Significant Difference In Ability Research Articles

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes induce COX-2 and iNOS expression via MAP Kinase-dependent and -independent mechanisms in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages

BackgroundCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are engineered graphene cylinders with numerous applications in engineering, electronics and medicine. However, CNTs cause inflammation and fibrosis in the rodent lung, suggesting a potential human health risk. We hypothesized that multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) induce two key inflammatory enzymes in macrophages, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1,2).MethodsRAW264.7 macrophages were exposed to MWCNTs or carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) over a range of doses and time course. Uptake and subcellular localization of MWCNTs was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Protein levels of COX-2, iNOS, and ERK1,2 (total ERK and phosphorylated ERK) were measured by Western blot analysis. Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in cell supernatants were measured by ELISA and Greiss assay, respectively.ResultsMWCNTs, but not CBNPs, induced COX-2 and iNOS in a time- and dose-dependent manner. COX-2 and iNOS induction by MWCNTs correlated with increased PGE2 and NO production, respectively. MWCNTs caused ERK1,2 activation and inhibition of ERK1,2 (U0126) blocked MWCNT induction of COX-2 and PGE2 production, but did not reduce the induction of iNOS. Inhibition of iNOS (L-NAME) did not affect ERK1,2 activation, nor did L-NAME significantly decrease COX-2 induction by MWCNT. Nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs), which are present in MWCNTs as a residual catalyst, also induced COX-2 via ERK-1,2. However, a comparison of COX-2 induction by MWCNTs containing 4.5 and 1.8% Ni did not show a significant difference in ability to induce COX-2, indicating that characteristics of MWCNTs in addition to Ni content contribute to COX-2 induction.ConclusionThis study identifies COX-2 and subsequent PGE2 production, along with iNOS induction and NO production, as inflammatory mediators involved in the macrophage response to MWCNTs. Furthermore, our work demonstrates that COX-2 induction by MWCNTs in RAW264.7 macrophages is ERK1,2-dependent, while iNOS induction by MWCNTs is ERK1,2-independent. Our data also suggest contributory physicochemical factors other than residual Ni catalyst play a role in COX-2 induction to MWCNT.

Extraction and inhibition of enzymatic activity of botulinum neurotoxins /B1, /B2, /B3, /B4, and /B5 by a panel of monoclonal anti-BoNT/B antibodies

BackgroundBotulism is caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), extremely toxic proteins which can induce respiratory failure leading to long-term intensive care or death. Treatment for botulism includes administration of antitoxins, which must be administered early in the course of the intoxication; therefore, rapid determination of human exposure to BoNT is an important public health goal. In previous work, our laboratory reported on Endopep-MS, a mass spectrometry-based activity method for detecting and differentiating BoNT/A, /B, /E, and /F in clinical samples. We also demonstrated that antibody-capture is effective for purification and concentration of BoNTs from complex matrices such as clinical samples. However, some antibodies inhibit or neutralize the enzymatic activity of BoNT, so the choice of antibody for toxin extraction is critical.ResultsIn this work, we evaluated 24 anti-BoNT/B monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for their ability to inhibit the in vitro activity of BoNT/B1, /B2, /B3, /B4, and /B5 and to extract those toxins. Among the mAbs, there were significant differences in ability to extract BoNT/B subtypes and inhibitory effect on BoNT catalytic activity. Some of the mAbs tested enhanced the in vitro light chain activity of BoNT/B, suggesting that BoNT/B may undergo conformational change upon binding some mAbs.ConclusionsIn addition to determining in vitro inhibition abilities of a panel of mAbs against BoNT/B1-/B5, this work has determined B12.2 and 2B18.2 to be the best mAbs for sample preparation before Endopep-MS. These mAb characterizations also have the potential to assist with mechanistic studies of BoNT/B protection and treatment, which is important for studying alternative therapeutics for botulism.

