No abstract

No abstract

Background-In vivo methods to evaluate the size and composition of atherosclerotic lesions in animal models of atherosclerosis would assist in the testing of antiatherosclerotic drugs. We have developed an MRI method of detecting atherosclerotic plaque in the major vessels at the base of the heart in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-knockout (LDLR Ϫ/Ϫ ) mice on a high-fat diet. Methods and Results-Three-dimensional fast spin-echo magnetic resonance images were acquired at 7 T by use of cardiac and respiratory triggering, with Ϸ140-m isotropic resolution, over 30 minutes. Comparison of normal and fat-suppressed images from female LDLR Ϫ/Ϫ mice 1 week before and 8 and 12 weeks after the transfer to a high-fat diet allowed visualization and quantification of plaque development in the innominate artery in vivo. Plaque mean cross-sectional area was significantly greater at week 12 in the LDLR Ϫ/Ϫ mice (0.14Ϯ0.086 mm 2 [meanϮSD]) than in wild-type control mice on a normal diet (0.017Ϯ0.031 mm 2 , PϽ0.01). In the LDLR Ϫ/Ϫ mice, but not control mice, increase in plaque burden at week 12 relative to week 1 was also highly significant (Pϭ0.001). Lumen cross section was not significantly different between time points or groups. MRI and histological assessments of plaque size were closely correlated (Rϭ0.8). The lumen of proximal coronary arteries could also be visualized. Conclusions-This

No abstract

No abstract

suMMARY Tear lysozyme concentration was measured in term, preterm, and small-for-dates infants using a modification of the lysoplate technique. The lysozyme concentration was greater in the term infant than in preterm and small-for-dates infants. The values were found to increase with birthweight and gestation to a term value which is similar to that described in adults. There was no relationship between the lysozyme concentration and the rate of tear production.

No abstract

AND SummaryGestational age was assessed by measurement of the liquor amnii creatinine concentration in 65 normal pregnancies and in 33 pregnancies where rhesus isoimmunization was suspected or had occurred. A total of 154 creatinine estimations were performed. The gestational age was also assessed by amniotic fluid cytology in 60 of these cases. Comparison of the results suggests that fetal maturity of more than 36 weeks is associated with a creatinine concentration in excess of 1 -7 mg. per cent or an orange-staining cell count in excess of 10 per cent. When the orange-staining cell count was less than 10 per cent then creatinine estimation was found to improve the accuracy of prediction of fetal maturity.