[Plasma endothelin 1 and its clinical evaluation in asthma]

Plasma endothelin 1 (ET1) was determined by radioimmunoassay in 28 cases of acute attack of asthma (attack group), 23 subjects of non-symptomatic asthma (remission group) and 20 normal volunteers (control group). The results showed that the plasma ET1 in attack group (13.4 +/- 5.2 fmol/ml) was much higher than that in both remission group (8.4 +/- 3.9 fmol/ml, P < 0.01) and control group (6.6 +/- 2.6 fmol/ml, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between remission group and control group. The plasma ET1 level revealed notably negative correlation to PaO2 and FEV1% (r = -0.8257, r = -0.8157, P < 0.01). The results suggested that ET1 probably involved in pathophysiologic process of acute attack of bronchial asthma.

[Early enteral feeding and supplement of glutamine prevent occurrence of stress ulcer following severe thermal injury]

Gastroscopic and gastric juice analysis studies were carried out on 12 patients with total body surface area over 30 percent who received early enteral feeding, supplemented with glutamine. The results indicated that early feeding was safe in major burn patients. All patients were found to have ASML on postburn days 1 to 2. Stress ulcer was not found in patients after several excision operations, and about 86 percent of ASML disappeared within about 2 weeks.

CONCLUSION

early feeding and supplement of glutamine can prevent the complication of stress ulcer following severe thermal injury.

Recognition and management of internal wound gape

We describe a method for recognizing and managing wound gape of the internal aspect of a scleral tunnel incision. The apposition of the cataract internal incision can be adequately assessed with the use of a gonioprism during and after surgery. With self-sealing tunnel incisions, even though the external incision may be well sealed either with or without the use of a suture, the internal incision may be inconspicuously gaping. When an internal incision gapes open, it takes on the appearance of an elongated oval opening by gonioscopy, a process we have termed fishmouthing. Often fishmouthing can be closed by rapidly deepening the anterior chamber with balanced salt solution through the paracentesis incision; if this is unsuccessful, a limbal suture may be required. Assessment of the internal incision with a gonioprism and management of internal incision fishmouthing is an important method to ensure wound stability and minimize surgically induced astigmatism.

[Dynamec changls in dimension of cross-sectional areas of lumbar canal and dural sac: an experimental study]

The variation in the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of lumbar canal and dural sac under extension and flexion was studied by using CT scans in ten human cadaver lumbar spine specimens. CSA at different levels or same level in varying positions were distinctive. CSA in flexion position was increased, while in extension position reduced. Dynamic changes of CSA of canal (CSAC) at L4,5,L5-S1 were very significant (P < 0.01), and those of CSA of dural a (CSADS) at all levels but L5-S1 were significant (P < 0.05). It was considered that dynamic changes of CSAC at intervertebral levels were determined by the range of lumbar motions, but those of CSADS were influenced by changes of canal and biomechanical factors of intracanal soft-tissue and changes of dural sac length. Measurement of CSADS was more significant than that of CSAC.

gp120, an HIV-1 protein, increases susceptibility to hypoglycemic and ischemic brain injury in perinatal rats

Recent data suggest that gp120, a glycoprotein secreted by HIV-1-infected macrophages, is neurotoxic, and that toxicity is mediated, at least in part, by overactivation of NMDA-type excitatory amino acid receptors. In experimental animals, considerable evidence indicates that hypoglycemic and ischemic neuronal injury are mediated by endogenous excitatory amino acids. We hypothesized that in the presence of gp120 the severity of brain injury resulting from hypoglycemia and cerebral ischemia would increase. To test this hypothesis in vivo, we evaluated the influence of gp120 on the extent of brain injury resulting from these two clinically relevant pathophysiological insults in 7-day-old (P7) rats, the developmental stage of peak susceptibility to NMDA neurotoxicity. We compared the severity of hippocampal injury resulting from right intrahippocampal injections of gp120 (50 ng) in P7 rats rendered markedly hypoglycemic (n = 10) and in controls (n = 12). We also determined the influence of gp120 administration on the severity of hypoxic-ischemic injury, using a perinatal rat stroke model. P7 rats received intrahippocampal injections of gp120 (50 ng) (n = 23) or saline (n = 18) and then underwent right carotid ligation, followed by 2 h exposure to 8% oxygen. Brain injury was evaluated 5 days later, based on neuropathology evaluation and measurements of bilateral regional cross-sectional areas. The severity of hippocampal injury, based on cross-sectional area measurements, was considerably greater in animals from the hypoglycemic group than in litter-mate gp120-injected controls. Among the animals that underwent hypoxic-ischemic lesioning, the severity of injury, based on histopathology scoring and regional volume measurements, was considerably greater in animals that received gp120 than in those that received saline. These results provide support for the hypothesis that locally secreted HIV peptides, such as gp120, may potentiate the neurotoxicity of endogenous excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters in HIV-infected brain.