Cricket body size is altered by systemic RNAi against insulin signaling components and epidermal growth factor receptor

A long-standing problem of developmental biology is how body size is determined. In Drosophila melanogaster, the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (I/IGF) and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathways play important roles in this process. However, the detailed mechanisms by which insect body growth is regulated are not known. Therefore, we have attempted to utilize systemic nymphal RNA interference (nyRNAi) to knockdown expression of insulin signaling components including Insulin receptor (InR), Insulin receptor substrate (chico), Phosphatase and tensin homologue (Pten), Target of rapamycin (Tor), RPS6-p70-protein kinase (S6k), Forkhead box O (FoxO) and Epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr) and observed the effects on body size in the Gryllus bimaculatus cricket. We found that crickets treated with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) against Gryllus InR, chico, Tor, S6k and Egfr displayed smaller body sizes, while Gryllus FoxO nyRNAi-ed crickets exhibited larger than normal body sizes. Furthermore, RNAi against Gryllus chico and Tor displayed slow growth and RNAi against Gryllus chico displayed longer lifespan than control crickets. Since no significant difference in ability of food uptake was observed between the Gryllus chico(nyRNAi) nymphs and controls, we conclude that the adult cricket body size can be altered by knockdown of expressions of Gryllus InR, chico, Tor, S6k, FoxO and Egfr by systemic RNAi. Our results suggest that the cricket is a promising model to study mechanisms underlying controls of body size and life span with RNAi methods.

Age of Onset of Bilingualism, Language Use, and the Volitional Subjunctive in Heritage Learners of Spanish

The present study investigates heritage learners’ recognition of native-like and nonnative-like mood selection in Spanish volitional constructions along two dimensions: age of onset of bilingualism in English (operationalized as age of arrival) and language use. Thirty-two heritage learners completed a grammaticality judgment (GJ) and an editing task, along with a background questionnaire about family language use, time abroad, and formal Spanish instruction. Participants born in the U.S. or who immigrated before age 6 were defined as early childhood bilinguals; the late childhood bilinguals had arrived in the U.S. between the ages of 6 and 12. No significant differences in ability to recognize Spanish volitional constructions were found between the early and late bilingual groups, but significant relationships were found between performance and several aspects of language use, including predominant home use of Spanish in the past and multiple trips abroad to hispanophone countries. Results suggest that age of arrival may be an inadequate proxy for age of onset of bilingualism and that language use may be an equally or more important determinant of language abilities.

Androgen-binding components of human semen.

Androgen-binding components were detected in human semen, using the dextran-coated charcoal method. Pre- and postvasectomy semen samples did not show significant differences in ability to bind dihydrotestosterone. Electrophoresis conducted in polyacrylamide gels in which tritiated dihydrotestosterone had been incorporated disclosed the presence of androgen-binding protein with properties characteristic of the ABP of Sertoli cell origin in ram semen but ABP was not detectable in human semen, even after concentrating it two or four fold. The binding of dihydrotestosterone was slightly greater in the later portion of split-ejaculate samples, but binding was found in the earlier fraction and in prostatic fluid, suggesting that androgen-binding components enter human semen with secretions of the prostate and seminal vesicle glands. It was concluded that the extent of androgen-binding by human seminal fluid is not a measure of Sertoli-cell function.

Capacity of People with Intellectual Disabilities to Consent to Take Part in a Research Study

Background Within the context of current legislation relating to mental capacity in adults, the capacity of people with intellectual disabilities to consent to take part in research studies and the impact of different forms of information provision was experimentally investigated.Materials and methods A questionnaire measure of ability to consent to take part in this research study was administered individually to participants. A total of 102 participants with intellectual disabilities were recruited from three day services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Consent information appertaining to taking part in an actual research project was presented to participants and their capacity assessed using a questionnaire. Three experimental conditions were used: Control (n = 34) – consent information was presented followed by the questionnaire. Section (n = 34) – consent information was broken into sections and the appropriate questions were asked following each section. Photograph (n = 34) – consent information was accompanied by six colour photographs, followed by the questionnaire. Participants also completed measures of memory ability, verbal ability and non‐verbal problem‐solving ability.Results Seventeen participants withdrew from the study at some point. Of the remaining 85 participants, no significant differences in ability to consent scores were found between the experimental conditions. Using this measure, only five participants (5.9%) were deemed able to consent, i.e. scored the minimum required on each aspect of consent.Conclusions The validity and usefulness of the current dichotomous concept of consent is challenged as only a small proportion of participants were deemed able to consent.

