Minority enrichment programs at the New Jersey Medical School: 26 years in review.

In 1971 the New Jersey Medical School formed a task force to address the training of physicians from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds, and in 1972 the Students for Medicine Program (SMP) was launched. The program, one of the first of its kind, provided previews of college science courses to help minority students develop their noncognitive skills and make the transition to medical school. The school has also established other minority programs. The programs have been designed to form a health careers pipeline for college-bound students, beginning in the eighth grade. Grade-specific summer experiences, as well as year-round monthly workshops, are offered to all participants. The workshops for pre-college and college students and their parents are designed to strengthen students' academic skills, address issues such as self-esteem, provide exposure to health professions, and increase parents' knowledge and involvement. From 1972 to 1998, there had been 1,722 participants in the pre-college, 1,875 in the college, and 683 in the prematriculation programs, respectively. They were from the inner city, most of them African American, but with a growing number of Hispanics. From 1987 to 1994, 36% of the SMP participants entered health professions schools. In 1996, the medical school created the New Jersey Partnership for Health Professions Education, a collaboration of high schools, universities, community-based organizations, the federal government, and the health professions schools. It works to strengthen the medical school's "pipeline" for underrepresented minority students while eliminating competition among programs for the same students and simultaneously developing a larger pool.

Effects of 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields on the development of the rat cerebellum.

The effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic (EM) fields on the maturation of the rat cerebellum were studied. Newborn rats were exposed to 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields under three different combinations in a specially constructed apparatus. The pups were irradiated for 7-8 h daily, with a 30-min interruption for nursing. Pups were kept with their mothers for the remainder of the time. After approximately 1, 2, or 3 weeks of exposure, the pups were killed. Control pups were sham exposed. The somatic growth of the irradiated rats did not show any significant difference from sham-exposed controls. At 1 kV/m and 10 gauss exposure, there was a small but statistically significant decrease in cerebellar mass. In rats exposed at 1 kV/m and 10 gauss, DNA and RNA levels were significantly higher than those in sham-exposed controls at 6 and 13 days of age, but at 20 days, these two biochemical constituents were similar in both groups of rats. The ELF-EM treatment had no effect on protein and cerebroside concentrations. In terms of age effects, DNA and RNA exhibited increases from 6 to 13 days of age, and declined from 13 to 20 days. Protein and cerebroside levels exhibited increases during the 6-20-day periods. In rats exposed at 100 kV/m and 1 gauss, the DNA levels were initially less than those of sham-exposed controls at 8 days of age, reached approximately the same levels at 14 days, and then were higher than those of controls at 22 days. There was, therefore, a significant ELF-EM effect as well as a significant interaction between age and ELF-EM exposure. In terms of age effects, DNA levels for both control and exposed animals increased from 8 to 14 days. From 14 to 22 days, DNA levels of exposed rats continued to increase while those of the controls decreased. This age effect was significant. RNA levels in both groups of animals showed increases from 8 to 14 days of age, but the increase was less for the irradiated animals than for the controls. From days 14 to 22, RNA levels for both groups showed a reduction, but the decrease was greater in the irradiated than in control rats. ELF-EM treatment significantly reduced protein levels at 8 days of age, but at 14 to 22 days, protein levels of exposed rats were higher than those of controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields on maturation of the rat neopallium.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF; 60 Hz) electromagnetic (EM) fields on somatic growth and cortical development, as well as biochemical and morphological maturation, of the rat neopallium. On the fifth day of pregnancy, female rats were put in pairs into plastic cages that were housed in a specially constructed apparatus for irradiation under three separate sets of combination and intensity: 1) 1 kV/m and 10 gauss; 2) 100 kV/m and 1 gauss; and 3) 100 kV/m and 10 gauss. The dams were exposed for 23 h daily, from days 5 through 19 postconception, after which they were returned to cages outside the exposure apparatus until they littered. The neonates were culled to eight pups per litter. At 0 (birth), 5, 12, and 19 days postnatally, they were killed for biochemical and morphological studies. Another group of pregnant rats was sham-exposed in an identical apparatus, which was not energized, and the pups were used as controls. The irradiated rats exhibited no physical abnormalities, nor did they show brain deformities such as swelling or herniation following exposure to ELF-EM fields. There was no difference in somatic growth between control and exposed rats, but a small reduction in cortical weight was observed in rats exposed at 1 kV/m and 10 gauss, and 100 kV/m and 1 gauss, respectively. Biochemical measurements of DNA, RNA, protein, and cerebroside concentrations indicated that among the three separate exposures, only the neopallium of rats exposed at 1 kV/m and 10 gauss showed a small reduction in DNA level, as well as small reductions in RNA and protein levels. No changes were noticed in cerebroside levels in any exposed animals, and there were no differences in protein/DNA and cerebroside/DNA ratios between control and exposed rats. Morphological observations did not reveal any detectable alterations in the irradiated rats. These results indicate that exposure to ELF-EM fields caused minimal or no changes in somatic growth and cerebral development of the rat.

