Sexual confusion among certain college males.

In dealing with college age (18-22) males, clinical observations have shown a fairly common inability to successfully form intimate relationships with same-age females. This problem often appears to be due to an inability to bond and trust that is rooted in the formative years in the nuclear home. When this happens, the young male frequently develops a fear of being sexually abnormal, perhaps even homosexual.

Endoscopic versus operative gastrostomy: final results of a prospective randomized trial.

This study compared operative gastrostomy (OG) (by surgeons) with endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) (by physicians) in a prospective randomized fashion to determine whether one technique was superior. PEG (Sachs-Vine) and OG (Stamm) were done using local anesthesia. Patients were assessed for complications, mortality, tube function, and cost.

Factors influencing magnesium absorption and metabolism in ruminants.

Magnesium is a nutrient required for all animals, but it is especially critical for ruminants. A physiological deficiency of Mg results in hypomagnesemic tetany. Typically, only female ruminants are affected, and the disturbance usually occurs during the early stages of lactation.

Effects of continuous administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on plasma minerals and unoccupied colon mucosal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor concentrations.

Six mature nonlactating, nonpregnant Jersey cows were implanted with Alzet mini-osmotic pumps, which delivered 50 micrograms of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] each day for 7 d in an effort to mimic plasma concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] observed in cows at parturition. Plasma samples were obtained daily beginning 6 d prior to implantation and ending 8 d after removal of the implants. Six biopsies of the descending colon mucosa were obtained per rectum before and after implantation and assayed for unoccupied 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor concentration.

Parturient hypocalcemia in jersey cows fed alfalfa haylage-based diets with different cation to anion ratios.

Jersey cows were fed three alfalfa haylage-based diets with different cation-anion balances beginning 6 wk preceding third or later calving and ending 24 to 36 h postpartum. Sodium and Cl as percentages of dietary DM were .08 and 1.

Human macrophages cultured on agar but not agarose resemble mast cells.

It has been reported that rare colonies of mast cells may be identified when human bone marrow cells are cultured in agar. Based on this observation, we attempted to culture mast cells from human bone marrow using a modified agar interphase culture. Metachromatically staining cells appearing in culture peaked in number by 2-3 weeks and consisted of basophil-like cells, mast-like cells and larger, granulated cells superficially resembling mast cells.

Endoscopic variceal ligation: an alternative to sclerotherapy.

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) consists of mechanical ligation and thrombosis of varices using elastic "O" rings. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of EVL as definitive therapy for bleeding esophageal varices. During a 16-month period, 68 consecutive patients with bleeding varices had EVL.

Non-michaelian behavior of 5 alpha-reductase in human prostate.

An in-depth analysis of the kinetics of 5 alpha-reductase in human prostatic tissue gave findings inconsistent with the claim that the enzyme is michaelian. In both hyperplastic and malignant tissue, the time-course of the conversion of testosterone (T) into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was non-linear under conditions ensuring less than 15% conversion of substrate and cofactor. An initial rapid phase of conversion was followed by a long steady-state phase.

Recurring hypocalcemia of bovine parturient paresis is associated with failure to produce 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Parturient paresis (milk fever) is a hypocalcemic disorder caused by the onset of lactation in the dairy cow. In most cows a complete recovery follows a single iv calcium treatment to correct the acute hypocalcemia. However, about 20% of cows treated for parturient paresis experience recurring episodes of hypocalcemia (relapses) requiring further treatment.

Endoscopic cholangiography and stone removal prior to cholecystectomy. A more cost-effective approach than operative duct exploration?

Would economic benefit result from performing endoscopic cholangiography and removal of common bile duct stones prior to cholecystectomy in patients who are suspected preoperatively of having choledocholithiasis? In this study, 173 patients had cholecystectomy and 30 (17%) had common bile duct exploration. Records of these patients were reviewed as were those of 31 patients who had only endoscopic cholangiography and endoscopic stone removal. Cost estimates were based on local charges.

Periparturient hypocalcemia in cows: effects on peripheral blood neutrophil and lymphocyte function.

Periparturient dairy cows are quite susceptible to intramammary infections and clinical mastitis, epidemiologic evidence indicates that parturient paresis (milk fever) greatly increases the risk of mastitis, although a causal relationship has not been established. In the present experiment the effects of hypocalcemia at parturition on the immune status of dairy cows were investigated. Ten healthy, multiparous Holstein cows were fed a high Ca diet prepartum to induce hypocalcemia at parturition.

Periparturient hypocalcemia in cows: prevention using intramuscular parathyroid hormone.

