Functional hyposplenia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is detected by epinephrine stimulation test and splenic ultrasonography

Splenic function was evaluated after subcutaneous epinephrine injection (0.5 mg/m2) in 15 bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients, 10 healthy volunteers and 5 healthy asplenic men. Healthy volunteers and BMT recipients with minor primary induction chemotherapy (mRx) showed similar rise in platelet (plt) and neutrophil granulocyte (PMN) counts and similar contraction of spleen. Patients with intensive primary induction chemotherapy (MRx), however, had significantly smaller spleens and spleen contraction (p less than 0.02) and no plt increase (p less than 0.05) when compared with healthy volunteers. 2 patients with MRx even exhibited a decrement of plt count after epinephrine, similar to that observed in all 5 healthy asplenic subjects tested. Our results suggest that mRx and conditioning for BMT including total body irradiation (TBI) does not alter the splenic function, but that the combination of MRx and conditioning regimen including TBI may cause functional hyposplenism, sensitively revealed by reduction in plt count after epinephrine stimulation.

Effects of lead on growth in young herring gulls (Larus argentatus)

One-day-old herring gulls (Larus argentatus) were injected intraperitoneally with lead nitrate solution (0.1 or 0.2 mg Pb/g) or sterile saline to examine differences in growth rates. Despite the low levels of lead exposure, by d 8 there were significant differences in growth rates as a function of treatment. There were also, by d 8, significant differences in bill length, tarsus length, and wing bone length. Except for bill length, these differences persisted for the duration of the study. Developmental curves varied, with lead-treated birds reaching the same asymptote as control birds for bill length, but having a lower asymptote for tarsus length. For curves where asymptotes were reached, lead-treated birds required more days to reach it than control birds. The initial amount of food eaten each day was positively correlated with weight gain for control birds, but negatively correlated for lead-treated birds.

Lead and behavioral development: effects of varying dosage and schedule on survival and performance of young common terns (Sterna hirundo)

Exposure to lead early in life is known to affect behavioral development. Young common terns (Sterna hirundo) were injected with lead nitrate solution (0.2-1.2 mg/g) or sterile saline to examine the dose-response curve for behavioral effects. Exposed chicks received a dose of lead on d 3 or on d 3 and 7. Behavioral tests 2 d after each injection included visual cliff performance, locomotion, and righting response. Survival depended not only on dose but also on whether chicks received one or two injections. Despite the narrow range of doses, behavioral differences were noted for all measures as a function of dose. The initial lead dose affected behavior more than the second dose, despite the fact that birds receiving a divided dose were more likely to die.

Metals in tern eggs in a New Jersey estuary: A decade of change

We compared levels of eight heavy metals in common tern eggs collected in 1982 (n=24) from coastal New Jersey with archived specimens collected from the same colonies in 1971 (N=9). Levels of all metals, except cobalt, showed a significant decrease over the 11 year period, with lead and nickel showing the greatest decline. Mercury levels declined over 50% based on geometric means. Cadmium and mercury showed the lowest levels in both years. Pair-wise correlation coefficients on log-transformed data revealed lower correlations in 1971, whereas most metal pairs showed significant correlations in 1982. Mercury levels showed significant positive correlations with cobalt, cadmium, and nickel in 1971, but were not correlated with levels of any other metal in 1982.

Sexual experience and preference for males or females in the female rat

The influence of sexual experience on preference behavior was investigated in adult female rats. In the first experiment, preference behavior for sexually active males versus estrous females was investigated in female rats who were experienced with mounting behavior. Preference of these mount experienced females was compared to preference of females who were naive in this respect. Mount experience with estrous females induced a female-directed preference in ovariectomized female rats, irrespective of whether the females were treated with OIL or with testosterone-propionate (500 micrograms TP, injected once 48 h prior to testing). Sexually naive, OIL-treated females did not show a preference for males or females, but TP induced a preference for a male. Individual differences in mount frequency were not correlated with preference behavior. In the second experiment, the influence of experience with feminine sexual responses on preference behavior was investigated. OIL-treated and TP-treated females oriented equally toward males and females when they had been given the opportunity to copulate with males prior to the preference tests. The results strongly suggest that prior sexual experience is an important determinant of preference behavior. The female's behavior during sexual interactions was, however, not predictive of later preference.

