A comparison between methods of calculating skeletal age (Greulich-Pyle)

The skeletal age of each individual bone of the hand-wrist was assessed in serial radiographs of 169 Melbourne children. Seven different methods were used to obtain area skeletal ages from these bone skeletal ages. Methods employing arithmetic means of all the bone skeletal ages, excluding only extreme values, excluding those derived from the carpals or from other selected bones yielded similar means during the age range studied in each sex. There were large, but not significant, differences between the means derived from averages of the skeletal ages of the most and least mature bones and those derived from all the bone skeletal ages. A system of weighting and exclusion of bone skeletal ages led to the recording of area skeletal ages that differed from the others and fluctuated markedly for individuals until ossification had occurred in every carpal bone. The findings suggest that the exclusion of the skeletal ages of the carpal bones or the use of selected skeletal ages could lead to quicker assessments without real changes in means and variability.     

Interactions of Schwann cells with neurites and with other Schwann cells involve the calcium-dependent adhesion molecule,N-cadherin

During embryogenesis, Schwann cells interact with axons and other Schwann cells, as they migrate, ensheath axons, and participate in organizing peripheral nervous tissues. The experiments reported here indicate that the calcium-dependent molecule, N-cadherin, mediates adhesion of Schwann cells to neurites and to other Schwann cells. Cell cultures from chick dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerves were maintained in media containing either 2mM Ca⁺⁺ or 0.2 mM Ca⁺⁺, a concentration that inactivates calcium-dependent cadherins. When the leading lamellae of Schwann cells encountered migrating growth cones in medium with 2 mM Ca⁺⁺, they usually remained extended, and the growth cones often advanced onto the Schwann cell upper surface. In the low Ca⁺⁺ medium, the frequency of withdrawal of the Schwann cell lamella after contact with a growth cone was much greater, and withdrawal was the most common reaction to growth cone contact in medium with 2 mM Ca⁺⁺ and anti-N-cadherin. Similarly, when motile leading margins of two Schwann cells touched in normal Ca⁺⁺ medium, they often formed stable areas of contact. N-cadherin and vinculin were co-concentrated at these contact sites between Schwann cells. However, in low Ca⁺⁺ medium or in the presence of anti-N-cadherin, interacting Schwann cells usually pulled away from each other in a behavior reminiscent of contact inhibition between fibroblasts. In cultures of dissociated cells in normal media, Schwann cells frequently were aligned along neurites, and ultrastructural examination showed extensive close apposition between plasma membranes of neurites and Schwann cells. When dorsal root ganglia explants were cultured with normal Ca⁺⁺, Schwann cells migrated away from the explants in close association with extending neurites. All these interactions were disrupted in media with 0.2 mM Ca⁺⁺. Alignment of Schwann cells along neurites was infrequent, as were extended close apposition between axonal and Schwann cell plasma membranes. Finally, migration of Schwann cells from ganglionic explants was reduced by disruption of adhesive contact with neurites. The addition of antibodies against N-cadherin to medium with normal Ca⁺⁺ levels had similar effects as lowering the Ca⁺⁺ concentration, but antibodies against the neuronal adhesive molecule, L1, had no effects on interactions between Schwann cells and neurites.     

Current concepts in trauma: 2. The Sunnybrook Medical Centre trauma program: the first 11 years.

Sunnybrook Medical Centre is a tertiary care teaching hospital situated in metropolitan Toronto. Its trauma unit, opened in June 1976, serves the inhabitants of metropolitan Toronto and the surrounding area (approximately 5 million). More than 3200 patients were admitted to the unit between 1976 and 1987. The criteria for admission were age at least 14 years and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 or greater, two or more significant injuries at anatomically discrete sites when the score on the Abbreviated Injury Scale was 3 or greater, or grade IV shock (systolic blood pressure of 80 mm Hg or less). The number of patients admitted annually to the unit increased over the study period. The survival rate also increased, from 76% in 1976 to 88% in 1987, although the average age and ISS of the patients remained unchanged. Less than 2% of the patients required long-term rehabilitative or chronic care. The patient profile is similar to that seen in other trauma centres in North America. The success of this program is largely the result of expeditious stabilization and transfer from referring hospitals coupled with early definitive surgical intervention.     

Conformational analysis of thioredoxin using organoarsenical reagents as probes. A time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy and size exclusion chromatography study

Reduced thioredoxin was subjected to chemical modification studies employing organoarsenical reagents specific for "spatially close" thiols. Modification was monitored by the loss in the free thiol content, by the percent incorporation of radiolabelled organoarsenical reagents, and by observing the changes in the amounts of the various thioredoxins by size exclusion chromatography. The rate of modification depends upon the polarity, rigidity, and size of the reagents. Small nonpolar organoarsenical reagents readily modified reduced thioredoxin, whereas polar and large reagents do not. Modifications resulted in the formation of stable 15-membered cyclodithioarsenite ring structures with no apparent changes in the secondary structure of the protein. Modification was reversed by the extrusion of the arsenical moiety by addition of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol. We have further characterized the oxidized, reduced, and modified thioredoxins by size exclusion chromatography and fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements. Both techniques show an increase in the hydrated volume of the protein upon reduction. Upon modification, the hydrodynamic volume of the protein further swells. Fluorescence anisotropy decay reveals that with modification there is loosening of the protein so that a "domain" containing the fluorophores can relax independently of the whole protein structure.     

