Non-tuberculous Mycobacteriosis with T-cell Lymphoma in a Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens).

A 9-year-old male red panda (Ailurus fulgens) became emaciated and died. Necropsy examination revealed systemic lymphadenomegaly. The liver, lungs and left kidney contained multifocal yellow nodules. Microscopical examination revealed granulomatous inflammation in the liver, lungs, kidney, spleen and lymph nodes, with numerous acid-fast bacilli. Sequencing of genetic material isolated from the tissues classified the pathogen as Mycobacterium gastri. Lymphoma was found in the liver, lungs, kidney and lymph nodes. The neoplastic cells were strongly labelled for expression of CD3, Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen by immunohistochemistry. This is the first report of M. gastri infection with T-cell lymphoma in a red panda.

Parathyroid-hormone-related protein in human milk and its relation to milk calcium.

Parathyroid-hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is found in high concentrations in human milk. One of the possible physiological roles of PTHrP may be the regulation of calcium transport through the mammary gland. The relationship between milk PTHrP and Ca concentrations was evaluated in lactating women in the present study. Milk PTHrP has been quantified by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). The IRMA detects PTHrP 1-72, and the RIA carboxyterminal region of PTHrP (C-PTHrP). Milk PTHrP 1-72 and C-PTHrP concentrations did not significantly change by breast-feeding. Milk PTHrP 1-72 changed significantly by the time of day, in contrast to C-PTHrP. Thus, PTHrP 1-72 rather than C-PTHrP may reflect an acute change in mammary PTHrP secretion. In lactating women in whom milk PTHrP and calcium concentrations were serially measured at 5-day intervals up to 26-30 days after delivery, milk PTHrP 1-72 progressively increased with duration of lactation. In contrast to PTHrP 1-72, milk C-PTHrP decreased during this period. And milk PTHrP 1-72 levels inversely correlated with C-PTHrP levels. Milk C-PTHrP but not PTHrP 1-72 levels correlated significantly with milk Ca concentrations. Although it is not certain whether the correlation between milk C-PTHrP and Ca levels is causally related, it may be that fragments of PTHrP detected as C-PTHrP are involved in the regulation of Ca transport through the mammary gland in women.

A novel biological aspect of ovarian oxytocin: gene expression of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor in cumulus/luteal cells and the effect of oxytocin on embryogenesis in fertilized oocytes.

Recently, several authors have reported the existence of oxytocin (OT) in mammalian granulosa-luteal cells after ovulation. The purpose of this study was to examine the evidence for gene expression and localization of OT and OT receptor (OTR) in the cumulus cells surrounding the oocytes. Cumulus cells with mature oocytes were obtained from experimental and clinical in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) programs. OT and OTR gene expression was analyzed with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT-PCR/single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). OT gene expression was detected in mouse and human cumulus cells. The results of RT-PCR/SSCP showed that the structure of OT mRNA in cumulus cells was similar to that in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, OTR gene expression was clearly demonstrated in human cumulus cells, and a weak positive signal was observed in human oocytes. Immunocytochemical staining of OTR was clearly detected in human cumulus cells. The rate of mouse blastocyst development was significantly higher in the group cultured with OT than that without OT. These results are the first observations of simultaneous OT and OTR gene expression in cumulus cells, suggesting that ovarian OT might have some physiological role in the early stage of embryo development.

Gene expressions of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor in cumulus cells of human ovary.

Oxytocin (OT) has been detected in mammalian granulosa-luteal cells during the early stages. The purpose of this study was to explore gene expressions of OT and OT receptor (OTR) in human cumulus cells. Cumulus cells enclosing a mature oocyte were obtained from 6 women undergoing clinical in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programs. OT and OTR gene expressions were investigated by employing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction/single-strand conformation polymorphism methods. OT gene expression in the cumulus cells was positive in 5 women and weakly positive in the remaining patient. The structure of OT mRNA in the cumulus cells was equivalent to that in human hypothalamus. OTR gene expression was also observed in the cumulus cells. This study is the first to describe the simultaneous expression of both OT and OTR genes in human cumulus cells. It is suggested that local OT plays some important roles in fertility through modification of the micro-environment around the oocyte.

Cord blood levels of calcium-regulating hormones and osteocalcin in premature infants.

We measured cord blood levels of calcium-regulating hormones and osteocalcin in 34 premature infants of various gestational ages. 1,25(OH)2D levels were low in mid-gestation and increased with advancing gestation. Parathyroid hormone levels were low, and calcitonin levels were high in mid-gestation. Both of them declined with advancing gestation. Osteocalcin levels were high in mid-gestation. They increased from 22 weeks through 27 weeks of gestational age, and decreased thereafter. Circulating osteocalcin is considered as a clinical marker of bone turnover. However, cord blood osteocalcin decreased between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation during which period calcium accumulation by the fetus increases. Therefore, cord blood osteocalcin does not appear to reflect fetal bone formation.

