Prolongation of lung xenograft survival in rats with a short course of deoxyspergualin and cyclosporin A

The efficacy of 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG), cyclosporin A (CyA), and splenectomy--alone or in combination--in prolonging the survival of concordant lung xenotransplants was studied in the hamster-to-rat model. In the untreated group, rejection occurred within 3 days, with an elevation of lymphocytotoxic antibody titers. The rejected lung revealed that ED1 + cells were more prevalent than MRC OX8 + cells in the perivascular infiltrates. In the DSG group, the antibody response was suppressed and median survival increased to 7.5 days. The rejected lungs demonstrated a highly significant depression in ED1 + cellular infiltration and a moderate MRC OX8 + cellular infiltration. When maintenance CyA was combined with a short course of DSG, survival dramatically increased to beyond 100 days. There were no deposits of IgM, IgG, or C3 or of any cell infiltrate in the grafts of two animals sacrificed 107 and 119 days post-transplantation. We conclude that initial treatment with DSG combined with continuous CyA can suppress acute rejection in the hamster-to-rat lung xenograft model, resulting in long-term graft survival.

A genetic linkage map of the Syrian hamster and localization of cardiomyopathy locus on chromosome 9qa2.1-b1 using RLGS spot-mapping

The Syrian cardiomyopathic hamster (BIO14.6) has an inherited form of progressive myocardial necrosis and congestive heart failure. Although widely studied as an animal model for human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, further genetic analysis has been limited by a scarcity of DNA markers. Until now, only six autosomal linkage groups have been described and the number of polymorphic loci was extremely limited. In this study, we applied the restriction landmark genome scanning (RLGS) spot-mapping method to construct a genetic map of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) using 72 back-cross progeny. Although the polymorphic rate is very low (3-7%) between the strains, 531 polymorphic spots/loci were mapped, showing the power of this approach and reasonable applicability to other organisms lacking a well-defined genetic map. Further, the spot markers which flank the cardiomyopathy (cm) locus were cloned to determine the chromosomal location of cm by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, resulting in the assignment of the locus to the centromeric region of hamster chromosome 9qa2.1-b1. Several candidate genes responsible for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in humans have been excluded.

Stress-strain curve and Young's modulus of a collagen molecule as determined by the X-ray diffraction technique

The purpose of the work described in this paper was to make a stress-strain curve for a collagen molecule and estimate Young's modulus of a molecule along the molecular axis. X-ray diffractometry was performed on bovine Achilles tendon in order to measure strain in the collagen molecule along the molecular axis as a response to a macroscopically applied force. By geometrical calculations and experiments, cross-sectional areas of a molecule and molecules in a tendon collagen fiber were determined. The applied force was translated to the stress and the stress-strain curve of the collagen molecule was constructed, which was found to be almost linear. Young's modulus of the molecule was determined to be slightly smaller than when determined by dynamic mechanical methods. The difference was considered to suggest the existence of a viscoelastic component within the molecule as well as the difference in the mechanical properties of collagen in different tissues. The expected viscoelasticity was speculated to be related to the hydrogen bond network in the collagen molecule.

Clinical significance and time course of antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in Japanese children with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Although anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADAb) have been reported to be a useful diagnostic and predictive marker of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM, type 1 DM) in Caucasians, a precise analysis of GADAb in Japanese children has not been reported. We examined the clinical significance and time course of GADAb in Japanese IDDM children, who have different genetic backgrounds from Caucasians. Twenty-three of 34 (67.6%) sera from recent-onset (< 6 months) IDDM, and 16 of 49 (32.7%) sera from long-standing (> or = 2 years) IDDM patients were positive for GADAb. This prevalence of GADAb in IDDM patients was significantly higher than in normal controls and the other groups including non-insulin-dependent DM, autoimmune thyroid disease and congenital hypothyroidism, and was also significantly higher in recent-onset than in long-standing IDDM. Time course analysis suggested that autoimmune response against GAD could follow different courses in individual cases after the initiation of insulin therapy. The incidence of GADAb was significantly higher in females than in males in the older age group (11-15 years). Other clinical features including residual pancreatic beta-cell function after diagnosis were demonstrated to be similar between GADAb-positive and -negative patients. In conclusion, this study using the newly established radioimmunoassay (RIA) for GADAb revealed a high prevalence of autoimmune reactivity to GAD in Japanese IDDM children. These results, using this RIA procedure, might assist in laying the groundwork for future trials of immunomodulation therapy for IDDM in Japan.

