Low-intensity shockwave therapy improves baseline erectile function: a randomized sham-controlled crossover trial

Background

Low-intensity shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction is emerging as a promising treatment option.

Aim

This randomized sham-controlled crossover trial assessed the efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Methods

Thirty-three participants with organic erectile dysfunction were enrolled and randomized to shockwave therapy (n = 17) or sham (n = 16). The sham group was allowed to cross over to receive shockwave therapy after 1 month.

Outcomes

Primary outcomes were the changes in Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score and Erection Hardness Score at 1 month following shockwave therapy vs sham, and secondary outcomes were erectile function measurements at 1, 3, and 6 months following shockwave therapy.

Results

At 1 month, mean SHIM scores were significantly increased in the shockwave therapy arm as compared with the sham arm (+3.0 vs -0.7, P = .024). Participants at 6 months posttreatment (n = 33) showed a mean increase of 5.5 points vs baseline (P < .001), with 20 (54.6%) having an increase ≥5. Of the 25 men with an initial Erection Hardness Score <3, 68% improved to a score ≥3 at 6 months. When compared with baseline, the entire cohort demonstrated significant increases in erectile function outcomes at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.

Clinical Implications

In this randomized sham-controlled crossover trial, we showed that 54.6% of participants with organic erectile dysfunction met the minimal clinically important difference in SHIM scores after treatment with low-intensity shockwave therapy.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths of this study include a sham-controlled group that crossed over to treatment. Limitations include a modest sample size at a single institution.

Conclusions

Low-intensity shockwave therapy improves erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction as compared with sham treatment, which persists even 6 months after treatment.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04434352.

Computer keyboard interaction as an indicator of early Parkinson's disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disease with early manifestation of motor signs. Objective measurements of motor signs are of vital importance for diagnosing, monitoring and developing disease modifying therapies, particularly for the early stages of the disease when putative neuroprotective treatments could stop neurodegeneration. Current medical practice has limited tools to routinely monitor PD motor signs with enough frequency and without undue burden for patients and the healthcare system. In this paper, we present data indicating that the routine interaction with computer keyboards can be used to detect motor signs in the early stages of PD. We explore a solution that measures the key hold times (the time required to press and release a key) during the normal use of a computer without any change in hardware and converts it to a PD motor index. This is achieved by the automatic discovery of patterns in the time series of key hold times using an ensemble regression algorithm. This new approach discriminated early PD groups from controls with an AUC = 0.81 (n = 42/43; mean age = 59.0/60.1; women = 43%/60%;PD/controls). The performance was comparable or better than two other quantitative motor performance tests used clinically: alternating finger tapping (AUC = 0.75) and single key tapping (AUC = 0.61).

Dual proline labeling protocol for individual "baseline" and "response" biosynthesis measurements in human articular cartilage

OBJECTIVE

The heterogeneity of biosynthesis in human-derived cartilage explants poses a challenge to its use in experiments. The aim of this study was to determine the consistency with which two consecutive measures of biosynthesis could be made in individual human articular cartilage explants using a dual proline radiolabeling protocol.

METHODS

Full-thickness cartilage explants were harvested from young bovine or human (total knee replacement) tibial plateaus. Two consecutive measurements of biosynthesis were obtained by measuring (3)H-proline and (14)C-proline incorporation. Each sample's ratio of (14)C-/(3)H-proline incorporation was computed. For comparison to traditional experimental designs, the (14)C-proline incorporation ratio was computed for adjacent cartilage samples. The number of samples needed to observe a change in the proline incorporation ratio of 10, 20, and 50% was determined for both methods.

RESULTS

The dual-label ratio was consistent across samples from the same plateau [95% confidence interval (CI): +/-20% (human) and +/-30% (bovine) of median]. Adjacent human sample pairs had much greater variability in their (14)C-proline incorporation (95% CI: +/-50% of median). Adjacent bovine sample pairs had CIs that were similar in magnitude to those for the dual-label approach. In the human plateaus, ratio changes of 10, 20 and 50% could be detected using dramatically fewer samples than the adjacent pair method. For bovine samples, the two methods required a similar number of samples per group.

CONCLUSION

The consistency of the dual-label approach may overcome the difficulties in studying the effects of interventions on biosynthesis in human cartilage in vitro.

Long-term culture of tissue engineered cartilage in a perfused chamber with mechanical stimulation

One approach to functional tissue engineering of cartilage is to utilize bioreactors to provide environmental conditions that stimulate chondrogenesis in cells cultured on biomaterial scaffolds. We report the combined use of a three-dimensional in vitro model and a novel bioreactor with perfusion of culture medium and mechanical stimulation in long-term studies of cartilage development and function. To engineer cartilage, scaffolds made of a non-woven mesh of polyglycolic acid (PGA) were seeded with bovine calf articular chondrocytes, cultured for an initial 30-day period under free swelling conditions, and cultured for an additional 37 day period in one of the three groups: (1) free-swelling, (2) static compression (on 24 h/day, strain control, static offset 10%), and (3) dynamic compression (on 1 h/day; off 23 h/day; strain control, static offset 2%, dynamic strain amplitude 5%; frequency 0.3 Hz). Constructs were sampled at timed intervals and assessed with respect to structure, biochemical composition, and mechanical function. Mechanical simulation had little effect on the compositions, morphologies and on mechanical properties of construct interiors discs, but it resulted in distincly different properties of the peripheral rings and face sides. Contructs cultured with mechanical loading maintained their cylindrical shape with flat and parallel top and bottom surfaces, and retained larger amounts of GAG. The modular bioreactor system with medium perfusion and mechanical loading can be utilized to define the conditions of cultivation for functional tissue engineering of cartilage.

Gender, race, and culture in research on UI: sensitivity and screening are integral to adequate patient care

Urinary incontinence is a significant health care problem affecting women and men of all races and cultures. Existing literature provides a limited evidence base with which to influence UI practice. More research is needed to fully understand the influences of gender, race, culture, or ethnicity on the patient's experience of UI and its management. The matter is particularly relevant for nurses who want to understand and help people cope with the adverse physical and psychosocial consequences of this chronic, socially isolating, and potentially devastating disorder.

Microfabrication in biology and medicine

Microfabrication uses integrated-circuit manufacturing technology supplemented by its own processes to create objects with dimensions in the range of micrometers to millimeters. These objects can have miniature moving parts, stationary structures, or both. Microfabrication has been used for many applications in biology and medicine. These applications fall into four domains: tools for molecular biology and biochemistry, tools for cell biology, medical devices, and biosensors. Microfabricated device structures may provide significantly enhanced function with respect to a conventional device. Sometimes microfabrication can enable devices with novel capabilities. These enhancing and enabling qualities are conferred when microfabrication is used appropriately to address the right types of problems. Herein, we describe microfabrication technology and its application to biology and medicine. We detail several classes of advantages conferred by microfabrication and how these advantages have been used to date.

Magnetic resonance imaging of relative glycosaminoglycan distribution in patients with autologous chondrocyte transplants

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) is a potential treatment for full-thickness chondral lesions in the knee. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) has recently been developed as a sensitive and specific measure of cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Under the conditions of dGEMRIC, T1 is directly related to the GAG concentration. Our aim for this study was to demonstrate the potential of dGEMRIC to evaluate ACT implants.

METHODS

Eleven ACT implants were studied 2 to 24 months postoperatively by dGEMRIC. T1 values from three regions of interest were obtained to examine GAG content (1) in the implant, (2) in native cartilage adjacent to the implant, and (3) in native cartilage further removed from the implant (as "control").

