Serum concentrations of oestradiol-17beta, progesterone, relaxin and chorionic gonadotrophin during blastocyst implantation in natural pregnancy cycle and in embryo transfer cycle in the rhesus monkey

The present study was undertaken to assess the temporal association between the profiles of serum concentrations of oestradiol-17beta, progesterone, chorionic gonadotrophin (CG) and relaxin in pregnancies established naturally, and after embryo transfer, as well as in failed pregnancies in rhesus monkeys. In naturally mated cycles (group 1) a conception rate of 75% was obtained. In group 1, the mean day of CG detection in serum was 11.5 +/- 1.9 day post-ovulation, and for relaxin, 9.0 +/- 2.5 day post-ovulation. In group 2, embryo transfer to synchronous, non-mated surrogate recipients was performed; seven embryo transfer cycles yielded three pregnancies which were allowed to continue to term and normal infants were delivered. In embryo transfer cycles the mean day of CG detection was 14.8 +/- 1.8 day post- ovulation, and for relaxin, 11.4 +/- 2.6 day post-ovulation. A delay of about 3 days was observed in the appearance in circulation of CG (P < 0.05) and also of relaxin (P < 0.05) between natural mated and embryo transfer conception cycles. Significant differences (P < 0.05 for progesterone and P < 0.03 for oestradiol) were obtained for the areas under the curves for progesterone and oestradiol between days 12 and 16 in conception cycles compared with failed pregnancies. These data provide the first observation of the normal hormonal signals associated with maternal recognition of transferred embryos during the peri- implantation period, and suggest that the use of such an experimental primate embryo transfer model may help to elucidate components of maternal and embryonic signal-response mechanisms during embryo implantation.      

Tourniquet inflation after intra-articular morphine and bupivacaine administration following knee arthroscopy

We performed a randomized doubled-blind study to evaluate whether there was a benefit in delay in tourniquet deflation with intra-articular administration of morphine and bupivacaine following operative arthroscopic surgery. In 34 patients the tourniquet was deflated immediately and in 38 patients the tourniquet remained inflated for 10 min following injection. The analgesic efficacy was assessed using pain scores and the amount of supplementary analgesia required. The results demonstrate no benefit in delay in tourniquet deflation.     

急性有机磷农药中毒120例的救治

0　引言　近年来 ,我科在救治急性有机磷农药 (organophos-phorus,OP)中毒方面 ,积累了一些经验 ,现报告如下 .1　对象和方法1 .1　对象　本组 1 2 0例符合《急诊急救学》中的诊断标准 [1 ](男 2 9例 ,女 91例 ) ,年龄 1 .5～ 70岁 ,平均 2 8.6岁 .经口中毒 99例 ,经皮肤中毒 2 1例 .轻度中毒 1 5例 ,中度中毒 42例 ,重度 (含极重度 )中毒 6 3例 . 1 996年 39例 ,1 997年 43例 ,1 998年 38例 . DDV 79例 ,乐果 2 0例 ,混合性中毒 1 0例 ,水胺磷 3例 ,氧化乐果、 391 1、 1 0 5 9、对硫磷各 2例 ,敌百虫 1例 ,药名不详 1 0例 .服毒量 >2 5 …     

Implementation of percutaneous dilation tracheotomy – value of preincisional ultrasonic examination?

BACKGROUND: In this observational study we have evaluated the implementation of percutaneous dilation tracheotomy (PDT), using the forceps dilation technique (Portex) in a multidisciplinary ICU. METHODS: We included a preincisional ultrasonic evaluation of the neck in order to visualise the isthmus glandula thyroidea and major vessels. The observational period comprised one year. PDT was performed in 28 patients. RESULTS: Implementation of PDT was uneventful. Duration of insertion was 10 min (4-40 min). Total time of tracheostomy was 8 days (1-65 days). In nine cases, the proximal end of the isthmus was overlying the space between the 1st and 2nd tracheal ring, which was considered the optimal insertion site. This resulted in seven cases of insertion between the cricoidea and the 1st tracheal ring and in two cases in a more distal insertion. Nineteen tracheotomies were performed in the interstice between the 1st and 2nd tracheal ring. In nine patients, major vessels were overlying the trachea. In none of the patients did this information result in an altered insertion site. Two cases of minor bleeding were observed; both stopped upon compression. In two patients the primary tube size (8.0) was too big and a smaller tube had to be inserted. In one patient the tube was maladapted to the stoma and had to be interchanged with an ordinary tracheostomial tube on the 5th day of tracheostomy. CONCLUSION: Based on the experience gathered in this study and information from the literature, we have abandoned the routine use of ultrasonic examination of the neck prior to PDT. In order to achieve and maintain routine, we suggest that the procedure is performed by a restricted number of doctors.     

