Effect of prepartum bovine somatotropin in primigravid ewes on mammogenesis, milk production, and hormone concentrations

Twenty-five primigravid ewes were used to investigate the effect of bST, between 97 and 124 d of gestation, on mammogenesis and subsequent milk production. Five ewes (reference group) were slaughtered at 96 d of gestation, and the remaining ewes were injected daily with saline (control group: n = 10) or .1 mg/kg of BW of bST (bST group: n = 10). Following bST treatment, 5 control and 5 bST group ewes were slaughtered (slaughter group). The remaining ewes were slaughtered after lambing and being milked for 8 wk (production group). Weekly blood samples were obtained from both slaughter and production group ewes. Slaughter group ewes were also subjected to 8-h serial blood sampling at 98 d (period 1) and 123 d (period 2) of gestation. Milk production was 42% higher in ewes treated prepartum with bST than in those treated with saline. Results suggest that the increase in milk was due to an increase in mammary parenchymal cell number rather than to an increase in cellular activity. The high rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into parenchymal tissue in reference group ewes suggests that the increase in parenchyma during the second trimester of gestation is due to cellular hyperplasia but that cellular hypertrophy may be more important during the last trimester. Plasma IGF-I concentrations were significantly higher during bST treatment and remained elevated between daily injections; the increase was greatest in period 2.     

The idiographic nature of human personality: examples of the idiographic self-concept

Arguments are made for the practical and theoretical merits of idiographic approaches to personality. In addition, it is argued that idiographic approaches to personality afford levels of prediction that cannot be provided by nomothetic analyses, and 2 studies of the role of self-investment in interpersonal perception are presented in support of this position. Finally, in contrast to previous arguments for idiographic approaches, it is suggested that idiographic approaches to personality can provide special insight into universal patterns of human personality.     

A novel DNA duplex. A parallel-stranded DNA helix with Hoogsteen base pairing

We show here for the first time that a stable parallel double helix with Hoogsteen pairing can exist independently of the triple helix of which it is a component part. The experiments employ DNA oligonucleotides with mixed sequences of normal bases. These duplexes are distinct from previously reported ribopolynucleotide helices containing bulky substituents which prevent Watson-Crick pairing as well as from parallel duplexes with Donohue, or reversed Watson-Crick, pairing. Stoichiometry is established by mixing curves and gel electrophoresis. Tm depends linearly upon pH, increasing with acidity because of the need to protonate N3 of C. The Tm of the 20-mer studied here is 52 degrees C at pH 5.2 and 0.1 M NaCl. At pH above 6, the molecule rearranges to form an antiparallel duplex with imperfect Watson-Crick pairing and loops, and the Tm is then independent of pH. The CD spectrum of the parallel duplex is very similar to that of the corresponding triple helix but quite different from that of the Watson-Crick helix. The infrared spectrum in the double bond region closely resembles that of the triple helix but, as with the CD, is quite different from that of the Watson-Crick duplex. The infrared spectra of the duplex and triple helix are also nearly identical in the region form 800 to 1000 cm-1, which is sensitive to backbone conformation. The only symmetry element present is a pseudorotational axis coincident with the helix axis of the parallel duplex as well as with the axis of the corresponding triple helix.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Synteny mapping of four genes from the short arm of human chromosome 19 to bovine chromosome 7

Four genes on the short arm of human chromosome 19 (HSA 19p) were assigned to bovine chromosome 7 (BTA 7) using a bovine x rodent somatic hybrid cell panel. These four genes were cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), lymphoblastic leukemia derived sequence 1 (LYL1), lysosomal alpha-mannosidase (MANB), and RAS oncogene family member RAB3A. Bovine sequence tagged sites were developed for the four genes and used for screening a bovine x rodent somatic cell panel. All four genes were mapped to bovine synteny group U22 (BTA 7) with a correlation coefficient of 0.901-1.000. This study confirms that the centromeric region of BTA 7 is conserved with HSA 19p.     

