Lymphocyte subpopulations transformation studies in an experimental model of intestinal and hepatic amoebiasis

The lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood and blast transformation were studied on days 0, 3, 7, 11, 15, 20 and 35 after infection in progesterone-treated guinea-pigs which had been experimentally infected with Entamoeba histolytica by intracaecal inoculation. In animals with intestinal infection, lowered T cell numbers and blast transformation were seen during the acute phase with a subsequent tendency to recover. In guinea-pigs with hepatic amoebiasis, both these parameters were significantly depressed throughout the period of study with no tendency to recovery. In progesterone-treated and sham-operated animals, a less marked depression of T cells, was observed. The B cell population did not vary greatly in either group. This study has thus shown that in hepatic amoebiasis there is highly significant depression in both number and function of T cells in comparison to intestinal amoebiasis.     

Action of oxotremorine on the sub-cellular distribution of glycine in the rat spinal cord

Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 250 $\text{μg}\text{kg}$ of oxotremorine (OT) caused a 50% decrease in the glycine content of the synaptosomal-mitochondrial fraction of spinal cord homogenates prepared from rats killed 15 min after treatment. The glycine content of the supernatant fraction was correspondingly raised. In synaptosomes isolated from the spinal cord of OT-treated rats, the decrease in glycine content was 30%. Prior administration of atropine, but not of methylatropine, abolished this effect of OT on synaptosomal glycine content. Eserine exerted a potentiating effect on the action of OT in lowering the glycine content of spinal synaptosomes. Prior administration of l-dopa, apomorphine, haloperidol, muscarine or mecamylamine had no significant effect on the action of OT on synaptosomal glycine content. OT alone or in combination with eserine, and acetylcholine (ACh) in combination with eserine, did not alter the rate of release of glycine from spinal synaptosomes of untreated rats incubated under appropriate conditions. OT was also without effect on the rate of release of glycine from normal spinal synaptosomes subjected to electrical stimulation, as well as on the eventual glycine content of the synaptosomes. On the basis of the present findings it has been suggested that (i) glycine may be released from Renshaw cells at their synapses with motoneurones in response to the muscarinic action of OT; (ii) dopaminergic modulation may not be involved in the OT-induced glycine release from Renshaw cells; and (iii) excessive release of glycine onto motoneurones may be the causative factor of the akinesia observed in OT-induced experimental Parkinsonism.     

Effects of the progestasert® on the menstrual pattern,ovarian steroids and endometrium

Clinical studies with the new progesterone-releasing intrauterine device (Progestasert) were done in 192 women with follow-ups at 6 and 12 months, accumulating a total of 1,823 women months. 108 were nulliparous and 84 were parous. Our study shows 0.5 pregnancies per 100 women years during the first 12 months of its use, which is considerably lower than previously reported. The overall expulsion rate was 7.4 per 100 women years, with 4.8 and 10.7 corresponding to nulliparous and parous women, respectively. It was of significance to note that most expulsions (77%) occurred within one month after insertion. Intermenstrual spotting or bleeding constituted the major side effect of the system; yet, the amount was small and mostly limited to the first two months of its use. It was observed that the amount of menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea were significantly reduced in 20–30% of patients, including those women who had a history of heavy menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea prior to the insertion of the Progestasert. The overall continuation rate was 76.0 ± 3.2 with 79.2 ± 4.1 for the nulliparous women, and 71.7 ± 5.0 for the parous; thus the Progestasert is evidently suitable for both nulliparous and parous women. Serum steroid assays showed a normal ovulatory function. The effect of the Progestasert on the endometrium was observed in biopsies performed at 12 months, which generally displayed glandular atrophy and decidual reaction, regardless of the phase of the cycle. The new concept of combining IUDs with locally delivered steroidal compounds offers advantages, but the long range results rely on continuous clinical observations comprising a large population of many years of use.     

Pituitary response to LHRH stimulation in women on oral contraceptives.

Gonadotropic response to an LHRH bolus was tested on 12 patients who were taking two different contraceptive agents. Half of the subjects were on a short-term therapy, 2–3 months, and the other half were taking oral contraceptives for over three consecutive years. Six women who had a normal menstrual history and who had not taken any oral contraceptives for at least one year, served as controls. 150 ug LHRH was given intravenously during cycle day 20–25. Serum samples were obtained prior to bolus injection and at 20-minute intervals for two hours. Ovulation in control patients was confirmed by elevated serum progesterone. LH response in treated subjects was significantly lower than that of the controls. There were no differences between the long- and short-term groups. FSH response was not significantly altered in the treated groups. The suppression of LH response was greater in patients taking ethinyl estradiol preparation (Ovral) than in the patients taking mestranol preparation ($\text{Norinyl}\text{1}\text{50}$). No statistically significant differences were found in FSH response to LHRH in the two oral contraceptive groups.     

Aortic origin of the left pulmonary artery: Variant of tetralogy of fallot

A case of tetralogy of Fallot with aortic origin of the left pulmonary artery is presented. This rare malformation should be suspected in a child with stunted growth, cyanosis, a continuous murmur over the pulmonary area and a hypervascular left lung on chest roentgenogram. Final diagnosis depends upon cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography. During surgical correction of the tetralogy, the left pulmonary artery can be divided from the aorta and anastomosed to the main pulmonary artery.