Anesthesia induced in pigs by use of a combination of medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine and its reversal by administration of atipamezole

OBJECTIVE

To develop an IM administrable anesthetic combination for pigs.

DESIGN

Use of a combination of atropine, medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine (MB-K) was evaluated as an anesthetic regimen and compared with that of a combination of atropine, xylazine, butorphanol, and ketamine (XB-K). Cardiorespiratory effects of MB-K combination and use of atipamezole as a means of reversing anesthesia induced by MB-K were examined.

ANIMALS

18 castrated, mixed-breed, specific-pathogenfree pigs, aged 8 to 15 (mean, 12.1) weeks and weighing 14.5 to 26.0 (mean, 19.6) kg. were studied.

PROCEDURE

Dosages of drugs used in this study were atropine, 25 micrograms/kg of body weight; medetomidine, 80 micrograms/kg; xylazine, 2 mg/kg; butorphanol, 200 micrograms/kg; ketamine, 10 mg/kg; and atipamezole, 240 micrograms/kg.

RESULTS

MB-K combination proved to be more effective than XB-K combination as an anesthetic combination. After quick and smooth induction by IM administration, MB-K-induced anesthesia was sustained for 98.8 +/- 22.5 minutes (mean +/- SD, 47.4 +/- 16.5 minutes by XB-K) with accompanying muscular relaxation (91 +/- 18 minutes) and loss of pedal (82 +/- 24 minutes) and laryngeal (75 +/- 19 minutes) reflexes. Loss of these reflexes was of significantly longer duration than the loss induced by XB-K, enabled tracheal intubation, and, thus, supported major surgery for at least 30 minutes after induction. Recovery from MB-K-induced anesthesia was smooth. MB-K combination had a slight stimulative effect on cardiovascular status, and a significant depressant effect on blood gas and acid-base status, but these effects were within biologically acceptable limits. Oxygen consumption of pigs under MB-K-induced anesthesia decreased significantly. MB-K-induced anesthesia could be effectively and quickly reversed by IM or IV administration of atipamezole.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine induces excellent surgical anesthesia in pigs, and results in moderate cardiorespiratory effects. A great advantage of the anesthetic regimen is that it can be effectively and quickly reversed by atipamezole.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine-induced anesthesia is available for short-term major surgery in pigs.

[A case of benign cystic teratoma growing in the thoracic cavity]

A case with benign cystic teratoma growing in the thoracic cavity, which is rare in Japan, in a 49-year-old woman is reported. She complained a chest pain suddenly. Chest X-ray examination revealed an abnormal shadow and pleural effusion in the right lung field. Chest CT scan and MRI disclosed a capsulated tumor in the thoracic cavity. During surgery the tumor had adhered to the part of the parietal pleura with no continuity with anterior mediastinum. The tumor measured 11.0 x 9.5 cm in size and was a mature cystic teratoma with pancreatic tissue, histologically. The fluid levels of amylase extracted from the tumor was highly elevated. Rupture due to autodigestion by pancreatic amylase of the tumor was supposed to be a cause of chest pain.

Evaluation of double filtration plasmapheresis, thermofiltration, and low-density lipoprotein adsorptive methods by crossover test in the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia patients

A comparative assessment has been made regarding efficacy and safety of the double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), thermofiltration (TFPP), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) adsorptive (PA) methods by making a crossover test on heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients. Treatments by DFPP, TFPP (secondary membrane Evalux 5A), and PA (Liposorber LA-40) were carried out 5 times each, with a 2-week interval, in 5 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The same plasma separator (Plasmacure PS-60, polysulfone) was used in all cases, and the volume of plasma processed was set at 4 L. High removal rates were obtained of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides TG, and apolipoprotein B (apoB) by all three methods, and no differences were observed. Lipoprotein (a), apoA-2, apoC-3, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) showed significantly high removal rates by the DFPP and TFPP methods compared with the PA method. The sieving coefficient of albumin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol at 2 and 4 L of plasma processed exhibited high permeabilities using all three methods. Supplementing albumin was not necessary. An increase of the transmembrane pressure was observed in 1 case treated by DFPP but was not observed when using the TFPP or PA method. No changes were observed in serum interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) before and after treatment by any of the three methods. No remarkable side effects were observed using either the DFPP or TFPP method. The DFPP and TFPP methods showed efficacy and safety that was not inferior to the PA method in conventional LDL apheresis, and the dead-end method of the filter operation without the discarding of plasma was shown to be possible.

