Showing papers by "University of Maryland, Baltimore published in 1979"
TL;DR: Failure to culture vibrios from intestinal fluid or stool of re-challenge volunteers suggests that the predominant immune mechanism is antibacterial rather than antitoxic.
Abstract: Purified cholera toxoid is antigenic when given enterally and orally. Purified toxoid fails to provide protection against experimental challenge. Clinical cholera confers formidable protection against homologous or heterologous rechallenge. Failure to culture vibrios from intestinal fluid or stool of re-challenge volunteers suggests that the predominant immune mechanism is antibacterial rather than antitoxic.
178 citations
TL;DR: These studies demonstrate that prior disease due to enterotoxigenic E. coli confers homologous immunity against subsequent challenge, and the operative mechanism apparently is not bactericidal and is not mediated by serum anti-O antibodies.
Abstract: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains represent the most frequent etiological agent of travelers diarrhea. Challenge studies with several of these strains were undertaken in volunteers to evaluate the mechanisms of disease-induced immunity. Seventeen students and other community volunteers were given 106 or 108 organisms of E. coli B7A (O148:H28), which produces heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins. Ten individuals developed diarrheal illness closely resembling natural travelers diarrhea; of these ten, rises in titer of serum antitoxin and anti-O antibody occurred in eight (80%). Eight of the volunteers who developed diarrhea in the first test agreed to undergo rechallenge 9 weeks later with 108 B7A organisms. Only one of these eight “veterans” developed diarrhea versus seven of twelve controls given the same challenge (P = 0.05). Despite clinical protection, all “veterans” excreted B7A after rechallenge. Four controls who developed diarrhea during the homologous B7A rechallenge test were rechallenged 9 weeks later with 109 organisms of E. coli strain E2528-C1 (O25:H-), which produces only heat-labile enterotoxin and possesses a different O, H, and pili antigen composition than B7A. Three of four “veterans” and two of six controls developed comparable diarrhea. These studies demonstrate that prior disease due to enterotoxigenic E. coli confers homologous immunity against subsequent challenge, and the operative mechanism apparently is not bactericidal and is not mediated by serum anti-O antibodies. Heterologous protection was not conferred where the only common antigen was heat-labile enterotoxin, indicating that serum infection-derived antitoxin to heat-labile enterotoxin also is not protective.
174 citations
TL;DR: Gingival sites were clinically evaluated on the basis of gingival color and contour, pocket depth, bleeding upon probing and peercent bone loss as measured radiographically.
Abstract: Gingival sites were clinically evaluated on the basis of gingival color and contour, pocket depth, bleeding upon probing and peercent bone loss as measured radiographically. Using anaerobic techniques, subgingival plaque collected from these sites was examined for the presence of the black-pigmented Bacteroides (BPB). The BPB were identified by biochemical testing and Gram stain morphology. With one exception, only saccharolytic strains (B. melaninogenicus) were found at normal and gingivitis sites, while these and asaccharolytic strains (B. asaccharolyticus) were found at sites exhibiting bone loss.
173 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is presented showing that in squid axons with physiological levels of Ca2+i most of the Ca efflux can be accounted for by an ATP-dependent system with high affinity for Ca2-i and ATP and which can operate in the complete absence of external Na and Ca.
Abstract: IT has been proposed that the regulation of the ionised calcium concentration inside many excitable and non-excitable cells is mediated by a Na–Ca countertransport mechanism where the Na electrochemical gradient provides the energy to maintain low levels of intracellular Ca2+ (refs 1, 2). Two recent observations, however, provide evidence consistent with the idea that Ca extrusion in squid axons is mediated, at least in part, by an ATP-driven Ca pump of the type observed in red blood cells3,4. First, in the absence of a Na gradient across the membrane there is an ATP-dependent ‘uphill’ extrusion of Ca which persists in the absence of external Na, Ca and Mg (ref. 3). And second, in Ca-injected unpoisoned axons, 50–90% of the Ca efflux can occur as an ‘uncoupled’ flux—that is, Ca efflux not accompanied by the uptake of Na, Ca or Mg (ref. 5). The existence of two apparently separate mechanisms for Ca transport, Na–Ca exchange and an ATP driven Ca-pump, raises the question of whether, in normal conditions, both mechanisms participate in the maintenance of the physiological pCa. To be of any use in controlling the pCa of the nerve, the mechanism responsible must be able to operate at normal Ca2+ concentrations, <10−7 M (ref. 6). We now present evidence showing (1) that in squid axons with physiological levels of Ca2+i most of the Ca efflux can be accounted for by an ATP-dependent system with high affinity for Ca2+i and ATP and which can operate in the complete absence of external Na and Ca; and (2) that a Ca transport mechanism with a low affinity for Ca2+i and ATP and extremely sensitive to Nai, Nao and Cao can contribute substantially to the total Ca efflux only at Ca2+i well above the physiological Ca2+ concentrations.
