Effect of prazosin on sperm transport in male rats.

Our objective was to investigate ejaculation and transport of sperm in the reproductive tract of male rats treated with an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Males were dosed (s.c.

A new autosomal dominant disorder of pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne: PAPA syndrome.

Objective: To describe a multigenerational family with transmission of an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and severe cystic acne.

Material And Methods: We present a detailed case report of a 39-year-old man with arthritic changes in several joints, pyoderma gangrenosum, and cystic acne. Several relatives from three generations of his family underwent clinical and genetic investigations.

Effect of sustained-release Verapamil on the morning systemic arterial pressure surge during daily activity in patients with systemic hypertension.

In a placebo-controlled study of 13 subjects with systemic hypertension, sustained-release verapamil reduced the morning surge in systolic pressure by 10.2 mm Hg (p = 0.04), diastolic pressure by 11.

Terminology of developmental abnormalities in common laboratory mammals (version 1).

This paper presents the first version of an internationally-developed glossary of terms for structural developmental abnormalities in common laboratory animals. The glossary is put forward by the International Federation of Teratology Societies (IFTS) Committee on International Harmonization of Nomenclature in Developmental Toxicology, and represents considerable progress toward harmonization of terminology in this area. The purpose of this effort is to provide a common vocabulary that will reduce confusion and ambiguity in the description of developmental effects, particularly in submissions to regulatory agencies worldwide.

Rapid development of hepatic alpha1-antitrypsin globules after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C.

A 37-year-old man undergoing liver transplantation for cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis C and alcoholism developed large numbers of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) globules within hepatocytes of the transplanted liver during a 5-month period. This finding occurred simultaneously with severe recurrent hepatitis C. The AAT phenotype of this patient changed from MM before transplantation to MZ after transplantation; AAT levels in serum did not change significantly.

The role of transforming growth factor-beta in the regulation of estrogen receptor expression in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

The role of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) in the regulation of estrogen receptor (ER) expression in MCF-7 cells was investigated. After treatment of the cells with 100 pM TGFbeta1, ER protein declined by about 30% at 6 h from a concentration of 413.5 fmol/mg protein in control cells to 289.

Spontaneous and induced alterations in the cardiac membranous ventricular septum of fetal, weanling, and adult rats.

Alterations of the cardiac membranous ventricular septum were studied using macrodissection, scanning electron and light microscopy of fetal, weanling, and adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Membranous ventricular septal defects (VSDs) were observed in 2.0% of fetuses on day 21 postcoitus (pc) but not in weanling or adult rats.

Renoprotective effects of the 21-aminosteroid U74389G in ischemia-reperfusion injury and cold storage preservation.

Free radical mediated lipid peroxidation (LPO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI). To address the renoprotective effect(s) of LPO inhibition, the efficacy of the 21 aminosteroid U74389G was evaluated in three IRI models. In Model 1 51 unilateral nephrectomized rats that underwent 60 min of warm ischemia followed by a 72-hr reperfusion interval were treated with the test vehicle only, or 3, 6, or 12 mg/kg of U74389G intravenously, 5 min pre- or postischemia.

Effects of low-intensity AC and/or DC electromagnetic fields on cell attachment and induction of apoptosis.

Rat tendon fibroblast (RTF) and rat bone marrow (RBM) osteoprogenitor cells were cultured and exposed to AC and/or DC magnetic fields in a triaxial Helmholtz coil in an incubator for up to 13 days. The AC fields were at 60 and 1000 Hz and up to 0.25 mT peak to peak, and the DC fields were up to 0.

p53 abnormalities in hepatocellular carcinoma from United States patients: analysis of all 11 exons.

Mutations of the tumor suppressor gene p53 have been found in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) from many countries where HCC is common, but p53 mutations detected by direct sequencing in HCCs from the United States (where HCC is uncommon) have been reported only rarely. p53 Exons 1 to 11 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, and direct sequencing in HCCs from 12 patients from the United States and in adjacent non-tumorous liver from 10 of them. Abnormalities of the p53 gene were found in five of the 12 tumors, including mutations in exon 4 (one patient), exon 5 (one patient) and exon 8 (three patients).

Prognostic value of the monoethylglycinexylidide liver function test in assessing donor liver suitability.

Background: Liver graft assessment prior to transplantation continues to be controversial. Various donor organ parameters must be evaluated to ensure that the transplanted organ will function and that the number of organs discarded will be minimized. Recent attempts to quantify liver function have utilized the metabolism of lidocaine to monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), and the MEGX test has been employed to evaluate the functional characteristics of donor livers prior to transplantation, with conflicting results.

An outbreak of type A botulism associated with a commercial cheese sauce.

Background: Although botulism is rare, recognition of a possible case of this illness represents a public health emergency. To prevent more cases, prompt investigation must be done to determine whether illness is linked to commercial product or restaurant. Botulism can masquerade as other illnesses, and seemingly unlikely foods can harbor botulinum toxin.

Effect of L-364,718 on pancreatic endocrine function following partial pancreatectomy.

