Showing papers by "University of Texas Medical Branch published in 1993"
TL;DR: Overall work productivity was significantly related to general health perceptions and the global measures of interference with regular activity, and the self-administered questionnaire had adequate reproducibility but less construct validity than interviewer administration.
Abstract: The construct validity of a quantitative work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) measure of health outcomes was tested for use in clinical trials, along with its reproducibility when administered by 2 different methods. 106 employed individuals affected by a health problem were randomised to receive either 2 self-administered questionnaires (self administration) or one self-administered questionnaire followed by a telephone interview (interviewer administration). Construct validity of the WPAI measures of time missed from work, impairment of work and regular activities due to overall health and symptoms, were assessed relative to measures of general health perceptions, role (physical), role (emotional), pain, symptom severity and global measures of work and interference with regular activity. Multivariate linear regression models were used to explain the variance in work productivity and regular activity by validation measures. Data generated by interviewer-administration of the WPAI had higher construct validity and fewer omissions than that obtained by self-administration of the instrument. All measures of work productivity and activity impairment were positively correlated with measures which had proven construct validity. These validation measures explained 54 to 64% of variance (p < 0.0001) in productivity and activity impairment variables of the WPAI. Overall work productivity (health and symptom) was significantly related to general health perceptions and the global measures of interference with regular activity. The self-administered questionnaire had adequate reproducibility but less construct validity than interviewer administration. Both administration methods of the WPAI warrant further evaluation as a measure of morbidity.
2,100 citations
TL;DR: The physician's degree of resourcefulness, i.e., the ability to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations, is important for changing the health behaviors of patients within the constraints of a brief office visit, was in short supply among primary care physicians selected for their interest in preventive medicine.
Abstract: The physician's degree of resourcefulness, i.e., the ability to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations, is important for changing the health behaviors of patients within the constraints of a brief office visit. This quality, however, was in short supply among 15 primary care physicians selected for their interest in preventive medicine. The physicians tended to rely on a single approach for changing specific health behaviors of patients, restricted referrals to community services and other health specialists, relied almost exclusively on fear for motivating patients and expressed considerable pessimism about changing the health behaviors of older patients. The physicians uniformly reported that their inadequate education and the lack of reimbursement influenced how they counseled their patients. A good place to begin to rectify this situation is the required reading of the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services for medical students and residents, and continuing education opportunities for practic...
2,030 citations
TL;DR: The increased morbidity and mortality related to severe trauma to an extracranial organ system appeared primarily attributable to associated hypotension, and improvements in trauma care delivery over the past decade have not markedly altered the adverse influence of hypotension.
Abstract: As triage and resuscitation protocols evolve, it is critical to determine the major extracranial variables influencing outcome in the setting of severe head injury. We prospectively studied the outcome from severe head injury (GCS score < or = 8) in 717 cases in the Traumatic Coma Data Bank. We investigated the impact on outcome of hypotension (SBP < 90 mm Hg) and hypoxia (Pao2 < or = 60 mm Hg or apnea or cyanosis in the field) as secondary brain insults, occurring from injury through resuscitation. Hypoxia and hypotension were independently associated with significant increases in morbidity and mortality from severe head injury. Hypotension was profoundly detrimental, occurring in 34.6% of these patients and associated with a 150% increase in mortality. The increased morbidity and mortality related to severe trauma to an extracranial organ system appeared primarily attributable to associated hypotension. Improvements in trauma care delivery over the past decade have not markedly altered the adverse influence of hypotension. Hypoxia and hypotension are common and detrimental secondary brain insults. Hypotension, particularly, is a major determinant of outcome from severe head injury. Resuscitation protocols for brain injured patients should assiduously avoid hypovolemic shock on an absolute basis.
1,977 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that, whereas carbohydrate availability is regulated directly in relation to exercise intensity, the regulation of lipid metabolism seems to be more complex.
Abstract: Stable isotope tracers and indirect calorimetry were used to evaluate the regulation of endogenous fat and glucose metabolism in relation to exercise intensity and duration. Five trained subjects were studied during exercise intensities of 25, 65, and 85% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Plasma glucose tissue uptake and muscle glycogen oxidation increased in relation to exercise intensity. In contrast, peripheral lipolysis was stimulated maximally at the lowest exercise intensity, and fatty acid release into plasma decreased with increasing exercise intensity. Muscle triglyceride lipolysis was stimulated only at higher intensities. During 2 h of exercise at 65% VO2max plasma-derived substrate oxidation progressively increased over time, whereas muscle glycogen and triglyceride oxidation decreased. In recovery from high-intensity exercise, although the rate of lipolysis immediately decreased, the rate of release of fatty acids into plasma increased, indicating release of fatty acids from previously hydrolyzed triglycerides. We conclude that, whereas carbohydrate availability is regulated directly in relation to exercise intensity, the regulation of lipid metabolism seems to be more complex.
