Genital-tract infection and disease in nude and immunologically competent mice after inoculation of a human strain of Chlamydia trachomatis.

A fast, human strain of Chlamydia trachomatis was introduced into the uterus of progesterone-treated CBA mice and congenic CBA nude mice through the uterine wall or via the cervical canal. The numbers of inclusions produced by samples taken from the vagina of the nude mice were significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than those produced by samples from immunologically competent normal mice. However, the infection was self-limited, lasting about 60 days, and there was no statistical difference in its duration in the nude and normal mice despite the failure of the former to mount a chlamydial antibody response. In contrast, 14 of 18 normal mice had developed a 4-fold or greater rise in the titre of IgG antibody 14 days after inoculation. A serum titre of 1:512 or greater was attained in 15 of these mice, and high titres persisted for 69 days or longer after inoculation. The numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in vaginal smears from both normal and nude mice increased by 12 days after inoculation, indicating an inflammatory cell response. However, interpretation of the cellular response after the 40th day was difficult because of recommencement of the oestrous cycle. The results indicate that T lymphocytes and T-lymphocyte-dependent antibody have little effect on the course of the self-limited chlamydial genital infection.     

Cervical ripening in guinea-pigs after a local application of nitric oxide

In humans cervical ripening is an inflammatory reaction accompanied by an infiltration of white blood cells and the remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Similar changes occur in guinea-pigs during cervical ripening. Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to be important in the maintenance of pregnancy because it is synthesized by the uterus and inhibits contractility. Previous studies in rats also demonstrated that an NO generating system is present in the cervix and is up-regulated during labour. We studied the local effect of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on cervical ripening in guinea-pigs during advanced pregnancy. SNP (5 mg/injection) was administered into the cervical canal in 0.2 ml phosphate-buffered saline containing 3% hydroxycellulose twice a day either for 1 [on day 42 post coitum (p.c.)] or 2 consecutive days (days 42-43 p.c.; term day 67 + 3 p.c.). The effects were assessed 24 h after treatment by both extensibility measurements (force resistance to incremental stretch) and morphological evaluation (light and electron microscopy after in-situ fixation). The control animals were treated with the vehicle. In another experiment, the guinea-pigs were subcutaneously (s.c.) treated on day 43 p.c. with either the progesterone antagonist onapristone (3 and 10 mg/animal s.c.) or with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (1 and 3 mg/animal s.c.) and the PGE2 analogue sulprostone (0.03 and 0.1 mg/animal s.c.). The cervical extensibility was measured 24 h later. One-day SNP treatment tended to reduce cervical resistance, but not significantly, whereas 2 day treatment with SNP led to a significant increase in cervical extensiblity (P < 0.05) with little effect on cervical dilatation (indirect evidence of the absence of uterine contractions). The effects on cervical resistance were comparable to those achieved with 10 mg onapristone and high-dose prostaglandins (PG)s (3 mg PGE2 and 0.1 mg sulprostone) treatment. An electron microscope study of the SNP-treated animals revealed a dissolution of collagen fibres, stromal oedema, arterial dilatation, and the infiltration of macrophages, lymphocytes and granulocytes. Numerous mast cells were also present. The morphological effects of SNP were similar to those observed during normal cervical ripening at term. We conclude that the local application of a NO donor effectively induces cervical ripening without inducing labour in pregnant guinea-pigs.      

Central nervous system development in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L. 1758)

The present study describes the embryonic and fetal development of the central nervous system in rabbits from the seventh day after conception until the end of the full-term fetal period. A total of 19 embryonic and fetal samples were carefully dissected and microscopically analyzed. Neural tube closure was observed between 7.5 and 8 days of gestation. Primordial encephalic vesicle differentiation and spinal canal delimitation were observed on the 12th day of gestation. Histologically, on the 15th day of gestation, the brain, cerebellum, and brain stem were delimited. On the 18th day of gestation, the cervical and lumbar intumescences of the spinal cord were visible. On the 28th day of gestation, four-cell layers could be distinguished in the cerebral cortex, while the cerebellar cortex was still differentiating. Overall, the morphological aspects of the embryonic and fetal developmental phases in rabbits were highly similar to those in humans. Thus, the present study provides relevant information highlighting rabbits as an excellent candidate animal model for preclinical research on human neurological diseases given the high adaptability of rabbits to bioterium conditions and the similarity of morphological events between rabbits and humans.     

