Effects of celiprolol on serum lipids in systemic hypertension.

Antihypertensive therapy with celiprolol lowers blood pressure by selectively blocking beta 1 adrenoceptors. It also exhibits vasodilatory and bronchosparing effects and is not cardiodepressive. Because many beta blockers are often suspected of adversely raising serum lipid levels, especially triglycerides, a special investigation of lipids in hypertensive subjects was performed. The preliminary findings in a series of 14 patients (average age 39.7 years) with essential hypertension (World Health Organization stages I to II) who were treated with celiprolol for a period of 6 months are presented. Serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein remained virtually unchanged during treatment. There was, however, a tendency for triglyceride levels to fall with celiprolol treatment, a trend that became significant after 4 weeks. Moreover, high-density lipoproteins tended to increase with treatment and were significantly increased after 2 weeks. In contrast to findings obtained with other beta-blocking agents, no increases in total serum lipids were observed during celiprolol treatment. Blood pressure values of the subjects treated decreased significantly from a mean value (measured in the upright position) of 151/99 to 131/87 mm Hg. Blood pressure values taken in the supine position were also significantly reduced. No significant changes were noted in a variety of laboratory parameters, including blood count, blood coagulation time, blood sugar concentration, liver and kidney tests, electrolyte levels and urinalysis. The significance of these results, which suggest that celiprolol is not associated with adverse changes of lipids and may even positively influence blood chemistry, is discussed.

Reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients after treatment with celiprolol.

Long-term treatment with celiprolol, a new cardioselective beta blocker, significantly reduced blood pressure in 14 patients with essential hypertension (World Health Organization stages I to II). Heart rates remained within the normal range throughout treatment and no significant side effects were observed. In 4 patients, end-systolic septum thickness was measured, and evidence was obtained that the extent of left ventricular hypertrophy was reduced. These findings indicate that celiprolol can be used for the successful long-term treatment of essential hypertension, and that such treatment reduces left ventricular hypertrophy induced by high blood pressure.

Question of "head preference" in response to worm-like dummies during prey-capture of toads, Bufo bufo.

If a black worm-like dummy is moving against a white background, toads fixate and snap at the leading end of the stimulus. This "head preference" phenomenon is - within limits - independent of (i) background structure, and (ii) stripe length. "Head preference" can be disturbed by reducing the amount of the stimulus background contrast as well as by point structures incorporated in the worm-like shape of the stimulus. If the stimulus-background contrast of the worm dummy is reversed, toads exhibit a clear preference in fixating and snapping for the trailing end of the stimulus. This "tail preference" is independent of changes in (i) and (ii). The neural basis of "head preference" or "tail preference" respectively, is discussed.

Configurational prey selection by Bufo, Alytes, Bombina and Hyla.

The aim of the present study is to answer the following questions; (1) Is the ability of toads to distinguish between different configurational prey stimuli based on learning during ontogeny? (2) Is the configurational meaning of a stimulus influenced by its distance from the animal? (3) Are there differences in configurational prey selection among different anuran species? (1) Experiments with postmetamorphic juveniles of Alytes obstetricans indicate that preferences for worm-like objects can be obtained immediately after metamorphosis. This preference undergoes some specialization during ontogeny. (2) The configurational meaning of 'worm-like' and 'antiworm-like' objects is -- within broad ranges -- independent of the distance from the animal so far as has been investigated in A. obstetricans and Bufo bufo. (3) The configurational discrimination ability (between worm-like and antiworm-like objects) has common basic components in different anuran species, so far investigated in the following species: B. bufo, Hyla arborea, Hyla cinerea, A. obstetricans. Bombina variegata. There are remarkable species differences for preferred absolute prey sizes, which may depend on different body sizes and in particular upon the size of the mouth.

Ontogenetic aspects on visual "size-constancy" phenomena in the midwife toad Alytes obstetricans (Laur.).

About 2 weeks after metamorphosis, midwife toads Alytes obstetricans judge the size of a prey object mainly in scales of visual angle. For distant objects they show a tendency to respond to absolute object size. About 6 months later the juvenile animals are able to judge absolute prey size in relation to the stimulus distance ("size constancy" phenomenon). This ability is not necessarily based on learning or previous experience.