[Biological characteristics of amyloid precursor protein and Alzheimer's disease]

Recent advances in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research were briefly reviewed. AD is the most common cause of progressive intellectual decline in the aged in the Western world and also in Japan. The AD-affected brain is characterized by numerous amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal losses. The amyloid deposition is considered to be more important because it appears first, and is followed by NFTs. The amyloid is composed of amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), a 40 approximately 42 amino acid fragment of the large membrane protein, amyloid precursor protein (APP). Abeta is cleaved by the proteolytic enzymes, beta, and gamma secretase. Considerable effort has been directed to identify these enzymes, and to find the intracellular compartments where Abeta is generated. The lysosome, or related acidic compartment is one of the candidates. The N and C terminis of the Abeta is known to vary slightly. Biochemical and immunopathological studies implicate that Abeta42 is more important than Abeta40 in the pathogenesis of AD. On the other hand, many missense mutations in APP gene and other genes, e.g. S182, and STM 2 have been identified in familial AD. Neuropathologically, AD is regarded as cerebral Abeta amyloidosis. The AD amyloid is composed of many proteins other than Abeta, designated as amyloid associated proteins. These proteins may play important roles in amyloid formation, since Abeta itself is soluble. Transgenic mice and chloroquine myopathy rat are available as animal models for AD. Elucidation of the roles of these missense mutations, and amyloid associated proteins in the cascade of AD, may provide a breakthrough to therapeutics for AD.

Cerebral aneurysms: evaluation with three-dimensional CT angiography

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional CT angiography (CTA), in which contrast material is used to create reformations of dynamic scans, in the diagnosis and the preoperative evaluation of cerebral aneurysms.

METHODS

We used 3-D CTA to examine 65 patients with suspected or angiographically verified cerebral aneurysms. A blind study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 3-D CTA for cerebral aneurysms with the use of conventional angiography as the reference standard.

RESULTS

In 50 patients, conventional angiography revealed 73 cerebral aneurysms ranging from 2 to 32 mm in maximum diameter. Three of the 73 cerebral aneurysms were located outside the imaging volume of 3-D CTA. The sensitivities of the two neuroradiologists for the remaining 70 aneurysms were 67% and 70%, respectively. Although 3-D CTA depicted cerebral aneurysms 5 mm or larger with good accuracy, it was less useful for the detection of smaller aneurysms. For the evaluation of giant aneurysms, this technique elucidated the relationships among the aneurysm, surrounding arteries, and neighboring bone structure.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional CTA is useful for the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms with diameters of 5 mm or more. This technique is especially useful in the preoperative evaluation of giant aneurysms.

Comparison of proliferative activities and metastases between two subtypes classified at the deeply infiltrating sites of colorectal moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas

Twenty-eight moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas invading beyond the muscularis propria of the colorectum were subclassified as 13 moderate- and 15 poor-subtype tumors based on the histology at the deeply infiltrating sites. Moderately differentiated cancer cells were correlated with liver metastasis and p53 immunoreactivity. Poorly differentiated cancer cells were correlated with lymph node metastases but not to p53 immunoreactivity. The proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index (LI), Ki-67 LI and agyrophilic nuclear organizer regions (AgNOR) values determined for the poorly differentiated cancer cells in the poor-subtype tumors were significantly lower than those of moderately differentiated cancer cells in the moderate-subtype tumors. In cells from tumors classified as poor-subtype, poor differentiation was associated with decreased PCNA LI levels, but with unchanged Ki-67 LI and AgNOR values. These results indicate that colorectal adenocarcinoma cells that are histologically subclassified as moderately differentiated have different proliferative and metastatic activities from cancer cells that are poorly differentiated. Moderately differentiated cancer cells are associated with hematogenous metastasis to liver and high proliferative activity, and loss of tubular formation of cancer cells may be fundamentally related to lymph node metastasis and infiltrative growth.

