A Comparison of the Ovulation Method With the CUE Ovulation Predictor in Determining the Fertile Period

The purpose of this study was to compare the CUE Ovulation Predictor with the ovulation method in determining the fertile period. Eleven regularly ovulating women measured their salivary and vaginal electrical resistance (ER) with the CUE, observed their cervical-vaginal mucus, and measured their urine for a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge on a daily basis. Data from 21 menstrual cycles showed no statistical difference (T= 0.33, p= 0.63) between the CUE fertile period, which ranged from 5 to 10 days (mean = 6.7 days, SD = 1.6), and the fertile period of the ovulation method, which ranged from 4 to 9 days (mean = 6.5 days, SD = 2.0). The CUE has potential as an adjunctive device in the learning and use of natural family planning methods

The PSI-U1 snRNP interaction regulates male mating behavior in Drosophila

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing (AS) is a critical regulatory mechanism that operates extensively in the nervous system to produce diverse protein isoforms. Fruitless AS isoforms have been shown to influence male courtship behavior, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Using genome-wide approaches and quantitative behavioral assays, we show that the P-element somatic inhibitor (PSI) and its interaction with the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex (snRNP) control male courtship behavior. PSI mutants lacking the U1 snRNP-interacting domain (PSIΔAB mutant) exhibit extended but futile mating attempts. The PSIΔAB mutant results in significant changes in the AS patterns of ∼1,200 genes in the Drosophila brain, many of which have been implicated in the regulation of male courtship behavior. PSI directly regulates the AS of at least one-third of these transcripts, suggesting that PSI-U1 snRNP interactions coordinate the behavioral network underlying courtship behavior. Importantly, one of these direct targets is fruitless, the master regulator of courtship. Thus, PSI imposes a specific mode of regulatory control within the neuronal circuit controlling courtship, even though it is broadly expressed in the fly nervous system. This study reinforces the importance of AS in the control of gene activity in neurons and integrated neuronal circuits, and provides a surprising link between a pleiotropic pre-mRNA splicing pathway and the precise control of successful male mating behavior

Impaired endothelial function of the retinal vasculature in hypertensive patients

<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> Arterial hypertension constitutes a central factor in the pathogenesis of stroke. We examined endothelial function of the retinal vasculature as a model of the cerebral circulation.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Thirty-eight young subjects (19 hypertensive and 19 normotensive) were treated with the AT1-receptor blocker candesartan cilexetil and placebo, each over 7 days. Retinal capillary flow and blood flow velocity in the central retinal artery were assessed with scanning laser Doppler flowmetry and pulsed Doppler ultrasound, respectively. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) was infused to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Diffuse luminance flicker was applied to stimulate NO release.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> In normotensive subjects, L-NMMA decreased retinal capillary flow by 8.2%±13% (P<0.05) and flickering light increased mean blood flow velocity in the central retinal artery by 19%±29% (P<0.01). In contrast, no significant change to these provocative tests was seen in hypertensive subjects. Treatment with candesartan cilexetil restored a normal pattern of reactivity in retinal capillaries (L-NMMA: decrease in perfusion by 10%±17%, P<0.05) and the central retinal artery (flicker: increase in mean blood flow velocity by 42%±31%, P<0.001) in hypertensive patients.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Endothelial function of the retinal vasculature is impaired in early essential hypertension but can be improved by AT1-receptor blockade.</p&gt

A critical developmental window for ELAV/Hu-dependent mRNA signatures at the onset of neuronal differentiation

Cell-type-specific gene regulatory programs are essential for cell differentiation and function. In animal neurons, the highly conserved ELAV/Hu family of proteins promotes alternative splicing and polyadenylation of mRNA precursors to create unique neuronal transcript isoforms. Here, we assess transcriptome profiles and neurogenesis success in Drosophila models engineered to express differing levels of ELAV activity in the course of development. We show that the ELAV-mediated establishment of a subset of neuronal mRNA isoforms at the onset of neuron differentiation constitutes a developmental bottleneck that cannot be overcome later by the nuclear activation of the paralog found in neurons (FNE). Loss of ELAV function outside of that critical time window results in neurological defects. We find that FNE, when activated early enough, can restore ELAV-dependent neuronal mRNA isoforms and fully rescue development. Our findings demonstrate the essential role of robust cellular strategies to maintain ELAV activity and intact neuronal signatures in neurogenesis and neuronal function

Antigenic modulation of mammary tumour virus envelope antigen or GR thymic lymphoma cells in relation to expressions of H-2, TL cell-surface antigens and THY1.

