Active immunization of Ile-de-France rams against estradiol (E2) resulted in the production of E2-neutralizing antibodies and an elevation in the plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, and testosterone. The presence of E2 antibodies did not affect the testosterone metabolic clearance rate, indicating that the immunization-mediated 10-fold increase in plasma testosterone was the result of a 10-fold increase in testicular testosterone production. Testis weights, as well as nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes of individual peritubular and perivascular Leydig cells, were greater in E2-immunized rams than in albumin-immunized controls. Leydig cell numbers were not affected by treatment. The E2 antibodies were capable not only of neutralizing the inhibitory effects of endogenous E2 on gonadotropin levels in intact rams, but were able to block the effects of exogenously administered E2 on their FSH and LH secretory response to castration. It is concluded that circulating E2 in the ram is involved in pituitary-testicular endocrine homeostasis and that E2 immunoneutralization can be employed to enhance testosterone secretion in this species.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurologic sequelae of the neuroleptics-lithium combination: role of hyperthermia].

The combination of lithium carbonate and neuroleptic is frequently used in the treatment of bipolar disorders. Four patients exhibited permanent neurological sequelae including cerebellar, pyramidal and extra-pyramidal signs after a long-term therapy with this association. Fever, stupor and pulmonary event were initially present. Neuropathological findings in one case only showed selective degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells, also noted as a characteristic feature in heat stroke and malignant hyperthermia. Lithium carbonate may be the main factor of neurotoxicity but hyperthermic states are probably involved in determinating brain damage, particularly cerebellar lesions.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibition of the calcineurin-like protein phosphatase activity in Limulus ventral eye photoreceptor cells alters the characteristics of the spontaneous quantal bumps and the light-mediated inward currents, and enhances arrestin phosphorylation.

Changes in intracellular calcium are involved in phototransduction processes in both vertebrate and invertebrate photoreceptors. During this phototransduction process in the Limulus ventral eye, there is a biochemical change in the protein phosphatase, calcineurin, such that it becomes capable of activation by calcium and calmodulin. Here we show that the calcium/calmodulin-dependent calcineurin-like activity in light-adapted ventral eye was completely inhibited by the CaN autoinhibitory peptide, CaN A457-482 and the Merck analog of the membrane-permeable, immunosuppressant drug, FK 506, L-683, 590, but not an inactive analogue, L-685, 818. Whole-cell, voltage-clamp recordings of spontaneous quantal bump activity present in dark-adapted photoreceptors injected with either CaN A457-482 (500 microM) or superfused with L-683, 590 (20 microM) or L-685, 818 revealed that both CaN A457-482 and L-683, 590, but not L-685, 818, caused rapid decreases in quantal bump amplitude, rise time and fall time, resulting in smaller, sharper bumps. This was correlated with enhanced phosphorylation of arrestin in light-adapted ventral eye photoreceptors exposed to L-683, 590 or less reliably okadaic acid. Both CaN A457-482 and L-683, 590 markedly affected the light-stimulated inward currents recorded from light-adapted ventral photoreceptors, causing a "terracing" of the inward current, and an intensity-dependent delay in the time required to reach peak amplitude. Consequently, inhibition of calcineurin markedly affects two major rhodopsin-dependent electrophysiological processes, and implicates CaN as an integral component in the phototransduction cascade.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Kufs' disease presenting as progressive dementia with late-onset generalized seizures: a clinicopathological and electrophysiological study.

A 32-year-old woman presented with increasing motor difficulties and memory disturbances. Neurological examination only showed mild cerebellar and extrapyramidal symptoms, whereas neuropsychological evaluation disclosed severe cognitive changes consistent with dementia. Her motor and mental status progressively deteriorated until death, which occurred 5 years after the first admission. One year before death, while she was almost bedridden, symptoms of myoclonic epilepsy first appeared, with frequent generalized seizures and generalized myoclonus, occurring especially upon sensory stimulation or passive joint movements. Pathological examination showed neuronal inclusions typical of Kufs' disease. This case, with primary progressive dementia and late-onset myoclonic epilepsy, differs from previously reported cases. Three special electrophysiological features were abnormal, "giant", evoked potentials; unusually marked photosensitivity; and seizure induction by any sensory stimulation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A novel mutation H373Y in the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene, WT1, associated with Denys-Drash syndrome.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[An unusual cause of long-term fever: Behçet disease].

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease is an uncommon cause of prolonged fever. This misleading presentation is illustrated by a new case where fever occurred after polyvalent vaccination. CASE REPORT: A 39-year-old female patient was seen for prolonged fever after returning from a trip to Africa. She had received polyvalent vaccinations prior to leaving France. At admission fever had persisted for 2 months. The diagnosis of Behçet's disease was finally established on the basis of clinical signs, buccogenital aphtosis and pathergy. Colchicine was partially effective against although low-grade persisted in the evening. DISCUSSION: Clinicians should be aware that Behçet's disease can provoke long-term fever which can sometimes be an inaugural sign. Sensitivity tests may be useful to identify the trigger, for example polyvalent vaccination.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied