Evaluation of maternal plasma creatine kinase activity as a marker of abnormal early pregnancy

We have tested the value of maternal plasma creatine kinase activity for diagnosing ectopic pregnancies obtained after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Plasma creatine kinase was assayed in 57 patients: 20 normal, 23 miscarriages and 14 ectopic pregnancies, for a total of 240 samples. All values were in the lower part of the normal range except only one in a miscarrying patient. A statistically significant difference was observed for a cut-off value of 45 IU/l between normal and ectopic pregnancies. However, for this cut-off point, the measurement of plasma creatine kinase activity had a sensitivity of 0.50 and a specificity of 0.76 for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. The positive predictive value was 0.69. Creatine kinase activity measurements are thus of no practical value in this particular population, in which an early and specific marker of ectopic implantation would be of paramount interest. The association of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) determinations and ultrasound scanning of the pelvis still remain the best paraclinical support for an early diagnosis of ectopic implantation.      

MR monitoring of MR-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation of normal liver in an animal model

The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of MRI to accurately detect radiofrequency (RF) thermoablative lesions created under MR guidance. In vivo RF lesions were created in the livers of six New Zealand White rabbits using a 2-mm-diameter titanium alloy RF electrode with a 20-mm exposed tip and a 50-W RF generator. This was performed using a 0.2T clinical C-arm MR imager for guidance and monitoring. Each animal was sacrificed and gross evaluation was performed. Histologic correlation was performed on the first two animals. The MR-compatible RF electrode was easily identified on rapid gradient-echo images used to guide electrode placement. A single lesion was created in each rabbit liver. Lesions ranged from approximately 10 to 17 mm in diameter (mean, 13.5 mm). T2-weighted and short T1 inversion recovery (STIR) images demonstrated lesions ranging in diameter from 12 to 18 mm (mean, 14.6 mm). Lesion dimensions determined from images closely correlated with those determined at gross examination with the discrepancy never exceeding 2 mm, for an r² value of .87. MRI performed at the time of MR-guided RF ablation accurately demonstrated created lesions. This modality may provide a new option for the treatment of local and regional neoplastic disease.     

The applicability and utility of the MMPI-based offender classification system in a correctional mental health unit

This study investigated the applicability and utility of Megargee and Bohn's MMPI-based offender classification system in correctional mental health units (MHUs). Previous studies found that 11 MHU samples (n = 1723) had substantially more offenders classified in the more pathological MMPI types than did 21 samples (n = 5881) drawn from general male populations in US prisons. In this study of 63 severely disturbed felons, 43% belonged to the most pathological type (‘group How’). Comparing MHU patients with general offenders from the same IvfIvIPI types on staff ratings and case history variables, we found that the MHU patients were significantly poorer in adjustment. Within the MHU sample, there was no difference in case history variables or adjustment ratings between those in the most and least severe MMPI types. These findings differed from those of studies using less severely disturbed, more heterogeneous, MHU populations. It was concluded that, in settings in which the entire population is flagrantly disturbed, the MMPI-based system is more useful in screening potential admissions than it is in making meaningful distinctions among those already admitted.     

An Immunotoxicological Evaluation of 4, 4'-Thiobis-(6-t-butyl-m-cresol) in Female B6C3F1 Mice: 1. Body and Organ Weights, Hematology, Serum Chemistries, Bone Marrow Cellularity, and Hepatic Microsomal Parameters

An Immunotoxicological Evaluation of 4,4'-Thiobis-(6-t-butyl-m77-cresol)in Female B6C3F1 Mice. 1. Body and Organ Weights, Hematology,Serum Chemistries, Bone Marrow Cellularity, and Hepatic MicrosomalParameters. MUNSON, A. E., WHITE, K. L., JR., BARNES, D. W.,MUS-GROVE, D. L., LYSY, H. H., AND HOLSAPPLE, M. P. (1988).Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 10, 691–700. Adult female B6C3F1mice were gavaged with 4,4'-thiobis-(6-t-butyl-m-cresol) (TBBC)in corn oil at doses of 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg daily for 14 consecutivedays. There was no overt toxicity, as manifested by grosslyobservable behavioral changes, decreased growth rate over theexposure period, or mortality. There were also no marked effectson serum chemistries or hematology, with the exception of asignificant increase (41%) in the number of leukocytes at thehighest dose. Absolute differential counts indicated that significantincreases occurred in the number of lymphocytes (31%) and neutrophils(177%). Studies with bone marrow indicated a significant 30%increase in the number of cells/femur from animals treated withthe highest dose of TBBC. The number of macrophage progenitors(CFU-M)/femur was significantly increased by 28%, while thenumber of granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (CFU-GM)/femur wasnonsig-nificantly increased by 20% in the high dose animals.The weight of both the spleen and liver was increased in a dose-relatedfashion, although the histopathology of the spleen of TBBC-treatedmice was not different from control. The livers of mice receivingthe high dose showed mild focal hydropic degeneration, mildhepatitis, and a slight increase in the number of Kupffer cells.No other organs were affected. Liver microsomal protein andcytochrome P-450 levels were increased in a dose-related fashion.Enzyme activities of aminopyrine demethylase and aniline hydroxylase,but not arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase, were also increased ina dose-related fashion.     

