The relationship of the number of Meissner's corpuscles to dermatoglyphic characters and finger size

This study investigated the relationships between the density of Meissner's corpuscles and the dermatoglyphic characteristics of human fingers. Dermatoglyphic prints and tissue samples were collected from the index (II) and ring (IV) fingers of 28 cadavers from the Medical School, University of Adelaide. Pattern types, pattern intensity, total ridge count and ridge breadth, were determined for each sample and the density of Meissner's corpuscles established by recording the mean number of Meissner's corpuscles underlying a 10 mm long line on the skin surface. No relationship was found between the density of Meissner's corpuscles and pattern type, pattern intensity or total ridge count. Negative correlations were found for the density of Meissner's corpuscles with both ridge width and size of fingers. Males were found to have significantly larger fingers, larger ridge breadth, and a lower density of Meissner's corpuscles per 10 mm compared with females. However, there was no difference between the total number of Meissner's corpuscles per finger in males and females. No significant differences were found in either the density of Meissner's corpuscles between antimeres or between the index and ring fingers. These results suggest that for both the left and right hand in males and females, there is a similar number of Meissner's corpuscles for both the index and ring fingers.     

Atrial Septal Versus Atrial Appendage Pacing:

HERMIDA, J.-S., et al. : Atrial Septal Versus Atrial Appendage Pacing: Feasibility and Effects on Atrial Conduction, Interatrial Synchronization, and Atrioventricular Sequence. Atrial septal (Se-P) and atrial appendage pacing (Ap-P) were compared in a randomized, controlled study to assess the feasibility, the reliability, and the effects of Se-P on atrial conduction, interatrial synchronization, and the AV sequence. The main baseline characteristics of the patients were comparable in both groups. There was no difference in feasibility or reliability between the two techniques. Compared to Ap-P   (n = 28)   , Se-P   (n = 28)   decreased the P wave duration, left atrial electromechanical delay (LAEMD), and interatrial interval (−1.6% vs   +28%, P < 0.001; −3%   vs   + 30%, P < 0.001; −130%   vs   + 78%, P < 0.001   ); it induced a smaller increase of the right AEMD, a slight reversal of the timing of the atrial systoles and a shortening of the PR interval (−13% vs   + 25%, P < 0.001   ) and of the interval separating atrial systoles from ventricular activation. Finally, the shortening of the PR interval was smaller during high Se-P versus low Se-P. Se-P avoids the undesirable prolongation of the atrial, interatrial, and AV conductions observed during Ap-P. In addition, Se-P creates a slight reversal of the timing of the atrial systoles and induces a shortening of PR interval, the extent of which could depend on the height of the pacing site on the septum. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:26–35)     

Morphological and Immunological Observations in Experimentally Induced Torsion of Testis in Rats

ABSTRACT: In an experimentally established model of torsion of the testis, morphological and immunological observations were evaluated on 180 Wistar rats. Torsion of the testis was carried out to observe in animals the biological phenomenon that naturally occurs in man. The effect of the twisted testis on the contralateral testis was carefully checked. The morphological observations revealed serious damage to the seminiferous tubules in the contralateral testis. In four rats, persistent infertility was observed as an effect of torsion. The infertility was confirmed by total atrophy of seminiferous epithelium in testis section. The cell-binding abilities of sera obtained from rats at different times after torsion were studied by cell-binding radioimmunoassay with different types of germinal cells. The presence of autoantibodies to epididymal spermatozoa was revealed in most cases, being a secondary effect of the thus-far unknown, nonspecific factors responsible for damage of the contralateral testis.     

Stimulation of Lymphocytes by Spermatozoa-Stimulated Cells*

ABSTRACT: The mechanism of spermatozoalymphocyte interaction was studied using spermatozoa and lymphocytes obtained from 11 healthy individuals and from 2 patients with spermatocoele. The lymphocytes activated by spermatozoa in 3-day cultures were used as inducers of fresh, unstimulated autologous or allogeneic lymphocytes. In 9 cases of 13 tested sperm samples, a slight proliferative response of lymphocytes stimulated by spermatozoa-induced lymphocytes was observed. The final effect did not depend on whether an autologous or an allogeneic system was used in the first and the second incubation. A possible explanation of the observed reaction is discussed.     

Pulmonary Vein Stenting for the Treatment of Acquired Severe Pulmonary Vein Stenosis after Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Clinical Implications after Long-Term Follow-Up of 4 Years

Introduction: Severe pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-recognized complication with a further reported incidence of 1.3%. The preferred therapy for symptomatic PVS is pulmonary vein (PV) angioplasty, but this treatment modality is followed by restenosis in 44–70%. Whether there is additional long-term benefit from PVS stenting is uncertain. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the long-term success after PV stenting of severe stenosis.
Methods and Results: Ten patients (pts) with 13 PVS were prospectively evaluated. PV stenting was performed with Palmaz Genesis stents. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lung perfusion scans, and CT-scans were performed before, directly after, and every 12 months thereafter. Primary endpoint of the study was the occurrence of restenosis after PV stenting. After a median follow-up of 47.7 (IQRs 25/75 47.2–48.5) months, the primary endpoint was achieved in 3 out of 13 PVs (23% of the treated PVs). We observed two in-stent restenosis 2 and 4 years after PV stenting. These pts experienced onset of dyspnea some weeks before. After an additional balloon angioplasty, the in-stent restenosis was resolved. In one asymptomatic patient, we observed an occlusion of the PV stent 13 months poststenting. Normalization of lung perfusion was noted 4 years after PV stenting versus directly poststenting in all pts without in-stent restenosis (n = 7).
Conclusion: PVS stenting with stent sizes ≥10 mm seems to be an adequate therapy modality for treatment of severe acquired PVS. Late in-stent restenosis after PVS stenting can occur. The normalization of the initially disturbed lung perfusion scan is possible and remains stable, even 4 years after PVS stenting.     

PREPARATIVE OXIDATIVE CONVERSION OF PROTECTED PEPTIDE Cα-HYDRAZIDES INTO THE CORRESPONDING ACIDS BY N-BROMOSUCCINIMIDE

A procedure for the preparative, oxidative conversion of protected peptide hydrazides into the corresponding acids by N-bromosuccinimide is described. Purification was achieved by high performance liquid chromatography on silica gel in chloroform-alcohol-acetic acid systems. Average recovery of purified protected peptide acids was over 90%.