Pentostatin and Cladribine in Hairy Cell Leukemia- a Retrospective Comparison of a Large Series with Long Follow up.

Complete responses (CR) of up to 95% have been reported with both pentostatin and cladribine in patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL). Although responses are durable, relapses occur even 10 years after treatment. No trial has compared pentostatin to cladribine for HCL. Furthermore, few series achieve sufficient maturity to answer the question: can these agents induce a cure in HCL? We reviewed retrospectively 219 patients with HCL (median follow up (FU) from diagnosis: 12.6 years) to compare pentostatin with cladribine in the treatment of HCL, and to assess the potential for cure in this disease. Diagnosis of HCL and exclusion of HCL-variant were confirmed by central review. Overall response to 1st line pentostatin (n=185) was 96% with CR of 81% and median FU of 10.8 (range 0.3–17.9) years. Response to cladribine was 100% with CR of 82%. No significant difference in response was seen with cladribine (n=34) at median FU of 7.2 (range 0.5–11.5) years. Median disease free survival (DFS) for both agents was 10 years. 38% of patients relapsed 4.9 (range 1–16) years and 4.4 (range 1–10) years after treatment with pentostatin and cladribine, respectively. Although responses were maintained for pentostatin and cladribine when used at 2nd (94% and 100% respectively) and 3rd line (100% and 100% respectively) treatment, CR decreased significantly with each sequential relapse through 70% to 45% (p≤0.01). Attainment of CR at 1st line treatment was significantly associated with increased DFS (p=0.000) as compared to those achieving only partial response (PR). [Display omitted] A similar result was seen at 2nd line therapy (p=0.000). DFS also showed a significant decline with sequential treatment (p=0.001) mirroring the reduced likelihood of achieving CR with increasing number of courses. There was some crossover of patients. At 1st relapse, 20 patients received pentostatin of whom 17 had previously received this agent, and 53 patients received cladribine of whom 44 were previously treated with pentostatin. Patients relapsing after an initial CR showed no significant difference in ability to re-attain CR as opposed to PR or no response, whether retreated with the same agent, or switched to the other. However, for patients who initially failed to achieve CR, switching to the alternative agent was associated with an increased rate of CR although this difference did not achieve statistical significance. Known 2nd malignancies (excluding basal cell carcinoma) occurred in 20 patients (9 %). In a separate group of 7 patients who were never treated with either agent, 2 patients developed 2nd malignancies. We demonstrated equivalent efficacies of pentostatin and cladribine in the treatment of HCL. Median survival has not been reached for either agent. At 10 years FU, the survival is 83% (pentostatin) and 90% (cladribine). DFS curves show no plateau for either agent with relapses occurring up to 16 years after pentostatin treatment. True cure in this disease thus remains elusive, however, our results suggest that first line CR with purine analogue therapy should be the prime aim of HCL treatment.

Characterization of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase ( O6-MGMT) activity in Xiphophorus fishes

We utilized a custom-synthesized double-strand oligonucleotide containing a single O 6-methylguanine ( O 6-MG) residue within a restriction endonuclease recognition site to determine O 6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase ( O 6-MGMT) activity in various tissue extracts prepared from Xiphophorus fish. The results suggest Xiphophorus fish O 6-MGMT activity has many of the same characteristics as Escherichia coli and mammalian O 6-MGMT’s including rapid reaction kinetics consistent with stoichiometric removal of methyl groups, but exhibits a temperature optimum of 23°C. Results from protein extract activity assays indicate O 6-MGMT activity patterns among four Xiphophorus tissues followed the order: brain≥testes>gill≥liver. In mammals, O 6-MGMT activity is high in liver, while activity in brain is minimal (i.e. ≈9% of liver); however, we report that in the Xiphophorus fishes examined, brain tissue extracts exhibited much higher (≈six-fold) O 6-MGMT activity levels than liver. Comparison of O 6-MGMT activity between Xiphophorus species employed in tumor induction experiments did not indicate significant differences in ability to clear the pre-mutagenic O 6-MG from the oligonucleotide substrate.

