Teleocichla preta, a new species of cichlid from the Rio Xingu Basin in Brazil (Teleostei: Cichlidae).

Teleocichla preta nov. sp. inhabits the rapids along the Rio Xingu and lower portion of the Rio Iriri. It is the largest species in the genus, reaching 121·3 mm standard length (LS ) while others do not reach more than 87·8 mm LS . Teleocichla preta is distinguished from all other species of Teleocichla by the unique blackish (in live specimens) or dark brown (preserved specimens) overall colouration of the body, which masks the faint vertical bars or zig-zag pattern of blotches on the flanks. Teleocichla preta also has a deeper body and a deep laterally compressed caudal peduncle, unlike any other congener, as well as a stout lower pharyngeal tooth plate bearing molariform teeth on its median area.

Taxonomic review of the genus Trisopterus(Teleostei: Gadidae) with recognition of the capelan Trisopterus capelanus as a valid species.

Trisopterus is demonstrated to be monophyletic, including four distinct species: T. capelanus, T. esmarkii, T. luscus and T. minutus. The capelan T. capelanus is resurrected from the synonymy of poor cod T. minutus, and is shown to be morphologically more similar to T. luscus, to which species it is also more closely related, indicated by a phylogenetic analysis presented here. A lectotype is designated for T. luscus. Trisopterus fasciatus, the type species of Trisopterus, is a junior synonym of T. luscus, and the lectotype of T. luscus is designated as the neotype of T. fasciatus. The lectotype of T. luscus is also designated as the neotype of Gadus barbatus. Gadus barbatus has priority over T. luscus but the name is suppressed by prevailing usage of T. luscus. A neotype is designated also for T. minutus. A phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial cytochrome b, and a fragment of the nuclear rhodopsin gene, shows that T. capelanus and T. luscus are sister species, and in turn sister to a clade formed by T. minutus and T. esmarkii.

Character- and tree-based delimitation of species in the 'Cichlasoma' facetum group (Teleostei, Cichlidae) with the description of a new genus.

The 'Cichlasoma' facetum group is part of the taxonomically complex group of Neotropical cichlid fishes of the tribe Heroini. Many species groups and unplaced species of heroines are still left without a generic name following the revision of the genus Cichlasoma. We describe here the 'Cichlasoma' facetum group as a new genus, Australoheros, and provide evidence for its monophyly based on phylogenetic analyses of morphological and mtDNA characters. Australoheros is morphologically characterized by the lowest values in meristic characters among heroines and by three apomorphic characters in coloration pattern. In addition to the three described species of Australoheros, our results of species delimitation based on a combination of tree- and character-based approaches identify seven putatively new species of Australoheros. Several coding schemes of morphological characters are used to recover the intrageneric relationships within the genus, resulting in very similar topologies. Discovery of additional species within the genus is expected once material from the whole distribution area is studied.

Rapid liver metabolism, urinary and biliary excretion, and enterohepatic circulation of 16 alpha-radioiodo-17 beta-estradiol.

The radiohalogenated estrogen 16 alpha-[123I]iodo-17 beta-estradiol ([123I]E2) is emerging as a diagnostic tool for imaging of ER-rich malignant tumors, with potential application for site-directed radiotherapy. Clinical use requires an accurate accounting for the biodistribution of the radioactivity, including an assessment of its enterohepatic circulation. We investigated the metabolism and circulation of [125I]E2 in the enterohepatic system in swine, a pharmacokinetic model that resembles humans. With indicator dilution methods, we found that, after its injection into the portal vein, more than 99% of [125I]E2 was cleared from the blood by the liver during the first pass. Water-soluble metabolites were then partly released into the blood and partly excreted into bile. After injection of [125I]E2 into the external jugular vein, one-third of the radioactivity was excreted in bile and two-thirds in the urine. More than 90% of the radioactivity in urine and bile was that of [125I]E2-glucuronide or [125I]E2-sulfate; only a very small fraction of the excreted radioactivity was from free 125I. Radioactivity in bile collected from one swine after i.v. injection of [125I]E2, and then infused into the proximal duodenum of a second swine, was almost totally absorbed during passage through the intestine at 5-7 hr after infusion. The reabsorbed radioactivity was cleared in the urine.

Intrauterine breathing movements and fetal presentation.

Fetal breathing movements in 14 twin pregnancies were examined with ultrasonic technique. The twin fetuses I in cephalic presentation showed a significantly higher percentage of apnea and periodic breathing compared with twin fetuses II. No such difference was found in twin pairs with Twin ti in breech presentation. Also in the control group of 27 singleton pregnancies, the fetuses in cephalic presentation had a higher incidence of apnea and periodic breathing than those in breech presentation. The position of the fetus seems to be decisive for the character of the breathing movements before birth.

