Luteinizing hormone and progesterone concentrations in serum of heifers administered a short half-life prostaglandin (PGF2α) or long half-life prostaglandin analogue (fenprostalene) on days six or eleven of the estrous cycle

Two trials were conducted to measure the progesterone (P(4)) decline and luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in serum subsequent to administration of a short half-life (short t (1 2 )) prostaglandin (PGF(2alpha)) or a long half-life (long t (1 2 )) prostaglandin analogue (fenprostalene) on Days 6 or 11 of the estrous cycle. Twenty-five crossbred Shorthorn and five Hereford heifers with a mean weight of 331.4 +/- 29.8 kg were used in both trials. The heifers were randomly allotted to receive either a short t (1 2 ) or long t (1 2 ) prostaglandin treatment on Day 6 or 11 of the estrous cycle. A crossover design for the main effect, treatment (type of prostaglandin), was conducted. Heifers that received PGF(2alpha) in Trial I were given fenprostalene in Trial II and vice versa. Stage of the estrous cycle (day) was the same for each heifer in both trials. Stage of estrous cycle was standardized to either Day 6 or 11 by administering Syncro-Mate B (SMB). Blood was collected every hour for 80 h post injection to quantify LH and P(4) concentrations. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the short t (1 2 ) or long t (1 2 ) for either P(4) or LH profiles. In addition, no differences were detected between stages of the estrous cycle for the timing of the preovulatory surge of LH after prostaglandin administration.

Suramin therapy in AIDS and related disorders. Report of the US Suramin Working Group

Suramin sodium is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor with in vitro activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ninety-eight patients with AIDS manifest as opportunistic infections (n = 38), AIDS with Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 38), AIDS-related complex (n = 20), or AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (n = 2) were treated with suramin sodium at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g/wk for six weeks followed by maintenance therapy with 0.5 or 1.0 g/wk. Of 72 patients who were HIV culture positive before therapy and were assessable for subsequent HIV culture 40% became culture negative during treatment, with no apparent correlation between virus recovery and serum suramin concentration. No immunologic improvement was noted. One complete clinical remission was noted in a patient with Kaposi's sarcoma and stage IV NHL. Seven minor clinical responses were also noted. Toxic reactions were generally reversible, and included fever (78%), rash (48%), malaise (43%), nausea (34%), neurologic symptoms (33%), and vomiting (20%). Suramin-induced neutropenia was noted in 26%, thrombocytopenia in 12%, a serum creatinine level of 180 mumol/L or higher (greater than or equal to 2.1 mg/dL) in 12%, liver dysfunction in 14%, and clinical and/or laboratory evidence of adrenal insufficiency in 23%. Sixteen patients died while receiving suramin or within three weeks of discontinuation of drug therapy due to infection (n = 6), hepatic failure (n = 3), pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 2), AIDS encephalitis (n = 2), AIDS-associated NHL (n = 1), iatrogenic hemo-pneumothorax (n = 1), or pulmonary disease of uncertain etiology. Suramin as currently administered cannot be recommended as effective therapy for AIDS.

Alterations in cytotoxic and phenotypic subsets of natural killer cells in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Testing of cytotoxic function using a panel of natural killer (NK)-sensitive target cells, including a unique herpes simplex virus-infected Raji-cell target, was performed in conjunction with phenotypic cell analysis by dual-color flow cytometry to characterize the NK system. Subjects included in the study were at risk for or infected with the etiologic agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A generalized defect in NK function was temporally correlated with disease manifestations, as evidenced by deficient NK lytic function in patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC). Healthy at-risk subjects, including those seropositive for HIV, exhibited robust NK-cell function. Phenotypic analysis revealed that normal proportions of the NK-associated CD16+ (Leu11) Leu7- and CD16+(Leu11)Leu7+ lymphocyte subsets were maintained throughout the clinical progression of HIV infection. However, the proportion and numbers of cells of the CD8+(Leu2)Leu7+ subset were increased in AIDS, ARC, and healthy at-risk subjects, including those seronegative for HIV. These results are consistent with a qualitative defect in the NK system in AIDS, perhaps secondary to CD4-cell depletion and a concomitant lack of essential accessory factors. The elevation in CD8+(Leu2)/Leu7+ cells is not solely the result of HIV infection and may be a general response to viruses and/or other antigenic stimulation.

