The effect of cryopreservation on functional correlates of embryo integrity

To assess possible functional effects of the procedures involved in freezing/thawing of mammalian embryos, uptake of 3H-glycine and 125I-BSA (bovine serum albumin) was measured in mouse two-cell embryos and morulae before and after freezing. None of the procedures of dehydration, rehydration, or freezing affected glycine uptake significantly. Earlier results for uptake of 125I-BSA by fresh embryos which indicated an increase in endocytic activity between morula and blastocyst stages were confirmed, and hydrolysis of endocytosed 125I-BSA by morulae but not two-cell embryos was observed. Only 53 +/- 9% of two-cell embryos but 83 +/- 7% of morulae were apparently normal after freezing and thawing. Apparently normal frozen/thawed two-cell embryos were twice as active in 125I-BSA uptake as controls. This was not the case for morulae. The results suggest that freezing/thawing effects endocytotic processes in two-cell embryos but not morulae.

Contrast echocardiography during coronary arteriography in humans: perfusion and anatomic studies

In humans, the physiologic relation between myocardial blood flow and epicardial coronary artery anatomy remains poorly defined. With the recent development of sonicated microbubble contrast agents, it is now possible to use contrast echocardiography to assess myocardial perfusion and to correlate blood flow with angiographically identified coronary artery anatomy. The purpose of the current study was to determine myocardial perfusion patterns in patients without significant coronary artery disease. The results may be used as a reference to analyze myocardial blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease. Sonicated meglumine sodium diatrizoate solution (Renografin-76), which contains microbubbles measuring 4.5 +/- 2.8 micrograms in diameter by laser analysis, was used as the echocardiographic contrast agent during elective coronary arterriography in 14 patients without significant coronary artery disease. Patients received intracoronary injections of 1.5 to 2 ml of sonicated Renografin-76 without complications. Perfusion characteristics were studied by visual assessment of the two-dimensional echocardiographic images obtained after individual injections. In patients found to be free of significant coronary artery disease by arteriography, the left coronary system always supplied the anteroseptal, anterior, anterolateral and posterior regions of the left ventricle at the mid-papillary, cross-sectional level. The right coronary artery system perfused the inferior and inferoseptal regions in 89% of the patients identified with a right dominant system. The anterolateral papillary muscle was perfused from the left coronary system in all cases. The posteromedial papillary muscle was perfused from the left coronary system in 58% of the patients and from the right system in 42% of the patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Detection and localization of antigens on the surface of mouse spermatozoa. Antigen synthesis in the epididymis

Spermatozoa achieve functional maturity during their transit through the epididymis and this maturation process is accompanied by changes in the composition and proteins of their surface. The addition of secretory products from the epididymis to the plasma membranes of the spermatozoa is considered to be a prerequisite for the acquisition by the spermatozoa of the capacities for forward motility and ovum recognition. An antibody was purified from an antiserum raised in the rabbit against fluid from the cauda epididymis of the mouse. This antibody, in combination with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated goat anti-rabbit antibody, was used to demonstrate a progressive increase in the synthesis and secretion of antigens along the length of the epididymis. Immunoaffinity chromatography of [35S]methionine-labelled proteins, synthesized by segments of the epididymis maintained in vitro, showed that the predominant protein synthesized by the cauda, but not by the caput, epididymis, migrated on electrophoresis with an apparent Mr of 26,000. This same protein was the major antigen found on the plasma membrane of cauda spermatozoa that had been radioactively labelled with the non-penetrating probe isethionyl [1-14C]acetimidate.

Eating difficulties in the toddler and preschool child

Parents frequently bring toddlers and preschool children with eating problems to the family physician. Eating problems are seldom caused by major, organic pathology. Eating is a cultural and social activity; children's nutritional history, their growth and development and the role of the family in defining, maintaining and/or resolving the problem are important components in the management of eating difficulties. The family doctor can help the family cope by giving information, specific suggestions, and support. Referral to a nutritionist may be necessary if the problem is complex or prolonged.

Borderline personality disorder and the MMPI

Fourteen patients diagnosed as borderline on the basis of the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines obtained a mean group profile of 8-2-7 similar in configuration, but more elevated than that obtained by a group of 7 diagnostically heterogeneous controls. The borderline patients manifested significantly greater hypochondriasis, depression and hysteria, slightly more schizotypal features, a more deviant self-presentation, and lesser defensiveness. However, considerable heterogeneity in symptomatology was found within the borderline subsample. Further, clinical scales comprised of a higher proportion of relatively subtle and presumably less structured items did not discriminate borderline from control patients more effectively than did those scales made up of a lower proportion of such items. The results offer partial support for the construct validity of the borderline syndrome and for the usefulness of the MMPI in differentiating it from other psychiatric disorders.

Effects of topical treatment with beta-aminopropionitrile after radial keratotomy in the rabbit

This study assessed the effect of beta-aminopropionitrile treatment on the long-term curvature and compliance of corneal tissue subjected to radial keratotomy (RK). beta-Aminopropionitrile is known to inhibit cross-linking of collagen and is expected to enhance the flexibility of scar tissue, thereby reducing wound contracture and regression after RK. Seventeen adult New Zealand rabbits, weighing about 4.5 kg each, underwent RK in both eyes (eight incisions, 90% deep, 3-mm pupillary zone). Their mean preoperative corneal curvature was 44.25 diopters (+/- 0.32D at 95% confidence level). Nine of the rabbits were treated topically with beta-aminopropionitrile ointment (33 weight % in petroleum three times daily), while the control group received the petrolatum base only. The remainder of the animals received bland petrolatum gel as a control. The animals were given periodic keratometric examinations and were killed after six to eight weeks. At that time, the beta-aminopropionitrile group showed a mean reduction of 1.85 +/- 0.13 D in corneal curvature, compared with 1.18 +/- 0.08 D in the control group. The compliance and strength of the corneas were measured in vitro immediately after death. In the pressure range from 10 to 40 mm Hg, the beta-aminopropionitrile-treated corneas changed in curvature by an average of 1.4 D as compared with 0.5-D flattening for the controls. These results indicate the effectiveness of beta-aminopropionitrile treatment in enhancing longterm compliance and reducing refractive regression after RK.

