Functional comparison of coronary bypass grafts of the saphenous vein and internal mammary artery

The magnitude and distribution of myocardial blood flow through a saphenous vein (SV) bypass graft and an internal mammary artery (IMA) graft (diameter greater than or equal to 2 mm) into the same left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) (diameter congruent to 1.5 mm) were determined at rest, with atrial pacing, and with elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in 18 dogs. Blood flows through the native LAD, SV, and IMA grafts were similar in the resting heart. With atrial pacing (heart rate = 150% of control), flow in both the SV and IMA grafts increased but the difference was not significant. With elevated LVEDP (20 mm Hg) produced by transfusion, flow in both SV and IMA grafts increased, but, again, these increases were not significantly different. The SV and IMA bypass grafts have similar flow rates at rest and during increased functional demand, provided the grafts are larger than the vessels into which they are placed.

Iatrogenic endometriosis: substantiation of the Sampson hypothesis

A 31-year-old woman developed unilateral endometriosis at the site of ovarian implantation to a uterine window. This complication of the Estes procedure resembles the experimental endometriosis induced in rhesus monkeys by causing intraabdominal menstruation. This adds support to the Sampson hypothesis of endometriosis development.

Myometrial inhibiting activity of relaxin-containing extracts of human corpora lutea of pregnancy

Relaxin is a peptide hormone secreted by the human corpus luteum of pregnancy . Aqueous extracts of relaxin-rich pregnancy corpora lutea decreased the amplitude of spontaneous human myometrial strip contractions in vitro. Relaxin-poor extracts of menstrual cycle corpora lutea did not affect contractions. Antibody precipitation of relaxin from pregnancy luteal extracts eliminated the effect on myometrial strips. Relaxin removal was confirmed by bioassay. This demonstrates an inhibiting action of human relaxin on human myometrial tissue in vitro. This action suggests a mechanism for maintaining uterine quiesence in early pregnancy.

On the problem of milling and ultrasonic treatment of asbestos and glass fibers in biological and analytical applications

In preparing fiber suspensions for biological applications, as well as in many analytical procedures, the fibers--e.g. asbestos and glass--often have to be mechanically diminished and ultrasonically treated. Such treatments may sometimes produce changes in the physical and chemical properties of the original fiber samples. Measurements have been made to estimate the changes in fiber shape, size, and structure after milling and ultrasonic treatment. The results have shown that milling procedures not only change the size distribution, but also the particle shape and crystal structure of asbestos fibers. Ultrasonic energy (50 kHz) had practically no influence on the crystal structure, but in long-term applications it produces changes in fiber size and fiber concentration.

Histochemical demonstration of G6PDH- and SDH-activity on cultured fibroblastoid cells from rat pancreas using a "membrane technique"

The applied "membrane technique" represents a simple and time-saving method to provide evidence for presence of enzyme activities in single cultured cells. Substrates for G6PDH and SDH are filled on a semipermeable membrane stretched over a cylinder of plastic. The cells are cultured on a polyester foil and incubated for the enzyme staining reaction on the membrane. Enzyme products can be visualized under the microscope within the cells in definite areas.

The hyperactive child syndrome

The behavioral characteristics of the hyperactive child are described at different stages of development. Recent and sometimes controversial research findings are discussed with respect to prevalence, etiology, treatment, and outcome. It is concluded that this syndrome can best be understood in terms of interactions between social, psychological, and biological variables.

Serial relaxin concentrations in human pregnancy

Relaxin is a peptide hormone produced by the corpus luteum during pregnancy in human beings. There are no extraluteal sites of production of relaxin in women. By means of a heterologous porcine radioimmunoassay, serial serum relaxin concentrations were determined in three women throughout pregnancy and into labor. All three demonstrated a first-trimester elevation followed by a second-trimester decline; values then remained stable throughout the second and third trimesters and into labor. This further confirms the functional activity of the corpus luteum throughout pregnancy and the value of relaxin as an index of luteal function during gestation.

Premature menopause: a reversible entity?

Secondary hypergonadotropic, hypoestrogenic amenorrhea, or premature menopause, is usually considered an irreversible process. Four patients with this entity were observed to have evidence of ovulation. Three of these patients became pregnant while they were treated with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for their hypoestrogenic symptoms. Estrogen replacement may be effective in reversal of this process.

