Pharmacologic atrial natriuretic peptide reduces human leg capillary filtration

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is produced and secreted by atrial cells. We measured calf capillary filtration rate with prolonged venous-occlusion plethysmography of supine healthy male subjects during pharmacologic infusion of ANP (48 pmol/kg/min for 15 min; n = 6) and during placebo infusion (n = 7). Results during infusions were compared to prior control measurements. ANP infusion increased plasma [ANP] from 30 +/- 4 to 2,568 +/- 595 pmol/l. Systemic hemoconcentration occurred during ANP infusion: mean hematocrit and plasma colloid osmotic pressure increased 4.6 and 11.3%, respectively, relative to preinfusion baseline values (p < 0.05). Mean calf filtration, however, was significantly reduced from 0.15 to 0.08 ml/100 ml/min with ANP. Heart rate increased 20% with ANP infusion, whereas blood pressure was unchanged. Calf conductance (blood flow/arterial pressure) and venous compliance were unaffected by ANP infusion. Placebo infusion had no effect relative to prior baseline control measurements. Although ANP induced systemic capillary filtration, in the calf, filtration was reduced with ANP. Therefore, pharmacologic ANP infusion enhances capillary filtration from the systemic circulation, perhaps at upper body or splanchnic sites or both, while having the opposite effect in the leg.     

Resolution of a left ureteral stone using electrohydraulic lithotripsy in a thoroughbred colt

A 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for evaluation of azotemia and anorexia. Physical examination revealed a ureterolith in the left ureter, approximately 10 cm from the bladder, which was thought to obstruct urine flow by approximately 90% when viewed cystoscopically. Ultrasonographic examination of both kidneys revealed indistinct corticomedullary junctions, and the right kidney was more hyperechoic. A percutaneous biopsy of the right kidney revealed chronic interstitial nephritis with marked interstitial medullary fibrosis. Medical therapy consisting of IV fluids, sodium chloride PO, and ammonium chloride PO was initiated. Ureteroscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy via a perineal urethrostomy was used to successfully remove the stone. Klebsiella oxytoca, which responded to oral enrofloxacin therapy, was cultured from the urine after surgery. Azotemia resolved and the horse resumed training.     

Postmortem analysis of bone growth into porous-coated acetabular components

Microradiography, backscattered electron microscopy, and histological analysis were used to conduct a quantitative postmortem study of seven consecutively retrieved anatomical porous replacement acetabular components that had been inserted during total hip arthroplasties. Screws had been used for the initial fixation of six components. The microradiographic analysis of all seven components showed that an average (and standard deviation) of 84 +/- 9 per cent (range, 72 to 93 per cent) of the porous coating was in direct apposition to the periprosthetic bone. The backscattered electron images demonstrated that an average of 12 +/- 6 per cent (range, 4 to 21 per cent) of the space available in the porous coating was occupied by ingrown bone. The amount of bone ingrowth was not significantly different among the three zones delineated by DeLee and Charnley. Uniformity of bone growth into the porous coating suggests that the preferential loading that occurs in the superior region did not differentially affect the bone ingrowth. The present study showed that consistent bone growth into anatomical porous replacement acetabular components can be achieved.     

Identification of olfactory cues used in host-plant finding by diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Olfactory attraction of female diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella) to odors of intact and homogenized host plants, as well as individual compounds characteristic of host plants, were investigated by behavioral and electrophysiological methods. Moths were attracted to odors ofBrassica juncea andB. napus seedlings in a Y-tube bioassay. Solvent fractions of homogenizedB. juncea leaves were attractive to moths whether or not isothiocyanates (IC) were present. Moths were attracted in Y-tube bioassays and to field traps baited with individual ICs. Volatiles fromB. juncea andB. napus elicited an electroantennogram (EAG) response and were attractive in the Y-tube bioassay. Allyl IC was shown to be the attractive component in homogenized plant volatiles but was found to be virtually absent from intact plant volatiles. Gas chromatographic fractionation of intact plant volatiles revealed a terpene-containing fraction to be most attractive to the moths. We were unable to isolate individual attractive compounds from this fraction. Our results suggest that certain elements of this fraction, possibly in combination, are important olfactory cues for host-plant finding by the diamondback moth with mustard oils playing an important and possibly synergistic role, particularly when plants are damaged.     

Lead levels in Eurasian otters decline with time and reveal interactions between sources, prevailing weather, and stream chemistry

The uptake of contaminants by biota varies spatially and temporally due to a complex range of interacting environmental variables, but such complexities are typically disregarded in studies of temporal change. Here, we use linear modeling to explore spatial and temporal variation in bone Pb levels measured in samples taken from 329 Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) found dead in southwest England. Between 1992 and 2004 Pb levels in otters fell by 73%, following UK legislative control of Pb emissions implemented since the mid 1980s. Spatial variation in bone Pb was positively correlated with modeled Pb emissions and stream sediment Pb, which interacted negatively with wind-speed and sediment Ca, respectively. Opportunistic collection of samples from wildlife mortalities provided a valuable opportunity for monitoring environmental contamination, interpretation of which was aided by spatially explicit analysis of environmental variables.     