The geriatric patient in ecological perspective

A hallmark of family medicine is the concern for the individual in the context of family and local community. For the geriatric patient in particular, these concerns far exceed the capabilities of the traditional biomedical model. A problem-solving approach to clinical problems is proposed which extends beyond pathophysiology to include biographical and ecological considerations. A case of an older couple is presented that serves to illustrate the importance of a multilevel approach to patient care and management.

Self-mutilation and the borderline personality

As part of a larger study of pathological self-injury, 14 self-mutilators and 14 psychiatric controls matched for age, sex, and inpatient/outpatient status were administered the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines. Consistent with Gunderson's theory of borderline personality disorder, the self-mutilators scored significantly higher on impulse-action patterns, affects, psychoticism, and interpersonal relations as well as on the total borderline index. A review of clinical records likewise revealed that self-mutilators were more likely than controls to have been diagnosed as borderline and to have received a greater number of different diagnoses during their treatment career. The results have implications for developmental theory, diagnosis, and treatment and provide support for the construct validity and clinical utility of the borderline syndrome and the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines.

Effects of various anti-inflammatory drugs on type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats

The effects of some commonly used anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic drugs on the inflammatory and immunological manifestations of type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats were studied. Among the anti-inflammatory drugs tested at a given dosage (mg/kg/day), benoxaprofen (10), aspirin (25) and indomethacin (3) inhibited the hind paw swelling and anti-type II collagen antibody formation in type II collagen-treated rats. Benoxaprofen also inhibited the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to type II collagen. Phenylbutazone (30) and fenoprofen (40) partially suppressed the paw swelling, but had no significant effect on humoral and cellular responses. Among the other anti-arthritic drugs, levamisol (25), chloroquine (25) and D-penicillamine significantly suppressed the paw swelling, anti-type II collagen antibody titres and DTH response. Gold chlorophosphene (10) and colchicine (3) had no effect on any of these three parameters. Paramethasone (0.1), cyclophosphamide (1) and azathioprine (10) were very effective when dosed daily, or once (at a different dose) 72 hr prior to immunization with type II collagen.

Effect of artificial photoperiods on plasma thyroxine-binding prealbumin and retinol-binding protein in Japanese quail

Variations in thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentrations in plasma were determined in Japanese quail subjected to a shortened solar lighting cycle lasting 4 months of real time. The concentration of TBPA varied inversely with the length of daily photoperiod up to 15 h (correlation coefficient r = −0·99) when a minimum level was reached of about 50% of that obtained under short days consisting of 8 h light: 16 h darkness (8L : 16D). A slight reversal in the concentration of TBPA occurred with photoperiods in excess of 16 h. The time-lag in response of the cyclic change in TBPA after the change in the lighting cycle was 8 days. The concentration of holoRBP, on the other hand, showed little change with photoperiods <15 h, but between 15 and 17·5 h it passed through peak values which were 24% and approximately 10% higher than the initial concentrations in female and male birds respectively. Total immunoreactive RBP concentrations in plasma peaked similarly in females but in males the apparent changes were not significant. The molar ratio of the two proteins (TBPA: RBP) which form a 1:1 complex in plasma also changed inversely with photoperiod from 1·6 on short (8L : 16D) to 0·6 on long (16L : 8D) days. When the ratio declined below 1·0 it was noted that rapid growth of the gonads took place and when this ratio returned to > 1·0 regression set in. The changes in plasma TBPA concentration were examined in Japanese quail subjected to sudden changes in photoperiod from short (8L : 16D) to long (20L : 4D) days and vice versa. In the group of birds transferred from short to long days the plasma level declined significantly (P<0·05) within 3 days, whereas birds changed from long to short days were more refractory in that a significant increase was seen only after 30 days. The synthesis of TBPA in liver is closely controlled by photoperiod and it seems that this protein plays an important role in the peripheral distribution of thyroxine and perhaps also influences the cyclical supply of retinol to the gonads.

K+-evoked [3H]-5-HT release from rat frontal cortex slices: the effect of 5-HT agonists and antagonists

The pharmacological characteristics of a pre-junctional 5-HT autoreceptor have been studied by following the Ca2+-dependent, K+-evoked release of [3H]-5-HT from preloaded rat frontal cortex slices. Added 5-HT, in the presence of the 5-HT uptake inhibitor chlorimipramine, caused a dose related inhibition of the K+-evoked release of [3H]-5-HT in this system as did the 5-HT analogues 5-methoxytryptamine, N-methyltryptamine, 5-methoxy-NN'-dimethyltryptamine, N-methyl 5-hydroxytryptamine and tryptamine. The inhibitory effect of 1 microM 5-HT on the K+-evoked release of [3H]-5-HT was reversed in a dose-related manner by the 5-HT antagonist drug, methiothepin (pA10 value 6.7). At a concentration of 1 microM, the 5-HT antagonists drugs cinanserin and mianserin produced a small but significant reversal of the 5-HT induced inhibition of K+-evoked [3H]-5-HT release, but methysergide, metergoline and cyproheptadine were completely without effect at this concentration. The results are interpreted as evidence for a pre-junctional autoreceptor for 5-HT in the frontal cortex of the rat with a different pharmacological specificity for 5-HT antagonists from previously studied 5-HT receptors.