Behavior of Endothelial Cells Cultured on Silastic and Dacron Velour Under Flow Conditions In Vitro: Implications for Prelining Vascular Grafts with Cells

Tissue-cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells were subjected to flow in an in vitro circulatory loop designed to simulate the flow and pressure conditions in the aorta. The cells were cultured under stationary conditions on tubes of fibronectin-coated Silastic or of Dacron velour. The tubes were then added to the flow loop, which circulated complete tissue culture medium in a pulsatile mode. Light microscopy and cell counts showed that the cells not only remained adherent for up to 2 weeks under flow conditions, but also underwent hypertrophy and proliferation in response to the flow regimen.     

Ocular bobbing in encephalitis.

Abnormal eye movements described as ocular bobbing are most often encountered in the setting of pontine vascular disease. This report deals wih the onset and course of ocular bobbing in a young woman who had encephalitis confirmed by biopsy. Unusual eye movements developed during progressive deterioration of brain and brain stem function which led to coma. The eye movements occurred spontaneously and could also be triggered by cutaneous stimulation of the face, head, extremities, and auditory canals. The patient recovered fully over a period of several months.