1,700 citations
487 citations
TL;DR: Infusion of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis during pregnancy causes hypertension and fetal growth retardation, without affecting gestational length, which indicates that an alteration in nitrics oxide synthesis may be one of the factors responsible for this disorder.
429 citations
TL;DR: All well-known types of cutaneous receptors, except warm receptors, exist in the foot skin of the rat, indicating that those regions may have a spatial discriminating capacity.
Abstract: 1. A total of 574 cutaneous afferent units in the sural and plantar nerves supplying the skin of the rat foot was examined: 399 A beta-units, 55 A delta-units, and 120 C-units. Their receptive-field (RF) properties were similar to those described in other mammals. However, the receptor type composition of units was different between the two nerves. 2. The sural A beta-fiber sample (n = 160) consisted of G-hair (41%), field (11%), rapidly adapting (RA; 6%), slowly adapting type I (SA-I; 7%), and type II (SA-II; 35%) mechanoreceptors. The plantar A beta-fiber sample (n = 239) was composed of G-hair (3%), RA (35%), SA-I (30%), SA-II (24%), and Pacinian corpuscle (PC; 8%) mechanoreceptors. 3. The RFs of SA-II units were located on both hairy and glabrous skin overlying the foot joints. Many of the SA-II units responded to movement of the foot joints. The RFs of both SA-I and RA units were small in size and located in high density on the toe tips and footpads. PC units were very sensitive to vibration and had extremely large RFs as in other species, although they were rare and found only in the plantar nerve. Field units were similar to SA-II units in response properties and RF distribution. 4. The sural A delta-fiber sample (n = 44) included nociceptors (68%), D-hair (27%), and cold (5%) receptors. All sampled plantar A delta-fibers (n = 11) were nociceptors. Of A delta-nociceptor units, A delta-mechanical nociceptors (73%) were dominant. 5. The sural C-fiber sample (n = 85) included nociceptors (44%), C-mechanoreceptors (33%), and cold receptors (21%). The plantar C-fiber sample (n = 35) included nociceptors (77%) and cold receptors (23%). No warm units were found among either the sural or plantar nerve fibers. Of C-nociceptors, C-mechanoheat nociceptors (80%) were dominant. 6. The results indicate that all well-known types of cutaneous receptors, except warm receptors, exist in the foot skin of the rat. On the basis of the fact that RFs of RA and SA-I units are in high density on the toe tips and footpads, it is suggested that those regions may have a spatial discriminating capacity. It is also suggested that SA-II receptors may play a role in proprioception, because they have RFs on the skin over foot joints and respond to joint movement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
409 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is established that RANTES is a chemotactic and activating factor for eosinophils, unlike IL-3, who did not affect the survival of eos in a 4-day culture system.
Abstract: RANTES is a member of the 8-kDa cytokine family that has been shown to possess chemotactic activity for monocytes and CD4 T cells. In this study, we investigated whether RANTES could affect eosinophil chemotaxis and function. Peripheral blood eosinophils from blood donors were isolated on Percoll gradients to > 98% purity and then used for chemotaxis, flow cytometry, eosinophil cationic protein release assay, and survival assay. We found that RANTES is chemotactic for eosinophils at 10(-9) to 10(-8) M concentrations. RANTES elicited 65% of the chemotactic response to 10(-7) M platelet-activating factor in all experiments. The mechanism of chemotaxis was investigated by studying the expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophils by flow cytometry. We found that RANTES up-regulated the expression of CD11b/CD18 on eosinophils in a dose-dependent manner. In another set of experiments, purified eosinophils incubated with various concentrations of RANTES released eosinophil cationic protein as measured by a RIA. We also investigated the effect of RANTES on eosinophil density. Leukocytes were incubated in the presence or absence of RANTES, and the distribution of eosinophils on discontinuous Percoll gradients was then examined. We found that eosinophils became hypodense (< 1.085) when incubated in RANTES. However, unlike IL-3, RANTES did not affect the survival of eosinophils in a 4-day culture system. Thus, we established that RANTES is a chemotactic and activating factor for eosinophils.
