The protein composition of the avian tectorial membrane.

Gel electrophoretic analysis of the avian tectorial membrane under non-reducing conditions reveals the presence of 2 major proteins with apparent molecular masses of 195 and 41 kDa on 8.25% gels. Under reducing conditions, 6 polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 146, 60, 56, 43, 35 and 31 kDa are consistently observed. None of these six polypeptides observed under reducing conditions are sensitive to digestion with collagenase, and all, except for the 43 kDa component, are degraded by treatment with cold acidic pepsin. The 60, 56 and 43 kDa polypeptides bind the peroxidase conjugated lectins from Canavalia ensiformis and Triticum vulgaris, indicating the presence of mannose, N-acetyl glucosamine and/or sialic acid. The 146, 60 and 56 kDa bands undergo a shift in electrophoretic mobility after treatment of native tectorial membranes with the enzyme neuroaminidase. Fibronectin and Type II collagen cannot be detected in the avian tectorial membrane by either immunoblotting or immunofluorescence techniques. Polyclonal antisera raised against the different polypeptides after partial purification by one dimensional gel electrophoresis confirm that these proteins are all components of the tectorial membrane, and show that they are restricted to the otolithic and tectorial membranes within the inner ear. Analysis of a wide variety of other tissue types indicates that the 60, 43 and 35 kDa components can only be detected within the inner ear, and that the antisera recognising the 146 and 31 kDa components only show cross-reactivity within the head, with the anti-146 kDa antibodies staining the mucus ducts supplying the olfactory epithelium and the anti-31 kDa antibodies staining granular elements in the cells of the respiratory epithelium. The results suggest that certain of the tectorial membrane components may be novel matrix molecules unique to the inner ear, and that some of the other proteins may be antigenically related to mucins.     

Left ventricular function changes during pharmacological and physiological interventions and routine activities monitored in healthy volunteers by a portable radionuclide probe (VEST)

A miniaturized radionuclide cardiac probe incorporated in a semi-rigid plastic chest garment has made ambulatory left ventricular (LV) function evaluation possible, with gated nuclear data being stored on tape together with electrocardiographic data, for subsequent off-line processing.After red blood cell labelling with 555 MBq (15 mCi)^99mTc and standard gated blood pool imaging in 45° LAO, we performed a continuous monitoring of LV function in 20 healthy male volunteers (age range: 22–25 years), in resting control conditions as well as during activities (standing, walking, climbing stairs) and after interventions (isosorbide dinitrate intake, Trendelenburg position, inflation of cuffs around the thighs).VEST-monitoring proved to be a reliable method that gave reproducible results: changes of ejection (EF) in basal conditions were lower than 5% in 95% of the patients. Changes in LV function caused by daily activities were easily demonstrated. While standing effected no significant EF changes, walking and climbing increased EF by 6.9% (p<0.05) and 21.2% (p<0.05) respectively.Changes in LV volumes caused by alterations in venous return were also demonstrated. Compared with baseline, Trendelenburg increased end-diastolic volume (EDV) by 2.9% while isosorbide dinitrate and inflation of cuffs decreased it by 5.7% and 2.2% respectively.     

Raloxifene,conjugated oestrogen and endothelial function in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES: To study the long-term effects of raloxifene, a potential designer oestrogen, and oestrogen monotherapy on endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A 2-year double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study in an Academic Medical Center. Fifty-six hysterectomized but otherwise healthy postmenopausal women randomly received raloxifene hydrochloride 60 mg day-1 (n = 15) or 150 mg day-1 (n = 13), conjugated equine oestrogen (CEE) 0.625 mg day-1 (n = 15), or placebo (n = 13). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endothelial function as estimated from brachial artery flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilation and nitroglycerine-induced endothelium-independent vasodilation, and plasma levels of the endothelium-derived regulatory proteins, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and endothelin (ET). RESULTS: Raloxifene 60 mg did not significantly affect endothelial function. As compared with placebo, at 6 months of therapy, raloxifene 150 mg and CEE were associated with a mean increase in vWF of 25.5% point (95% CI 3.6-47.3) and 26.6% point (95% CI 6.9-46.3), respectively. At 24 months of therapy, raloxifene 150 mg was associated with a mean decrease in ET of 0.96 pg mL-1 (95% CI -1.57 to -0.36). Raloxifene nor CEE significantly affected endothelium-dependent and/or -independent vasodilation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that long-term therapy with raloxifene or oral CEE does not affect endothelium-dependent vasodilation in healthy postmenopausal women. Raloxifene 150 mg day-1 might have both positive and negative effects on endothelium. The clinical significance of these findings remains to be investigated.     

