Chronic treatment of female rhesus monkeys with low doses of the antiprogestin ZK 137 316: establishment of a regimen that permits normal menstrual cyclicity

Large doses of antiprogestin typically disrupt menstrual cyclicity. A chronic low-dose regimen of the potent new antiprogestin ZK 137 316, which permits continued menstrual cyclicity but alters gonadal- reproductive tract activity, was established. Rhesus monkeys received vehicle (n = 6) or 0.01 (n = 8), 0.03 (n = 8) or 0.1 (n = 5) mg ZK 137 316/kg body weight daily for five menstrual cycles (C-1 to C-5). Oestradiol, progesterone and gonadotrophin profiles were normal during cycles involving vehicle and 0.01 and 0.03 mg ZK 137 316/kg body weight. In the 0.1 mg/kg group, mid-cycle oestradiol and gonadotrophin surges, and subsequent progesterone production, were absent in C-3 and C-5. Ovarian cyclicity was accompanied by timely menstruation in the vehicle and 0.01 mg/kg groups. By C-3, half the animals in the 0.03 mg/kg group and all animals in the 0.1 mg/kg group were amenorrhoeic. A corpus luteum was noted during the mid-luteal phase of C-5 in the vehicle, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg groups. Large antral and cystic follicles were evident in the 0.1 mg/kg group. Thus, a daily treatment with 0.01 mg/kg ZK 136317 permitted normal menstrual cyclicity in macaques. While the daily administration of 0.03 mg/kg ZK 136 317 allowed ovarian cyclicity, menstruation was disrupted in some animals. Increasing the dose to 0.1 mg/kg antagonized pituitary function and resulted in anovulation and amenorrhoea. A chronic low-dose regimen of the antiprogestin ZK 137 316, which permits normal ovarian/menstrual cyclicity, has potential as a contraceptive in women.      

Tourniquet inflation after intra-articular morphine and bupivacaine administration following knee arthroscopy

We performed a randomized doubled-blind study to evaluate whether there was a benefit in delay in tourniquet deflation with intra-articular administration of morphine and bupivacaine following operative arthroscopic surgery. In 34 patients the tourniquet was deflated immediately and in 38 patients the tourniquet remained inflated for 10 min following injection. The analgesic efficacy was assessed using pain scores and the amount of supplementary analgesia required. The results demonstrate no benefit in delay in tourniquet deflation.     

A cytochrome P-450 gene family mapped to human chromosome 19

We have recently isolated a cloned cDNA coding for a cytochrome P-450 of human liver microsomal membranes, which corresponds to a major phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450 of rat liver. This human cytochrome P-450 is encoded by a member of a multigene family. DNA extracted from a panel of 12 independent human-rodent somatic cell hybrids was analysed by Southern blot hybridization with the cloned cDNA. The results indicate that all components of this cytochrome P-450 gene family are located on chromosome 19. Evidence from hybrids derived from an individual carrying a balanced translocation suggests a regional localization of 19p13.2→qter. Analysis of human metaphase chromosomes by in situ hybridization localizes this cytochrome P-450 gene family further to the long arm of chromosome 19 in the region q13.1→qter. We propose the designation P450PB for this locus.     

MR imaging with surface coils

The use of specialized coils to improve signal-to-noise ratios in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an important innovation. The role of surface coils has not yet been well defined, but it seems likely that they will be routinely used for clinical imaging of the orbit, neck, and spine. Surface coils have important limitations that make other designs, such as "closely coupled" volume coils, attractive for some applications, especially for limb imaging. With improvement in our ability to visualize anatomy with MR imaging, specialized radio frequency coils may provide new imaging capabilities for clinical problems that were not previously considered to be indications for diagnostic imaging.