RESULTS

One implant failed and therefore was not included. Four of the implants were studied between 2 and 6 months postoperatively and showed low T1 (GAG), less than 80% of the control native cartilage. Five of the six implants studied between 12 and 24 months postoperativley showed T1 (GAG) comparable to (>80%) of control. One 18-month graft showed low T1 comparable to the surrounding native cartilage, with normal GAG seen in cartilage far from the graft site. The GAG index (T1 values of the graft normalized to control) from the group of implants 6 months or less was 59% +/- 5% of control, whereas those at 12 to 24 months were 91% +/- 18% of control. The two groups were statistically different with a P value of 0.005.

CONCLUSIONS

The GAG level in grafts that were implanted for less than 12 months appeared to be lower than that in the remote cartilage. At 12 months or greater, the grafts in this study had GAG levels that were comparable to both the adjacent and remote cartilage. This preliminary study of ACT implants has shown that it is feasible to apply the dGEMRIC technique in patients with ACT as a way to obtain information related to the composition of grafts. These results provide motivation and the pilot data with which to design further clinical studies.

Biochemical (and functional) imaging of articular cartilage

Over the coming decades nondestructive biochemical imaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will provide an adjunct or surrogate for the destructive histologic and biochemical assays used today. A number of MRI methods demonstrate image contrast that, although influenced by the biochemical composition, is not normally specific to a particular measure of the biochemical state. The most widely used of these is T2-weighted imaging, which variably reveals collagen ultrastructure, hydration (or collagen content), and, to a lesser extent, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration (each of these biochemical metrics is an important determinant of the functional integrity of cartilage). The lack of specificity of this technique (and others discussed herein) confounds efforts to improve strategies for evaluating cartilage. However, three methods permit a very specific measure of the cartilage biochemical state. Each of these three methods, explored in detail in this article, is rooted in a biophysical theory that relates the image signal intensity to a specific biochemical feature. Proton-density imaging directly measures water content (hydration), a parameter that might increase approximately 5% with significant degeneration. Magic-angle imaging, in which the angle dependence of T2 is measured, can provide a specific measure of collagen (or macromolecular) ultrastructure. The difficulty in getting the angle dependence presently precludes its use clinically. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage provides a specific measure of the distribution of GAGs. This method measures the distribution of a charged contrast agent, which in turn reflects the distribution of charge associated with GAG. This technique can be used in a clinical setting, and ongoing studies will explore its utility in monitoring therapeutic efficacy and disease progression. Although none of these techniques are presently in routine clinical use, emerging data provide promise that the future will see patient-specific biochemical analysis of cartilage, an outcome almost unimaginable 20 years ago.

Protocol issues for delayed Gd(DTPA)(2-)-enhanced MRI (dGEMRIC) for clinical evaluation of articular cartilage

Biochemical and histologic data have validated the technique of delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI, in which the T(1) values of cartilage after penetration of Gd(DTPA)2-allow assessment of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) component of articular cartilage. This work describes the factors that have been found to be important for the practical implementation of the technique: 1) Exercise immediately after intravenous contrast administration was necessary for effective penetration of the contrast into the articular cartilage; 2) double-dose contrast was better than single-dose; 3) after contrast administration, a time window of 30-90 min for the hip, and 2-3 hr for all compartments of the knee proved to be appropriate for assessing articular cartilage; and 4) in some cases of hypointensities in the subchondral patellar bone, decreased penetration of the contrast agent into cartilage from bone was found. With the protocol described, ROIs on T(1) images were reproducible within 15% on two separate imaging sessions, and initial clinical studies demonstrated the possible applications of the technique. Magn Reson Med 45:36-41, 2001.

Protocol issues for delayed Gd(DTPA)(2-)-enhanced MRI (dGEMRIC) for clinical evaluation of articular cartilage

Biochemical and histologic data have validated the technique of delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI, in which the T(1) values of cartilage after penetration of Gd(DTPA)2-allow assessment of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) component of articular cartilage. This work describes the factors that have been found to be important for the practical implementation of the technique: 1) Exercise immediately after intravenous contrast administration was necessary for effective penetration of the contrast into the articular cartilage; 2) double-dose contrast was better than single-dose; 3) after contrast administration, a time window of 30-90 min for the hip, and 2-3 hr for all compartments of the knee proved to be appropriate for assessing articular cartilage; and 4) in some cases of hypointensities in the subchondral patellar bone, decreased penetration of the contrast agent into cartilage from bone was found. With the protocol described, ROIs on T(1) images were reproducible within 15% on two separate imaging sessions, and initial clinical studies demonstrated the possible applications of the technique. Magn Reson Med 45:36-41, 2001.

Holding forces of single-particle dielectrophoretic traps

We present experimental results and modeling on the efficacy of dielectrophoresis-based single-particle traps. Dielectrophoretic forces, caused by the interaction of nonuniform electric fields with objects, have been used to make planar quadrupole traps that can trap single beads. A simple experimental protocol was then used to measure how well the traps could hold beads against destabilizing fluid flows. These were compared with predictions from modeling and found to be in close agreement, allowing the determination of sub-piconewton forces. This not only validates our ability to model dielectrophoretic forces in these traps but also gives insight into the physical behavior of particles in dielectrophoresis-based traps. Anomalous frequency effects, not explainable by dielectrophoretic forces alone, were also encountered and attributed to electrohydrodynamic flows. Such knowledge can now be used to design traps for cell-based applications.

MRI techniques in early stages of cartilage disease

Cartilage degenerative diseases affect millions of people. Our understanding of these diseases and our ability to establish efficacious treatment strategies have been confounded by the difficulty of nondestructively evaluating the state of cartilage. Imaging strategies that allow visualization of cartilage integrity would revolutionize the field by allowing us to visualize early stages of degeneration and thus to evaluate predisposing factors for cartilage disease and changes resulting from interventions (eg, therapies) in culture studies, tissue-engineered systems, animal models, and in vivo in humans. Here we briefly review current state-of-the-art MRI strategies relevant to understanding and following treatment in early cartilage degeneration. We review MRI as applied to the assessment of the whole joint, of cartilage as a whole (as an organ), of cartilage tissue, and of cartilage molecular composition and structure. Each of these levels is amenable to assessment by MRI and offers different information that, in the long run, will serve as an important element of cartilage imaging.

Alveolar cell stretching in the presence of fibrous particles induces interleukin-8 responses

Inhalation of fibrous particulates is strongly associated with lung injury, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms that could explain the fiber-induced pathogenesis are not fully understood. We hypothesized that the physical stress exerted on the alveolar epithelium by the deposited fibers is greatly enhanced by the tidal cyclic motion of the epithelial cells that is associated with breathing, and that this initial mechanical interaction triggers a subsequent cell response. To test this hypothesis, we developed a dynamic model of fiber-induced cell injury using a cell-stretcher device. We exposed a cyclically stretched monolayer of the human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 to glass or crocidolite asbestos fibers for 8 h and then measured the production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-8 as a readout of fiber-induced cell injury. Cyclic stretching significantly increased IL-8 production in the fiber-treated cultures, suggesting that the physical stress on the cells caused by the fibers was indeed enhanced by the motion. Coating of the asbestos fibers with fibronectin, a glycoprotein abundant in the alveolar lining fluid, further increased the fiber-induced cell response when the cells were cyclically stretched. This response was, however, significantly reduced by introducing into the culture medium, before fiber treatment, soluble RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-containing peptides, which specifically block binding to integrin receptors upon RGD attachment. These results suggested that adhesive interactions between protein-coated fibers and cell surface molecules are involved in the fiber-induced pathogenic process. Our novel findings indicate the importance of physical insults in fiber-induced cell stress, and bring to the forefront the need to study the mechanisms involved in this process.

