidneys, or hydronephrosis. In the fetuses exposed to 40 mg/kg, isolated cleft palate was much more common than in those exposed to 60 mg/kg. Double-stained preparations of bone and cartilage showed cranio-facial anomalies and axial skeletal anomalies: a- or hypogenesis of palatine or maxillary bones, tympanic ring, squamosal temporal bone or otic ossicles in cartilage, and fusion of basioccipital to basisphenoid and maxilla, zygomatic and mandibular bones; a- or hypogenesis of caudal vertebrae and supernumerary thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. These results indicate that anomalies comparable to those seen in the infants of mothers treated with isotretinoin, 13-cis retinoic acid, during pregnancy can also be induced in mice and suggest that the site affected by RA may be neural crest cells, including those in the cephalic and caudal regions, and cells committed to somitic mesoderm in the trunk region.     

A study of sequential histopathology of Trypanoplasma borreli (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) in susceptible common carp Cyprinus carpio

The tissue response of common carp Cyprinus carpio to the kinetoplastid blood parasite Trypanoplasma borreli Laveran & Mesnil, 1901 was investigated during a laboratory infection of a highly susceptible carp line. With the development of the parasitaemia an increased proliferation of the lymphoid renal interstitial tissue was induced, which resulted in a progressive depression and deterioration of renal tubules. In heavily infected carp at Days 20 to 28 post inoculation (PI), a tubulonephrosis, a glomerulitis caused by a massive accumulation of leukocytes in glomerular capillaries, and large numbers of trypanoplasms in blood vessels and renal interstitium were observed. Corresponding with rising T. borreli numbers in the peripheral blood, splenic lymphocytes showed increasing proliferation rates, and the capillaries of the liver, gills, heart and intestine were infiltrated with lymphocytes and trypanoplasms. In heavily infected carp, congestion of liver sinusoids, focal necroses of hepatic tissue, extensive accumulations of erythrocytes in the spleen and in the blood marked anaemia were observed. These carp often showed abdominal distension, exophthalmus and swimming disorders described as 'sleeping sickness of carp'. Proliferation of cells from the interstitial lymphoid tissue of the kidney, which bears a close resemblance to the bone marrow of higher vertebrates, is considered a normal immune response of fish to antigen challenge. We here describe the unique case of a severe but ineffective immune reaction which results in the destruction of excretory renal structures. This has to be considered a severe disturbance of osmoregulation in affected carp, which, together with a decrease in oxygen uptake due to anaemia, is likely a major cause of death in these carp.     

Histopathology of viremia-associated ana-aki-byo in combination with Aeromonas hydrophila in color carp Cyprinus carpio in Japan

A disease in which 'viremia-associated ana-aki-byo' is combined with an Aeromonas hydrophila infection currently occurs and is highly transmissible in color carp Cyprinus carpio in Japan. In the present study, to determine the interrelation between a corona-like virus and A. hydrophila, we conducted transmission trials by cohabiting naturally diseased carp with healthy carp with skin that had been slightly damaged artificially. Experimentally exposed fish successfully replicated the combination of a corona-like viral viremia and A. hydrophila infection. Diseased carp displayed scale-sac edema, ascites and exophthalmus adding to the formation of skin ulcers. In addition to pathological changes due to the corona-like virus infection, various changes due to the A. hydrophila infection occurred. Anasarcous skin lesions exhibited a separated epidermis, expanded scale-sacs, and an edematous dermis accompanied by hemorrhage and necrosis. The underlying lateral musculature was edematous and possessed markedly atrophied muscle fibers. Hepatocytes were either atrophied or swollen and had a granular appearance. Renal tubular cells showed vacuolar degeneration, cloudy swelling, necrosis and destruction. Hemosiderin deposition occurred within macrophages in the spleen and hematopoietic tissue, and within hepatocytes. Cardiac muscle fibers exhibited degeneration and necrosis accompanied by hemorrhage in the myocardium of heart. These changes appeared to be induced by bacterial toxins because bacterial cells did not directly invade these affected tissues.     

