Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and ovarian steroids during in vitro meiotic maturation on fertilization of rat oocytes

The present study examined the effects of gonadotropins and ovarian steroids during in vitro meiotic maturation of rat oocytes on their ability to undergo in vitro fertilization. Fully grown oocytes were isolated from antral follicles of immature rats and cultured as oocyte-cumulus cell complexes (OCC) under conditions in which completion of meiotic maturation occurs spontaneously. They were then exposed to spermatozoa under conditions in which oocytes matured in vivo exhibit high fertilization rates. Compared with oocytes from pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-treated rats, a similar proportion of the oocytes (greater than 80%) from untreated rats underwent germinal vesicle breakdown, but such oocytes had a lower rate of fertilization (70% vs. 20%). The presence of FSH during in vitro maturation restored the fertilization rate for oocytes from untreated rats, while a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, aminoglutethimide phosphate abolished this beneficial effect of FSH. The addition of progesterone during the in vitro maturation period duplicated the beneficial effect of FSH on fertilization rate of oocytes from untreated rats; oestradiol-17 beta was less effective in this regard, and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone was ineffective. These findings indicate that FSH and progesterone, although having no apparent effect on nuclear maturation of the oocyte, play an important role during oocyte maturation in enabling normal fertilization to occur.

[Experimental pancreatic duct occlusion with polyurethane]

Pancreatic transplantation requires an effective method to manage exocrine secretion. A new technique to eliminate the exocrine function of the pancreas by obstruction of the duct with polyurethane was investigated in terms of function, outcome and morphology. Polyurethane is an alcoholic solution of block copolymers with the property of polymerizing within 5-10 min. In this study the in-situ pancreatic tail model in dogs was utilized, the pancreatic duct was cannulated and injected with 2-3 ml of polyurethane. As a result, complete atrophy and fibrosclerosis of the exocrine tissue was obtained leaving islets well vascularized and functioning for the entire experimental periods. All animals remained normoglycemic and showed normal K-values. Amylase levels were found to be maximally elevated at 24 h and returned to normal within 2 weeks after duct occlusion. Insulin, glucagon and somatostatin levels remained normal. Because of its ability to effect a complete occlusion of the pancreatic ducts with subsequent atrophy of the exocrine gland and without notable disturbance of endocrine function, we feel that polyurethane solution is superior to previously used materials for this purpose.

Changes of glycoconjugates in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Receptors of 12 lectins in 25 cases of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) were histochemically investigated by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method. Liver tissues of five cirrhotic patients and five normal subjects were used as controls. SJA receptor was absent both in HCC and controls, while LCA and PSA receptors were present in all tissues studied here. Receptors of DBA, PHA, PNA, UEAI and SBA which did not bind to normal, cirrhotic and pericarcinomatous liver tissues had the positive rates of 4%, 44%, 16%, 4% and 12% in HCC, respectively. Four lectins which strongly bound to the non-cancer liver tissues had their receptors in 96% (ConA, WGA, RCAI) and 36% (BSAI) of HCC. The pretreatment of tissue sections with neuraminidase abolished most of WGA receptors and exposed some PNA binding sites. There were many differences in lectin distribution between HCC and noncancer liver tissues. The changes of glycoconjugates in HCC were discussed.

Oral hyperpigmentation in HIV-infected patients

Six cases of oral hyperpigmentation in HIV-infected patients are reported. While in two patients the lesions could be related to systemic clofazimine or ketoconazole therapy, in the other patients the cause remained unknown. Clinically, the pigmentations were characterized by a sudden onset and the appearance of well-defined, brown-black macules in the buccal mucosa, the gingiva, the hard palate, or the lateral borders of the tongue. In one patient, longitudinal hyperpigmented striae were observed on all fingernails and toenails. Histologically, hyperpigmentations associated with systemic medication revealed accumulation of melanin in phagocytes and extracellularly within the connective tissue. In those lesions with unknown cause, melanin was restricted to keratinocytes of the basal cell layer or to extracellular foci in the lamina propria. The clinical and histologic findings, as well as differential diagnosis, are discussed.

Phenotypic analysis of human myeloma cell lines

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by the accumulation, primarily in bone marrow, of a clone of plasma cells. The nature of the stem cells feeding the tumoral compartment is still unknown. To investigate this special point, we have studied the phenotypes of nine well-known human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) and compared them with those of normal lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Twenty-four clusters of differentiation involved in B lymphopoiesis were investigated using a panel of 65 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). For each cluster, the percentage of positive cells and the antigen density were determined, giving rise to a "quantitative phenotype". We thus classified the HMCLs into two different groups: those with cytoplasmic mu chains (c mu+) and those without (c mu-). In the first (c mu+) group, comprising seven cell lines, the HMCLs had a phenotype of pre-B/B cells close to that of Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines. They expressed low densities of surface mu chains, without detectable cytoplasmic or surface light chains. Three of them were infected with the Epstein Barr virus (EBV). These c mu+ HMCLs bore most of the B-cell antigens except CD23. They expressed the CALLA antigen (CD10) and lacked the plasma-cell antigen PCA1. In contrast, LCLs expressed surface light chains, high densities of CD23, low densities of PCA1 antigen, and no CD10 antigen. The c mu- HMCLs had a plasma-cell phenotype, lacking most of the B-cell antigens and expressing high densities of PCA1 antigen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of blood transfusions on the survival of patients with colorectal cancers]

Blood transfusion is reported to cause immunosuppression. An adverse relationship between perioperative blood transfusions and the risk of subsequent recurrence of cancer was reported recently. We reviewed the records of 282 patients and analyzed the interaction between blood tranfusion and the outcome of Dukes stages A, B and C colorectal cancers treated by radical resection during the years 1978-1985. 53 of these patients did not receive any blood transfusions. The actuarial survival analysis (Cutler and Ederer) showed no significant difference for the overall and recurrence-free survival. This study did not support the hypothesis that blood transfusions had an adverse effect on survival of patients with colorectal cancer.

Protein secretion by the endometrium during pregnancy in the ewe

Mature Merino ewes were surgically prepared so that after mating they became unilaterally pregnant. Ewes were killed between days 91 and 124 of pregnancy and the uterine milk was collected from the ligated uterine horn. Explants of intercaruncular and intercotyledonary endometrium were collected from the ligated and unligated uterine horns, respectively, and incubated in the presence of L-[4,5-3H]leucine to determine in vitro rates of protein synthesis and secretion. Protein:DNA and DNA:wet tissue ratios were also determined in the explants from some ewes. The proteins secreted in vitro and those present in uterine milk were partially characterized, using several procedures. Antisera raised in rabbits against uterine milk and absorbed against plasma from an ovariectomized ewe were used to detect uterine milk antigens in a variety of tissues and plasma. An average of 150 +/- 26 mL of creamy coloured uterine milk containing 30.7 +/- 4.6 mg mL-1 protein was recovered from 14 ewes. The rates of protein synthesis and secretion in vitro and the protein:DNA ratio were all higher in intercotyledonary than in intercaruncular endometrium, but the predominant radiolabelled protein(s) secreted in vitro by both types of endometrium was shown by gel filtration to have a molecular weight of approximately 60 kDa. This 'uterine pregnancy protein' was not secreted by endometrial explants from a non-pregnant ewe. Uterine milk contained a substantial amount of 60 kDa protein. The molecular weight and lack of sub-unit structure of the 60 kDa fraction of proteins secreted in vitro was confirmed by SDS-acrylamide electrophoresis and density gradient centrifugation. Pronase treatment confirmed the proteinaceous nature of the 60 kDa fraction, and heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography showed that the predominant secreted protein(s) in this fraction was a glycoprotein. In immuno-double-diffusion tests antisera prepared against uterine milk produced a number of precipitation bands against both uterine milk and culture medium (after incubation of endometrial explants from a pregnant ewe) and a single band against allantoic fluid, but did not react with plasma from an ovariectomized ewe or a day-124 pregnant ewe or its fetus. The antisera did not react with lung, kidney or liver from the same pregnant ewe or with uterine flushings from a non-pregnant ewe. In immuno-electrophoresis tests, at least eight distinct antigens were detected in uterine milk and three of these were also present in allantoic fluid.

Ultrastructural findings in clinically uninvolved oral mucosa of patients with HIV infection

Twelve biopsies of clinically normal oral mucosa taken from HIV seropositive patients have been investigated by means of light- and electron microscopy. Vascular abnormalities were found in all biopsies, regardless of the clinical stage of the HIV infection. In particular slit-like vascular channels, sparseness of intercellular junctions and swollen, protruded endothelial cells with an increased quantity of Weibel-Palade bodies were noticed. These findings were similar to those described in lesions of early stage Kaposi's sarcoma.

In vitro binding of progesterone, cronolone and medroxyprogesterone acetate to uterine progesterone receptors of sheep, rabbit and mouse

Various aspects of the binding of the synthetic progesteongens, cronolone (9 alpha-fluoro-11 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-acetoxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (6 alpha-methyl-17 alpha-acetoxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, MAP) to uterine cytosol progesterone receptors of the sheep, rabbit and mouse were studied, in an attempt to explain interesting species differences in the biological activity of these steroids. For the sheep, data for binding-site concentration, relative binding affinity (RBA), dissociation constant (Kd) and rates of association and dissociation indicate specific binding of cronolone to the progesterone receptor and these would seem to explain in part the high progestational activity of cronolone in this species. By contrast, with the mouse, there was only a low level of specific binding of cronolone and this appears to explain its inability to maintain pregnancy in this species. Results for the binding activity of cronolone in rabbit uterus were similar to those for the sheep and thus inability of cronolone to maintain pregnancy in the rabbit is not explained by a failure to bind the progesterone receptor. Species differences in binding to the progesterone receptor were also seen with MAP where the RBA, with respect to progesterone, was high in the sheep and rabbit and lower in the mouse. The results, however, do not relate directly to the progestational activity of MAP in these species. Overall, the data indicate that species differences in the binding activity of steroid receptors constitute one factor that causes species-dependent variation in biological responses to progestogens.