Experiences with an IUCD (Margulie's coil).

PIP: A study was conducted with Margulie's coil on 96 women at Malmo General Hospital, Sweden. The 96 women were observed for 143 woman-years. 15% of the women had the coil slip out, most within the 1st year. Repeated insertion in these cases was unsuccessful. 15% had the coil removed for pain and bleeding. For women treated with epsikapron, a fibrinolytic inhibitory medicine, the bleeding was lessened. 10 women became pregnant, 5 with the coil in position at the time of conception. A high frequency of extrauterine pregnancy in women wearing coils was noted, and the risks related to such pregnancies are discussed. Experience with IUDs in Sweden is similar to that in other countries. IUDs are recommended for use in Sweden only where women cannot or will not use more effective contraceptives. All women should be warned of the risks.^ieng

The success rate of in vitro fertilization of human oocytes in relation to the concentrations of different hormones in follicular fluid and peripheral plasma.

Seventeen infertile patients were stimulated with clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). During laparotomy or laparoscopy, follicles were aspirated. At least one fertilizable oocyte was obtained from 13 patients, who had normal preovulatory plasma 17 beta-estradiol (mean 2.2 nmol/l) in contrast to the 4 patients with infertilizable oocytes (mean 0.4 nmol/l). A close association was found between the success rate of fertilization and the increment of plasma progesterone from the day before to the day after the operation. If the concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone in follicular fluid were below an arbitrary limit (17 beta-estradiol less than 500 nmol/l in association with progesterone less than 2,000 nmol/l), no oocytes could be fertilized. Apparently aspiration of oocytes and follicular fluid did not disturb ovarian steroid production during the luteal phase. The results suggest that plasma 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone determinations may serve as useful predictors for oocyte fertilizability in an in vitro system, following clomiphene-hCG stimulation and multiple oocyte recovery.

Treatment of endometrial cancer with GnRH analogs.

Given the small number of side effects, GnRH may be a useful and ideal drug for new therapeutic hormonal approaches in many cases of both invasive and noninvasive endometrial cancer. The hypoestrogenic state thus induced as well as a local effect may lead to pronounced regression of the tumor. Any future therapy should, however, always be tailored to meet individual needs. The use of GnRH agonists may be advocated in the following circumstances: 1. In pronounced endometrial hyperplasia and adenomatous hyperplasia (particularly relevant in those cases where hysterectomy is not desirable, e.g., in young patients who have not yet completed their families). 2. In patients with endometrial cancer where surgery is contraindicated or refused. 3. In addition to or as a substitute for radium treatment preoperatively to reduce uterine volume (myomas) to make surgery technically easier; to devitalize the tumor, stop menorrhagia, and improve anemia. 4. In advanced cases as an adjunct to radiotherapy and gestagens. It is possible that this will produce synergistic effects. 5. As adjuvant treatment (replacing gestagens?) in primary stages. 6. In relapses of endometrial cancer, refractory to conventional therapy, and in pulmonary metastases.

Experimental kerma coefficients for carbon deduced from microscopic cross sections at 96 MeV incident neutron energy.

The double-differential cross sections for (n, px), (n, dx), (n, tx), (n, 3Hex) and (n, alphax) reactions in carbon have been measured at 96 MeV incident neutron energy. The various charged particles (inclusive spectra) were identified using deltaE-E techniques. From the experimental data, energy- and angle-differential as well as production cross sections were determined, and subsequently the partial and total kerma coefficients. The deduced partial and total kerma coefficients were compared to previous experimental results and theoretical calculations. The findings indicate that the deduced kerma coefficients for the hydrogen isotopes are in good agreement with those deduced from a previous measurement, and that the kerma coefficient values, in particular of the hydrogen isotopes, are systematically higher than values obtained from recent model calculations, which consequently resulted in a total kerma coefficient which is up to 30% higher than predicted by the calculations.

Bacterial infection in relation to pain and irregular bleeding in women using IUD.

Pain and metrorrhagia in women using IUDs are often the reason for removing the IUD. In 54 women where the IUD was removed, uterine fluid for bacteriologic cultures was taken from the removed IUD. There was a correlation between positive cultures and symptoms of pain and metrorrhagia. Spotty bleeding caused by microtraumata and increased fibrinolytic activity of the IUD might thus consitute a substrate for bacterial invasion resulting in endometritis and in turn increased bleeding and pain. In 18 male consorts of females with positive cultures, asymptomatic bacteriospermia was found. Treatment offered alleviated symptoms. Removal of the IUD need thus not be necessary.