Calcaneal spurs in a black African population.

The radiological incidence of calcaneal spurs in a black African population was studied. Our findings show that spur incidence increased with age and was greater in females than in males. These results, the first from a large, exclusively African population, are similar to those from previous studies of individuals from other continents.

Undergraduate education in rural primary health care: evaluation of a first-year field attachment programme.

In an effort to evaluate the first part of the rural field attachment programme at the University of Zimbabwe Medical School, a self-assessment questionnaire was administered to the first-year students. Assessment criteria were derived from the stated aims of the school's new undergraduate medical curriculum. The results indicate that students view the programme as relevant and of value of their training as future doctors, even though they were dissatisfied with aspects of the programme. There was some evidence that more emphasis should be placed on the limitations on what doctors can do to solve the health problems of rural Zimbabweans. Contrary to previous opinions of some individuals, students whose homes are in rural areas benefited from the programme and found it of value. Better orientation and selection of supervisors would benefit the programme. Recommendations for field attachment programmes are made based on the findings.

"Proplast" for keratoprosthesis.

'Proplast,' a Teflon fluorocarbon polymer and carbon fiber composite, was used as support for a polymethyl-methacrylate cylinder in a keratoprosthesis that was implanted in rabbit corneas with successful retention for up to 3 years.

Calcium-binding protein (28,000 Mr calbindin-D28k) in kidneys of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana during metamorphosis.

A protein of approximately 28,000 relative molecular mass (Mr) cross-reacting with antiserum against the 28,000-Mr rat renal calcium-binding protein (calbindin-D28k) has been localized in the kidney of a salientian amphibian, Rana catesbeiana. Cells reactive for calbindin-D28k were found in the distal tubule at all stages of metamorphosis by the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Adult kidneys appeared to have more calbindin-D28k-positive cells. The renal corpuscle, neck, and proximal tubule were negative. An immunoreactive 28,000-Mr band that comigrated with the band of calbindin-D28k was visualized by the immunoblot technique. The finding of the 28,000-Mr calbindin-D in the anamniotic kidney demonstrates that this calcium-binding protein (CaBP) is phylogenetically older than our previous studies of higher vertebrates had revealed (Rhoten et al., 1985). Although the function of calbindin-D28k in the distal nephron is unknown, this CaBP can now be presumed to have functional significance in the mesonephric as well as the metanephric kidney.

Response of the lens of the galactose-fed rat to YAG laser-induced injury.

Many investigations have focussed on the response of normal lenses to injury, but almost no attention in this regard has been given to the response of cataractous lenses. We addressed this subject, particularly in regard to cell proliferation, using 'cataractous' lenses from rats fed on a galactose-rich diet. Five days after initiation of the 50% D-galactose diet, the anterior aspects of the lenses of these animals were injured by Nd-YAG laser. For up to 5 additional days, the rats were maintained on a 25% D-galactose diet. Similarly injured, control animals were fed on 100% Purina laboratory chow throughout the experimental period. The response of the lenses to injury was assessed by gross examination and by light microscopic examination of paraffin sections and epithelial whole-mounts. By the second day post-injury, the anterior aspect of some of the lenses from galactose-fed rats was characterized by a band of darkly staining structures. Although the average number of mitotic figures of lenses from galactose-fed (GF) rats had increased by 2 days after injury, it still remained below that of injured lenses from normally fed rats. After 5 days, some of the eyes of galactose-fed rats were greatly swollen. At both 2 days and 5 days after injury, lenses of GF rats tended to be characterized by a greatly proliferated epithelium, destruction of lens fibers, and loss of cortical material. Responses of lenses from normally fed rats were far less dramatic. The results suggest that, in the case of lenses made cataractous by a galactose-rich diet, injury is more deleterious, and the response of epithelial cells more intense, than in normal lenses.

