Ultrastructure of a two-cell human embryo

Summary A two-cell human embryo recovered from the Fallopian tube 82 h following the LH peak in plasma and 37 h after a single episode of intercourse was examined by transmission electron microscopy. At the time of recovery the embryo was denuded of cumulus cells, and both the zona pellucida and the two adjoining blastomeres were intact. The finding of two polar bodies in the perivitelline space, two nucleated blastomeres and remnants of the fertilizing sperm tail within the cytoplasm of one of them, were considered as evidences that the embryo was normally fertilized. Among the most compicuous features found were the presence of very distinct desmosome-like structure between blastomeres, and the cytoplasmic cell organelles distribution in three areas referred as: a sub-cortical, a middle and a perinuclear bands. An outstanding feature was the extensive blebbing of the nuclear envelope. In general, the features seem to correspond to a normally developing two-cell embryo undergoing cleavage at a normal rate.     

Comparatice effects of loratadine and selected antihistamines on sleep-waking patterns in the cat

The central effects of the new antihistamine loratadine and three reference antihistamine agents were studied in the cat. As a sensitive measure of drug action on the central nervous system (CNS) we evaluated changes in sleep-waking patterns. For comparison, diphenhydramine was studied as an example of an antihistamine having potent central effects; astemizole and terfennadine were used as examples of new agents claimed to be free of CNS effects. Diphenhydramine, given at 3 mg/kg p.o., increased spindle sleep, i.e., the electrophysiological correlate of drowsiness, and suppressed rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. In addition, cats displayed unusual sleep postures during the various sleep stages. Loratadine had little or no effect on the various features of sleep-waking patterns over a broad dose range (3 and 30 mg/kg p.o.). Astemizole, at 30 mg/kg p.p., significantly increased wakefulness and reduced both slow-wave sleep and REM. No significant changes of the sleep patterns occurred after the low dose of 3 mg/kg. Terfenadine reduced REM duration at 30 mg/kg p.o. but had no effects on sleep patterns at 3 mg/kg. The cat appeared to be a sensitive animal model to the central action of antihistamines since the reference drug diphenhydramine affected sleep-waking patterns at a dose that closely approximates the dose requirements for adverse CNS effects in man. Under the same conditions, loratadine was free of central actions at a dose range far above that effective either therapeutically or in standard tests in other animal species. Astemizole and terfenadine seemed to be devoid of CNS effects at doses similar to those effective as antihistamines in man, but they produced some central actions at higher doses. Comparing the clinically effective doses of the antihistamines examined, loratadine appears to be the least liable to produce adverse effects on the CNS function.     

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus associated with empty sella

A 70-year-old female presented with the clinical triad of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and senile tremor. Neuroimaging disclosed findings of both NPH and empty sella (ES). A ventriculoperitoneal shunt did not modify the clinical course except for a mild and transient improvement, and shunt malfunction occured later on. The association of NPH and ES may result from a common underlying mechanism such as transient increases in intracranial pressure.     

Laparoscopic Treatment of Gallbladder and Common Bile Duct Stones: A Prospective Study

n = 2), port site infection ( n = 2), and subumbilical hematoma ( n = 1). Major morbidity was bile leakage from the cystic duct stump in two cases due to clips or transcystic duct drainage displacement, respectively. One elderly, high risk patient died after being referred for several failed attempts of endoscopic clearance; she died from cardiogenic shock 3 days after successful laparoscopic treatment. Laparoscopic CBD exploration is feasible and safe in most patients, with short-term results that compare favorably with the results of sequential ES/LC reported in the literature.     

A preliminary study into the dental health status of multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology involving the central nervous system. Since MS affects the whole body, orofacial aspects of the disease must be expected, particularly since loss of muscular coordination may result in a diminished ability to maintain oral hygiene. This preliminary study examined the dental health status of 22 volunteer MS patients. A questionnaire collected data regarding medical and dental histories and socieo-demographic information. Extra- and intra-oral examinations were carried out on all subjects to determine the particular dental treatment needs of this special group. The DMFT and CPITN scores for this group did not indicate that MS patients were more susceptible to dental caries or periodontal disease. However, the prevalence of trigeminal neuralgia and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction in the group studied indicated that these conditions may be manifest in MS patients and warrant further investigations.     

Biocompatibility of Hemoglobin Solutions. I. Reactions of Vascular Endothelial Cells to Pure and Impure Hemoglobins

Hemoglobin (Hb) solutions can cause vasoconstriction and activation of intravascular coagulation. Because the endothelium plays a major role in the regulation of vascular tone and hemostasis, a study was conducted of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) incubated with various Hbs. Cell injury was evaluated by electron microscopy and the release of lactic dehydrogenase, H2O2, and procoagulant "tissue factor." Cell reaction was assessed by the measurement of 6-keto-prostaglandin F (PGF)1 alpha (metabolite of prostacyclin) and thromboxane B2 (metabolite of thromboxane A2). Incubation with unmodified bovine hemoglobin for 24 h caused no cell injury and a reaction characterized by 48.4 +/- 8.2% increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production, accompanied by 40.2 +/- 9.4% reduction in thromboxane (Tx)B2 (compared with a control group of EC incubated with saline solution). Incubation with a nonpure Hb solution (Hb plus red blood cell membrane aminophospholipids; a-PLs) caused cell injury with significant release of tissue factor, plus a reaction characterized by 97.5 +/- 12.5% increase in TxB2 production accompanied by 25.3 +/- 3% reduction in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. A second nonpure Hb [Hb plus bacterial environmental endotoxin (E)] caused cell injury, the release of tissue factor, and increased production of both prostaglandins, with greater release of TxB2 (197 +/- 17%) than of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (112 +/- 8.3%). These data indicate that the endothelium reacts differently to pure and nonpure hemoglobins. The biocompatibility of Hb solutions, with regard to vasoconstriction and activation of intravascular coagulation, depends on the absence of stromal a-PLs and bacterial E.     

Phenotypic and functional characteristics of tumor-associated lymphocytes in patients with malignant ascites receiving intraperitoneal infusions of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2)

In the course of a phase I trial, in which recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) was infused intraperitoneally (i.p.) in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, we evaluated the effect on "tumor-associated lymphocytes" (TAL) isolated from the ascitic fluid. No major changes in the percentages of cells expressing the CD3, CD4, CD8, Leu-7, OKM1 and WT-31 antigens were detected either in TAL or in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) after 7 days of rIL-2 infusion. In contrast the percentages of TAL (but not PBL) expressing surface IL-2 receptor (Tac), or LAK-1 antigen were sharply increased. Analysis of cytolytic functions showed a potentiation of the lytic activity against natural-killer (NK) sensitive K562 target cells and the de novo appearance of lytic activity against fresh melanoma cells. In one patient IFN-gamma was detected in the ascitic fluid following rIL-2 infusion. T-cell clones derived from the patient were analyzed for the IFN-gamma production. While only approximately 40% of PB-derived control clones produced medium to low amounts of IFN-gamma, all of the TAL-derived clones produced medium to high amounts of the lymphokine.     

Body composition estimates using different measurement techniques in a sample of highland subsistence farmers in Guatemala

This study aims at assessing the accuracy of estimates of body composition provided by bioimpedance (BIA) equations developed for U.S. populations when applied to a sample of Guatemalan farmers. If these equations were shown to have low validity, the second objective was to develop more accurate estimates of fat-free mass (FFM). One hundred males and females 19 to 45 years of age were randomly selected from four rural communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Bioimpedance equations explained 59 and 33% of the variation in FFM, with a RMSE of 2.7 and 2.8 kg in males and females, respectively. Body fat (BF) predictions had a lower R². Using the “all possible regressions” procedure, the best subset for prediction of FFM used anthropometric and BIA variables as predictors. The best model for men and women included only anthropometric variables: 75% of the variance in FFM for men and 70% of the variance in women was explained by this model. The RMSE was 2.1 and 1.9 kg for both groups, respectively. It is concluded that FFM can be estimated from anthropometric dimensions with a high degree of accuracy and use of BIA does not provide more valid estimates.     

Leukocyte apoptosis and its significance in sepsis and shock

Sepsis and multiple organ failure continue to be significant problems among trauma, burn, and the critically ill patient population. Thus, a number of laboratories have focused on understanding the role of altered apoptotic cell death in contributing to immune and organ dysfunction seen in sepsis and shock. Immune cells that undergo altered apoptotic changes include neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, as well as various lymphocyte populations. Evidence of epithelial as well as endothelial cell apoptotic changes has also been reported. Although mediators such as steroids, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide, C5a, and Fas ligand (FasL) appear to contribute to the apoptotic changes, their effects are tissue- and cell population-selective. As inhibiting Fas-FasL signaling (e.g., gene deficiency, Fas fusion protein, or Fas short interfering RNA administration), caspase inhibition (caspase mimetic peptides), and/or the overexpression of downstream antiapoptotic molecules (e.g., Bcl-2, Akt) improve survival of septic mice, it not only demonstrates the pathological significance of this process but points to novel targets for the treatment of sepsis.