Start Of Week Research Articles

Influence of Agricultural Practices on the Stability of Organo-Al Complexes in an Alu-Andic Andosol

The influence of agricultural practices on the stability of organo-Al complexes in alu-andic andosols was investigated in a 16-week experiment. Soil samples from an A horizon of a Typic Fulvudand were placed in filtration funnels and subjected to (i) liming (L), (ii) fertilization ([F] 700 kg ha1 N, 422 kg ha1 P2O5), and (iii) a combination of L + F. The amendments were added at time 0 and at the start of Week 8. All soils were subjected to simulated tilling (T) once a week. Controls with and without tillage were also established (T and Ctrl, respectively). A subset of samples from each treatment was also subjected weekly to heat treatment at 40°C (H), with the subsequent drying effect. All soils were watered 3 days each week, and leachates were collected After 16 weeks, a significant (P < 0.05) degree of acidification was observed both in the soils without chemical amendment (Ctrl, T, and T + H) and in the fertilized soils (pH <4.6). Acidification was accompanied by a flush of Al into solution. Heated soils had a large decrease in LaCl3-and CuCl2-extractable Al, especially in the soils that underwent all treatments (T + F + L + H). This was paralleled by an increase in dissolved organic C and Al released into solution and an increase in soil pH. The wetting and drying cycling induced by the heat treatment followed by irrigation may have promoted the effects observed, although other factors cannot be discarded. The findings showed how the loss of andic soil properties after land-use change occurs as a result of the combination of the different agricultural practices investigated, with heat and moisture fluctuations being the most important factors. Copyright © 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

Docetaxel, cisplatin (TP), and radiation with or without cetuximab in advanced larynx carcinoma (DeLOS II trial).

TPS265^ Background: The DeLOS II trial is a German multicenter (25 centers) randomized phase II trial investigating a docetaxel/cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy with or without cetuximab for patients with only by laryngectomy operable carcinoma of the larynx/hypopharynx, followed by radiotherapy. The goal is to preserve a functional larynx. Methods: Arm A: standard TPF (TP since Sept 2009). Radiation start in week 11; Arm B: Same treatment as arm A with the addition of cetuximab day 1 400 mg/m2 i.v. followed by weekly 250 mg/m2 i.v. for 16 weeks. Patients with no response after 4 weeks (first cycle) receive laryngectomy. Planned accrual is 85 patients per treatment arm (170 total). Primary Outcome Measures: Confirmatory proof of an adequate survival rate with a functionally larynx-conserving 2 years after randomization. Total enrollment in January 2010 was 78 patients. Due to five toxic deaths among the first 62 patients (4 in arm A and 1 in arm B), 5FU was omitted from the induction ...

Value of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy in Stage IV Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

To review outcome and toxicity of Stage IVa and IVb head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) according to a hybrid fractionation schedule. Between 2006 and 2008, 42 patients with Stage IV head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma were irradiated according to a hybrid fractionation schedule consisting of 20 fractions of 2 Gy (once daily), followed by 20 fractions of 1.6 Gy (twice daily), to a total dose of 72 Gy. Chemotherapy (cisplatinum, 100 mg/m(2)) was administered at the start of Weeks 1 and 4. Treatment outcome and toxicity were retrospectively compared with a previous patient group (n = 55), treated according to the same schedule, but without intensity modulation. Locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival were 81% and 56% after 2 years, respectively. In comparison with the previous cohort, no significant differences were observed regarding either LRC (66%, p = 0.38) or overall survival (73%, p = 0.29). No Grade 4 or 5 toxicity was reported in the IMRT group, either acute or chronic. The use of IMRT significantly reduced the incidence of late Grade 2 or 3 xerostomia (52.9% vs. 90.2%, p < 0.001). No difference was observed regarding late Grade 2 or 3 dysphagia (p = 0.66). Intensity-modulated chemoradiotherapy does not compromise LRC and significantly reduces late toxicity, especially regarding xerostomia.