Fabrication of Multifaceted Micropatterned Surfaces with Laser Scanning Lithography

The implementation of engineered surfaces presenting micrometer‐sized patterns of cell adhesive ligands against a biologically inert background has led to numerous discoveries in fundamental cell biology. While existing surface patterning strategies allow patterning of a single ligand, it is still challenging to fabricate surfaces displaying multiple patterned ligands. To address this issue we implemented laser scanning lithography (LSL), a laser‐based thermal desorption technique, to fabricate multifaceted, micropatterned surfaces that display independent arrays of subcellular‐sized patterns of multiple adhesive ligands with each ligand confined to its own array. We demonstrate that LSL is a highly versatile “maskless” surface patterning strategy that provides the ability to create patterns with features ranging from 460 nm to 100 μm, topography ranging from ‐1 to 17 nm, and to fabricate both stepwise and smooth ligand surface density gradients. As validation for their use in cell studies, surfaces presenting orthogonally interwoven arrays of 1 μm × 8 μm elliptical patterns of Gly‐Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐terminated alkanethiol self‐assembled monolayers and human plasma fibronectin are produced. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured on these multifaceted surfaces form adhesion sites to both ligands simultaneously and utilize both ligands for lamella formation during migration. The ability to create multifaceted, patterned surfaces with tight control over pattern size, spacing, and topography provides a platform to simultaneously investigate the complex interactions of extracellular matrix geometry, biochemistry, and topography on cell adhesion and downstream cell behavior.     

Trends in rates of occupational fatal injuries in the United States (1983-92)

Recent advancements in laparoscopic surgery have made laparoscopic splenectomy possible. We retrospectively compared the outcomes of laparoscopic versus open splenectomy in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or beta-thalassemia. From July 1993 to July 1997, 52 patients (ITP, 43 cases; beta-thalassemia, 9 cases) underwent either laparoscopic (30 patients, 9 men, 21 women; average age, 36.9 years) or conventional open splenectomy (22 patients, 5 men, 17 women; average age, 34.3 years). The two groups were similar in terms of sex, age, diagnosis, duration of disease, preoperative platelet count, and spleen size. The mean surgical time, estimated amount of blood loss, duration of postoperative recovery, analgesic usage, and complications were compared between the two groups. Laparoscopic splenectomy was successful in 29 (97%) of the 30 patients. The mean surgical time in the laparoscopy group was longer than in the open splenectomy group (190.6 vs 113.9 minutes, p < 0.01). The laparoscopy group had earlier postoperative oral intake (15.2 vs 52.6 hours, p < 0.01), less usage of analgesics (meperidine 50 mg/unit, 1.1 vs 2.8 units, p < 0.01) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (4.1 vs 6.8 days, p < 0.01). The estimated blood loss, incidence of accessory spleen, surgical complication rate, and recurrence rate of thrombocytopenia were similar in the two groups. Our findings show that laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with ITP or beta-thalassemia is as safe as the open approach. While laparoscopy required a longer surgical time, the recovery period was shorter, analgesic use was less, and physical discomfort was less severe.     

Ischemia of the anterior vestibular artery (Lindsay-Hemenway syndrome). Review and comments

INTRODUCTION: The Lindsay and Hemenway syndrome is produced by ischemia in the territory of the anterior vestibular artery and is characterized by an initial episode of acute vertigo followed by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and decreased or abolished caloric response. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of anterior vestibular artery syndrome in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. DESIGN: A 3-year retrospective study (January 1994 to December 1996). SETTING: Patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the Zamora and Salamanca (Spain) health districts seen in two outpatients clinics. STUDY SUBJECTS: Ninety-eight patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. RESULTS: Sixteen patients diagnosed as anterior vestibular artery syndrome were revised (16.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the literature is scarce, the incidence of Lindsay-Hemenway syndrome seems to be underestimated.     

Malignant meningioma in Gorlin's syndrome: cytogenetic and p53 gene analysis. Case report

Gorlin's syndrome, also known as multiple basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is a familial tumor condition with autosomal-dominant inheritance. Patients develop multiple basal cell carcinomas beginning in childhood. They also have a typical dysmorphic facies, skeletal malformations, and a particular type of epithelial cyst of the jaws. Recent evidence localizes a Gorlin's syndrome locus on chromosome 9 at band q31. Both tumors and malformations of the central nervous system occur with Gorlin's syndrome. Medulloblastoma is the primary brain tumor most frequently associated with this syndrome; over 40 such cases have been reported. However, only seven cases of meningioma associated with Gorlin's syndrome have been described. The authors report the case of a woman with Gorlin's syndrome whose mother and maternal grandfather also had the condition. The patient was found to have a medulloblastoma at 4 years of age and presented with a large bifrontal meningioma at 19 years of age. The meningioma was histologically malignant and had a complex karyotype with multiple translocations including a t(5;9) with the breakpoint on chromosome 9 located at 9q32. The constitutional karyotype of the mother was normal. No mutations of exons 5 to 9 of the p53 gene were detected using single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis.