Extracellular Ca2+ mobilization in potential-dependent contraction of trachealis of maturing swine.

We studied the effect of maturation on potassium-induced parasympathetic activation and Ca2+ entry in tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) from fifteen 2-wk-old (2ws) and sixteen 10-wk-old (10ws) male domestic farm swine. Atropine (10(-7) M) caused inhibition of the maximal contraction elicited by potassium to 50.3 +/- 2.6% maximum of control response (P less than 0.001) in TSM from 2ws but had no significant effect in TSM from 10ws (94.6 +/- 4.2% maximum; P = NS vs. control). Verapamil (10(-7) M) plus 10(-7) M atropine reduced contraction elicited by potassium in both 2ws (23.7 +/- 5.8% maximum; P less than 0.001 vs. control) and 10ws (50.6 +/- 6.3% maximum; P less than 0.001 vs. control, P less than 0.05 vs. 2ws); 10(-6)M verapamil caused greater than 95% blockade of contraction caused by potassium in both 2ws and 10ws. In separate studies, atropine-treated strips were equilibrated with extracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]o) ranging from normal (1X [Ca2+]o) to four times normal (4x [Ca2+]o). Increasing [Ca2+]o increased maximal contractile response in atropine-treated TSM strips from 68.7 +/- 3.8% maximum for 1x [Ca2+]o to 100.8 +/- 4.8% maximum for 4x [Ca2+]o (P less than 0.001) in 2ws. Neither atropine nor [Ca2+]o affected maximal responses of TSM in 10ws (103.5 +/- 3.0% maximum for 1x [Ca2+]o; P = NS vs. control). However, in the presence of atropine and verapamil, 4x [Ca2+]o augmented KCl-elicited contraction of TSM from both 2ws (46.9 +/- 6.3% maximum; P less than 0.01 vs. control) and 10ws (78.6 +/- 2.3% maximum; P less than 0.005 vs. control).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Functions and social consequences of infant–adult male interaction in a captive group of lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

The functions and social consequences of infant-adult male interaction in a captive group of lowland gorillas were evaluated. The two males repeatedly attempted to interact with the infant, the infant sometimes attempted to interact with the males, and the mother usually interrupted interactions between male and infant. Infant-directed actions by the two males frequently showed their interest in the infant and infrequently showed care giving toward her; their other infant-directed actions occurred near the time of excitement or of playful actions between adults. Male-directed actions by the infant frequently showed its interest in one male and infrequently showed care seeking from him. All infant-adult male interactions but one occurred in the less stimulating of the gorillas' two enclosures. Boredom and the mother's frequent thwarting of contact between a male and infant are suggested as influences on the males' interest in the infant. The data suggest that availability of interesting objects alleviated the boredom of captivity for males and thus dissuaded them from seeking stimulation which sometimes resulted in harmful behaviors toward the infant.     

Cytohistologic correlation of peritoneal washing cytology in gynecologic disease

The peritoneal washings and cul de sac aspirates from 204 patients undergoing 217 procedures for the evaluation of gynecologic disease were examined retrospectively and correlated with the histologic diagnoses. Of the 73 washings from patients with histologically benign genital disease, cytology diagnosed 64 (87.7%) as negative, 6 (8.2%) as inconclusive and 3 as malignant. One malignant washing was a true positive from a nongenital primary. False positives thus occurred in 2.7% of the benign cases on blind review. Of 144 cytologic examinations of washings from patients with histologically confirmed malignant disease of the female genital tract, 38 (26.4%) were considered positive after cytohistologic correlation. Four malignant cases (2.1%) were undercalled on blind review while 3 (2.0%) were considered overcalls. Eleven of 47 cases (23.4%) with biopsy-proven peritoneal disease had negative cytology after histologic correlation. Recurring problems in interpreting peritoneal washings included: (1) the differential diagnosis of the spectrum encompassed by reactive mesothelium, endosalpingiosis, borderline serous tumors and well-differentiated serous cystadenocarcinoma; (2) morphologic similarities between some tumor cells and mesothelial cells associated with treatment effects; and (3) a paucity of malignant cells in some washings, resulting in false-negative interpretations. Ineffective cytopreparation, particularly of bloody specimens, hampered interpretation of some specimens. Correlation with previous histology and cytology enhanced the accuracy of peritoneal washing cytology in this study.     

A Second Gene for Cerulean Cataracts Maps to the β Crystallin Region on Chromosome 22

Congenital cataracts are one of the most common major eye abnormalities and often lead to blindness in infants. At least a third of all cases are familial. Within this group, highly penetrant, autosomal dominant forms of congenital cataracts (ADCC) are most common. ADCC is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders, in which at least eight different loci have been identified for nine clinically distinct forms. Among these, Armitageet al.(Nature Genet.9: 37–40, 1995) mapped a gene for cerulean blue cataracts to chromosome 17q24. Bodkeret al.(Am. J. Med. Genet.37: 54–59, 1990) described a large family with cerulean blue cataracts, in which the affected daughter of affected first cousins was presumed to be homozygous for the purported gene. We report linkage in this family to the region on chromosome 22q that includes two β crystallin genes (CRYBB2, CRYBB3) and one pseudogene (CRYBB2P1). The affected female in question is homozygous at all markers.     

Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of hepatitis C in a gastroenterology/hepatology practice in Ottawa.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical and epidemiologic features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a gastroenterology/hepatology practice in Ottawa. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PATIENTS: Sixty-three consecutive patients found to be anti-HCV positive. Their charts were analysed with respect to risk factors, history of hepatitis, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and the presence of hepatitis B markers. The long-term sexual partners of 29 patients agreed to undergo HCV antibody testing. RESULTS: Of the patients 48 (76%) had been exposed to HCV parenterally: 27 used intravenous drugs, and 21 had received blood or blood products. Eleven patients did not have any known risk factor (sporadic infection), but eight of them had lived in countries where hepatitis C may be more prevalent; the other three had locally acquired infection. The mean serum AST level at the first visit was 140 (normally less than 40) IU/L. At least one hepatitis B marker was identified in 33% of the patients. None of the sexual partners who were tested were anti-HCV positive. CONCLUSION: Most cases of hepatitis C in Ottawa are acquired through parenteral exposure; sexual transmission is rare. Sporadic infection in the Ottawa region is rare but may be more common in people from countries with a higher prevalence rate of hepatitis C. Most cases of hepatitis C are asymptomatic.