Sex steroid modulation of neurohypophysial hormone receptors in human nonpregnant myometrium.

Neurohypophysial hormone receptors were studied in myometrial specimens obtained from nonpregnant women using binding and in vitro contractility studies. The mathematical modeling of self- and cross-competition curves among [3H]oxytocin (OT), [3H]arginine vasopressin, the V1 vasopressin (VP) antagonist [3H]d(CH2)5TyrMeAVP, the corresponding unlabeled peptides, and the OT agonist [Thr4, Gly7] OT strongly indicates the presence of multiple classes of OT and arginine vasopressin receptors. The latter show the same pharmacological characteristics as the neurohypophysial hormone receptors described by our group for the human pregnant myometrium; in addition, they regulate the contractility of uterine strips. Blocking experiments were performed to evaluate the relative OT and V1 VP receptor distribution in 30 uterine specimens obtained from normal cycling and postmenopausal women. The glucuronoconjugate metabolites of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone were also measured in 16 patients in early morning urine samples taken the same day as surgery. Our results show that V1 VP receptors are not only present but also biologically active in all the uterine specimens studied with virtually equal density in normal cycling and postmenopausal women. However, their concentrations do not correlate with either estrogen or progesterone urinary levels. The lowest OT receptor density was found at mid-cycle and in menopause, independently of any correlation with the urinary estrogens. Conversely, OT receptors rise sharply in the late luteal phase and during menstruation. In addition they show a positive relationship with glucuronoconjugate metabolites of progesterone levels. These results indicate that progesterone does not inhibit the expression of uterine OT receptors in the human uterus. Furthermore, they imply that neurohypophysial hormones are involved in the control of uterine activity during the menstrual cycle.

Comparison of rest-redistribution thallium-201 imaging and reinjection after stress-redistribution for the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with left ventricular dysfunction secondary to coronary artery disease.

Thallium (Tl)-201 reinjection after stress-redistribution (RI) imaging has been proven to accurately identify ischemic and viable myocardium. Quantitative Tl-201 analysis after stress has also shown viable myocardium in most mild to moderate (51% to 85% of normal uptake) irreversible Tl-201 defects. However, if the main clinical question is whether a region is viable, and not whether there is inducible ischemia, a resting protocol may be more appropriate. The aim of this study was to determine whether rest-redistribution (RD) quantitative Tl-201 single-photon emission tomographic imaging provides the same information on viable myocardium as Tl-201 RI. Thus, 15 patients (mean age 58 +/- 9 years) with chronic coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction 35 +/- 8%) were studied by both RI and RD Tl-201 single-photon emission tomography. Regional Tl-201 uptake was assessed quantitatively using a 16-segment model. When Tl-201 images were classified as normal/reversible (viable) or irreversible (nonviable), RI showed viable myocardium in 145 of 240 myocardial regions (60%), whereas RD showed it in 103 of 240 myocardial regions (43%). The 2 imaging protocols provided concordant information in 176 of 240 myocardial regions (73%). Among the 64 (27%) discordant regions, 53 (22%) were viable by RI and nonviable by RD, whereas 11 (5%) were viable by RD and nonviable by RI (p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ferritinemia in ovarian malignant tumours.

Seriated ferritin assays were carried out on 95 patients affected by primitive ovarian epithelial tumour over a period of three years (1979/82), by radioimmunometric assay for human spleen ferritin. Ferritin was elevated in endometrioid tumours and in the presence of active progressing disease and chemotherapy did not influence these values. The ferritin/sideremia ratio was high in the case with pathological levels. Studying the glicosilation of this protein a significant amount of ferritin was not bound to concavallin A, suggesting direct release of this protein by tumour cells.

[Radiological picture in the diagnosis of various complications of permanent endocardial electrostimulation]. / L'indagine radiologica nella diagnostica di alcune complicanze dell'elettrostimolazione endocardica permanente.

The close links between the implantation of permanent pacemakers and radiological examination are described with particular reference to position of the the right ventricle. Here radiological examination offers the best chance of diagnosis. The need for close cooperation between specialists is emphasised.

[Maternal-fetal transmission of the acquired immunodeficiency virus. Authors' experience]. / Trasmissione materno-fetale del virus da immunodeficienza acquisita. Nostra esperienza.

UNLABELLED: The determination of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status of the newborn remains a major diagnostic problem as a routine test, which detects antibodies to HIV, is of limited value in evaluating newborns. However, the risk of infection for a baby whose mother is an HIV carrier is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE: A prospective study to evaluate maternal transmission of HIV in our population. In order to provide a better estimate of the effect of some of the risk factors associated with HIV transmission we present a stratification of the transmission rate by these factors. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 1990 and December 1994 were examined a total of 10.949 pregnancies. To evaluate maternal HIV transmission to the fetus we considered a positive routine diagnostic test, which detects antibodies to HIV, of definite significance only at the age of 18 months or over. RESULTS: Our prospective study shows an overall transmission rate in our population of 31.25%. Maternal disease stage, as reflected by CD4+ cell count, prematurity, mode of delivery (episiotomy) was correlated with HIV transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Although some risk factors have been recognized, our understanding of the various modes of transmission is still limited. We conclude from our experience and previous studies that the risk of maternal to newborn transmission of HIV must be determined according to the specific characteristics of each parturient population.