Response of the primate secretory endometrium to subchronic hypercortisolemia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of subchronic and moderate hypercortisolism on the secretory endometrium of the cynomolgus monkey. METHODS: Osmotic pumps containing hydrocortisone phosphate (HP) were implanted subcutaneously in each monkey on the first day of the menstrual cycle; each monkey also received pumps containing saline in another cycle. Blood was obtained three times per week and urine was collected daily for hormone analyses. Endometriectomy was performed 13 +/- 1 days after the serum estradiol (E2) peak in each study cycle. RESULTS: Infusion of HP elevated serum cortisol levels by an average of 70%. Mean serum progesterone (P) levels were decreased by 50% during the secretory phase of HP-treatment cycles by comparison with self-control cycles (P < .01); as a result, the mean endometrial glycogen concentration was reduced by 30% (P < .05) and the activity of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was decreased by 70% (P < .05). Serum E2 levels were not consistently elevated by HP treatment, but cytosolic estrogen receptor levels of the endometrium were decreased by 50% (P < .01), indicating increased estrogenic stimulation. Histologic development of the secretory endometrium was retarded, but the length of the secretory phase was not affected by the treatment. CONCLUSION: A moderate elevation of serum cortisol levels over one menstrual cycle consistently produced a reduction in serum P and a hypoprogestogenic-hyperestrogenic response of the secretory endometrium in the cynomolgus monkey.     

One-stage release of congenital circumferential constriction bands

A one-stage release of circumferential congenital constriction bands was performed in four extremities (three patients). No wound problems occurred, even when there had been marked swelling of the extremity distal to the band. The one-stage release facilitated postoperative care, and there was no need for additional periods of anesthesia or for additional operations, which are necessary when this problem is treated with a release performed in two or three stages.     

Components of blood pressure and risk of atherothrombotic brain infarction: the Framingham study

From a study of the evolution of atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI) in the Framingham cohort of 5,209 men and women over 18 years of follow-up, it has been ascertained that hypertensionis the most common and most powerful precursor. Atherothrombotic brain infarction developed in hypertensive patients seven times more often than in normotensive patients, and the risk was proportional to the blood pressure throughout its range.