[Experimental study on acute hypoxia in newborn rabbits]

To investigate the hypoxic-ischemic damage of perinatal asphyxia, the acute hypoxic models of newborn rabbits were established and the effects of ligustrazine and anisodamine on pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), dural blood flow (DBF) and blood gas of the hypoxia rabbits were observed. Acute hypoxia was caused by inhalation of 10% O2 + 90% N2 mixture. PaO2 was obviously reduced, PAP and DBF were obviously increased. But PAP in ligustrazine group did not increase and the elevated level of PAP in the anisodamine group was lower than the control. DBF and PaO2 was not affected by using both of the drugs. Ligustrazine and anisodamine might be effective for preventing and treating newborn persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Evaluation and implantation of a teledioptric lens system for cataract and age-related macular degeneration

The teledioptric lens implant, with a high-minus central zone, was evaluated on an optical bench and implanted in the eyes of 50 patients with both cataract and age-related macular degeneration. In vitro testing demonstrated slightly reduced contrast and modulation-transfer-function as compared with a standard intraocular lens. The lens implant functions ideally with a 1.9-millimeter diameter on the high-minus portion. Lens implantation was proven safe in the clinical study. When used with spectacles as a part of a teledioptric system, the resulting visual field was 2.6 times larger than that achieved with an external telescope. Postoperative visual acuity initially improved in more than 65% of patients. After 1 year, due to disease progression, only 20% had improved acuity.

Role of collagen metabolism changes in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension in rats and its reversibility

Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) was increased obviously in rats after 3 days of normobaric hypoxic exposure and reached a maximum at 14 days of hypoxia. It remained at the same level during prolonged hypoxic exposure of up to 21 days. Right ventricular weight (RV/LV+S) and hydroxyproline (HP) content in the pulmonary artery began to increase at day 7. HP content had increased much faster than the relative rate of increase of PAP after 14 days, but HP content in the thoracic aorta showed no change. The relative proportion of type I to III collagen increased significantly, and compliance of the pulmonary vessels obviously decreased. All parameters returned to the normal range within 14 days after recovery from hypoxia, except for HP content as expressed per vessel. 764-3 treatment obviously attenuated most of the changes caused by hypoxia, though it had no effect on compliance of the pulmonary vessels. It is suggested that collagen, especially type I collagen, accumulation may play an important role in maintaining pulmonary hypertension. 764-3 has certain protective effects and may be useful in the treatment of early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Autoantigenic proteins that bind recombinogenic sequences in Epstein-Barr virus and cellular DNA

We have identified conserved autoantigenic cellular proteins that bind to G-rich sequence motifs in recombinogenic regions of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA. This binding activity, called TRBP, recognizes the EBV terminal repeats, a locus responsible for interconversion of linear and circular EBV DNA. We found that TRBP also binds to EBV DNA sequences involved in deletion of EBNA2, a gene product required for immortalization. We show that TRBP binds sequences present in repetitive cellular DNA, such as variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR) and immunoglobulin heavy-chain class switch regions. We propose that EBV utilizes cellular DNA recombination systems to mediate several types of viral genome alterations. These findings may lead to an understanding of the mechanism of rearrangements of EBV DNA that are a central feature of the biology of the virus.