The potential to control Haemonchus contortus in indigenous South African goats with copper oxide wire particles

The high prevalence of resistance of Haemonchus contortus to all major anthelmintic groups has prompted investigations into alternative control methods in South Africa, including the use of copper oxide wire particle (COWP) boluses. To assess the efficacy of COWP against H. contortus in indigenous South African goats, 18 male faecal egg-count-negative goats were each given ca.1200 infective larvae of H. contortus three times per week during weeks 1 and 2 of the experiment. These animals made up an “established” infection group (ESTGRP). At the start of week 7, six goats were each given a 2-g COWP bolus orally; six goats received a 4-g COWP bolus each and six animals were not treated. A further 20 goats constituted a “developing” infection group (DEVGRP). At the beginning of week 1, seven of the DEVGRP goats were given a 2-g COWP bolus each; seven goats were treated with a 4-g COWP bolus each and no bolus was given to a further six animals. During weeks 1–6, each of these DEVGRP goats was given ca. 400 H. contortus larvae three times per week. All 38 goats were euthanized for worm recovery from the abomasa and small intestines in week 11. In the ESTGRP, the 2-g and 4-g COWP boluses reduced the worm burdens by 95% and 93%, respectively compared to controls (mean burden±standard deviation, SD: 23±33, 30±56 and 442±518 worms, P=0.02). However, in the DEVGRP goats, both the 2-g and 4-g COWP treatments were ineffective in reducing the worm burdens relative to the controls (mean burdens±SD: 1102±841, 649±855, 1051±661 worms, P=0.16). Mean liver copper levels did not differ between the ESTGRP goats treated with 2-g COWP, 4-g COWP or no COWP (mean±standard error of the mean, SEM, in ppm: 93.7±8.3; 101.5±8.3; 71.8±8.3, P=0.07) nor did they differ between the DEVGRP goats (mean±SEM, in ppm: 74.1±9.1; 75.4±9.1; 74.9±10.0, P>0.99). The copper values were considered adequate, but not high, for goats. The COWP boluses have the potential to be used in the place of conventional anthelmintics for the control of established H. contortus infections in indigenous South African goats, but their use as part of an integrated approach to control H. contortus in the field must be fully investigated.

Impact of Adding Concomitant Chemotherapy to Hyperfractionated Accelerated Radiotherapy for Advanced Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (RT) schedule combined with concomitant chemotherapy (Cx) in patients with locally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma. Between 2004 and 2007, a total of 90 patients with locoregionally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma underwent irradiation according to a hybrid fractionation schedule consisting of 20 fractions of 2 Gy (once daily) followed by 20 fractions of 1.6 Gy (twice daily) to a total dose of 72 Gy. Concomitant Cx (cisplatinum 100 mg/m(2)) was administered at the start of Weeks 1 and 4. Treatment outcome and toxicity were retrospectively compared with a previous patient group (n = 73) treated with the same schedule, but without concomitant Cx, between 2001 and 2004. The locoregional control (LRC) rate was 70% after 2 years. Two-year overall and 2-year disease-free survival rates were 74% and 60%, respectively. In comparison with the RT-only group, an improvement of 15% in both LRC (p = 0.03) and overall survival (p = 0.09) was observed. All patients were treated to full radiation dose according to protocol, although the Cx schedule had to be adjusted in 12 patients. No acute Grade 4 or 5 toxicity was seen, but incidences of Grade 3 acute mucositis (74.5% vs. 50.7%; p = 0.002) and dysphagia (82.2% vs. 47.9%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the chemoradiotherapy group compared with patients treated with RT alone. With this chemoradiotherapy regimen, excellent LRC and survival rates were achieved, with acceptable acute toxicity.

