Impaired fertility in HIV-1-infected pregnant women: a clinic-based survey in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 1997.

Objective: Differences in fertility among HIV-1-positive and HIV-negative women tested in prenatal clinics were suspected by routine data collection in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. This study was conducted on detailed fertility patterns among women at the same antenatal care centres, in order to assess these differences.

Method: The survey was carried out on 1201 consecutive women who agreed to be tested for HIV.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum function in murine ventricular myocytes overexpressing SR CaATPase.

To examine the effects of the overexpression of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) CaATPase on function of the SR and Ca2+ homeostasis, we measured [Ca2+]i transients (fluo-3), and L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa.L), Na/Ca exchanger currents (INa/Ca), and SR Ca2+ content with voltage clamp in ventricular myocytes isolated from wild type (WT) mice and transgenic (SRTG) mice. The amplitude of [Ca2+]i transients was insignificantly increased in SRTG myocytes, while the diastolic [Ca2+]i tended to be lower.

Complications associated with rapid caffeine application to cardiac myocytes that are not voltage clamped.

The rapid application of caffeine to cardiac myocytes is commonly used to assess changes in the Ca2+ content of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and to study other parameters of intracellular Ca2+ regulation. Here we examined the effects of rapid caffeine application on membrane potential, intracellular Ca2+, and cell shortening in ventricular myocytes (rat, rabbit, guinea pig, dog) and atrial myocytes (rabbit) that were not voltage clamped. Conditioning pacing was used to achieve a steady-state level of SR Ca2+ loading prior to caffeine (10 mM) application.

Abnormal myocyte Ca2+ homeostasis in rabbits with pacing-induced heart failure.

To determine whether there are abnormalities in myocyte excitation-contraction coupling and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) homeostasis in pacing-induced heart failure (PF), we measured L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger current (INa/Ca) with voltage clamp and measured intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) and [Ca2+]i with the use of sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) and fluo 3 in ventricular myocytes isolated from control and paced rabbits. The peak systolic and diastolic levels and the amplitude of electrically stimulated [Ca2+]i transients (0.25 Hz, extracellular Ca2+ concentration = 1.

Effect of oral levodopa treatment on articulatory function in Parkinson's disease: preliminary results.

To quantify lip function in 16 patients with Parkinson's disease, a computerized semiconductor lip pressure transducer system was used prior to subjects being administered oral levodopa and at approximately 0.5 hr, 1.5 hr, and 3.

Effects of overexpression of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger on [Ca2+]i transients in murine ventricular myocytes.

We measured [Ca2+]i and [Na+]i in isolated transgenic (TG) mouse myocytes overexpressing the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger and in wild-type (WT) myocytes. In TG myocytes, the peak systolic level and amplitude of electrically stimulated (ES) [Ca2+]i transients (0.25 Hz) were not significantly different from those in WT myocytes, but the time to peak [Ca2+]i was significantly prolonged.

The restriction of diffusion of cations at the external surface of cardiac myocytes varies between species.

In cardiac muscle sarcolemmal structures such as T-tubules, caveolae and negatively charged protein-polysaccharides may affect the rate of cation exchange on the external surface of the cells. To test this hypothesis, we examined the rate of external cation exchange in adult rabbit and rat ventricular myocytes using a rapid solution switcher to change the bulk external solution within 4 ms. To assess the rate of diffusion of monovalent cations, we increased [K+]o from 4.

Effects of prophylactic low-dose indomethacin on hemodynamics in very low birth weight infants.

Indomethacin decreases cerebral and mesenteric blood flow velocities in premature infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus. Low-dose indomethacin is recommended for the prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage in very low birth weight infants. The hemodynamic effects of prophylactic indomethacin have not been previously examined.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger function during early and late relaxation in ventricular myocytes.

The relative importance of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in the initial and terminal phases of relaxation and the decline in the [Ca2+]i transient was investigated in adult rabbit ventricular myocytes loaded with the Ca2+ indicator fluo 3. For electrically stimulated contractions, the peak intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was 700 +/- 87 nM and end-diastolic [Ca2+]i was 239 +/- 30 nM (0.25 Hz, 37 degrees C, 1.

Transcriptional regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Previous work has demonstrated that inducible NO synthase (iNOS) can be expressed in cardiac myocytes. In this study, we investigated transcriptional regulation of the iNOS gene in these cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced iNOS mRNA and protein in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Pancreatic calcification in an 18-yr-old patient following gallstone pancreatitis and recurrent pseudocysts.

Most authors believe that biliary pancreatitis rarely progresses to chronic pancreatitis. Here, we present a case of an 18-yr-old white male with a history of gallstone pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst resulting in radiographic and pathologic evidence of pancreatic calcification over a 16-mo period.

Distinct mechanisms of modulation of angiotensin II type I receptor gene expression in heart and aorta.

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that hypertension induced by reduced renal mass (RRM) upregulates gene expression of the type 1 angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor (AT1) in the thoracic aorta and heart through an Ang II-dependent mechanism. Three groups of rats were given 1% NaCl water and subjected to RRM, RRM plus captopril (RRM+Cap, 30 mg/kg per day), or sham surgery. Tail-cuff systolic blood pressure was significantly elevated in RRM and RRM+Cap rats compared with sham-operated rats.

[Analysis of vectorcardiogram (VCG) in 150 healthy pilots].