147 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that the study's goals were achieved and that the nonaversive combined procedure could be used to treat not only habitual smokers but also smokers with severe cardiovascular and respiratory problems, because it does not have some of the inherent limitations of the successful aversive smoking cessation procedures.
Abstract: This study compared four treatment approaches to cigarette smoking: (1) a nicotine fading procedure, in which subjects changed their cigarette brands each week to ones containing progressively less nicotine and tar; (2) a self-monitoring procedure in which subjects plotted their daily intake of nicotine and tar; (3) a combined nicotine fading/self-monitoring procedure; and (4) a slightly modified American Cancer Society Stop Smoking Program. Thirty-eight habitual smokers were assigned to one of the treatment groups. The study had two goals: (1) to achieve a clinically significant percentage of abstinence, and (2) to reduce the nonabstainers' smoking to a "safer" level by having them smoke low tar and nicotine cigarettes. The 18-month followup results showed that the nicotine fading/self-monitoring group was the most successful: 40% were abstinent and all who had not quit were smoking cigarettes lower in tar and nicotine than their baseline brands. Half the nonabstainers had decreased their rate of smoking relative to baseline while the other half had increased. Furthermore, the fading/self-monitoring group achieved the largest reductions from baseline in daily nicotine and tar intake (61% and 70% respectively). The results suggest that the study's goals were achieved and that the nonaversive combined procedure could be used to treat not only habitual smokers but also smokers with severe cardiovascular and respiratory problems, because it does not have some of the inherent limitations of the successful aversive smoking cessation procedures.
124 citations
TL;DR: This combination chemotherapy seemed to be very effective in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and could be applied prior to local‐regional therapy and should be carried out only in centers that have adequate facilities for close monitoring of the patients.
Abstract: 33 patients with locally and regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with a single course of a combination of chemotherapy. Twenty-two of these patients were previously untreated, while the other eleven were previously treated with radiation therapy and/or surgery. Seventeen of the previously untreated patients had stage IV (M0) and the other 5 had stage III disease. Of the 33 patients; 26 received a three drug combination that consisted of: Cis-diamminedichloro-platinum II (DDP), Bleomycin (Bleo) and high dose Methotrexate (MTX) and leucovorin rescue. DDP was given on day 1; 100 mg/m2 with hydration and Lasix and Mannitol diuresis over 6 hours intravenously (iv). Bleo was administered as 15 units/m2 iv push on day 5 followed by 15 units/m2 a day for 5 days by continuous iv infusion. On day 10, the patient was evaluated and if there was no evidence of any toxicity, the patient was hydrated and alkalinated and MTX was given as 50 mg/m2 by rapid iv infusion followed by 1500 mg/m2 over 36 hours while maintaining the hydration and alkalinization. This was followed immediately by leucovorin; 25 mg/m2 iv over 15 minutes, then 200 mg/m2 over 12 hours iv. The patient then received leucovorin 25 mg/m2 intramuscularly (im) every 6 hours for 6 doses. The other 7 patients tolerated the first two drugs only, i.e., DDP and Bleo, and received no MTX because of decreased creatinine clearance. All patients were evaluated for response 2 weeks after the chemotherapy course, and prior to the local-regional therapy that consisted of surgery or radiotherapy. The response rates were 72.7% in previously untreated patients (16/22); with 4 complete responses (CR) and 12 partial responses (PR), and 54.5% in the previously treated group (6/11) all of them were PR. However, if we excluded three unevaluable patients that were considered failures from the study, the response rate in previously untreated patients would be 16/19 or 84.2%. The duration of response to such single course of chemotherapy was estimated to be 8–12 weeks. The toxicity in the 33 patients included vomiting in 18, alopecia, in 33, WBC below 2000 in 6, platelet count less than 50,000 in 6, mucositis in 7, and peak serum creatinine above 2 in 4 patients with two deaths. This combination chemotherapy seemed to be very effective in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and could be applied prior to local-regional therapy. However, such program is still in experimental stages and should be carried out only in centers that have adequate facilities for close monitoring of the patients. Cancer 43:1025-1031, 1979.
