Spatio-temporal dynamics in maturation and spawning of Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides on the sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Plateau.

This study investigated maturation and spawning of Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) fishery on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean based on gonads and otoliths collected between 2004 and 2015 and using histological analyses and calibration of macroscopic staging criteria. Dissostichus eleginoides at HIMI spawn throughout the austral late autumn and winter months of May-August and spawning activity is concentrated on slopes along the west and south of the plateau around HIMI at depths of 1500-1900 m. Comparison between histological analyses and macroscopic gonad staging indicated that many fish that had spawned, as indicated by the presence of post-ovulatory follicles, returned to a resting stage which was macroscopically indistinguishable from maturing fish. Furthermore, the occurrence of females of all size classes with low gonado-somatic index and low macroscopic gonad stage during the spawning season suggested that a proportion of mature females did not spawn every year. Age-at-maturity estimates, based on the assumption that fish of macroscopic stages ≥2 were mature, decreased between the 2004-2009 and 2010-2015 periods for both sexes. The magnitude of this temporal variation in age at maturity, however, varied between gear types and fishing depths and variable sampling regimes probably influenced these variations. This study highlights the importance of correct interpretation of macroscopic gonad stages and understanding the influence of fishery operations on estimations of life-history parameters.

The immune response of allophenic mice to the synthetic polymer L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, L-phenylalanine. II. Lack of gene complementation in two nonresponder strains.

The genetic control of the immune response of inbred strains of mice to certain antigens has been demonstrated to be governed by a set of Ir genes linked to the major histocompatibility complex (H-2) of mice (1,2). Until recently, the control was thought to be governed by single, dominant genes, located within the I region of the H-2 complex. Merryman et al. (3) originally demonstrated that the immune response to the synthetic terpolymer L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, L-phenylaline (GLphi) is under dominant, H-2-linked Ir gene control (4-7). This was shown both by crossing two nonresponder parental strains to produce responder offspring in the F(1) generation, and by the analysis of appropriate recombinant stains of mice. The two complementing genes have been mapped in the IA and IC regions of the H-2 complex, and have been termed beta and alpha, respectively (5,6). Thus, any strain of mouse may contain neither, one, or both genes. Only mice containing both genes are capable of responding to GLphi. It has been shown using F(1) hybrid and recombinant strains of mice, that the alpha- and beta-genes can complement each other in either the cis (on the same chromosome) or in the trans (on different chromosomes) position (8). In this paper we report the results of studies aimed at answering the question of whether or not the alpha- and beta- genes can complement each other when they are present in different lymphoid cells. To this end we have constructed allophenic mice composed of two nonresponder strains (A and C57BL/6), which show gene complementation in the F(1) generation. Allophenic mice are chimeras containing two cell types coexisting in a "normal" environment. The mice were tested for the specific cellular composition of the two parental cell types and were found to possess a complete range in the relative proportion of the two cell types. This report demonstrates that regardless of the mixture of cell types present in the allophenic mice, none of them were responders to GLphi. Thus no complementation of the alpha- and beta-genes is seen when the two genes are present in different cells.

The immune response of allophenic mice to 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-bovine gamma globulin. I. Allotype analysis of anti-DNP antibody.

The question of whether or not lymphoid cells can cooperate across a histocompatibility difference barrier has been studied in several laboratories. Using an adoptive transfer system, Katz et al. (1) first showed that T cells from (low responder x high responder) F(1) mice, primed to the terpolymer L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, L-tyrosine (GLT), could collaborate with 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-primed B cells from a high responder, but not a low responder strain, in response to DNP-GLT. The response to GLT is under H- 2-1inked Ir gene control. In contrast, studies with mouse bone marrow chimeras have shown that T cells can interact with H-2-histoincompatible B cells in response to antigens not under Ir gene control (2-4). Another type of chimera, the allophenic mouse, has been used to study possible histoincompatible cell interactions to a number of antigens, including DNP-L- glutamic acid, L-lysine, L-alanine; L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine; L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, L-phenylalanine; and poly-L (Tyr, Glu)-poly D,L- Ala-poly-L-Lys[T,G)-A-L] (5-9). The response to each of these antigens is under H-2-1inked Ir gene control. It was initially reported (8, 9) that in allophenic mice containing both high and low responder cells, the antibody to (T,G)-A-L was of both the high and low responder allotype. This was interpreted to mean that high responder T cells had cooperated with low responder B cells across a histocompatibility difference barrier in the environment of the allophenic mice. However, Press and McDevitt (10) have recently reported that additional and more accurate analyses of these allophenic mouse sera failed to detect any anti-(T,G)-A-L antibody of the low responder allotype. Moreover, in an experiment using bone marrow chimeras, there was no low responder allotype antibody produced in response to (T,G)-A- L(10). The present study was undertaken to test the immune response of allophonic mice to an antigen, DNP-bovine gamma globulin (DNP(56)BGG), known to be controlled by genes both inside and outside the H-2 complex (11, 12).(1) When high and low responder cells to DNP(56)BGG are present in allophenic mice, only antibody of the high responder allotype is produced. The results suggest that cell cooperation in allophenic mice cannot occur across a histocompatibility difference barrier in response to an antigen whose genetic control is at least partially within the H-2 complex.