Facial and Neck Mass- Football

HISTROTY: 17 year old high school football defensive back/receiver had developed a left neck mass over the last week following pre-season tackling drills. He had presented to the local emergency room 5 days prior and was sent home on Keflex and Ibuprofen. On follow up to his Pediatrician 2 days prior, the mass was felt to be a hematoma of the SCM and he was taken off of the Keflex and told he would be out for the season. He presented to our office for a second opinion on return to play. On further questioning, he admitted to increasing size of the mass, fever, chills, nightsweats and weight loss. He reported restricted cervical range of motion secondary to the pain and mass with some complaints of left arm heaviness. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: On exam, there was pronounced warmth, tenderness and swelling over the left facial/cervical region with associated cervical lympadenopathy and restricted cervical motion in all planes. Cranial nerves were intact and there was normal symmetric sensation and reflexes but he had noted (4/5) weakness of left shoulder abduction, flexion and extension. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Facial/neck abscess Hematoma Burner/Stinger Cervical radiculopathy Upper trunk brachial plexopathy. TEST AND RESULTS: CT Scan on day 2: Ring enhancing lesion posterior to the left parotid gland. MRI performed on day 8: Left neck fluid collection with ring enhancement likely representing parotid abscess and extensive edema. Cervical spine and spinal cord appear normal. FINAL/WORKING DIAGNOSIS: Parotid abscess, originally misdiagnosed as hematoma of the SCM with associated temporary upper trunk neuropraxia from mass/edema relieved with surgical drainage. TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES: Consultation with ENT, admission to acute care with IV antibiotics and emergent surgical drainage. Out of practice/games for 3 weeks. Gentle cervical range of motion and non-contact conditioning exercises started at week 2. Progression to cervical/upper limb strengthening and continuation of non-contact conditioning exercises at start of week 3. By end of 3 weeks post-op, the incision site was well healed. Return to full play with extra pad over incision site. Left upper extremity strength returned to full 5/5 and symmetric. Had full, painless ROM and able to meet demands of sport.

Steroid-sparing effect of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) in Crohn's disease: A double-blind placebo-controlled study

In this double-blind study carried out at five sites in Germany, 40 patients suffering from Crohn's disease receiving a stable daily dose of steroids at an equivalent of 40 mg or less of prednisone for at least 3 weeks were administered a herbal blend containing wormwood herb (3 x 500 mg/day) or a placebo for 10 weeks. Besides steroids, 5-aminosalicylates, if dose remained constant for at least 4 weeks prior to entering the trial and/or azathioprine, stable dose for at least 8 weeks, or methotrexate, stable dose for at least 6 weeks, were permitted as concomitant medications. The recruited 40 patients - 20 in each treatment group, were evaluated with the help of a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) questionnaire, an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), the 21-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and an 8-item Visual Analogue Scale (VA-Scale) in 2-week intervals during the first 10 study weeks, and then at week 12, 16 and 20, which were the trial-medication free observation periods. The initial stable dose of steroids was maintained until week 2, after that a defined tapering schedule was started so that at the start of week 10 all the patients were free of steroids. At the end of week 10 the trial medication was also discontinued. The concomitant medications were maintained at the same dose levels till the end of the observation period that was the end of week 20. There was a steady improvement in CD symptoms in 18 patients (90%) who received wormwood in spite of tapering of steroids as shown by CDA-Index, IBDQ, HAMD, and VAS. After 8 weeks of treatment with wormwood there was almost complete remission of symptoms in 13 (65%) patients in this group as compared to none in the placebo group. This remission persisted till the end of the observation period that was week 20, and the addition of steroids was not necessary. In two (10%) patients did the re-starting of corticoids become necessary? On the other hand, the CD conditions of the patients who received the placebo deteriorated after the tapering of steroids, and re-starting steroids became necessary in 16 (80%) patients in this group after week 10. These results strongly suggest that wormwood has a steroid sparing effect. The improvements in HAMD scores indicate that wormwood also has an effect on the mood and quality of life of CD patients, which is not achieved by other standard medications.