A novel biological aspect of ovarian oxytocin: oxytocin gene expression in cumulus/luteal cells and the effect of oxytocin on embryogenesis in fertilized oocytes.

Recently, several reports have demonstrated the presence of oxytocin (OT) in the corpus luteum of mammalian species. However, the biological role of ovarian OT remains obscure. This study was performed to examine OT gene expression in cumulus cells of mice and humans, and in human corpus luteum, and the role of OT in early embryogenesis. OT gene and OT mRNA were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, with single-strand-conformation polymorphism and heteroduplex procedures. OT-treated in-vitro-fertilized mouse oocytes were cultured and the rate of blastocyst development estimated. An immunohistochemical study was also carried out to detect OT on the surface of the mouse oocytes.

Osteocalcin levels in maternal and cord blood.

OBJECTIVE: To measure osteocalcin levels in fetal and maternal blood. METHODS: Osteocalcin was measured by radioimmunoassay in paired maternal and umbilical venous and arterial blood obtained at term deliveries. RESULTS: Umbilical venous osteocalcin levels (mean +/- standard deviation) were significantly higher than arterial levels (10.28 +/- 4.99 versus 3.85 +/- 2.27 micrograms/L). Umbilical venous but not arterial levels of osteocalcin were significantly higher than maternal values (2.54 +/- 1.19 micrograms/L). CONCLUSION: Higher osteocalcin levels in umbilical venous blood than in umbilical arterial blood suggest that the placenta may be the main source of osteocalcin in late fetal life.

Calcium-regulating hormones and osteocalcin levels during pregnancy: a longitudinal study.

We measured serum concentrations of calcium-regulating hormones and osteocalcin in 20 women longitudinally throughout pregnancy, 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D levels were high early in pregnancy and increased with advancing gestation. Parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin levels were low in early pregnancy. They declined toward the middle of pregnancy, but increased in late pregnancy. The serum osteocalcin level correlated with the parathyroid hormone level. The synthesis of osteocalcin by osteoblasts is stimulated by the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and serum osteocalcin levels are also related to the levels of parathyroid hormone. During early and mid pregnancy, the stimulatory effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on the synthesis of osteocalcin may be overridden by the inhibitory effect of declining parathyroid hormone levels. The increase in osteocalcin level in late pregnancy may be a consequence of increasing levels of both parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Changes in plasma cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP during spontaneous labor and labor induced by oxytocin, prostaglandin F2 alpha and prostaglandin E2.

To investigate the response of cyclic nucleotides to the oxytocic agents administered for induction of labor, plasma concentrations of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) were determined by radioimmunoassay during spontaneous labor and labor induced by oxytocin (OT), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), or PGE2 (PGE2). Subjects were 7 Japanese women in each labor group. Plasma cAMP levels significantly rose at the time of crowning of the fetal head in all 4 groups. They did not increase until that time in the 3 labor groups (spontaneous, OT-induced, and PGF2 alpha-induced labor groups). In the PGE2-induced labor group, plasma cAMP levels were significantly higher at labor onset (mean +/- SEM = 16.5 +/- 1.3 pg/ml) when compared to the pretreatment values (13.7 +/- 1.0 pg/ml), and increased thereafter gradually toward the time of crowning of the head (26.3 +/- 2.0 pg/ml). Plasma cGMP levels in the OT-induced group significantly rose after the onset of labor and remained at a high level until expulsion of the fetus. Plasma cGMP levels in the other groups did not change significantly throughout labor. These results suggest that cAMP may be involved in the labor process induced by PGE2, and that cGMP may be in that induced by OT.

Changes in the concentrations of prostaglandins E and F in the utero-placental tissues of late pregnant rabbit after the administration of oxytocin or prostaglandin F2 alpha.

We have investigated the effects of exogenous oxytocin and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on the concentrations of prostaglandins E and F (PGE and PGF) in the utero-placental tissues in late pregnant rabbit. The subjects were 5 rabbits each on days 26, 27 and 30 of pregnancy. After one side of the uterine horn was excised as the control, 3,000 micrograms of PGF2 alpha, 10 microU of oxytocin or 1 ml of saline was administered to 2,2 and 1 rabbits as an iv bolus dose. After 10 minutes, the remaining side of the uterine horn was excised. The myometrium, fetal and maternal cotyledon, decidua and amnion were separated. The concentrations of PGE and PGE in each tissue were measured by radioimmunoassay after extraction. The highest concentration of PGE was observed in the fetal cotyledon and that of PGF in the decidua. The amniotic PGE concentration significantly decreased after the administration of both oxytocin and PGF2 alpha. The myometrial PGF concentration increased significantly after the administration of PGF2 alpha, and the degree of the increase in PGF became greater as pregnancy advanced. However, the myometrial PGF concentration did not increase after the administration of oxytocin.

Changes in plasma oxytocin, prostaglandin E1, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha during labor induced by prostaglandin E2 or F2 alpha and spontaneous labor.

