Features of autoimmune hepatitis in primary sclerosing cholangitis: an evaluation of 114 primary sclerosing cholangitis patients according to a scoring system for the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis

Overlapping features between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have previously been noted. To assess systematically similarities between these disorders, we have evaluated 114 PSC patients (36 women; 78 men), all confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), according to a scoring system proposed by The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group for the diagnosis of AIH. The scoring system attributes positive or negative scores to the parameters sex, ratio of elevation of serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) vs. aminotransferase, serum levels of immunoglobulins and autoantibodies, viral markers, history of drug and alcohol intake, genetic factors, liver histology, and response to therapy. Two of the PSC patients (2%) obtained scores above 15 before treatment, satisfying the diagnostic criterion of "definite" AIH. Thirty-eight patients (33%) scored between 10 and 15 points and could be classified as "probable" AIH. The serum level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) was elevated in 68 patients (61% of 111 cases tested), and positive titers of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) or smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) were detected in 24 patients (22% of 111 cases tested). Thirty-five of the PSC patients (33% of 105 evaluable biopsy specimens) obtained positive scores for histological features similar to those of AIH, but the total score for histology was in the negative range in 72 patients (69%) because of the presence of biliary changes. The frequent finding of high scores in PSC patients underlines the similarities PSC may have with AIH. A modification of the scoring system, in particular by increasing the negative score for histological biliary changes, would improve its potential to discriminate between AIH and PSC.     

Spectroscopy and laser operation of Nd:ZBAN glass

The results of a study of the spectroscopic and laser properties of a Nd³⁺ doped fluoride glass are presented. Threshold energies and slope efficiencies are reported along with the stimulated emission cross section for the laser transition. The effect of excited state absorption of pump photons on the slope efficiency is investigated     

Role of diameter differences among follicles in selection of a future dominant follicle in mares

Follicles > or = 5 mm were ablated in pony mares by a transvaginal ultrasound-guided technique on Day 10 (ovulation = Day 0). Follicle emergence (at 15 mm, experiment 1; at 6 mm, experiment 2) and development of the new wave was monitored by transrectal ultrasound. Deviation was defined as the beginning of a marked difference in growth rates between the two largest follicles. In experiment 1, mares were grouped (n = 4 per group) into controls, ablation-controls (ablations at Day 10 only), and a two-follicle model (periodic ablation sessions so that only the two largest follicles developed). There were no significant indications that the two-follicle model altered follicle diameters, growth rates, or time intervals of the two retained follicles at or between events (follicle emergence, deviation, and ovulation). In experiment 2, the two-follicle model (n = 14) was used for follicle and hormonal characterization and hypothesis testing, without the tedious and error-prone necessity for tracking many (e.g., 20) individual follicles. The future dominant follicle emerged a mean of 1 day earlier (p < 0.008) than the future subordinate follicle, the growth rates for the two follicles between emergence and deviation (6 days later) did not differ, and the dominant follicle was larger at the beginning of deviation (23.1 +/- 0.8 mm versus 19.6 +/- 0.9 mm; p < 0.0001). Mean FSH and LH concentrations increased (p < 0.05) concomitantly from emergence of the future dominant follicle and peaked 3 days later when the follicle was a mean of 13 mm. Thereafter, the two hormones disassociated until ovulation: FSH decreased and LH increased. Results supported the hypothesis that the future dominant follicle has an early size advantage over future subordinate follicles and indicated that the advantage was present as early as 6 days before deviation.     

Effect of number and diameter of follicles on plasma concentrations of inhibin and FSH in mares

The role of the number of follicles and circulating immunoreactive inhibin in the decrease in plasma FSH concentrations that occurs during development of a follicular wave was studied in mares. All follicles > or = 6 mm in diameter were ablated by ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration of follicular fluid on day 10 after ovulation. During the subsequent wave, all follicles, the three largest follicles (three follicle group), the largest follicle (single follicle group) or no follicles were retained and the remaining follicles were ablated before they reached > 10 mm in diameter (n = 10-11 mares per group). Ablation of new follicles was continued until the day on which the largest follicle of the new wave reached 25 mm in diameter (day 18 after ovulation in the 'no follicle' group). Diameters of retained follicles were measured once a day by transrectal ultrasonography. Plasma samples were taken once a day and analysed by radioimmunoassay for concentrations of FSH and immunoreactive inhibin (includes dimeric inhibin as well as free alpha-subunit forms). Data were normalized to the day of the expected start of the decrease in plasma FSH concentrations (day 0: largest follicle 13 mm in diameter in the follicle-retained groups). A simultaneous increase in circulating concentrations of FSH (P < 0.05) and immunoreactive inhibin (P < 0.05) occurred before the largest follicle reached 13 mm in diameter, which indicates that immunoreactive inhibin produced by follicles < 13 mm in diameter did not suppress FSH. Plasma concentrations of FSH decreased (P < 0.05) and immunoreactive inhibin concentrations increased (P < 0.05) after day 0 in the follicle-retained groups. A slower decrease in FSH concentrations was associated temporally with a delay in the increase in immunoreactive inhibin concentrations in the 'single follicle' group relative to the 'three follicle' and 'all follicle' groups. All follicle-retained groups had similar plasma concentrations of FSH and immunoreactive inhibin after the expected beginning of deviation in growth rates between the two largest follicles (largest follicle 22-23 mm in diameter). These results indicated that the decrease in plasma FSH concentrations from the start of the decrease until the expected day of deviation was a function of multiple follicles of a wave and was attributable to the secretion of inhibin. Thereafter, the largest follicle alone accounted for the continued FSH suppression.     