Monitoring glycosaminoglycan replenishment in cartilage explants with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

We previously devised a magnetic resonance imaging method that allows for the nondestructive and quantitative determination of glycosaminoglycan concentration in excised cartilage. The technique measures the concentration of the charged contrast agent Gd-DTPA2- (gadolinium diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid) equilibrated within cartilage, from which the tissue distribution of glycosaminoglycan can be calculated. The goals of our study were to determine the practicality of nondestructively monitoring glycosaminoglycan concentration in cartilage explants over a long-term culture period and to determine if glycosaminoglycan could be restored to glycosaminoglycan-depleted cartilage explants maintained in long-term culture. To meet our objectives, we harvested bovine cartilage explants, treated them initially with trypsin to reduce the glycosaminoglycan concentration, and cultured them for as long as 8 weeks. Images depicting glycosaminoglycan concentration were calculated from magnetic resonance images acquired at selected intervals during the trypsinization process and the subsequent culture period. The results indicate that gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can follow the reduction of glycosaminoglycan concentration over the course of enzymatic digestion and the replenishment of glycosaminoglycan over several weeks of culture and that cultured cartilage explants are capable of restoring glycosaminoglycan to 85% of its initial concentration. Of particular interest, samples cultured for 5 weeks indicated a depth dependence of glycosaminoglycan regeneration to values similar to the initial physiologic distribution. Thus, this magnetic resonance imaging method may be a very powerful means for exploring the spatial and temporal evolution of glycosaminoglycan in cartilage.

Nondestructive imaging of human cartilage glycosaminoglycan concentration by MRI

Despite the compelling need mandated by the prevalence and morbidity of degenerative cartilage diseases, it is extremely difficult to study disease progression and therapeutic efficacy, either in vitro or in vivo (clinically). This is partly because no techniques have been available for nondestructively visualizing the distribution of functionally important macromolecules in living cartilage. Here we describe and validate a technique to image the glycosaminoglycan concentration ([GAG]) of human cartilage nondestructively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The technique is based on the premise that the negatively charged contrast agent gadolinium diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd(DTPA)2-) will distribute in cartilage in inverse relation to the negatively charged GAG concentration. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of cartilage explants demonstrated that there was an approximately linear relationship between T1 (in the presence of Gd(DTPA)2-) and [GAG] over a large range of [GAG]. Furthermore, there was a strong agreement between the [GAG] calculated from [Gd(DTPA)2-] and the actual [GAG] determined from the validated methods of calculations from [Na+] and the biochemical DMMB assay. Spatial distributions of GAG were easily observed in T1-weighted and T1-calculated MRI studies of intact human joints, with good histological correlation. Furthermore, in vivo clinical images of T1 in the presence of Gd(DTPA)2- (i.e., GAG distribution) correlated well with the validated ex vivo results after total knee replacement surgery, showing that it is feasible to monitor GAG distribution in vivo. This approach gives us the opportunity to image directly the concentration of GAG, a major and critically important macromolecule in human cartilage.

The effect of ram exposure on uterine involution and luteal function during the postpartum period of hair sheep ewes in the tropics

St. Croix White hair sheep ewes lambing in July (n = 20) or November (n = 26) were used to evaluate the effect of ram exposure on uterine involution and postpartum luteal function. Ewes were exposed to an epididymectomized ram (EXPOSED) beginning on d 7 after lambing (d 0) or kept isolated from rams (CONTROL) through d 63. The width of each uterine horn was measured using transrectal ultrasonography at 3.5-d intervals beginning within 3 d after lambing. Jugular blood samples were also collected at these times, and plasma was harvested for progesterone (P4) analysis. Days to first estrus postpartum was not different (P > .10) between EXPOSED ewes that lambed in July or November (39.3 +/- 3.1 vs 44.2 +/- 3.8 d, respectively). Cross-sectional area of uterine horns was not different (P > .10) between EXPOSED and CONTROL ewes, ewes bearing one or two lambs, or ewes that lambed in November or July. Cross-sectional area of uterine horns in EXPOSED and CONTROL ewes had decreased to < 30% of initial values by 28 d postpartum (P < .0001). Ewes exposed to rams had a P4 concentration greater than 1 ng/mL sooner postpartum (P < .006) than CONTROL ewes (32.4 +/- 2.4 vs 42.1 +/- 2.3 d, respectively). The P4 concentration in the first sample greater than 1 ng/mL was greater (P < .06) in EXPOSED ewes than in CONTROL ewes (3.3 +/- .4 vs 2.3 +/- .4 ng/mL, respectively). In July, ewes exposed to rams had greater (P < .03) P4 concentrations than CONTROL ewes during the 63 d after parturition, but this difference was not apparent (P > .10) in ewes that lambed in November. Ram exposure did not hasten uterine involution in hair sheep ewes in the tropics. Luteal function, determined by plasma P4 concentrations, was enhanced by ram exposure during July but not during November. The lack of seasonality of hair sheep in the tropics does not seem to totally inhibit the response of ewes to ram exposure.

Microsporidiosis in a young ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Microsporidia are obligate, intracellular, protozoan parasites of a wide variety of vertebrates and invertebrates. Confirmed reports of microsporidial infection of avian species are few (lovebirds, a parrot, and a group of budgerigar chicks). At slaughter, a 14-mo-old ostrich was found to have small intestinal serosal hemorrhages during postmortem inspection. Histologic examination of the small intestine revealed a chronic lymphoplasmacytic to purulent enteritis with mucosal hyperplasia, muscular hypertrophy, and numerous microsporidia that were located within the superficial enterocytes and the lamina propria. Microsporidia have a ubiquitous distribution in nature and are suspected as possible zoonotic agents.

The incidence of a positive ice water test in bladder outlet obstructed patients: evidence for bladder neural plasticity

PURPOSE

The ice water test triggers a C fiber, capsaicin sensitive spinal micturition reflex. We postulated that the ice water test is positive in a high proportion of patients with compared to those without bladder outlet obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective evaluation of 111 consecutive patients was undertaken. Symptoms of urgency, urge incontinence, nocturia and daytime frequency as well as the presence of neurological disease were obtained from history and physical examination. Fluorourodynamics, including ice water cystometry, and pressure-flow studies were done for all 111 subjects. Obstruction was defined using the Abrams-Griffith nomogram and urethral resistive index. A positive ice water test was defined as presence of uninhibited bladder contraction with instillation of 0C saline at 50 cc per minute up to a maximum of 250 cc. Detrusor instability was defined according to the International Continence Society criteria using room temperature saline instillation.

RESULTS

When patients with neurological disease were excluded, a positive ice water test was found in 71% of subjects with bladder outlet obstruction (12 of 17), which was significantly higher (p <0.0005, Yates corrected chi-square test) than the 7% positive ice water test rate in nonobstructed subjects (3 of 44). Conversely, the incidence of positive detrusor instability was not statistically different between the patients with or without bladder outlet obstruction. Of the subjects with neurological disease 85% (42 of 50) had a positive ice water test. The incidence of a positive ice water test was only 5 to 9% in patients with storage lower urinary tract symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive ice water test has been previously described in infants and individuals with neurogenic bladders. However, subjects with bladder outlet obstruction had a significantly higher incidence of a positive ice water test compared to those without it, supporting the hypothesis of an enhanced spinal micturition reflex possibly due to plasticity of bladder afferents after bladder outlet obstruction. The ice water test may be useful in prognosticating bladder outlet obstruction treatment outcomes and determining the etiology of treatment failure.