109 citations
TL;DR: These experiments were designed to demonstrate that LHRH is capable of promoting marked increases in plasma FSH concomitant with physiologically insignificant changes in plasma LH and, thus, that L HRH is also FSHRH.
Abstract: While LHRH evokes the release of both LH and FSH under a wide spectrum of experimental conditions, this hormone has not been shown to induce the discharge of FSH unaccompanied by LH release. As a consequence, the possibility that a separate FSHRH exists has not been discounted. These experiments were designed to demonstrate that LHRH is capable of promoting marked increases in plasma FSH concomitant with physiologically insignificant changes in plasma LH and, thus, that LHRH is also FSHRH. Seven groups of cyclic female rats received phenobarbital at 1200 h proestrus to block spontaneous preovulatory LH and FSH surges. These various groups then were subdivided according to whether phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), LHRH, or both was infused (iv). The experimental protocol consisted of infusing material for an initial 30 min (priming period), stopping the infusion for 30 min (rest interval), and again infusing material for an additional 210 min (maintenance period). When PBS was infused during the priming and...
99 citations
TL;DR: Whether ovarian venous plasma (OVP) contains nonsteroidal material which has FSH-inhibiting activity (FSH-IA) and, if so, whether such activity varies inversely with plasma FSH concentrations during the 4-day rat estrous cycle is determined.
Abstract: These studies determined whether ovarian venous plasma (OVP) contains nonsteroidal material which has FSH-inhibiting activity (FSH-IA) and, if so, whether such activity varies inversely with plasma FSH concentrations during the 4-day rat estrous cycle. Ovarian venous blood was collected for a 10-min period from cyclic rats at 0900 and 1600 h on diestrous days 1 and 2 (Dl and D2); on proestrus (Pr) at 0900, 1200, 1400, 1600, and 1800 h; and on estrus (E) at 0900, 1200, and 1600 h. A peripheral plasma sample from the abdominal aorta was taken after the ovarian vein collections. Peripheral and ovarian venous plasma were radioimmunoassayed for concentrations of 17β- estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), LH, and FSH. FSH-IA was assessed in terms of its ability to suppress the 24-h secretion of FSH in a dispersed pituitary cell culture system. The addition of untreated OVP obtained from rats at 0900 and 1600 h on Dl and D2 and at 0900, 1200, and 1400 h Pr produced a 43–56% suppression of 24-h FSH secretion by cultu...
98 citations
TL;DR: The authors believe that the findings provide additional epidemiologic evidence on the respiratory carcinogenicity of occupational exposure to airborne inorganic arsenicals.
Abstract: Cancer mortality was studied in 1,393 persons exposed to high air concentrations of inorganic arsenicais for varying lengths of time during the manufacture and packaging of pesticides at a plant in Baltimore, Maryland. Employees consisting of 1,050 males and 343 females were traced for the period 1946 to 1977, and vital status was determined for 86.9% of males and 66.8% of females. The observed number of deaths from all and selected causes was compared with the number expected from the Baltimore City mortality experience in terms of the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR). A significantly increased SMR was found for lung cancer and anemias in males. The SMR for lung cancer was especially high in males with presumed high exposure to arsenicais. A dose-response relationship was suggested by the SMR for lung cancer which increased with increasing duration of exposure to arsenicais, but no such relationship was evident for nonarsenicals. Although smoking habits could not be examined in the study subje...
96 citations
TL;DR: The sodium/proton antiport system of Escherichia coli has been characterized by the effect of Na+ on the pH gradient established by respiration in everted membrane vesicles and dissipation of Δψ, membrane potential, has no effect on the affinity for Na+ but decreases the V of the antiport reaction.
87 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A standardized motor examination is introduced that will aid in the direct comparison of future results for any spinal cord treatment regimes and tables of MIi and recovery rates have been presented to aid the correct classification of new patients and the prediction of their present chances of motor recovery.
Abstract: In this article, we have presented a new motor classification of patients with spinal cord injuries. This system of classification provides statistically discrete subdivisions. The patients in each of the subdivisions of the classification can be mathematically summarized with numerical indices which then may be accurately analyzed statistically. This allows the clinical researcher in spinal cord injuries to evaluate current treatments and assess the potential of new treatments and assess the potential of new treatment regimes. In addition, tables of MIi and recovery rates have been presented to aid in the correct classification of new patients and in the prediction of their present chances of motor recovery. Last, we have introduced a standardized motor examination, based on past experience, that will aid in the direct comparison of future results for any spinal cord treatment regimes.
