Prototype long-acting formulations of norethisterone in the form of injectable microspheres made of biodegradable co-polymer of polylactic acid and glycolic acid have been successfully used as injectable contraceptives in women. Second-generation formulations with improved in vitro and in vivo norethisterone-release profiles have been developed and tested in baboons. A cyclic pattern of norethisterone release has been achieved by modification of the surface properties of the prototype formulation. One such modification, and the resulting effects on the in vitro and in vivo norethisterone release profiles will be presented and discussed.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

SP-I secretion by baboon embryos in vitro.

Baboon embryos cultured to postimplantation stages have been shown to secrete the placental protein SP-I into the culture medium in quantities of up to almost 5 micrograms/day, based on a rhesus monkey standard. Twelve embryos, for which spent media samples have been assayed, have been shown to secrete this protein, with measurable quantities usually being present on day four following attachment of the zonaless embryo to the culture dish. Secretion has continued for up to 14 days, with over 26 micrograms total SP-I secretion from one embryo. These observations further enhance the utility of the baboon embryo culture system as a model for studying early placental development in the primate.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Home traction in the management of congenital dislocation of the hips.

A total of 14 patients with congenital dislocation of the hip have used our home traction frame and program over a 2-year period. The newly designed frame is made of polyvinyl chloride tubing and consists of two parts: a Bradford frame and a roller base. The frame is lightweight, portable, and inexpensive to make. Traction can be maintained for 3 weeks at home, with a significant cost savings of more than $5,000/child. In our patients, there have been no cases of avascular necrosis of the hip or neurovascular problems to the legs. There is decreased psychological stress to the child and family when the care can be provided at home.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Remote sensing and human health: new sensors and new opportunities.

Since the launch of Landsat-1 28 years ago, remotely sensed data have been used to map features on the earth's surface. An increasing number of health studies have used remotely sensed data for monitoring, surveillance, or risk mapping, particularly of vector-borne diseases. Nearly all studies used data from Landsat, the French Système Pour l'Observation de la Terre, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. New sensor systems are in orbit, or soon to be launched, whose data may prove useful for characterizing and monitoring the spatial and temporal patterns of infectious diseases. Increased computing power and spatial modeling capabilities of geographic information systems could extend the use of remote sensing beyond the research community into operational disease surveillance and control. This article illustrates how remotely sensed data have been used in health applications and assesses earth-observing satellites that could detect and map environmental variables related to the distribution of vector-borne and other diseases.

Agriculture↗