Evaluation of sexual behavior of hair sheep rams in a tropical environment

We evaluated sexual behavior of St. Croix White (SC; n = 5) and Barbados Blackbelly hair (BB; n = 4) rams under two environmental conditions in the tropics. Sexually naive rams were individually exposed for 15 min to a restrained, ovariectomized ewe, three times during a 3-wk period in June, in a pen with shade (SHADE; 33.1+/-.3 degrees C) or without shade (SUN; 38.3+/-.3 degrees C). Rectal temperature (RT) of rams was measured before and after each test. Sexual behaviors were recorded by observers outside the pens. The number of mounts and ejaculations were similar (P > .10) between the SUN (12.1+/-2.8 and 3.6 +/-.5, respectively) and SHADE (10.7+/-2.9 and 3.4+/-.4, respectively) tests. There was no breed x test pen interaction for any of the behaviors recorded (P > .10). The BB rams mounted the ewe more (P < .04) than did the SC rams (15.7+/-2.8 vs 7.3+/-2.7 mounts, respectively). The overall level of activity (foreleg kicks, attempted mounts, mounts, and ejaculations) was similar (P > .10) between BB and SC rams (64.9 +/-8.5 vs 45.4+/-8.5 events, respectively). Rectal temperature before testing was similar (P > .10) in BB and SC rams (39.4+/-.1 vs 39.4+/-.1 degrees C, respectively). The change in RT of rams was not different (P > .10) between SUN and SHADE tests (.6 +/-.1 vs .8+/-.1 degrees C), but BB rams had a greater (P < .02) change in RT than SC rams (.9+/-.1 vs .5+/-.1 degrees C, respectively). The change in RT was positively correlated with time to first service (r = .39, P < .01) and number of mounts (r = .52, P < .001) and negatively correlated with number of services (r = -.47, P < .0008). These results show that under tropical conditions, hair sheep rams exhibit a full repertoire of sexual behaviors. There does not seem to be a negative influence of elevated ambient temperature during testing on the level of sexual behavior of these rams.

Osteoblast cytoskeletal modulation in response to mechanical strain in vitro

The structural integrity of microfilaments has been shown to be necessary for the signal transduction of mechanical stimuli within osteoblasts. Qualitative and quantitative changes within the cytoskeleton of osteoblasts may therefore be crucial components of the signal transduction processes of these cells in response to mechanical stimulation. Avian osteoblasts were strained with a device that deforms a flexible, cell-laden membrane at a defined frequency and intensity in a uniform biaxial manner. We examined the effects of mechanical strain on the accumulation of protein and the expression of the major cytoskeletal elements and specific integrin-binding (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) proteins of these cells. Mechanical strain increased the level of total extracellular matrix-accumulated fibronectin by approximately 150% and decreased that of osteopontin by approximately 60% but had no quantifiable effect on the accumulation of beta1 integrin subunit or collagen type I. An examination of the major elements of the cytoskeleton demonstrated that neither the level of actin nor that of the intermediate filament protein vimentin changed; however, the amount of tubulin decreased by approximately 75% and the amount of vinculin, a major protein of focal adhesion complexes, increased by approximately 250%. An analysis of protein synthesis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [35S]methionine-labeled cytoskeletal proteins demonstrated that the changes in the accumulation of vinculin and tubulin resulted from their altered synthesis. Messenger RNA analysis confirmed that the changes in accumulation and protein synthesis observed for vinculin, fibronectin, and osteopontin were controlled at a pretranslational level. Immunofluorescent microscopy demonstrated that mechanical strain led to increased formation and thickening of actin stress fibers, with a commensurate dissociation in microtubules and a clear increase in levels of vinculin at the peripheral edges of the cells. In conclusion, the elevated rate of synthesis and the increased accumulation of vinculin and fibronectin, as well as the increase in the number and size of stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes, suggest that mechanical strain leads to a coordinated change both in the cytoskeleton and in extracellular matrix proteins that will facilitate tighter adhesion of an osteoblast to its extracellular matrix.

Glycosaminoglycan in articular cartilage: in vivo assessment with delayed Gd(DTPA)(2-)-enhanced MR imaging

PURPOSE

To investigate the feasibility of applying magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with use of an anionic compound, Gd(DTPA)2- (gadolinium diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid), for measuring glycosaminoglycan concentration in human cartilage in clinical studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Penetration of Gd(DTPA)2- into cartilage was monitored through sequential T1-calculated images obtained after intraarticular (n = 2) or intravenous (n = 2) injection. T1-weighted and T1-calculated image series were then obtained in seven volunteers (nine knees) after penetration of Gd-(DTPA)2- into cartilage. If T1 was heterogeneous on Gd(DTPA)(2-)-enhanced images, images were also obtained after penetration of the cartilage with the nonionic contrast agent, gadoteridol.

RESULTS

Gd(DTPA)2- penetrated cartilage from the articular surface after intraarticular injection and from both the articular surface and the subchondral bone after intravenous injection. The latter resulted in shorter overall penetration time. T1 values on Gd(DTPA)(2-)-enhanced images were homogeneous in four knees, but in five knees T1 differences of up to 30% were observed. These T1 differences were not seen in the presence of gadoteridol. These variations in T1 reflected about 50% variations in glycosaminoglycan.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that Gd(DTPA)(2-)-enhanced MR imaging has potential for monitoring glycosaminoglycan content of cartilage in vivo.

Signal transduction of mechanical stimuli is dependent on microfilament integrity: identification of osteopontin as a mechanically induced gene in osteoblasts

Mechanical perturbation has been shown to modulate a wide variety of changes in second message signals and patterns of gene expression in osteoblasts. Embryonic chick osteoblasts were subjected to a dynamic spatially uniform biaxial strain (1.3% applied strain) at 0.25 Hz for a single 2-h period, and osteopontin (OPN), an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing protein, was shown to be a mechanoresponsive gene. Expression of opn mRNA reached a maximal 4-fold increase 9 h after the end of the mechanical perturbation that was not inhibited by cycloheximide, thus demonstrating that mechanoinduction of opn expression is a primary response through the activation of pre-existing transcriptional factors. The signal transduction pathways, which mediated the increased expression of opn in response to mechanical stimuli, were shown to be dependent on the activation of a tyrosine kinase(s) and protein kinase A (PKA) or a PKA-like kinase. Selective inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) had no effect on the mechanoinduction of osteopontin even though opn has been demonstrated to be an early response gene to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation. Mechanotransduction was dependent on microfilament integrity since cytochalasin-D blocked the up-regulation of the opn expression; however, microfilament disruption had no effect on the PMA induction of the gene. The microtubule component of the cytoskeleton was not related to the mechanism of signal transduction involved in controlling opn expression in response to mechanical stimulation since colchicine did not block opn expression. Mechanical stimulus was shown to activate focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which specifically became associated with the cytoskeleton after mechanical perturbation, and its association with the cytoskeleton was dependent on tyrosine kinase activity. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the signal transduction pathway for mechanical activation of opn is uniquely dependent on the structural integrity of the microfilament component of the cytoskeleton. In contrast, the PKC pathway, which also activates this gene in osteoblasts, acts independently of the cytoskeleton in the transduction of its activity.