TL;DR: Patients with Pancoast's tumor treated at the University of Maryland Hospital between 1955 and 1978 were reviewed, and retrospective staging of 42 patients undergoing operation indicated that 22 (52%) were inoperable.
TL;DR: Observations provide additional evidence emphasizing the importance of the ependymal cell surface during axonal outgrowth in the regenerating spinal cord, as opposed to previous reports, which focused on the formation of pre-existing ependyma channels.
Abstract: The nature and organization of the cellular substrate supporting axonal outgrowth during early regeneration of the spinal cord following transection and/or segment removal were examined inXenopus tadpoles. Longitudinal axonal compartments, formed by radial ependymal processes in unoperated spinal cords, were maintained within the rostral and caudal stumps throughout the early post-operative period. The first neuritic sprouts to appear near the cut ends of the cord were frequently associated with these processes. Between 5 and 7 days after transection either single or multiple cellular aggregates, which consisted primarily of ependyma, began occupying the lesion zone and were encompassed by numerous small fibres. Ependymal processes subsequently extended among the neuntes within the lesion gap and re-established longitudinal axonal channels and a surrounding glia limitans. A concurrent outgrowth of fibres and ependyma from the rostral and caudal stumps was also initiated by 5–7 days following resection of the cord. Axons were seen further within the ablation gap at 10 and 12 days either coursing along the surfaces of the emerging ependyma or organized into small fascicles by the radial processes of these cells. Intermediate stages of axonal fasciculation by the underlying ependyma were also seen. In contrast with previous reports, axonal elongation beyond the cut ends of the cord did not consistently entail the formation of pre-existing ependymal channels. These observations provide additional evidence emphasizing the importance of the ependymal cell surface during axonal outgrowth in the regenerating spinal cord. Guided neuritic elongation, however, does not appear to be dependent upon the prior establishment of a specific type of cytoarchitecture.
TL;DR: While no correlation was found between HLA type and severity of cholera, these results do support the claims of other investigators that blood group O is found more frequently in patients with severe cholERA than in the normal population.
Abstract: In the course of studies of immunity to experimental cholera in man, 10(5) or 10(6) Vibrio cholerae were given to 66 college students and other community volunteers under quarantine in an isolation ward. HLA antigen and blood group determinations were carried out to test the hypothesis that severity of clinical cholera is dependent in part upon genetically-determined host susceptibility. Fifty-five volunteers developed diarrhoea; 38 had mild illness and 17 had severe cholera (stool volume greater than or equal to 5.0 litres). HLA antigens were found in similar frequency in volunteers with severe, mild or no diarrhoea; antigen A1, A2, A3 and B7 were most common. Blood group O, however, was found in 64% of persons with severe cholera versus 36-38% of volunteers with mild or absent illness. Thus, while no correlation was found between HLA type and severity of cholera, these results do support the claims of other investigators that blood group O is found more frequently in patients with severe cholera than in the normal population.
TL;DR: Tests of intestinal absorption of 3 H-PteGlu in patients with pancreatic insufficiency revealed that they had a greater absorption of folate than did controls, suggesting that intraluminal pH effects on folate absorption in vivo and in vitro are related.
TL;DR: In this article, cross sections of intracortical bone revealed differences among three early American populations (Eskimo, Arikara, and Pueblo) in the frequency of a form of remodeling called, here, type II.
Abstract: Cross sections of intracortical bone revealed differences among three early American populations—Eskimo, Arikara, and Pueblo—in the frequency of a form of remodeling called, here, type II. This remodeling appears to occur exclusively within the walls of haversian canals of well-mineralized osteons. The populations are known to have differed in their nutrition. The Eskimo, with a high-protein diet, exhibited the most frequent type II remodeling, whereas the Pueblo, with a low-protein diet, showed the least. Type II remodeling probably reflects the physiological state of the group. Variation in frequency of classic intracortical bone remodeling was not apparent.
TL;DR: Results indicate that in this regenerating system an extremely dense glial scar, formed by mature, hypertrophic astrocytes, does not represent a major obstacle to axonal outgrowth and the general failure of regeneration in the mammalian central nervous system.