Follicle selection in cattle and horses: role of intrafollicular factors

The eminent event in follicle selection during a follicular wave in monovular species is diameter deviation, wherein one follicle continues to grow (developing dominant) and other follicles (subordinates) begin to regress. In cattle, the IGF system, oestradiol and LH receptors are involved in the intrafollicular events initiating deviation as indicated by the following: (1) concentrations of free IGF-I and oestradiol in the follicular fluid and number of LH receptors in the follicular wall increase more dramatically in the future dominant follicle than in the future subordinate follicles before the beginning of deviation and (2) ablation of the largest follicle (LF) or injection of recombinant human IGF (rhIGF)-I into the second LF at the expected beginning of deviation increases the concentrations of oestradiol in second LF before the expected beginning of deviation between second LF and third LF. In horses, an increase in free IGF-I, oestradiol, inhibin-A and activin-A is greater in the future dominant follicle than in other follicles before the beginning of deviation. However, free IGF-I is the only one of these four factors needed for the initiation of deviation in horses as indicated by the following: (1) ablation of LF at the expected beginning of deviation increases the concentrations of free IGF-I in second LF before the beginning of deviation between second LF and third LF but does not increase the other factors; (2) injection of rhIGF-I into second LF at the expected beginning of deviation causes second LF to continue to grow and become a codominant follicle and (3) injection of IGF-binding protein-3 into LF at the expected beginning of deviation causes LF to regress and second LF to become dominant. Thus, the dramatic changes in the IGF system in LF compared to other follicles before the beginning of deviation play a crucial role in the events that lead to the beginning of diameter deviation in both cattle and horses. Oestradiol and LH receptors also play a role in cattle. These intrafollicular events prepare the selected follicle for the decreasing availability of FSH and increasing availability of LH. The other follicles of the wave have the same future capability but do not have adequate time to attain a similar preparatory stage.     

Factors which affect the relative contributions of ovarian and uterine arteries to the blood supply of reproductive organs in guinea pigs

The establishment and stability of the behavioral baseline for rats in relation to the schedule of differential reinforcement of low rate under water reinforcer (DRL 20 sec for water) were studied, with the following results: When the DRL value was gradually stepped up from 1 sec to 20 sec with the advance of the sessions from 1to 16, the establishment of the behavioral baseline was slower than when DRL 20 sec was applied from the start. The establishment of the baseline was clearly accelerated by the prolongation of the length of time for training in one session from 60 min to 120 min. The baseline remained highly stable without being affected by the intermittent administration (2-3 times a week) of methamphetamine and diazepam, each in doses from 0.06 to 1.0 mg/kg, and of caffeine and pentobarbital, each in doses from 1.2 to 20 mg/kg, or by the discontinuation of the test from 1 to 15 days. However, during the retraining period following the test discontinuation it was found that the baseline fluctuated for a long time due to the elimination of water deprivation. The baseline stability, once established, could be maintained through about 300 daily sessions, with only a slight dependence on the change in environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and the season.     

Bars on blocks: A cellular automata model of crime and liquor licensed establishment density

Criminologists have extensively researched the problems generated by licensed establishments. Violent offending and disorderly behavior resulting from pubs, taverns, dance clubs and bars are of particular interest to this field of study. The relative density of these liquor establishments has been found to be associated with the level of violence and disorder in surrounding areas. A complex systems approach can be used to further understand the dynamic interplay between licensed establishments, violent offending and disorder, and urban planning decisions. The model presented here utilizes cellular automata as the mathematical framework to view the varying impact of liquor licensing density on crime. This study uses a sample of liquor establishments and crime data from the City of Vancouver in British Columbia. The cellular automata model incorporates transition rules which govern the change of city blocks from low-risk blocks to high-risk blocks. The results represented by a 50 × 50 cellular grid show that high-risk blocks multiply when liquor licenses are grouped. Two scenarios are presented to contrast the impact of grouping high-risk blocks which contain more liquor establishments and dispersing such blocks. A third scenario demonstrates how increasing the positive influence in a grouped scenario stops high-risk blocks from taking over the entire grid. Future iterations of this model will incorporate census data, public transportation data, land use data and entertainment districts from other cities to further analyze the effect of licensed establishments on the distribution of crime.     

Transgenic animal models: new avenues in cardiovascular physiology

Coryneform bacteria and yeasts of 21 brick cheeses from six German dairies, produced by using undefined ripening cultures, were identified. Arthrobacter nicotianae, Brevibacterium linens, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, Corynebacterium variabilis and Rhodococcus fascians were found in significant numbers. Out of 148 coryneform isolates 36 could not be identified at the species level. With the exception of a large rennet cheese, the coryneform microflora of rennet and acid cured cheeses were similar, but the cheeses had clearly different yeast populations. Debaryomyces hansenii and Galactomyces geotrichum prevailed in rennet cheeses while Kluyveromyces marxianus and Pichia membranaefaciens were the main species found in acid cured cheese. The dominance of Yarrowia lipolytica probably indicates an improper yeast population, resulting in poor cheese quality. Some of the species identified are potential candidates for designing a defined ripening culture for rennet red smear cheese.