Chimeric drift in allophenic mice: analysis of changes in red blood cell and white blood cell populations in C57Bl/6 in equilibrium (A X SJL)F1, C57Bl/6 in equilibrium (CBA X CBA/H-T6)F1, and C57Bl/6 in equilibrium DBA/1 mice.

Forty-seven allophenic mice of three different types (C57BL/6 in equilibrium (A X SJL), C57BL/6 in equilibrium (CBA X CBA/H-T6), and C57BL/6 in equilibrium DBA/1) were analyzed for changes in their peripheral white blood cell composition and hemoglobin composition with age. It was found that 10 of the 47 mice showed significant changes termed "chimeric drift" in one or the other or both of these parameters. These 10 mice were classified as unstable chimeras, as opposed to the 37 stable chimeras, which showed no apparent chimeric drift. There was an excellent correlation of peripheral white blood cell and hemoglobin compositions of the stable chimeras. However, the unstable chimeras showed little or no correlation of these two markers. Possible mechanisms of chimeric drift are discussed.

Inspiratory coactivation of the genioglossus enlarges retroglossal space in laryngectomized humans.

To investigate the relationship between the electrical activity of the genioglossus (GG-EMG) and associated tongue movement, seven laryngectomized subjects breathing through a tracheal stoma (without pressure or flow change in the upper airway) were studied in the supine position. Tongue movement, with the use of lateral fluoroscopy, and GG-EMG expressed as a percentage of maximum voluntary genioglossal activation were monitored simultaneously during 1) spontaneous inspiration (SI), 2) resistive loaded inspiration (LI), and 3) rapid inspiration (RI). Tongue position during each maneuver was compared with its position during spontaneous expiration. Peak GG-EMG during the three maneuvers was significantly different from each other (SI: 5.4 +/- 1.6, LI: 11.9 +/- 1.8, and RI: 51.6 +/- 9.4 (SE) %, respectively). Associated forward movement of the posterior aspect of the tongue was minimum during SI; however, significant movement was observed during LI, and this was increased during RI. Significant covariance existed between peak GG-EMG and this movement. Genioglossal coactivation with inspiration enlarges the glossopharyngeal airway, particularly in its caudal part. In subjects with intact upper airways, this activation may protect or enhance upper airway patency in an effort-dependent manner.

Pregnancy after uterine artery embolization to control haemorrhage from gestational trophoblastic tumour.

Gestational trophoblastic tumour (GTT) of the uterus can cause severe and even life threatening haemorrhage in patients who may be contemplating future pregnancy. Three cases of successful pregnancy after uterine artery embolization to control severe haemorrhage from uterine GTT are reported. Both uterine arteries had been selectively catheterized and embolized in these patients. The areas of pathological circulation measured on the pre- and post-embolization films had been reduced by over 80%. Embolization failed to control haemorrhage in another four patients in whom the uterine arteries had not been selectively catheterized and embolized and where the embolization procedures had reduced the areas of pathological circulation by less than 65%. The conclusions are that control of severe haemorrhage from uterine GTT is likely if both uterine arteries are selectively catheterized and embolized. Patients thus treated can become pregnant.

Staging of prostatic carcinoma with radionuclide bone scintigraphy and lymphography.

One hundred patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the prostate were examined by radionuclide bone scintigraphy and bipedal lymphography. In 27 cases the bone scintigram and lymphogram were positive, in 16 the bone scintigram only was positive and in 10 the lymphogram only was positive. Although radionuclide bone scintigraphy is the most useful single investigation for detecting metastatic spread from prostatic carcinoma, lymphography should be performed if the bone scintigram is negative, as it is likely to demonstrate nodal metastases in 18% of patients.

Neurological morbidity of arch and carotid arteriography in cerebrovascular disease. The influence of contrast medium and radiologist.