[Clinical analysis of ovarian and cervical malignant lymphoma]

From Oct. 1980 to Oct. 1990, 456 cases with ovarian malignant tumor and 1,281 cases with cervical malignant tumor were admitted in our hospital. Among them, 7 were ovarian lymphoma and 3 were cervical lymphoma, accounting for 1.5% and 0.23% of ovarian and cervical malignant tumors respectively. According to the standard set up by Foxs, 5 were primary and 5 were metastatic in 10 lymphoma cases. Ovarian and cervical lymphoma were few, the primary cases were fewer. But its prognosis was better than the metastatic cases. The prognosis varied with the stages, the more advanced clinical stage, the high worse prognosis. The following condition indicates poor prognosis: rapid onset of abdominal symptoms; the presence of systemic symptoms; bone marrow infiltration; bilateral ovarian tumors; noncleaved cell pattern and cleaved-noncleaved cell mixture pattern; only treated with chemotherapy. Surgery was the first choice in the treatment of lymphoma. The typical operation on ovarian lymphoma was total hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy and omentectomy. The cytoreductive surgery which was used to advanced ovarian cancer was also proper for lymphoma, leaving the remained tumor 2cm in diameter, followed by introperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy. The chemotherapy method was COP or COHP regimen. The treatment of primary cervical lymphoma was radical hysterectomy and pelvic paraaorta abdominal lymphodenectomy or radiotherapy. It seems that lymphoma was highly sensitive to radiotherapy. But radiotherapy was not proper for the metastatic cases because the affected areas were large. SLDH elevated in 5 cases of the 6 cases. It suggested that SLDH can serve as relative indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of lymphoma.

Hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic mechanisms of experimental pulmonary edema in rats and the effects of anisodamine and tetramethylpyrazine--estimation of blood gas analysis, RBC superoxide dismutase and prostaglandin E2 in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (Part 3)

Anisodamine (ADM, 654-2, 30 mg/kg) and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP, 120 mg/kg) have shown an apparent preventive effect on pulmonary edema (PE). In this study, the nonhemodynamic mechanism was studied: The dynamic changes of PaO2, O2Sat, PaCO2, and blood pH were measured, and RBC superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) PGE2 levels were estimated. It was concluded that ADM and TMP exerted inhibitory effects on the hypoxic state. The ability of ADM and TMP to adjust RBC SOD and PGE2 levels may be one of the preventive mechanisms of the drugs.

Postoperative astigmatism following phacoemulsification with sutured vs. unsutured wounds

A total of 293 cases of phacoemulsification cataract surgery with a 5.0- or 6.0-mm frown incision were analysed retrospectively to compare postoperative astigmatism between cases with sutured wounds and those with unsutured wounds. Astigmatic analysis was done with a simplified method (keratometric readings with steep meridians between 46 degrees and 134 degrees were considered "with-the-rule" [WTR], and those with steep meridians less than 46 degrees and greater than 134 degrees, "against-the-rule" [ATR]). Among patients with WTR astigmatism preoperatively, the mean keratometric cylinder in the sutureless group (n = 53) was significantly lower at 1 day and at 4 to 6 months postoperatively than before surgery (p < or = 0.001); in the suture group (n = 120) the mean cylinder was significantly higher at 1 day and significantly lower at 4 to 6 months than before surgery (p < 0.05). Among patients with ATR astigmatism preoperatively, the mean keratometric cylinder in the sutureless group (n = 22) was significantly higher at 1 day than before surgery (p < 0.01); in the suture group (n = 98) the mean cylinder was significantly lower at 1 day than before surgery (p < 0.001), and the difference at 4 to 6 months almost reached statistical significance (p = 0.052). Vector analysis showed that surgically induced cylinders in the suture and sutureless groups were similar. Our findings suggest that in the short term patients with preoperative WTR astigmatism may benefit from unsutured wounds, and those with preoperative ATR astigmatism may benefit from sutured wounds if the incision is placed in the vertical meridian.

Effect of contact lens wear on photorefractive keratectomy

This study compares refractive effect and epithelial healing after photorefractive keratectomy among patients who wore contact lenses before surgery versus those who wore glasses before surgery. Data were reviewed on 130 photorefractive keratectomy cases at the 1-week, 2-week, and 4- to 6-month postoperative visits. The patients were divided into three groups based on whether or not they wore contact lenses before surgery: 1) rigid gas permeable lens wearers; 2) soft lens wearers; 3) no contact lens wear. There were no significant differences in epithelial healing among the groups. Some regression of refractive effect was observed both in mean spherical equivalent and in mean keratometry in all the groups from 2 weeks to 6 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the regression of each group. In addition, the changes of spherical equivalent and keratometry before surgery and 4 to 6 months after surgery were compared among the groups with no significant differences. Based upon these results, we conclude that contact lens wearing does not seem to influence epithelial healing after photorefractive keratectomy surgery and also does not affect the refractive effect in the early postoperative period.