Factors affecting tissue distribution of heavy metals : Age effects and the metal concentration patterns in common terns,Sterna hirundo

Metal distribution in an organism at any one time is a resultant of many extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Improved analytic methodology has made it feasible to obtain highly sensitive determinations for many metals in a single sample. Thus, it is now feasible to examine patterns of metal distribution. We report on a study of the effect of age on metal patterns in the common tern,Sterna hirundo, a fisheating seabird. We contrast the levels of nine metals in the liver of adult and young terns and compared these with levels in tern eggs. Unlike many previous studies, adults did not have significantly higher levels of metals, although for most metals, levels in eggs were significantly lower than liver levels of young and adults. The intermetal correlations showed more significant positive correlations for adults and eggs than for chicks, the latter showing instead a correlational chaos, probably reflecting the immaturity of their physiologic defense mechanisms and the absence of dynamic equilibrium.

Heavy metal concentrations in the liver of three duck species: influence of species and sex

To investigate interspecific and intersex differences in heavy metal levels, we analysed concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, manganese, nickel and zinc in the livers of male and female black duck (Anas rubripes), mallard (A. platyrhynchos) and greater scaup (Aythya marila) collected in Raritan Bay, New Jersey in December 1980 and January 1981. Certain metal levels varied significantly by species and sex. In all species, Zn and Cu had the highest concentrations, and Cd, Co, and Hg were lowest in all three species. Scaup had significantly higher levels of Cu than black ducks and mallards, and mallards had significantly higher levels of Mn and Zn than black duck and scaup. Overall, eight of nine metal levels were higher in male than female black duck. In scaup, females had significantly higher levels of Pb and Mn than males. In black ducks, males had significantly higher levels of Cu, Mn and Zn than females. The sample of mallard was too small to test intersex differences.

Ventricular pump performance in patients with obstructed right ventricular-pulmonary artery conduits

Postoperative data were obtained from 18 patients with partially obstructed right ventricular (RV) to pulmonary artery (PA) conduits, who were studied 1 to 9 years following a Rastelli operation. Age at operation was 1 to 8 months in seven patients (group I: infant group) and 2 to 9 years in the remaining 11 patients (group II: childhood group). The diagnosis was pulmonary atresia in eight patients, truncus arteriosus in seven, and transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis in three. Porcine-valved conduits were inserted in 17 patients and an aortic homograft in one. All but seven patients were free of symptoms at the time of postoperative study. Neither peak RV pressures nor RV to PA gradients were different between groups. RV ejection fraction (EF) was decreased in group II (0.43 +/- 0.11) but was normal (0.60 +/- 0.10) in group I. In addition, there was a significant inverse relationship between RVEF and age at repair (r = 0.714; p less than 0.005). RV end-diastolic volume (EDV) was normal or increased in all patients and did not differ between the two groups. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was also decreased in the older group (0.56 +/- 0.10 vs 0.68 +/- 0.08; p less than 0.05), and there was a decrease in RVEF and/or LVEF from pre- to postoperative studies in one of six group I patients compared with four of five group II patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute effects of sex steroids on lordosis behaviour of the female rat

In the present series of experiments, dose-response and time-response relationships between single injections of sex steroids and the display of lordosis behaviour in the female rat, were investigated. When injected 48 h prior to testing, increasing doses of estradiol benzoate (EB) or testosterone propionate (TP) resulted in increasing levels of lordosis behaviour. TP was much less effective than EB in facilitating lordosis behaviour in the female rat. The optimum time interval between hormonal treatment and testing was 48-72 h for TP, but 48 h for EB. Single injections of dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP), also injected 48 h prior to testing, inhibited lordosis behaviour in EB-primed female rats. DHTP-inhibition of lordosis behaviour in EB-primed female rats was most effective when given prior to and least effective when given after EB-treatment. Progesterone, injected 4 h prior to testing, facilitated lordosis in EB-, TP- or EB + DHTP-treated female rats.

