Comparative study of the pathogenicity of Chlamydia for white mice of different ages

Binding of 125I-labelled triiodothyronine (T3) to rat liver and kidney cytosol was examined. In both organs a very similar binding protein was detected. The apparent equilibrium association constants amounted to 4.8 X 10(7) M-1 for the liver protein and to 1.8 X 10(7) M-1 for the kidney protein. In the two organs a high capacity for T3 binding was observed: maximal binding capacities of respectively 4.3 and 33.2 pmol per mg total cytosol protein. Displacement studies using thyroid hormone analogues showed that the binding exhibited similar specificity.     

Trends and international comparisons in infertility in circumpolar areas

A study was carried out at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Debre Berhan Research Station in Ethiopia from 1992 to 1995 to compare the peri-parturient rise (PPR) in faecal nematode egg counts (FEC) in ewes of two indigenous sheep breeds. A total of 1439 Menz and 1347 Horro ewes were single sire mated following oestrus synchronization to lamb in the wet and dry season. Three ewe treatment groups were constituted as mated/lactating/undrenched; mated/lactating/drenched; unmated/undrenched for three wet and three dry lambing seasons. All ewes grazed naturally contaminated pasture. Levels of faecal egg output were monitored at mating, 3 months after mating, 2 weeks before lambing, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-lambing. A significant PPR in FEC occurred 2 weeks before lambing and peaked at 4 weeks post-parturition in ewes lambing just before the beginning of the dry season (October/November). There was no significant increase in FEC when lambing occurred before the onset of the long rainy season (May/June). The PPR in this study was associated with both lactation and seasonal availability of third-stage infective larvae on pasture. There was no consistent breed difference in FEC during the six sampling periods from mating to weaning. Faecal cultures and worm counts from both breeds confirmed the presence of Longistrongylus (Pseudomarshallagia) elongata, Trichostrongylus spp.and Haemonchus contortus. The role of the peri-parturient rise of FEC in ewes in gastrointestinal nematode transmission is discussed.     

Cerebellar dysgenesis in rats by diaplacental effects of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) administered iv to pregnant Sparague-Dawley rats produced cerebellar malfunction in at least 10% of the offspring. The underlying morphologic basis of the cerebellar symptomatology was found in maldevelopment of cerebellar cortex, ranging from focal loss of granule and Purkinje's cell layers to extensive areas of cortical disorganization with losses of granule neurons. An interference with the proliferation of the granule cell-layer primordium was suggested as a mechanism of this cerebellar dysgenesis. After a 200-day observation, no tumors were found in the offspring of the DMBA-treated, pregnant rats.     

Pulmonary sequestration associated with a gastric duplication cyst

A case of right subdiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration (PS) associated with a gastric duplication cyst is reported. To the authors' knowledge such a case has not been reported previously in the English literature. PS was first noted as a defect on a nuclear liver image. The duplication cyst was defined by ultrasonography. A review of the English literature is included.     

Determination of InN/Diamond Heterojunction Band Offset by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Diamond is not only a free standing highly transparent window but also a promising carrier confinement layer for InN based devices, yet little is known of the band offsets in InN/diamond system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to measure the energy discontinuity in the valence band offset (VBO) of InN/diamond heterostructure. The value of VBO was determined to be 0.39 ± 0.08 eV and a type-I heterojunction with a conduction band offset (CBO) of 4.42 ± 0.08 eV was obtained. The accurate determination of VBO and CBO is important for the application of III-N alloys based electronic devices.     

In vitro simulation. Early results of stereotaxy for pedicle screw placement

STUDY DESIGN: Frameless stereotaxy with doppler ultrasound and three dimensional computer model registration is assessed in vitro for pedicle screw placement. OBJECTIVE: To identify feasibility of pedicle screw navigation and placement using this technology. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Inaccurate pedicle screw placement can lead to neurovascular injury or suboptimal fixation. Present techniques in pedicle screw placement involve only confirmation of hole orientation. METHOD: Forty-four pedicle screws were placed in lumbosacral models and cadaver specimens. Accuracy was assessed with a computed tomography scan and vertebral cross sectioning. RESULTS: All screws were intrapedicular. Accuracy of anterior cortical fixation was 1.5 mm, with a range of 2.5 mm. CONCLUSION: In vitro frameless stereotaxy is accurate for pedicle screw placement. This technology adds a component of navigation to pedicle screw placement.