Plasma heparin cofactor II in alcoholic liver disease.

The coagulation inhibitor heparin cofactor II (HC II) was measured in various liver diseases and compared with antithrombin (AT), Normotest (NT), albumin and bilirubin. The lowest mean HC II level was found in alcoholic cirrhosis and the reduction reflected the degree of liver failure. A statistically significant association was found between HC II and AT (r = 0.

The occurrence, recognition and developmental fate of pseudo-multipronuclear eggs after in-vitro fertilization of human oocytes.

The presence of three or more presumed pronuclei in 27 of 884 (3%) in-vitro fertilized human eggs suggested the occurrence of polyspermic fertilization. Detailed examination by differential interference contrast microscopy indicated that approximately 40% of presumed multipronuclear eggs were normally fertilized but contained a cytoplasmic vacuole(s) (pseudo-pronucleus) of pronuclear dimension and gross morphology. Closely timed observations of presumed multipronuclear eggs revealed that pseudo-pronuclei (PPN) can co-migrate and become juxtaposed with true pronuclei, thus presenting the impression of an aberrant fertilization.

Identification of high levels of protein phosphatase-1 in rat liver nuclei.

Rat liver nuclei contain a protein phosphatase that is indistinguishable from the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase-1 in its molecular mass, sensitivity to inhibitor-1 and inhibitor-2 and specificity for the beta-subunit of phosphorylase kinase. This activity is not bound to the outer nuclear membrane, but located within the nucleus. The average level of protein phosphatase-1 activity in nuclei is at least 5-fold higher than its average extranuclear concentration.

Regulation of development in the fully grown mouse oocyte: chromosome-mediated temporal and spatial differentiation of the cytoplasm and plasma membrane.

The relationship between nuclear maturation and the differentiation of the cytoplasm and plasma membrane during resumption of arrested meiosis was investigated by culture of GV-and MII-stage mouse oocytes in the presence and absence of nocodazole. Culture in the presence of nocodazole was associated with dispersal of MI and MII chromosomes throughout the subplasmalemmal cytoplasm. A progression of cortical (thickening of actin filaments) and plasma membrane changes (denudation of microvilli, reduction in cell surface glycoproteins, formation of chromosome-containing evaginations) that normally occurs in proximity to chromosomes associated with intact MI or MII spindles took place only in those regions of the cortical cytoplasm containing the dispersed subplasmalemmal chromosomes.

Discourse performance in older adults.

Thirty-three elderly women, whose mean age was 76.2 years, and eighteen middle-aged women, whose mean age was 45.6 years, were assessed on a number of linguistic discourse tasks.

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the hand.

A case of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of a long bone of the hand is reported. There has been only one similar case recorded, though it is not uncommon in other long bones. The diagnosis was proved by histology, and the tumour treated by subperiosteal excision.

Fracture of the lumbar vertebral apophysis.

Three cases of vertebral apophyseal fracture and displacement presenting with back pain are reported. Literature review revealed 11 other such cases, and these are compared. Computed tomography scan was found to be an excellent tool to confirm this diagnosis.

Comparison of a CEA-EIA assay based on monoclonal antibody with a CEA-RIA assay with polyclonal antiserum.

A monoclonal CEA-EIA assay is evaluated with respect to clinically pertinent data. Comparison is done with the conventional CEA-RIA assay (Roche). Good interlaboratory reproducibility was found, and the stability was very good over the one year evaluation period.

Plasma-HDL-cholesterol and estimated ethanol consumption in 104 patients with alcohol dependence syndrome.

Plasma-HDL-cholesterol levels were determined in 104 patients (92 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 43 years (range 20-70 years). All were admitted to a clinic for alcoholics and had a mean drinking history of 13 years with a mean consumption of 48.2 l of pure ethanol per year.

Constant diazepam infusion in the treatment of continuous seizure activity.

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that requires rapid seizure control. Intravenous bolus diazepam has been used in the rapid reversal of status epilepticus; this agent usually is combined with parenteral phenobarbital or phenytoin for a more sustained suppression of seizure activity. In certain situations, these longer-acting agents are not effective in controlling the seizure disorder, necessitating alternative therapeutic measures.