Some biological activities of cronolone and medroxyprogesterone acetate in the uterus of the sheep, mouse and rabbit

Cronolone (9 alpha-fluoro-11 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-acetoxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) is widely employed to regulate breeding activity in the ewe, but its biological activity in the uterus of this and most other species has not been studied. In this study several in vivo uterus-related activities of cronolone have been examined in the sheep, mouse and rabbit. In some experiments the corresponding activities of medroxyprogesterone acetate (6 alpha-methyl-17 alpha-acetoxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, MAP) were also examined. Cronolone maintained pregnancy in ovariectomized ewes but not in ovariectomized mice and rabbits; it terminated pregnancy in some mice and in all rabbits that were receiving daily progesterone treatment. Cronolone could not sensitize the mouse uterus for the induction of the decidual-cell reaction or block the induction of such sensitivity by progesterone, but did support limited growth of the oil-stimulated horn after sensitization with progesterone. Cronolone induced uteroglobin secretion by rabbit endometrium. It was concluded that, whereas MAP is a potent progestogen in the sheep, mouse and rabbit, cronolone is a progestogen in the sheep and rabbit only. In the mouse and especially the rabbit, cronolone has other, non-progestational activities, which block pregnancy.

Serotonin-like immunoreactive fibers in the medial dorsal accessory group and the anterior fornical nucleus of the magnocellular neurosecretory system in the rat

The area lateral to the stria medullaris and the fornix at the level of the interventricular foramen, an area known to be occupied by the medial dorsal accessory group and the anterior fornical nucleus of the magnocellular neurosecretory system, was found to be studded with serotonin (5-HT)-like immunoreactive (LI) varicosities. Double immunostaining with antisera against 5-HT and oxytocin (OXY) proved that the 5-HT-LI varicosities were in close proximity to the OXY-LI neurons in the medial dorsal accessory group and the anterior fornical nucleus. These nuclei were distributed more densely with 5-HT-LI varicosities than other cell groups in the magnocellular neurosecretory system.

Depressor and bradycardic effects induced by spinal subarachnoid injection of D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin in rats

The effects of D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE), a specific delta receptor agonist, on spinal control of cardiovascular function, were investigated by its intrathecal (i.th) injection into the spinal subarachnoid space at the T-9 level. In chloralose-anesthetized rats, DADLE (17.5, 35 and 70 nmol, i.th) caused dose-dependent hypotension and bradycardia. The mean maximal hypotension by 70 nmol of DADLE was -45 +/- 7 mmHg, with a bradycardia of -79 +/- 15 beats/min. These inhibitory cardiovascular effects were antagonized by the opiate antagonist naloxone (50 nmol, i.th.) given prior to DADLE. Intrathecal injection of DADLE also decreased splanchnic sympathetic nerve discharge (-46 +/- 5%). DADLE (70 nmol) given i.v. did not cause significant changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Neither bilateral vagotomy nor pretreatment with atropine (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.) prevented the BP and HR effects of intrathecal injection of DADLE at a dose of 35 nmol. DADLE at this dose failed to produce significant alteration in the frequency of respiration and blood PaO2, PaCO2 and blood pH. In conscious rats, 140 nmol of DADLE (i.th.) did not produce any consistent changes in MAP and HR. These data suggest that intrathecal injection of DADLE inhibits central sympathetic activity, possibly at a spinal locus.

The second national growth and development survey of children in China, 1985: children 0 to 7 years

To evaluate the normal physical growth and development of Chinese children and to compare the nutritional status of today with that of ten years ago, a second national cross-sectional growth survey was undertaken in the same urban and suburban rural areas of nine main cities in China in 1985 as in 1975. In this survey 152,874 boys and girls from birth to age 7.0 years were measured for weight, height, sitting height, and chest, head and upper arm circumferences. Compared with the results in 1975, the condition of growth and development of children for both boys and girls from urban or suburban rural areas has been relatively much improved. Average weight and height had increased in the past 10 years by 0.40 kg and 1.8 cm respectively, in 6-7-year-old children. The greater part of the increase in height has been due to increase in leg length. The urban-rural difference in stature has become smaller, as the increase has been greater in rural areas. The data from this survey can be used as a new growth standard for Chinese children.

Relationship of mandibular anterior tooth apices to genial muscle attachments

Ten adult midsagittally sectioned cadaver heads were used to measure the distance between the apex of the central incisor or canine teeth and the attachment of the genioglossus or geniohyoid muscles. Measurements were made on both cadaver specimens and radiographs. The results of the two methods showed no statistically significant difference. The results indicate that there is a relatively small chance (5.6%) of including the genioglossus attachment in the lingual pedicle if an anterior mandibular subapical osteotomy is positioned 3 to 5 mm below the incisor apex but a large chance (65%) of including the genioglossus muscle when the osteotomy procedure includes the canine teeth.