[Immunohistochemical localization of pregnancy-specific beta 1-globulin in placentas at various ages].

In the study reported here the dispersion of pregnancy-specific beta 1-globulin (SP1) in placentas from the 6th to the 40th week of pregnancy was determined by means of the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase method; cytophotometric quantification of the stain reaction was also carried out. SP1 was only identified in syncytiotrophoblasts. Cytotrophoblasts, villous stroma and vascular endothelia were free of SP1.

Pitfalls in the computed tomographic diagnosis of toruloma.

A case of multiple intracerebral mass lesions is presented in which significant "improvement" in the computed tomographic appearance was noted following steroid and radiation therapies. Nonetheless, the patient's clinical course was one of rapid deterioration, and an autopsy revealed multiple torulomas. It seems that the computed tomographic appearance of torulomas can mimic those of other intracranial mass lesions and can be greatly altered by steroid and radiation therapies, either singly or in combination.

Prostaglandin biosynthetic activities of isolated fetal lamb ductus arteriosus, other blood vessels, and lung tissue.

Experimental evidence from many laboratories implicates products of arachidonic acid metabolism in perinatal homeostasis of the circulation of the ductus arteriosus. Studies were conducted to define the potential prostaglandin and prostanoid biosynthetic capabilities of the isolated fetal lamb ductus arteriosus, other fetal blood vessels, and isolated fetal and neonatal lung tissue as possible humoral sources of vasoactive products. Because the biosynthetic pathway is a sequential cascade of enzyme reactions, both radiolabeled synthetic endoperoxide (PGH2) and arachidonic acid were used as substrates.

Studies of pulmonary prostaglandin biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes as factors in ductus arteriosus patency and closure. Evidence for a shift in products with gestational age.

The mechanisms underlying patency of the ductus arteriosus in utero and closure shortly after birth should permit optimal regulation of this important physiologic process. Although many studies indicate that vasodilatory prostaglandins contribute to patency, the contribution of the prostaglandin or prostanoid pathways to the closure mechanism has been less evident. The present studies tested a hypothesis which relates products of the cyclooxygenase pathway to modulation of ductal caliber.

Perinatal development of estrogen receptors in mouse brain assessed by radioautography, nuclear isolation and receptor assay.

The development of estrogen receptors was investigated in vivo in the brains of fetal and neonatal mice 2 h after administering [3H]moxestrol to the pregnant mothers or neonates. Moxestrol bypasses the alpha-fetoprotein 'protective barrier' and gains access to estrogen receptors. Analysis of [3H]moxestrol uptake by radioautography and by cell nuclear isolation and counting of radioactivity revealed a marked increase in the number of estrogen receptors and estrophilic cells in the brain during late fetal and early postnatal development.

Perinatal development of hypothalamic and cortical estrogen receptors in mouse brain: methodological aspects.

Binding of the estrogen, [3H]moxestrol, to fetal and neonatal mouse brain cytosol receptors was examined to determine the ontogeny of estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex from embryonic (E) day 15 to postnatal (P) day 18. Cytosol receptor assays were performed under exchange conditions at 25 degrees C for 4 h in order to measure receptors which had become occupied by estradiol during tissue homogenization. Scatchard analysis revealed high affinity (Kd = 0.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of left atrial size in children.

The ability of 2-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) to estimate end-systolic left atrial (LA) size and volume was assessed in 140 infants and children. These subjects were divided into 2 groups. Group A included 91 patients with normal LA volume and Group B included 49 patients with LA volume overload.

Superficial siderosis: a cause of leptomeningeal enhancement on computed tomography.

A case of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system proven by brain biopsy is described. The diagnosis was made antemortem, the first such case reported in the English language literature. Postcontrast material cerebral CT demonstrated widespread meningeal enhancement.

Mitral valve E point to ventricular septal separation in infants and children.

This investigation establishes heretofore unavailable norms that permit clinical application of mitral valve E point to ventricular septal separation (EPSS) as an ejection phase index in infants and children. The study consisted of 105 normal subjects (1 day through 15 years of age, mean 7.4 years) and 67 patients of comparable age.

