A comparative dynamic study of the effectiveness of gastric cytoprotection by vitamin A, De-Nol, sucralfate and ulcer healing by pirenzepine in patients with chronic gastric ulcer (a multiclinical and randomized study)

The gastric cytoprotective effects of vitamin A, De-Nol and sucralfate were compared with the effectiveness of pirenzepine in healing ulcer in patients with chronic gastric ulcer. A total of 100 patients was randomized into different groups: the patients were treated with antacids, vitamin A (3 X 50.000 IU), De-Nol liquid (4 X 5 ml), sucralfate (4 X 1 g) or pirenzepine (3 X 50 mg). The treatment was continued for 4 weeks. At the beginning, 2 and 4 weeks after starting treatment the patients were subjected to endoscopy and the size of the ulcer was measured planimetrically. The ulcer-healing effect of De-Nol liquid was significantly better than that of the antacids (p less than 0.01). Ulcer size was reduced significantly in all groups (p less than 0.01), however, at the end of the study the gastric ulcers were smallest in the De-Nol treated group (p less than 0.001). The dynamics of ulcer healing in the second week was most favourable in the patients receiving vitamin A (p less than 0.01). The present data point to the cytoprotective effects of De-Nol liquid, vitamin A and sucralfate and to their ability of healing chronic gastric ulcers.     

Evidence for the development of tolerance to PGF2 alpha on the ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage

PGF2 alpha, 100 micrograms/kg intraperitoneally, applied 30 min before 1.0 ml intragastric ethanol (96%) exerts cytoprotective effect on the gastric mucosal membrane. After a week long pretreatment of the animals with 0.25; 0.5 and 1.0 mg/day PGF2 alpha resulted in a diminishing cytoprotective effect. The gastric tissue cAMP level raised simultaneously and after the PGF2 alpha pretreatment with the taming cytoprotection the cAMP level diminished parallel in a dose dependent manner. It is assumed that after PGF2 alpha pretreatment the density of the cellular PGF2 alpha receptors decreases, according to the observed phenomenon.     

Study of the imprinting and overlap of insulin and concanavalin-A at the receptor level in a protozoan (Tetrahymena) model system

In a protozoan (Tetrahymena) model system, insulin treatment produced a long-term imprinting which upon re-exposure to the hormone resulted in an enhanced binding of the hormone. Insulin pretreatment produced similar effect with regard to the binding of concanavalin-A. Concanavalin-A could only induce a short-term imprinting for itself and was not capable at all of inducing imprinting for insulin. Based on the results of this study it appears that the binding of the sugar component of the receptor, which can be achieved also by lectin, is not sufficient to induce imprinting but the whole (hormone) molecule is needed.     

Influence of the conformational state on the isoelectric points of rat brain synaptosomes, mitochondria and mitoplasts

The isoelectric points of rat brain synaptosomes, mitochondria and mitoplasts have been determined by using different charged two-phase systems containing dextran and poly(ethylene glycol). The cross-partition diagrams of these organelles show isoelectric points at pH 4.1, 4.5 and 4.7, respectively. The influence of the conformational state of mitochondrial membranes upon their partition in two-phase systems has been studied. Shrunk mitoplasts showed a large change in their partition behavior as reflected by an increased affinity for the lower dextran phase, while shrinkage of mitochondria did not affect their partition. Shrunk mitoplasts showed the same isoelectric point of pH 4.7 as swollen mitoplasts, which indicates that no charge changes occurred on the outer side of the inner mitochondrial membrane during shrinkage of mitoplasts.     

Effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia on acid-base status of fowl blood

Arterial blood Po/, Pco2, lactate levels and Cl- ion concentration as well as pH were measured on the time course in chickens (Gallus domesticus) as they settled in normoxic conditions and during exposure to acute hypobaric hypoxia (Pb = 450 Torr). Hypoxia provoked at first a CO2 increased output from blood and a brief stage of deep metabolic acidosis during which lactate levels suddenly increased. This acidosis was then compensated producing a return to the initial pH and a decrease in [HCO3-] + [CO3(2-)] after 60 min. Subsequently respiratory alkalosis associated with an increase in [HCO-3] + [CO3(2-)], a decrease in cl- ion concentration and a small decrease in lactate levels were observed. Prolonged exposure to hypoxia (16 h) resulted in a new return to the initial pH, a decrease in concentration of [HCO3-] + [CO3(2-)] and a high lactate level. The hematocrit value, the Hb concentration, and the plasma Na+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++ ion concentration did not change significantly.     