[Interleukin-6 gene expression of human fetal islets and its relation to insulin secretion]

The islet from human fetal pancreas was separated by collagenase type V (0.5 mg/ml) and cultured to observe spontaneous secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), its relationship to insulin secretion, regulatory effect of IL-6 on insulin secretion of islets and IL-6 gene expression of human fetal islets. IL-6 was secreted by cultured human fetal islets in vitro and paralleled to their insulin secretion. The MH60.BSF2 cell proliferated by 50 folds when cultured to the supernatant of human fetal islets. RNA dot hybridization with bioting-labelled IL-6 cDNA showed that IL-6 gene expressed on human fetal islets. IL-6 promoted the insulin secretion of islets dose-dependently. The results suggested that IL-6 may be one of the promoting or regulating factors in the insulin secretion of islets.

Hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic mechanism of experimental pulmonary edema in rats and the effect of anisodamine and tetramethylpyrazine--electron microscopic observation and measurement of pulmonary arterial, pulmonary arterial wedge and systemic arterial pressure (Part 2)

The pulmonary edema (PE) induced by adrenaline (AD) administration is similar to neurogenic PE. Anisodamine (ADM, 654-2, 30 mg/kg) and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP, 120 mg/kg) have shown significant preventive effects. Electron microscopic observation was carried out to study the changes of microvascular permeability, and the dynamic change of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP, 40 rats), mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP, 20 rats) and mean carotid arterial pressure (CAP) were also measured. The results suggested that both ADM and TMP have significant inhibitory effects on PAWP and CAP increase, as well as on the damage responsible for the increase of microvascular and alveolar permeability.

Hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic mechanisms of experimental pulmonary edema in rats and the effect of anisodamine and tetramethylpyrazine. Part 1: Survival rate, pulmonary index, pathological change and pulmonary vascular permeability

Pulmonary edema (PE) which is similar to the neurogenic type was induced by adrenaline (AD) administration (0.1 mg/kg) in rats. Acute progressive respiratory distress, cyanosis and dyspnea occurred. All the experimental animals in the PE group died within 20 min after AD injection, with a pulmonary index (PI) of 1.70 +/- 0.47 (mean +/- S) which was much higher than that in the normal group. The mortality rate was 100%. It was found that in rats with PE, a protein-rich fluid filled the alveolar and interstitial spaces, and ecchymosis occurred. The capillary permeability as estimated by Evans blue injection showed that Evans blue from extraction fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the PE rats was at a much higher level than that in the normal control (NC) rats. In anisodamine (ADM, 654-2) and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) treated rats, almost all the damage was diminished or absent, and the mortality rates were decreased from 100% to 4.4% and 20%, respectively. 654-2 and TMP could significantly inhibit the increase of pulmonary permeability.

The role of activated neutrophils and free radical in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension

In in situ perfused rat lungs, it was demonstrated that the perfusing pressure and permeability of pulmonary capillaries were obviously increased after activated neutrophils (PMNs) were added to the perfusate. The effect of free radicals generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system on isolated rabbit pulmonary arterial ring tension was also observed, and the contractile response was found to be dose dependent: The smaller the vessel diameter, the higher the contractile response. Superoxide dismutase and catalase were able to obviously attenuate the contractile response. The response was endothelium independent, and was influenced neither by indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor) nor by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (lipoxygenase inhibitor), while removal of Ca from the bath solution or addition of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor "H7" or an antiinflammatory drug (764-3, the effective component of Radix Salvia miltiorrhizae) could significantly inhibit the contractile response. The results suggest that activated PMNs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.

Visual, refractive, and patient satisfaction results following bilateral photorefractive keratectomy for myopia

Reports of the visual, refractive, and patient satisfaction results after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) are now becoming available. The visual, refractive, and patient satisfaction results of 52 patients after bilateral excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for myopia were studied. Patient satisfaction was measured using a five-part questionnaire. Initial patients obtained an overcorrection which necessitated adjusting the programmed correction to 75% of targeted correction.

