Social and menstrual cycle phase influences on the behavior of group-housed Cebus apella.

This study examined sexual and other social behavior in relation to menstrual cycle phase in four mixed-sex social groups of Cebus apella. Groups consisted of two adult males and either six or nine adult females. Menstrual cycles of high (rank 1-2) and low (rank 3-7) dominance-rank females from each group were monitored via vaginal swabs, and correlated with data collected from ongoing behavioral observations. Only cycles bounded by positive detection of menstrual blood were included in this analysis (n = 15 females, 182 cycles; mean ± s.d., cycle length = 20.8 ± 1.2 days). Rates of copulation and female solicitation of males varied significantly with cycle phase, with highest rates at midcycle. While total rates of solicitation and copulation did not vary with female dominance rank, copulation rates with the dominant male were significantly greater for high ranking females than for low ranking ones. Variance observed in affiliative and agonistic behaviors, including those with males, was attributable to female rank rather than cycle phase. Females and males were also observed attempting to interfere with copulations of lower ranking same-sex individuals. Although further study, particularly of wild populations, is needed, these results indicate that female-female reproductive competition should be included as a component of the capuchin breeding system. As in other primate species, both social and hormone-related factors influence the sexual behavior of Cebus apella. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of extended depot fluphenazine treatment and withdrawal on social and other behaviors of Cebus apella monkeys.

To examine whether or not prolonged exposure to a depot neuroleptic has either residual or "tardive pathological" effects on normal behavior, 38 Cebus apella monkeys were observed daily for 108 weeks. The issue of stress influencing such effects was also addressed. During weeks 25-48 half of the monkeys received 0.22 mg/kg fluphenazine decanoate, IM, every 3 weeks, with the dose increased to 0.33 mg/kg during weeks 49-72. Behavioral measures were combined to form composite behavioral variables which quantify four major aspects of behavior: self- and environment-directed behavior, affiliation, aggression, and normal locomotor activity. Mean plasma fluphenazine levels at 48 h post-injection were 0.13 (+/- 0.03) ng/ml for injections 3-8 and 0.24 (+/- 0.07) ng/ml for injections 11-16. The pre-study null hypothesis that the four major aspects of behavior would not be adversely affected by this treatment during the drug-discontinuation phase of the study (weeks 73-108) was not statistically negated. There were highly significant decreases in self- and environment-directed behaviors and affiliation during the treatment periods, implying that treatment may contribute to the negative symptoms of treated schizophrenics. Stress reduced the above effects. Aggression showed some increase during early drug discontinuation, accentuated by stress. Recovery of normal (baseline) behavioral scores began by week 7 after the last treatment. Mild (bucco-lingual) tardive dyskinesias persisted in 30% of the animals for a prolonged time.

Long-term follow-up of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II and pregnancy: a case report.

A 24-year-old female was diagnosed as having membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (or dense deposit disease), 11 years prior to becoming pregnant. The patient's first renal biopsy was performed 5 years after the onset of her renal symptoms. This biopsy was compared to a second renal biopsy taken just before the patient became pregnant. The second renal biopsy only showed a slight progression in the disease process. During the course of pregnancy, neither renal insufficiency nor hypertension were clinically evident. However, both an increase in proteinuria and a transient hypoalbuminemia were observed. The pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum course for both the mother and child were without complications. Cases of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I and pregnancy have been reported. However, to our knowledge, there are few reports documenting the outcome of pregnancy when a patient has membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II. We suggest that it is possible for a patient with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II to have an uneventful pregnancy if she has neither hypertension nor renal insufficiency.

Glomerulonephritis with focal and segmental distribution of glomerular basement membrane antigen(s).