Plantar fasciitis: detection with ultrasonography versus bone scintigraphy

Purpose: To compare ultrasonography (US) with three-phase bone scintigraphy (BS) for detection of plantar fasciitis (PF). Materials and methods: Forty-three consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of PF were prospectively studied with US and BS. There were 58 symptomatic feet and 28 asymptomatic feet. US positive findings for PF were thickness of the proximal plantar fascia> 3.9 mm (T) and hypoechoic fascia (H). Focal uptake at the medial calcaneus tuberosity in the early and delayed images were used as BS positive findings for PF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology was used to analyze the results. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy in diagnosis of plantar fasciitis were calculated for both modalities. Results: The mean area under the ROC curve, indicating successful diagnosis of PF, was 81.6% for BS, 76.5% for T and 81.8% for H (P> 0.25). The sensitivities were 77.6%, 74.1% and 70.7%, respectively for BS, T, and H (P>0.39). The specificity of BS (85.7%) did not differ significantly from the specificity of H (92.9%, p=0.20). Plantar fascia thickness specificity (71.4%) was significantly lower than BS (P =0.038) and H (P =0.0000). There were no statistically significant differences between positive and negative predictive values. Also, in 10 patients (23%), other causes of foot pain were found by BS. Conclusion: US and BS demonstrate no statistically significant difference in ability to demonstrate plantar fasciitis in patients with heel pain.

Brain biochemistry in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a 1H magnetic resonance and neuropsychological study.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle disorder associated with an intellectual deficit which is non-progressive. We obtained localised 1H magnetic resonance spectra from the left frontal lobe and left cerebellum of 15 boys with DMD (mean age 106 months+/-32) and 15 similarly aged control boys (mean age 115 months+/-31); all boys underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests. We found a significant (P<0.01) increase in the ratio of choline-containing compounds to N-acetylaspartate (Cho/NA) in the left cerebellum in boys with DMD compared with control boys. There was no change in the creatine/NA ratio and a significant increase (P=0.03) in the Cho/creatine ratio, suggesting that the change in Cho/NA ratio was due to an increase in choline-containing compounds; this increase has been previously observed in the brain of the murine model of DMD, the mdx mouse. No significant changes were observed in spectra obtained from left frontal lobe in DMD compared to controls. We also observed a significant association between Cho/NA in the left cerebellum, and the performance of DMD boys on the Matrix Analogies Test (MAT). The MAT is a test of visuo-spatial ability and non-verbal reasoning which requires neither manual dexterity nor a verbal response for an adequate performance. A comparison of DMD boys whose cerebellar Cho/NA fell within 2 standard deviations of the control norm (0.56+/-0.24) with DMD boys whose cerebellar Cho/NA was outside this range (i.e. >0.80) revealed a significant difference in ability on the MAT (P<0.05). DMD boys whose Cho/NA ratio is more than two standard deviations higher than controls perform significantly better on the MAT than DMD boys whose Cho/NA ratio is within the normal range. This finding suggests that the observed elevation in Cho/NA and Cho/creatine is not associated with intellectual deficit (as sampled by the MAT), and may represent a compensatory mechanism. The possible interpretations of these metabolic changes are discussed.

Acute scrotal symptoms in boys with an indeterminate clinical presentation: comparison of color Doppler sonography and scintigraphy.

