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SummaryMethysergide, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine and 1-methylergotamine potentiated the response of both the human temporal and rabbit ear artery to noradrenaline. In higher doses, these drugs caused constriction of the rabbit arteries, but had little constrictor effect on the human vessels. Cyproheptadine and pizotifen did not cause either potentiation or direct vasoconstriction on either artery type. Pizotifen abolished the direct constrictor action of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) while leaving its potentiating properties unaffected; it also abolished the constrictor effects of methysergide but was without effect on the constrictor actions of the ergot derivatives. It is concluded that of the drugs tested only methysergide constricts the arteries by a direct action on 5HT receptors, and that 5HT, methysergide and the ergot derivatives have comparable activities at a separate receptor which is responsible for potentiation. It is suggested that, in the treatment of migraine, the therapeutic value of methysergide and the ergot derivatives, hut not cyproheptadine or pizotifen, may lie in their ability to replace 5HT as a sensitizing agent.Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (1974) 52, 813–823; doi:10.1038/icb.1974.80

SummaryIntravenous histamine caused a dose-dependent fall in mean arterial pressure, often preceded by a brief rise. After burimamide the initial pressor response was potentiated and the depressor response was abolished or reversed; in contrast, niepyramine abolished the pressor response and potentiated the hypotensive phase. After both drugs in combination the response to histamine was abolished. It is concluded that the response to histamine is a balance between a pressor effect mediated by mrpyramine-sensitive H1receptors, and a depressor effect mediated by burimamide-sensitive H2receptors.Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (1974) 52, 577–582; doi:10.1038/icb.1974.55

SummaryIsnprenaline greatly reduced the vasoconstrictor responses of the rabbit ear artery to short periods of electrical stimulation when parameters of stimulation were such that the response was also reduced by phentolamine and tetrodotoxin. This effect was abolished by propranolol and hence was due to stimulation of beta-adrenoccptors.Responses to electrical stimulation in the presence of tetrodotoxin and phentolamine were resistant to the effect of isoprenaline. It is concluded that beta-adrenoceptors exert their effect along an excitation-contraction pathway used by nerve-released transmitter but not by direct muscle stimulation.Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (1973) 51, 325–331; doi:10.1038/icb.1973.31

SummaryIsoprenaline caused relaxation of isolated perfused ear arteries and arterial strips tonically contracted in response to potassium, histamine or nor-adrenaline, and transient responses to injections of vasoconsrrictor drugs were reduced or abolished when isoprenaline was present in the perfusate or injected 5–10 seconds before the vasoconstrictor stimulus. The isoprenaline effect was abolished by propranolol, and it is concluded that beta-receptors are present in this preparation and that their stimulation causes vasodilatation.Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (1973) 51, 309–324; doi:10.1038/icb.1973.30

Many urologists have limited resources to track and analyze the clinical and health-related quality of life outcomes of prostate cancer patients. We developed software that compiles clinical and quality of life data and provides benchmarking capabilities against a national database of prostate cancer patients (CaPSURE™).METHODS: We randomly surveyed 50 urologists with a minimum of 5 years in practice, access to a computer in their office, and under the age of 65. To determine which features of a software program would be most interesting to them, urologists rank ordered eight areas of clinical practice: demographics, clinical staging, imaging, treatment, symptoms, medications, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. A software prototype (CaPSURE POS™) was designed based on survey results and beta-tested with urologists. Physicians enter data on prostate cancer patients prospectively at the time of office visits. Patients record responses on a quality-of-life instrument. Individual and group practice data can be tabulated and benchmarked against the national CaPSURE™ database. RESULTS: 80% of urologists stated they would likely use the patient outcomes software in their practice. The software features described as most useful included: clinical staging, imaging, treatment, and quality of life. Major software components include: PSA graphing, the Partin Nomogram, treatment patterns by demographics/disease stage, survival rates, resource use, and quality of life measurements. CONCLUSIONS:The ability of CaPSURE POS™ to analyze treatment and quality of life outcomes may be of significant value for urologists in a competitive health care environment and to improve outcomes for patients with prostate cancer.