Measurement of vasoactivity in the guinea-pig choroid

Purpose: A perfusion system for studying the vasoactive properties of the guinea-pig choroid is described. Methods :The principle of operation is that the vascular resistance of the entire vascular network of an isolated, perfused eye can be monitored by recording the pressure required to deliver a constant flow of perfusate through the network. Delivery of the pharmacological agent of interest into the perfusate stream and the subsequent determination of the magnitude of any induced pressure changes allows the vasoactive potency of various agonists to be assessed. Results: The baseline vascular resistance was 1.35 ± 0.16 mmHg. min/μL (mean ± SEM; n=10) and the mean response to intraluminal delivery of 124 mmol/L K⁺ Krebs was an increase in resistance of 297±67%. Vasoactive responses were sustainable for more than 8 h. Conclusions: This system will now be used to study the vasoactive properties of the guinea-pig choroid in greater detail.     

Modeling of phlebothrombosis

A new model of phlebothrombosis has been developed. Thrombotic mass in preparedin vitro by mixing dog's blood with thrombin. Retracted clot is injected transcutaneously in ligated segment of the jugular vein. The veins are examined visually and microscopically 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after injection. It is found that the thrombus is loosely bound to the vascular wall within 8–10 days. Endothelial desquamation starts on the 3rd–5th day. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 11, pp. 593–595, November, 1997     

Chronic glomerulonephritis and pregnancy

AIM: To clarify factors of risk for unfavourable variants of gestational chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and poor pregnancy outcomes in CGN; to determine prognostic implications of changes in some renal and uteroplacental indices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Variants of CGN gestational course and pregnancy outcomes have been analysed for 156 CGN patients. The women were examined before pregnancy, in the course of pregnancy and 3-24 months after the delivery. Measurements were made of 24 h proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate, blood transaminases activity, functional renal reserve (FRR), uricemia, blood level of alpha-phetoprotein. Placentas were studied morphologically, uterine and umbilical artery circulation was assessed by dopplerometry. RESULTS: The following abnormalities were registered: high proteinuria (34.6%), progression of hypertension (29.5%), renal function deterioration (15.4%), fetal and neonatal losses (15.4%), fetal underdevelopment (25%), preterm delivery (17.3%), preeclampsia (7.7%), preterm placental detachment (1.9%). There is morphological, dopplerometric and biochemical evidence for placental insufficiency in CGN pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Activity of CGN (nephritic or acute nephritic syndromes), hypertension, renal failure, disorders of renal hemodynamics are factors of risk for unfavourable gestational course of CGN and pregnancy complications. Placental insufficiency deteriorates pregnancy outcomes in CGN, but changes in uterine and umbilical circulation as well as blood levels of alpha-fetoprotein are not prognostically significant.     

The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and smoking outcome expectancies among U.S. military veterans who served since September 11, 2001

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased rates of smoking although little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The current study examined expectations about smoking outcomes among smokers with and without PTSD. The sample included 96 veterans (mean age of 34 years) and included 17% women and 50% racial minorities. Smoking expectancies were measured with the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult (Copeland, Brandon, & Quinn, 1995). Consistent with previous work suggesting that smokers with PTSD smoke in an effort to reduce negative affect, unadjusted analyses indicated that smokers with PTSD (n = 38) had higher expectations that smoking reduces negative affect than smokers without PTSD (d = 0.61). Smokers with PTSD also had increased expectancies associated with boredom reduction (d = 0.48), stimulation (d = 0.61), taste/sensorimotor manipulation aspects of smoking (d = 0.73), and social facilitation (d = 0.61). Results of hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that PTSD symptom severity was uniquely associated with these expectancies beyond the effects of gender and nicotine dependence. More positive beliefs about the consequences of smoking may increase risk of continued smoking among those with PTSD who smoke. Further understanding of smoking expectancies in this group may help in developing interventions tailored for this vulnerable population.