In vitro metabolism or testosterone by breast microcysts

Breast microcysts are considered to be a normal findings in the adult female breast without any increased risk of developing carcinomatous change. Breast cysts fluid contains steroid but not studies have been reported on the ability of breast microcysts to metabolise steroid hormones. It was, therefore, the aim of this study to identify the metabolites formed on incubation of radiolabelled testosterone with microcysts. In all instances dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione were formed. Oestrogens were not identified. Tis study, therefore, provides evidence for th presence of 5-alpha-reductase and 17-oxidoreductase enzyme systems in breast microcysts.     

Burrowing dynamics and energy cost of transport in the soft-bodied marine invertebrates Polyphysia crassa and Priapulus caudatus

The dynamics and mechanical forces generated during burrowing in Polyphysia crassa (Annelida: Polychaeta) and Priapulus caudatus (Priapulida) were investigated. Both animals live in soft marine muds and burrow by utilizing a direct peristaltic wave alternating with a high internal pressure event which thrusts the anterior part of the body into the substratum. Forces generated during the various phases of a typical burrowing cycle were measured in animals moving beneath the natural substratum at 5±3 °C using electronic transducers and recorder. During 'head' advance Polyphysia generated 0.027 N, and during 'tail' advance 0.020 N, with peak internal pressures averaging 0.95 kPa (= 0.095 N/cm²). Force by Priapulus during head advance and tail advance was 0.081 N and 0.121 N, respectively, with peak internal pressures averaging 2.47 kPa (= 0.247 N/cm²). Polyphysia moves more slowly (0.24 cm/min) than does Priapulus (0.76 cm/min) and expends more energy on mass moved per unit distance. These force measurements during a burrowing cycle were used in place of respirometry as a basis for computation of net cost of transport (NCT) for each animal. NCT for Polyphysia was 635 J kg^-1 m^-1 and for Priapulus was 314Jkg^-1m^-l. Cost of transport for all burrowing animals thus far investigated is high compared to swimming, running and flying. For soft-bodied invertebrates that live an entirely buried existence this high cost must be interpreted in the broader context of the adaptive value of infaunal life, especially protection against predation, and not as simply a means of moving about.     

Effect of neonatal denervation on the distribution of fiber types in a mouse fast-twitch skeletal muscle

This study was designed to assess the changes in fiber-type distribution of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle of the mouse during the first 21 days of age following neonatal sciatic neurectomy. Denervated and normal muscles were compared at 7, 14, and 21 days of age and the normal EDL was also studied at 1 day of age. Frozen sections of the EDL were treated histochemically to detect NADH-tetrazolium reductase and myosin ATPase reactions. Quantitative assessment included measurements of cross-sectional areas and fiber counting. Denervation resulted in muscle atrophy which was due primarily to a decrease in individual fiber area as opposed to fiber loss. Histochemical maturation of the EDL was severely affected by neonatal denervation during the first three postnatal weeks. By 21 days, two extrafusal fiber types which were both oxidative could be distinguished. One type was highly atrophied and resembled an immature fiber exhibiting myosin ATPase staining at both acid and alkaline preincubation conditions, whereas another type was less atrophied and showed myosin ATPase staining resembling fast-twitch (type IIA) fibers. These findings emphasize the importance of an intact nerve supply in determining the phenotypic expression of skeletal muscle, and point to the early postnatal period as a critical stage in fiber type differentiation.     

Operations on large arteries; application of recent advances

With the use of anticoagulants to prevent recurrence of thrombosis it is now possible to open a major artery which has been occluded by a thrombus, remove the thickened lining with the clot and restore the continuity of the vessel. Free vein grafts have been used successfully to replace arterial segments in the extremities. Vein inlay grafts are preferred in dealing with aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. The aneurysmal wall can be used to support the venous segments. It has been possible to by-pass aneurysms of the abdominal aorta by anastomosing the splenic artery to the left iliac artery. The use of the left superficial femoral artery as a by-pass to supply blood to the right leg is described.