A comparison of two methods of oestrous synchronisation of hair sheep in the tropics

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of oestrous synchronisation procedures in St. Croix White, Barbados Blackbelly hair and Florida Native wool ewes. In Trial 1 (conducted in June), 27 ewes were treated with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices for 12 days (CIDR1) and 29 untreated ewes served as controls (CONT). The CIDR devices were removed on the same day that intact rams equipped with marking harnesses were placed with the ewes. Time to oestrus after ram introduction was shorter (P < 0.0001) in CIDR1 than CONT ewes. Within 3 days of ram introduction 100% of CIDR1 ewes but only 37.9% of CONT ewes had been in oestrus (P < 0.0001). Conception rate at first oestrus after ram introduction was 74.1% overall, with no effect (P > 0.10) of treatment, but days to conception were shorter (P < 0.001) in CIDR1 than CONT ewes. Ovulation rate at first oestrus after ram introduction was not different (P > 0.10) between CIDR1 and CONT ewes. The CIDR1 ewes lambed earlier (P < 0.004) in the lambing season than CONT ewes, but there was no difference in the number of lambs born per ewe (P > 0.10). In Trial 2 (conducted in October), 14 St. Croix White ewes were treated with CIDRs as in Trial 1 (CIDR2) and 14 St. Croix White ewes were given two i.m. injections (15 mg) of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) 10 days apart. Intact rams were introduced on the day of CIDR removal or the second PGF injection. The CIDR2 ewes exhibited oestrus earlier (P < 0.01) than PGF treated ewes. The conception rate to breeding at the synchronised oestrus was similar (P > 0.10) between CIDR2 and PGF treated ewes. Progesterone concentration on Day 10 after the synchronised oestrus was not different (P > 0.10) between CIDR2 and PGF treated ewes. These results indicate that oestrous synchronisation procedures can be used in sheep in the tropics without adversely affecting fertility. Due to a lack of seasonal anoestrous these procedures have the potential to be used during all times of the year.

Mechanical strain tightly controls fibroblast growth factor-2 release from cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells

Although fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) participates in the response to vascular injury, the role of cellular deformation in FGF-2 release is incompletely understood. To test the hypothesis that mechanical strain tightly controls FGF-2 release, a novel device was used to impose homogeneous and uniform biaxial strain to human vascular smooth muscle cells. Release of FGF-2 increased with the number of cycles of strain (14%, 1 Hz); 1, 9, and 90 cycles of strain, respectively, released 0.55 +/- 0.06%, 2.9 +/- 0.3%, and 5.5 +/- 1.3% of the total cellular FGF-2 (versus 0.00 +/- 0.40% for control, P < .05), but release was not further increased for strain of 90 to 90,000 cycles. Mechanical release of FGF-2 depended on both the frequency and amplitude of deformation. For example, strain (90 cycles, 1 Hz) at 4% amplitude released only 0.1 +/- 0.1% of the total FGF-2, but strain at 14% and 33% amplitudes, respectively, released 5.7 +/- 0.5% and 19.0 +/- 3.0% of the FGF-2 cellular pool (P < .05), suggesting a strain amplitude threshold for FGF-2 release. Injury to a subpopulation of cells increased with the frequency and amplitude of strain, but cells were not injured by strains below 10% amplitude. Strain following pretreatment with heparin released 12.6 +/- 1.6% of the total FGF-2 (versus 15.8 +/- 0.9% for strain alone, P < .05), indicating that most FGF-2 was liberated from the nuclear or cytoplasmic pools and not from low-affinity extracellular receptors. Conversely, strain in the presence of heparin released 25.2 +/- 3.5% of the total FGF-2 (versus 15.6 +/- 2.6% for strain alone, P < .05). Thus, cellular strain closely modulates the release of intracellular FGF-2 from human vascular smooth muscle cells, but FGF-2 release is negligible in response to the smaller strains that occur in the normal artery. In addition, larger mechanical strains lead to transfer of intracellular FGF-2 to the extracellular low-affinity receptors, where FGF-2 may be displaced by heparin. These observations provide insight into the mechanisms by which deforming vascular injury, such as that produced by arterial interventions, may elicit a proliferative response.

Gd-DTPA2- as a measure of cartilage degradation

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are the main source of tissue fixed charge density (FCD) in cartilage, and are lost early in arthritic diseases. We tested the hypothesis that, like Na+, the charged contrast agent Gd-DTPA2- (and hence proton T1) could be used to measure tissue FCD and hence GAG concentration. NMR spectroscopy studies of cartilage explants demonstrated that there was a strong correlation (r > 0.96) between proton T1 in the presence of Gd-DTPA2- and tissue sodium and GAG concentrations. An ideal one-compartment electrochemical (Donnan) equilibrium model was examined as a means of quantifying FCD from Gd-DTPA2- concentration, yielding a value 50% less but linearly correlated with the validated method of quantifying FCD from Na+. These data could be used as the basis of an empirical model with which to quantify FCD from Gd-DTPA2- concentration, or a more sophisticated physical model could be developed. Spatial distributions of FCD were easily observed in T1-weighted MRI studies of trypsin and interleukin-1 induced cartilage degradation, with good histological correlation. Therefore, equilibration of the tissue in Gd-DTPA2- gives us the opportunity to directly image (through T1 weighting) the concentration of GAG, a major and critically important macromolecule in cartilage. Pilot clinical studies demonstrated Gd-DTPA2- penetration into cartilage, suggesting that this technique is clinically feasible.

Icterus in bob veal calves and its association with lack of colostrum intake and high serum creatine kinase activity

Icterus condemnations compose a substantial proportion (41%) of total condemnations of bob veal, the class of veal composed of calves < 3 weeks old and weighing up to 68 kg. At postmortem examination, bob veal condemned because of icterus have generalized yellow discoloration of tissues, which is commonly associated with large, yellow liver (fatty liver), and a paucity of other gross pathologic changes. To establish that the generalized yellow discoloration was attributable to high tissue bilirubin concentrations and to examine the underlying mechanism(s) that might be responsible, blood samples and tissue specimens were obtained from clinically normal and icteric bob veal calves at slaughter. For comparison, blood samples were collected from clinically normal, 1- to 5-day-old Holstein calves being raised on local dairy farms. Hematologic and serum biochemical analyses were obtained for the 3 groups of calves (normal local, normal slaughter, and icteric slaughter), and tissues of slaughter calves were examined for histologic evidence of inflammatory or degenerative changes. Mean +/- SD total bilirubin concentration and creatine kinase (CK) activity in icteric bob veal (3.3 +/- 0.8 mg/dl; 869 +/- 788 U/L), normal bob veal (1.4 +/- 0.7 mg/dl; 486 +/- 890 U/L), and normal local calves (0.5 +/- 0.2 mg/dl; 156 +/- 158 U/L) were significantly different. When data for both normal and icteric bob veal calf groups were combined for analysis, total bilirubin concentration regressed significantly on hepatic lipid scores (P = 0.00003) and CK activity (P = 0.00049). Colostrum consumption was determined by measuring serum total protein concentration and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity. Bob veal calves that had not consumed colostrum had significantly higher total bilirubin (P = 0.00005) and CK (P = 0.0008) values. It was concluded that normal and icteric bob veal calves have significant increase in total bilirubin concentration, and icterus of bob veal calves is secondary to unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Lack of colostrum consumption was strongly correlated with icterus in bob veal calves.