The MLr antigen, a mammary tumour virus-induced antigen on the surface of GR thymic lymphoma cells (GRSL) can be modulated from the cell surface upon incubation with specific antiserum for 1-2 h at 37 degrees C, followed by washing the cells. In contrast, a number of other cell-surface antigens on these GRSL cells cannot be modulated under similar conditions. These antigens include histocompatibility antigens of the H-2 complex (H-2.8 of the K-end and H-2dx(D) of the H-2dx haplotype) and two thymic markers, TL1.2 and Thy1.2. Antigenic modulation of MLr as tested by trypan-blue exclusion and by chromium51 release does not lead to a measurable change in the expression of H-2K, H-2D, TL and Thy1.2 antigens. These results could be confirmed by absorption analysis. The latter analysis showed that the number of antigenic sites per cell are about the same for MLr and the two H-2 antigens, while TL antigens are scarcer and Thy1.2 antigens are more abundant. The procedure of antigenic modulation showed that the MLr antigen resides on MTVgp52, the major protein of the envelope. There was no evidence of internal proteins, such as MTVp27, on the surface of GRSL cells

Membrane fluidity, capping of cell-surface antigens and immune response in mouse leukaemia cells.

Transplantation of primary GRSL cells in the ascitic form led to a decrease in membrane microviscosity as measured by the fluorescence polarization technique. The transplanted GRSL ascitic cells showed a markedly lower ability to form caps with respect to both virus-related (MLr, GIX) and normal (H-2.7(G), H-2.8(K) and TL1.2) cell-surface antigens and their appropriate antisera in the indirect membrane immunofluorescence tests, than did primary GRSL cells, transplanted GRSL cells growing in solid form, and thymocytes, which all exhibited significantly higher membrane microviscosities. Transplantation of primary GRSL cells into syngeneic mice pre-irradiated with 400 rad did not lead to a fall in membrane microviscosity. It is suggested that the host immune response in intact mice leads to a selective survival of ascitic tumour cells with low membrane microviscosity

Rehabilitation Program for Prosthetic Tracheojejunal Voice Production and Swallowing Function Following Circumferential Pharyngolaryngectomy and Neopharyngeal Reconstruction with a Jejunal Free Flap

The case of a 68-year-old woman with postoperative speech and swallowing problems following a circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy and neopharyngeal reconstruction with a jejunal free flap is presented. The primary tumor was an extended papillary thyroid carcinoma (pT4N0M0). For vocal restoration, an indwelling Provox® 1 voice prosthesis was inserted secondarily. The patient received speech and swallowing therapy, including digital maneuvers at the level of the proximal (cervical) part of the jejunal graft to improve speech and swallowing function. Pre- and/ or post-treatment data on speech and swallowing function were gathered using the following assessment methods: esophageal insufflation test, Voice Handicap Index (VHI), videofluoroscopy of phonation (VFSph), digital high-speed endoscopy of jejunal vibration during voice production, fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and videofluoroscopy of swallowing (VFSs). This case clearly demonstrates that even after extensive laryngopharyngectomy with jejunal free flap reconstruction, a tailored rehabilitation program can improve both voice and swallowing function, and that these results clearly can be objectified/visualized, underlining the validity of this approach

Floating Bare Tether as Upper Atmosphere Probe

Use of a (bare) conductive tape electrically floating in LEO as an effective e-beam source that produces artificial auroras, and is free of problems that have marred standard beams, is considered. Ambient ions impacting the tape with KeV energies over most of its length liberate secondary electrons, which race down the magnetic field and excite neutrals in the E-layer, resulting in auroral emissions. The tether would operate at night-time with both a power supply and a plasma contactor off; power and contactor would be on at daytime for reboost. The optimal tape thickness yielding a minimum mass for an autonomous system is determined; the alternative use of an electric thruster for day reboost, depending on mission duration, is discussed. Measurements of emission brightness from the spacecraft could allow determination of the (neutral) density vertical profile in the critical E-layer; the flux and energy in the beam, varying along the tether, allow imaging line-of-sight integrated emissions that mix effects with altitude-dependent neutral density and lead to a brightness peak in the beam footprint at the E-layer. Difficulties in tomographic inversion, to determine the density profile, result from beam broadening, due to elastic collisions, which flattens the peak, and to the highly nonlinear functional dependency of line-of-sight brightness. Some dynamical issues are discussed

Integration of a smoking cessation program in the treatment protocol for patients with head and neck and lung cancer

Smoking is the main causative factor for development of head and neck and lung cancer. In addition, other malignancies such as bladder, stomach, colorectal, kidney and pancreatic cancer have a causative relation with smoking. Continued smoking after having been diagnosed with cancer has many negative consequences: effectiveness of radiotherapy is diminished, survival time is shortened and risks of recurrence, second primary malignancies and treatment complications are increased. In view of the significant health consequences of continued smoking, therefore, additional support for patients to stop smoking seems a logical extension of the present treatment protocols for smoking-related cancers. For prospectively examining the effect of nursing-delivered smoking cessation programme for patients with head and neck or lung cancer, 145 patients with head and neck or lung cancer enrolled into this programme over a 2-year period. Information on smoking behaviour, using a structured, programme specific questionnaire, was collected at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months. At 6 months, 58 patients (40%) had stopped smoking and at 12 months, 48 patients (33%) still had refrained from smoking. There were no differences in smoking cessation results between patients with head and neck and lung cancer. The only significant factor predicting success was whether the patient had made earlier attempts to quit smoking. A nurse-managed smoking cessation programme for patients with head and neck or lung cancer shows favourable long-term success rates. It seems logical, therefore, to integrate such a programme in treatment protocols for smoking-related cancers