A prospective study of 230 arch and carotid arteriograms in 229 patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease revealed that neurological morbidity was not significantly affected by patient age, nature of neurological symptoms, duration of procedure, volume of contrast medium or degree of arterial stenosis. The total neurological morbidity of 132 examinations carried out with non-ionic contrast medium (iohexol) was slightly lower than that of 98 examinations carried out with ionic contrast medium (meglumine and sodium iothalamate) but the difference was not statistically significant. However, the morbidity of 185 examinations performed by an experienced vascular radiologist was significantly lower (p less than 0.025) than the morbidity of 45 examinations performed by a series of radiologists in training and the mean time required for the procedure was 18 min longer in the latter group (p less than 0.001). These findings suggest that the neurological morbidity of arch and carotid arteriography in patients with cerebrovascular disease depends largely upon catheter technique and will not be significantly reduced by the use of non-ionic contrast medium.

A comparison of four computerized methods for measuring vertebral rotation.

The ability to measure vertebral rotation is particularly important in the assessment and treatment of scoliosis. We determined the accuracy and precision of four methods that may be used with routine anteroposterior (AP) spine radiographs. Two vertebrae were radiographed at 0 degrees and at 5 degrees intervals to 20 degrees and at 30 degrees, to the right and left. The radiographs were distributed to three members of the staff who marked the 14 points required for calculating rotation with the four methods. The points were digitized, and rotation calculated by computer. The results showed no significant difference in the calculated rotation of the two vertebrae, or between the results of the three markers. Stokes's method was significantly the least accurate. The other three methods were not significantly different but Bunnell's method appeared to give more consistent results.

A British experience of surgical voice restoration techniques as a secondary procedure following total laryngectomy.

An earlier paper (Cheesman et al., 1985) described assessment procedures for 'failed' oesophageal speakers who were referred to Charing Cross Hospital for possible Surgical Voice Restoration in 1983-4. This paper presents the results of surgical voice restoration in the first fifty laryngectomized patients referred and analyses the reasons for failure in those where surgical voice restoration was unsuccessful. 94 per cent of patients who underwent secondary voice restoration were successful at two weeks post-surgery, but this success rate dropped to 73 per cent at three months. Reasons for this are explained and the pre-requisites for a successful surgical voice restoration are indicated.

Tracheo-oesophageal 'puncture speech'. An assessment technique for failed oesophageal speakers.

We describe the assessment procedures used at Charing-Cross Hospital to investigate laryngectomees who failed to develop oesophageal voice and give the results of assessment in 50 patients. Anatomical or physiological abnormalities in the reconstructed pharynx were found in all patients, and we feel these significantly contributed to the failure of achieving an oesophageal voice. The four cases of failure were due to hypotonicity of the pharyngo-oesophageal muscles, hypertonicity, frank spasm and stricture. This distinction can be used as a functional classification of failure as treatment for each group has to be different if successful surgical voice restoration is to be achieved. Patients with hypotonicity need to use external pressure; those with mild hypertonicity are able to use a low pressure tracheo-oesophageal voice prosthesis; those with spasm need a pharyngo-oesophageal myotomy prior to "puncture", while those with stricture need surgical correction.

Changes in lymph node size induced by lymphography.

Although the contraction of normal lymph nodes after lymphography has been measured the enlargment caused by lymphography has not. In this study the lengths and widths of 25 radiologically normal nodes were measured in five patients who had a second lymphogram carried out when these nodes were still outlined by contrast medium from the first lymphogram. If the mean length after the second lymphogram is taken as 100% then the mean length 24 h earlier measured 82%, and if the mean volume after the second lymphogram is taken as 100% then the mean volume 24 h earlier was 49%. These substantial increases are similar to the reductions which have been reported in some previous papers and are probably due to distension of lymph node sinuses by oily contrast medium. It is obviously important that changes in lymph node size which are induced by lymphography itself be taken into account when follow-up films and repeat lymphograms are used to assess the response of lymph nodes to treatment.

Lymphatic hypoplasia without lymphoedema.

A prospective study of lymph vessel abnormalities in the lower limbs of 744 adult patients without lymphoedema revealed seven patients with lymphatic hypoplasia, a prevalence rate of 0.94% (95% limits of confidence 0.24-1.64%). The prevalence was higher in males (1.1%) than in females (0.5%) but the difference is not statistically significant. This is much higher than any available estimate of the prevalence of primary lymphoedema of the lower limbs and suggests that lymphatic hypoplasia is merely one factor in the aetiology of clinical lymphoedema.

Direct percutaneous embolisation of a false aneurysm with steel coils.

A false aneurysm of the peroneal artery was catheterised directly through the calf and embolised with steel coils and gel foam. This technique has not been previously described.