344 citations
TL;DR: RyR adaptation may represent a molecular control mechanism for smoothly graded Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release in heart and may be a fundamental feature of channels, including the inositol triphosphate receptor, that are involved in intracellular Ca2- signaling in many cell types.
Abstract: Adaptation of single cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels was demonstrated by application of the caged calcium ion (Ca2+) methodology. In contrast to conventional desensitization found in surface membrane ligand-gated channels, single cardiac RyR channels adapted to maintained Ca2+ stimuli, preserving their ability to respond to a second (larger) Ca2+ stimulus. RyR adaptation may represent a molecular control mechanism for smoothly graded Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release in heart and may be a fundamental feature of channels, including the inositol triphosphate receptor, that are involved in intracellular Ca2+ signaling in many cell types.
318 citations
TL;DR: The XPD gene was initially named ERCC2 (excision repair cross complementing) as it was cloned using human DNA to complement the ultraviolet sensitivity of a rodent cell line as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: XERODERMA pigmentosum (XP), a genetically heterogeneous human disease, results from a defect in nucleotide excision repair of ultraviolet-damaged DNA. XP patients are extremely sensitive to sunlight and suffer from a high incidence of skin cancers. Cell fusion studies have identified seven XP complementation groups, A–G1–3. Group D is of particular interest as mutations in this gene can also cause Cockayne's syndrome and trichothiodystrophy4. The XPD gene was initially named ERCC2 (excision repair cross complementing) as it was cloned using human DNA to complement the ultraviolet sensitivity of a rodent cell line5. We have purified the XPD protein to near homogeneity and show that it possesses single-stranded DNA-dependent ATPase and DNA helicase activities. We tested whether XPD can substitute for its yeast counterpart RAD3, which is essential for excision repair and for cell viability6. Expression of the XPD gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can complement the lethality defect of a mutation in the RAD3 gene6, suggesting that XPD is an essential gene in humans.
305 citations
TL;DR: The results of behavioral tests performed after various surgical manipulations suggest that peripheral nerve injury itself is the critical factor for the development of behavioral signs of neuropathic pain.
TL;DR: Data in this large study and among a previous randomized sample, support a policy of early operative drainage before the development of irreversible functional impairment in patients with chronic pancreatitis and associated dilation of the main pancreatic duct.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of operative drainage of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) on functional derangements associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The author previously reported delayed functional impairment in an evaluation of the impact of operative drainage in patients with CP. The author now reports on a prospective study of 143 patients with this diagnosis. METHODS: Each patient underwent 1) ERCP, 2) the Bentiromide PABA, 3) 72-hour fecal fat test, 4) oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 5) fat meal (LIPOMUL)--stimulated pancreatic polypeptide release (PP). All patients were stratified as mild/moderate (M/M) or severe CP on the basis of a 5-point system that was developed by the author. Patients were studied at 16-month intervals. RESULTS: All 143 patients underwent initial and follow-up evaluations in a mean follow-up of 47.3 months; 83 of 143 patients had M/M grade at initial evaluation. Eighty-seven patients underwent (MPD) decompression to relieve abdominal pain. In a separate prospective 17 patients with a diagnosis of CP, a grade of M/M and non-disabling abdominal pain were randomized to operative or non-operative treatment; 9 of these randomized patients were operated upon and 8 were not. No patient improved their grade during follow-up; 47 of 83 M/M patients had operative drainage and 36 did not. This grade was preserved in 41 of 47 (87%) operated patients but in only 8 of the 36 non-operated patients (22%). In the randomized trial, seven of nine operated patients retained their functional status in follow-up, whereas only two of eight patients (25%) randomized to non-operation preserved their functional grade. CONCLUSIONS: These data in this large study as well as among a previous randomized sample, support a policy of early operative drainage before the development of irreversible functional impairment in patients with chronic pancreatitis and associated dilation of the main pancreatic duct.
TL;DR: Analysis of the incidence and distribution of anatomic features, arthrosis, chondromalacia, and soft tissue lesions in 393 wrists found a significant correlation between the existence of cartilage erosion at the proximal pole of the hamate and the presence of a lunate facet.