A phase II trial of dexamethasone, vitamin D, and carboplatin in patients with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer

A Phase II prospective trial was performed to study the efficacy of combination therapy with dexamethasone, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), and carboplatin in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Preclinical data from prostate cancer cell lines suggested a synergistic effect of these therapies. All patients had pathologically confirmed prostate cancer with at least 2 consecutive increases in prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Treatment started with 1 mg of oral dexamethasone given daily with 0.5 mcg of daily calcitriol added at the start of Week 5. Carboplatin (area under the concentration time curve = 2) was started at the beginning of Week 7. Initially, carboplatin was given weekly; however, the protocol was changed later to give carboplatin for the first 4 weeks of a 6-week cycle. Of 40 patients who consented to participate, 6 patients were ineligible or declined to start therapy, leaving 34 treated patients. The median follow-up was 80.7 weeks (range, 11.5-260 weeks). A formal PSA response was seen in 13 of 34 treated patients (38.2%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 22.2-56.4%). The median overall survival was 97.7 weeks (95% CI, 61-114 weeks). Significant adverse events that were observed during the trial period included 2 deaths (myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock), 4 patients with Grade 3 neutropenia (according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, version 2.0), 2 patients with thrombosis, 2 patients with inflammatory bowel symptoms, and 2 patients with new-onset diabetes mellitus. The novel combination of dexamethasone, calcitriol, and carboplatin for patients with HRPC produced a PSA response in 13 of 34 patients and had an acceptable side-effect profile.

Environmental temperature, space allowance, and regrouping: Additive effects of multiple concurrent stressors in growing pigs

Objective: To determine the effects of multiple concurrent stressors on hematologic and behavioral measurements in growing pigs. Materials and methods: Two hundred and fifty-six growing pigs (Yorkshire x Hampshire or purebred Duroc barrows and gilts, initial body weight 34.7 +/- 0.5 kg) were used in a randomized block design with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine effects on hematologic and behavioral measures of environmental temperature (constant-thermoneutral at 24°C or cycling-high from 28°C to 34°C), space allowance (0.56 or 0.25 m2 per pig), and regrouping (static, ie, not regrouped, or regrouped at start of Weeks 1 and 3 of the study). After a 7-day adjustment period at 24°C and 0.56 m2 of space per pig, treatments were imposed for the study period of 4 weeks. Results: At end of Week 4, the cycling-high temperature treatment group had lower lymphocyte concentrations, higher neutrophil concentrations, and, consequently, higher neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratios (P &lt; .05). Neither space allowance nor regrouping influenced N:L ratio. No stressor affected hematocrit (HCT) or plasma cortisol concentration. However, cortisol and N:L ratio were higher and HCT was lower as number of stressors increased. Pigs on the cycling-high temperature treatment were less active than those on the constant-thermoneutral treatment. Standing activity was higher and lying activity was lower as number of stressors increased (P &lt; .05). Implications: The three stressors tested in this study influenced hematological and behavioral measurements indicative of stress in growing pigs, and some of these effects were additive.

Premature rupture of membranes with oligo- or anhydramnios before 24 weeks of gestation and the chances of fetal survival

Rupture of the membranes before the fetus has achieved viability within the womb is an event of enormous importance for both mother and physician. The potential outcome ranges from fetal death, a frequent occurrence, to a severely disabled life or a happy (but rare) birth without any mental or physical retardation for the child. The aim of the present investigation was to provide the consulting physician with valid data, enabling him/her to make a realistic assessment of the risks and to inform the patient accordingly. In a retrospective analysis, we followed 36 cases with spontaneous rupture of the maternal membranes and development of oligo-/anhydramnios before 24 weeks of gestation. The patients had been treated between January 1994 and 2004. In a more detailed assessment, the patient cohort was divided into one group of women with rupture between 10 and 20 weeks of gestation and another group with a gestational age between start of week 21 and end of week 23. Of the 36 children, seven (19.4%) survived initially, with two of the seven survivors dying subsequently. Among women with amniorrhexis before week 21 of gestation, only three of the 26 children survived, while four of 10 children survived among women with premature rupture of membranes between 21 and 23 weeks of gestation (p = 0.053) No case of mental retardation could be observed in the surviving children. Perinatal outcome was found to be significantly different in the presence of amnionitis (3/27) compared to the group without this event (4/9) (p = 0.028). Because of the poor fetal outcome, termination of an ongoing pregnancy must also be considered in counseling the mother. If the mother decides to continue her pregnancy, amnionitis will be the most critical factor for ultimate termination of pregnancy.