[A comparative study on the efficacies of ritipenem acoxil and cefotiam hexetil in bacterial pneumonia by the double-blind method]

To objectively evaluate the efficacy, safety and usefulness of the newly developed penem oral antibiotic, ritipenem acoxil (RIPM-AC), against bacterial pneumonia, we conducted a multi-center double-blind comparative study using cefotiam hexetil (CTM-HE) as the control drug. Both RIPM-AC and CTM-HE were orally administered at 200 mg t.i.d. for 14 days, in principle. The results were as follows: The total number of patients enrolled in this trial was 208, of which 152 cases (RIPM-AC group: 73, CTM-HE group: 79) were evaluable for clinical efficacy. 1. The clinical efficacy rates (excellent + good) were 91.8% (67/73) in the RIPM-AC group and 94.9% (75/79) in the CMT-HE group. There was no significant difference between the two groups, and the clinical equivalency of RIPM-AC to CTM-HE was demonstrated. 2. In the patients enrolled in the evaluation of clinical efficacy, the eradication rates of the causative organisms were 84.6% (22/26) in the RIPM-AC group and 91.7% (22/24) in the CTM-HE group, with no significant difference between the two groups. 3. Side effects were noted in 9 cases (9.6%) of the RIPM-AC group and 5 cases (4.9%) of the CTM-HE group. Abnormal laboratory test findings were observed in 23 cases (26.7%) of the RIPM-AC group and 15 cases (15.6%) of the CTM-HE group. There was no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of side effects nor of abnormal laboratory test findings. In the safety evaluation, RIPM-AC was judged to be safe in 64 cases (68.1%) and CTM-HE in 82 cases (80.4%), with no significant difference. 4. The usefulness rates (markedly useful+useful) were 86.5% (64/74) in the RIPM-AC group and 92.5% (74/80) in the CTM-HE group. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Since RIPM-AC showed clinical efficacy similar to those of CTM-HE and posed no particular safety problems, it is expected to be a useful antibiotic for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia.

Histopathological findings on ulcerative lesions of carpal and tarsal joints in Japanese black cattle

In order to determine the pathogenesis of ulcerative lesions of the articular cartilages in Japanese Black cattle, tissue samples of the ulcerative lesion, marginal portion of the ulcer, macroscopically normal portions and synovial membranes were histopathologically examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and contact microradiography. The results are summarized as follows: (1) In the ulcerative lesions, degeneration and complete destruction of articular cartilage and its replacement with a proliferation of myelogenic connective tissue were observed. (2) In macroscopically normal portions, fissures of the articular surface and changes of the trabecular pattern in subchondral bone were present. (3) In the marginal portions of the ulcerative lesions, evidences of the repair process such as connective tissue growth from subchondral bones and articular cartilages were seen. (4) In synovial membranes, no pathological findings were observed. And (5) among the above mentioned changes, no inflammatory findings were seen. In conclusion, the ulcerative lesions of bovine articular cartilage may be regarded as the early stage of osteochondrosis to osteoarthrosis since the findings such as noninflammatory destruction or degeneration and remodeling of the joints are characteristics of the latter.

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (Ki-1 lymphoma) with expression of IL-5 mRNA and eosinophilic invasion

We examined a patient with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (Ki-1 lymphoma) showing eosinophilic invasion of the tumor tissues. The number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood changed as a function of the stage of the disease. The IL-5 gene was expressed in the tumor tissues, suggesting that the eosinophilic invasion and eosinophilia were caused by IL-5 derived from the lymphoma cells.

[A case of chondrosarcoma of the low grade malignancy originated in rib]

A case with chondrosarcoma of rib, which is relatively uncommon in Japan, in a 61-year-old man is reported. Chest X-ray examination revealed an abnormal shadow in the right of the chest wall. Chest CT scan and MRI disclosed the tumor to have been arosen from the right 5th rib protruding into the thoracic cavity. Surgical resections of the tumor with parts of the 4th and 5th ribs and parietal pleura were performed. The defect of the chest wall was repaired with muscle. The tumor measured 3.0 x 3.0 x 3.5 cm in size and was a chondrosarcoma of the low grade malignancy, histologically. Post operative course was uneventful with no adjuvant therapy.

