Delayed elevation of ED1-cellular fibronectin in plasma following postsurgical bacteremia.

Fibronectin (Fn) exists in both a soluble form in plasma and lymph as well as an insoluble form in the extracellular matrix. Matrix-localized cellular fibronectin (cFn) contains extra domains (ED1 and/or ED2) not found in plasma Fn (pFn). Very little (< 1-2%) ED1-containing cFn exists in normal blood, and its rapid release into plasma and/or lymph is believed to reflect acute vascular injury. We used a polyclonal antibody to sheep pFn and a monoclonal antibody to ED1 domain of cFn to measure both pFn and ED1-cFn in relationship to lung lymph flow (QL), lung lymph-to-plasma (L/P) total protein concentration ratio, and lung protein clearance (LPC). Unanesthetized sheep (n = 7) were injected intravenously with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5 x 10(8)) at both 2 and 7 days following surgical preparation of a lung lymph fistula. After both bacterial challenges, we observed an early increase in QL and a small decline in the L/P ratio (0-2 h), reflecting increased fluid filtration in the presence of an intact vascular barrier. This was followed by a further increase (P < 0.05) in QL; an elevation in the L/P ratio; and a marked (P < 0.05) increase in LPC over 3-6 h, indicative of an increase in lung endothelial protein permeability. Before the first bacterial infusion, ED1-cFn in plasma was 9.97 micrograms/ml or approximately 2% of the total Fn antigen in plasma; whereas ED1-cFn in lung lymph was 6-8% of total lymph Fn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of light and dark on the developing retina of the Egyptian toad, Bufo regularis.

The effect of light and dark on the retina of the Egyptian toad, Bufo regularis Reuss, was studied during its development from early larval stages till the end of metamorphosis. The observed changes in response to light and dark were restricted to the pigment epithelium and the photoreceptor cells. The animals examined were divided into four groups: 1-controls fixed in light (CL); 2-controls fixed in dark (CD); 3-animals maintained under continuous darkness (DD); and 4-animals exposed to continuous lighting (LL). In CD- and DD-animals, the location of melanin granules in the pigment epithelial processes (PEP) was restricted to the peripheral area between the apical portions of photoreceptor cells (scleral position). In CL-and LL-animals, on the contrary, abundant melanin granules were found in the PEP where they were dispersed more centripetally between the outer segments and ellipsoids of the visual cells (vitreal position). Photomechanical movements of the epithelial pigments were indicated in this species in response to light and dark before reaching the limb-bud stage. In DD-eye of the newly metamorphosed toadlets, the pigment epithelium appeared considerably thick and contained large lipid droplets when compared to that of the other three groups. Only in DD-animals some rod outer segments showed degeneration during the later stages of development. In addition, there was a remarkable reduction in the number of cones in the eyes of this group as a result of continuous light deprivation. Some differences in the position of cone nuclei were also observed in the retinae of the four groups.

Familial acalculous gallbladder disease.

Four patients, all sisters, presented a long-standing history of pain in the gallbladder region and no calculi. All were first thoroughly investigated and then relieved of their symptoms by cholecystectomy. This prompted an investigation of their family over three generations, which revealed a surprisingly large number of relatives, mostly female, with acalculous gallbladder disease. Our review of various syndromes causing pain in the gallbladder region, including biliary dyskinesia, cystic duct syndrome, and chronic acalculous cholecystitis, makes a case for the existence of familial incidence of noncalculous and calculous gallbladder disease, possibly related to the disturbance of the autonomic nervous system affecting emptying of the gallbladder.

Developmental, histological and ultrastructural studies on the harderian gland of the Egyptian toad, Bufo regularis Reuss.

The present study shows that the Harderian gland of the toad Bufo regularis starts to appear during development at stage 57 concomitant with the development of the nictitating membrane. In the adult toad, the gland was found to be formed of one lobe and occupying the antero-ventral aspect of the orbital cavity. No anatomical differences were noted between the male and female glands. The histological and ultrastructural studies showed that the Harderian gland is a compound tubular gland composed of rounded tubules lined by a single layer of epithelial cells and having a meshwork of myoepithelial cells surrounding the gland tubules. Differences were observed in the epithelial cells of female and male toads Bufo regularis. While females have a dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and several secretory granules throughout the cytoplasm, males have a compact rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous secretory granules and vacuoles.

Malformations of the eye in the exencephalic tail-short mice during its development.

Exencephalic tail-short (Ts/+) embryos were obtained from mating normal mice of Patch strain with Ts/+ mice from Babl/c strain. The most common eye malformations in the exencephalic embryos were exophthalmy, microphthalmy, eye ball irregularity and corneal opacity. Squint eye and unilateral anophthalmy occurred at a lower frequency. The eye abnormalities were recognized histologically by 11-days of gestation. The retina was retarded in development. Lens fibres were swollen and some of them appeared degenerated. Lens epithelium was protruded anteriorly, detached from the underlying lens and joined the corneal endothelium. The lens remained in close contact to the ectodermal layer, forming a thick lens stalk. At the 16-day stage, the corneal epithelium became irregular in thickness and the corneal stroma was discontinuous, having disarranged collagenous fibrils. In a few embryos the corneal endothelium was absent. In the squint-eyed embryo, the cornea bulged through the opened eyelids, while in an anophthalmic embryo it was thick and underdeveloped. Generally, the upper and lower eyelids of the exencephalic embryos were asymmetrical, and the lower lid appeared covered by a thick irregular peridermal layer.

Obturator hernia: a difficult diagnosis.

We have presented the case of an elderly woman with severe kyphoscoliosis, osteoarthritis and left knee effusion who had symptoms and signs of intermittent intestinal obstruction. Operation showed a left-sided obturator hernia. In any elderly, debilitated, chronically ill woman, symptoms and signs of recurrent small-bowel obstruction (without a history of abdominal surgery or external hernias) and pain along the ipsilateral thigh and knee (Howship-Romberg sign) should raise suspicion for an obturator hernia. If the hernia is not palpable by physical examination, a CT scan of the pelvis and upper aspect of the thigh would confirm the diagnosis before operation and allow prompt treatment and better chance of patient survival.

Embryonic development of the mouse, with reference to intrauterine position.

The degree of development of embryos in the same litter varied. In both the control and the experimental group the foetal weight curve followed a U-shaped course, with the lightest embryos in the intermediate position. A high incidence of split-face embryos was found in the lateral (ovarian) position in the uterus, while the highest frequency of exencephalic embryos occurred in the intermediate position.