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Biomedical subjects

A Pasi

Publications and source records attributed to A Pasi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Opiate receptor binding sites in human brain.

Subclasses of opiate receptor binding sites in human brain membranes were investigated by means of competitive binding techniques. The experimental data were analyzed by use of a computerized non-linear regression curve fitting program. mu-, delta-and chi-types of opiate binding were found in 5 different regions of the brain. A more extensive analysis of the regional distribution of subclasses of opiate binding sites was performed using a simple sequential inhibition technique. This method was shown to yield results which are comparable to those obtained by computer analysis of multiple tracer displacement curves. Chi-and mu-sites represented the major component of binding in most brain areas whereas delta-sites were fewer in number. The 3 types of binding showed different distribution patterns, suggesting that they are independent from each other. The distribution pattern observed in human brain resembled the one observed in rat brain, although chi-sites appear to represent a more important, and delta-sites appear to represent a less important, fraction of binding in human as compared to rat brain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Immunoreactive dynorphin in human brain and pituitary.

The distribution of immunoreactive dynorphin (ir-dyn) has been determined in various regions of human brain and pituitary by use of a highly specific radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of ir-dyn in the substantia nigra (24.5 pmol/g) and hypothalamus were among the highest in the 26 brain areas examined. Substantial amounts were also measurable in other extrapyramidal structures such as the caudate nucleus, pallidus and putamen. Lower concentrations of ir-dyn were detected in the amygdala, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray matter, colliculi, pons, medulla and area postrema, but only low amounts were found in the posterior lobe of the pituitary, while no ir-dyn was detectable in the anterior lobe. By gel permeation chromatography the brain immunoreactivity was shown to consist of 3-4 peaks of apparent molecular weights of about 12,000, 6000, 1800 and less than 1000. It was possible to demonstrate the high opioid potency of 2 of these peaks in the guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle bioassay after purification by immunoprecipitation. A comparison of the distribution pattern of ir-dyn revealed some parallels with enkephalin, whereas the distribution of ir-beta-endorphin is quite different.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Analysis of fatalities from acute narcotism in a major urban area.

The incidence of acute, fatal narcotism in San Francisco was determined to be 3.2% of all deaths (10 882) subject to medical examiner's inquiry in a five-year period. Heroin was responsible for the greatest number of these cases, usually accompanied by alcohol or other abused drugs. The median concentration of the heroin metabolite, morphine, in the blood in fatal cases was 20 microgram/dL. Death from propoxyphene, the second most frequently encountered narcotic, was generally determined to be suicidal, while death from heroin was judged to be accidental. The highest rate occurred in black males between the ages of 21 and 30 years. The three most consistent findings were positive identification of the drug in the body (100% of the cases), pulmonary edema (90.4% of the cases), and microscopic liver changes (71.1% of the cases).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Pro-opiocortin fragments in human and rat brain: beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH are the predominant peptides.

The 'pro-opiocortin' fragments, beta-lipotropin, beta-endorphin, ACTH and alpha-MSH, were estimated in discrete areas of rat and human brain and pituitaries by means of radioimmunoassay in combination with gelfiltration. These peptides exhibited parallel patterns of distribution, but with beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH predominant in the brain of rat and man, and, in contrast, their respective precursors. beta-LPH and ACTH predominant in the adenohypophysis of rat and man. These data may be indicative of important differences in post-translational processing of 'pro-opiocortin' between these contrasting tissues.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1980

[Tricyclic antidepressants (TAD) as a cause of unexpected death (author's transl)].

This study points to the controversy over the anti-depressant efficacy of tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TAD) and emphasize their cardiotoxicity. The number of lethal poisoning cases--from the Swiss federal statistics on the cause of death--amounted to 54 for the period from 1967 to 1976. Ten of these 54 cases occurred in children who had ingested the drug accidentally; the remaining cases concerned adults who took an overdose of the drug intentionally. In addition, the authors reviewed the forensic medical examinations performed on 11 cases of unexpected death due to lethal poisoning with TAD. Our data indicated that fatality can follow drug intake quite rapidly. Autoptical and histological findings were not specific. To confirm a poisoning diagnosis, levels of TAD and their metabolites were therefore determined in nine cases in various organ tissues and body fluids. Poisoning was due to imipramine (3 cases), opipramol (2 cases), dibenzepine (3 cases), and amitriptyline (3 cases).

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed1980

Extrahypothalamic corticotropin and alpha-melanotropin in human brain.

The distribution of corticotropin (ACTH) and alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) in human brain was investigated by radioimmunoassay using an antiserum which recognized h-ACTH1-39 and alpha-MSH to an equal degree on a molar basis. Significant amounts of material, which migrated on calibrated Sephadex G-50 columns as synthetic h-ACTH1-39 and synthetic alpha-MSH, were detected in distinct brain areas. The highest concentrations of ACTH and alpha-MSH were found in the diencephalon (hypothalamus 4.2 and 12.5 pmol/g wet weight, respectively) and in midbrain (periaqueductal gray 0.5 and 1.7 pmol/g, respectively) and smaller quantities in the rhombencephalon and telencephalon. The ACTH concentration in human pituitary (adenohypophysis) was 10(4)-fold greater than that in the hypothalamus. alpha-MSH was confined to the midpart and/or stalk region of the pituitary.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1980

'Proopiocortin fragments' in normal human adult pituitary. Distribution and ultrastructural characterization of immunoreactive cells.

The distribution and ultrastructure of cells immunoreactive towards antisera against synthetic fragments of proopiocortin were studied in human pituitaries by immunohistochemical methods. Anterior lobe cells exhibiting the ultrastructural characteristics of corticolipotropes, as well as all epithelial cells 'invading' the posterior lobe, display beta-endorphin/beta-lipotropin-ACTH immunoreactivities. At low dilution a beta-lipotropin antiserum, raised with highly purified antigen, stains also somatotropes. alpha-MSH antibodies bind to certain corticolipotropic cells in the pars distalis and to only a few of the cells 'invading' the pars nervosa. Met-enkephalin antisera react only with isolated cells in the anterior lobe. These results indicate a striking difference in the processing of the proopiocortin precursor molecule in different corticolipotropic cells of the human hypophysis. Furthermore, the hypothesis of a homology between cells 'invading' the human neurohypophysis and those of the intermediate lobe of lower vertebrates, is questioned.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1979

Regional distribution of methionine-enkephalin- and beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in human brain and pituitary.

Concentrations of methionine-enkephalin- (Met-enkephalin) and beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivities were determined in 33 areas of human brain and pituitary using highly sensitive radioimmunoassays in combination with affinity chromatography for the purification of beta-endorphin. It was found that they have quite different distribution patterns, suggesting the existence of both endorphins in independent systems in the central nervous system. Determination of Met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin immunoreactivities in chronic alcoholics and opiate-dependent subjects revealed no gross changes in comparison to the normal subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Manganese intoxication.

We have reported two cases of chronic manganese poisoning. Case 1 followed exposure to manganese fumes in cutting and burning manganese steel. Case 2 resulted from exposure to dusts of manganese dioxide, an ingredient used in glazing of ceramics. There were initial difficulties in establishing the correct diagnosis. Prominent clinical features were severe and persistent chronic depressive psychosis (Case 1), transient acute brain syndrome (Case 2) and the presence of various extrapyramidal symptoms in both cases. Manganese intoxication has not previously been reported as occurring in California. With increasing use of the metal, the disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurologic and psychiatric disease. Our observations were made in the period 1964 through 1968. Recently the prognosis of victims of manganese poisoning has been improved dramatically by the introduction of levodopa as a therapeutic agent.

Adult↗