In this report, the authors describe a case of a 2-year, 11-month-old girl with glomerulonephritis and no family history of renal diseases and deafness. Immunofluorescent studies in the renal biopsy specimens with the use of anti-sera against human glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and P3 antigen (prepared from bovine GBM and inducible of Steblay's type nephritis in rats) demonstrated focal and segmental distribution of the GBM antigen(s). Electron microscopic examination revealed splitting and thinning of the GBM. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that there was no binding of Goodpasture's anti-GBM antibodies to the glomeruli. These findings are similar to those in patients with hereditary nephritis. The immunofluorescent examination of the fixation of the various anti-sera, including anti-types IV and V collagens, laminin, fibronectin, and actomyosin sera on the GBM, revealed normal reactivity. The abnormalities observed in this case may be a part of the spectrum of primary GBM defects.

Immunohistochemical localization of glomerular basement membrane antigens in various renal diseases.

The immunofluorescent localization of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigens was examined in 52 specimens from normal kidneys and in various renal diseases using antisera to human GBM (HGBM), IV type collagen (IV Col) and P3 antigen, a rat nephritogen. Anti-HGBM serum normally stained the GBM and the mesangium in a restrictive pattern, anti-IV Col serum stained the GBM and the mesangium in a wider pattern and anti-P3 serum stained only the GBM. In mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, including IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein nephritis, the widened mesangial areas were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera. In membranous nephropathy, the punched-out lesions of thickened GBM were demonstrated with the three antisera in moderate cases and a double linear distribution with fine granulation with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera were revealed in one severe case. In membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, the expanded mesangium and thickened capillary walls were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera, while the outer line of glomerular capillary walls was only positive with anti-P3 serum. In crescentic glomerulonephritis, the collapsed glomerular tufts were stained normally with anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera and weakly with anti-IV Col serum. In diabetic nephropathy, anti-HGBM serum stained the GBM in a double linear distribution without reacting with the expanded mesangium; anti-IV Col serum stained the mesangium and the GBM in a less clear double linear fashion while anti-P3 serum stained the GBM as single line. Thin membrane disease and Alport's syndrome had normal reactivity with all antisera. However, in one case of Alport's syndrome anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera stained the GBM in a focal and segmental pattern, while normal staining with anti-IV Col serum was found. In lesions with adhesions and crescents the staining was positive for HGBM and IV Col and negative for P3; obsolescent glomeruli were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera, and had diminished staining with anti-IV Col serum. The identification of the various structural glomerular antigens is useful in the classification of certain types of glomerular diseases. Further insight into the mechanisms underlying these conditions may be obtained in this way.

Asymptomatic low molecular weight proteinuria: a report on 5 cases.

In children with asymptomatic proteinuria, a high proportion of low molecular weight (LMW) proteins is an indicator of tubular malfunction. In a routine screening program covering the last 15 years and involving 280,000 children, aged between 3 and 19 years, we have identified 5 boys with LMW proteinuria. In 4 of these, renal biopsy was histologically normal on the first presentation. Follow-up for 4-16 years showed normal growth curves, but further evidence of tubular dysfunction appeared: glycosuria and hypophosphatemia in 2 patients; one of them had also aminoaciduria and rising serum creatinine (greater than 1.2 mg/100 ml). Another patient had only increased serum creatinine. The other two, still less than 13 years old, show so far no other abnormality than persistent LMW proteinuria. It is suggested that early identification of LMW proteinuria may presage gradual development of progressive tubular dysfunction with age and that such patients should be followed up indefinitely.

Health manpower vs. mindpower.

Applying mindpower to health care means planning. We can no longer afford to "guesstimate" ratios of assistants and aides to physicians, dietitians, therapists, or technologists. Mindpower also means education: First, of the consumer of our services, the patient (he must see that the health care team is made up of some two hundred occupations, not just of physician and nurse); then of our future health professionals (here the competent performance of certain tasks takes precedence over what is called "general" education). Although the recent knowledge explosion has stretched the curriculum considerably, a "professional degree" may yet mean more than a graduate degree. Mindpower is communication, cooperation, and collaboration on the job. It means being adaptable in emergencies, cutting out jealousy and pettiness, relying on preventive efforts, finding strength in unity.