Abstract: We dissected 393 wrists to evaluate the incidence and distribution of anatomic features, arthrosis, chondromalacia, and soft tissue lesions. The data were then analyzed for any statistically significant associations among the different variables. The most common (73%) lunate morphology had a separate medial facet on its distal surface for the hamate. The capitate had a separate facet for the fourth metacarpal in 86% of the wrists. Fourth metacarpals with a dorsal radial facet, either separate from or connected to the rest of the fourth metacarpal base, were the most common types of fourth metacarpal. Cartilage erosion with exposed subchondral bone was identified in 58% of the wrists. It was most commonly at the proximal pole of the hamate (28%). Tears of the ligaments and/or the triangular fibrocartilage complex were identified in 56% of the wrists. The triangular fibrocartilage complex was found torn in 36% of the wrists. The lunotriquetral interosseous ligament was torn in 36% of the wrists, and the scapholunate interosseous ligament was torn in 28% of the wrists. There was a communication between the proximal wrist joint and the pisotriquetral joint in 88% of the 76 wrists, which were further dissected to assess this issue. Statistical analysis of the data found a significant correlation between the presence of cartilage erosion at the proximal pole of the hamate and the presence of a lunate facet. There was also a significant correlation between the presence of a tear in the scapholunate interosseous ligament and the presence of cartilage erosion in the scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid joint. Analysis of the paired wrists from 169 cadavers revealed that the same soft tissue tear or combination of tears was present bilaterally in 39% of the pairs. Cartilage erosion was present bilaterally in the same location or locations in 27% of the pairs.
TL;DR: There is significant homology between the HA synthase and the Rhizobium nodC gene product, an enzyme that synthesizes chitin-like oligomers, this is the first description at the molecular level of an enzyme shown to synthesize a glycosaminoglycan.
TL;DR: It is shown that deletion of the ub-like domain impairs the DNA repair function of RAD23 and that this domain can be functionally substituted by the authentic ubiquitin sequence.
Abstract: In eukaryotes, the posttranslational conjugation of ubiquitin to various cellular proteins marks them for degradation. Interestingly, several proteins have been reported to contain ubiquitin-like (ub-like) domains that are in fact specified by the DNA coding sequences of the proteins. The biological role of the ub-like domain in these proteins is not known; however, it has been proposed that this domain functions as a degradation signal rendering the proteins unstable. Here, we report that the product of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD23 gene, which is involved in excision repair of UV-damaged DNA, bears a ub-like domain at its amino terminus. This finding has presented an opportunity to define the functional significance of this domain. We show that deletion of the ub-like domain impairs the DNA repair function of RAD23 and that this domain can be functionally substituted by the authentic ubiquitin sequence. Surprisingly, RAD23 is highly stable, and the studies reported herein indicate that its ub-like domain does not mediate protein degradation. Thus, in RAD23 at least, the ub-like domain affects protein function in a nonproteolytic manner.
TL;DR: It is found that beta-pol can completely fill gaps and that the gap-filling activity on substrates with gaps of up to 6 nucleotides is highly processive rather than distributive; processive synthesis to fill a gap strictly required 5'-phosphate on the 5'-moiety of the gap.
01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: Evidence on condom effectiveness in reducing the risk of heterosexually transmitted human HIV is reviewed and efficacy may be much lower than commonly assumed, although results should be viewed tentatively due to design limitations in the original studies.
TL;DR: The data suggest that the rats in the model exhibit behavioral signs of neuropathic pain that are sympathetically maintained, which is in contrast to previous work which suggested that these signs were driven by mechanical allodynia.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sympathectomy on our previously developed animal model for neuropathic pain. The neuropathy was produced by a unilateral tight ligation of the L5 and L6 spinal nerves in 81 rats, all of which showed a marked increase in frequency of paw lifting in response to innocuous mechanical stimuli and a shortened latency of paw withdrawal in response to noxious radiant heat stimuli on the affected limb. We interpreted these as behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Surgical sympathectomy was performed by removing the sympathetic chain bilaterally from the L2 to L6 levels at 1 week prior to and 1, 3 and 5 weeks after nerve injury. In addition, the effect of sympathetic block was tested by systemically injecting guanethidine or phentolamine. Surgical sympathectomy relieved the signs of both mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. The effect of sympathectomy for mechanical allodynia is estimated to be almost fully expressed within 30 min after the operation. Sympathetic block by chemical agents reversibly relieved the mechanical allodynia. These data suggest that the rats in our model exhibit behavioral signs of neuropathic pain that are sympathetically maintained.
TL;DR: Although there was no obvious atresia as described in human infants, the obstruction in immunocompetent BALB/c infant mice infected with a human or animal strain of group A rotavirus was strikingly similar to those seen in the liver of the human infant with biliary atResia.