Oncogenes: preliminary studies in head and neck cancer.

DNA has been extracted from squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx, base of tongue, and nasopharynx. These tumors were excised from patients at the St. Louis University Medical Center and processed at the Institute for Molecular Virology of the St.

Percutaneous discectomy: an alternative to chemonucleolysis?

At the University of Florida, a new technique for lumbar disc removal, called percutaneous discectomy, has been explored. This procedure may be performed under general or local anesthesia, frequently takes less than 15 minutes, and is generally bloodless. The patient selection process and the surgical technique are presented in detail.

From cyanotic infant to acyanotic adult - the odyssey of blue babies.

An edited summary of an Interdepartmental Conference arranged by the Department of Medicine of the UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles. Director of Conferences: William M. Pardridge, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine.

Current management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

Forty-two patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea presenting over a 5 year period were analyzed as to age, sex, etiology, anatomical and clinical findings, and methods of investigation and treatment. Eighty-eight were traumatic in origin, with the most common anatomical sites being ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid sinuses, and the cribriform plate region. Meningitis and pneumocephalus were the most frequently associated clinical findings each present in 31% of the cases.

The cardiovascular effects of metrizamide in infants.

A prospective study was performed in 30 children under 3 years of age to compare the cardiovascular effects of a nonionic contrast material of low osmolality, metrizamide, with those of a conventional ionic contrast material, meglumine sodium diatrizoate. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, left ventricular peak systolic pressure, heart rate, echocardiographically obtained end-diastolic and end-systolic dimension, and blood chemistries were obtained before and after angiography. Neither contrast material changed serum sodium, potassium, or creatinine levels.

Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac performance.

In this article, the authors define the role of each echocardiographic method in the evaluation of cardiac performance.

The vasoactivity of the fetal lamb ductus arteriosus studied in utero.

The ductus arteriosus of the undisturbed fetal lamb was studied chronically by techniques that allowed direct serial measurements of the calibre of the fetal channel. When the direct actions were studied of vasoactive agents on the ductus arteriosus, prostaglandins did not dilate the vessel beyond its resting dimensions. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, was a potent vasoconstrictor with a plateau of the dose-effect relationship occurring at 0.

Reconstruction of the paralyzed face with the polypropylene mesh template.

Several techniques for static suspension of soft tissues in facial paralysis are available, including this use of the polypropylene (Marlex) mesh template. Through a standard rhytidectomy, lip and melolabial incisions, this template can be attached to the pivotal facial suspension points to bring about a selective and adjustable redistribution of the facial soft tissues. Although not meant to replace autogenous tissue use or physiologic reanimation procedures, this technique proved to be useful in three selective cases.

SHOOTLESSNESS, VELAMENTOUS ROOTS, AND THE PRE-EMINENCE OF ORCHIDACEAE IN THE EPIPHYTIC BIOTOPE.

Roots of representative epiphytic orchids were examined for anatomical detail, desiccation resistance and evidence of CAM activity. Those "shootless" taxa examined (Campylocentrum pachyrrhizum (Reichenb. f.

Echocardiography reveals a high incidence of bicuspid aortic valve in Turner syndrome.

The most common cardiac defect in Turner syndrome has been described previously as coarctation of the aorta. We have evaluated 35 consecutive patients with Turner syndrome by clinical examination and by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography. Twelve patients (34%) had isolated, nonstenotic bicuspid aortic valve.

Ventricular and pulmonary artery volumes in patients with absent pulmonary valve. Factors affecting the natural course.

Right and left ventricular (RV and LV) volumes were determined in 19 patients with absent pulmonary valve syndrome using Simpson's rule and area-length methods. The volume of the proximal right pulmonary artery (RPAV) was calculated at maximal and minimal size using the area-length method. Patient groups included four newborns who responded to medical management (group 1A), seven critically ill newborns who died (group 1B), four infants ages 1-10 months (group 2) and four children ages 2-8 years (group 3).