Transferrin gene expression and transferrin immunolocalization in developing foetal rat lung.

In previous studies we have shown that transferrin (Tf) specifically stimulates dermatan- and chondroitin-sulphate proteoglycan accumulation around lung cells, and in the extracellular matrix of lung tissue, in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine whether the gene for Tf was activated in specific lung cells during development, and whether the protein product showed evidence of association with extracellular matrix. The expression of the gene in developing lung was shown by the hybridization of a Tf cDNA to a 2.

Isolation and characterization of a full-length cDNA encoding the 55-kDa rabbit zona pellucida protein.

A full-length cDNA (rc55) encoding the major rabbit zona pellucida (ZP) glycoprotein (55 kDa) has been cloned and sequenced. A lambda gt11 expression library was constructed using poly(A)+ mRNA isolated from sexually immature rabbit ovaries which contain large numbers of developing follicles. The rc55 cDNA was identified using affinity purified polyclonal antibodies specific to ZP antigens which are shared among mammalian species.

Interaction between prostacyclin and cortisol in fetal lung cells: effects on cAMP production.

Glucocorticoids secreted by the fetal adrenal, or administered for therapeutic reasons, stimulate fetal lung maturation in the human and other species. Prostacyclin, produced within the lung may be another agent with maturational effects. In this investigation we have demonstrated that glucocorticoids interact with lung cells and increase their response to a prostacyclin analogue (Iloprost, PGIp).

Characterization of angiotensin peptides in plasma of anephric man.

Recent evidence suggests that a considerable proportion of plasma angiotensin is generated not in blood but in peripheral tissues. Through the measurement of angiotensin peptides and renin in the plasma of 11 anephric subjects, we have investigated whether kidney-derived renin, or some other tissue mechanism for angiotensin generation, is the major determinant of plasma angiotensin. Particular care was taken to prevent inadvertent activation of inactive renin and possible generation, conversion and metabolism of angiotensin peptides during processing of blood samples.

Observation of fundamental dark spatial solitons in semiconductors using picosecond pulses.

We report what is to our knowledge the first observation of fundamental dark spatial solitons. The solitons are launched in bulk semiconductors using an initial condition with odd symmetry. In order to form the initial condition, a glass platelet is positioned in one half of an incident 30-psec pulse, creating a pi phase shift in the spatial profile.

Haemodynamic and renal tubular effects of low doses of endothelin in anaesthetized rats.

1. Renal haemodynamic and tubular transport responses to low-dose infusions (1 and 10 ng kg-1 min-1) of endothelin were investigated in anaesthetized rats. 2.

Congenital vertical talus: surgical correction by a one-stage medial approach.

A single stage procedure for correction of congenital vertical talus using a medial approach is described. The operation was performed on 14 feet with good initial anatomical results in all cases. No wound healing complications were observed.

Occupational therapy with patients with multiple personality disorder: personal reflections.

Patients with multiple personality disorder are being admitted to acute care psychiatric units with increasing frequency. Occupational therapists have been confronted with setting treatment goals and designing interventions for this population with little information available in the occupational therapy literature. This paper describes how one therapist, the author, reviewed psychiatric and psychological literature on multiple personality disorder to delineate a role for occupational therapists who are working with this special population on an acute care psychiatric unit within the context of existing programs.

Intra-renal interactions between angiotensin II and atrial natriuretic factor.

ANF and Ang II have opposing functions in volume homeostasis. The extent to which they interact functionally in the glomerulus, tubules and vasculature of the kidney is examined. Functional antagonism occurs in the glomerulus due to actions on different components; ANF appears to act mainly on capillary permeability and Ang II on vasculature and capillary surface area.

Filtration failure induced by p-aminophenol in rats is due to raised intratubular pressure and not changes in glomerular function.

1. The p-aminophenol (pAP) model of tubular necrosis displays elevated tubular pressures equivalent to 'stop-flow', with low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but maintained blood flow and urine output. Renal function, micropuncture, and morphological studies were performed in anaesthetized rats to examine the causes of filtration failure.

Phasic relationships of the extrinsic muscles of the normal hand.

The objective of this investigation was to improve the interpretation of dynamic electromyogram studies of upper extremity musculature by providing normal reference data. Fine wire electrodes recorded electromyogram data from the extrinsic forearm and hand muscles of 10 normal adults. Simultaneous wrist and finger motions were recorded by goniometers with the electromyogram data.

Follicular fluid renin concentration and IVF outcome.