Variable mounting levels in the female rat: the influence of experience and acute effects of testosterone

Ovariectomized female rats were tested for mounting behaviour along 4 different procedures in order to investigate which factors may contribute to the variability of this behaviour observed in different experiments. Mounting behaviour was facilitated by repeated testing (group A). Estradiol-benzoate, when given for a short period of time (group B), induced a dramatic and long-lasting increase in mounting in females which were repeatedly tested according to the procedure of group A. Prolonged adaptation to the test environment (group C) did not facilitate mounting in repeatedly tested females. The 3 procedures used did not reduce inter-individual variability. Highly significant, positive, inter-test correlation coefficients indicated that relative individual differences in mounting remained highly stable throughout testing. Facilitatory effects of testosterone propionate (TP, 500 micrograms, injected once 48 h prior to testing) on mounting behaviour appeared to stimulate existing behavioural tendencies, rather than activating new patterns of behaviour: TP facilitated mounting in groups A and B, but not in group C. Neither did TP facilitate mounting in a group which had been left sexually naive (group D) until the time of TP-injection. It is concluded that highly stable inter-individual differences in mounting behaviour are present in the adult female rat. Differences in sensitivity for gonadal hormones are not likely to underly these individual differences.

Organizing a search for an academic administrator

The search for new administrators in complex systems is an important activity. The special requirements of academic organizations, particularly those with health centers, present some unique considerations that can confound this important and difficult process. Typically, national searches attract a sizable candidate list composed of persons with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and a committee is empowered to sort through their qualifications. A critical step in the planning of each search is the development of a process that allows participatory decision making while not requiring too much time. Too often the search becomes an unmanageable activity that confuses the searchers and frustrates the administration. A seven-step process has proven successful for use by committees to attract and sort through written candidate applications, to agree upon a preliminary ranking of candidates and to reach a consensus on a final list of recommendations. The process could be applied in almost any organizational setting.

Exercise radionuclide ventriculography in children: normal values for exercise variables and right and left ventricular function

Thirty two children (aged 5-19 years) with no clinical evidence of significant cardiovascular disease undertook continuous staged supine exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Multigated radionuclide ventriculography was performed at rest and during each exercise stage. Exercise duration and total workload both increased with age. Aerobic work correlated better with age than did total work. In most children the ejection fraction for both ventricles increased by at least 5% with exercise. Right ventricular ejection fraction did not decrease with exercise in any subject but left ventricular ejection fraction decreased by 2% and 9% in two. The response of end diastolic volume to exercise was variable, but there was a consistent decrease in mean (SD) end systolic volume of the left (29(22)%) and right (30(19)%) ventricles. Cardiac index (mean (SD)) increased by 234(65)% with exercise. The left ventricular:right ventricular end diastolic volume ratio (mean (SD)) at rest was 1.26(0.26). It is concluded that exercise radionuclide ventriculography is an excellent technique for a combined assessment of exercise capacity and an evaluation of ventricular size and performance in children. These values for supine bicycle exercise in children without significant cardiovascular disease will be useful for future comparisons with other groups.

[Low early mortality after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation thanks to rigorous sterility measures, modified whole body irradiation, cyclosporin A and antiviral precautions]

A heterogeneous group of 20 consecutive patients was treated according to a standardized allogeneic marrow transplantation protocol designed to reduce early posttransplant lethality. In spite of the fact that 13 patients had at least one (10 of them 2-3) risk factors related to high early lethality, only 2 early transplantation-associated deaths occurred (1 GvH, 1 int. pneumonia). The low incidence of GvH II-IV and interstitial pneumonia, as well as the absence of lethal infections observed in our small patient group, is presumed to be due to the rigorous isolation/decontamination conditions, the reduction of radiation toxicity and GvH prophylaxis by cyclosporin A.