Abstract: Extrahepatic biliary atresia is a devastating disease occurring in 1 in 10,000 to 14,000 infants annually in the United States. We have recently described preliminary data suggesting an association of group C rotavirus with biliary atresia in two infants. However, a group C rotavirus animal model of biliary atresia is not presently available. On the other hand, some strains of the better-characterized and much more common group A rotaviruses produce hepatobiliary disease in infant mice. This disease shares many characteristics of the human infection. The present report describes extrahepatic biliary obstruction in immunocompetent BALB/c infant mice infected with a human or animal strain of group A rotavirus. Two-d-old BALB/c mice orally inoculated with hepatobiliary tropic rotavirus were shown to have active virus replication in the biliary tract and liver as early as 48 h postinoculation. At approximately 7 d postinoculation, between one fourth and one half of infant mice, depending on the virus strain, showed signs of inflammation and swelling in the bile ducts. The obstruction was complete in about one half of symptomatic animals. Although there was no obvious atresia as described in human infants, the obstruction was irreversible about 50% of the time, and the resulting fibrosis and bile ductular proliferation in the liver were strikingly similar to those seen in the liver of the human infant with biliary atresia.
TL;DR: The increase in GH at puberty in males appears to be due to an estrogen-dependent mechanism, and the suppressive effect of DHT on GH secretion may bedue to either suppression of estradiol production or a direct effect.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of androgenic and estrogenic mechanisms in the stimulation of structural growth and plasma GH in male puberty. To resolve these two possible mechanisms, we compared the effect of two androgens in the treatment of constitutional delay in growth and adolescence: an aromatizable androgen, testosterone (T), and a nonaromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Nine adolescent males, Tanner stage 1 or 2, were studied before and during treatment with T enanthate (group A) or DHT heptanoate (group B). After 2.5 months of treatment, the height velocity (HV) was 12.6 +/- 2.8 cm/yr (n = 3) in group A and 8.9 +/- 1.7 cm/yr (n = 6) in group B, both within the range of peak HV for pubertal males. In group A, the integrated concentration of GH (ICGH) increased from 3.12 +/- 0.90 to 13.67 +/- 6.0 micrograms/L (P < 0.05), and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGFI) increased from 126.7 +/- 2.5 to 350.3 +/- 20.3 micrograms/L (P < 0.01); plasma T increased from 0.8 +/- 0.5 to 33.8 +/- 11.0 nmol/L (P < 0.001), and the LH response to LHRH decreased from 27.6 +/- 10.7 to 5.9 +/- 2.5 IU/L (P = NS). In group B, ICGH decreased from 4.32 +/- 0.61 to 2.39 +/- 0.42 (P < 0.025), and IGF-I decreased from 218.3 +/- 39.2 to 184.0 +/- 15.8 (P = NS). Plasma T increased from 2.0 +/- 0.5 to 2.7 +/- 0.8 (P = NS), and the LH response to LHRH decreased from 45.7 +/- 14.5 to 10.7 +/- 5.8 (P < 0.05). To further evaluate the mechanism of the effect of DHT on plasma GH, seven male subjects with adolescent gynecomastia were treated with DHT heptanoate, and their responses were studied at 1 week and 3.5 months. ICGH decreased in conjunction with a decrease in the integrated T concentration (r = -0.77; P < 0.001) and to a slight degree with decreasing plasma estradiol (r = -0.39; P < 0.2). Plasma IGF-I did not show a significant change in the subjects with gynecomastia. Thus, the increase in GH at puberty in males appears to be due to an estrogen-dependent mechanism. The suppressive effect of DHT on GH secretion may be due to either suppression of estradiol production or a direct effect. Acceleration of HV into the peak pubertal range by DHT without an increase in plasma GH suggests that an increase in GH is not necessary for the pubertal growth spurt.
TL;DR: The three most potent predictors for returning to work or school were intactness of the patient's verbal intellectual power, speed of information processing and age.
Abstract: Outcome as a function of employment status or return to school was evaluated in severely head-injured patients. A priori we selected the most salient demographic, physiological, neuropsychological and psychosocial outcome predictors with the aim of identifying which of there variables captured at baseline or 6 months would best predict employability at 6 or 12 months. Based on the patients evaluated at 6 months, 18% of former workers had returned to gainful employment and 62% of former students had returned to school. For those not back to work or school at 6 months, 31% of the former workers and 66% of the former students had returned by 12 months. Age, length of coma, speed for both attending and motor movements, spatial integration, and intact vocabulary were all significantly related to returning to work or school. The three most potent predictors for returning to work or school were intactness of the patient's verbal intellectual power, speed of information processing and age.
