Routine amnioscopy at term

A controlled study for the management of antepartum meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) detected by amnioscopy performed in a total of 508 patients is presented. The incidence of antepartum MSAF was 2.2%, while intrapartum MSAF was found in 15% of cases. A significant incidence of depressed neonates was found in the latter group. Patients with antepartum MSAF had no perinatal losses, whether managed expectantly or by oxytocin induction. Immediate operative intervention (ie, cesarean section) is not warranted. Observations on FHR patterns, fetal pH, and Apgar scores of these patients are presented.

Correlation of 14C-griseofulvin metabolism in rat liver microsomes, isolated perfused rat livers, and in rats with bile duct cannulas

The metabolism of 14C-griseofulvin has been compared in rat liver microsomes, isolated perfused rat livers, and rats with bile duct cannulas. In all three preparations, 4-desmethylgriseofulvin and 6-desmethylgriseofulvin were the major metabolites. The ratio of total 4-desmethylgriseofulvin to 6-desmethylgriseofulvin formed was 1.20, 0.89, and 1.01 in liver microsomes, isolated perfused livers, and rats with bile duct cannulas, respectively. After a 7-min incubation with liver microsomes, most (96%) of the griseofulvin remained unchanged. Only small amounts of 4-desmethylgriseofulvin (1.26%) of dose) and 6-desmethylgriseofulvin (1.05% of dose) were formed. In isolated perfused liver, most of the drug (59% of dose) was excreted into bile within 4 hr, primarily as 4-desmethylgriseofulvin (24% of dose) and 6-methylgriseofulvin (24% of dose). In animals with bile duct cannulas, 65% of the dose was excreted into bile and 18% of the dose into urine within 4 hours. In bile, 32% of the dose was excreted as 4-desmethylgriseofulvin and 20% of the dose as 6-desmethylgriseofulvin, whereas in urine the drug was excreated predominantly as 6-desmethylgriseofulvin (13% of dose) with only a small amount of 4-desmethylgriseofulvin (1% of dose), during the first 4 hr. These results show that there is good correlation in the metabolic fate of 14C-griseofulvin in the liver microsomes, isolated perfused liver, and rats with bile duct cannulas. In addition to the similar ratio of 4-desmethylgriseofulvin to 6-desmethylgriseofulvin, there is also an agreement in the extent of metabolism and biliary excretion in isolated perfused liver and in rats with bile duct cannulas, which suggests that the isolated perfused liver is an important technique for studying drug metabolism in animals.

Electron microscopy of albumin synthesis

Albumin molecules appeared to be synthesized in the light hepatocytes of rats by bound polysomers on rough and endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear envelope. The molecules were discharged directly into the cytosol, then to the external cellular spaces. This conclusion failed to support the current theory from biochemical studies that albumin is synthesized by bound ribosomes, discharged into the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and transported to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and then to the Golgi apparatus. In addition to the liver, positive syntheic activities were observed in the aorta, kidney, and hepatoma cells of rat. Earlier investigators have reported that only liver cells can synthesize albumin.

Ureteral obstruction from metastatic breast carcinoma

Metastases from carcinoma of the breast may involve one or both ureters, and may be a clinically important phenomenon. Two cases are presented and the autopsy experience with 181 cases of metastatic breast carcinoma is reviewed. Ureteral involvement was demonstrated in 8.3% of the cases. Bilateral metastases were common.

Calcitonin inhibition of bone cell metabolism in vivo: an experimental study in dogs

Calcitonin (CT) has been shown to act by decreasing the output of calcium from the bone, but the precise mechanism that brings about this change is still not fully understood. The present investigation was designed to study the effect of CT on the metablic activity of bone cells, utilizing changes in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production as indices of tissue metabolism. Arterio-venous gradients of calcium, inorganic phosphate, hydroxyproline, oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions were studied across the canine femur. The results showed that the hypocalcemic action of CT was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in free hydroxyproline output from the bone, demonstrating that decreased bone resorption was responsible for the fall in plasma calcium levels. Reduced oxygen consumption and decreased carbon dioxide production by the bone showed that CT acted by inhibiting the metabolic activity of bone cells in vivo. It is speculated that CT may have acted by depressing mitochondrial respiration.

An empirical method of grouping genotypes based on a linear function of the genotype-environment interaction

The regression approach for analysing genotype-environmental interaction is extended to include the grouping of genotypes. An unweighted pair-group cluster analysis was applied to a special dissimilarly index, derived from the test statistic for differences among regressions. The resulting groups reflect the general pattern of response to the various environments. The data of Yates and Cochran (1938) were used to illustrate the clustering process.