Neural differentiation of the human neuroblastoma cell line IMR32 induces production of a thyrotropin-releasing hormone-like peptide

The human neuroblastoma cell line IMR32 produces and secretes substantial amounts of TRH-immunoreactivity (TRH-IR) as measured with radioimmunoassay (RIA) using the nonspecific antiserum 4319. It was found that synthesis of TRH-IR is dependent on neural differentiation: under serum-free conditions these cells exhibit neural characteristics as defined by morphological and biochemical standards. After culture for 2–5 days in serum-free medium cells grew large neural processes and expressed neuron-specific markers whereas glial-specific markers were absent. TRH-IR became detectable after 4–8 days serum-free conditions. Northern blot and chromatographic analysis, however, failed to detect proTRH mRNA and authentic TRH in these cells. Moreover, TRH-IR was undetectable in the RIA using TRH-specific antiserum 8880. TRH-IR produced by differentiated cells was retained on a QAE Sephadex A-25 anion-exchange column and thus negatively charged. HPLC analysis showed coelution with the synthetic peptide pGlu-Glu-ProNH2. Study of the mechanisms regulating production of this novel peptide in these cells should further elucidate the role differentation plays in the synthesis of neuropeptides

Clinical characteristics of women captured by extending the definition of severe postpartum haemorrhage with 'refractoriness to treatment': a cohort study

Background: The absence of a uniform and clinically relevant definition of severe postpartum haemorrhage hampers comparative studies and optimization of clinical management. The concept of persistent postpartum haemorrhage, based on refractoriness to initial first-line treatment, was proposed as an alternative to common definitions that are either based on estimations of blood loss or transfused units of packed red blood cells (RBC). We compared characteristics and outcomes of women with severe postpartum haemorrhage captured by these three types of definitions. Methods: In this large retrospective cohort study in 61 hospitals in the Netherlands we included 1391 consecutive women with postpartum haemorrhage who received either ≥4 units of RBC or a multicomponent transfusion. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of women with severe postpartum haemorrhage defined as persistent postpartum haemorrhage were compared to definitions based on estimated blood loss or transfused units of RBC within 24 h following birth. Adverse maternal outcome was a composite of maternal mortality, hysterectomy, arterial embolisation and intensive care unit admission. Results: One thousand two hundred sixty out of 1391 women (90.6%) with postpartum haemorrhage fulfilled the definition of persistent postpartum haemorrhage. The majority, 820/1260 (65.1%), fulfilled this definition within 1 h following birth, compared to 819/1391 (58.7%) applying the definition of ≥1 L blood loss and 37/845 (4.4%) applying the definition of ≥4 units of RBC. The definition persistent postpartum haemorrhage captured 430/471 adverse maternal outcomes (91.3%), compared to 471/471 (100%) for ≥1 L blood loss and 383/471 (81.3%) for ≥4 units of RBC. Persistent postpartum haemorrhage did not capture all adverse outcomes because of missing data on timing of initial, first-line treatment. Conclusion: The definition persistent postpartum haemo

A two stage diapiric event in the Eastern Prebetic

A description is given of eight diapiric evaporite occurrences that most likely represent true piercement diapirs in the Eastern Prebetic domain. The history of emplacement of these bodies is evaluated and it is concluded that intrusion most likely took place in two distinct episodes during which tensional regimes reigned in the area. The older episode caused diapiric rise to Lower Cretaceous levels, probably in the form of salt walls above basement faults. The younger episode of active diapirism took place subsequent to deposition of Tortonian sediments and prior to 7.4 Ma. lamproite volcanism in the area.Se describen 8 diapiros evaporíticos, que muy posiblemente representen un proceso de diapirismo en el dominio prebético oriental. La historia del emplazamiento de estos cuerpos muestra que la intrusión pudo haber tenido lugar durante dos episodios distintos, bajo regímenes de distensión en el área. El episodio más antiguo motivó una elevación diapírica en niveles del Cretácico inferior, probablemente en forma de «salt walls» sobre fallas del basamento. El episodio más moderno tuvo lugar posteriormente a la deposición de los sedimentos tortonienses y antes de los 7,4 Ma. en que se produce en el área un vulcanismo lamproítico

Estimation of viscosity contrasts and finite strain from deformed elliptical inclusions

A method of strain analysis is described which takes into account a possible competence difference between the strain markers and the rest of the rock. Using data consisting of the sectional shapes and orientations of groups of inclusions from conglomerate-like rocks, limits are placed on the possible effective viscosity contrast between the inclusions and the rock as a whole as well as on the bulk finite strain suffered by the rock. These results are calculated using a computer program, based on the theory for the deformation of elliptical cylinders. The method can be considered an extension of the Rf/φ method, but provides more information and involves less restrictive assumptions