TL;DR: Since inflammation of the knee joint does not involve the foot pad, the heat hyperalgesia observed during the first 24 h following induction of arthritis represents a central neuronal sensitization.
Abstract: An experimental arthritis induced by injection of kaolin and carrageenan into the knee joint resulted in a temporal relationship between glutamate dorsal horn content and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) which was positively correlated. Limping, guarding, increased response to heat stimuli (hyperalgesia) and altered staining patterns for glutamate (GLU), substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were monitored in the awake behaving arthritic rat over a 1 week time course. A decrease in PWL occurred on the side ipsilateral to the inflamed knee as early as 4 h after the induction of arthritis indicating the animals are hyperalgesic. The PWL remained decreased through the first 24 h. Computer-assisted quantification of the density of immunohistochemical staining indicated the content of GLU, SP and CGRP was altered differentially throughout the time course of the arthritis. The changes observed for all three substances occurred across the entire superficial dorsal horn. There was an initial depletion of SP followed by an increase in both SP and CGRP content which was maintained through 1 week. The GLU content was increased during the hyperalgesic period. The GLU changes followed the same time course and were positively correlated with the changes in PWL. In a small group of animals injected with kaolin and carrageenan, hyperalgesia did not develop. In this group of animals, no change in dorsal horn GLU or SP content occurred. Rather, there was an increase in CGRP content in the middle portion of the superficial dorsal horn which is the termination site of knee joint afferents. These data indicate that the development of heat hyperalgesia is dependent on GLU and possibly SP. Since inflammation of the knee joint does not involve the foot pad, the heat hyperalgesia observed during the first 24 h following induction of arthritis represents a central neuronal sensitization.
TL;DR: Results show that an L-arginine-nitric oxide-relaxation system is present in the uterus and it inhibits contractility during pregnancy but not during labor.
Abstract: Nitric Oxide mediates various biological phenomena, including vascular smooth muscle relaxation. In the present study, we sought to determine if an L-arginine nitric oxide-relaxation system is present in the uterus and if it modulates contractility during pregnancy. The substrate and a donor of nitric oxide and nitric oxide gas caused substantial relaxation of the spontaneous contractility of tissues from the rat uterus in vitro during pregnancy. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and soluble guanylate cyclase reversed the relaxation effects of L-arginine. Nitric oxide was produced by the uterus in organ culture. Relaxation effects of L-arginine on the pregnant rat uterus were diminished at the time of spontaneous labor and postpartum. Nitric oxide production was also substantially reduced during labor. These results show that an L-arginine-nitric oxide-relaxation system is present in the uterus and it inhibits contractility during pregnancy but not during labor.
TL;DR: Intracellular current-clamp recordings were made from neurons of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala of the rat, and BLA neurons may be characterized by their specific electrophysiological properties as well as by their morphological traits, permitting assessment of signal transduction in identified populations of neurons within this nucleus.
Abstract: 1. Intracellular current-clamp recordings were made from neurons of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) of the rat in the in vitro slice preparation. Neurons were identified morphological...
TL;DR: Cognitive impairment was more consistently present on the various outcome measures in children who were 6 to 10 years old at the time of the study than in the older children and adolescents.
Abstract: • To investigate the relationship between cognitive sequelae and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings following closed head injury of varying severity in the pediatric age range, 76 head-injured children and adolescents were studied at least 3 months after trauma and compared with 57 normal controls. Problem solving, planning, verbal and design fluency, memory, and response modulation were assessed. Significant effects of injury were obtained on all of the cognitive measures. Cognitive impairment was more consistently present on the various outcome measures in children who were 6 to 10 years old at the time of the study than in the older children and adolescents. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed areas of abnormal signal in the frontal lobes of 42 patients, whereas focal lesions restricted to the extrafrontal region were found in 15 children. Regression analyses disclosed that taking into account the size of frontal lobe lesion enhanced the relationship between cognitive performance and the severity of injury.
TL;DR: For a decrease in the amount of time with OME during the first 2 years of life, prolonged breast-feeding and upright feeding position should be encouraged, and cigarette smoke exposure should be minimized, and Limiting early child care in large groups might also be advisable.
TL;DR: Because of the decreasing morbidity and increasing efficacy, embolization should be attempted at the time of arteriography as a means of treatment for most arteriovenous malformations and fistulas.