Processing of preproteins by liposomes bearing leader peptidase

Procoat, the precursor form of M13 coat protein, assembles into sealed liposomes bearing only internally oriented leader peptidase and is processed to yield transmembrane coat protein [Ohno-Iwashita, Y., & Wickner, W. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 1895-1900]. The precursors of maltose-binding protein and of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) are also processed by these liposomes, showing that these preproteins can at least partially insert across a lipid bilayer. The ability to insert into a bilayer may be a general property of preproteins. The cleavage products, mature OmpA and maltose-binding protein, are not sequestered within the liposomes, suggesting that an additional factor(s) is (are) required for complete translocation. Liposomes were also prepared with leader peptidase in a more physiological, membrane-spanning orientation. These liposomes were also active in the cleavage of externally added procoat, pro-OmpA, and pre maltose-binding protein, though the mature OmpA and maltose-binding protein were still not sequestered within the liposomes. Pretreatment of these liposomes with trypsin cleaved near the amino terminus of the leader peptidase, inactivating the enzyme. The function of this amino-terminal domain, on the opposite side of the membrane from the catalytic domain, is unknown.

Unusually large nasopalatine cyst: CT findings

In a patient presenting with nasal obstruction the clinical suspicion of a nasal mass led to computed tomography that demonstrated findings thought to be characteristic of an unusually large nasopalatine cyst. The definitive diagnosis of nasopalatine cyst is more easily made on plain films. The entity is described, emphasizing once again the necessity of including dental and facial abnormalities in the differential diagnosis of lesions of the sinuses and nose.

The facial nerve between the stylomastoid foramen and the parotid: computed tomographic imaging

A small segment of the facial nerve between its exit from the stylomastoid foramen and its entrance into the parotid is surrounded by fat and, therefore, can be imaged well using modern computed tomography. A small dot can be seen surrounded by fat just beneath the stylomastoid foramen on computed tomographic scan. To verify that this indeed represented the facial nerve, tissue sections and an injection into the mastoid segment of the intratemporal facial nerve were performed. The anatomic correlation and clinical material demonstrating involvement of the facial nerve in this region are presented.

Malignant external otitis: CT evaluation

Malignant external otitis is an aggressive infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that most often occurs in elderly diabetics. Malignant external otitis often spreads inferiorly from the external canal to involve the subtemporal area and progresses medically towards the petrous apex leading to multiple cranial nerve palsies. The computed tomographic (CT) findings in malignant external otitis include obliteration of the normal fat planes in the subtemporal area as well as patchy destruction of the bony cortex of the mastoid. The point of exit of the various cranial nerves can be identified on CT scans, and the extent of the inflammatory mass correlates well with the clinical findings. Four cases of malignant external otitis are presented. In each case CT provided a good demonstration of involvement of the soft tissues at the base of the skull.

Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation

Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of tissue to the forearm was practiced in 50 chronic renal failure patients as treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Four hyperplastic glands were removed in all cases. Followup observation ranged from 3 to 42 months. Serum parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphorus levels decreased significantly following the procedure (P less than 0.005) and remained stable during the period of observation. Significant bone pain present in 26 patients improved or ceased in 19; pruritus, present in 39 patients, universally improved. Strong radiographic suggestion of secondary hyperparathyroidism, present in 38 patients, improved or disappeared in 17. Three patients remained functionally hyperparathyroid, requiring further tissue removal. Autograft function 3 to 7 days after transplantation was demonstrated in 3 cases by differential parathyroid hormone concentration determinations. Essentially all patients experienced symptomatic improvement after surgery and most showed objective evidence of improved calcium-phosphorus metabolism and bone healing.

Dietary intakes of preschool children in LA Pa, El Salvador, Central America

A dietary survey was conducted in a department of El Salvador as part of an assessment of the nutritional status of preschool children. Intake of calories, protein and retinol equivalents were estimated using a 24-hour recall technique. The average daily energy intake for children 1-4 years old was 866 Kcal representing 60% of the 1973 level recommended by the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), for this age group, and 76% of the recommended level on a body-weight basis. Average protein intake per child per day in the same age group was 31.3 g, which represents 110% of the recommended level for the age group, and 136% of the recommended level on a body weight basis. The estimated retinol equivalent intake was 36% of the recommended allowance. In general, the results of the present study were similar to those obtained in the study carried out in El Salvador by INCAP during the period September-November, 1965.