Hyperactives as young adults: a controlled prospective ten-year follow-up of 75 children

This study reports on a variety of outcome variables from 75 hyperactive and 44 matched control subjects aged 17 to 24 years (mean ages, 19.5 and 19.0 years, respectively). All hyperactive subjects have been followed up for 10 to 12 years; they were first evaluated at 6 to 12 years of age. None of the hyperactive subjects was treated with methylphenidate, although a subgroup received chlorpromazine or a mixture of drugs (excluding methylphenidate). The hyperactive subjects had less education than the controls and a history of more car accidents and more geographical moves. However, only a minority were still engaged in continued antisocial behavior or had evidence of severe psychopathology. No subjects were found to be psychotic, but two were diagnosed as borderline psychotic. There was evidence that hyperactive subjects had some continued symptoms from the hyperkinetic child syndrome, including impulsive personality traits.

Clomiphene citrate in the management of infertility associated with shortened luteal phases

Repetitively short luteal phases were found in eight infertile women. The short luteal phase was defined as 10 days or less from the presumed time of ovulation (as assessed by basal body temperature recording) to the onset of menses. Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) therapy resulted in pregnancy in two patients and lengthened the luteal phase in the other six. Ultimately, seven of eight patients conceived during Clomid therapy. Clomid therapy can lengthen the luteal phase in patients with luteal temperature elevation of 10 days or less. The occurrence of short luteal phases may be associated with infertility.

Relaxin secretion in early pregnancy

Relaxin is a peptide hormone produced solely by the corpus luteum of pregnant women. Extracts of human pregnancy corpora lutea have relaxin activity in bioassay systems. This activity can be measured in a heterologous porcine radioimmunoassay (RIA). Immunoreactive relaxin was undetectable in the RIA in 51 nonpregnant women. In conception cycles, relaxin immunoactivity is detectable in peripheral blood by the time of the missed menses. Relaxin detection may be used as a pregnancy test. Relaxin may be an important luteal factor, together with progesterone, in early pregnancy maintenance.

Size-selective preparation of inorganic fibers for biological experiments

Size-selective procedures were developed for the preparation of fiber fractions of uniform size of chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite and glass. The raw material was first ground to a suitable fineness, then prescreened in a vibrating bed aerosol generator and finally suspended in liquids by ultrasonic agitation. Size-separation was then achieved by slow sedimentation. In addition, fiber fractions of exceedingly long-fibers were prepared by utilizing a vibrating sieve in the gas phase or in liquids.

Serum relaxin levels in prostaglandin E2 induced abortions

Relaxin, a peptide hormone produced only by the corpus luteum of pregnancy, can be used as a marker of luteal function in human pregnancy. Serum immunoreactive relaxin levels were measured serially in six women having second trimester abortions induced with intravaginal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) suppositories. All patients aborted within 17 hours of the first suppository. No significant changes were detectable in serum relaxin levels in any of the patients. It is concluded that PGE2 does not interfere with the corpus luteum's ability to secrete relaxin in the second trimester of human pregnancy.

Distribution of relaxin in women during pregnancy

The purpose of this study was to determine by RIA the concentrations of relaxin in various compartments and tissues in pregnant women. Ten pairs of maternal venous and cord blood were studied. The mean relaxin concentrations, in immunoreactive equivalents of porcine relaxin, were 0.683 ng/ml in maternal serum and 0.009 ng/ml in cord serum. Relaxin was undetectable in 8 of 9 samples of amniotic fluid. Mean concentrations of relaxin in pg immunoreactive equivalents of porcine hormone per mg protein, from maternal tissues at term pregnancy were as follows: fat 96 (N = 5), myometrium 47 (N = 4), skin 62 (N = 5), placenta 51 (N = 9), and corpus luteum 13,000 (N = 8). These data suggest that little relaxin crosses the placenta and little is produced in the fetus. Contrary to prior suggestions that relaxin may also be a placental product, relaxin appears to be solely produced in the corpus luteum, making it the only peripherally measured hormone that can be used as an index of luteal activity in pregnancy.

The hyperactive child at adolescence: cognitive, emotional, and social functioning

In view of the paucity of detailed follow-up studies on hyperactive children, the performance of 15 adolescents diagnosed hyperactive 5 years previously was compared to that of a control group of equivalent age, sex, intelligence, and social class. Eleven cognitive tests measuring sustained attention, visual-motor and motor skills, abstraction, and reading ability, as well as three self-assessment tests examining self-esteem, activity level, social functioning, academic status, and career aspirations were administered. The hyperactives performed significantly worse than the controls on the sustained attention, visual-motor, and motor tasks, and on two of the four reading tests. They also gave themselves significantly lower ratings on some of the self-esteem and sociability items. It would appear that the hyperactives at adolescence still have attentional and stimulus-processing difficulties, which affect not only their academic performance but also their social functioning.