Identification of gonadal tissue in cryptorchid stallion can be improved by molecular biological analysis - a case report.

Surgically removed testicular tissue in cryptorchid stallions is sometimes difficult to identify because of morphological and histological malformation. Therefore, a sure method to characterise the removed tissue is required. A 2-year-old Haflinger stallion was castrated after diagnosis of cryptorchidism to remove the left intra-abdomnial testis. Intra-operative exploration of the abdominal cavity revealed a firm, dysmorphic structure, which could not be identified as testis based on macroscopic anatomy. The removed tissue was Bouin-fixed and paraffin-embedded for histological examination. We additionally applied immuno-histochemistry for smooth muscle actin to identify tubular structures as well as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), indicating the presence of Leydig cells. A hCG test was conducted after surgery to screen for remaining testicular tissue. Histological examination using haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed signs of tissue calcification, amorph matrix with scattered cells and round structures. The latter could not be definitely identified as tubules. Actin staining revealed a few tubular wall structures. StAR mRNA expression indicated the presence of Leydig cells in parts of the removed tissue. The hCG test after castration showed no increase in testosterone. Histological and molecular biological examination of extirpated tissue in cryptorchid stallions can play an important role in the identification of the malformed testes like structures. The use of molecular biological techniques provides the opportunity to characterise surgically removed abdominal tissue that cannot be clearly diagnosed by routine histological examination.

Gallium scanning and tomography in the preoperative evaluation of lung cancer.

Discrepant reports on the utility of gallium scanning in the preoperative evaluation of patients with lung cancer prompted a prospective study of the test. The authors studied 47 patients with lung cancer who underwent preoperative gallium scanning and frontal tomography of the mediastinum. Both tests were found to be most accurate in predicting the presence of mediastinal metastases among patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Both test may help direct surgical planning in patients with known squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Central inhibitory effect of alpha-methyldopa on blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature of renal hypertensive rats.

The central inhibitory effect of alpha-methyldopa on blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature was studied in conscious renal hypertensive rats. Systemic administration of alpha-methyldopa decreased mean arterial blood pressure and body temperature and caused a short lasting increase in heart rate followed by a long lasting decrease. Inhibition of central decarboxylase activity prevented the decrease in blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature but not the initial increase in heart rate. Inhibition of peripheral decarboxylase activity blocked the increase in heart rate and partially reduced the decrease in heart rate and body temperature but did not affect the decrease in blood pressure. Alpha-Methyldopa also decreased blood pressure at an ambient temperature of 30 degrees C, but the decrease of body temperature was absent and the heart rate remained elevated for 7 hr. Similar results were obtained in normotensive rats. The decrease in heart rate was correlated with the decrease in body temperature in normotensive and renal hypertensive rats. These findings suggest that in the renal hypertensive rat the decrease in blood pressure and in body temperature depends on a central action of alpha-methyldopa metabolites.

Radioimmunoassay for measurement of gentamicin in blood.

Gentamicin toxicity has been shown to be related to high concentrations in serum. Because there is a narrow range between its therapeutic and toxic levels, serial monitoring of gentamicin is the most reliable method of guiding therapy. Microbiological assays commonly in use do not afford the desired speed and accuracy, and results may be difficult to interpret in the presence of other antimicrobials. Hence, a rapid, sensitive, and highly specific radioimmunoassay for measurement of gentamicin in serum has been developed. Antibody to gentamicin was raised in rabbits by using a gentamicin-albumin conjugate. Tritiated gentamicin (specific activity 1.0 Ci/mM) competes with unlabeled gentamicin for binding sites on the antibody. Dextran-coated charcoal separates the unbound from antibody-bound gentamicin. Serum levels of gentamicin are determined by comparison with a standard curve. This method can detect concentrations as low as 0.01 mug/ml. Results of a 24-tube run can be obtained in 1 h, thus allowing modification of gentamicin dosage to advantage.