Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency--clinical course and laboratory findings in eight affected animals

To compare multiple and singleton pregnancies in the treatment of threatened preterm delivery with prolonged intravenous ritodrine, 32 women with multiple pregnancy (26 twins, 6 triplets, 70 fetuses, 30.3 +/- 3.5 weeks) and 51 women with singleton pregnancy (31.3 +/- 2.6 weeks) admitted for threatened preterm delivery without rupture of the membranes were the subjects of a retrospective study of obstetric data, perinatal outcome and maternal adverse effects. Significance was assessed by chi 2 test and Student's t test. Multiple pregnancies were associated with a marked increase in the duration of tocolysis (17.2 +/- 17.3 vs. 7.6 +/- 8.1 days, P < 0.01), incidence of delivery before 37 weeks (87.5 vs. 35.3%, P < 0.01) and incidence of maternal cardiovascular complications (34.4 vs. 4.0%, P < 0.01), including three cases of pulmonary edema. The incidences of delivery before 32 weeks (12.5 vs. 7.8%) and of neonatal death (2.9 vs. 0%) were not significantly different in the two groups. Multiple pregnancies dramatically increased the incidence of maternal adverse effects of prolonged intravenous ritodrine therapy. Neonatal benefit is questionable and was difficult to establish since it was not a randomized study.     

Organization of the genetic locus for chicken myosin light chain kinase is complex: multiple proteins are encoded and exhibit differential expression and localization

We report that the genetic locus that encodes vertebrate smooth muscle and nonmuscle myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and kinase-related protein (KRP) has a complex arrangement and a complex pattern of expression. Three proteins are encoded by 31 exons that have only one variation, that of the first exon of KRP, and the genomic locus spans approximately 100 kb of DNA. The three proteins can differ in their relative abundance and localization among tissues and with development. MLCK is a calmodulin (CaM) regulated protein kinase that phosphorylates the light chain of myosin II. The chicken has two MLCK isoforms encoded by the MLCK/KRP locus. KRP does not bind CaM and is not a protein kinase. However, KRP binds to and regulates the structure of myosin II. Thus, KRP and MLCK have the same subcellular target, the myosin II molecular motor system. We examined the tissue and cellular localization of KRP and MLCK in the chicken embryo and in adult chicken tissues. We report on the selective localization of KRP and MLCK among and within tissues and on a differential distribution of the proteins between embryonic and adult tissues. The results fill a void in our knowledge about the organization of the MLCK/KRP genetic locus, which appears to be a late evolving regulatory paradigm, and suggest an independent and complex regulation of expression of the gene products from the MLCK/KRP genetic locus that may reflect a basic principle found in other eukaryotic gene clusters that encode functionally linked proteins.     

The prediction of the breeding value of poultry from the intensity of the early ontogeny processes

Theoretical approaches to the estimation of shaping processes intensity in the early ontogenesis in poultry based on the parameters of growth intensity and uniformity have been considered. It is shown that the indices of growth uniformity defined during the 1st-3rd weeks of life have a significant correlation with the final live weight at the age of 7-8 weeks. This opens new prospects in prediction of the poultry flesh productivity.     

Comparison of the effectiveness of various comprehensive treatments for locally advanced breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: Auditory testing is not routinely performed within 4-6 weeks after stapedotomy, because hearing acuity is thought to be transiently depressed. In rare circumstances, postsurgical auditory and vestibular complaints may lead one to test hearing soon after stapedotomy. The early postoperative effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) and potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) lasers, which now are routinely used to perform stapedotomies, have not been reported. The purpose of this report is to present normative data for auditory thresholds measured within 2 weeks of laser stapedotomy. STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a prospective, unblinded study. SETTING: The study was conducted at three academic medical centers. PATIENTS: Thirty-six subjects undergoing 38 stapedotomies for otosclerosis by 5 surgeons participated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Behavioral audiometry was performed using standard techniques beginning before surgery and continuing through > 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The CO2 laser was used in 26 stapedotomies and the KTP laser was used in 12. Nine cases were revision procedures. Bone conduction pure-tone averages and speech discrimination scores did not worsen during the early postoperative period. Bone conduction at 250 and 4,000 Hz dropped slightly within the first 2 weeks (-4.3 and -6.7 dB) but recovered thereafter. Bone conduction at 1,000 Hz actually improved within the first week after surgery (+6.2 dB, p = 0.021). Significant improvements in air conduction thresholds (and air-bone gap) were seen at the second week and late audiometry. The results for CO2 and KTP laser-treated groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Cochlear function is not significantly depressed in the early postoperative period after laser (CO2 or KTP) stapedotomy.     