Gallbladder mucocele causing biliary obstruction in two dogs: ultrasonographic, scintigraphic, and pathological findings

Two dogs were found to have intraluminal gallbladder masses which caused partial or complete extrahepatic biliary obstruction. On histological examination, the gallbladder masses were confirmed to be mucoceles. Gallbladder mucoceles are rare in humans and previously have been described only after gallbladder rupture in two dogs. In the dogs of this report, the biliary obstruction was relieved by cholecystectomy. Each dog also had histological evidence of chronic liver disease with intrahepatic cholestasis. The clinical diagnosis of biliary obstruction was based on scintigraphic and sonographic findings which will be discussed and compared with other hepatobiliary diseases.

Correlation between synthetic activity and glycosaminoglycan concentration in epiphyseal cartilage raises questions about the regulatory role of interstitial pH

Current data provide compelling evidence that the pH of the interstitial fluid of cartilage is an important determinant of the metabolic activity of chondrocytes, and this has served as the basis for a mechanistic proposal whereby chondrocytes could sense mechanical compression. The objective of the current study was to test this hypothesis further by examining biosynthetic activity in cartilage as a function of glycosaminoglycan content, which is the major determinant of interstitial pH. On the basis of previous data, increased biosynthetic activity would be anticipated to correlate with a decreased glycosaminoglycan content and an elevated interstitial pH. In contrast to our expectations, we found that the biosynthetic activity (monitored by measurement of incorporation of sulfate and proline) was positively correlated with the glycosaminoglycan content of tissue. These results raise doubt as to whether interstitial pH provides a dominant mechanism for controlling the metabolism of chondrocytes.

Magnetization transfer in cartilage and its constituent macromolecules

The goal of this work was to investigate magnetization transfer (MT) in cartilage by measuring water proton signals Ms/Mo, as an indicator of MT, in (i) single-component systems of the tissue's constituent macromolecules and (ii) intact cartilage under control conditions and after two pathomimetic interventions. Ms/Mo was quantified with a 12-microT saturation pulse applied 6 kHz off resonance. Both glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagen exhibited concentration dependent effects on Ms/Mo, being approximately linear for GAG solutions (Ms/Mo = -0.0137[% GAG] + 1.02) and exponential for collagen suspensions (Ms/Mo = 0.80 x exp[-(%collagen)/6.66] + 0.20); the direct saturation of water could not account for the measured Ms/Mo. Although the effect of collagen on Ms/Mo is much stronger than for a corresponding concentration of GAG, Ms/Mo is not very sensitive to changes in collagen concentration in the physiological range. Tissue degradation with 25 mg/ml trypsin led to an increase in Ms/Mo from the baseline value of 0.2 (final/initial values = 1.15 +/- 0.13, n = 11, P < 0.001). In contrast, a 10-day treatment of cartilage with 100 ng/ml of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) caused a 19% decrease in Ms/Mo (final/initial values = 0.81 +/- 0.08, n = 3, P = 0.085). The changes in hydration and macromolecular content for the two treatments were comparable, suggesting that Ms/Mo is sensitive to macromolecular structure as well as concentration. In conclusion, whereas the baseline Ms/Mo value in cartilage may be primarily due to the tissue collagen concentration, changes in Ms/Mo may be due to physiological or pathophysiological changes in GAG concentration and tissue structure, and the measured Ms/Mo may differentiate between various pathomimetic degradative procedures.

Time-dependent changes in the response of cartilage to static compression suggest interstitial pH is not the only signaling mechanism

The goal of the present study was to reexamine the role of interstitial pH in regulating the biosynthetic rate in cartilage tissue by addressing two research questions: (a) Do small, short-term changes in interstitial pH, induced independently by two different mechanisms (namely, by controlling the pH of the medium or by mechanical compression), result in biosynthetic rates commensurate with those expected from the "natural" relationship between interstitial pH and biosynthesis? and (b) Are the effects of changes in the pH of the medium or in compression the same for short-term (14-hour) and long-term (60-hour) exposures? Biosynthetic rates were estimated from incorporation of sulfate and proline into explants of bovine epiphyseal cartilage during the final 14 hours of culture. These rates decreased with decreasing pH of the medium, with increasing compression, and with decreasing native glycosaminoglycan content; or, expressed in terms of interstitial pH, acidification induced by compression or by lowering the pH of the medium resulted in a decreased biosynthetic rate, whereas interstitial acidification effected by increasing glycosaminoglycan content enhanced it. When the time for which tissue was exposed to changes in the pH of the medium was increased from 14 to 60 hours, the relationship between the biosynthetic rate and the pH remained constant whereas the relationship between the biosynthetic rate and compression was reversed. These data suggest that the transduction mechanisms underlying the response to pH of the medium and compression differ and that some adaptation or stimulation by modest levels of compression can occur with longer exposures. Interstitial pH is not the sole determinant of biosynthesis, and it cannot really account for the long-term response of cartilage tissue to static compression.

Dimensional growth and extracellular matrix accumulation by neonatal rat mandibular condyles in long-term culture

Mandibular condyles in organ culture commonly have been used as a model system for examination of the factors that influence skeletal growth and development. The work reported here complements previously published histological studies by providing quantitative temporal information on growth and matrix accumulation. Condyles maintained for as long as 5 weeks in serum-free and 1% serum-supplemented culture media were found to remain viable and metabolically active as demonstrated by continued dimensional growth as well as cell and matrix accumulation. Growth occurred by a combination of cell proliferation, matrix synthesis and accumulation, and cell hypertrophy (with the latter two mechanisms dominating). Increases in tissue volume correlated directly with increased glycosaminoglycan content; both increased 7-fold over 5 weeks. In comparison with serum-free culture, after 35 days in medium containing 1% serum, glycosaminoglycan content was 24% lower and collagen content was 36% higher, whereas dry weight, condyle length, and DNA content were not significantly different; in addition, histological observation suggested that, for samples cultured with serum, chondrogenic phenotype had been lost from some regions. The temporal behavior for all growth parameters exhibited a transient phase 1-2 weeks in duration followed by a steady-state period in which dimensions and tissue constituents or content increased at a constant or near constant rate. Comparison of the rates of incorporation of [35S]sulfate with glycosaminoglycan content in serum-free cultures suggests that the loss of glycosaminoglycan occurs only initially or is negligible; therefore, under these baseline conditions, cartilage glycosaminoglycan content reflects the biosynthetic rate. The high degree of reproducibility seen during steady-state growth suggests that these data provide reliable baseline information and further supports the notion that this model system is useful for investigation of the effects of specific physical factors on in vitro growth and development.

Device for the application of a dynamic biaxially uniform and isotropic strain to a flexible cell culture membrane

A large number of studies have demonstrated that mechanical perturbation modulates cellular metabolism; however, the systematic characterization of the molecular and cellular transduction mechanisms underlying mechanically induced metabolic modulation has been impeded, in part, by the limitations of the mechanical device. The objective of this investigation was to develop an in vitro experimental system that would provide independent control of the spatial and temporal biaxial strain distribution imposed on a flexible transparent tissue culture membrane that permits attachment, proliferation, and maintenance of the phenotypic expression of cultured embryonic osteoblasts. Such a device would permit a systematic investigation of the cellular response to specific, independently controlled parameters of mechanical deformation. Using a prototype device designed to impose a dynamic sinusoidal spatially isotropic biaxial strain profile, we confirmed experimentally that the strain was biaxially uniform and isotropic (radial = circumferential strain over the entire culture membrane) to within 14% (SD/mean) for the range of the peak strains tested (2.3-9.4%). Additionally, the uniformity was maintained at 1 Hz for at least 5 days of continuous operation. This experimental verification of the theoretically predicted isotropic strain profile suggests that the design principle is sound. Embryonic osteoblasts cultured on the flexible substrate proliferated and exhibited a temporal pattern of phenotypic expression (extracellular matrix accumulation and mineralization) comparable with that observed on polystyrene of tissue culture grade.