Immunocytochemical localization and immunological characterization of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein in the bullfrog cerebellum.

Antiserum prepared against rat renal calcium-binding protein (CaBP) was used with the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique to localize the 28,000 molecular weight CaBP in the cerebellum of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. Whole brains of premetamorphic tadpoles and adults were fixed in Bouin's solution for 2 or 24 h and embedded in paraffin. 8-microns parasagittal sections were prepared and treated by the PAP method. Purkinje cells of the cerebellum in tadpoles and adults were specifically stained for CaBP. In the premetamorphic corpus cerebelli, the stained Purkinje cells corresponded to the precociously developed Purkinje cells described previously. In the auricular lobe region of the cerebellum mature Purkinje cells were stained. In addition, smaller stained cells were seen. The latter were presumed to be immature Purkinje cells that would mature at the time of metamorphosis. Immunoblot procedure demonstrated cross-reactivity for the ranid brains in the 28,000 molecular weight region. This immunoreactive band comigrated with the immunoreactive band observed with purified rat renal CaBP. Although the exact functional significance of CaBP is unknown at this time, our immunocytochemical and immunological findings indicate that CaBP is an excellent marker for studies of Purkinje cell maturation.

Wound healing by the rat lens after neodymium-YAG laser injury.

Wound healing of the ocular lens after exposure to neodymium-YAG laser energy (3.9-4.2 mJ) was studied. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were killed 5 min and 5, 9 and 15 days after the anterior lens epithelium was injured by a laser pulse. Gross and biomicroscopic examination revealed that a white, opaque mass formed on the lens surface after about 30 min. Five days later, the opacified mass present on the lens surface was found to be composed of ectopic epithelial cells, protruding lens fibers and a variety of other cell types. Epithelial cells were also present in abundance on the capsule surface in the immediate vicinity of the wound. Deep to the capsule, the lens fibers were greatly swollen. Half of the epithelial mounts obtained 5 days after surgery showed disorganization of the epithelium at points distant from the eosinophilic scar. The opacified external mass had disappeared from all of the lenses obtained at the 15-day period. However, the scar was readily identifiable in epithelial whole mounts, methacrylate sections and SEM specimens obtained from lenses at this time period. At every time period, many cortical fibers were swollen although the amount of swelling was less at 15 days than at earlier periods. The changes observed are similar to the lenticular alterations that occur after experimentally induced, transcorneal mechanical injury of the lens.

Mitosis in the lens epithelium of the galactose-fed rat after prolactin treatment.

We have investigated the effect of the anterior pituitary hormone, prolactin, on mitosis in the lens epithelium of the galactose-fed rat. Our findings indicate that prolactin had a stimulatory effect on galactose-triggered mitosis within 24 hours after hormone administration. After three full days of galactose-feeding and daily prolactin injections, lens epithelia from prolactin treated rats had fewer mitoses than those from saline-injected controls. At the time when the number of mitoses had fallen to a subnormal level due to galactose-feeding (i.e., after 7 days), lenses of prolactin-treated animals exhibited less of a decrease in mitotic activity. Thus, it seems that prolactin modulates the mitotic response of lens epithelial cells when animals are on a galactose-rich diet. This modulation may be due, among other things, to a general acceleration of the cataractogenic process, mediated by the osmoregulatory action of prolactin.

Localization of prolactin uptake by the kidney of the teleostean, Colisa lalia.

Although evidence has been presented that the hormone prolactin specifically bind to the kidneys of the teleost Sarotherodon mossambicus (J. N. Fryer, 1979, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 39, 397-403.) prolactin has not previously been shown to become localized at any particular morphological sites in fishes. This problem has been investigated in the dwarf gourami, Colisa lalia. Ovine prolactin was labeled with (125)I and injected intramuscularly. Fish were sacrificed after 15, 30, and 90 min. Other animals were injected with an excess of unlabeled prolactin, growth hormone, or luteinizing hormone 2 min prior to administration of the label. Paraffin-embedded tissues were sectioned, coated with Kodak NTB-3, and exposed for 3-5 weeks. After developing, samples of several body tissues were stained and examined for the presence of silver grains. The results indicate that, as in rat and frog, kidney tubules of C. lalia are sites of prolactin localization. No other sites of prolactin localization were identified.