PIP: Results of bacteriological cultures taken from the IUDs of 54 women who wanted them removed for various reasons was a correlation between positive cultures and symptoms of pain and metrorrhagia. Hypermenorrhea was not recorded or correlated to findings. In 18 cases where symptoms in the women were correlated to findings of pathogenic cultures, the male consorts were examined as a possible source of infection. In the 14 women who were free of symptoms, there were 7 negative cultures. In the 40 women who had symptoms of pain and metrorrhagia, 35 had positive cultures. Correlation to symptoms showed that in 15 cases there was both pain and intermenstrual bleeding. 13 cases had bleeding only and in 12 cases there was pain only. 4 of the women who had complained of pain and bleeding previously had negative cultures at the time of the removal of the IUD. They had received antibiotics before the IUD removal, and then pain and bleeding had stopped when taking or soon after taking antibiotics. The sterile cultures represented 50% of the symptom-free patients but only 10% of the cases with symptoms. Further, streptococci were only found in patients with symptoms, where they were present in 55% of the cultures. Also, the enterobacteria were largely confined to specimens from patients with symptoms. This strongly indicates that intrauterine infection contributed to the clinical picture in most cases. In conclusion, IUDs enhance the fibrinolytic activity of the endometrium, resulting in an insufficient hemostasis of the microtraumata caused by the IUD. Spotty bleeding and menorrhagia favor bacterial invasion resulting in endometritis and in turn increased bleeding and pain. IUDs releasing inhibitors of fibrinolysis might be an approach to eliminate the bleeding problem and thereby infection and pain.

Phenotypic characteristics of mononuclear cells in human ovarian tumors - with special reference to cystic and ascitic fluid.

The occurrence of mononuclear cells and their cell-surface phenotype was studied in cryo- and paraffin sections in 26 untreated ovarian tumors and in normal ovarian tissue. T cells (positive for CD4 or CD8 markers) were sparsely represented in all sections of normal ovarian tissue and benign ovarian tumors, and in most ovarian cancer sections. B cells were found in three malignant tumors, CD57-positive (natural killer) cells in two, and CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor)-positive cells in one. Macrophages occurred sparsely both in normal ovarian tissue and in benign and malignant ovarian tumors. One endometrioid ovarian cancer, however, manifested rich infiltration of T cells (predominantly positive for CD8 marker). Cystic fluid from malignancies manifested higher prostaglandin concentrations and total cell counts than did benign cystic fluid, but sparse lymphocytes as a rule (5-10% of the total cell count). As compared to cystic fluid, ascitic fluid had higher concentrations both of prostaglandins and cells, with up to 25% lymphocytes in connection with malignancies. Immunogenic activity thus would appear to be weak in ovarian cancer. The harvest of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from cystic fluid in ovarian cancers is moderate, compared to that of tumor-associated lymphocytes (TAL) from corresponding ascitic fluid samples.

Specific low affinity binding sites for gonadotropin-releasing hormone in human endometrial carcinomata.

Specific low-affinity high-capacity binding sites for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) have recently been discovered in human breast and ovarian carcinomata. We checked whether similar binding sites are present in human endometrial cancer. Plasma membrane preparations were incubated with [125I,D-Ala6-desGly10]-GnRH-ethylamide in the presence or absence of unlabelled GnRH agonists or other peptides. GnRH-binding could be demonstrated in all 12 tumor samples tested. The mathematical analysis of the binding data was consistent with a single class of low affinity (Ka = (0.8-1.4) x 10(5) M-1) and high-capacity (Bmax = (134-142) x 10(-12) M/mg membrane protein) binding sites. Native GnRH had a similar affinity to the binding sites as the GnRH agonist used. Other peptides such as oxytocin, somatostatin and thyrotropin-releasing hormone did not crossreact with the binding sites. A photolabelled derivative of [D-Lys6]-GnRH was prepared with the bifunctional photolabile reagent (4-azidobenzyl)-N-hydroxysuccinimide. Photoaffinity labelling of endometrial carcinoma membranes and subsequent sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis in 10% polyacrylamide gel revealed the presence of a single molecular mass component of 62 +/- 1.9 kDa. The appearance of this photolabelled binding site could be largely suppressed by the addition of unlabelled GnRH-agonist (10(-4) M) and thus represents the specific binding site for GnRH in endometrial cancer.