Changes in nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the spinal cord of rat following induction of chronic arthritis

Nitric oxide (NO) possibly plays an important role in the events resulting in hyperalgesia. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is a key enzyme in the production of NO. In this study, the relationship between NOS and hyperalgesia in a rat chronic arthritis model was tested. Chronic arthritis was induced by injection of incomplete Freund’s adjuvant into the knee joint cavity unilaterally. The paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to radiant heat was used to detect secondary thermal hyperalgesia induced by the arthritis. After 1 day the PWL of the arthritic hindpaw decreased and it reached its nadir at 3 days after induction of arthritis. The lumbar and cervical enlargement of the spinal cord were removed in different groups of animals 3, 7, 14, or 21 days after induction of arthritis, and frozen tissue sections were cut. Two series of sections were incubated with polyclonal antibodies to neuronal NOS (nNOS) or to inducible NOS (iNOS). nNOS was found to increase gradually in laminae I–III in the lumber but not in the cervical enlargement. The change became most obvious 14 days after induction of arthritis as compared to the control animals. Ependymal cells around the central canal of the lumbar enlargement were more densely stained by anti-iNOS after arthritis. A corresponding change was also found in the cervical enlargement. Computer-assisted image analysis revealed that the mean density of the affected areas in the treated group increased significantly compared with the control animals. This study suggests that the expression of both nNOS and iNOS increase following induction of chronic arthritis, which in turn would presumably lead to an increase in the production of NO. This process could be involved in mediation of the secondary thermal hyperalgesia induced by chronic arthritis. Received: 10 June 1997 / Accepted: 8 September 1997     

颈椎内固定后早期炎症指标的变化趋势及临床意义

背景：脊柱内固定后感染是其严重并发症,多项研究表明血沉及C-反应蛋白在判断感染方面具有重要意义。目的：文章分析颈椎内固定后无感染患者血沉及C-反应蛋白的变化趋势。方法：回顾性分析2013年10月至2014年7月收治的颈椎内固定患者56例,根据内固定方式分为2组,颈椎前路组为行颈椎前路减压植骨融合内固定的患者29例,颈椎后路组为行颈椎后路单开门减压内固定患者27例。内固定前、内固定后第1,3,6,9天清晨采集患者外周血,检测血沉及C-反应蛋白值,随访超过1年,未出现感染迹象。结果与结论：①一般规律：颈椎内固定后,患者血沉在第6天显著升高并达到峰值,随后逐渐下降,第9天仍未降至正常;C-反应蛋白在第3天显著升高并达到峰值,随后迅速下降,第9天仍未降至正常;颈椎后路组患者内固定后第3,6,9天血沉水平明显高于颈椎前路组(P < 0.05),C-反应蛋白差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。②结果说明,C-反应蛋白是颈椎内固定后监测患者炎症反应的重要指标,有助于内固定后早期感染的判断。内固定后早期血沉及C-反应蛋白2种炎症指标的异常,并不提示内固定后刀口感染的存在。C-反应蛋白可在内固定后第3天达到峰值,建议在第2,3天查血,随后如无明显反弹,则感染可能性小;内固定后炎症指标下降后再次升高或下降缓慢,可能提示感染的存在。  中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程     

Changes in lymphocyte subsets after treatment with cyclophosphamide and during the development of contact sensitivity in the guinea pig

Changes in lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated in guinea pig lymph nodes during the development of contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and following the injection of cyclophosphamide (CY; 300 mg/kg) using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against guinea pig lymphocyte surface markers. Application of a sensitizing dose of DNFB to the ear resulted in a significant increase in the number of cells recovered from the draining auricular and cervical lymph nodes, 4 and 6 days post sensitization. A significant increase in the number of cells in the contralateral cervical node was found at day 6 but not at day 4. At 4 days postsensitization the proportions of Ia positive lymphocytes were higher than those of immunoglobulin positive B cells in the draining auricular and cervical node and the contralateral cervical lymph nodes suggesting T-cell "activation". Four and six days after sensitization there were no significant changes in the proportions of Pan T and T suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts/c) positive lymphocytes in the draining auricular and cervical lymph nodes. Although contact sensitivity is "classically" a T-cell mediated phenomenon there was a significant increase in the proportion of B cells found in the draining auricular node 4 days after sensitization as compared to the "normal" auricular node. 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after injection of CY there was a significant depletion in the proportion of B-lymphocytes in the cervical lymph node. This effect was maximal between 2 and 3 days after CY and was paralleled by an increase in the proportion of Pan T positive cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Postnatal development of the cervical epithelium in the Mongolian gerbil.

This study analyzes the postnatal development of the Mongolian gerbil's cervical epithelium, in relation to its future functions. In the newborn gerbil the outline of the cervical canal is smooth, showing hardly any signs of folding. The epithelium consists of 1 to 3 layers. The cervical cells have rounded apices of regular outline and contain a large amount of glycogen. The first secretory products of specific mucus type appear about day 23 postnatally (p.n.). Initially two types of vesicles can be identified, as compared with only one type in sexually mature animals. The process of mucification begins in the vagina and the external os of the cervix and spreads towards the cervical horns. The cervical canal, besides growing longer, becomes increasingly folded during development. At about day 50 p.n., with the onset of sexual maturity, an upper endocervix and a lower ectocervix can be distinguished within the cervical canal. In the fully mature animal, the endocervix consists of 4 to 5 layers, in which apical cells mucify and exfoliate. In the ectocervix, the epithelium can be divided into 4 to 5 basal layers and 5 to 7 upper layers which mucify, keratinize, and exfoliate, according to the cyclic phases of the vagina. Diapedesis of leucocytes through the epithelium starts around day 45 p.n.     

单开门椎管扩大成形联合mini钛板固定治疗颈椎管狭窄症

目的探讨单开门椎管扩大成形联合mini钛板固定治疗颈椎管狭窄症的临床效果。方法对37例mini钛板固定的单开门椎管扩大成形术患者进行随诊，术后平均随诊6个月，按JOA评分方法，评价术前、术后脊髓功能恢复及临床症状改善情况。结果37例患者术前、术后比较临床症状明显改善，X线显示内固定牢固。结论mini钛板固定的单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗颈椎管狭窄症是一可靠有效的方法。     

前路手术选择性治疗无骨折脱位的颈脊髓中央损伤综合征

目的探讨颈椎前路手术治疗无骨折脱位的颈脊髓中央损伤综合征的适应证和效果。方法回顾性分析自2004年1月以来我科收治的无骨折脱位的颈脊髓中央损伤综合征的病例资料,筛选其中21例接受前路减压植骨融合手术治疗的病例,根据影像学特点分为有1~3个节段的退变性颈椎管狭窄组17例和有4~5个节段的发育性颈椎管狭窄组4例,二组均施行颈椎前路椎间减压、植骨融合、内固定手术,前者行1~3个节段手术;后者施行2~4个节段手术。手术前后均采用ASIA评分系统评定神经功能。记录手术方式、融合节段、术前及术后神经功能、融合情况,判断颈椎前路手术治疗无骨折脱位的颈脊髓中央损伤综合征的适应证和效果。结果退变性颈椎管狭窄或者椎间盘突出的病例,接受前路减压植骨融合手术后ASIA评分有明显升高;发育性颈椎管狭窄的病例,接受严重受压的2~4个节段前路减压植骨融合手术后ASIA评分有一定恢复。结论对于非发育性颈椎管狭窄的颈脊髓中央损伤综合征患者,根据脊髓受压和局限性椎管狭窄的节段,实施1~3个节段的前路减压植骨融合手术可以起到减压并为神经功能恢复创造有利条件的目的 ;对于长节段发育性椎管狭窄病例,实施后路椎管成形术或者一期前后路联合手术是更好的选择。     

无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤解剖机制与治疗方式选择的探讨

目的探讨成人无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤解剖机制与治疗方式选择。方法通过回顾性病例对照研究,对我们医院2000～2009年43例无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤患者的临床资料进行分析。资料分为两组:A组为非手术组,共15例;B组为手术治疗组,共28例。A组又分为A1组:颈椎管内无压迫、椎管矢状径正常者,6例;A2组:颈椎管内存在致压,矢状径15mm者,9例。B组分为B1组:颈椎管内无压迫、椎管矢状径≥15mm者,共7例;B2组:颈椎管内存在致压,矢状径小于正常范围者,共21例。比较、A1与B1组、B1与B2组、A2与B2组之间在治疗前后JOA评分。结果各组在治疗后感觉及运动功能均较治疗前有明显提高(P0.05);B组(手术组)疗效明显优于A组(非手术组)(P0.05)。但A1与B1组、B1与B2组疗效的差异无统计学意义(P0.05);B2组的疗效明显优于A2组(P0.05);A1组的疗效明显优于A2组(P0.05)。结论对无骨折脱位型颈脊髓损伤,应根据受伤机制及影像学检查,有针对性地选择治疗方式,可以获得较好的临床结果。     

