Amino acid sequences of neuropeptides in the sinus gland of the land crab Cardisoma carnifex: a novel neuropeptide proteolysis site.

The sinus gland is a major neurosecretory structure in Crustacea. Five peptides, labeled C, D, E, F, and I, isolated from the sinus gland of the land crab have been hypothesized to arise from the incomplete proteolysis at two internal sites on a single biosynthetic intermediate peptide "H", based on amino acid composition additivities and pulse-chase radiolabeling studies. The presence of only a single major precursor for the sinus gland peptides implies that peptide H may be synthesized on a common precursor with crustacean hyperglycemic hormone forms, "J" and "L," and a peptide, "K," similar to peptides with molt inhibiting activity.

Proteolytic processing of the Aplysia egg-laying hormone and R3-14 neuropeptide precursors.

A number of animal behaviors are influenced by the actions of neuropeptides that arise from the processing of complex protein precursors. In this report we investigate the proteolytic processing of neuropeptide precursors expressed in the Aplysia californica bag cells, which govern egg-laying, and neurons R3-14, which mediate aspects of cardiac output. Peptides were purified by fractionation on 2 high-pressure liquid chromatography systems followed by determination of amino acid compositions.

Quantitative HPLC analysis of rat neurophysin processing.

Neuropeptides exist in multiple bioactive forms and it is important to understand quantitative aspects of variations in the metabolism of the different forms. Towards this end a sensitive HPLC procedure, utilizing on-line reaction with fluorescamine, was developed for the quantitative analysis of the major neural lobe peptides of male Wistar rats. Peptide peaks were defined by amino acid analysis, carboxypeptidase digestion, gel electrophoresis and, in the case of the glycopeptide, gel filtration and Edman degradation.

Purification and amino acid composition of a peptide with molt-inhibiting activity from the lobster, Homarus americanus.

A peptide was isolated and purified from sinus glands of the lobster, Homarus americanus, that was able to decrease circulating titers of ecdysteroids and increase the molt interval of eyestalk-ablated juvenile lobsters. This molt-inhibiting activity was demonstrated to consist of two very closely related peptides by means of high-performance liquid chromatography and gel electrophoresis. By means of amino acid analyses, a molecular weight of approximately 8700 was obtained.

Pulmonary assessment of children after chlamydial pneumonia of infancy.

We evaluated the pulmonary status of 18 children 7 to 8 years after their hospitalization for chlamydial pneumonia of infancy. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and respiratory questionnaire results in this group were compared with those in a control group of 19 comparable children from the same community, and with values that other investigators have reported for normal children. Significant limitations of expiratory airflow were found (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and FEF 25%-75%), as well as signs of abnormally elevated volumes of trapped air (FRC and RV/TLC ratios).

Outcomes of emergency room visits for asthma. II. Relationship to admission criteria.

To learn how the outcomes of emergency room (ER) care relate to the decision-making process, criteria for the disposition of asthma in the ER were incorporated into a formal protocol in the form of an algorithm for use by pediatric resident physicians. We compared the application of those criteria with the consequences of 199 decisions to admit patients to the hospital for asthma and of 293 decisions to discharge patients from the ER. For most patients the chance of relapse was significantly raised if they were discharged from the ER when the protocol had specified admission.

Outcomes of emergency room visits for asthma. I. Patient determinants.

To learn how differences among individual patients influence the outcomes of their emergency room (ER) visits for asthma, we matched the results of 1209 sequential ER visits with the records of the 464 children and young adults who visited during a 37-week interval. Most patients visited the ER only once and were unlikely to be admitted. Those patients admitted once were unlikely to be admitted a second time.

Rebound hyperresponsiveness to muscarinic stimulation after chronic therapy with an inhaled muscarinic antagonist.

In 9 young subjects with mild asthma, we investigated the possibility that chronic daily administration of an inhaled muscarinic antagonist (ipratropium bromide) might increase the response of muscarinic receptors in airway smooth muscle to agonist stimulation caused by receptor upregulation. Subjects inhaled 60 micrograms of ipratropium 4 times daily for 3 wk. Methacholine bronchoprovocation (with or without acute pretreatment with ipratropium) was performed before (control period) and during 3 wk of daily ipratropium therapy (medication period).

Cytogenetic studies of 1-29 translocation carrying cows and their embryos.

An examination has been made of embryos from infertile 1-29 translocation carrying heifers. Cytogenetic measurements of C-banded chromosomes from these cattle, together with those from fertile 1-29 cows, have been made and compared with those from normal karyotypes. There are relative differences between normal animals and translocation carriers in the ratios of total to C-banded material throughout the karyotypes: their possible effects on mitosis and meiosis are discussed.

Subjective response to cigarette smoking following airway anesthetization.

Subjective response to cigarette smoking was assessed after partial blockade of upper and lower airway sensations by the topical application of lidocaine. Pack-a-day smokers were given one cigarette after each of four conditions: (1) mouth anesthesia, obtained by rinsing the mouth with 2% lidocaine; (2) mouth and pharyngeal anesthesia, in which subjects rinsed their mouths and gargled with 2% lidocaine; (3) upper and lower airway anesthesia, in which subjects rinsed their mouths and gargled with a 2% lidocaine solution, and inhaled a mist containing 4% lidocaine (60 breaths); and (4) saline control, in which all solutions (rinse, gargle and inhalation) were saline. A significant linear decline in cigarette craving occurred with increasing anesthesia, and desirability ratings over the first several puffs were also reduced by anesthesia.