Marker seed migration in prostate localization

Purpose/Objective: Marker seed location was analysed to test the hypothesis that there is no intraseed migration within the prostate, a premise fundamental to the technique of marker seed localization of this organ. Despite increasing interest in the use of prostate seeds as fuducial markers for gland location, there is little data available with which to evaluate the validity of this technique, particularly over the entire course of external beam radiation therapy. Materials/Methods: Between May 2001 and December 2001, after obtaining fully informed written consent, 9 patients with early stage prostate cancer were enrolled on an institutionally reviewed protocol. Patients had 4 to 5 marker seeds implanted into the prostate under transrectal ultrasound guidance prior to definitive radiotherapy. The porous gold seeds were each 1.2 × 2.0 mm in dimension. Seed location from orthogonal radiographs based on the initial simulation and weekly orthogonal films thereafter were digitized using a CMS Focus™ planning system. Pubic symphysis, bilateral femoral heads and isocenter were also digitized and will be analyzed at a later date. The digitization of the isocenter from each orthogonal pair of radiographs was used to determine digitizing error for seed localization. Results: Overall, the average migration of all the seeds in the patients was 1.2 ±0.2 mm. The greatest average movement of any seed in any patient was 1.9 mm over the entire 7 week course of radiotherapy. The smallest average movement was 0.6 mm. One seed in 1 patient was lost at the start of week 3 of therapy and censored from analysis. Digitizing error in seed localization was calculated to be 0.20 ±0.03 mm. Conclusions: As an aggregate, there is negligible seed migration within the prostate over the entire course of definitive radiotherapy. However, there are small detectable movements in individual seed locations, perhaps due to topographical changes in the gland secondary to seed placement, anatomical changes in bladder and rectum or treatment itself. With respect to seed migration, prostate marker seeds represent an accurate surrogate of gland location.

Bupropion SR as an aid to smoking cessation in smokers treated previously with bupropion: A randomized placebo‐controlled study

Many persons who attempt to quit smoking have made previous unsuccessful attempts to quit with pharmacologic aids. An understanding of the impact of these previous attempts to quit is vital for selecting medications that may be more successful in a future attempt to quit. In particular, the effect of repeated use of bupropion SR (Zyban; INN, amfebutamone) on abstinence rates has not been studied previously. This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 450 smokers who had previously used bupropion in a smoking cessation attempt. The study consisted of a screening phase, a 12-week treatment phase, and a follow-up at month 6. Participants made regular clinic visits throughout the treatment phase during which they received brief counseling sessions to encourage abstinence from smoking. The primary end point was continuous abstinence from smoking from weeks 4 through 7. Secondary efficacy end points were examined throughout the treatment phase and at follow-up after 6 months. In participants receiving bupropion SR, 27% (61 of 226) remained abstinent throughout the period from weeks 4 through 7 compared with 5% (11 of 224) of participants receiving placebo (P <.001). Significantly (P <.001) more participants who received bupropion SR during the treatment phase remained continuously abstinent from the start of week 4 through month 6 (27 of 226; 12%) compared with participants who received placebo (5 of 224; 2%). Eleven participants receiving placebo (5%) and 19 participants receiving bupropion SR (8%) stopped taking the study medication because of an adverse event. Bupropion SR is an effective medication for retreatment of smokers who have used bupropion SR previously.

