Diffusive-convective mass transfer rates for solutes present on both sides of a dialyzer membrane

The transport (J) of waste products across dialyzer membranes is known to be proportional to the blood inlet concentration (Cbi) according to J = KCbi, where K is the clearance. For solutes present on both sides of the membrane, like sodium chloride, it has been shown that under certain conditions the transport rate will depend linearly also upon the dialysis fluid inlet concentration Cdi according to J = KbCbi -KdCdi. Kb and Kd are generalized clearances, which depend upon flow rates and membrane permeability but are independent of the concentrations. We have extended the results of Ross et al. in three ways. First, they only considered ultrafiltration (UF) that is equally distributed along the dialyzer. This is an unrealistic assumption, especially in hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration treatments with large UF rates (Quf) leading to large pressure drops along the dialyzer. Our approach allows for an arbitrary UF distribution. Second, it was possible to incorporate the more realistic model of Villaroel et al. for the local combination of diffusion and convection. Finally, we allow an arbitrary distribution of blood among the different fibers. All of these results are valid in both cocurrent and countercurrent configurations. With a sieving coefficient of 1, a good approximation for small solutes, we were also able to show that Kd = Kb - Quf, irrespective of the UF distribution along the dialyzer. This is an important result that, for example, provides a theoretical foundation for allowing a nonzero Quf in conductivity based clearance measurements.     

Interstrain variability of larval photokinesis inDrosophila melanogaster

Larvae from seven laboratory strains and eight isofemale lines ofDrosophila melanogaster differ significantly with regard to their responses to light in a photokinesis assay in which the larvae are tested en masse. Larvae from the CA-2 laboratorystock fail to disperse on assay plates, although observations of individual CA-2 larvae suggest that the larvae are repelled by light. Larvae from all of the other laboratory stocks and all of the isofemale lines (except LI2 and NC5) avoid light in the photokinesis assay. Larvae from some stocks are much more strongly repelled by light than larvae from other stocks. LI2 larvae are unresponsive to light in most replicates of the photokinesis assay, while NC5 larvae are consistently unresponsive to light. Observations of F₁ heterozygotes suggest that the allele(s) that affects the vision of LI2 and NC5 larvae has net effects on the animals' behavior that are partially dominant and recessive, respectively.     

Aberrant retinal projections to midbrain targets mediate spared visual orienting function in hamsters with neonatal lesions of superior colliculus

Summary Rodents, cats, and most nonmammalian vertebrates with bilateral tectal deafferentation or ablation in adulthood are extremely deficient at orienting to visual stimuli; yet animals with neonatal lesions of superficial layers of the superior colliculus (SC) show partial sparing of this response, particularly for targets in the central visual field. In this study, we sought to determine whether these spared orienting abilities are mediated by aberrant retinal projections to the remaining intermediate layers of the SC, or whether visual cortex (VC) mechanisms or alternative behavioral strategies are responsible. Neonatal golden hamsters received either bilateral heat lesions of the SC (rlSC), or a heat lesion of the right SC and enucleation of the right eye (rSCrE). This latter procedure causes axons from the left eye to recross the tectal midline and terminate in the wrong (left) SC (Schneider 1973). As adults, both groups of hamsters were extremely deficient in visually guided approach to stationary targets, although rlSC-lesioned hamsters showed some sparing for central field targets and rSCrE-lesioned hamsters often made wrong-direction turns for targets in the left peripheral field. We then subjected both groups of neonatally lesioned hamsters to bilateral aspiration lesions of the VC. Retesting showed no change in visual orienting behavior as a result of the cortical lesions. Labeling of the optic tract with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) revealed abundant aberrant retinal projections to remaining intermediate layers of the SC and thalamic nucleus lateralis posterior (LP), as well as supernormal innervation of pretectal nuclei, the dorsal terminal nucleus of the accessory optic tract, and the ventral nucleus of the lateral geniculate body (LGv). We conclude that the spared visual orienting capabilities of hamsters with rlSC and rSCrE lesions are mediated by the aberrant midbrain projections, and that cortical mechanisms are not involved in spared visual orienting functions following these neonatal lesions.     

A family with unusual Waardenburg syndrome type I (WSI), cleft lip (palate), and Hirschsprung disease is not linked to PAX 3

An unusual family with Waardenburg syndrome type 1 (WSI), cleft lip (palate), and Hirschsprung disease is not linked to the PAX 3 gene since there is an obligate crossover which has occurred between PAX 3 DNA markers and the disorder in this family. This family may also have anticipation of the WSI traits as the proband's grandmother is nonpenetrani, his mother has dystopia canthorum, and severe cleft lip (palate), while the proband has dystopia canthorum, severe cleft lip (palate), and Hirschsprung disease. Thus, a locus other than PAX 3 is implicated in this Waardenburg-like syndrome with Hirschsprung disease and cleft lip (palate).     