Levator advancement technique for eyelid ptosis

There have been many procedures advocated for the treatment of eyelid ptosis. The technique advocated in this paper consists of careful dissection and identification of anatomic landmarks, including preaponeurotic fat, Whitnall's superior transverse ligament, and the vertically oriented blood supply of the levator muscle. The attachment of the levator muscle into the cephalad portion of the levator muscle into the cephalad portion of the levator aponeurosis can be identified and easily dissected in order to perform the procedure of detachment and advancement to the tarsal plate. This procedure for ptosis has been successful in management in moderate to severe ptosis and in some cases has actually increased the muscle function, thereby enhancing the result. In this technique, the full length of levator muscle remains, so maximum excursion is achieved postoperatively. In addition, this surgical approach may be utilized for levator-lengthening procedures in cases of thyroid exophthalmus or overcorrected ptosis simply by performing the reverse procedure of detachment and insertion of a spacer based on the same ratio. Good results have been achieved in over 20 patients, with the exception of two patients who had absent to poor function and in whom undercorrection was present postoperatively.     

A recurrent pattern syndrome of craniosynostosis associated with arachnodactyly and abdominal hernias

A new syndrome of craniosynostosis is described in two unrelated male children. Associated anomalies include severe exophthalmus; maxillary and mandibular hypoplasia; soft tissue hypertrophy of the palatal shelves; low-set ears with soft, pliable auricles; thoracic anomalies; multiple abdominal hernias; arachnodactyly; and camptodactyly. Functional disorders include infantile hypotonia, developmental delay, mental retardation, and obstructive apnea. Karyotypes were normal. An etiology for this recurrent pattern syndrome has not yet been established in the absence of a family history of similar anomalies in both cases.     

阿片受体介导大鼠海马内脑啡肽对细胞免疫功能的调节

以刀豆蛋白Ａ（ＣｏｎＡ）刺激的脾淋巴细胞增殖活性及自然杀伤细胞（ＮＫｃｅｌ）活性为细胞免疫功能检测指标,观察了阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮（Ｎａｌｏｘｏｎｅ,ＮＬＸ）对大鼠海马内微量注射甲硫脑啡肽所致的免疫功能增强作用的影响。结果发现：（１）海马内微量注射白细胞介素１（ＩＬ１）诱导剂（细菌内毒素）脂多糖（ｌｉｐｏｐｏｌｙｓａｃｈａｒｉｄｅ,ＬＰＳ,５０ｎｇ／１μｌ）可降低机体免疫功能。（２）双侧海马内预先注射甲硫脑啡肽（ＭＥＮＫ,浓度：１０μｇ／μｌ）各１μｌ,可阻止脑内ＬＰＳ降低免疫功能的作用。（３）脑啡肽的这种作用可被阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮（１０μｇ／１μｌ）阻断。（４）海马内单纯注射纳洛酮对机体免疫功能也起抑制作用。上述结果提示,海马内脑啡肽对免疫功能的增强作用是通过阿片受体介导的。     

Role of calcium in apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by harringtonine

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Two-step regulation of ecdysone-inducible late puffs in salivary glands of Drosophila melanogaster

Our previous study showed that some ecdysone-inducible late puffs could also be induced by a mild detergent (digitonin) in Drosophila salivary glands. However, they could only be induced at the stage immediately prior to when developmentally programmed puffing occurred, suggesting that these late puff loci were under two-step regulation. Using an in vitro culture of salivary glands, we have examined whether ecdysone or the protein products of early puff genes participate in either of the two steps of late puff regulation. This study has revealed that (i) the acquisition of digitonin-responsiveness (the first step) could be induced in vitro by incubating salivary glands with ecdysone; (ii) the first step could also be induced by protein synthesis inhibition even in the absence of ecdysone; (iii) the second step required both ecdysone and protein synthesis unless treated with digitonin; and (iv) the first step, rather than the second step, determines the timing of normal puff formation in the loci. These results suggest that, during normal development, ecdysone controls both steps by activating two types of early genes; the first type, whose function can be mimicked by cycloheximide, renders the loci responsive to digitonin and the second type, whose function can be mimicked by digitonin, activates the loci to form puffs.     