TL;DR: The selectivity and reversibility of cimetidine indicate that this particular antihistaminic could be a valuable pharmacological tool for defining putative histaminergic synapses in Aplysia and perhaps other nervous systems.
TL;DR: Data indicate that patients with significant exocrine pancreatic disease have an acidic milieu in the upper small intestine both under fasting as well as under postprandial conditions.
Abstract: The effect of significant exocrine pancreatic disease on the intraluminal pH in the upper small intestine was studied in seven patients with pancreatic insufficiency (PI) and seven control subjects. A cecar microelectrode (Beckman) attached to a polyvinyl tube was positioned at the ligament of Treitz under fluoroscopic control and the output of the pH meter was recorded for 30 minutes under fasting conditions after an equilibration period. Analysis of the pH tracing revealed a significantly lower mean intraluminal pH in PI patients as compared to the control subjects (PI vs controls: mean±sem, 6.1±0.2 vs 7.0 ±0.2, P<0.01). The acid fluctuations per ten-minute period of time were more frequent and the percent time below pH 4.0 was significantly higher in this group of patients (P< 0.05). The basal and the stimulated gastric acid outputs were lower in PI patients. However, the difference did not reach statistical significance. In two PI patients and two control subjects, the intraluminal pH at the duodenojejunal junction was further recorded for 180 minutes after the ingestion of a standardized test meal. Intraluminal pH dropped below 4.0 in both PI patients and continued in that range until the end of the study. However, in the two control subjects, the intraluminal pH stayed well above pH 4.0 during the entire postprandial period. Furthermore, a definite rise with a trend towards the fasting intraluminal pH was also observed. These data indicate that patients with significant exocrine pancreatic disease have an acidic milieu in the upper small intestine both under fasting as well as under postprandial conditions. The clinical relevance of this observation is discussed.
TL;DR: Investigation of the action of porcine follicular fluid (PFF) on the secretion of FSH and LH in cyclic fen lie rats found plasma FSH levels were significantly depressed on proestrous afternoon but not on estrous morning, and plasma LH and progesterone levels were only altered when two PFF injections were given.
Abstract: These studies were designed to investigate the action of porcine follicular fluid (PFF) on the secretion of FSH and LH in cyclic fen lie rats. PFF was obtained from medium sized follicles and was charcoal treated to remove steroids. Control animals received pig serum (PS). Proestrous rats were injected ip with 1 ml PFF or PS at 1100 or 1800 h, or at both times. Sequential blood collections were obtained at 1300, 1600, and 1900 h proestrus and at 0800, 1100, and 1400 h on estrus. When PFF was injected at 1100 h, plasma FSH levels were significantly depressed on proestrous afternoon but not on estrous morning. In rats treated with PFF at 1800 h, FSH was significantly lower only at 0800 h on estrous morning. When two injections of PFF were given to rats at 1100 and 1800 h, plasma FSH was markedly reduced at 1600 and 1900 h proestrus and at 0800 and 1100 h estrus. In contrast, plasma LH and progesterone in proestrous rats were only altered when two PFF injections were given. All PFF-treated rats ovulated and ...
TL;DR: The ultrastructural complexity of these membrane systems in coronary vascular smooth muscle equals or surpasses that of smooth muscle cells in the large blood vessels that have been extensively studied by other investigators.
TL;DR: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole did not reduce the frequency of fever or bacteremia but did produce a significant reduction in bacteriuria, which was significant in men undergoing transrectal prostatic biopsies.
TL;DR: Pathways for transfer of horseradish peroxidase across the cerebral microvasculature were studied in Mongolian gerbils after inducing either unilateral carotid-artery ligation or intracarotid air embolism, finding that protein transfer becomes enhanced following circulatory injuries such as ischemia.
Abstract: Pathways for transfer of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) across the cerebral microvasculature were studied in Mongolian gerbils after inducing either unilateral carotid-artery ligation or intracarotid air embolism. Electron microscopy on samples from both ipsilateral and contralateral brain hemispheres showed the reaction product (HRP) in the endothelial cytoplasm of capillaries and arterioles in all animals; in the basal lamina, HRP was seen only after long (3–4 h) ischemic periods. HRP was seen within both spherical and tubular structures, with the latter appearing in obliquely or longitudinally sectioned blood vessels. These endothelial channel-like structures are part of a tubulovesicular network which seemingly exists in the normal endothelium of the gerbil brain. The tubules serve as pathways for proteins into the brain; protein transfer becomes enhanced following circulatory injuries such as ischemia.
