The effect of prostaglandin F2∝ on third stage labor

The effects of intramyometrially injected PGF2∝ intravenous Ergometrin and no treatment were compared during 3rd stage labor in 140 patients. In comparison with Ergometrin or no treatment, PGF2∝ significantly reduced the duration of 3rd stage labor, blood loss, incidence of subinvolution and subfebrility.     

Comparison of Plankton-Water Chemistry Relationships in Three Acid Stressed Lakes in Nova Scotia,Canada

A field program was conducted in 1980 and 1981 on three lakes in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia, to study plankton-water chemistry relationships in a region of potential acid precipitation stress. Among lake and between year comparisons were made. The three study sites represent two different types of lakes. Kejimkujik Lake (pH 4.8) and Pebbleloggitch Lake (pH 4.5) are both high-colored, dystrophic acid lakes. Beaverskin Lake is a clear, oligotrophic lake which is not as acidic (pH 5.4). The phytoplankton of Kejimkujik Lake was dominated by diatoms, while Pebbleloggitch Lake was dominated by chlorophytes and chrysophytes, and Beaverskin Lake was dominated by cyanophytes. Kejimkujik Lake had the highest total algal cell volume per liter, and Pebbleloggitch Lake the lowest. Rotifer populations composed the majority of the zooplankton communities, while the crustacean zooplankton were dominated by the acid-tolerant copepod Diaptomus minutus. Kejimkujik Lake had the lowest zooplankton biomass and Pebbleloggitch Lake the highest zooplankton biomass per m³. A pattern of highest algal density in Beaverskin Lake, but highest zooplankton density in Pebbleloggitch Lake emerged in both years. This is likely an effect of abundant, but unsuitable food (blue-green algae) in Beaverskin Lake and important detrital food resources in Pebbleloggitch Lake in both years. Multiple regression analysis of water chemistry variables with plankton species produced many significant effects, but failed to show clear patterns. Cause and effect relationships in aquatic ecosystems are poorly delineated by such techniques.     

Glutamate release from adult primary sensory neurons in culture is modulated by growth factors.

The aim of this study was to examine possible modulatory effects of some trophic molecules, i.e. nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), on potassium (K(+))-, bradykinin (BK)- or capsaicin (CAPS)-evoked release of glutamate (GLU) from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vitro. BK (0.5 and 1 microM) induced a dramatic and significant increase in glutamate release. Neither CAPS nor K(+) (60 mM) produced any significant increase of GLU release vs. basal levels during a 5-min stimulation. The BK-evoked release of GLU was almost completely blocked by HOE 140, a selective BK2-receptor antagonist at high doses. Basal release of GLU was significantly reduced in cultures grown in the presence of bFGF, whereas BDNF and NGF had no significant effect. Incubation with growth factors generally decreased the BK-stimulated GLU release, an effect most pronounced for bFGF, which completely blocked BK-stimulated release. The rise in intracellular [Ca(2+)] following stimulation with BK (100 nM-1 microM), potassium (60 mM) or ATP (10 microM) was also studied using a Ca(2+)-sensitive indicator, Fura-2, in cultures grown in basal medium with or without bFGF. None of the bFGF-treated cells exhibited strong Ca(2+) responses to BK or ATP stimulation, while 10-20% of the responding cells grown in basal medium exhibited strong responses. The K(+)-induced increase of [Ca(2+)] did not vary between the different groups.The present findings suggest that sensory neurotransmission involving glutamate may be modulated by growth factors and that regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis may be a contributing factor.