Localization of corticotropin-releasing factor-containing neurons in the brain of the domestic fowl

Summary The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons were investigated in the brain of the domestic fowl by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique at the light-microscopic level. The detection of CRF-immunoreactivity was facilitated by silver intensification. CRF-containing perikarya were found in the paraventricular, preoptic and mammillary nuclei of the hypothalamus and in some extrahypothalamic areas (nuclei dorsomedialis and dorsolateralis thalami, nucleus accumbens septi, lobus parolfactorius, periaqueductal gray of the mesencephalon, nucleus oculomotorius ventralis). Immunoreactive nerve fibers and terminals were demonstrated in the external zone of the median eminence and the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. These results indicate that an immunologically demonstrable CRF-neurosecretory system also exists in the avian central nervous system.     

New observations concerning the chloroacetaldehyde reaction with some tRNA constituents. Stable intermediates, kinetics and selectivity of the reaction.

The stable intermediates formed in the reaction of cytosine, cytidine and adenosine with chloracetaldehyde were isolated. The -CH2CH/OH/- bridge between the exo and endo nitrogen atoms of the parent base was found in these compounds by means of PMR spectroscopy. Their acid-induced dehydration resulted in formation of appropriate ethenoderivatives. The rate constants of the intermediate formation and its dehydration were found to be 38x10(-4) and 47x10(-4) /min-1/ for adenosine, and 33x10(-4) and 10x10(-4) /min-1/ for cytidine. The PH range of 4.5--5.0 was found to be optimum for both adenosine and cytidine reactions. The quantitative modification of these two nucleosides in the presence of guanosine may be achieved with high selectivity only at a low pH of 3.0--4.0 N6-methyladenosine and N4-methylcytidine react quantitatively with chloroacetaldehyde and the reaction rate is higher than in the case of the parent nucleosides. The structure of the reaction products was assigned on the basis of PMR spectroscopy.     

Detection of signs of estrus in the charolais cow and its Brahman cross under continuous observation

In order to study the characteristic signs of an induced estrus in beef cattle maintained in the tropics, 31 animals, 16 pure Charolais and 15 Charolais/Brahman cross, were continuously observed during the first 100 hours following prostaglandin injection. The animals were pastured in a field of approximately 3 hectares. A highly significant relationship (P < 0.01) seemed to exist between behavioural tendencies and the interval following the onset of estrus. Behaviour included butting, attempts to mount, smelling of genitalia (active) and allowing to be mounted and have genitalia smelled (passive). No consistant pattern of sexual activity could be established since some animals were more active than others. Mounts were observed to occur between 6 and 9 in the morning (33%), 9 and 12 at night (16%) and midnight and three in the morning (13%). Differences existed between the Charolais and the Brahman cross with respect to the number of mounts (P < 0.05) and in the response to an induced estrus (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between grazing habits and sexual activity, the former expressed as the number of animals standing up during each hour.     

Effect of the fungal toxin (zearalenone) on the reproductive system and fertility of male and female rats.

The fertility-inhibiting effects of long-term (8 weeks) consumption of maize infected with a fungus producing F2 toxin (zearalenone) was studied in adult male and female albino rats. The fertility rate was further decreased by 25-30% if the animals were kept on contaminated diet up to 14 weeks. The gonadal weight was decreased, follicular maturation and spermatogenesis were disturbed. The toxic diet consumed by mothers during pregnancy and lactation induced permanent changes in reproductive organs, disorders in vaginal cyclicity and disturbed fertility in the offspring. Neonatal administration of purified F2 toxin provoked similar changes. It is suggested that this fungal toxin may cause sterility syndrome in the offspring, similar to that produced by androgen or estrogen administration.