TL;DR: Low physiological P levels can facilitate spontaneous LU and FSH surges on Day 3 as well as inhibit these discharges on Day 4 in E2 primed animals; these P-induced responses are dose dependent; and the facilitory action of P is exerted on CNS neurons and possibly on pituitary gonadotrophs.
Abstract: These studies determined whether fluctuating physiological plasma progesterone (P) concentrations facilitate as well as inhibit spontaneous LH and FSH surges in F2 primed, ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Two weeks after ovariectomy (Day 0), Silastic implants of estradiol-1 713 (E2) were inserted s.c. at 0900 h into all animals. Silastic P implants of various lengths, which produced plasma P levels ranging between 5-20 ng/ml, were implanted s.c. into separate groups of E2 treated OVX rats 72 h later (Day 3). Another group of E2 treated rats received a s.c. injection of 2 mg P on Day 3. As plasma P levels increased, greater peak plasma LU and FSH levels were achieved during the afternoon of Day 3. However, higher concentrations of plasma P were required to affect significantly spontaneous FSH than LH surges. Further, as plasma levels of P increased, the onset of release of both gonadotropins occurred earlier in the afternoon of Day 3. When plasma P levels were increased above 17 ng/ml, further facilitation of either gonadotropin surge was not observed. Regardless of the plasma P levels present on Day 3, this steroid did not inhibit spontaneous LII surges on this day. In contrast, the absence of spontaneous gonadotropin surges on Day 4 was related to P concentrations present in plasma on Days 3 and 4. In a separate experiment, the pituitary LH responses to 2 i.v. pulse injections of LHRII spaced 120 mm apart were evaluatedin 2 week OVX animals given E2, E2 P or no steroid pretreatment. Both steroid treated groups released more LI-I than did nonsteroid treated animals in response to either LURITI injection. As well, pituitary LH responses to LHRI1 in E2 and E2 P treated rats were greater after the second than after the first injection. However, P treatment of E2 primed animals tended to enhance the self-priming action of LHRH. These data demonstrate that: 1) low physiological P levels can facilitate spontaneous LU and FSH surges on Day 3 as well as inhibit these discharges on Day 4 in E2 primed animals; 2) these P-induced responses are dose dependent; and 3) the facilitory action of P is exerted on CNS neurons and possibly on pituitary gonadotrophs.
TL;DR: Analysis of culture of isolated pig oocytes in the presence of follicular cells or follicular fluid indicates that the effect of partially purified OMI upon meiosis may be mediated by the cumulus cells.
Abstract: The mammalian oocyte becomes arrested at the diplotene stage of the first meiotic division during prenatal or early postnatal life. It remains arrested in meiosis until shortly before ovulation when the surge of gonadotropin induces resumption and completion of meiosis to the metaphase II stage. When oocytes are harvested from medium-sized or large follicles of pig and other species and cultured, they resume meiosis spontaneously indicating that the follicles exert an inhibitory influence on meiosis. To analyze the control of meiosis by follicular components, culture of isolated pig oocytes in the presence of follicular cells or follicular fluid (FF1) has been used as a model in this laboratory. An oocyte maturation inhibitor (OMI) has been isolated and partially purified by ultrafiltration and gel chromatography of FF1 and shown to be a polypetide with a molecular weight in the order of 2000 daltons. Physiological characterization has shown that the effect of OMI in vitro is reversible and that it can be overcome by luteinizing hormone (LH). The action of OMI requires the presence of cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte since it was found that denuded oocytes, stripped of cumulus cells, do not respond to OMI. Furthermore, when cumulus-enclosed oocytes were cultured, OMI inhibited the differentiation of the cumulus cells in terms of morphology and progesterone secretion in a dose-related manner. The inhibition of cumulus differentiation by OMI was reversible and could be overcome by LH. The results indicate that the effect of partially purified OMI upon meiosis may be mediated by the cumulus cells.
TL;DR: Pups of dams feeding the ETOH diet showed retardation in growth indices and brain weight at various ages when compared to pups of equivalent age from dams fed the IE diet, which impaired the physical growth of their offspring more than those changes caused by nitritional deprivation.
