Search

Structural changes in Tetrahymena pyriformis, strain WH-14, induced by growth on saturated phospholipids at 40.1 degrees C, uere studied by electron microscopy. Alterations in the ultrastructural organizations of the cell membrane and surface regions were common. These alterations were characterized in the displacement of kinetosomes, the spatial disorientation and disorganization of cortical ridges and grooves, and the spatial disorientation of longitudal and transverse microtubular ribbons. Irregular surface protrusions and multiple invaginations of alveolar membranes were among the most common features encountered. Disorganization of longitudinal microtubular ribbons was also a frequent encounter. The integrity of the ultrastructure of cell surface membranes and of the internal organization and ultrastructure of the kinetosomes, however, appeared to be unaltered. Other alterations included those of a number of cytoplasmic organelles (e.g. mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum), which showed characteristic changes in the structural patterns.

Twenty boys and 7 girls aged 3 7/12 to 17 years were treated with oxandrolone during the second 6 months of an 18 or 24 month period. Measurements of length and skeletal age were made at the beginning and at 6 month intervals. The daily dose was 0.05 mg. per kilogram (7 patients), 0.1 mg. per kilogram (13 patients), or 0.2 mg. per kilogram (7 patients). Predictions for mature height at the beginning of the study were compared with those at the end of the treatment period and at 6 to 12 months after termination of treatment. Responses were similar on all 3 doses. In all but 4 children the rate of increase in height age was increased during treatment. Increments in skeletal age were accelerated more than those in height age during the 6 months following treatment. Eight children had a decrease of predicted mature height ranging from 1.5 to 7.5 cm. When oxandrolone medication was given to children whose bone age was at least 9 years, there was no evidence of a deleterious effect on predicted mature height.