标本模拟微创颈椎管成形后椎管容积变化及临床意义

背景：单开门和双开门颈椎管扩大成形是目前治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的主要方法,但它们均存在棘突韧带复合体等结构破坏大甚至完全切除、可能影响疗效的问题。 目的：观察微创颈椎管成形后椎管容积的扩大情况,分析减压效果及临床疗效。 方法：①12个C5椎骨干燥标本模拟微创颈椎管成形,后移1,2,3 mm组双侧椎板“长条状”开槽、棘突及椎板均匀后移1,2,3 mm,以退让前为对照组。采用螺旋CT薄层扫描,并利用CT工作站的测量工具分别测量各组骨性椎管容积。②2010年9月至2011年9月,36例脊髓型颈椎病患者在郑州大学第一附属医院骨科行微创颈椎管成形治疗。按照日本矫形外科学会JOA评分法,自身对照评价治疗前后脊髓神经功能恢复情况。 结果与结论：①对照组骨性椎管容积平均为(1 592±331) mm3,后移1,2,3 mm组的骨性椎管容积分别平均为(1 727±357) mm3、(1 861±386) mm3、(2 001±416) mm3;后移1,2,3 mm组的椎管容积改善率分别为(8.53±1.05)%、(16.93±1.78)%、(25.75±2.97)%,各组之间比较差异均有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。②36例患者治疗前JOA评分为7.97±1.73,末次随访时JOA评分为13.14±1.74,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05),JOA评分平均改善率为(58.55±13.71)%,疗效评估优良率为83.3%(优9例,良21例,一般6例)。结果提示,标本模拟可较好反映微创颈椎管成形后的椎管容积变化,为其临床实现有效减压提供可靠的指导依据。     

Differential kinetics of serum and cervical insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 during mifepristone-misoprostol-induced medical termination of early pregnancy

The kinetics of cervical and circulating phosphoisoforms of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in normal and pathological early pregnancy are not well known. We investigated the profiles of IGFBP-1 in serum and in cervical secretion during medical termination of early pregnancy. Sixteen women requesting termination of pregnancy, with <63 days of amenorrhoea, received 200 mg of mifepristone on day 0, followed by either oral or vaginal administration of 0.8 mg of misoprostol on day 2. Serum and cervical swab samples, collected up to 6 weeks following the beginning of the treatment, were analysed for IGFBP-1 using two immunoenzymometric assays recognizing different patterns of IGFBP-1 phosphoisoforms. Serum mifepristone was also assayed. In the cervical samples, IGFBP-1 concentration, measured with both assays, increased substantially 2 days following administration of mifepristone. At 3 h after administration of misoprostol, IGFBP-1 had further increased several-fold in the cervix, but the increase was more pronounced as measured by the assay with preference for the amniotic fluid isoforms of IGFBP-1. A strong negative correlation was found between the time to abortion and the increase in cervical IGFBP-1 after administration of misoprostol, as measured by the assay preferring the phosphorylated isoforms of IGFBP-1. At 6 weeks, IGFBP-1 in the cervix had decreased to lower than pre-treatment levels, as measured by both assays. In serum, both assays showed a significant increase in IGFBP-1 concentrations after administration of mifepristone, and the highest values were measured on day 2, already before misoprostol administration. Thus, the kinetics of circulating and cervical IGFBP-1 differed from each other, indicating different sources and regulation of serum and cervical IGFBP-1.     

