The deleterious effects of surgically induced complete right bundle branch block on long-term follow-up results of closure of ventricular septal defect

The effects of complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) on the early postoperative course and long-term follow-up results of closure of ventricle septal defect (VSD) were investigated. (1) Postoperative change in cardiothoracic ratio (CTR); In patients whose ratio of total pulmonary resistance to total systemic resistance (Rp/Rs) was larger than or equal to 0.33, CTR of the group with CRBBB did not decrease significantly (p greater than 0.1) but CTR of the group without CRBBB was improved markedly (p less than 0.01). However, in patients whose Rp/Rs was less than 0.33, there was no significant difference in CTR reduction between the two groups. (2) Postoperative change in Rp/Rs in patients with preoperative Rp/Rs larger than or equal to 0.33: In the group with CRBBB the Rp/Rs decreased from a preoperative average of 36 to 27 percent; in the group without CRBBB, it decreased from 39 to 21 percent. There were significant differences in both the postoperative value of RP/Rs and the degree of postoperative decrease in Rp/Rs between the two groups (both p less than 0.05). (3) Change of pulse rate in the early postoperative period: In patients with Rp/Rs larger than or equal to 0.33, the postoperative increase in pulse rate of the group with CRBBB was significantly higher than that of the group without CRBBB (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that CRBBB has a strong deleterious effect on right ventricular function. The possibility that CRBBB has an ill effect on left ventricular function in patients with Rp/Rs larger than or equal to 0.33 is discussed.

Morphology and histochemistry of the endometrial cup

The luminal and cut surface of endometrial cups were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The distribution of PAS-positive and lipid materials in cup tissue was studied and most of the lipid material was localized in the large polyhedral cup cells. The lipid droplets gave positive reactions for DNPH in the cholesterol test of Schultz. They also exhibited autofluorescence and were therefore considered to be steroidal in nature. The significance of this possibility, particularly with regard to maintenance of early pregnancy in the mare, is discussed.

Cytokinetic analysis of osteogenic cells in the healing process after fracture

As the result of cytokinetic analysis of osteogenic cell at the time of reintegration after experimentally administered bone fractures in mice, the following findings were obtained: 1) Gt of mesenchymal-like cells 1 week after fracture was 23 h but that 2 weeks later was 15 h. This shortening of Gt was due to the shortening of Gt1. Gt of osteoblasts, one week after, was 20 h and that 2 weeks after was 21 h. This prolongation of Gt was due to the prolongation of St. Despite the fact that Gt of mesenchymal-like cells 2 weeks after fracture was shortened, St indicated prolongation. 2) Both mesenchymal-like cells and osteoblasts indicated a reduction of growth fractions 2 weeks later. From these facts, it is considered that in the reintegration of the fracture, these proliferative cells control their own growth fractions according to the necessity of repair of the fractured part. 3) It was argued that chondrocytes originated from mesenchymal-like cells but should not be the precursors of osteoblasts. 4) It was shown that mesenchymal-like cells must have the potential to differentiate into either osteoblasts or chondrocytes. 5) Mesenchymal-like cells are the precursors of osteoblasts and the latter are the precursors of osteocytes, but mesenchymal-like cells and osteoblasts have their own respective cell cycles. 6) It was argued that the relation between S-32 uptake by the matrix of the osteoid and chondrocytes as functional cells should be studied in relation to the role played by cartilage tissue in the mechanism of ossification.