Characterization of surface micromachined metallic microneedles

The purpose of the paper is to provide quantitative characterization of metallic microneedles. Mechanical and fluid flow experiments were performed to evaluate the buckling force, the penetration force, and the pressure versus flow rate characteristics of the microneedles. The microneedle design variations characterized included varying the shaft lengths, varying the tip taper angles/geometries, and the inclusion of micromechanical barbs. The penetration force was found to range from 7.8 gF for a microneedle of shaft length 500 /spl mu/m, to 9.4 gF for a length of 1500 /spl mu/m, both with a tip taper angle of 30/spl deg/. Microneedles with a linear tip taper angle of 30/spl deg/ penetrated 95 +% of the time without failure. The microneedles with a 15/spl deg/ and 20/spl deg/ linear tip taper penetrated 10% and 25% of the time, respectively. The buckling force was found to be 98.4 gF for a 500 /spl mu/m long microneedle shaft, 72.3 gF for a needle of shaft length 1000 /spl mu/m, and 51.6 gF for a 1500 /spl mu/m long shaft. The results demonstrate that the penetration force was 7.9% of the buckling force for 500 /spl mu/m long shafts, 11.6% for a 1000 /spl mu/m long shaft, and 18.2% for a 1500 /spl mu/m long microneedle shafts. The microneedle fluid flow characteristics were studied. An inlet pressure of 49.0 Pa was required for a flow rate of 1000 /spl mu/L/h and 243.0 Pa for a flow rate of 4000 /spl mu/L/h using air as the fluid medium. For water, an average pressure of 30.0 kPa was required for a flow rate of 1000 /spl mu/L/h and 106.0 kPa for a flow rate of 4000 /spl mu/L/h.     

Glucose-dependent uptake of chromium in human and rat insulin-sensitive tissues

Su Vida, Su Salud/Your Life, Your Health is a community program to increase participation in breast and cervical cancer screening. This program illustrates the diffusion of an innovative outreach strategy from a research environment to two local health departments. The program uses A Su Salud, the communication model in which positive role models are featured in the media, and community volunteers who give positive social reinforcement. Local health departments in Galveston and Corpus Christi, TX, were selected to implement the model because of excessive mortality rates in the region and the departments' adequate level of resources and commitment. Over an 18-month period, 54 stories of role models appeared in the media in Corpus Christi, and 60 appeared in Galveston. There were 490 volunteers active in Corpus Christi and 279 in Galveston. Of 365 inquiries to the Corpus Christi program, 35 percent were from the Mexican American target group of women ages 40-70. Of 1,457 women who contacted the Galveston program, 9 percent were from the African American target group ages 40-70. Local health departments are well-suited to participation in cancer control research applications because they have direct access to high-risk populations and have the authority to institutionalize effective interventions.     

Gene amplification as a prognostic factor in primary and secondary high-grade malignant gliomas

ND10 are recently characterized nuclear domains that are composed of 0.5 microm sized, precisely circumscribed dots in cultured human cell lines. To investigate the distribution and number of ND10 on various types of normal and neoplastic human tissues, we carried out immunostaining and immunoprecipitation analyses with monoclonal antibodies 138 and 1150. The number of ND10 varied from 1 to 10 or more in various tissues as did their size. ND10 were diffusely located in early embryonic and normal tissues, except for the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas and for hepatocytes. In normal squamous mucosa, basal cells had more ND10 than did differentiated superficial squamous cells. The number and size of ND10 were markedly increased in malignant neoplasms but were similar in benign tumors and corresponding normal tissues. Sex hormone-related normal tissues, such as the endometrium or myometrium, and neoplasms strongly stained for ND10. The distribution pattern of ND10 in human tissues indicates that they are conserved nuclear substructures that are closely associated with cellular differentiation, hormonal stimulation, and oncogenesis.     

p53 expression in neurofibroma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. An immunohistochemical study of sporadic and NF1-associated tumors

OBJECTIVES--(1) to evaluate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with single photon emission computed tomography and 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime in patients with the idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome (IAHS); (2) to examine regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), gait, and psychometric functions before and after CSF removal (CSF tap test); (3) to assess abnormalities in subcortical white matter by MRI. METHODS--Thirty one patients fulfilling the criteria for IAHS (according to history and clinical and neuroradiological examination) were studied. Quantified gait measurements, psychometric testing, and rCBF before and after removal of CSF were obtained. Pressure of CSF and CSF outflow conductance were investigated with a constant pressure infusion method. Brain MRI was used to quantify the severity of white matter lesions and periventricular hyperintensities. In IAHS a widespread rCBF hypoperfusion pattern was depicted, with a caudal frontal and temporal grey matter and subcortical white matter reduction of rCBF as the dominant feature. Removal of CSF was not accompanied by a concomitant increase in rCBF. Significant white matter lesions were detected only in a minority of patients by MRI. An altered CSF hydrodynamic state with a higher CSF pressure and lower conductance was confirmed. IAHS is characterised by an abnormal CSF hydrodynamic state, associated with a widespread rCBF reduction with preference for subcortical white matter and frontal-temporal cortical regions. Furthermore in most patients MRI did not show white matter changes suggestive of a coexistent subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy. At least in the idiopathic group of patients with AHS, measurements of rCBF before and after temporary relief of the CSF hydrodynamic disturbance will not provide additional information that would be helpful in the preoperative evaluation but is suggestive of a preserved autoregulation of rCBF.