Auditory epithelial migration. III. development of the stratified squamous epithelium of the tympanic membrane and external canal in the mouse

The development of the stratified squamous epithelium of the tympanic membrane and external auditory canal was studied in serial sections of 124 mouse ears aged from 11 gestational days to 100 days. A fold developed from the edge of the fundus of the primary canal. It possessed two regions: firstly the meatal plate, which produced the pars tensa-covering epithelium (zone 2) and most of the deep ear canal epithelium (zone 3), and secondly the fundal extension plate, which grew from that part of the fundus not forming the meatal plate. The fundal extension plate gave rise to the pars flaccida-covering epithelium (zone 1) and also to the adjacent deep canal epithelium (zone 3). A difference from human development was that zone 3 in the mouse, in both the meatal plate-and the fundal extension plate-derived areas, formed adnexal structures. In the early development of the meatal plate, zone 3, at its tip, was swollen and actively mitotic and extended always for a short distance on to the zone 2 side. Zone 2, first perceived two days after zone 3, became progressively attenuated, and by the fourth day after its formation was a single thin layer. It is suggested that the proximal part of zone 3, situated in the mature ear around the periphery of the tympanic membrane, is a generation center for unidirectional outward flux of epithelium which terminates in the mouse at the first adnexal structure. It may cause the whole of zone 2 to move in the same direction by negative contact inhibition.     

改良远外侧入路治疗高颈段椎管内外病变

目的　总结改良远外侧入路治疗高颈段椎管内外病变的手术情况和并发症,以供参考。 方法　回顾性分析本院2016年1月~2018年10月经改良远外侧入路手术治疗高颈段椎管内外病变18例的临床资料。 结果　该入路术中所见,视野显露清晰、全面,既可充分显露颅颈交界区、高颈段脊髓腹侧病变,也可充分显露椎管内外沟通性肿瘤,所有肿瘤在显微镜下一次手术全切除。该入路对骨质的破坏较小;该组患者均保留了相应节段椎体的后正中张力带;关闭椎管过程中,将切开的肌肉对应缝合到相应的附着点,并消灭死腔,基本达到原态复位。该入路对脊柱的静态及动态稳定性影响较小,所有患者未行脊柱内固定手术。术后2例出现术区皮下积液,经腰大池穿刺外引流后皮下积液消失痊愈出院,无手术死亡病例,无颅内感染病例。末次随访时（随访期限2~34月）,18例患者均恢复良好（Karnofsky评分80分以上）,无不良预后,未发现有颈椎失稳的情况发生。 结论　改良的远外侧入路治疗高颈段椎管内外病变,具有良好的术区视野暴露,较低的并发症发生率;随访发现该入路对颈椎稳定性破坏不大。     

Development of mouse dorsal root ganglia: an autoradiographic and quantitative study

Summary Pulse labelling with tritiated thymidine was used to determine the cell birthdays of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in foetal mice. The peak number of cell birthdays occurred at 11.5 days foetal age in cervical DRGs, and at 12.5 days in lumbar DRGs. The satellite cells were becoming heavily labelled by day 13.5 in lumbar and some hours earlier in cervical regions. A very sharp peak of satellite cell labelling was seen at 13 days in the lumbar region. Evidence for the existence of more than one neuronal cell type is presented. The earliest cells to stop dividing were part of a widely spread distribution which included all the large neurons. The birthdays of the population of small neurons began later and continued for at least 48 h after division of the large cells had ceased.     

无症状成人颈椎管狭窄年龄相关性参数的研究

目的　研究无症状成人颈椎侧位X线片上椎管狭窄相关参数与年龄的相关性及其变化规律。 方法　选取无颈椎症状成人100例,按初次检查时年龄分为3组：第1组（20~39岁）,第2组（40~59岁）,第3组（60岁以上）,分别在2011年与2017年进行标准颈椎侧位X片检查。测量椎管狭窄参数：椎管矢状径,椎体中矢径,退变椎体矢状径,颈椎管率及有效颈椎管率。分析颈椎管率及有效颈椎管率与年龄之间的相关性,比较各组所有参数两次检查结果的差异。 结果　C3~7节段颈椎管率及有效颈椎管率均与年龄之间存在负相关;各组所有参数前后两次检查结果比较：椎管矢状径仅在组3中C3节段有统计学差异;椎体中矢径仅在组2中C5节段及组3中C6节段有统计学差异;退变椎体矢状径在组1中C5节段、组2中C3~7节段及组3中C4~6节段有统计学差异;颈椎管率在组1中C5节段、组2中C3~5节段及组3中C3~7节段有统计学差异;有效颈椎管率在组1中C5节段、组2及组3中C3~7节段均有统计学差异,其余无统计学差异。 结论　成人颈椎管率及有效颈椎管率与年龄相关,其在60岁以上人群中随年龄增长变化明显;有效颈椎管率判断椎管狭窄的进展更敏感。     