This study was designed to determine the effect of a potent cholecystokinin antagonist, L-364,718, on canine pancreatic endocrine function following partial pancreatectomy. Plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon were determined over a 2-hr interval following an intravenous bolus of 0.5 g/kg glucose in a 50% solution.

The effect of high-dose right upper quadrant lithotripsy on normal swine tissue.

To assess the effects of high doses of shock waves to organs in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, 36 adolescent swine were given one treatment of either 2,000 (2k), 6,000 (6k), or 10,000 (10k) shock waves at 24 kV peak pressure using a spark-gap lithotriptor. Shock waves were sonographically focused on the lumen of the gallbladder. Blood and tissue were examined for each group at 48 hours, at 35 days, and at 6 months.

Pancreaticocystostomy revision for obstructive pancreatitis and pancreatic fistula after segmental pancreatic transplantation.

Combined kidney-pancreas transplantation is an effective surgical therapy for end-stage renal failure secondary to type I diabetes mellitus. However, obstructive pancreatitis and pancreaticocutaneous fistula remain significant postoperative complications unique to extraperitoneal segmental pancreatic transplantation. We present our experience with 13 patients (7 with obstructive pancreatitis and 6 with pancreaticocutaneous fistulae) after segmental extraperitoneal pancreatic transplantation, who subsequently underwent intraperitoneal reconstruction of the pancreaticocystostomy.

Evaluation of the thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor OKY-046 in a warm ischemia-reperfusion rat model.

The pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion renal injury is mediated, in part, by the generation of the vasoconstricting prostanoid thromboxane A2 (TXA2). This study was undertaken to evaluate the renoprotective effects, as well as the optimal timing and dosage, of a selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, OKY-046, in a unilateral nephrectomized, 60 min ischemia, 72 hr reperfusion, rodent model. Forty-one rats were subjected to right nephrectomy only (group A), or right nephrectomy with 60 min of left renal ischemia and treatment with inactive vehicle only (group B), or 2 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg of OKY-046 administered intravenously before (groups C and D) or after (groups E and F) pedicle clamping.

The effect of prostanoids on hepatic bile flow in dogs with normal liver and bile duct cell hyperplasia.

Bile flow rates and composition are subject to a wide variety of neural, endocrine and paracrine influences. The effects of these multiple factors may be different in the diseased liver compared to the response produced in the normal liver. As prostanoids may have a therapeutic role in liver disease it was intended to evaluate the effects of two principal therapeutic prostanoids, prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin, on bile flow in dogs with a normal liver and in dogs with hepatotoxin-induced liver injury.

The male polyurethane condom: a review of current knowledge.

Condoms are one of the oldest form of contraceptive and the best recognized form of protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Their use, however, is limited by both behavioral factors and device-related factors, including complaints about decreased sensitivity and sexual enjoyment. To address these limitations, a male condom made of polyurethane was developed.

Exocrine effects of the CCK antagonist L-364,718 in canine pancreatic autografts.

This study evaluated the effect of the cholecystokinin antagonist L-364,718 on exocrine secretion in canine pancreatic autografts with pancreaticocystostomies. Urinary (autograft) amylase (U/min) and bicarbonate (mmole/min) secretion, over a 6 hr interval, were determined in the basal state (Group A), after a bolus injection of 20 nmoles/kg of L-364,718 (Group B), during a continuous cholecystokinin octapeptide (OP-CCK) infusion at 125 ng/kg/hr either alone (Group C), with a bolus injection of 20 nmoles/kg (Group D), or 30 nmoles/kg (Group E), of L-364,718 1 hr before initiating OP-CCK, or 20 nmoles/kg of L-364,718 1 hr after initiating OP-CCK (Group F). L-364,718 had no effect on basal or OP-CCK-stimulated secretion of bicarbonate.

Selective inhibition of N-formylpeptide-induced neutrophil activation by carbamate-modified peptide analogues.

Stimulation of the leukocyte N-formylpeptide receptor (FPR) induces chemotaxis, cell adhesion, free radical release, and degranulation, responses associated with infection and inflammation. Under conditions where continuous activation of the receptor prevails, neutrophil-dependent tissue damage ensues. Antagonists of the FPR have potential for use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Incidence of Clostridium botulinum in Vegetables Packaged under Vacuum or Modified Atmosphere.

Because modified atmosphere-packaged (MAP) vegetables may provide an anaerobic environment conducive to Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin production, the incidence of C. botulinum spores in commercially available, precut MAP vegetables was determined. One-pound (454-g) packages of MAP vegetables were aseptically opened, added to freshly steamed and cooled sterile trypticase-peptone-glucose-yeast extract broth and incubated at 35°C for 7 days.

Adaptation of a functional assay for protein S to a Cobas Fara II centrifugal analyzer.

An adaptation of the manual Staclot protein S functional assay (American Bioproducts, Parsippany, NJ) for the Cobas FARA II centrifugal analyzer is described. This automated method is based on determining the clotting time by measuring the change in turbidity of the specimen as clotting progresses. The accurate and precise pipetting of the analyzer combined with its enhanced data acquisition and rapid parallel processing features result in a markedly improved procedure compared to the less accurate and reproducible manual method.