150 healthy male pilots, aged 22-46 years (31 +/- 5) were examined with the HBD-II A instrument. The results showed that vectorcardiogram (VCG) parameters of pilots were within the normal value by clinical diagnosis standard of VCG, but some indexes of VCG appeared different from the normal people, these might be the characteristics of VCG of pilots. The present study provided some new parameters of VCG such as P loop.

Effects of the paralytic agent 2,4-dithiobiuret on viability and morphology of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.

In previous studies, 2,4-dithiobiuret (DTB) caused a delayed onset neuromuscular weakness in rats which was associated with decreased quantal content, alterations in postsynaptic ion channel properties, and abnormalities in nerve terminal ultrastructure. The latter include features typical of degenerating or diseased motor endplates as well as a marked proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), swelling of mitochondria and evidence for a decreased in intraterminal calcium concentrations at early stages of intoxication (Jones, 1989, Acta Neuropathol. 78:72).

Cardiac inducible nitric oxide synthase negatively modulates myocardial function in cultured rat myocytes.

Recent work has demonstrated that endotoxin or cytokines induce nitric oxide synthase in heart or cardiac myocytes. We investigated the functional significance of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in indo 1-loaded beating myocytes with regard to intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and cell contraction. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 micrograms/ml) time dependently induced iNOS mRNA and protein in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Relationship between intrauterine growth retardation and early postnatal superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity.

During the first week of life, we examined the changes in the systemic, intestinal and cerebral circulation, and the circulatory responses to feeding in 10 small for gestational age (SGA) infants using the ultrasound Doppler technique. From day 1 to day 3, preprandial cardiac output decreased (p < 0.01), whereas mean blood pressure (p < 0.

Regulation of type 1 angiotensin II receptor and its subtype gene expression in kidney by sodium loading and angiotensin II infusion.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that a high salt intake decreases gene expression of both type 1 angiotensin receptor subtypes 1A and 1B (AT1A and AT1B) and diminishes AT1 receptor density in the kidney through an angiotensin II (Ang II)-independent mechanism.

Methods: Wistar rats were divided into four groups and fed a normal-sodium diet (0.5%, NSD), NSD + 25 ng/kg per min Ang II infusion, a high-sodium diet (4%, HSD), or HSD + Ang II infusion for 2 weeks.

Regulation of ANG II receptor in hypertension: role of ANG II.

To investigate the role of angiotensin II (ANG II) in the development of hypertension induced by reduced renal mass (RRM) and the gene expression of ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptors in the remnant renal tissue, four groups of rats were given 1% NaCl in water and subjected to RRM, RRM+ ramipril, RRM+ losartan, or sham surgery (control). Tail-cuff systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in RRM rats than in the other three groups. Northern blot showed that AT1 gene expression was significantly decreased in RRM, RRM + ramipril, or RRM + losartan vs.

Regulation of the gene-encoding angiotensin II receptor in vascular tissue.

Specific angiotensin (Ang)-dependent mechanisms significantly contribute to vascular development and function, and to the pathophysiology of hypertension. The effects of Ang II are mediated by binding to specific receptors. The focus of most studies has been changes in vascular function and structure in response to Ang II.

Cellular aging, destabilization, and cancer.

Three major characteristics of aging in animals are a slowdown of cell proliferation, an increase in residual bodies associated with age pigments, and a marked increase in the likelihood of neoplastic transformation. The 28 L subline of the NIH 3T3 line of mouse embryo fibroblasts exhibits all these characteristics when held at confluence for extended periods. The impairment of proliferation is the first behavioral characteristic detected in low density subcultures from the confluent cultures, and it persists through many cell generations of exponential multiplication.

Mesenteric blood flow velocity and its relation to transitional circulatory adaptation in appropriate for gestational age preterm infants.

We investigated the early postnatal changes of the mesenteric circulation and its relation to the systemic circulation in 15 preterm infants. The infants were studied before the first feeding on d 1 and pre- and postprandially on d 3, 4, 5, and 7. Blood flow velocity was measured by ultrasound Doppler in the superior mesenteric artery, middle cerebral artery, and the aortic orifice for cardiac output calculations.

Heterogeneity of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in cultured thoracic aorta and renal artery of rats.

Replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus vectors have been used to transfer foreign genes effectively to a wide variety of cell types in vivo and in vitro. We have now used adenovirus containing either the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene (AdHCMVsp1LacZ) or the firefly luciferase gene (Ad5-luc3) to test the hypothesis that efficiencies of adenovirus-mediated gene delivery into organ cultures of smooth muscle differ according to the anatomic origin of the muscle. Thoracic aorta and renal artery were isolated from 9-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats and exposed to adenovirus after 16 hours of incubation with serum-free medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium).

Ca(2+)-growth coupling in angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy in cultured rat cardiac cells.

Objectives: There remain some controversies about the effect of angiotensin II on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cardiac myocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate different roles of intracellular Ca2+ in the responses to angiotensin II between cardiac myocytes and nonmyocytes.

Methods: Primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and nonmyocytes were prepared.

Neoplastic development: paradoxical relation between impaired cell growth at low population density and excessive growth at high density.

The role of heritable, population-wide cell damage in neoplastic development was studied in the 28 L subline of NIH 3T3 cells. These cells differ from the 17(3c) subline used previously for such studies in their lower frequency of "spontaneous" transformation at high population density and their greater capacity to produce large, dense transformed foci. Three cultures of the 28 L subline of NIH 3T3 cells were held under the constraint of confluence for 5 wk (5 wk 1 degree assay) and then assayed twice in succession (2 degrees and 3 degrees assays) for transformed foci and saturation density.