To compare the performance of color Doppler ultrasonography (US) and scintigraphy in assessing testicular perfusion in boys with clinically equivocal presentations. Forty-one boys with clinically equivocal testicular perfusion underwent color Doppler US and scintigraphy. Studies were retrospectively classified as consistent with torsion, consistent with nontorsion, or indeterminate. Sensitivity and specificity were determined with alternate positivity criteria (indeterminate studies first considered positive and then negative for torsion). Color Doppler US demonstrated nine of 11 cases of torsion and 23 of 30 cases of nontorsion, with one false-positive and eight indeterminate studies. Scintigraphy demonstrated 10 of 11 cases of torsion and 29 of 30 cases of nontorsion, with two indeterminate studies (both in patients with inguinal testis). When indeterminate studies were considered positive for torsion, specificity was 77% for color Doppler US versus 97% for scintigraphy (P = .05). There were no other statistically significant differences between the sensitivities and specificities. Color Doppler US and scintigraphy demonstrate no statistically significant difference in ability to demonstrate testicular torsion in boys with acute scrotal symptoms and indeterminate clinical presentations. Owing to its greater specificity, scintigraphy may help prevent unnecessary surgery when color Doppler US shows equivocal flow.

Laboratory and analytical method performance of lead measurements in paint chips, soils, and dusts.

The National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) recognizes laboratories capable of analyzing lead in paints, soils, and dusts. NLLAP requires successful participation in the Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT) program. For paint chip analyses, laboratory-to-laboratory variability is about 10% relative standard deviation (RSD) for lead levels near 0.5%, the HUD definition of lead-based paint. For soil analyses, RSDs are about 9 to 10% near relevant federal soil standards and 16% near the lowest state bare soil standard that currently exists. For dust wipe analyses, RSDs range from 10 to 16% for lead levels near relevant HUD standards. Of participating laboratories, 92 to 93% consistently meet ELPAT performance limits. A variety of analytical methods gives similar results. No conclusive significant differences were found among most frequently used hotplate and microwave sample preparation techniques. In addition, several participating laboratories have successfully used ultrasonic extraction methods, a method suitable for use at abatement sites. The three most frequently used instrumental techniques, flame atomic absorption (FAA), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and graphite furnace atomic absorption show no statistically significant differences in ability to meet ELPAT performance limits. However, small statistically significant biases between these methods sometimes occur. The magnitude of biases is less than 5% of the corresponding laboratory mean near relevant federal standards except for lead levels near the lowest HUD lead wipe standard, where biases can be as high as 8%. Other instrumental methods that have been used successfully include ICP-mass spectroscopy, direct current plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, dithizone spectrophotometry, and anodic stripping voltametry.

Laboratory and Analytical Method Performance of Lead Measurements in Paint Chips, Soils, and Dusts

The National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) recognizes laboratories capable of analyzing lead in paints, soils, and dusts. NLLAP requires successful participation in the Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT) program. For paint chip analyses, laboratory-to-laboratory variability is about 10% relative standard deviation (RSD) for lead levels near 0.5%, the HUD definition of lead-based paint. For soil analyses, RSDs are about 9 to 10% near relevant federal soil standards and 16% near the lowest state bare soil standard that currently exists. For dust wipe analyses, RSDs range from 10 to 16% for lead levels near relevant HUD standards. Of participating laboratories, 92 to 93% consistently meet ELPAT performance limits. A variety of analytical methods gives similar results. No conclusive significant differences were found among most frequently used hotplate and microwave sample preparation techniques. In addition, several participating laboratories have successfully used ultrasonic extraction methods, a method suitable for use at abatement sites. The three most frequently used instrumental techniques, flame atomic absorption (FAA), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and graphite furnace atomic absorption show no statistically significant differences in ability to meet ELPAT performance limits. However, small statistically significant biases between these methods sometimes occur. The magnitude of biases is less than 5% of the corresponding laboratory mean near relevant federal standards except for lead levels near the lowest HUD lead wipe standard, where biases can be as high as 8%. Other instrumental methods that have been used successfully include ICP-mass spectroscopy, direct current plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, dithizone spectrophotometry, and anodic stripping voltametry.

Quantification of Leptosphaeria maculans Growth in Cotyledons of Brassica napus Using ELISA

AbstractThe result of the Leptosphaeria maculans/Brassica napus interaction is usually assessed by symptom scoring following a cotyledon‐inoculation test. However, an early evaluation of the interaction, and reliable quantitaive data of fungal growth inside plant tissues are needed to supplement the visual assessment of the symptoms. For this purpose, we developed a quantitatve double antibody sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (DAS‐ELISA) using rabbit polyclonal antisera directed against soluble mycelial proteins. The specificity of the serum was first assessed by immunoblotting following isoelectric focusing of soluble proteins (Western blot) and by DAS‐ELISA. Except for Alternaria brassicae, no cross‐reactions were observed with my celial extracts of saprophytes or pathogens of B. napus following DAS‐ELISA. Although Tox+ and Tox0 isolates of L. maculans were unequivocally discriminated by Western blot, they were quantitatively indistinguishable following ELISA, thus enabling us to analyse a wide range of L. maculans isolates in planta. The detection limit of the assay was less than 10 ng of fungal proteins per ml of plant extract. For a given isolate, time‐course studies showed that fungal growth in cotyledons was correlated with symptom scoring. In the case of hypersensitive response, only 34% of the plants were ELISA‐positive, and these plants never contained more than 10 ng of fungal protein per cotyledon. In contrast, in the cases, of susceptibility, 100% of the plants were ELISA‐positive and fungal protein content was higher than 10 μg per cotyledon. Moreover, significant differences in ability to colonize the tissues were observed among Tox+ isolates. Finally, using the ELISA quantification, intermediate symptoms could be differentiated as lateresistance responses or susceptibility.

Two-Point Discrimination Test of the Skin as an Index of Sensory Aging

Although the two-point discrimination test of the skin is a simple test of the sensory nerve function, there have been few studies on age-related changes in the ability to discriminate between two points in a large noninstitutionalized population. In this study we attempted (1) to determine normal values on the two-point discrimination test by age and gender in a large population with a wide age span; (2) to describe age-related changes on the two-point discrimination test; and (3) to test the independence of this index from other indices measuring physiological aging by sensory functions, such as accommodation and hearing tests. The subjects were 2,036 men and women aged 10-87 years. The minimal distance at which two points could be discriminated was measured longitudinally on a line from the palmar pad to the base of the index finger of the right hand. The two points of a caliper were applied at the same time (stationary two-point discrimination test) using the weight of the caliper alone. An age-related decline in the ability to discriminate two points was apparent, but there were no significant differences in ability between men and women. The minimal distance of discrimination on the hand increased almost linearly between 10 and 60 years of age. The results of the two-point discrimination test of the skin were independent of those of visual accommodation tests and hearing loss of high-frequency sound. From these results, the two-point discrimination test of the skin can be used as a powerful and simple index of sensory aging.

Anti-metastatic and anti-invasive effects of polymeric Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide, poly(RGD), and its analogues.

We have investigated the anti-metastatic and anti-invasive activities of polypeptide analogues based on the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) adhesive signal in fibronectin, poly(RGD), poly(RGDS)[Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser] and poly(RGDT)[Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr]. These polypeptides containing repetitive RGD sequences were able to inhibit experimental and spontaneous lung metastases of B16-BL6 cells more effectively than the corresponding monomer peptides. In the spontaneous metastasis model, multiple i.v. administrations of these polymeric peptides before or after surgical excision of the primary tumor resulted in a significant reduction of lung tumor colonies. However, there was no significant difference in ability to inhibit spontaneous lung metastasis among poly(RGD), poly(RGDS) and poly(RGDT), although the carboxy-terminal amino acid residue (i.e., Xaa in -RGDXaa-) has been shown to play an important role in the expression of cell adhesive character. The treatment with poly(RGD) substantially prolonged the survival time for mice injected s.c. with B16-BL6 melanoma as compared with the untreated control. We also found that the polypeptides were potently able to inhibit the invasion and migration of tumor cells in vitro. Since these polypeptide analogues showed no antigenicity in the host and had no toxic effect on tumor cells in vitro, they may be potentially useful in the prevention of cancer metastasis.

Effects of long-term ethanol inhalation on the immune and hematopoietic systems of the rat.

An inhalation method of ethanol administration was used to study the effects of 14 days of ethanol administration on the immune and hematopoietic systems of the rat. A decrease in cellularity was found in the spleen, thymus, and bone marrow of ethanol-treated rats. Although the red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration were not significantly different between treatment and control groups, treatment with ethanol altered the relative proportion of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the peripheral blood. The granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells in the bone marrow were unaffected by ethanol treatment, but a significant decline in the number of erythroid progenitor cells was noted in ethanol-treated rats. Splenic lymphocytes, although fewer in number in the ethanol-treated rats, showed no significant difference in ability to proliferate when stimulated by nonspecific mitogens.

Lingual responces to chemical fractions of urodaeal glandular pheromone to the skink Eumeces laticeps

AbstractChemical fractions of the female sex pheromone of Eumeces laticeps were extracted from whole urodaeal glands and bioassayed for their ability to induce elevated tongue‐flicking rates in conspecific males. Females were treated with estradiol to maximize pheromone production before removal of the urodaeal glands; males were implanted with testosterone in Silastic capsules to maximize responsiveness to the pheromone. Males emitted signifi‐cantly higher tongue‐flick rates in response to the neutral lipid fraction of urodaeal homogenate than to acidic lipids, basic lipids, or a peanut oil control. No significant differences in ability to induce tongue‐flick rates were observed between the carbohydrate fraction of urodaeal homogenate, the protein fraction, and deionized water. Thus, pheromonal activity appears to reside in the neutral lipid fraction, but in none of the others tested.

Primary angiographic success rates of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Three distinct periods in catheter design have been identified since the advent of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 1977. In the first period PTCA was performed using a double-lumen balloon catheter that had a fixed, flexible guidewire at the tip. In the second period, an independent, steerable guidewire and the steerable catheter system were used. In the third period, low-profile catheters were introduced. A total of 2,969 patients who had single-vessel PTCA of a native coronary artery was separated into groups according to the period during which PTCA was performed. Introduction of the steerable catheter system was accompanied by improvement in primary success rate in PTCA attempts on the right coronary artery (78% vs 88%, p < 0.005). Introduction of the low-profile catheter was accompanied by improved primary success in PTCA attempts on the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) (90% vs 94%, p < 0.005). The percentage of PTCA attempts on the LAD decreased over the 3 periods (70% to 60% to 56%), while the percentage of attempts on the left circumflex artery increased (7% to 12% to 16%). Before steerable and low-profile catheters were used, there were significant differences in ability to reach and cross stenoses among the 3 major coronary arteries. These differences no longer exist. These results indicate that technical improvements and operator experience have made stenoses in all 3 major coronary arteries equally accessible to dilatation catheters and that primary success rates and reasons for failure in these arteries are now similar.

Effects of chicken (Gln 8)- and mammalian (Arg 8)-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormones on the release of gonadotrophins in vitro and in vivo from the adenohypophysis of Japanese quail

Both chicken luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (Gln 8-LH-RH) and mammalian luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (Arg 8-LH-RH) increased the release of FSH and LH from adenohypophysial halves of adult male Japanese quail when the halves were incubated in a medium containing LH-RH. Elevation of the FSH release was less marked than that of the LH release irrespective of the LH-RH species. A pulse stimulation (10 min) of adenohypophysial halves with chicken as well as mammalian LH-RH in vitro resulted in a burst of both FSH and LH release. The increment of the FSH release was smaller than that of the LH release. A single intravenous injection of each LH-RH to adult male quail induced rapid increases of plasma FSH and LH levels within 5 min. The plasma levels of FSH and LH returned to their initial levels at varying times after the injection depending on the dose of LH-RH. Again, the increment of the FSH level was smaller than that of the LH level, showing a similar profile to the in vitro pulse stimulation experiment. No significant difference in ability to stimulate FSH and LH secretions from the quail adenohypophysis was detected between chicken and mammalian LH-RHs under either in vivo or in vitro conditions, whereas chicken LH-RH has been reported to be far less potent than mammalian LH-RH when tested on the rat adenohypophysis.