Hydrogen peroxide inhibits gap junctional intercellular communication in glutathione sufficient but not glutathione deficient cells

Cell to cell communication via gap junctions is essential in the maintenance of the homeostatic balance of multicellular organisms. Aberrant intercellular gap junctional communication (GJIC) has been implicated in tumor promotion, neuropathy and teratogenesis. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in similar pathologies such as cancer. We report a potential link between oxidative stress and GJIC. Hydrogen peroxide, a known tumor promoter, inhibited GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells with an I50 value of 200 microM. Inhibition of GJIC by H2O2 was reversible as indicated by the complete recovery of GJIC with the removal of H2O2 via a change of fresh media. Free radical scavengers, such as t-butyl alcohol, propylgallate, and Trolox, did not prevent the inhibition of GJIC by H2O2, which indicated that the effects of H2O2 on GJIC was probably not a consequence of aqueous free radical damage. The depletion of intracellular GSH reversed the inhibitory effect of H2O2 on GJIC. The treatment of glutathione- sufficient cells with H2O2 resulted in the hyperphosphorylation of connexin43, which is the basic subunit of the hexameric gap junction protein, as determined by Western blot analysis. TPA, a well-known tumor promoter, also inhibits GJIC via hyperphosphorylation of GJIC, which is a result of protein kinase-C activation. However, H2O2 also induced hyperphosphorylation in GSH-deficient cells that had normal rates of GJIC. Therefore, the mechanism of GJIC inhibition must be different from the TPA-pathway and involves GSH.      

Within-subject variation of elastase/α1-protease inhibitor complexes and lactoferrin in plasma

Antonsen S. Within-subject variation of elastase/a!-protease inhibitor complexes and lactoferrin in plasma. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1993; 53: 611-616.

Several studies have shown increased plasma concentrations of neutrophil elas-tase in complex with a)-protease inhibitor and/or lactoferrin in inflammatory conditions, and serial measurements have been advocated in order to follow disease activity. However, data on the magnitude of the within-subject variation are necessary for evaluation of the significance of changes in results obtained on analysis of serial samples. Within-subject variation of elastase/oj)-protease inhibitor complexes and lactoferrin over a short time was studied in six young men who had blood samples drawn every 4h over 2 days. Within-subject variation over a longer time was investigated in 12 healthy adults, 6 females and 6 males, who had blood samples drawn in the morning once a week for 10 weeks. From five of the females and five of the males, blood samples were also drawn every morning on 5 consecutive days during 1 week. Within-subject variations over hours, days, and weeks were estimated as 0.050, 0.124, and 0.148 for elastase/ai-protease inhibitor complexes and as 0.101, 0.119, and 0.143 for lactoferrin. A tendency towards variation of LAC with menstrual cycle in fertile females was noticed. From within-subject variation, between-subject variation and analytical variation, indices of individuality were calculated as 1.1 and 1.8 for elastase/a]-protease inhibitor complexes and lactoferrin, respectively. This means that within-subject variation for lactoferrin is quite small compared to between-subject variation, and the usefulness of reference limits is very limited, when interpreting results from individual patients. For elastase/o)-protease inhibitor complexes, the use of reference limits might be more appropriate, although still not optimal.     

Angiogenic factors stimulate mast-cell migration

Mast cells accumulate at sites of angiogenesis. The factor(s) that control mast-cell recruitment at these sites have yet to be defined. We sought to determine if angiogenic factors result in mast-cell chemotaxis. In this study, we observed that platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) each cause directed migration of murine mast cells at picomolar concentrations, with a typical bell- shaped dose-response curve. Another potent angiogenic factor, platelet- derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), appears to promote chemokinesis of mast cells, whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a weak angiogenic factor, is less robust but still functions as a mast cell chemotactic factor. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), a growth factor with minimal angiogenic properties, was ineffective as a mast cell chemotactic factor. A checkerboard analysis confirmed the directional chemotactic response of PDGF-AB, VEGF, and bFGF, while indicating the chemokinetic response induced by PD-ECGF. Cross-desensitization of growth-factor-induced directed migration was observed between PDGF-AB and bFGF, and also between PDGF-AB and PD-ECGF. Tyrosine kinase- inhibitor genistein effectively dampened the chemotactic responses, whereas pertussis toxin had no effect. In summary, our findings suggest that factors known to act on endothelial cells and stimulate neovascularization may simultaneously serve to recruit mast cells to these sites. The local accumulation of mast cells is believed to facilitate new vessel formation through complex cell:cell interactions.