Mapping the orientation of an antigenic peptide bound in the antigen binding groove of H-2Kb using a monoclonal antibody

The major histocompatibility complex class I molecules are receptors for intracellular peptides, both of self and non-self origin. When non-self peptides (eg., pathogen derived) are bound to the class I molecules, they form ligands for T cell receptors resulting in antigen specific lysis of the infected cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Therefore, an understanding of the process of antigen recognition requires the precise definition of the structural features of the bimolecular complex formed by a single well defined antigenic peptide bound to the class I molecule. A strategy using antibodies was developed to probe the structural features of the H-2Kb containing a defined peptide in the antigen cleft. We report that the binding surface area of a Kb specific monoclonal antibody (28-13-3s) includes residues in the alpha 1 (Gly56 and Glu58) and alpha 2 (Trp167) helices of Kb thus, binding across the antigen binding groove. When cells treated with the antigenic peptide of vesicular stomatitis virus, N52-59, and its alanine substituted analogs were tested for 28-13-3s binding, it was found that position 1 of the peptide also forms a part of the antibody binding site. This finding strongly supports the positioning of the N-terminus of N52-59 proximal to pocket A, thus, assuming an orientation parallel to the alpha 1 helix.

Selective reactivity of CD8-independent T lymphocytes to a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-selected H-2Kb mutant altered at position 222 in the alpha 3 domain

To study the structural basis for specificity and affinity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes for major histocompatibility complex/peptide complexes, we have employed a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immunoselection approach to obtain H-2Kb structural mutants which are resistant to lysis by a Kb-specific alloreactive CTL clone. In this study we describe the Kb structural mutant, designated R8.60.14, recovered following immunoselection using the CD8-dependent CTL clone 60 as a selective agent. Although serologically unaltered with respect to Kb expression, R8.60.14 is not recognized by CD8-dependent, Kb-specific CTL. DNA sequence analysis revealed a single Glu----Lys amino acid substitution at position 222 in the Kb alpha 3-domain of this variant. To determine if a direct correlation exists between CD8 dependence of a Kb specific CTL and its failure to respond to R8.60.14, we examined the lytic response against R8.60.14 by CD8-independent, Kb-specific CTL obtained from long-term culture in the presence of anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody, 3.155. CD8-independent CTL exhibit no difference in their response against the R8 parent and R8.60.14 variant. This study demonstrates unequivocally that Kb-specific recognition of R8.60.14 by CD8-independent CTL is unaltered, while the response by CD8-dependent CTL is completely abrogated. Thus, the sole basis for emergence of this variant in the CTL-mediated immunoselection approach used in this study resides in the alteration of a single CD8-binding site residue at position 222 in the Kb alpha 3 domain. The functional importance of this Glu222 residue for the interaction between the CD8 molecule on CD8-dependent CTL and the Kb alpha 3 domain is further reinforced by virtue of the recovery of the R8.60.14 variant on the basis of its resistance to lysis by a CD8-dependent CTL clone in this CTL-mediated immunoselection approach.

[A clinical analysis of atrial-ventricular sequential pacing]

Forty one patients were implanted DDD pacemakers (3 cases DDDR) from August, 1983 to July, 1990. 32 males and 9 females. The mean age was 62.3 years (range 32 to 91). 19 patients had coronary artery disease. The indication for pacing was II degrees-III degrees AV block in 16 patients and sick sinus syndrome in 25 patients. During follow-up period there were 2 patients had displacement, 4 patients had undersensing, 3 patients had pacemaker-mediated tachycardia and 3 patients had crosstalk. That was corrected through external programmer. The experience of this operation was discussed.

Viral proteins associated with the Epstein-Barr virus transactivator, ZEBRA

The BamHI Z Epstein-Barr replication activator (ZEBRA) mediates disruption of latency and induction of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early gene expression in latently infected lymphocytes. Polyclonal rabbit sera raised against ZEBRA were used to immunoprecipitate ZEBRA-associated proteins (ZAPs). ZAPs of 19, 21, 23, and 42 kDa were coimmunoprecipitated with ZEBRA from extracts of EBV-producing lymphoid cell lines. ZAPs were not recognized directly by the rabbit sera, but they were antigenic for EBV+ human sera. Immunoprecipitation of ZAPs by ZEBRA-specific antisera required the presence of ZEBRA. ZAPs were not coprecipitated with ZEBRA from mouse cells expressing only ZEBRA, from Raji (a cell line in which EBV is unable to complete lytic replication), or from cells treated with inhibitors of viral DNA synthesis. Thus, ZAPs are late EBV-encoded proteins. ZEBRA and ZAPs colocalized to a salt-insoluble nuclear fraction, and both were found extracellularly in crude preparations of virions. ZAPs might function to affect the cellular localization of ZEBRA, to alter its capacity to transactivate, or to influence its target gene specificity.