Pattern of follicular growth and resumption of ovarian activity in post-partum beef suckler cows

The ovaries of 18 post-partum beef suckler cows were examined daily, using ultrasound, from Day 5 post partum until a normal oestrous cycle was completed. Periods of growth and regression of medium-sized (5-9 mm) follicles were identified before one medium follicle became dominant (single large follicle greater than or equal to 10 mm). The mean (+/- s.e.m.) number of days from parturition to detection of the first post-partum dominant follicle was 10.2 +/- 0.5. The first post-partum dominant follicle ovulated in 2/18 (11%) cows. The interval from calving to first ovulation (mean +/- s.e.m. = 35.9 +/- 3.3 days) was characterized by the growth and regression of a variable number (mean = 3.2 +/- 0.2; range 1-6) of dominant follicles. The maximum diameter of the dominant follicle increased as the cows approached first ovulation (P less than 0.05). Behavioural oestrus was not detected in 16/18 (89%) cows at first ovulation. Following first ovulation, the length of the subsequent cycle was short (mean = 9.7 +/- 0.5 days; range 8-15 days) in 14/18 (78%) cows and was characterized by the development and ovulation of a single dominant follicle. During oestrous cycles of normal length (mean = 20.6 +/- 0.5 days; range 18-23 days) one (N = 2), two (N = 7) or three (N = 8) dominant follicles were identified. The growth rate, maximum diameter or persistence of non-ovulatory dominant follicles before first ovulation or during oestrous cycles were not different (P greater than 0.05). These data show that, in beef suckler cows, follicular development and formation of a dominant follicle occur early after parturition and the incidence of ovulation of the first dominant follicle is low. The number of dominant follicles that develop before first ovulation is variable; first ovulation is rarely associated with oestrus and short cycles are common after first ovulation. It is concluded that prolonged anoestrus in post-partum beef suckler cows is due to lack of ovulation of a dominant follicle rather than delayed development of dominant follicles.     

Purification, characterization, and amino-terminal sequence of rat ovarian receptor for luteinizing hormone/human choriogonadotropin

The luteinizing hormone (LH)/human choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor of rat ovary was solubilized with Lubrol PX in the presence of 20% glycerol and protease inhibitors, and purified by one-step affinity chromatography. Purified receptor had a specific hCG binding capacity of 4900 pmol/mg protein, and displayed a single class of high affinity binding sites (Ka = 6.20 X 10(9) M-1). An 11,200-fold purification over the starting crude homogenate was achieved. The purified LH/hCG receptor was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and silver staining as a single protein of 92 kDa. The ability of the purified 92-kDa protein to specifically bind hormone was demonstrated by electroblotting onto Immobilon P membrane, incubation with 125I-labeled hCG, and autoradiography of the blot. In addition to a 92-kDa band, ligand blotting also yielded a 170-kDa band representing receptor dimer. Covalent cross-linking of hCG, with isotope in either the alpha- or beta-subunit, to membrane-bound receptor produced complexes that contained a single receptor component of approximately 92 kDa. The cross-linking studies indicated that both subunits interact with receptor and also suggested receptor dimer formation. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate-electrophoresis, purified receptor was electroblotted onto polyethylenimine-treated glass fiber filters for direct microsequencing in a gas-phase sequenator. Eleven cycles of sequence analysis yielded the unique sequence: NH2-Arg-Glu-Leu-Ser-Gly-Ser-Leu-XXX-Pro-Glu-Pro-COOH. These results indicate that the rat ovarian LH/hCG receptor is a protein of 92 kDa which can be easily purified in microgram amounts. This study also describes a relatively simple technique for electroblotting and microsequencing that should be applicable to other membrane-bound hormone receptors.     

Effect of mifepristone (RU 486) on concentrations of prostaglandin E-2 binding sites in the rat endometrium

Progesterone implants in ovariectomized rats increased endometrial concentrations of PGE-2 receptors. The increase was completely inhibited by simultaneous daily injection (7.5 mg/kg) of mifepristone (RU 486). A single injection of mifepristone on the morning of Day 1 of pseudopregnancy (day of oestrus) decreased the amount of PGE-2 receptors found in the endometrium on Day 5 by 64%. This inhibitory effect probably resulted from the antiprogesterone activity of this compound since it was not counteracted by simultaneous treatment with dexamethasone, shown to reverse totally the antiglucocorticoid action of mifepristone. The inhibition by mifepristone lasted only for 1 day; endometrial PGE-2 receptor levels on Day 6 of pseudopregnancy returned to the high values present in controls. Under these conditions, administration of the mifepristone did not affect the plasma oestradiol and progesterone concentrations during the 1st week of pseudopregnancy. The administration of mifepristone on Days 2 and 3 of pseudopregnancy kept the endometrial PGE-2 receptor levels low, even by 4 days after the end of treatment. We therefore concluded that, in the rat, progesterone priming leading to uterine receptivity can be delayed, at least by 1 day. In contrast, interruption of the progesterone action for a longer period later during the early pseudopregnant period resulted in an altered subsequent evolution of the endometrium, in terms of acquisition of the PGE-2 binding sites.