The measurement of the regression of carcinoma of the bladder using ultrasonography and CT scanning during and after radical radiotherapy.

In 50 patients receiving radical radiotherapy for carcinoma of the bladder a well-defined tumour was observed in the bladder either by trans-abdominal ultrasonography or by CT scanning prior to treatment. The histological type was transitional cell carcinoma 46, adenocarcinoma 1 and squamous cell carcinoma 3. The cross-sectional area of the tumour in the transverse plane was measured before the start of radiotherapy.

Raman spectroscopic studies of hen egg-white lysozyme at high temperatures and pressures.

In situ high-temperature, high-pressure Raman experiments on 3 mM (pH 5) aqueous solutions of hen egg-white (HEW) lysozyme show a decrease in the relative height of the 505 cm-1 band associated with S-S stretching vibrations at 72 degrees C (1 bar). The peak height changes are accompanied by significant band broadening, and the integrated band intensity does not change within experimental error. The effect of increased pressure at 72 degrees C was to hinder broadening of the 505 cm-1 band.

Is percutaneous transluminal angioplasty better than exercise for claudication? Preliminary results from a prospective randomised trial.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of intermittent claudication despite the lack of controlled studies. The aim of this study was to compare PTA with supervised exercise therapy for patients with arterial occlusive disease judged suitable for PTA at angiography. Patients were assessed before treatment commenced and at three monthly intervals afterwards.

DataVoice: a microcomputer-based general purpose voice-controlled data-collection system.

An integrated system of hardware and software has been developed to combine the input of coordinate data from a digitizing pad with voice input for object identification or classification. The menu and voice-controlled software generates a sequential ASCII file which contains an object identification section and a data section. Rules for data entry and analysis programs have been developed for several applications.

Tissue reaction to intraperitoneal polymer implants: species difference and effects of corticoid and doxorubicin.

The peritoneal cavity is a convenient site for implantation of encapsulated hormone-secreting tissue. However, host tissue organization around such implants may affect solute exchange and viability of the encapsulated tissue. The reaction to polyvinyl chloride acrylic copolymer capsules implanted in the peritoneal cavity of rats and mice was therefore studied.

Rapid changes of light microscopic indices of osteoclast-bone relationships correlated with electron microscopy.

The relationships of tibial endosteal osteoclasts to bone surfaces were quantitatively evaluated during initiation of calcium repletion in calcium-deficient rats. To do this, indices of osteoclast-bone relationships obtained by light microscopy were devised and evaluated by comparing with those obtained by electron microscopy (EM). These indices are the percent of the osteoclast width that (1) exhibits markers indicative of a ruffled border, (2) is in close contact with bone, (3) is isolated from bone by other cell types, and (4) is separated from bone by intercellular material.

Hepatocyte cell surface polarity as demonstrated by lectin binding.

We performed an investigation at the ultrastructural level of the differential distribution of lectin-binding sites among sinusoidal, lateral, and bile canalicular domains of adult rat hepatocytes. Lectin binding to hepatocyte glycocalices was studied in situ or after cellular dissociation by enzymatic (collagenase), chemical (EDTA), and mechanical methods, as well as during cell culture. Using thirteen biotinylated lectins and an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC), we have identified lectin-binding sites that are predominantly localized in the bile canalicular [Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA)] or sinusoidal [Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA)] domains in situ and in mechanically dissociated cells.

Use of semipermeable polyurethane hollow fibers for pituitary organ culture.

A new model for organ culture of endocrine tissue is described. Rat anterior pituitary fragments were cultured for 4 wk within semipermeable polyurethane isocyanate hollow fibers. Growth hormone and prolactin, two of the anterior pituitary hormones, were released into the medium during the entire culture period.

A quantitative analysis of lectin binding to adult rat hepatocyte cell surfaces.

A quantitative evaluation of lectin binding to adult rat hepatocyte cell surfaces was done using cells isolated by two different collagenase perfusion methodologies and cultured as monolayers with two different tissue culture media formulations (protocol I vs. protocol II). The presence of alpha-D-mannosyl and alpha-D-glucosyl groups was detected by the binding of Concanavalin A (Con A), Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), and Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) to freshly isolated cells.

A review of experimental methods measuring peripheral nerve regeneration in animals.

We have reviewed the morphologic, electrophysiologic, biochemical, and functional methods of evaluating PN regeneration in animal models. There are a large number of anatomic techniques that can provide clear insights into the processes of peripheral nerve regeneration. Since many of these are costly in terms of labor, careful selection of the technique appropriate for the question asked is important.