Cytoarchitectural changes in lens epithelium of galactose-fed rats.

Whole mounts of lens epithelia from rats fed on a galactose-rich diet for one, two, three or seven days were examined for morphological alterations. The meridional rows of epithelia from lenses of animals fed on galactose for seven days were found to be grossly disorganized or abnormally elongated. There was some indication that the cells were edematous and that the epithelium had become multilayered. These abnormalities apparently extended into the transitional zone. Evidence of the cytoarchitectural changes was present as early as one day after institution of the 30% galactose diet and progressed steadily over the period of observation. The findings provide support for the hypothesis that loss of meridional row integrity is a phenomenon common to development of most types of cortical cataracts.

Pharmacodynamics of alcide, a new antimicrobial compound, in rat and rabbit.

Alcide is a germicidal preparation which has been shown to kill a wide range of common pathogenic bacteria as well as fungi, in vitro. This preparation is composed of Part A and Part B which contains sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and lactic acid as the active ingredients, respectively. The two parts are combined in equal volumes immediately prior to application resulting in the formation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Alcide gel was applied to the shaven backs of 18 female Sprague-Dawley rats in a 2.0-g/kg dose by combining 1 g of each part immediately prior to administration. This dose was applied for a period of 10 days to reach a steady state. On the 11th day, 36Cl-labeled Alcide gel, which contained Na36ClO2 in Part A, was administered to the animals in a 0.6-g dose (2.0 g/kg) containing 0.1 microCi. The half-life for 36Cl absorption was 22.1 hr while the elimination half-life was 64.0 hr. 36Cl was excreted by the kidneys with chloride (Cl-) and chlorite as the metabolites. Ninety-six hours after Alcide administration, radioactivity was highest in whole blood and lowest in fat. In a 90-day subchronic dermal toxicity study in rabbits, exposure to Alcide gel resulted in decreased glutathione concentrations in blood of the group receiving 2.0 g/kg Alcide as well as in the placebo gel group which received the same dose of gel.

Uptake of 125I-labelled prolactin by bullfrog kidney tubules: an autoradiographic study.

The uptake of 125I-labelled ovine prolactin in the bullfrog kidney was studied by autoradiography. Five minutes after the intracardiac injection of 125I-labelled prolactin, no labelling was detected in the kidneys of premetamorphic tadpoles or in animals whose forelimbs had just emerged (climax tadpoles). After 15 min, a few isolated tubules were labelled in the premetamorphic tadpole kidneys and many kidney tubules were labelled in climax tadpoles. In the froglet kidneys, extensive labelling was seen by 5 min after injection, and only distal tubules seemed to be consistently unlabelled. The radioactive label was displaced by an excess of unlabelled ovine prolactin, but not by ovine growth hormone or bovine LH. These findings provide the first morphological demonstration of specific binding of prolactin by the nephric tubules of an amphibian. They show that the receptors, present in small numbers in the premetamorphic state, proliferate during the later stages of metamorphosis. The change in receptor density involves both an increase in the number of tubules having receptors and in the density of receptors per tubule.

Prolactin and ergocryptine effects on mucus glycoproteins of the rat ileum.

The present work reports observations from a first study on the effect of prolactin on mucous cells of the mammalian ileum. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with prolactin or with the prolactin-inhibitor ergocryptine. Light microscopic histochemical study revealed that ergocryptine increased the number both of Alcian Blue-positive mucous cells and of the total number of mucous cells in the ileal crypts. Prolactin treatment apparently decreased the number of Alcian Blue pH 1.0-positive (sulphated glycoprotein-containing) mucous cells on the villi but was without effect on crypt cells. The implications of these observations are discussed.

Mucous glycoproteins of teleostean fish: a comparative histochemical study.

To examine the hypothesis that the histochemical characteristics of teleostean mucus reflect functional characteristics, mucous cells were studied in four related and behaviourally similar species of fish (Family Belontidae). Histochemical characteristics were determined with Alcian Blue at both pH 2.6 and pH 1.0 followed by the periodic acid-Schiff technique. It was found that the four species differed in glycoprotein type as well as in number of mucus-containing cells. The differences are discussed in regard to functional characteristics and environmental influence.