Immunotoxicity of the Semiconductor Gallium Arsenide in Female B6C3F1 Mice

The effects of gallium arsenide (GaAs) exposure on immunocompetenceof B6C3F1 female mice were investigated. GaAs was administeredas a single intratracheal instillation at doses of 50, 100,and 200 mg/kg. Fourteen days after exposure, various cellularand humoral immune parameters were assessed. GaAs exposure increasedspleen cellularity in a dose-dependent manner. However, thepercentages of Thy 1.2 positive and 1g positive cells were decreasedand that of F4/80 positive cells was increased dose dependency.The IgM and IgG antibody-forming cell response of the spleento the T-dependent antigen sheep erythrocytes was reduced by66 and 48%, respectively, at 200 mg/kg. Levels of the serumcomplement protein, C3, were increased by as much as 16% withno significant change in CH50 levels. The mitogenic responseof splenic T cells to Con A and PHA was unaffected by GaAs,but that of B cells to LPS was increased by 52%. The delayedhypersensitivity response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and mixedlymphocyte response were significantly reduced in a dose-dependentmanner by GaAs exposure. Natural killer cell activity againstthe YAC-1 mouse lymphoma was enhanced in treated mice. Analysisof peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) revealed a dose-dependentdecrease in number and a shift in the composition of PECs. Thepercentage of PEC monocytes increased from 53% of the populationto 81%, while the lymphocytes decreased from 46 to 20%. Theadherent PEC population demonstrated decreased phagocytosisof covaspheres and increased phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes(CRBC). GaAs exposure had no effect on host resistance to Plasmodiumyoelii or Streptococcus pneumoniae, but dose dependency increasedresistance of the mouse to Listeria monocytogenes Treated micedemonstrated a significantly decreased resistance to the B16F10melanoma with a sevenfold increase in tumor burden at 200 mg/kg.GaAs affects both humoral and cellular immune parameters inmice and impairs the ability of the immune system to protectagainst B16F10 tumor challenge.     

Progress in Rhesus Histocompatibility Typing Resulting from the Second International Nonhuman Primate Histocompatibility Workshop (1973)

The Second International Nonhuman Primate Histocompatibility Workshop permitted comparison of rhesus monkey alloantisera developd in various laboratories on a single common panel of related and unrelated monkeys. Analysis of the data permits the conclusion that at least nine specificities are recognized by more than one laboratory, including six at the first locus and three at the second locus.     

The Gm-Pi linkage heterogeneity in view of Pi M subtypes

In this study linkage between the loci for Gm (γ-type heavy-chain immunoglobulin markers) and Pi (α₁-antitrypsin/α₁-protease inhibitor) has been shown in families segregating for the Pi M subtypes (Ml, M2, M3 and Msal) as identified by separator isoelectric focusing. The estimate for the Gm-Pi (M-type) recombination is 0-29 (95% limits 0-24-O37) at a peak lod score of 4-31 and with no sex difference. This value is not significantly different from updated recombination frequency estimates for Gm-Pi in Pi MS (0-26) and Pi MZ, SZ and FZ families (0 21). The overall Gm-Pi recombination fraction estimate of 0 26 (95 % limits O23-0-30) at a peak lod score of 20-75 must now be considered as solid. There is a significant heterogeneity within the male Pi MZ families in that the new Finnish families show a higher recombination between Gm and Pi. There is also a possible segregation distortion (Z:M = 23:8). The heterogeneity is discussed in terms of haplotypes, the behaviour of which could be determined by linked genes or chromosomal rearrangements. The possibility that the α₁-antitrypsin level influences recombination frequency has not been ruled out, but cannot explain the heterogeneity within Pi MZ families.     

Ramification of the portal vein at the porta hepatis in humans

The ramification of the portal vein at the porta hepatis was studied by anatomic dissection performed in 32 formalin fixed human livers. In all the specimens there were branches which ran towards the caudate lobe, arising from the portal vein and either from the left or the right portal branches. Tri-and quadrifurcation of the portal vein was observed. In 5 cases (16%) there were branches arising from left portal branch or portal vein and directed anteriorly to the quadrate lobe or to the region of the gall-bladder sulcus. These branches ranged from 1.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter. The portal caudate branches were divided into 3 groups.Group 1: Branches to the papillary process; 1 or 2 branches in 26 cases (82%), 3 or 5 branches in 3 cases (9%) and no branches in 3 cases (9%);