Evidence that fetal membranes are not involved in cortisol metabolism: study of dichorionic twin pregnancies.

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD, E.C.1.

Renal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase during perturbations of acid-base homeostasis in rats. Immunochemical studies.

The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) increased in the rat kidney after induction of metabolic acidosis. Immunotitration of the enzyme in renal extracts from normal and acidotic rats indicate that this increase in catalytic activity correlates with the amount of immunotitrateable activity. PEPCK activity decreased rapidly during recovery from acidosis and the time required for the activity to return to normal was not altered by the administration of NaHCO3 at the start of recovery.

Ultrastructural and cytochemical study of the bovine corpus luteum.

The large luteal cells comprise the bulk of the bovine corpus luteum during the most active secretory period of the oestrous cycle. At least 3 types of granules were present in mid-luteal cells: microperoxisomes, primary lysosomes and secretory granules. Only the last appear to be exocytosed.

Isotope decay range distribution curves for use in the analysis of electron microscope autoradiographs.

Analysis of autoradiographs at the electron microscope level requires special procedures, since the size of the radioactive structures visualized are comparable to the range of the radioactive decay particles emitted. Quantitative analysis in these circumstances requires that the sizes, shapes, and juxtaposition of the various structures be taken into account in relation to the range distribution of silver grains, produced by the decays, from a point source for the particular isotope and autoradiographic conditions employed. We present the distribution of silver grains about a point source for the four electron capture isotopes 51Cr, 55Fe, 111In, and 125I.

Familial haemostatic defect associated with reduced prothrombin consumption.

Ten individuals from three unrelated families suffered from an usual inherited haemorrhagic disorder. The defect was associated with reduced prothrombin conversion as shown by a grossly abnormal prothrombin consumption index. All known plasma coagulation factors were present in adequate concentrations but in the two families tested the results were consistent with a defect of the interaction between plasma and platelets or phospholipid.

Perifusion and culture of human fetal pancreas.

Human fetal pancreas has been obtained after the therapeutic termination of pregnancy with prostaglandin F2 alpha. Pancreatic explants were studied in a perifusion system and maintained in organ culture for up to 3 wk. Insulin biosynthesis was stimulated by glucose; however, the incorporation of 3H-L-leucine into proinsulin was surprisingly high (52% after 3 h) vs.

Electron microscope evidence for an 80 A unit in collagen fibrils.

Connective tissues are composite structures containing collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, minerals, water and other minor components. In all cases the collagen exists predominantly in fibrillar form. The size distribution of the fibrils does, however, vary markedly with both age and the mechanical requirements of the tissue.

Factor VIII inhibitor and bronchogenic carcinoma.

An inhibitor to procoagulant factor VIII (FVIIIC) developed in a patient three years after palliative resection of a bronchogenic carcinoma. The inhibitor was not active against ristocetin cofactor but possibly had some activity against factor XI. It responded to immunosuppressive therapy.

Immunocytochemical localisation of prolactin and growth hormone in the perinatal sheep pituitary: a morphological and quantitative study.

The proxidase anti-peroxidase immunocytochemical staining technique has been used to identify prolactin and growth hormone cells in pituitaries from fetal and neonatal sheep. The size of the secretory granules in these cell types has been measured using the image analysing computer Quantimet 720. The area size distributions of the fetal prolactin and growth hormone granules were compared with those in the neonate and the adult.

Immunocytochemical localisation of prolactin and growth hormone in the ovine pituitary. A morphological and quantitative study.

Using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical staining technique, prolactin and growth hormone cells have been identified and described in the ovine pituitary. The image analysing computer, Quantimet 720, was used to assess accurately the size range of the secretory granules in these cell types. The area size distributions of the prolactin and growth hormone granules are similar.

Failure of factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity (Feiba) to secure haemostasis in haemophilic patients with antibodies.

Factor IX concentrates have been widely advocated in the treatment of haemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors. Five such patients were given the 'activated' factor IX concentrate--factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity (Feiba)--for 14 separate bleeding episodes. In six of the episodes, including two with external blood loss, bleeding progressed in spite of treatment.

Renal glutamine metabolism in rats fed high-protein diets.

The influence of protein intake on acid excretion and renal glutamine metabolism was investigated and compared to the effects of NH4Cl-induced metabolic acidosis. Rats fed a diet containing 55% casein excreted more ammonia, phosphate, sulphate, and chloride than did rats fed a 13% casein diet, but, when they were given an 0.1 M NaHCO3 solution to drink, ammonia excretion was no longer elevated.

Electron microscope autoradiographic evidence for specific transneuronal transport in the mouse accessory olfactory bulb.

The distribution of radioactive material was examined autoradiographically 8 h after application of [3H] proline to the vomeronasal organ in mice. Labelled material was transported along the axons of the vomeronasal nerves to their terminals in the glomerular layer of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). A lesser but consistent amount of radioactivity was found in the external plexiform layer (EPL) of the AOB.

Glutamine metabolism in the kidney during induction of, and recovery from, metabolic acidosis in the rat.

Experiments were carried out on rats to evaluate the possible regulatory roles of renal glutaminase activity, mitochondrial permeability to glutamine, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity and systemic acid-base changes in the control of renal ammonia (NH(3) plus NH(4) (+)) production. Acidosis was induced by drinking NH(4)Cl solution ad libitum. A pronounced metabolic acidosis without respiratory compensation [pH=7.

Histochemical changes in fast and slow muscles of nutritionally dystrophic rabbits.

Rabbits were rendered dystrophic by feeding them a diet deficient in vitamin E and their fast-twitch EDL and slow-twitch SOL muscles were examined histochemically. The soleus muscle of control rabbits consisted largely of type I fibres with occasional areas of scattered type II fibres. In the nutritionally dystrophic rabbits type II fibres were consistently found homogeneously distributed throughout the entire muscle and in increased proportion.