Effects of indomethacin on uterine capillary permeability and blastocyst development in rabbits

Increased capillary permeability at implantation sites was demonstrated in rabbits by extravasation of intravascular blue dye on day 7 of pregnancy. Subcutaneous administration of indomethacin (Id, 8 mg/kg twice daily) on days 4–6 of pregnancy inhibited this uterine blueing response and appeared to reduce the size of implantation swellings. To test the latter observation blastocyst diameter and development of the embryonic disk were assessed at 144 hr . In females receiving indomethacin at the dose level which inhibited uterine blueing, blastocysts were significantly smaller than those from control females. Developmental staging of embryonic disks revealed only slight differences between the smaller (Id-treated) blastocysts and control blastocysts. No effect of Id was seen on ovarian function as judged by luteal weights and plasma progesterone and estradiol levels. Since the major biological effects of indomethacin are due to its inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, it appears that prostaglandins may play a role in the uterine response to blastocyst stimulation and in the expansion of blastocysts in the rabbit.     

Problems with Paleocene Palynozones in the Rockies: Hell's Half Acre Revisited

The scheme of palynostratigraphic zonation most widely applied to interbasinal correlation of Paleocene rocks in the Rocky Mountain region of North America is fundamentally flawed. In its initial publication (based on juglandaceous fossil pollen), basic principles of biostratigraphy were violated, the taxonomy was typological, and the phylogenetic analysis was methodologically unsound. Youngest parts of Paleocene time were not sampled during development of the zonation, and the basal two zones involved strata of Cretaceous age. Implications of paleoenvironmental influences on sequences of palynostratigraphic occurrences were not considered. Subjective assertions at many levels remain neither verifiable nor falsifiable, because data from specimens utilized in the published formulation of Paleocene palynozones P1–P6 cannot be reliably tied in their defining area to identifiable stratigraphic sequences at known positions in actual rocks. A rigorous and geologically useful palynological zonation for Paleocene strata in the Rockies is possible, and its development should be pursued. Procedurally, however, any such scheme must (1) be constructed according to sound principles of biostratigraphy; (2) contain accurate information about locations and stratigraphic positions of all samples; and (3) provide publicly accessible and verifiable taxonomic data on compositions of all samples.     

Body Composition Changes in Hypertensive Subjects on Long-term Oral Diuretic Therapy

Hypertensive patients were treated with either chlorthalidone or frusemide for periods of two to four months. Reduction in blood pressure was seen with chlorthalidone but not with frusemide. This hypotensive effect appeared to be independent of the natriuretic effect.A significant reduction in total exchangeable potassium (K_E) was seen with both agents, but no patient showed adverse symptoms or signs. There was no alteration in maximal urinary concentration or acidification, or in intravenous glucose tolerance or plasma insulin. It is concluded that potassium depletion of this degree does not require replacement therapy on a routine basis in hypertensive patients.