Parallel secretion of digestive enzymes by the in vitro rabbit pancreas

Nonparallel discharge of digestive enzymes by the in vitro rabbit pancreas has been previously reported and this observation has been used to challenge the mass transport theory of enzyme synthesis and secretion by the exocrine pancreas. The current investigation reexamines the pattern of enzyme secretion from the in vitro rabbit pancreas. Secretion of alpha-amylase, trypsinogen, and chymotrypsinogen was studied from the unstimulated gland and from glands stimulated with either methacholine, cholecystokinin-pancreozymin, or the active octapeptide of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin. In all cases, only parallel discharge of alpha-amlyse, trypsinogen, and chymotrypsinogen was noted. These observations are consistent with the mass-transport theory.     

The search for the engram.

Reviews literature aimed at studying the nature of the "engram," the set of physical processes and changes in the brain which forms the basis of learning. The general research strategies currently employed are (a) model biological systems and (b) more or less intact behaving animals. Use of the model systems approach has supported the view that habituation reflects some form of synaptic depression while sensitization reflects some form of superimposed or heterosynaptic facilitation. Advances have also been made in the analysis of neural control of behavioral responses and response sequences in invertebrates. Study in the hindlimb flexion response of vertebrates has contributed to the formation of a simplified neuronal model of classical conditioning. Although simplified models of learning provide information about the nature of the basic synaptic processes involved, study of the mammalian CNS is necessary to understand the neural processes in human learning and memory. Neuronal activity in the hippocampus, a brain structure believed to be involved in learning, has suggested that the first process in the formation of the engram may occur in the hippocampus. Because the hippocampal response develops early in training and is large and reliable, localization of the initial formation of this learning-dependent brain response is feasible. Given the parallel processing in the brain, there are brain systems yet to be studied which may be involved in the formation of the engram. (4 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

72-hr canine kidney preservation without continuous perfusion

A new flushing solution consisting of electrolytes and mannitol has provided successful 3 day canine kidney preservation evidenced by immediate life-supporting renal function. In our experiments the solutions described by Sacks and Collins have failed to achieve this prolonged renal storage but have been successful in storing canine kidneys for 2 days. This relatively simple new hypertonic solution does not require additives and has been successfully used in clinical renal transplantation.     

Upper airway obstruction induced by warfarin sodium

I report a patient in whom warfarin sodium induced upper airway obstruction secondary to a spontaneous nontraumatic hemorrhage into the sublingual space. Treatment of this obstructive sublingual space hematoma with conservative medical management is reviewed. I discuss the role of warfarin sodium in coagulation and in the production of this pseudo-Ludwig phenomenon.     

Studies on monotreme proteins. VII. Amino acid sequence of myoglobin from the platypus, Ornithoryhynchus anatinus

Myoglobin isolated from skeletal muscle of the platypus contains 153 amino acid residues. The complete amino acid sequence has been determined following cleavage with cyanogen bromide and further digestion of the four fragments with trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin and thermolysin. Sequences of the purified peptides were determined by the dansyl-Edman procedure. The amino acid sequence showed 25 differences from human myoglobin and 24 from kangaroo myoglobin. Amino acid sequences in myoglobins are more conserved than sequences in the alpha- and beta-globin chains, and platypus myoglobin shows a similar number of variations in sequence to kangaroo myoglobin when compared with myoglobin of other species. The date of divergence of the platypus from other mammals was estimated at 102 +/- 31 million years, based on the number of amino acid differences between species and allowing for mutations during the evolutionary period. This estimate differs widely from the estimate given by similar treatment of the alpha- and beta-chain sequences and a constant rate of mutation of globin chains is not supported.     

Intensive care of the pregnant diabetic

Over the last 2 years at Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center 245 diabetic women have been seen on the obstetric service. This complication of pregnancy comprises 7.9 per cent of 3,076 deliveries, resulting in an over-all uncorrected perinatal mortality rate of 2.9 per cent. We believe that early detection and strict rigid control of diabetes is the key to improved perinatal outcome. This article presents the classification, diagnosis, and management which have led to these results.     

Computer simulation of the precordial QRS complex: effects of simulated changes in ventricular wall thickness and volume

Over a 4-year period 40,923 operations and 44,716 surgical admissions were monitored for both community and hospital onset infections. One thousand eight hundred sixty-five patients had 1966 surgical wound infections and 2056 remote infections including 1652 hospital onset and 404 community onset infections. One thousand one hudnred forty-four patients with multiple infections averaged 40 days in the hospital contrasted with 24 days for 721 patients with a single wound infection. The total excess cost of hospitalization for these patients was $951,150. A statistically significant reduction occurred for urinary tract infections, lower respiratory infections and clean and contaminated surgical wound infections. It is suggested that these are all inter-related and a significant reduction in surgical wound infections can be achieved through control of infections at remote sites, particularly those associated with medical devices. The coagulase positive staphylococcus is still the most important single bacterial species in the primary etiology of surgical wound infections. When the gastrointestinal tract is entered or "supra" infecting organisms appear, gram negative bacteria and mixed gram negative and gram positive infections are dominant. Reduction in remote site infections occurring in surgical patients is necessary to reduce the incidence of surgical wound infections, suggest preventive and control measures, and document the effectiveness of such measures.     

Eosinophilic granular ceels in oligodendrogliomas. An ultrastructural study

In three cases of oligodendrogliomas, atypical cells rich in eosinophilic cytoplasm, resembling plump astroyctic or astroblastic cells, were studied under the electron microscopy. These cells showed finely granular cytoplasm with routine hematoxylin-eosin preparation; ultrastructurally, they exhibited abundant, round cytoplasmic bodies of autophagic-vacuole type, in addition to other fine structures characteristic of oligodendroglioma cells.     

Induction of labor by acupuncture electro-stimulation

Induction of labor by acupuncture electro-stimulation was carried out in 31 patients. This was successful in 21 cases. The pattern of uterine contractions induced in these patients was similar to that in normal labor. No serious fetal or maternal complications occurred. The delay between the commencement of stimulation and the onset of contractions suggests that a humoral mechanism may be involved.