Effects of chelating agents on the rheological property of cervical mucus

As an ongoing effort to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the calcium-dependent fertility regulation process, the viscoelastic properties of the mucus obtained from lamb cervix and human semen, as well as their water and total protein contents after exposure to EDTA, a chelating agent, or Nonoxynol-9 (N-9), a spermicidal agent, were examined. The viscosity was measured using a Cone Plate Digital Viscometer, while the water and total protein contents were determined by the lyophilization process and the Lowry method, respectively. The significant changes in the rheological properties of mucus, such as its viscosity and the water content, upon exposure to EDTA were demonstrated. The viscosity of cervical mucus and human semen were significantly increased by EDTA treatment (as compared to the controls): lamb cervical mucus (2.9 ± 0.3 vs. 2.2 ± 0.3 cps) and human semen (5.0 ± 0.3 vs. 4.3 ± 0.3 cps), respectively. The hydration rate was decreased by EDTA treatment as compared with the control (93.6 ± 0.7 vs. 96.8 ± 0.8%). Among tested samples, the reduction in the percentage of sperm penetration through the cervical mucus was the highest in the mucus containing EDTA, which had the lowest water content (93.6 ± 0.7%), indicating that there is a positive relationship between the hydration rate of the cervical mucus and its ability to permit the penetration of spermatozoa. This result indicates that spermicidal activity exerted by high concentrations of EDTA is in part due to its effect on the rheological properties of cervical mucus or semen.     

Radiographic manifestations of bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia vs usual interstitial pneumonia

The radiographic findings in 24 cases of bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia and 16 cases of usual interstitial pneumonia were reviewed and compared. Some cases of bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia have been mistaken for usual interstitial pneumonia, although the two diseases have distinct pathologic findings. Clinically, the diseases often have different manifestations. Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia has a better prognosis and often responds well to steroids. This study shows that the radiologic findings of bronchiolitis obliterans include alveolar opacities without lung-volume loss. Patients with usual interstitial pneumonia, however, have bilateral diffuse interstitial opacities with occasional honeycomb changes, and there is loss of lung volume in most patients. These findings suggest that the chest radiograph can aid in distinguishing the two diseases.