Studies of Gd-DTPA relaxivity and proton exchange rates in tissue

The image intensity in many contrast agent perfusion studies is designed to be a function of bulk tissue T1, which is, in turn, a function of the compartmental (vascular, interstitial, and cellular) T1s, and the rate of proton exchange between the compartments. The goal of this study was to characterize the compartmental tissue Gd-DTPA relaxivities and to determine the proton exchange rate between the compartments. Expressing [Gd-DTPA] as mmol/liter tissue water, the relaxivities at 8.45 T and room temperature were: saline, 3.87 +/- 0.06 (mM.s)-1 (mean +/- SE; n = 29); plasma, 3.98 +/- 0.05 (mM.s)-1 (n = 6); and control cartilage (primarily an interstitium), 4.08 +/- 0.08 (mM.s)-1 (n = 17), none of which are significantly different. The relaxivity of cartilage did not change with compression, trypsinization, or equilibration in plasma, suggesting relaxivity is not influenced by interstitial solid matrix density, charge, or the presence of plasma proteins. T1 relaxation studies on isolated perfused hearts demonstrated that the cellular-interstitial water exchange rate is between 8 and 27 Hz, while the interstitial-vascular water exchange rate is less than 7 Hz. Thus, for Gd-DTPA concentrations, which would be used clinically, the T1 relaxation rate behavior of intact hearts can be modeled as being in the fast exchange regime for cellular-interstitial exchange but slow exchange for interstitial-vascular exchange. A measured relaxivity of 3.82 +/- 0.05 (mM.s)-1 (n = 8) for whole blood (red blood cells and plasma) and 4.16 +/- 0.02 (mM.s)-1 (n = 3) for frog heart tissue (cells and interstitium) (with T1 and Gd-DTPA concentration defined from the total tissue water volume) supports the conclusion of fast cellular-extracellular exchange. Knowledge of the Gd-DTPA relaxivity and maintaining Gd-DTPA concentration in the range so as to maintain fast cellular-interstitial exchange allows for calculation of bulk Gd-DTPA concentration from bulk tissue T1 within a calculable error due to slow vascular exchange.

Effects of physicochemical factors on the growth of mandibular condyles in vitro

Cartilage growth and remodeling are known to be influenced by the biochemical and mechanical environment of the tissue. Previous investigators have shown that chemical factors that are relevant to mechanical loading, such as osmotic pressure and pH, induce changes in cartilage metabolism in vitro. Using a neonatal rat mandibular condyle culture system, the objectives of the work reported here were to determine (1) how the growth is influenced by osmotically applied mechanical loads; and (2) whether changes in intratissue osmotic pressure or pH cause metabolic changes in the cartilage which are then reflected by altered growth behavior. High molecular weight (MW) uncharged macromolecules polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Ficoll (presumed unable to penetrate the tissue matrix) were used to examine the effect of osmotic loading on tissue growth; concentrations corresponding to osmotic pressures of up to 100 kPa resulted in a dose-dependent depression in growth and matrix accumulation. Raffinose (which can penetrate the matrix but not the cells) had no significant effect on growth for osmotic pressures of up to 87 kPa, suggesting that compression-induced changes in intratissue osmotic pressure are unlikely to provide a signal by which cells sense and respond to mechanical compression. By contrast, changes in medium pH resulted in dose-dependent changes in growth behavior. Specifically, slight alkalinity (acidity) greatly enhanced (diminished) growth and matrix accumulation; the sensitivity to pH suggests that intratissue pH could provide a mechanism for cells to sense local glycosaminoglycan concentration and mechanical compression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of dietary gossypol consumption on metabolic homeostasis and reproductive endocrine function in beef heifers and cows

Our objectives were to determine the effects of incremental increases in dietary gossypol on metabolic homeostasis and reproductive endocrine function in postpubertal beef heifers and the long-term effects of elevated dietary gossypol on various metabolic and reproductive endocrine characteristics in mature cows. In Exp. 1, heifers (n = 6/group) were fed either 0, .5, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 g.animal-1 x d-1 of dietary free gossypol for 62 d. Erythrocyte membrane osmotic fragility was increased (P < .0001) in both the 10- and 20-g groups. Slight alterations in plasma concentrations of sorbitol dehydrogenase and K+ were also detected in the latter group. Treatment did not affect ADG, body condition scores, or concentrations of progesterone during the estrous cycle; however, mean concentrations of LH were higher (P < .001) in heifers fed 20 g/d of gossypol than in heifers in all other groups. In Exp. 2, lactating cows (n = 17) exhibiting regular estrous cycles were fed a control (no gossypol, n = 8) or high-gossypol (20 mg.kg BW-1 x d-1 free gossypol, n = 9) diet for 33 wk. Mean BW and body condition scores did not differ during the feeding period. Erythrocyte membrane fragility was greater (P < .05) in the high-gossypol than in the control group. Magnitude of the preovulatory LH surge, luteal phase concentrations of progesterone, follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol and progesterone, in vitro granulosa cell estradiol production, and 60-d pregnancy rates were similar between groups. The amounts of gossypol fed in these experiments are not likely to affect reproductive performance adversely in beef heifers or cows.

Diffusion of small solutes in cartilage as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and imaging

The ability of water and solutes to move through the cartilage matrix is important to the normal function of cartilage and is presumed to be altered in degenerative diseases of cartilage such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques were used to measure a self diffusion coefficient (D) for small solutes in samples of explanted cartilage for diffusion times ranging from 13 ms to 2 s. With a diffusion time of 13 ms, the intratissue diffusivity of several small solutes (water, Na+, Li+, and CF3CO2-) was found consistently to be about 60% of the diffusivity of the same species in free solution. Equilibration of the samples at low pH (which titrates the charge groups so that the net matrix charge of -300 mM at pH 8 becomes approximately -50 mM at pH 2) did not affect the diffusivity of water or Na+. These data, and the similarity between the D in cartilage relative to free solution for water, anions, and cations, are consistent with the view that charge is not an important determinant of the intratissue diffusivity of small solutes in cartilage. With 35% compression, the diffusivity of water and Li+ dropped by 19 and 39%, respectively. In contrast, the diffusivity of water increased by 20% after treatment with trypsin (to remove the proteoglycans and noncollagenous proteins). These data and the lack of an effect of charge on diffusivity are consistent with D being dependent on the composition and density of the solid tissue matrix. A series of diffusion-weighted proton images demonstrated that D could be measured on a localized basis and that changes in D associated with an enzymatically depleted matrix could be clearly observed. Finally, evidence of restriction to diffusion within the tissue was found with studies in which D was measured as a function of diffusion time. The measured D for water in cartilage decreased with diffusion times ranging from 25 ms to 2 s, at which point the measured D was roughly 40% of the diffusivity in free solution. Although changes in matrix density by compression or digestion with trypsin led to a decrease or increase, respectively, in the measured D, the functional change in measured diffusivity with diffusion time remained essentially unchanged. In a different type of study, in which bulk transport could be observed over long periods of time, cartilage was submerged in 99% D2O and MRI studies were performed to demonstrate the bulk movement of water out of the cartilage matrix.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Determination of fixed charge density in cartilage using nuclear magnetic resonance