The clinical aspects of hydrocephalus in children

The removal of tooth structure during preparation results in varying degrees of pulpal hyperemia. The ability of the pulpal tissue to respond either by recovery or degeneration depends in part upon the adequacy and fit of the provisional restoration. The response of the gingival tissue also depends on a large degree on the success of the temporary coverage. Provisional restorations are commonly given less attention and importance thereby biologic, mechanical, and esthetic considerations are not adequately met. Since a provisional restoration must be made or improvised during the same appointment in which the abutment teeth are prepared, costly chairside time most often leads to an unacceptable restoration. Failures such as color instability, color incompatibility, inappropriate anatomic contours, fractures, occlusal disharmony, changes in tooth position, gingival inflammation, and unhealthy periodontal conditions are usually encountered. A technique of fabricating an exacting provisional restoration with compliance to optimum quality is presented.     

In situ localization and quantification of mRNA for 92-kD type IV collagenase and its inhibitor in aneurysmal, occlusive, and normal aorta

Ninety-two-kilodalton type IV collagenase (MMP-9) is present in aortic aneurysms and may be important to the pathogenesis of this disease. Alteration in expression of MMP-9 or its inhibitor, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1 (TIMP-1), could increase degradation of extracellular matrix and lead to aneurysm formation. The purpose of this study was (1) to measure tissue levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA in aneurysmal (AAA), atherosclerotic occlusive (AOD), and normal (NL) human infrarenal aorta; (2) to test for their expression by cultured AAA and NL vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs); and (3) to locate in situ the cells responsible for mRNA production within AAA, AOD, and NL aortic wall. Total RNA extracted from AAA (n = 8), AOD (n = 8), and NL (n = 7) tissue was subjected to Northern analysis. Signals for MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were normalized to alpha-tubulin. Mean values +/- SEM were compared by ANOVA. NL and AAA VSMCs were cultured, passaged, and grown to confluence before RNA extraction and Northern analysis. In situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes localized cells responsible for MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA expression within sections of AAA (n = 5), AOD (n = 2), and NL (n = 2) aorta. MMP-9 mRNA levels were significantly greater in AAA (0.855 +/- 0.180) than NL (0.046 +/- 0.23) (P < .02), but differences between AOD (0.406 +/- 0.196) and AAA or AOD and NL were not significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The acupuncture of biologically active points in the treatment of primary corneal stromal dystrophies

New trends in surgical treatment of purulent tendovaginitis of the hand are described on the basis of clinical data of 295 patients with purulent tendovaginitis and its complications. A sparing operation technique was used as well as the fractional bathing of the purulent focus and regional antibacterial therapy at the postoperative period. This method of surgical treatment resulted in a shorter first stage of inflammation, less risk of complications (dermatogenic contracture, limited mobility in the joints of the fingers and toes, trophoneurotic disturbances) and less influence of injurious factors on the tendon in the process of treatment.     

Diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia

The experience and the technique of cholecystectomy from mini-approach with elements of open laparascopic technique (MSE) in 102 patients with choledocholithiasis and calculous cholecystitis is descubed. In 99 cases the operation was carried out for chronic calculous cholecystitis, in 3 cases--for acute calculous cholecystitis. The patients were aged from 23 to 76 years (mean age 59.3 +/- 3.4 years). The average length of the incision in performing MSE made up 4.1 +/- 0.3 cm. Mean duration of the operation 42.4 +/- 5.3 min. In 5 cases (4.9%) intraoperative cholangiography was performed. The possibility to avoid the use of narcotic analgetics in postoperative period in patients who underwent MSE is demonstrated. Postoperative period made up 3.8 days. Social and cost-effect aspects of different modes of surgical treatment of patients with cholelithiasis are considered. The study of quality of life index makes it possible to come to conclusion about quicker return of the patients who underwent MSE to their habitual social and intellectual activities, practically complete absence of the influence of negative factors of conventional treatment (pains, dyspepsial, cosmetic defects) higher appreciation of their health conditions, well being, which manifests in higher quality of life in operated patients.