Clinical investigation of the cup/disc ratio.

1,277 white and 387 black male veterans were studied in an attempt to determine the racial difference, if any, between the distribution of cup/disc ratios in these two groups of non-glaucomatous patients. The data show a highly significant statistical difference between white and black patients in regard to normal variation of their C/D ratios. Although there were no differences between the prevalence of C/D ratios of 0.

Excessive numbers and activity of peripheral blood B cells in infants with Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia.

The peripheral blood lymphocytes of seven infants who had lower respiratory infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydial pneumonia) were studied for abnormalities that may be related to the hyperimmunoglobulinemia characteristic of this infection. Both proportions and numbers of B cells and plasma cells were strikingly elevated in these infants, as indicted by the percentage of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that reacted with fluorochrome-labeled antibodies to human immunoglobulins. Cells expressing IgM and IgD on their surface, and cells possessing IgM and IgG in their cytoplasm were especially increased above levels found in normal adults, infants, and a group of infants with other infections.

How to write an abstract of a paper or a report to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry.

Although the General Papers Program (held on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday afternoons at the Annual Meeting of the Academy) has expanded to a format in which 20-minute papers and 10-minute reports are presented simultaneously in 4 or 5 rooms the committee continues to receive abstracts for approximately 25 percent more papers and reports than the program can accommodate. The committee's task of selecting papers and reports is complicated by the failure of many writers of abstracts to include sufficient and pertinent information in their abstracts. This presentation lists the essential elements of an acceptable abstract, and tabulates the reasons for non-acceptance of abstracts.

Structure function analysis of an arthropod peptide hormone: proctolin and synthetic analogues compared on the cockroach hindgut receptor.

Proctolin is a pentapeptide (arg-tyr-leu-pro-thr) found in nervous tissues throughout the phylum Arthropoda. Initially described as a peptidergic neuromuscular transmitter, it now appears that proctolin is a major arthropod neurohormone modulating nervous activity, muscle tonus and contractile force. Structure-function studies with synthetic analogues demonstrate diverse peptides which retain agonistic activity, but few exhibit a high degree of affinity for the cockroach hindgut receptor compared with proctolin (Kdapp = 2 x 10(-8) M).

Clinical investigation of the foveal light reflex.

Over a 2-month period, 1,516 optometric patients were evaluated by a collaborative study group of 30 staff doctors in Veterans Administration Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the status of foveal light reflexes in the population, and thereby to establish normative data for this clinical phenomenon. Frequency data, correlation analyses, and literature citations are included in the paper.

Part II. Diagnostic outcomes of optometric referrals in a VA medical center.

In a previous study, the authors examined the medical records of patients seen in the optometry clinic of the Birmingham Veterans Administration Medical Center (BVAMC) who were referred to other providers within the BVAMC for diagnosis and/or treatment of health problems outside the scope of optometric clinical privileges. The present study examined an equivalent number of medical records of patients who had been examined in the optometry clinic but were not referred to other health care providers within the BVAMC. By utilizing retrospective clinical judgment, the authors found that 3 of 266 patients (1.

Vision care for the nation's elderly: a plea for policy direction.

Eye care services are largely provided by two professional groups--optometrists and ophthalmologists. Professional rivalry between the two exists mainly because both are in direct competition for patients with routine diagnostic and treatment needs. With the advent of Medicare and Medicaid, a substantial amount of health care services rendered to the elderly has been financed by the federal government.

Emergency management of asthma in children.

We studies the records of 242 consecutive visits paid by 85 children for emergency treatment of asthma, using a standard format that included history, physical signs, peak expiratory flow rates, and responses to treatments. The decision for admission was made in 23% of the episodes. It was based on the degree of airway obstruction, as reflected in physical signs and depression of PEFR, remaining after treatment.

Fetal survival rate after the surgical transfer of two bovine embryos.

Single embryos were bilaterally transferred on Day 7 to the tip of the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum and to the tip of the opposite horn, to the tip and contralateral base, base and tip and base and base (20 recipients/group). Ten of the recipients in each group were treated with 1000 i.u.

Non-surgical transfer of bovine eggs: investigation of some factors affecting embryo survival.

In an investigation on the effect of position of deposition of the egg within the uterus, surgical transfer of single eggs to the tip of the horn resulted in a significantly higher pregnancy rate than transfer to the base. To determine embryo survival at differing times after transfer single eggs were transferred non-surgically to the base of the uterine horn. The highest pregnancy rate occurred in a group of heifers slaughtered 16 to 17 days after oestrus followed by heifers slaughtered on days 24 to 26.

Investigation of factors affecting superovulation and non-surgical embryo recovery from lactating British Friesian cows.

Factors affecting the success of superovulation and embryo recovery were examined in two groups of 16 lactating Friesian cows which were superovulated twice at five to six week intervals in a 24 factorial experiment. There were no differences in ovarian response using pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin or human menopausal gonadotrophin. A total of 3000 iu human chorionic gonadotrophin given intravenously at the first insemination significantly (P less than 0.

Prevalence of asteroid bodies in a VA optometry clinic.

One thousand, five hundred and fifty-nine consecutive optometry clinic records at the Birmingham Veterans Center (BVAMC) were reviewed in an attempt to determine the prevalence of asteroid bodies in the vitreous. A review of the pertinent literature was conducted and a higher prevalence was found in our population than that reported in the literature. The difference was statistically significant at the 0.