Intraoperative transluminal balloon dilatation permits simpler safer reconstructive surgery.

The clinical and radiological features of seven patients in whom intraoperative transluminal balloon dilatation was used, are described. Indications and advantages of the technique are discussed.

Electron microscopic identification of parvovirus virions in erythroid-line cells in fatal hydrops fetalis.

Intrauterine infection with parvovirus B19 may lead to fatal hydrops fetalis. Intranuclear particles, consistent with parvovirus virions, within erythroid cells were readily identified on transmission electron microscopy of formalin-preserved material obtained at necropsy from a neonate and two fetuses in whom clinical and light microscopic criteria for parvovirus B19 infection were met. No such particles were seen in similar material from a neonate and two fetuses with erythroblastosis fetalis due to alpha-thalassemia, maternofetal Rh incompatibility, and an erythrocyte membrane protein defect.

Minima equalization: a useful strategy in automatic processing of microscopic images.

Specifically stained features in microscopic images rarely have a unique range of grey levels which would permit selection of the features by simple thresholding. The spaces between features and immediately surrounding them are often as dark or darker than the more lightly stained features. An algorithm for minima equalization which facilitates the extraction and segmentation of such features was designed and is explained in intuitive terms.

Objective diagnosis of otitis media in early infancy by tympanometry and ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds.

Otitis media in early infancy carries a high risk of recurrent otitis media and prolonged middle ear effusion. To fulfill the need for objective diagnostic methods in this age group, we investigated susceptance tympanograms and ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds in infants younger than 5 months of age. Tympanometry and acoustic reflex thresholds were performed with an otoadmittance meter using a 660 Hz probe tone.

Demonstration of differential immunohistochemical localization of the neuron-specific enolase antigen in rat pinealocytes.

A refined method for the immunohistological demonstration of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) on 1- to 2-micron Epon-812 section gave characteristic staining of cerebral and cerebellar neurons. This method has made it possible to obtain a more detailed characterization of the heterogeneity of rat pinealocytes in the superficial portion of the rat pineal complex. Thirty adult male rats have been studied, five of which were used in a photometric analysis of the distribution of NSE.

Long-term plasma glucose normalization in experimental diabetic rats with macroencapsulated implants of benign human insulinomas.

Permselective tubular membranes (1 mm i.d.) were filled with fragments of nine freshly resected human insulinomas, closed at both ends, and implanted in the peritoneal cavity of 30 streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Lectin binding to parietal cells of human gastric mucosa.

A light microscopic and ultrastructural analysis of lectin receptors on parietal cells from human gastric mucosa was performed utilizing 12 biotinylated lectins in conjunction with an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. Peanut agglutinin conjugated directly to peroxidase was also used. Several fixatives and fixation regimens were evaluated for optimal preservation of parietal cell saccharide moieties.

Attachment and long term survival of adult rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer cultures: comparison of different substrata and tissue culture media formulations.

Long-term monolayer cultures of adult rat hepatocytes were tested for their ability to glucuronize phenol red and to maintain initial levels of cell proteins, glucose consumption, and lactic acid production. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage served as an index of culture status because a high value indicates cell death. Three tissue culture (TC) media formulations were the main variables introduced to determine ideal conditions for cell survival in vitro.

Ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes in neonates.

Ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes were studied in neonates using 220 and 660 Hz probe tones and 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz activators. Activator sound pressure level was measured in all ears. Ipsilateral and contralateral reflexes were detected three times more frequently with a 660 Hz probe tone than with a 220 Hz probe tone.

Number and size of rat thyroid C cells: no effect of pinealectomy.

A method for the estimation of the size and total number of calcitonin-containing cells (C cells) in the rat thyroid gland has been devised. The total area, the number of C cells per unit area, and the areal fraction of C cells were determined for the C cell region using step serial sections. From these data it was estimated that from 0.

Ipsilateral acoustic reflexes in infants.

Ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were studied in otoscopically normal ears of infants 2 weeks to 12 months old. Probe tones of 220 and 660 Hz and pure tone activators were used. Reflex recordings were free of activator artifact and were measured using quantitative standards.

Congenital and postnatally acquired cytomegalovirus infections: long-term follow-up.

To determine long-term outcome of children with inapparent congenital cytomegalovirus infection, an assessment of congenitally infected children observed since birth was undertaken. Children with early postnatal acquisition of CMV infection were also evaluated. Cognitive, behavioral, neurologic, audiometric, and speech and language evaluations were performed in 48 patients, including 17 congenitally infected children, 10 children with postnatal infection, and 21 uninfected control subjects.