Many biomechanical and chemical properties of cartilage are dependent on the fixed charge density (FCD) of the extracellular matrix. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was investigated as a nondestructive technique for determining FCD in cartilage. Sodium content was measured by NMR in cartilage explants and was compared with sodium content measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP) in order to verify the total NMR visibility of sodium in cartilage. The ratio of NMR to ICP results was 1.02 +/- 0.04 (calf, mean +/- SD, n = 7) and 1.04 +/- 0.11 (adult bovine, n = 8). Sodium concentration as measured by NMR was then used with ideal Donnan theory to compute estimates of FCD. For calf articular cartilage (AC) near physiological conditions, calculated FCD was -0.28 +/- 0.03 M (n = 10). NMR measurements were then made for individual cartilage specimens sequentially equilibrated in baths of differing salt composition, pH, or ionic strength. For calf and adult AC, calculated FCD decreased dramatically between pH 3 and 2, with adult specimens becoming positively charged but calf tissue retaining a net negative charge. For calf AC equilibrated in 0.3-0.015 M NaCl, calculated FCD was observed to decrease slightly with decreasing bath ionic strength. For epiphyseal cartilage, FCD varied with the position of origin of the explant within the joint, ranging from -0.19 to -0.35 M in a manner that correlated with tissue glycosaminoglycan content. Preliminary NMR imaging experiments demonstrated similar variations of sodium concentration in intact ulnar epiphyseal cartilage. Collectively, these results demonstrate the ability of NMR to nondestructively follow FCD in cartilage. The technique is applicable to dynamic studies as well as to both in vitro and in vivo studies on living tissue.

Toward an identification of mechanical parameters initiating periosteal remodeling: a combined experimental and analytic approach

The ability of bone to adapt to its mechanical environment is well recognized, although the specific mechanical parameters initiating or maintaining the adaptive responses have yet to be identified. Recently introduced mathematical models offer the potential to aid in the identification of such parameters, although these models have not been well validated experimentally or clinically. We formulated a complementary experimental/analytic approach, using an animal model with a well-controlled mechanical environment combined with finite element modeling (FEM). We selected the functionally isolated turkey ulna, since the loading could be completely characterized and the periosteal adaptive responses subsequently monitored and quantified after four and eight weeks of loading. Known loads input into a three-dimensional, linearly elastic FEM of the ulna then permitted full-field mechanical characterization of the ulna. The FEM was validated against a normal strain-gaged turkey ulna, loaded in vivo in an identical fashion to the experimental ulnae. Twenty-four candidate mechanical parameters were then compared to the quantified adaptive responses, using statistical techniques. The data supported strain energy density, longitudinal shear stress, and tensile principal stress/strain as the mechanical parameters most likely related to the initiation of the remodeling response. Model predictions can now suggest new experiments, against which the predictions can be supported or falsified.

Dissociation of item and order memory following parietal cortex lesions in the rat

Rats with parietal cortex lesions were tested for both item and order memory for a list of spatial events in a probe recognition procedure. Rats with parietal cortex lesions were impaired for all events within the item memory task but had good memory for the early events within the order memory task. These data suggest a dissociation of function between item and order memory for parietal cortex damaged animals. In conjunction with previous findings with rats with medial prefrontal cortex lesions, these data suggest that item and order memory can be coded and represented independently.

Kinetics of the chondrocyte biosynthetic response to compressive load and release

To gain insight regarding the rate at which cartilage tissue can sense and respond to a dynamic mechanical stimulus, we have examined the time-course of changes in biosynthetic activity following both the application and release of a static compressive stress. Cartilage harvested from the reserve zone of calf epiphyseal plate was subjected to unconfined static compressive stresses of 0, 0.25 and 0.5 MPa. Incorporation of [35S]sulfate and [3H]proline was measured during loading periods of less than 1 to 26 h and after preloading periods of 0.5, 2 or 12 h. During loading, total incorporation decreased to steady levels with time constants estimated to be 0.25-4 h (proline) and 1-5 h (sulfate). Proline incorporation exceeded control levels for 3 h after release of a 2 or 12 h preload. Sulfate incorporation remained depressed for at least 4 h after release of a 12 h preload and remained at control levels following release of 0.5 and 2 h preloads. We conclude that the modulation of proline incorporation by both loading and load release is faster than the modulation of sulfate incorporation. Furthermore, the response to unloading is not just the inverse of the response to loading; this nonlinearity suggests that the response to dynamic loading would not be determined simply by the time average component of the dynamic load.

Dissociation of item and order memory following parietal cortex lesions in the rat

Rats with parietal cortex lesions were tested for both item and order memory for a list of spatial events in a probe recognition procedure. Rats with parietal cortex lesions were impaired for all events within the item memory task but had good memory for the early events within the order memory task. These data suggest a dissociation of function between item and order memory for parietal cortex damaged animals. In conjunction with previous findings with rats with medial prefrontal cortex lesions, these data suggest that item and order memory can be coded and represented independently.

Mechanical and physiochemical determinants of the chondrocyte biosynthetic response

The relation between mechanical loading of cartilage and chondrocyte activity in vivo may be mediated by several physical transduction mechanisms including: cell deformation, hydrostatic pressure gradients, fluid flow, streaming currents, and physicochemical changes. We have developed an organ culture system designed to study chondrocyte biosynthetic response to such physical stimuli. This study focuses on the effects of static compression and physicochemical changes. Cartilage disks harvested from the reserve zone of the epiphyseal plate of 1-2-week-old calves were subjected to static compressive stresses of 0-3 MPa in unconfined compression and the incorporation of [35S]sulfate and [3H]proline was measured during the 12-h loading period. Incorporation of both proline and sulfate decreased monotonically with increasing stress. Compressive loading also produces physicochemical changes including a decreased water content and increased matrix fixed-charge density, with a concomitant increase in interstitial counterion concentrations (e.g., K+, H+) and decreased coion concentrations (e.g., SO4(2-). We therefore examined the possibility that specific changes in interstitial mobile ion concentrations may be linked to chondrocyte response to static compression by measuring biosynthesis in the absence of mechanical compression while independently altering the SO4(2-), K+, and H+ composition of the bathing medium. We found that proline and sulfate incorporation were strongly dependent on pH, but independent of [SO4(2-)] and [K+] in the range studied. These results suggest that compression-induced changes in local, interstitial pH may account for the observed biosynthetic response to static compression.

A new method for cell volume measurement based on volume exclusion of a fluorescent dye

Several methods currently in use for measuring mean corpuscular volume include: centrifuged packed cell volume, electronic impedance, and light scattering methods. Although these techniques are widely used and accepted, there are problems inherent to each method which may produce systematic errors that are difficult to estimate. This paper describes a new flow cytometric method of cell volume determination, based on the principle of volume exclusion, which may overcome the systematic errors of the methods currently in use. This method requires that the cells be suspended in a fluorescent dye which is unable to penetrate the cell membrane. The level of fluorescence which is produced when a narrow stream of the cell suspension is excited by a focused laser beam will remain constant until a cell arrives in the illuminated region thereby causing a decrease in fluorescence which is directly proportional to the cell's volume. The volume exclusion method is shown to give an estimate of mean red cell volume which correlates well with existing methods.