Reduced coronary vasodilation in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia following intracoronary injection of isosorbide dinitrate

To clarify the relationship between the dilatation of angiographically non-stenotic coronary artery segments in response to isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), and serum lipids, 5 coronary segments in 7 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and 43 patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia (non-FH), who had either 1- or 2-vessel coronary heart disease, were investigated. The serum total cholesterol level was significantly greater in FH than in non-FH. Before and after the direct intracoronary injection of ISDN, coronary diameter was measured by a computer-assisted coronary angiography analysis system. The order of the dilative responses in coronary segments in non-FH patients (segments: #5 > #11 > #6 > #13 > #7) was exactly the same as the order of their original diameters, while the ratio of the increase in diameter (after/before ISDN injection) did not differ among any of the segments (mean: 1.08-fold increase). In the non-FH group, no correlation was found between the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and the ratio of the coronary diameter after and before injection of ISDN. Moreover, hypercholesterolemia in non-FH did not affect the coronary dilative response to ISDN injection. In the FH group, although the original diameter of each segment did not differ from that in the non-FH group, the ratio of the diameter after and before injection of ISDN was significantly smaller in FH than in non-FH (p < 0.01). These results suggest that a non-stenotic coronary artery in FH has a lower capacity for vasodilation in response to ISDN. Although hypercholesterolemia was excluded as a factor which may suppress the capacity for coronary dilation in non-FH, spontaneous hypercholesterolemia in FH may affect medial smooth muscle functions of the coronary artery.

Rapid inhalation induction of anesthesia by halothane, enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane and their cardiopulmonary effects in dogs

The rapid inhalation induction of anesthesia (RII) by mask inhalation of halothane, enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane at an equianesthetic concentration (2.5 MAC) was evaluated in 24 beagle dogs. The differences in movements, induction and intubation time between anesthetics were mainly associated with the differences in each blood/gas solubility. The most rapid and smoothest induction was observed by sevoflurane inhalation (209.0 +/- 44.2 sec), followed by isoflurane inhalation (285.8 +/- 34.1 sec). Halothane inhalation took the longest induction time (790.3 +/- 75.7 sec). Movements during RII were minimal in sevoflurane group comparing to the other groups. Heart rate, cardiac output and rate pressure product significantly increased after the beginning of inhalation in all the dogs except for those of halothane group. These changes exceeded the physiological level just after the beginning of inhalation, however, rapidly reversed to the maintenance level (1.5 MAC) approximately 10 min after intubation. Consequently, sevoflurane seemed to be the best inhalational anesthetic for RII in dogs without significant problems in respiratory and/or cardiac functions. Isoflurane also induced rapid induction with some degree of the movements.

Clinical application of rapid inhalation induction of anesthesia using isoflurane and sevoflurane with nitrous oxide in dogs

Clinical usefulness of rapid inhalation induction of anesthesia (RII) using 5.0 vol.% isoflurane (GOI) and sevoflurane (GOS) with N2O was evaluated in 124 canine patients. Induction times, loss of various reflexes and movement times were significantly faster in GOI group than in GOS group. Scores for the easiness of intubation and the degree of movements were also significantly less in GOI group than in GOS group. Positive correlation between body weight and degree of movements was observed in both induction groups. Thus, RII using GOI is a practically useful and safe induction modality in small- to medium-sized dogs.

Plasma concentrations and coronary vasodilation after sublingual and intracoronary administration of isosorbide dinitrate

To investigate the relationship between plasma levels and coronary vasodilation after administration of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), the plasma concentration and diameters of six segments of the left coronary artery were measured before and after sublingual (SL) ISDN (5 mg) and left intracoronary (IC) administration of ISDN (3 mg) in 12 patients. After SL-ISDN, the systolic aortic pressure decreased with no significant concomitant changes in heart rate or diastolic aortic pressure. After IC-ISDN, all hemodynamic parameters showed significant changes, and these were greater after IC-ISDN than those after SL-ISDN. The individual mean vasodilation of six segments induced by SL- and IC-ISDN, were 23 +/- 9 and 35 +/- 11% (p < 0.01), respectively. Before SL-ISDN, ISDN was not detected in plasma. After SL- and IC-ISDN, however, the plasma values of the ISDN were 36.1 +/- 53.3 and 101.5 +/- 90.0 ng/ml (p < 0.01), respectively. Thus, both coronary vasodilative responses and plasma ISDN levels after IC-ISDN were significantly greater than those after SL-ISDN. However, neither the individual mean coronary vasodilation nor the hemodynamic changes correlated significantly with plasma ISDN levels. Consequently, with administration of the same dose, the coronary vasodilative response to ISDN did not correlate with plasma levels. Furthermore, IC-ISDN dilutes coronary arteries more effectively than SL-ISDN.

