Cardiovascular and subjective effects of intravenous cocaine administration in humans

Nine volunteer subjects were tested with intravenously administered cocaine hydrochloride in doses ranging from 4 to 32 mg, as well as 10 mg of dextroamphetamine sulfate. Measures of cardiovascular and subjective effects were made. Generally parallel dose-effect functions were obtained for heart rate, blood pressure, Addiction Research Center Inventory scores, Profile of Mood Scales, and subject ratings. A substantial effect on each of these variables was recorded after 8 mg of cocaine. The increase continued and peaked at approximately 16 mg after which it usually leveled off. Ten milligrams of dextroamphetamine generally had an effect comparable to 8 to 16 mg of cocaine.     

Mechanosensitive afferent units in the hypogastric nerve of the cat

1. Recordings have been made from ninety single afferent units in the hypogastric and lumbar splanchnic nerves of the cat. 2. The majority of units examined had properties similar to those previously described in the splanchnic nerve: they were slowly adapting mechanoreceptors with one to six punctate mechanosensitive sites distributed mainly along blood vessels as they approached the viscera in peritoneal ligaments; they had a wide range of mechanical thresholds and conduction velocities in the range 0.5-24 m s-1. 3. Receptive fields were found over the bladder base or its peritoneal ligaments or both, on the uterus or broad ligament or both, on the colon or mesocolon or both, and in association with the ureter, vas deferens, prostate or pelvic fat pads. 4. Discharges from afferent units associated with the bladder were investigated during spontaneous (or reflex) bladder contractions, passive distensions, and tetanic contractions induced by electrical stimulation of the sacral spinal cord. The mean spike rates of the adapted (tonic) discharges, observed during distensions and induced tetani, differed over part of the range of intravesical pressures examined. Their behaviour is discussed in relation to the concept of 'in series' tension receptors within the bladder wall.     

A simple device to obtain a pulsatile flow. Application to the vascular perfusion of dogs isolated intestinal segments

A simple device allowing a pulsatile flow to be obtained in isolated organ perfusion has been developed and applied to the vascular perfusion of isolated canine jejunal segments. The principle of the device consists of superimposing on a constant pressure produced by a roller pump, a pulsatile pressure of which the amplitude, frequency, and shape of the pulses can be adjusted separately and independently of the mean pressure value. The role of the arterial pulse in intestinal vascular perfusion has been studied by comparing the hemodynamic and metabolic behavior during alternate periods of pulsatile and nonpulsatile pumping. While no striking change in vascular resistance was observed, the O2 consumption was significantly increased under pulsatile flow. These results testify to better metabolic conditions and enhanced organ functions under pulsatile pumping and also argue for improved intestinal microcirculation despite the constancy of the vascular resistance.     

Association of hemoglobin Saint Etienne (alpha2beta295F8 His replaced by G1n) with hemoglobins A and F. Synthesis and subunit exchange in vitro

The unstable hemoglobin (Hb) Saint Etienne (alpha2beta295F8 His replaced by G1n) (betaSE) was found in the red blood cells of an 8-year-old boy. The composition of this hemoglobin was 26% Saint Etienne, 52% A, 3% A2 and 19% HbF. Studies of hemoglobin synthesis indicate: a) a balanced synthesis of alpha and non-alpha chains (alpha=betaA + betaSE + gamma), b) an increased pool of free alpha hemoglobin chains, and c) a rapid exchange of alpha chains between this pool and HbSE. The alpha chain pool resulted from the dissociation of HbSE and the greater instability of betaSE chains than alpha chains upon heating. Hemoglobin F is of the fetal type and is heterogeneously distributed among the red cells. Furthermore, two populations of red blood cells could be separated according to their i antigen content. Analysis of the hemoglobins revealed a heterogeneous distribution. Thus, F hemoglobin was preferentially associated with cells having low i antigen level, while Saint Etienne hemoglobin was increased in cells having a high i antigen level. HbF and HbSE were not present in the parents of the propositus. Study of the genetic markers confirmed the filiation. The parents were normal upon clinical and hematological examination; they exhibited a normal pattern and synthesis of hemoglobin. The Hb Saint Etienne case is compared with Hb Istanbul, which in spite of the same amino acid substitution is not associated with increased HbF level.