No abstract

The synthesis of 2-amino-5,8-dimethoxy-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (5,8-ADT) and evaluation of ADT and 2-amino-l ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (2-AT) as partial congeners of LSD and restricted conformers of psychotomimetic phenylisopropylamines were undertaken. Theoretical aspects of psychotomimetics are discussed. Both compounds depressed spontaneous motor activity in mice and had a pressor effect in the anesthetized dog. In the Sidman avoidance test in rats, 2-AT was probably hallucinogenic, while 5,8-ADT had only an amphetamine-like, stimulatory effect. In the isolated rat fundus strip, 2-AT caused contraction and was antagonized at low doses by BOL. Agonistic effects were not seen for 5,8-ADT.

The cutaneous vascular effects of prostaglandin B 2 (PGB2) were studied in dogs during constant-flow perfusion of the hind paw. The effects of PGB 2 (50-800 ng/kg min" 1 , ia) on systemic pressure, hind-paw perfusion pressure, and responses to local heating at 45°C (30 seconds) and cooling at 4°C (90 seconds) were measured in 44 dogs. PGB 2 increased perfusion pressure by 50 ± 19 mm Hg to 218 ± 21 mm Hg without any effect on systemic arterial blood pressure. The pressor response to cooling increased from 34 mm Hg to 53 mm Hg (50 ng/kg min~1PGB 2 ), but the dilator response to heating was reduced significantly during infusions of PGB 2 (50 and 100 ng/kg). Acute denervation and reserpine treatment (0.5 mg/kg dog" 1 for 2 days) reduced the constrictor responses to PGB 2 . The abilities of PGB 2 to produce intense vasoconstriction, which is blocked by acute denervation and reserpine, to enhance responses to cooling, and to antagonize responses to heating make this preparation a useful model for the study of Raynaud's phenomenon and suggest that a prostaglandin, perhaps PGB 2 , may participate in cutaneous vasospastic disorders. KEY WORDSRaynaud's phenomenon cold-induced vasoconstriction enhanced by PGB 2 heat-induced vasodilation antagonized by PGB 2 skin blood flow denervation reserpine pressor response • Recent reports from our laboratory (1-3) that have been confirmed by Joiner and co-workers (4) have demonstrated that prostaglandin B 2 (PGB 2 ) is a potent, fairly selective constrictor of the canine cutaneous and pulmonary vasculature with only slight systemic vasodilator or vasoconstrictor activity. Also, it has been suggested that PGB compounds mediate the formation of cutaneous ulcerative lesions (5) and constrict human hand veins (6). Therefore, we evaluated PGB 2 -induced vasoconstriction as a possible model for Raynaud's phenomenon.

No abstract

We present the case of a patient who had rheumatoid nodules of the vertebrae, which had resulted in bony destruction of the spine at 3 levels. Although there have been only 3 previous reports of such findings with confirmation by histologic analysis, we believe the condition is more common than has been thought. From a review of the literature, we found that similar clinical and radiographic features, as well as descriptions of rheumatoid granulation tissue invading the disc spaces, have been described in several subjects, Rheumatoid nodules are found in approximately 20% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These nodules occur most commonly on the extensor surface of the forearm, on the Achilles tendon, and in the olecranon bursa (1). Less commonly, they have been found in the lungs, heart, spinal cord, meninges, and on the vocal cords. Standard rheumatology texts, however, make no mention of rheumatoid nodule involvement on body structures (2,3). Autopsy studies have demonstrated that rheumatoid nodules were the cause of vertebral body destruction in 3 subjects with RA (4-6). We report another case of vertebral destruc- tion at multiple levels of the spine. This case is unique in that, during spinal surgery, rheumatoid nodules were found to have caused the vertebral destruction.Case report. The patient, a 65-year-old American Indian woman, had a 17-year history of seropositive nodular RA and a 9-year history of insulindependent diabetes mellitus. The arthritis had been treated with prednisone for most of the 17 years, and D-penicillamine had recently been added to the regimen. Her arthritis was well controlled with these medications until November 1984, when she noted the onset of dull, nonradiating pain in her lower back.The pain progressed, and in April 1985, roentgenograms were made of the patient's spine; these showed destruction of the L3-L4 disc space. A bane scan was also performed, and it showed diffuse uptake in this same area. Needle aspiration of the disc space was performed. Cytologic results and acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining were negative, as were bacterial and tuberculosis (TB) cultures. It was believed, however, that the radiographic results were most compatible with a diagnosis of TB of the spine, and she was started on a regimen of isoniazid and rifampin.The pain worsened, and by June 1985, the patient became unable to walk. Roentgenograms of her spine (July 1985) showed progressive destruction of the L3-L4 disc space, with right sacroiliac (SI) joint destruction. A computed tomography scan demonstrated marked destruction of the L4 vertebral body. Needle aspiration of the right SI joint gave negative results on cytologic study, AFB staining, and bacterial and TB cultures. At that time, the patient was referred to the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center for further evaluation.At the time of admission, she was taking the