Improved right ventricular function after intra-atrial repair of transposition of the great arteries

Current interest in the arterial switch operation for simple transposition of the great arteries (TGA) has led us to evaluate our latest patients who have undergone intra-atrial repair. Right ventricular function and overall results were compared in 32 patients who had undergone the Senning procedure between 1978 and 1983 and 26 patients who had undergone Mustard repair between 1971 and 1978). Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest were used in all Senning operations and in 18 of 26 Mustard procedures. Cardiac catheterization was performed an average of 1 year after surgery in all patients. Postoperative right ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was below normal (less than 0.49) in 16 of 32 patients who underwent the Senning procedure and averaged 0.48 +/- 0.09. In the patients in this group with abnormal right ventricular EFs after repair there was a fall in the value after surgery (0.51 to 0.40, p less than .001), while in those with normal right ventricular EFs after repair there was no change (0.57 to 0.55, NS). All 32 patients who underwent the Senning procedure were compared with 26 patients who underwent the Mustard operation (13 treated between 1971 and 1974 and 13 treated between 1975 and 1978). An older age at surgery (12 +/- 7 vs 6 +/- 8 months, p less than .006) and a lower preoperative right ventricular EF (0.46 +/- 0.09 vs 0.54 +/- 0.08, p less than .007) characterized the Mustard vs the Senning group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A hypothesis on the role of pheromones on age of menarche

Over the last century and a half there has been a secular decline in the age of menarche in Western, industrialized cultures. This trend has been largely ascribed to improved nutrition and health, and we offer an alternative hypothesis that changes in socio-economic conditions have resulted in changes in the pheromonal climate to which prepubertal females are exposed, thereby affecting onset of menarche. Extensive data from non-human mammalian studies indicate that puberty in females is delayed by exposure to adult females, and accelerated by exposure to adult males. The mechanism is pheromonal. The pheromonal climate of the home may have changed since mothers are in the home less (more women now work) and fathers are in the home more (work day of 8 rather than 14 hr). Assuming humans respond similarly to pheromones, this change would contribute to a decline in age of menarche.

Early postnatal lead exposure: behavioral effects in common tern chicks (Sterna hirundo)

Exposure to lead early in life is known to affect behavioral and intellectual development. To develop an animal model we chose the common tern, Sterna hirundo, a species whose early developmental landmarks are well known. One potential for avian models lies in the reliance of birds on visual and acoustic rather than olfactory (and ultrasonic) modes of communication. One randomly chosen member of each of 8 pairs of young common tern chicks was injected with lead nitrate solution at a concentration of 0.2 mg/g. The pairs were not siblings but were matched for age (+/- 1 d) and weight (+/- 3 g). The second member of each pair was injected with an equal volume of sterile saline. Behavioral tests performed examined locomotion, balance and righting response, feeding tasks and begging, depth perception and response on a visual cliff, and behavioral thermoregulation. In each pair the control chick was heavier at 4 wk of age. For most behavioral measures, except begging and movement on a stationary incline, the lead-injected chicks performed less well than the control chicks. When presented with a novel feeding situation (reversal of fish position), the lead-injected chicks required significantly more time to eat the same number of fish. The single injection of lead thus affected a variety of behavioral patterns, with effects apparent within 5 d after injection.

Comparisons of nine heavy metals in salt gland and liver of greater scaup (Aythya marila), black duck (Anas rubripes) and mallard (A. platyrhynchos)

Levels of nine heavy metals were measured in the livers and salt glands of greater scaup (Aythya marila), black duck (Anas rubripes) and mallard (A. platyrhynchos) from Raritan Bay, New Jersey to determine if the functioning avian salt gland concentrates heavy metals. Heavy metals examined were cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, manganese, nickel and zinc. Heavy metal levels varied significantly by species and tissue for chromium, copper, lead, and manganese, and by tissue for cobalt, mercury, nickel and zinc. In comparing tissues cobalt was higher in the salt glands than in livers of all three species; chromium and nickel were higher in the salt gland than liver for mallard and black duck; and lead, manganese and zinc were higher in the liver than the salt gland in greater scaup. Generally metal levels were higher in the salt gland for mallard and black duck, and in the liver for greater scaup.

Test for reproducibility of metered-dose aerosol valves for pharmaceutical solutions

Seven independent testing sites received metered-dose aerosols containing a standard test solution to assess a newly designed protocol for studying the reproducibility of metered-dose aerosol valves. In accordance with the rather small sampling protocol design, the amount of product dispensed per actuation was measured over the life of the aerosol at designated regions of actuation. A statistical analysis of the data collected at each testing site clearly indicated that the testing protocol is sufficiently reliable and workable for assessing the reproducibility of valve delivery for a given lot of metered-dose valves.