Retinoic acid inhibits the myristoylation of a membrane protein in HL-60 cells

Incubation of nondifferentiated HL-60 cells with high specific activity myristic acid results in myristoylation of a 25 KD membrane protein. Myristoylation was inhibited by retinoic acid but not by DMSO, thus indicating that the nonmyristoylated state induced by retinoic acid is causal to rather than the result of the overall differentiation sequel induced. Similarly, incubation of HL-60 cells with high specific activity retinoic acid results in specific retinoylation of a membrane protein of similar molecular mass. The two acylated proteins could however be separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis, thus indicating that inhibition of myristoylation by retinoic acid could not be accounted for by competition between retinoic and myristic acids for the same acylated site.     

共聚焦显微技术研究SA对蚕豆气孔保卫细胞的影响

水杨酸(salicylic acid,SA)作为植物体内一种内源性的信号分子,具有多种生理功能.实验表明水杨酸以浓度依赖的方式诱导气孔关闭,抑制气孔张开.20U/mL的CAT与SA共同处理时可逆转SA诱导气孔关闭作用的83%~90%.以H2O2荧光探针H2DCFDA结合激光扫描共聚焦显微术直接检测到SA处理可引起保卫细胞内H2O2的产生;在保卫细胞内显微注射CAT可完全阻止SA导致的DCF荧光增强.表明SA诱导的气孔关闭可能与H2O2的产生有关.     

黄皮愈伤组织诱导及其对不同激素的响应

通过对黄皮不同外植体进行离体培养 ,初步获得了愈伤组织。结果表明 :腋芽、花芽容易诱导绿色愈伤组织 ,且愈伤组织较细密。叶柄的愈伤组织诱导率很低 ,时间长 ,生长缓慢。愈伤组织的增殖继代培养的初步研究表明 :花芽愈伤组织在继代培养基上形成白色、较松散的愈伤组织 ,质地较差 ;而腋芽及叶柄产生的愈伤组织生长极缓慢 ,难以继代。     

Tryptophan Metabolism and Kynureninase Induction in Mutants of Neurospora crassa Resistant to 4-Methyl-Tryptophan

Mutants of Neurospora crassa that are resistant to 4-methyl-tryptophan were found to differ in ability to synthesize kynureninase in the presence of the inducers kynurenine, 3-OH-kynurenine, N-formyl-kynurenine, tryptophan, and indole. One strain (mtr26), although incapable of accumulating intracellular pools of these compounds, showed induced synthesis of kynureninase, whereas the second (mtr21) could neither accumulate nor be induced by them. Strain mtr21, with the suppressor su(mtr), could not be induced by indole but was induced by tryptophan and kynurenine derivatives. These results suggest that the mtr mutation, in addition to altering the ability of these strains to concentrate tryptophan and its metabolites, may have some effect on either the intracellular distribution of tryptophan or directly on the synthesis of kynureninase.     

生长抑素对脊髓P物质痛觉传递的抑制作用

本研究应用痛阈测定及免疫组化法,探讨生长抑素对脊髓Ｐ物质痛觉调制作用的影响。结果表明,鞘内注射（ｉｔ）ＳＳＴ（１０μｇ）可使痛阈提高,并可抑制ＳＰ引的反应应及脊髓ｃ－ｆｏｓ表达。     

壳寡糖、一氧化氮和植物激素在烟草气孔运动中的作用及其相互关系

本文研究了壳寡糖（COS）、一氧化氮（NO）和植物激素对烟草气孔运动的作用及其相互关系,结果表明,COS、NO、脱落酸（ABA）能诱导烟草气孔开度减小;ABA合成抑制剂钨酸钠（Na2WO4）和NO合成酶抑制剂L-NAME具有清除COS、ABA或NO诱导烟草气孔开度减小的作用。说明COS通过诱导ABA和NO产生,进而诱导烟草气孔开度减小,而且ABA和NO之间有相互作用。另外,细胞分裂素和生长素能够诱导烟草气孔开度增大,也能够逆转COS诱导的气孔开度减小。