Development of enhanced blood flow responses to prostaglandin E1 in carrageenan-induced granulation tissue

The distribution of cardiac output (c.o.) was measured by the radioactive microsphere method in rats at different time intervals after the implantation of carrageenanimpregnated sponges. The amount of blood distributed to the developing granulomata increased from day 5 after sponge implantation to day 7, but showed no further increase at day 10. A similar pattern in blood flow was observed in the skin covering the granulomata. Injection of PGE₁ (100 ng) into the sponges led to an increase in blood flow, the magnitude of which became gradually larger between days 5 and 10. A similar, though less marked increase in sensitivity to PGE₁ was observed in the skin covering the granulomata, PGE₁ causing a significant increase in blood flow to the skin on day 10. These changes in sensitivity to exogenous PGE₁ may be due to decreasing levels of endogenous PGE and/or maturation of the newly formed blood vessels in the granulation tissue.     

The corpus luteum of the guinea pig. Fine structure at the time of maximum progesterone secretion and during regression

This report describes the fine structure of guinea pig luteal cells during the period of maximum progesterone secretion and throughout involution, in ovaries that have been fixed by perfusion, a technique that provides optimal preservation of steroid-secreting tissues. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (smooth ER), a prominent organelle in these cells, is particularly well preserved by this method of fixation. During the time of maximal progesterone secretion, luteal cells contain abundant tubules and cisternae of smooth ER, many mitochondria, a well-developed Golgi complex and some lipid droplets. This fine structural picture is consistent with active steroidogenesis. Autophagy plays an important role in the regression of luteal cells in the corpus luteum. The onset of luteolysis is marked by the appearance of structurally complex autophagic vacuoles, one of which has not been described previously in luteal cells. This autophagic vacuole seems to originate from GERL (Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosomes) as a cup-shaped structure, which subsequently increases in size and complexity. Regressing luteal cells also contain increased numbers of both dense bodies (lysosomes) and lipid droplets, and exhibit changes in nuclear and mitochondrial morphology. In contrast to previous reports in the literature, changes in the morphology of smooth ER were not observed as a characteristic feature of involution in corpora lutea of guinea pigs in the present study. Advanced regression of luteal cells is characterized by multiple fusion of lipid droplets and a decrease in the amount of smooth ER. Another mechanism active in the breakdown of the corpus luteum is the phagocytosis of luteal cells by macrophages. Although present at all stages, macrophages are most abundant in older corpora lutea, where they often surround dead or dying luteal cells.     

Cytogenetic study and FISH analysis in lymphocytes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SS) patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SS) are autoimmune diseases characterized by the presence of antibodies against ubiquitous self antigens. The presence of clastogenic factors (CF) capable of inducing chromosome breakage has also been reported in the plasma of some patients. We aimed to assess basal frequency of cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes and presence of CF in the plasma of two groups of SLE and SS patients displaying a different antibody status (ACA-/Scl70+ or ACA+/Scl70-), using the micronucleus (MN) assay and FISH analysis with a pancentromeric DNA probe. As compared with controls, we found significantly higher MN frequencies in SS patients, but not in SLE patients. In addition, our data showed a significant prevalence of C-MN in SLE and ACA-/Scl70+ patients and of C + MN in ACA+/Scl70- patients. We observed a positive response in three out of the five CF experiments performed on plasma of SS patients. The three patients whose plasma caused MN induction were subtyped as ACA-/Scl70+, whereas the other subjects had ACAs. The same tests on six SLE patients gave negative results.     

Prevention for preschoolers at high risk for conduct problems: immediate outcomes on parenting practices and child social competence.

This study investigated the immediate impact of an 8-month center- and home-based prevention program for preschoolers at high risk for conduct problems. We report immediate program effects on observed and self-rated parenting practices and observed child behavior with peers. Ninety-nine preschool-age siblings of adjudicated youths and their families were randomly assigned to an enhanced version of the Incredible Years Series (Webster-Stratton, 1989; n = 50) or to a no-intervention control condition (n = 49). In an intent-to-treat design, the intervention yielded significant effects on negative parenting, parental stimulation for learning, and child social competence with peers. Improvements in negative parenting, stimulation for learning, and child social competence support the potential of the intervention to prevent later conduct problems in high-risk children.