Intravenously administered parathyroid hormone has recently been reported to prevent parturient paretic hypocalcemia in dairy cows. In the present study, Parathyroid hormone was administered intramuscularly prior to parturition to study its effects on Ca homeostasis and the incidence of periparturient hypocalcemia. Ten Holstein cows were fed a high Ca diet prepartum to predispose them to parturient paretic hypocalcemia.

IL-3-dependent growth of basophil-like cells and mastlike cells from human bone marrow.

Human bone marrow cultured in the presence of human rIL-3 has been reported to give rise to basophils. In contrast, mouse bone marrow, cultured in the presence of mouse IL-3, leads to the growth of mast cells. To determine if human rIL-3 might also stimulate the growth of human mast cells, we cultured human bone marrow in the presence of human rIL-3 in suspension cultures, methylcellulose, and in "interphase" cultures where cells are layered over agar.

Endoscopic elastic band ligation for active variceal hemorrhage.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of EVL for treatment of active variceal hemorrhage. Twenty-three consecutive patients with actively bleeding esophageal varices had EVL with a flexible gastroscope. Treatment was measured by initial control of bleeding, incidence of early and late rebleeding, survival, complications, and size of varices at subsequent endoscopy.

Technique and early clinical results of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL).

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is a new technique designed to be used instead of sclerotherapy. Small elastic "O" rings ligate varices resulting in their strangulation and eradication. During a 12-month period, EVL was employed in 53 consecutive patients, of whom 36 (68%) had alcoholic cirrhosis 17 were Child-Pugh class A, 22 class B, and 14 class C.

The human sphincter of Oddi. Physiology and pathophysiology.

The sphincter of Oddi (SO) is critically located at the junction of the common bile duct (CBD), main pancreatic duct, and the duodenum. It is a high-pressure zone with phasic contractions that regulate bile and pancreatic juice flow. The SO is probably regulated by several gastrointestinal hormones, and its basal pressure and phasic contractions can be elevated or decreased significantly by exogenous drugs.

Endoscopic sclerotherapy versus endoscopic variceal ligation: esophageal symptoms, complications, and motility.

Endoscopic sclerotherapy is an effective method for treating bleeding esophageal varices. However, a number of complications may limit its usefulness. A newly developed method for treating bleeding varices, endoscopic variceal ligation, that uses small rubber bands to occlude and eradicate the varices, may cause less damage to the esophagus.

Problems in placement of the Greenfield inferior vena cava filter.

Placement of an intracaval device is the treatment of choice for failure of, or contraindication to, anticoagulation therapy. A retrospective study of 111 patients from 1980 to 1986 was undertaken to identify the incidence and degree of related complications or problems regarding placement of the device. Ninety seven of 111 (87.

(De)phosphorylation agents influence 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone in human prostate.

The effects of ATP and of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on the kinetics of 5 alpha-reductase were studied in a microsomal preparation from hyperplastic human prostates. DNP decreased and ATP increased enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in one and the same prostate, activity was inversely correlated to prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) concentration.

Radioligand purification prior to routine receptor assays.

The need to repurify the commercially available radioligands [3H]estradiol and [3H]testosterone before use in routine assays was investigated. Storage of these products for 2 months after delivery led to appreciable degradation of [3H]estradiol compared to [3H]testosterone. Unexpectedly, TLC and even HPLC procedures were ineffective in completely restoring the purity of [3H]-estradiol and the unremoved polar products induced important variations in our estrogen receptor assays.

Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium homeostasis in ruminants.

Significant advances have been made in the last 30 years in the understanding of Ca, PO4, and Mg homeostasis in ruminants. Despite these advances, the primary cellular or molecular lesions responsible for failure of homeostasis have yet to be identified. Suggested causes, such as primary hormone deficiencies, have been eliminated, and we now believe that aging and nutrition can reduce the ability of intestine, bone, and kidney to respond rapidly to the hormone signals responsible for homeostasis during rapid increases in demand for these minerals.

Use of 24-F-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to prevent parturient paresis in dairy cows.

Forty-one aged Jersey cows were fed a high Ca diet prior to parturition to predispose them to parturient paresis. Twenty-one of the cows were treated with 24-F-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, a synthetic analogue of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 7 d before the expected parturition. Treated cows received either 100 micrograms (n = 7) or 150 micrograms (n = 14) of 24-F-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, intramuscularly at 7-d intervals until the cow calved.

Gastrointestinal symptoms, motility, and transit after the Roux-en-Y operation.

Roux-en-Y patients have symptoms that vary from almost none to inability to tolerate oral feedings. This study was designed to determine whether there is a relationship between a patient's symptoms and the function of the gastric remnant or the Roux-limb. Gastric remnant and Roux-limb emptying were studied in eight patients with technetium-99m-labeled oatmeal and Roux-limb motor activity was measured with a water-perfused manometry system.