High‐dose intra‐arterial cisplatin and concurrent hyperfractionated radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Report of a phase II study

Background This phase II study evaluates the tolerability and efficacy of concurrent hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX-RT) and high-dose intra-arterial (IA) cisplatin in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Methods Between December 1995 and November 1997, 20 patients with locally advanced T4/T3 SCCHN were treated with HFX-RT (76.8–79.2 Gy at 1.2 Gy bid over 6–7 weeks) and high-dose IA cisplatin (150 mg/m2 given at the start of RT boost treatment [start of week 6]). Seventeen patients (85%) had T4 disease, and 14 (70%) had N2/ N3 disease. Results Grade 3-5 acute toxicity was limited to one grade 4 (5%) and 14 grade 3 (70%) mucosal events. No grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was observed. Median weight loss during therapy was 9% (range, 2%–16%). Eighteen patients had complete response (90%) at the primary site; 14 were confirmed pathologically. Among 17 patients with positive neck disease, 16 (94%) achieved complete response in the neck, including 12 of 13 patients with N2/N3 disease who underwent planned neck dissection. Active follow-up ranges from 12 to 32 months (median, 20 months) with 11 patients alive without disease, 5 dead of disease, and 4 dead of intercurrent disease. Eighteen patients (90%) remained disease free at the primary site, and the locoregional control rate is 80%. Conclusions High-dose IA cisplatin and concurrent HFX-RT as used in this study is feasible and warrants further investigation. The high complete response rate and low grade 4 toxicity in this highly unfavorable subset of patients appears better than previously reported chemoradiation regimens for more favorable patients. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 543–549, 2000.

Oral fluconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

AIM: This study was designed to assess the efficacy, tolerability and safety of oral fluconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor (PV). METHODS: Fifty patients, 35 males aged 18-54 (mean 25 years) and 15 females aged 18-29 (mean 20 years) completed this study. Oral fluconazole in 300 mg single dosage once weekly for 2 weeks was given to all the patients. Clinical evaluation by global assessment and Wood's lamp examination, as well as mycological examination of the skin scales with KOH mounts, was performed by the same physician throughout. Patients were assessed at the start of week 0 and weeks 2, 3 and 4. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (98%) showed clinical and mycological cure at week 4. One patient who did not improve needed the second course of the drug. Tolerability of the drugs was excellent in all the patients. Minor adverse effects were dry mouth and dizziness in a few patients but this was not severe enough to discontinue the drug. There were no significant haematological abnormalities found in any of the patients. (J Dermatol Treat (2000) 11:101-103)

Effects of isolation on the behaviour, live-weight gain, adrenal capacity and immune responses of weaned red deer hind calves

AbstractAt weaning at 3 months of age (week 1), 30 red deer hind calves were housed in six groups of five animals at a stocking density of 1·5 m2 per head and maintained in these groups for 4 weeks. At the start of week 5, all calves were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Fifteen calves, from three groups, selected at random, were transferred to individual pens which restricted visual and tactile contact with others (ISO) while the remaining animals were kept in their groups (GP). The behaviour, food intake, live-weight gain, antibody and lymphocyte responses in vitro to OVA and lymphocyte responses in vitro to the non-specific mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), of all calves were assessed in each of weeks 5 to 9. Isolated calves had a lower mean live-weight gain than GP calves (P &lt; 0·001), although there were no differences in food intake. Significantly more time was spent lying (P &lt; 0·001) but less time feeding (P &lt; 0·05) and self-grooming (P &lt; 0·001) by ISO than by GP calves. There was no significant difference between ISO and GP calves in the cortisol response to an ACTH challenge test (10 i.u.) at week 11. Lymphocyte responses and antibody titres to OVA were lower in GP than in ISO calves at weeks 7 (P &lt; 0·05) and 8 (P &lt; 0·05), respectively. In contrast, GP calves had greater lymphocyte responses to the non-specific mitogen, ConA, in weeks 7 (P &lt; 0·05) and 10 (P &lt; 0·001) but not in week 9 compared with ISO calves. Differences in lymphocyte stimulation were attributed to the non-specific mitogenic nature of ConA. Factors such as agonistic interactions evident in group housing may have compromised the antibody and lymphocyte responses to OVA by GP calves but conversely the lack of social contact may have also suppressed behavioural activity in ISO calves.

