Chronic treatment of female rhesus monkeys with low doses of the antiprogestin ZK 137 316: establishment of a regimen that permits normal menstrual cyclicity

Large doses of antiprogestin typically disrupt menstrual cyclicity. A chronic low-dose regimen of the potent new antiprogestin ZK 137 316, which permits continued menstrual cyclicity but alters gonadal- reproductive tract activity, was established. Rhesus monkeys received vehicle (n = 6) or 0.01 (n = 8), 0.03 (n = 8) or 0.1 (n = 5) mg ZK 137 316/kg body weight daily for five menstrual cycles (C-1 to C-5). Oestradiol, progesterone and gonadotrophin profiles were normal during cycles involving vehicle and 0.01 and 0.03 mg ZK 137 316/kg body weight. In the 0.1 mg/kg group, mid-cycle oestradiol and gonadotrophin surges, and subsequent progesterone production, were absent in C-3 and C-5. Ovarian cyclicity was accompanied by timely menstruation in the vehicle and 0.01 mg/kg groups. By C-3, half the animals in the 0.03 mg/kg group and all animals in the 0.1 mg/kg group were amenorrhoeic. A corpus luteum was noted during the mid-luteal phase of C-5 in the vehicle, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg groups. Large antral and cystic follicles were evident in the 0.1 mg/kg group. Thus, a daily treatment with 0.01 mg/kg ZK 136317 permitted normal menstrual cyclicity in macaques. While the daily administration of 0.03 mg/kg ZK 136 317 allowed ovarian cyclicity, menstruation was disrupted in some animals. Increasing the dose to 0.1 mg/kg antagonized pituitary function and resulted in anovulation and amenorrhoea. A chronic low-dose regimen of the antiprogestin ZK 137 316, which permits normal ovarian/menstrual cyclicity, has potential as a contraceptive in women.      

In vivo analysis of the helix-turn-helix motif of the fushi tarazu homeo domain of Drosophila melanogaster.

We report a systematic mutational analysis of the helix-turn-helix motif (HTH) of the fushi tarazu (ftz) homeo domain (HD) of Drosophila. We started out by testing the function of chimeric ftz proteins containing either a part of the Sex combs reduced (Scr) or the muscle segment homeobox (msh) HDs. By complementation tests in transgenic flies, cotransfection assays in cultured Drosophila cells and in vitro DNA-binding assays, we have found that the ftz activity is retained in the ftz-Scr chimera but is lost in the ftz-msh chimera, which is defective in binding to an Antennapedia (Antp)-class target site. Further studies with a series of back-mutants of the ftz-msh chimera have revealed that a set of class-specific DNA backbone-contacting residues in the HTH, particularly Arg-28 and Arg-43, are required for efficient target site recognition and, hence, full ftz activity both in vitro and in vivo.     

Detection of anti-histone activity in sera of patients with monoclonal gammopathies

Sera from 249 patients with monoclonal gammopathies (85 multiple myeloma, 92 benign monoclonal gammopathies, 53 cryoglobulinemia, 19 Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinemia) were examined for the presence of anti-histone activity. Thirty-four sera were found positive. In 12 of these cases the serum monoclonal immunoglobulins were purified and in all, the anti-histone activity appeared to reside in the monoclonal component. None of the patients had symptomatology of lupus despite high titers of anti-histone activity. This study demonstrates an anti-histone activity of monoclonal components of patients with monoclonal gammopathies.     

Visual function and academic performance

Evaluation of 1,910 first-, second-, and third-grade students indicated that visual function and academic performance as measured by reading were not positively related. Visual function tests included visual acuity, muscle balance, preferred eye and hand, color vision, refraction, sensory and motor function, and a writing and drawing task. Academic tests included the Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Cognitive Abilities Test, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and the teacher's assessment of reading level. A simple test which can be completed during the office visit and interpreted by the ophthalmologist in the office included drawing, copying, and writing. A segment of this test, the "draw a bicycle test," can be used by an ophthalmologist to demonstrate the difference between vision and performance when examining a child up to third-grade level who is referred because of school failure.     