Abstract: The effects of ethanol on the physical development and maturation of the CNS in the offspring of lactating rats were investigated. Dams were fed: 1) regular stock diet (control), 2) liquid diet containing 35% of the calories as ethanol (ETOH) or 3) liquid diet with maltose-dextrin substituted for the calories supplied by ethanol (isoenergetic = IE). Diets were administered from the 14th day of gestation until 3 weeks post-partum (pre- and post-natal exposure) or from birth until 3 weeks post-partum (post-natal exposure). Body weight, crown-rump length and tail length, as well as brain weight were followed longitudinally in the pups. The growth in the pups of dams fed ETOH diet and those fed IE diet were significantly less than that observed in the pups of control dams. Furthermore, pups of dams fed the ETOH diet showed retardation in growth indices and brain weight at various ages when compared to pups of equivalent age from dams fed the IE diet. Therefore, administration of ethanol to pregnant or lactating dams impaired the physical growth, including central nervous systems (CNS), of their offspring more than those changes caused by nitritional deprivation.
TL;DR: The similarity between the tumor and those reported in the literature raises the possibility that “uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex‐cord tumors” are actually stromomyomas, and the term “Stromomyoma” is proposed to designate this peculiar uterine tumor.
Abstract: We present a solitary uterine tumor that occurred in a 28-year-old woman who complained of vaginal bleeding Grossly, the tumor was well circumscribed and composed of lobulated tissue that varied from yellow, tan and soft, to white and rubbery At the light microscopic level, areas identical to those described and interpreted as sex-cord differentiation in a group of closely similar uterine tumors were found and obtained for electron microscopic study Ultrastructurally, there were two basic types of cells, neither of which can be interpreted as sex-cord derivatives Cells that closely resembled the predominant components of Clement and Scully's group I tumors were similar to the normal endometrial stromal cells Cells that formed plexiform cords demonstrated features diagnostic of smooth muscle cells Cellular contents in cells comprising the tubular structures resembling that interpreted as indistinguishable from that of a Sertoli-cell tumor (tubular androblastoma) were probably smooth muscle cells We propose the term "Stromomyoma" to designate this peculiar uterine tumor The similarity between our tumor and those reported in the literature raises the possibility that "uterine tumor resembling" ovarian sex-cord tumors" are actually stromomyomas
TL;DR: The retention of a low level of residual reactogenicity in the A/Scotland/74 ca recombinant suggests that acquisition of the ca and temperature-sensitive phenotypes by a ca recombination virus may not always bring about a satisfactory level of attenuation for individuals lacking hemagglutinin immunity.
Abstract: Influenza A/Scotland/74 (H3N2) and A/Victoria/75 (H3N2) cold-adapted (ca) recombinant viruses, prepared by mating the A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) ca donor virus and influenza A wild-type virus, were evaluated in adult seronegative volunteers (serum hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titer, ≤1:8) for level of attenuation, antigenicity, and genetic stability of the temperature-sensitive and ca phenotypes. At 107.0 to 107.5 50% tissue culture infective doses the A/Scotland/74 and A/Victoria/75 ca recombinant viruses were clearly attenuated and antigenic. However, one of eight vaccinees infected with 107.5 50% tissue culture infective doses of the A/Scotland/74 ca recombinant had a febrile reaction (39°C). At a 10-fold higher dose (108.5 50% tissue culture infective doses), 4 of 12 A/Scotland/74 vaccinees had a febrile and/or systemic reaction. Febrile reactions were not observed in volunteers who received the A/Victoria/75 ca recombinant virus, whereas 3 of the 12 vaccinees had mild upper respiratory tract symptoms, in one instance associated with mild systemic manifestations. Significantly, the serum hemagglutination- and neuraminidase-inhibiting antibody responses were comparable to those induced by wild-type virus. Both ca recombinant viruses were shed in low titer for a short period of time. Each isolate retained the temperature-sensitive phenotype. However, there was evidence of genetic instability of the ca marker in that 7 of 24 isolates exhibited some loss of the ca property, and one isolate completely lost the capacity to produce plaques at 25°C. The retention of a low level of residual reactogenicity in the A/Scotland/74 ca recombinant suggests that acquisition of the ca and temperature-sensitive phenotypes by a ca recombinant virus may not always bring about a satisfactory level of attenuation for individuals lacking hemagglutinin immunity.
TL;DR: With this study, reasonably confident that exposure of subjects with asthma and chronic bronchitis to 0.5 ppm NO2 for 2 hr does not produce a significant decrement in their pulmonary function is reasonably confident.