To observe the changes in endogenous oxytocics during spontaneous and induced labor, the plasma concentrations of oxytocin, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) were measured during labor in 9 cases of spontaneous labor (group 1), 10 of PGE2-induced labor (group 2), and 7 of PGF2 alpha-induced labor (group 3). Unextracted samples were used for radioimmunoassay of oxytocin. PGE and PGF were extracted and separated for radioimmunoassays of PGE1 and PGFM. Although oxytocin levels in groups 1 and 3 did not change during labor or slightly increased toward delivery, those in group 2 decreased as labor progressed. The mean oxytocin in group 2 was significantly lower at the times of established labor (15.3 +/- 3.2 microU/ml, mean +/- SE) and crowing of the fetal head (10.8 +/- 2.0 microU/ml) than before labor (52.7 +/- 14.8 microU/ml). Plasma PGE1 levels in groups 1 and 3 were low and did not change during labor. Plasma PGFM levels in groups 1 and 2 gradually rose toward delivery. These results suggest that exogenous PGE2 suppresses oxytocin secretion during labor and stimulates endogenous PGF2 alpha production, that endogenous PGE1 may not play an important role in the progress of spontaneous and PGF2 alpha-induced labor, and that endogenous PGF2 alpha may participate in the promotion of all kinds of labor.

Changes in the plasma prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite before and during spontaneous labor and labor induced by amniotomy, oxytocin and prostaglandin E2.

To elucidate the role of endogenous prostaglandin F2 alpha in spontaneous and induced labor, plasma concentrations of 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) were determined before the onset of labor, at onset of labor, during active labor, at the crowning of the fetal head, and 1 and 2 hours after delivery. Patients in spontaneous labor and labor induced by amniotomy, oxytocin, and prostaglandin E2 were studied. The levels of plasma PGFM in patients who entered spontaneous labor fell 2 to 3 weeks before delivery, whereas those in the induced labor group did not change until the time of induction. Although the levels of PGFM rose gradually with the progress of labor in all cases, the levels in the spontaneous labor were significantly lower in each stage than in the corresponding stage of induced labor. These results suggest that endogenous prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) production decreases 2-3 weeks prior to the spontaneous onset of labor and is increased again as labor progresses, that the patterns of PGF2 alpha production are similar to each other during spontaneous labor and labor induced by various methods. Therefore, it is felt that endogenous PGF2 alpha may participate in the progress of all kinds of labor.

[Studies on the blood constituents of the neonates delivered by the induced delivery of the Defense Medical College method].

For the assessment of the influence of the Defense Medical College planned delivery method upon neonates, the measurement of the blood constituents of the umbilical cord was conducted. Statistically speaking, no marked differences were seen between the neonates delivered by the Defense Medical College Method and neonates delivered naturally. The blood constituents investigated were: Blood cells, activity of various enzymes, other blood constituents and electrolytes.

Mid-trimester therapeutic abortion by vaginal suppository of 16, 16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-prostaglandin E1.

PIP: A new analog of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was administered vaginally to women with (n=20) and without (n=29) laminaria tents and metreurynter for therapeutic abortion during the 2nd trimester. All patients aborted successfully. The abortion time was short, bleeding was minimal, and there was little difference between patients treated with 16 DM-PGE1 alone and those treated with 16 DM-PGE1, laminaria tents, and metreurynter. However, amounts of 16 DM-PGE1 required for abortion were significantly greater in patients treated with 16 DM-PGE1 alone. Occurrences of side effects increased with increased amounts of 16 DM-PGE1 administered. Therefore, vaginal administration of that in combination with the use of laminaria tents and metreurynter successfully induced abortion in women during the midtrimester with minimal side effects, and was considered to be the best method presently available for midtrimester therapeutic abortion.^ieng

Changes in the concentrations of plasma steroid hormone and plasma 13, 14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F2 alpha in late pregnancy rabbits treated with an inhibitor of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Changes in the concentrations of progesterone, 17 beta-estradiol and 13, 14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) were evaluated in the peripheral plasma of rabbits during late pregnancy by treating trilostane, an inhibitor of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, in an attempt to obtain further insight into the involvement of progesterone and prostaglandin (PG) in the initiation of parturition. The concentrations of progesterone were 18.8 +/- 2.2 ng/ml (mean +/- SE, n = 6) before administration of the inhibitor, significantly (p less than 0.05) fell to 7.6 +/- 1.0 ng/ml (n = 6) at 30 min, and remained low until 10 h after the drug administration. The concentrations of progesterone were still low (5.4 +/- 0.5 ng/ml, n = 6) at 20-24 h after administration of the inhibitor, and were also low (4.9 +/- 2.2 ng/ml, n = 6) at delivery. Premature deliveries occurred at 28.8 +/- 2.0 h after injection of trilostane (on days 29 of gestation). Increased concentrations of PGFM were observed at delivery. However, administration of trilostane induced no discernible changes in the concentration of estradiol. These findings suggest that delivery is induced by progesterone withdrawal and that synthesis prostaglandin F2 alpha is remarkably increased at delivery in the rabbit.