The relative contribution of selected carpal bones to global wrist motion during simulated planar and out-of-plane wrist motion

The present study assesses the endocrinological, endometrial histology and vaginal ultrasound profiles of nomegestrol acetate subdermal implant users at varying times after insertion. Follicle stimulatory hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol, progesterone, vaginal ultrasound assessment of the ovaries and the histological dating of the endometrium were serially assessed for a period of 50 days immediately after the insertion, and after at 6 months and 12 months of use. The endocrinological results of this prospective observational clinical trial indicated that 75% of the cycles across the study period in Uniplant users were anovulatory, 63% showing development of a persistent non-luteinized follicle. Anovulatory cycles devoid of follicular development were seen primarily in the first months after Uniplant insertion. Ovulatory cycles represented 25% of the Uniplant cycles. Inadequate luteal phase or disregulation of follicular growth was a common feature of ovulatory cycles. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the contraceptive mechanisms of a single nomegestrol acetate subdermal implant involve prevention of follicular growth, development of a persistent non-luteinized follicle, inadequate luteal phase and disruption of the endometrial architecture.     

Neocuproine, a selective Cu(I) chelator, and the relaxation of rat vascular smooth muscle by S-nitrosothiols

1. A study has been made of the effect of neocuproine, a specific Cu(I) chelator, on vasodilator responses of rat isolated perfused tail artery to two nitrosothiols: S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP) and S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO). 2. Bolus injections (10 microl) of SNAP or GSNO (10(-7)-10(-3) M) were delivered into the lumen of perfused vessels pre-contracted with sufficient phenylephrine (1-7 microM) to develop pressures of 100-120 mmHg. Two kinds of experiment were made: SNAP and GSNO were either (a) pre-mixed with neocuproine (10(-4) M) and then injected into arteries; or (b) vessels were continuously perfused with neocuproine (10(-5) M) and then injected with either pure SNAP or GSNO. 3. In each case, neocuproine significantly attenuated vasodilator responses to both nitrosothiols, although the nature of the inhibitory effect differed in the two types of experiment. We conclude that the ability of exogenous nitrosothiols to relax vascular smooth muscle in our ex vivo model is dependent upon a Cu(I) catalyzed process. Evidence is presented which suggests that a similar Cu(I)-dependent mechanism is responsible for the release of NO from endogenous nitrosothiols and that this process may assist in maintaining vasodilator tone in vivo.     

Expandable metal mesh stents for treatment of tracheal stenoses and tracheomalacia

The treatment of tracheo-bronchial stenosis or tracheomalacia is mainly carried out by means of resection or tracheoplastic operative strategies. Since the introduction of metal-mesh stents, a definitive endoluminal therapy has to be considered under new aspects. Six patients with malignant stenosis or tracheomalacia due to compression were treated by implantation of Palmaz- or Wallstents. Immediately after the implantation, patients were relieved from dyspnoea, the forced inspiratory volume-1 (FIV1) was normalized. All implanted stents were well tolerated, even in the long-time follow-up (19 months). Bronchoscopic control showed overgrowth of the metal meshes by respiratory epithelium. The implantation of metal-mesh stents is an adequate alternative in the treatment of malignant stenosis and tracheomalacia.     

Blood pressure changes during short-term fluoxetine treatment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential diagnostic role of mediastinal sonography in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), we screened the mediastinum of adult CF patients with and without signs of infection and healthy controls. METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive adult patients with CF and 53 healthy volunteers underwent high-resolution mediastinal sonography. The paratracheal region and aorticopulmonary window of each subject were examined for lymph nodes. Each patient was screened for clinical signs of infection. RESULTS: Lymph nodes were detectable in the mediastinum of 39 of 50 CF patients (78%); the mean total lymph node volume was 1.5 +/- 1.7 cm3. Lymph nodes were detectable in the mediastinum of 31 of 50 controls (62%); the mean total lymph node volume in this group was 0.3 +/- 0.3 cm3 (p < 0.001). In the 30 CF patients with signs of infection, the mean total lymph node volume was larger (2.0 +/- 1.8 cm3) than in the 20 CF patients without signs of infection (0.7 +/- 0.9 cm3; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that lymph node volume determination by high-resolution mediastinal sonography may help assess inflammatory activity in patients with CF.