Home nutrition survey in the UK: the patient's perspective

A detailed survey questionnaire compiled by the executive committee of Patients on Intravenous and Nasogastric Nutrition Therapy (PINNT) was circulated in November 1991 to the postal addresses of all full (patient) members of PINNT in the UK. The objective of the survey was to identify current practices and problems of home nutrition support as seen from the patients perspective. 128 questionnaires were distributed. 87 (68%) analysable questionnaires were completed and returned. 77 were for parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients and 10 for patients on enteral nutrition (HEN). Areas of concern for patients include the practicalities of administration of lipid and additives, and problems associated with the appearance of air in infusion bags. Although most patients appeared happy with the home nutrition support services 18% commented on particular negative aspects. This survey highlights such areas which may not be identified during routine patient/clinician contact.     

消痔灵和强的松龙混合液治疗鼻息肉

0　引言　我科 1996 / 1998分别应用消痔灵与强的松龙混合液、消痔灵液、强的松龙液行鼻息肉内 ,鼻息肉蒂部注射治疗鼻息肉各 5 0例 ,并设对照组为鼻腔滴入及口服类固醇激素 5 0例 ,合计 2 0 0例 ,观察并对比其疗效 .1　对象和方法1.1　对象　男 12 8例 ,女 72例 ,年龄 8～ 78(平均 38)岁 ,病程 32 a～ 45 (平均 4.5 ) a.其中在本次治疗前做过一次鼻息肉摘除术后复发的 2 7例 ,做过 2次或 2次以上手术的 12例 .主要症状为鼻塞、流脓涕、头痛及嗅觉减退 .全部病例治疗前均行鼻窦 X线拍片 ,其中上颌窦炎 12 5例、筛窦炎 5 8例、蝶窦炎 2例、…     

Country watch. Mexico

Latin American pharmacies are low-cost, easy access centers for medical diagnosis, counseling, and treatment. The Mexican Institute for Research on the Family and Population therefore assessed the feasibility of training pharmacists to provide AIDS/STD education in Mexico City. Initial studies found pharmacy employees lacking accurate information on transmission, prevention, and symptoms, but clients nevertheless asking them about the topics. Training materials were developed with the help of feedback from focus groups and pharmacy workers city-wide were invited to participate in a program comparing between four interventions. One group attended a pharmaceutical plant tour, one received informational materials, one participated in the training course, and one attended the course and received informational materials. The training course was eight hours long on HIV/AIDS symptoms, evolution and effects; HIV transmission; prevention measures; attitudes and myths related to HIV/AIDS; and counseling clients. The study found that short, intense training reinforced with instructional and curricular materials can significantly increase the level of pharmacy employees' knowledge. Exposure to printed materials alone failed to have a substantial impact upon knowledge or condom sales. Few participants from any group transferred knowledge to clients, with lack of time cited as a contributory factor. It is concluded that more training and reinforcement are needed to encourage pharmacy workers to volunteer information to clients.     

Radiologically placed temporary hepatic artery catheter for treatment of liver cancer

Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy is associated with higher response rates compared to systemic chemotherapy in those patients with unresectable liver malignancies. Operative hepatic artery catheter (HAC) insertion has significant morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with high‐volume disease, some of whom may not respond to HAI chemotherapy. We report our experience in 45 patients with high‐volume liver disease who were initially treated with HAI chemotherapy via a radiologically placed temporary HAC to try to select the responders who then went on to have an operative HAC. In these 45 patients who had 62 radiologically placed HAC, we found very few major complications, and certainly no complications such as cholecystitis, vascular or malperfusion problems.     

Zur Einwirkung der Kurzwellen auf die Blutgefässe

Zusammenfassung Die vonPflomm beschriebenen spezifischen Einwirkungen der Kurzwellen (KW.) auf die Gefäße des Frosches konnten durch die Nachuntersuchernicht bestätigt werden. Die eigenen Untersuchungen lassen mit Sicherheit die Wärme als ursächlichen Faktor für alle beobachteten Erscheinungen erkennen. Die Versuche wurden im KW.-Feld und in erwärmter Ringerlösung ausgeführt. Die gleichzeitig vorgenommenen Temperaturmessungen lassen eine Zuordnung bestimmter Veränderungen zu bestimmten Temperaturen erkennen, die im KW.-Feld und in erwärmter Ringerlösung von gleicher Größenordnung sind.Herrn Prof. Dr.Alois Strasser, der mehrfach auf die zentrale Stellung unseres Themas in alien therapeutisch wichtigen Fragen hingewiesen hat, sind wir für die Anregung zu dieser Arbeit zu besonderem Dank verpflichtet. Weiters danken wir Herrn Prof. Dr.Gustav Sauser, in dessen Institut die Untersuchungen durchgeführt wurden.