前路减压联合后路内镜手术在 “钳夹式”颈椎病治疗中的应用

目的 探讨颈椎前路减压植骨融合内固定(ACDF)联合后路内镜手术治疗“钳夹式”颈椎病的疗效。方法 回顾性分析。纳入2015年3月-2017年5月河北医科大学第三医院脊柱外科影像学及随访资料完整的28例“钳夹式”颈椎病患者,其中男15例、女13例,年龄33~71(52.214±8.234)岁。接受ACDF的15例患者纳入ACDF组。接受ACDF联合后路内镜手术的13例患者纳入联合手术组。对两组患者术后1年时的颈项部疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)及日本骨科协会(JOA)评分、颈椎曲度(Cobb角)、黄韧带面积、椎管矢状径、椎管面积、脊髓面积、椎间隙高度、轴性症状等临床及影像学指标进行比较。结果 两组患者性别、年龄、病程、术前临床表现(颈椎功能障碍指数)、手术节段等基线资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05)。两组患者术后各时间点VAS和JOA评分与术前相比,差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01)。联合手术组与ACDF组术后1年Cobb角(10.85°±2.79°、9.33°±3.48°)比较差异无统计学意义(t=-1.255, P＞0.05)。两组患者术后1年时黄韧带面积、椎管矢状径、椎管面积及脊髓面积组间比较差异均有统计学意义(t=9.403、-2.855、-8.007、-2.447, P值均＜0.05),且组内手术前后比较差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01)。术后1年椎间隙高度两组间比较差异无统计学意义(t=-0.534, P＞0.05),但组内手术前后比较差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01)。随访满1年时,两组患者术后轴性症状发生率差异无统计学意义(P=0.705)。结论 联合手术较传统颈椎前路手术,减压更加彻底,更加有利于脊髓功能的恢复,并有效避免了传统后路手术对颈后部软组织的损伤。     

Cell division in the developing sympathetic nervous system

Summary Cell division in the rat superior cervical and stellate ganglia has been followed from 6 days before birth until 14 days after birth by [³H] thymidine autoradiography. Neuronal division ceased at the postnatal day 4 in superior cervical ganglia and postnatal day 3 in stellate ganglia, whereas division of non-neuronal cells continued throughout the entire period studied. Dividing cells in both ganglia were predominantly neuronal before birth and non-neuronal after the postnatal day 3.Nerve growth factor treatment resulted in an increase in the number of neurons in the ganglia when given either over the first four postnatal days while neuronal division was still occurring or from postnatal days 6–8 after neuronal division had ceased. The increase in neuron numbers was not due to increased neuronal division and was apparently due to an increased survival rate of differentiated neurons. An increase in the rate of division of non-neuronal cells accompanied the administration of nerve growth factor.     

Multicentre study of effects of Org OD 14 on endometrium, vaginal cytology and cervical mucus in post-menopausal and oophorectomized women

A multicentre study covering 69 post-menopausal or oophorectomized women was performed to determine whether Org OD 14 ((7, 17)-17-hydroxy-7-methyl-19-norpregn-5(10)-en-20-yn-3-one) administered orally in a daily dose of 2.5 mg for 90 consecutive days induces endometrial proliferation. The treatment with Org OD 14 was continued in combination with 1 mg/day of lynestrenol from day 91 for 10 days to ascertain whether secretory transformation of the endometrium and subsequent withdrawal bleeding would occur. Endometrial biopsies were obtained before treatment and on day 91. The effects of Org OD 14 on vaginal mucosa and cervical mucus were also evaluated.

Org OD 14 did not display any effect on the endometrium in 56 of the study subjects (83.5%). Weak stimulation (initial proliferation) was seen in 11 of the subjects (16.4%) and withdrawal bleeding occurred in only 5 of these after cessation of the combined treatment with lynestrenol. However, moderate ‘oestrogenic’ effects on vaginal mucosa and cervical mucus were induced in all study subjects.     

Examination of spinal cord in diseases of the craniocervical junction and high cervical spine.

A simple necropsy technique for the removal of the craniocervical junction was devised: a relatively small specimen comprising part of the clivus, the foramen magnum, and cervical vertebral canal is removed in one piece with the medulla and spinal cord inside, and examined systematically after fixation. This method, used in a series of patients with chronic craniocervical instability, allows both good clinicopathological correlations to be made and histological changes in the lower medulla or upper cervical cord segments to be related to sites of extrinsic compression.