Central muscarinic receptor subtypes involved in pilocarpine-induced salivation, hypertension and water intake.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent evidence has suggested that pilocarpine (ACh receptor agonist) injected peripherally may act centrally producing salivation and hypertension. In this study, we investigated the effects of specific M(1) (pirenzepine), M(2)/M(4) (methoctramine), M(1)/M(3) (4-DAMP) and M(4) (tropicamide) muscarinic receptor subtype antagonists injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle (LV) on salivation, water intake and pressor responses to peripheral pilocarpine. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannulae implanted in the LV were used. Salivation was measured in rats anaesthetized with ketamine (100 mg per kg body weight) and arterial pressure was recorded in unanaesthetized rats. KEY RESULTS: Salivation induced by i.p. pilocarpine (4 micromol per kg body weight) was reduced only by 4-DAMP (25-250 nmol) injected into the LV, not by pirenzepine, methoctramine or tropicamide at the dose of 500 nmol. Pirenzepine (0.1 and 1 nmol) and 4-DAMP (5 and 10 nmol) injected into the LV reduced i.p. pilocarpine-induced water intake, whereas metoctramine (50 nmol) produced nonspecific effects on ingestive behaviours. Injection of pirenzepine (100 nmol) or 4-DAMP (25 and 50 nmol) into the LV reduced i.v. pilocarpine-induced pressor responses. Tropicamide (500 nmol) injected into the LV had no effect on pilocarpine-induced salivation, pressor responses or water intake. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest that central M(3) receptors are involved in peripheral pilocarpine-induced salivation and M(1) receptors in water intake and pressor responses. The involvement of M(3) receptors in water intake and pressor responses is not clear because 4-DAMP blocks both M(1) and M(3) receptors.

Percutaneous renal biopsy utilizing ultrasonic guidance and a semiautomated device.

Percutaneous renal biopsy is a fundamental diagnostic technique in urology and nephrology, recently refined by real-time ultrasonic guidance. The technique described in this article is a biopsy method employing real-time ultrasonic guidance and a semiautomated device. The new device has been constructed to improve percutaneous biopsy technique and to obtain more perfect specimens. This technique was successfully performed in 20 patients undergoing renal biopsy. Diagnostically satisfactory material containing an average of ten glomeruli per specimen was obtained. The results obtained with the new device Biopty Bard have been compared with the results obtained from the same number of biopsies performed with the traditional technique.

[Early diagnosis and proper treatment of infections of the male genital system]. / Diagnosi precoce e trattamento corretto delle infezioni dell'apparato genitale maschile.

The appropriate methods for early detection and the more effective drugs for best treatment of "other" Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are reviewed: the most important target is to prevent sequelae of infection like seminal phlogosis, woman's pelvic phlogosis, impotency, sterility.

[Performance of echo-guided renal biopsy using a new semi-automatic instrument]. / Esecuzione di biopsia renale ecoguidata mediante utilizzo di un nuovo strumento semiautomatico.

Percutaneous renal biopsy is a fundamental diagnostic technique in clinical nephrology, recently refined by real-time ultrasonic guidance. The technique described in this paper is a biopsy method employing real-time ultrasonic guidance and a semi-automated device. This technique has been successfully performed in 10 patients undergoing renal biopsy. Diagnostically satisfactory material containing an average of 9 glomeruli for specimen was obtained.

[2 cases of fibroepithelial polyp of the ureter]. / Due casi di polipo fibroepiteliale dell'uretere.

Fibroepithelial polyps of the ureter, a mesodermal benign tumor, are rare. The first case of a fibroepithelial ureteral polyp associated with bilateral complete ureteral duplication and another case associated with bilateral hydronephrosis are reported. The first case suggested a malformative congenital etiology. The two fibroepithelial polyps were treated by conservative surgery.

[A renal tumor in a female HIV-positive patient. A case report]. / Tumore renale in una paziente HIV positiva. Descrizione di un caso.

Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are at increased risk of developing certain malignant tumours. The authors report a case of renal tumour in a HIV-positive patient.

[Intraoperative anterograde spermatic phlebography: its usefulness in the treatment of varicocele]. / La flebografia spermatica anterograda intraoperatoria: sua utilità nel trattamento del varicocele.

The value of intraoperative anterograde spermatic phlebography in the treatment of varicocele is maintained. The knowledge of the vascular anatomy making it possible to adapt surgical tactics to the needs of the particular patient. Use of this technique significantly reduced the risk of postoperative recurrences.

[Prognostic value of the detection of ABO surface antigens by indirect immunofluorescence technic in transitional tumors of the bladder]. / Valore prognostico della ricerca degli antigeni superficiali ABO con la tecnica di immunofluorescenza indiretta nei tumori transizionali della vescica.

Experience is described in the use of indirect immunofluorescence to reveal ABO surface antigens in transitional tumours of the bladder on histological preparations from 50 patients given endoscopic resection or demolitive surgery. After an adequate period of follow-up (mean 13.7 months) of the same patients it is concluded that the prognostic validity of the survey still fails to offer sufficient specificity for guaranteed support of therapeutic decisions.

[Scintigraphy in the study of varicocele]. / L'indagine scintigrafica nello studio del varicocele.

Varicocele which is relatively common after puberty may cause even severe alterations to fertility. Sequential Isotopic Scrotal Angiography (SISA) was used for the diagnosis of this condition in both the recognition and confirmation phase. This dynamic and static survey based on the use of 99mTc-pyrophosphate proved able to discriminate between the various degrees of varicocele. No statement can as yet be made on the specificity and sensitivity of the examination since so few cases have so far been checked with other techniques (Doppler-Telethermography-Phlebography) and an insufficient number of postsurgical controls came to our observation.

The usefulness of sequential isotopic angiography of the scrotum for study of the varicocele.

132 patients were examined by Sequential Isotopic Scrotal Angiography (SISA) to determine whether or not they had primary varicoceles. The results with SISA were more reliable than those of clinical examination and scrotal telethermography. It is a rapid, simple and essentially harmless procedure that also provides pictures that can clearly present the situation to the patient. The principal indications for the examination are to confirm the presence of small varicoceles and to look for clinically non-detectable (subclinical) varicoceles.

[Evaluation of vesico-ureteral reflux in children with computerized isotopic cystography in association with urodynamic tests]. / Valutazione del reflusso vescico ureterale in età pediatrica con cistografia isotopica computerizzata in associazione ad esame urodinamico.

Method and results are presented for the cystoscintigraphic detection with 99mTc-DTPA, associated with urodynamic examination for the evaluation of the vesicoureteral reflux, involving a relatively simple execution. The use of this method is advised in Pediatrics because of its low gonadal dose, thorough examination and least aggressiveness.

[Cytologic diagnosis of azoospermia]. / La diagnostica citologica nelle azoospermie.

Pathology and Cytology departments are making increasing use of cytological examination of the semen as an aid to the diagnosis and prognosis of male infertility. Even in cases where it may seem superfluous, as in azoospermia, it can be used to reveal the presence of immature reproductive cells indicating retarded maturation. It may also reveal a greater or lesser number of inflamed cells, indicating swelling of the spermatic vesicles. In this case the patient will be subjected to more specific tests (the Stamey EPS-EVS tests). Spermatic and prostatic vesicle cells are not often examined but this may be done to investigate the origin of the secretion and the site of any swelling.