Total renin protein concentration (TRC) was measured in stored follicular fluid (FF) samples from 42 women. Samples were selected according to their origin from follicles either without recovered ova ('empty', n = 38) or fertilized but with failed implantation ('failed', n = 36) or successful deliveries ('deliveries', n = 71). Ratios of number of embryos transferred to number of infants delivered were 2:1, 3:1 or 4:2 but 1:1 was not available.

Microvascular architecture of experimental colon tumors in the rat.

Tumor cell proliferation is dependent upon concurrent growth of a supporting vasculature. This study aims to characterize the structural features of the microvasculature within a primary tumor model. There were 22 colon tumors induced in 16 rats by repeated administration of dimethylhydrazine.

Adenylate cyclase blockers dissociate PTH-stimulated bone resorption from cAMP production.

It is uncertain whether adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) or the inositol-calcium pathway mediates the stimulation of bone resorption by parathyroid hormone (PTH). Incubation of bone organ cultures with cAMP analogues and forskolin has not resolved this question because of the cellular inhomogeneity of bone and the consequent presence of adenylate cyclase-linked receptors for both PTH and calcitonin, hormones with opposite effects on bone resorption. We have used two new inhibitors of adenylate cyclase, 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine (SQ 22536) and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA), to directly reassess the role of cAMP in PTH-stimulated osteolysis.

Granular juxtaglomerular cells and prorenin synthesis in mice treated with enalapril.

The short-term and long-term effects (for up to 98 days) of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril were investigated in male and female BALB/c mice. In control animals, separate antisera to renin and its prosequence produced an identical pattern of staining in granular cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) a short distance from the glomerulus. After 1 day of the enalapril treatment there was a decrease in the number of JGA granular cells immunostained with antisera to both renin and its prosequence.

Leukemia inhibitory factor: a novel bone-active cytokine.

A number of cytokines have been found to be potent regulators of bone resorption and to share the properties originally attributed to osteoclast-activating factor. One such activity, differentiation-inducing factor (DIF, D-factor) from mouse spleen cells, shares a number of biological and biochemical properties with the recently characterized and cloned leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). We have assessed the effects of recombinant LIF on bone resorption and other parameters in neonatal mouse calvaria.

Chondrons from articular cartilage (II): Analysis of the glycosaminoglycans in the cellular microenvironment of isolated canine chondrons.

A chondron rich preparation was isolated from mature canine tibial cartilage using low-speed homogenization techniques. Proteoglycans were extracted from this preparation by exhaustive treatment with 4M guanidine-HCl. A significant proportion of the total proteoglycan, measured as uronic acid, was resistant to extraction and represented 27.

Atrial natriuretic factor modulates proximal glomerulotubular balance in anesthetized rats.

The extent to which the natriuretic effect of a prolonged low dose infusion of atrial natriuretic factor (30 ng/kg/min) is dependent on interference with the prevailing intrarenal actions of angiotensin II was examined before and after blockade of angiotensin production with the converting enzyme inhibitor enalaprilat (5 mg/kg). Lithium clearance was used to assess proximal tubular sodium and water reabsorption. Atrial natriuretic factor and enalaprilat caused similar increases in sodium excretion (10-fold and sevenfold, respectively) and glomerular filtration rate (each 34%) and similar decreases in fractional proximal reabsorption of sodium (17% and 13%, respectively) and blood pressure.

Effects of ankle-foot orthoses on the gait of children.

Gait analysis was performed on five normal children walking barefoot with bilateral double-upright ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and with plastic AFOs. When orthoses were worn, walking speed and cadence were reduced and quadriceps EMG timing was prolonged. Changes in lower extremity motions and torques were observed.

Effects of renal denervation and atrial natriuretic factor on tubular reabsorption in anaesthetized rats.

1. The effects of acute unilateral renal denervation were examined in 17 anaesthetized rats. Renal haemodynamic changes were monitored using standard clearance techniques.

Three-dimensional digital displays in congenital dislocation of the hip: preliminary experience.

Four patients with congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) were studied on a research basis with three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) or, alternatively, with three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3-D MR). 3-D CT and 3-D MR proved useful in demonstrating the extent of anterior and posterior acetabular coverage. 3-D CT was limited to patients greater than 6 months of age with ossified femoral heads.

Effects of corticosteroids, prostaglandin E2, and beta-agonists on adenylate cyclase activity in fetal rat lung fibroblasts and type II epithelial cells.

The effect of glucocorticoids on the response of adenylate cyclase in fetal rat lung fibroblast and Type II epithelial cell cultures to beta-agonists and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was investigated. There was significant stimulation of cyclic AMP synthesis by adrenalin in both fibroblasts and Type II cells, which was potentiated in a dose-dependent manner by cortisol. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase by PGE2 (10-1000 nM) was demonstrated in fibroblasts but not in Type II cells.