Liver fibrosis

Surfactant abnormalities may contribute to the impairment of gas exchange observed in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Analysis of rat bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lipid extracts from normal controls, steroid controls, trimethaprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) controls, TMP-SMX/P. carinii pneumonia controls, and P. carinii pneumonia animals reveal similar total phospholipid and total protein levels. However, there was a marked reduction in phosphatidylglycerol (PG) from the BAL of P. carinii pneumonia rats as compared with control animals, with a decrease from 4.91 +/- 1.29 nmol/mg protein to 0.46 +/- 0.57 nmol/mg protein (p<0.05) and a decrease, as a percent of total phospholipids, from 7.7% +/- 0.88% to 0.91% +/- 0.59% (p<0.001). Furthermore, in vitro surface activities of BAL lipid extracts from control and P. carinii pneumonia rats revealed minimum surface tension increases from 9.38 +/- 1.71 mN/m in controls to 16.36 +/- 0.83 mN/m in P. carinii pneumonia rats (p<0.05) and likewise maximum surface tension increases from 22.14 +/- 4.34 mN/m to 38.57 +/- 2.07 mN/m (p<0.01). Of interest, the surface activity of PG-deficient P. carinii pneumonia BAL lipid extracts is completely restored to that of normal controls by the addition of exogenous PG. These findings suggest that a functionally abnormal surfactant occurs in P. carinii pneumonia and that this may account, in part, for the impairment of gas exchange observed in this disorder.     

Dyslipemia in a population with a high rate of cardiovascular mortality

The activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and catalase was measured in the tissues of placenta, full venous blood and full umbilical cord blood in 141 complicated pregnancies. The control group consisted of 34 physiological pregnancies. The enzymes activity was marked by use of biochemical methods. It has been shown that NAT and catalase is the most active in the group of physiological pregnancies. The decrease of NAT and catalase in venous and umbilical cord blood is correlated with the decrease of the activity these enzymes in placenta.     

Development of rapid tolerance to pentobarbital and cross-tolerance to ethanol on a motor performance test with intoxicated practice

Male Wistar rats given a single moderate dose (1.7 mg/kg, IP) of pentobarbital (PB), followed by six trials on the moving belt apparatus during the next hour, showed tolerance to the motor-impairing effects of a second dose of 17 mg/kg given 24 h later. A control group that received saline before the first test showed the usual initial sensitivity when tested with PB 24 h later. Three weeks later, the first group showed cross-tolerance to the effects of ethanol (1.7 g/kg, IP) on the same test, while the second group did not. These findings support the suggestion that rapid tolerance is closely similar to chronic tolerance and that the contribution of intoxicated practice results in a long-lasting component that applies to cross-tolerance to ethanol on the same test.     

An ethical analysis of student-faculty interactions

Senior nursing students described their interactions with faculty in a journal writing assignment. These interactions were categorized by the ethical perspectives of justice, autonomy, beneficence, and caring. An ethical analysis of faculty-student interactions is a strategy that may help nursing faculty and students understand differing perceptions about their relationships.     

Liver glutathione content and glutathione-dependent enzymes of two species of freshwater fish as bioindicators of chemical pollution

Glutathione content and glutathione-dependent enzymes were measured in the liver of two fish species, gudgeon (Gobio gobio) and roach (Rutilus arcasii), from the river Bernesga (Spain) caught downstream and upstream of the waste site of several chemical industries. Animals from contaminated sites display a reduced glutathione concentration and a tendency to the decrease of glutathione S-transferase activity. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly elevated only in the liver of Gobio gobio and glutathione reductase activity in that of Rutilus arcasii. Our data indicate that the glutathione system constitutes a sensitive biochemical indicator of chemical pollution. Relative changes of glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in both fish species suggest a different susceptibility to toxins.     

A new method forin-situ measurement of electrical resistivity of reinforced concrete

A new method is described for thein-situ measurement of electrical resistivity of concrete structures. The method is based on the early work of J. Newman who calculated the electrolyte resistivity between a disk and a counter electrode located at infinity. This method has the advantage compared with Wenner's of using a single small electrode for the measurements. In this paper, results are presented comparing this method with Wenner's and with results carried out using a conductivity cell in electrolytes. Finally, values of resistivity are compared to corrosion intensity, and a threshold for active corrosion is suggested.

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Résumé On décrit une nouvelle méthode de mesure de la résistivité électrique du béton dont la technique est basée sur un travail ancien de J. Newman qui avait calculé la résistivité entre un disque et une électrode auxiliaire placée à l'infini. Comparée à la méthode de Wenner, cette méthode présente l'avantage de n'utiliser, pour les mesures, qu'une petite électrode. Dans cet article, on présente les résultats de la comparaison établie avec la méthode de Wenner et avec les résultats obtenus avec une cellule de conductivité placée dans les électrolytes. Enfin, on compare les valeurs de la résistivité du béton avec celles de l'intensité de la corrosion et on suggère un seuil de corrosion active.

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Editorial note Camen Andrade and Maria-Cruz Alonso are working at the Instituto Eduardo de Torroja which is a RILEM Titular Member. Dr. Andrade, who was the 1986 RILEM Medallist, have had all these years great responsibilities within RILEM. Chairlady of the Advisory Technical Committee until 1993, she is now a member of the Coordinating Committee. She is active in 116-PCD Technical Committee on Permeability of Concrete as a Criterion of its Durability and has been appointed chairdlady of 154-EMC Technical Committee on Electrochemical Techniques for Measuring Metallic Corrosion. Carmen Andrade has been appointed RILEM Fellow in 1995.     

Initial results of an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program in a private health institution

Between October 1994 and the end of February 1995 115 patients were included in our programme. In these patients we monitored 141 cycles, performed 128 punctures and 100 ET. In 14 instances (9.2%) the cycle was abolished. By puncture of 1468 follicles 1370 oocytes were obtained which corresponded to a recovery rate of 93.3%. On average by aspiration 11.9 oocytes per patient were obtained. From the total number of acquired oocytes 54.6% were fertilized and 43.5% divided. Of 596 embryos 290 were transferred and the remainder was vitrified. A total of 17 clinical pregnancies were achieved, incl. 5 which terminated by abortion, the remainder proceeds. The authors are aware that they present a relatively small group during a short period of time, and thus the first results of the centre cannot be presented as a current standard. Despite this the results permit some optimism for the future and indicate a certain amount of standardization of the authors' clinical and laboratory work.