Effects of photoperiod and 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone on male-induced estrus in prairie voles

Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) are characterized as facultative breeders with higher rates of reproductive activities observed during spring and summer than autumn and winter. The environmental factors regulating seasonal breeding in this species remain unspecified. Short day lengths inhibit reproductive organ development in male prairie voles in the laboratory, but these males remain fertile and capable of siring offspring; female prairie voles have been reported to be reproductively unresponsive to day length in the laboratory. The organization of estrus in this species is unusual in that females never display the cyclic changes associated with estrus; rather, female prairie voles require chemosensory stimuli associated with fertile males in order to be induced into estrus. The plant compound, 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (6-MBOA), is present in vegetatively growing grasses and sedges and acts to trigger reproduction in other rodent species exposed to short days. It was suspected that 6-MBOA present in the laboratory diet may have overridden the effects of photoperiod on female prairie voles in previous laboratory studies. In the present study, the effects of 6-MBOA and photoperiod on estrus induction were examined. Beginning at Week 0, female prairie voles were housed in long (LD 16:8) or short (LD 8:16) photoperiods for 9 weeks, then implanted subcutaneously either with an empty Silastic capsule or one packed with 6-MBOA. A special diet, devoid of 6-MBOA, was available ad lib from Week 5 to the end of the study. At the start of Week 11, a single drop of breeder male urine or distilled water was applied to the external nares of each female daily for 6 consecutive days. Neither exposure to male urine nor to 6-MBOA affected reproductive organ masses in short-day females. In long days, uterine and ovarian masses were elevated as compared to short-day voles. Treatment with male urine, but not 6-MBOA, further stimulated uterine development in long-day females. Taken together, these results document that the reproductive systems of female prairie voles respond to day length, but are not particularly responsive to short-term exposure to 6-MBOA.

Detection of the type II cell or its precursor before week 20 of human gestation, using antibodies against surfactant-associated proteins.

The present study was performed to find out whether the type II alveolar epithelial cell or its precursor (an approximately cuboidal cell lacking multilamellar bodies) is present before the twentieth week of human gestation. For this purpose we used an antibody, SALS-Hu(E), which recognizes the human type II cell on the basis of surfactant-associated proteins. Application of SALS-HuE (by indirect immunofluorescence) to acetone-fixed frozen sections of fetal lung tissue gave a distinct staining of the cuboidal or low columnar epithelial cells lining the end-pieces of the tubular system of fetal lung (initially only a few): this staining started around weeks 10 to 12 after conception. Around week 16 some of the labeled epithelial cells appeared to be rather flat and by week 19 a combined cellular and linear fluorescence pattern was seen. Columnar epithelial cells of the prospective bronchial portion did not show this specific staining. Our results indicate that the type II cell or its precursor cell is indeed present in the pseudoglandular period of human lung development, i.e., starting around the tenth to twelfth week. This cell type lines the acinar tubule, the basic structure of the pulmonary acinus. Transformation of this cell type into the type I alveolar epithelial cell seems to start in week 16.

Experimentally induced glucose intolerance increases oral ethanol intake in rats

A number of studies have shown a relationship between glucose tolerance and ethanol intake. The present study uses a relatively simple procedure to induce glucose intolerance to test whether this condition is sufficient to produce an increase in chronic ethanol intake in male rats. Subjects were divided equally into four groups where they were given access to one of four solutions: peppermint-flavored sucrose (40%), peppermint-flavored saccharin (0.1%), peppermint in water (0.1%), or water alone presented three times a week, for a period of 11 weeks. After 12 weeks all animals were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test which revealed that the chronically prepared sucrose animals had become glucose intolerant. At the start of week 13 all animals were given access to a 6% ethanol solution flavored with peppermint in place of the previous solutions for a period of 11 weeks. Sucrose animals displayed an immediate preference for ethanol and consumed approximately three times more ethanol than the remaining groups. The results of this study indicate that rats that are made glucose intolerant by long term access to a high concentration of sucrose, when given the opportunity, will subsequently choose to drink more ethanol than control animals.