Topical fibronectin and aprotinin for keratectomy wound healing in rabbits

We evaluated the effect of fibronectin (an adhesive protein) and aprotinin (a protease inhibitor) as single or combined topical therapies for primary healing and prevention of recurrent corneal epithelial defects in the rabbit keratectomy wound model. The biological activity of the prepared solutions of rabbit plasma fibronectin (0.6 g/L) was suggested by in vitro assays of rabbit corneal epithelial cell adhesion and gelatin-binding affinity. In the first experiment, we compared fibronectin, albumin (a control nonadhesive protein), and saline. In the second and third experiments, fibronectin supplemented with aprotinin, aprotinin alone, and saline were compared; aprotinin was used at concentrations of 40 and 1000 kallikrein inactivating units (KIU) per mililiter. Our results suggest that topical fibronectin, 0.6 g/L, as well as aprotinin at 40- and 1000-KIU/mL concentrations, given alone or in combination, neither promote corneal epithelial wound healing nor prevent recurrent corneal epithelial defects in rabbit keratectomy wounds.

[Comparative study on the inhibitory elastase capacity of fructus Forsythiae, radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, radix Angelicae Sinensis and Ligustrazini]

In this paper elastase capacity was measured with agar radial diffusion using elastin-agar plate. There was a linear correlation between elatase capacity and diameter of agar radial diffusion. Significant inhibitory effects of Fructus Forsythiae, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Ligustrazini Hydrochloridum on elastase were observed and Fructus Forsythiae proved the most effective.

Optical performance of multifocal intraocular lenses

The optical performance of one monofocal and five multifocal lenses was evaluated in the laboratory and photographically. The laboratory testing included determination of the modulation transfer function (MTF), through focus response (TFR), resolution efficiency, and Strehl ratio of each lens. The photographic testing included photographs of the Regan high contrast acuity chart at ten feet with clearest focus and 18 additional photographs in which the image was defocused using minus trial lenses in 0.25 diopter increments. A color photograph of the Kodak color chart was also taken using each lens. All testing was conducted using a 3 mm artificial pupil under ideal implant conditions with no decentration or tilt. The laboratory and photographic results demonstrate that all the multifocal lenses had a two- to three-fold increase in the depth of field with at least a 50% lower contrast in the retinal image. The photographic testing revealed a one to two line better resolution limit with the monofocal lens, which corresponded to the 12% to 41% better MTF cut-off value with the monofocal lens by laboratory testing. The measured resolution efficiencies of all six lenses were comparable. The color photographs revealed color mixing of adjacent colors with the multifocal lenses, whereas the colors appeared unchanged from the original with the monofocal lens.

Evaluation of a latex particle agglutination assay for the detection of cytomegalovirus antibody in patient serum

The Virogen CMV Antibody Test is a simple and rapid latex agglutination assay for the detection of cytomegalovirus antibody in human serum and plasma. Evaluation of this assay with respect to enzyme immunoassay yielded a sensitivity of 98% with a specificity of 100%. In comparison to CMVScan, the Virogen CMV Antibody Test had a sensitivity of 98.4% and a specificity of 100%.

Intraventricular administration of isoproterenol inhibits both heat production and heat loss mechanisms in rats

At an ambient temperature (Ta) of 8 degrees C, intraventricular administration of isoproterenol inhibited metabolic heat production and led to hypothermia in rats. In contrast, at a Ta of 22 degrees C and of 30 degrees C, isoproterenol decreased cutaneous circulation and led to hyperthermia. The data indicate that isoproterenol inhibits both heat production and heat loss mechanisms in rats.

The catecholamine mechanisms of prostaglandin E1-induced hypothermia in rats

Intraperitoneal administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) produced a hypothermia in rats at room temperatue (22 degrees C). The hypothermia in response to PGE1 was due to cutaneous vasodilatation and decreased metabolic heat production. Depletion of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine and p-chlorophenylalanine) did not alter the PGE1-induced hypothermia. However, depletion of bran catecholamines (with 6-hydroxydopamine) and blockade of central catecholaminergic receptors (with phentolamine and propranolol) both greatly reduced the PGE1-induced hypothermia. The data indicate that PGE1 lowers body temperature in rats by acting on the central catecholaminergic systems.