Senile plaques in an aged two-humped (Bactrian) camel (Camelus bactrianus)

Senile plaques with beta-protein as a major constituent are a conspicuous feature in the brains of aged humans, monkeys, dogs, and bears. We found cerebral senile plaques of the diffuse and primitive type, but not the classical type, in an aged female camel of more than 20 years old. The senile plaques and a few cortical capillaries were immunoreactive with anti-beta-protein serum. Congophilic amyloid deposition was detected in a small number of the capillaries, but not in the senile plaques. We believe this to be the first detailed report of senile plaques in a herbivore, and these findings suggest the possibility of senile plaque formation in a wide variety of mammalian species.

Effect of fetal mass, number and stage of gestation on pregnancy-specific protein B concentrations in the bovine

In this study we characterized the peripheral plasma pregnancy-specific protein-B (PSPB) profile throughout gestation and examined the effect of stage of gestation, fetal mass and number on this profile in Holstein cows after non surgical embryo transfer. Cows (n = 12) were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 = single embryo recipient cows (n = 5), Group 2 = twin-embryo recipient cows (n = 7). Blood was collected approximately every third day from Day 0 (Day 0 = first day of standing estrus), then daily for the last 10 d of gestation, and sampling was stopped 1 d post partum. Two twin-embryo recipient cows had abnormal pregnancies; therefore, their data were excluded from the group. The time trend concentrations of plasma PSPB were significantly affected by the stage of gestation (P < 0.001) and fetal number (P < 0.001). In both groups PSPB increased gradually, with the mean levels being significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the twin-bearing group from Day 50 onwards (0.7 +/- 0.2 vs 9.2 +/- 4.5 ng/ml, singleton and twin-bearing cows, respectively) except for Day 10 pre-partum. By mid-gestation (Day 140), mean PSPB levels increased in the singleton (P < 0.001) cows by thirty-fold (21.2 +/- 3.2 ng/ml) as opposed to a ten-fold (98.4 +/- 13.2 ng/ml) increase in the twin-bearing (P < 0.001) group. The mean PSPB concentrations between Days 30 to 20 prepartum dramatically increased by about 700 to 200% in singleton (128.8 +/- 46.3 to 745.6 +/- 66.7 ng/ml) and twin-bearing cows (375.6 +/- 130.4 to 861.5 +/- 127.9 ng/ml), respectively. The PSPB levels between Day 10 prepartum to parturition were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the twin-bearing group than in the singleton group (745.6 +/- 66.7 to 1627.4 +/- 238.9 ng/ml vs 861.5 +/- 127.9 to 3103.0 +/- 643.0 ng/ml in singleton and twin-bearing groups, respectively). Calf birthweight was correlated (P < 0.01) to peripheral PSPB concentration in singleton cows; however, this relationship decreased with the subsequent increase in fetal number. Cows giving birth prematurely to stillborn calves or to a schistosomus reflexus calf exhibited abnormal PSPB profiles. These results indicate that peripheral PSPB levels are correlated to the stage of gestation and fetal number. In addition, the peripheral pattern of PSPB is a valuable guage for predicting fetoplacental viability.

Exertional rhabdomyolysis as a result of strenuous military training

We reviewed biochemical data from 19 soldiers who marched intermittently over 4 weeks, carrying about 45 kg of kit, with a limited intake of food and water. The mean serum creatine kinase activity was higher after the march (p < 0.01), although the subjects did not develop symptomatic rhabdomyolysis. The mean serum potassium level (p < 0.005) and the mean serum sodium level (p < 0.05) were lower after the march. The level of serum osmolality showed no significant changes. Subclinical rhabdomyolysis was not rare among the soldiers. We also report a case of the soldier with exertional clinical rhabdomyolysis.