Changes in fetal plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone during androstenedione-induced labor in the rhesus monkey: lack of an effect on the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis

Androstenedione infusion to pregnant monkeys leads to premature labor and live delivery. Androstenedione-induced labor also increased placental CRH messenger RNA and peptide to concentrations observed at term in pregnant monkeys. Placental CRH may modulate fetal pituitary-adrenal function during pregnancy in primates. This study tested the hypothesis that androstenedione-induced premature delivery in pregnant monkeys results from androstenedione-induced increases in placental CRH, which stimulate premature activation of the fetal pituitary-adrenal axis. The hypothesis was tested by comparing fetal umbilical vein (FUV) plasma CRH, ACTH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol concentrations at cesarean section in fetuses from mothers undergoing spontaneous, term labor (group I), with those in fetuses from mothers undergoing androstenedione-induced, premature labor (group II) and with those from mothers not in labor (group III). In addition, gestation-related changes in maternal plasma CRH concentrations were investigated, and CRH immunoactivity was characterized by Sephadex G50 chromatography in pooled maternal plasma extracts. FUV CRH concentrations were similarly elevated in group I and group II fetuses, compared with group III fetuses. Despite similar FUV blood gases in all fetuses, FUV ACTH and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations were higher in group I fetuses than in group II or group III fetuses. The majority of CRH immunoactivity coeluted with synthetic human CRH. Maternal plasma CRH concentrations showed a modest increase with gestation in the rhesus monkey. These data: 1) demonstrate that androstenedione treatment of pregnant monkeys at 0.8 of gestation elevates fetal plasma CRH to similar concentrations measured at term; 2) do not support the hypothesis that androstenedione-induced delivery in the monkey results from premature activation of the fetal pituitary-adrenal axis by placental CRH; but 3) do support a role for activation of the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in association with spontaneous term labor in the monkey; and 4) demonstrate important interprimate species differences in maternal CRH physiology.     

Investigation of the energy flows for transparent and nontransparent building facade

Based on extensive measurements of energy usage for a variety of building facades, a computer model has been developed for calculating in advance the heating and cooling requirements of test rooms equipped with arbitrary facades. To simplify the predictive calculation, the three-dimensional physical model was transformed to a one-dimensional, linear, computational model. The computer model uses the results of an earlier sensitivity analysis. This permits the precise numerical modeling of the measured results and gives special value to the adaptation of this model for describing the geometric and thermal relations investigated experimentally. The results of the numerical calculations are found to be in good agreement with the measurements for six test rooms. This agreement justifies the linear numerical model and the computer program for predicting the energy flows in different room structures. Further, the computer model not only provides results which follow the course of weather conditions for the test year but yields results as well for a Standard Reference Year for the region.     

Cerebral microembolism in patients with retinal ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We investigated the frequency of cerebral microembolism detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in patients with clinical evidence of retinal ischemia, including transient monocular blindness, central and branch retinal artery infarction, and ischemic oculopathy, and assessed its correlation with carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: Records of 331 consecutive patients examined during a 47-month period at the Neurovascular Laboratory were reviewed. Of the original 453 intracranial arteries, 186 middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) satisfied qualifying criteria that excluded patients with cardiac embolic sources. Forty-five MCAs ipsilateral to the symptomatic eye constituted the study group. The control group consisted of 141 asymptomatic MCAs. Microembolus detection studies were performed on transcranial Doppler instruments equipped with special software, and the degree of carotid artery stenosis was measured by cerebral or MR angiography or by color duplex studies. RESULTS: Microembolism was detected in 40.0% of study MCAs and 9.2% of controls (P < 0.001). In the study group, microembolic signals were detected in 61.9% of MCAs tested within a week of symptom onset and 20.8% of those tested afterward (P < 0.001). Severe (> or = 70%) carotid stenosis or occlusion was more frequent in the study group (P < 0.001). Microembolic signals were detected in 25.3% and 11.2%, respectively, of MCAs distal to carotid arteries with 70% to 100% and 0% to 69% stenosis (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In patients without cardiac embolic sources, cerebral microembolism is frequently present on the side of retinal ischemia, particularly during the week after onset of symptoms. It is often associated with severe stenosis or occlusion of the ipsilateral carotid artery.     

Vertical plane pattern calculations for shaped beam reflectors with multiple feeds

The calculation of approximating vertical plane radiation patterns for doubly curved shaped beam antenna reflectors illuminated by a multiple feed is discussed. Separability of the vertical and horizontal plane patterns is assumed. A calculated example for a two-element feed is compared with measured pattern data. Farfield pattern shaping behavior with multiple feed excitation is described in terms of vector superposition of the patterns due to the individual feed elements.     

Determination of stress-strain curves of vapour-deposited films

The strength properties of three vapour-deposited silver films, prepared with different thicknesses and crystal structures, have been compared by mounting them on electron microscope grids and then indenting them with a fine tipped stylus. The method is very rapid and enables specimens to be transferred to an electron microscope for microstructural studies, quickly and without risk of “handling” damage. A simple model of the indentation situation is proposed and this is used to calculate stress-strain curves for the films. Although the technique seems unsuitable for strains below ～ 1%, very large strains can be reached, even when work-softening occurs. The results are consistent with those obtained on similar specimens by other investigators.     

Einfluß der Schrottvorwärmung mit Erdgas und Sauerstoff im Konverter auf den Sauerstoffumsatz des LD-Verfahrens

Stand der Erkenntnisse und Ziel der eigenen Versuche. Anlagenbeschreibung und Betriebsbeobachtungen. Untersuchung der Schlackenbildung während der Schrottvorwärmung. Änderungen der Roheisenzusammensetzung durch Reaktionen mit den Vorwärmschlacken. Betrachtungen zur Sauerstoffbilanz.