Rapid maxillary expansion vs slow maxillary expansion in patients with cleft lip and/or palate: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo compare the dentoalveolar outcomes of slow maxillary expansion (SME) and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) used for maxillary expansion before secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). Secondarily, the advantages and disadvantages of SME vs RME were reviewed.Materials and MethodsA systematic search was conducted up to November 2021, including Medline (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), Web of Science, Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Risk-of-bias assessment was performed using the Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0) and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS I) tool. Overall quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool.ResultsOf 4007 records, five studies met the inclusion criteria. The randomized control trial (RCT) had a low risk of bias, the non-RCTs presented with a moderate risk of bias. Arch width and perimeter increased significantly with both SME and RME treatments. No difference in the increase in palatal depth was found. The meta-analysis showed a greater anterior-to-posterior expansion ratio for the Quad Helix (QH) appliance. The results for dental tipping were not conclusive.ConclusionsSME and RME promote equal posterior expansion in cleft patients. The anterior differential expansion is greater with SME (QH appliance). No clear evidence exists concerning the amount of dental adverse effects of SME and RME in cleft patients.     

Assessment of uterine receptivity prior to embryo transfer: a review of currently available imaging modalities

This article aims to review in detail the current literatureconcerning the efficacy of, and problems associated with, theuse of ultra-sonography and magnetic resonance imaging in predictinguterine receptivity and hence the outcome of assisted conception.Although the quality of the embryo and transportation to theuterine cavity are obvious requirements for invitro fertilization/embryotransfer treatment, attention has recently centred on the receptivityof the endometrium to the growing blastula. High resolutionultrasonography is currently the imaging modality of choice,but measurement of endometrial thickness is only associatedwith successful treatment outcome if ovarian stimulation includesclomiphene citrate. However, the ultrasonographic texture ofthe endometrium may have a greater prognostic value for implantation.The current literature is relatively unanimous that a ‘triple’layered appearance of the uterus is associated with a 23–42%pregnancy rate and that endometrium is unreceptive when iso-or hyperechoic compared with myometrium. In an attempt to improveprediction rates, new techniques including magnetic resonance(MR) imaging are being used to determine uterine receptivity.Early results from MR imaging suggest that in patients treatedwith standard regimen of GnRHa, followed by human gonadotrophin(HMG), niether the endometrial thickness nor the volume is relatedto outcome. However, the relative signal intensity of the uterninelayers provides good discrimination prior to embryo transfer,between pregnant and non-pregnant groups.     

In vivo release of the antimicrobial peptide hLF1‐11 from calcium phosphate cement

We studied the release of human lactoferrin 1‐11 (hLF1‐11), a potent antimicrobial peptide, in an animal model. Calcium phosphate cement with 50 mg/g hLF1‐11 was injected into the femoral canal of 12 rabbits. One, 3, and 7 days later, four animals were terminated, and the femora excised. Sections of bone and cement were removed for histological analysis. We used liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry for semiquantitative determination of the hLF1‐11 concentration. Blood samples were drawn for leukocyte count and differentiation to identify a potential immunomodulating effect of hLF1‐11. After an initial burst release, the hLF1‐11 concentration in cement and bone decreased steadily. This in vivo release profile is consistent with earlier in vitro studies. Tissue ingrowth into the cement, without signs of inflammation or necrosis, was observed. Leukocytosis or a shift in leukocyte differentiation did not occur. The carrier released over 99% of the hLF1‐11, resulting in peak concentrations at the cement–bone interface. This indicates that hLF1‐11 could become a valuable prophylactic agent in osteomyelitis treatment. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:531–538, 2008