Is there a role for dietetic foods in the management of diabetes and/or obesity?

The cost and nutritional value (calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and fat content) of 108 regular products were compared with 101 dietetic products. The cost of dietetic candies, cookies, fruits, preserves/syrups, and puddings/gelatins was significantly greater (p less than 0.005, p less than 0.005, p less than 0.005, and p less than 0.025, respectively). Dietetic candies and cookies contained more calories than the regular ones. These differences were significant only for candies (p less than 0.005). In contrast, dietetic fruits and preserves/syrups had significantly fewer calories than the regular ones (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.005 respectively). Dietetic puddings/gelatins were significantly less expensive and contained fewer calories than the regular products (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.005, respectively). Dietetic ice creams were generally more expensive with varying amounts of carbohydrate content. Most dietetic products contained higher amounts of protein than regular food products. Since the dietetic products constitute only a fraction of total food intake, the differences in their composition have little or no effect on the relationship of nutrients consumed within a 24-hour period. Thus, in most cases the consumer receives little or no nutritional benefit from the higher cost of dietetic products.


[Comparison of the values of selected reagents for the diagnosis of swine brucellosis. I. Preparation and standardization of antiglobulin serum].

The purpose of these studies was to make and to evaluate serums (SAG) helpful to the carrying out of OAG in diagnosis of pig brucellosis. Immunological serums directed against globulin fraction of pig serum were produced on rabbits immunizing them with "Suiglobin" preparation or with own preparation--"purified globulins" obtained from pig serum. Królak immunization method was used and in parallel that of Ressang's for the sake of comparison. Obtained SAG was titrated in the quick and slow OAG according to Hajdu. It was shown that rabbit immunization according to Ressang gives better results than that of Królak's. With the help of the immunoelectrophoresis reaction, in all SAG, the presence of the antibodies precipitating subfractions IgG and IgM of pig serum was found. Moreover, it was shown that to determine the final, working dilution of SAG, its titration was necessary in the slow, sample variant of OAG according to Hajdu.


[The use of potentiating agents in megavoltage therapy of non-resected localized carcinoma of the lung (author's transl)].

A 5 years survival of 20% without local recurrence and/or metastasis was obtained after radiation therapy alone. This figure is slightly inferior to the survival rate of surgically treated tumours. Failure is mostly due to the appearance of metastases after radical treatment in spite of additional chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. But experience has also shown that certain cancers "locally controlled" by radiation therapy can recur 3, 5, 8 or even more years later. Two thirds of squamous cell carcinomas are sterilized with doses of 60 Gy. A dose of 80-90 Gy has a greater curative effect on tumours usually unresponsive to doses of 60 Gy. But this level of radiation results in significant damage to normal tissue with inacceptable complications. Even with such doses, quiescent cells and hypoxic cells remain unresponsive. These cell populations are both clonogenic later. Megavoltage therapy must therefore be associated with chemical and physical radiosensitizing agents (e. g. hyperthermia and drugs of the nitro-imidazole group). Treatment protocols also fully exploit the biological effect of chemotherapy recruitment, cell synchronisation and synergistic lethal effect. The biological effects to neutrons on hypoxic cells were also explored, as most of the latter respond to neither X nor kappa therapy. In all, the new treatment strategy must seek the complementarity of the specific biological effects or radiotherapy chemotherapy and radiosensitizing agents (chemical and/or physical). The goal is a 10% growth rate in the cure of squamous cell carcinomas.


Orthostatic tests in 85 geriatric patients in in-patient long-term care.

Pathological orthostatic heart rate and systolic blood pressure responses are common in geriatric patients in long-term in-patient care. The distribution of these pathological types of response differs markedly from that of earlier investigated patients (2), with a higher prevalence of asympathicotonic and vasovagal responses and a lower prevalence of sympathicotonic responses in this material.


A comparison of challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi blood-stream trypomastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes from Rhodnius prolixus in mice immunized with killed antigens.

Groups of CD-1 mice were immunized with vaccines prepared from freeze-thawed or ultra-sonicated epimastigotes, blood trypomastigotes, or "plasma antigen", of Trypanosoma cruzi strains Y, M1 and Tulahuen. The mice were challenged by the injection of blood stream trypomastigotes obtained from mice, or of metacyclic trypomastigotes harvested from the rectum of Rhodnius prolixus. Both challenges induced virulent infections in control mice. Blood-stream trypomastigotes killed mice more rapidly than the same number of bug-derived trypomastigotes. Vaccinated mice resisted infection with bug-derived trypomastigotes as well as with blood trypomastigotes, and in some instances better. It is concluded that results obtained with the more convenient, but artificial blood trypomastigote challenge are comparable with the more natural, bug-derived, challenge.


Two pathways to kwashiorkor?

Comparisons, based on anthropometric and biochemical measurements, have been made between Gambian and Ugandan children with kwashiorkor, and Gambian children with marasmus. Cases of kwashiorkor and marasmus in The Gambia were very similar both anthropometrically and in their plasma hormone and amino-acid patterns, but quite different in these respects from kwashiorkor in Uganda. Additional data from a prospective longitudinal study recently completed in The Gambia indicated that, when it occurred, hypoalbuminaemia appeared acutely, in contrast to the gradual development observed in Uganda. These findings suggest that kwashiorkor in The Gambia and in Uganda have distinct aetiologies and possible reasons for the difference in pathophysiologies are discussed. In particular the association of hypoalbuminaemia with diarrhoeal disease in The Gambia indicates that plasma protein loss from the gastro-intestinal tract could be a factor precipitating kwashiorkor in children who would otherwise be regarded as cases of marasmus.


Modification by propranolol of cardiovascular response to hypercapnia during halothane anaesthesia.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of propranolol on the cardiovascular response to carbon dioxide (0-20%) during anaesthesia with 1% halothane in oxygen (blood level 16.3 mg/100 ml S.D. +/- 5) in dogs each with a chronically implanted electromagnetic flow probe on the ascending aorta. Cardiac output, stroke volume; heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were obtained and paired with arterial blood gas determination after each step of increased concentration of carbon dioxide with or without propranolol. Propranolol (0.06-0.9 mg/kg) prevented the response to elevation of inspired carbon dioxide of increased heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output, TPR and MAP were reduced by CO2 and only slightly changed in the propranolol series.


Preliminary report on long term cure of schistosomiasis using metrifonate (Bilarcil/Dipterex)--a new antischistosomal drug.

Twenty patients aged between 7 and 19 years with confirmed vesical schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma haematobium were treated with Metrifonate (Dipterex, Bilarcil) orally on a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight repeated at fortnightly intervals until egg excretion ceased. This was achieved with a maximum of three doses. No symptoms of toxicity or significant side effects were observed. Four patients remained symptom free of the infection for up to three years after the initial treatment. These results suggest that Metrifonate (Bilarcil), a cheap, relatively non-toxic, orally administered and effective drug against Schistosoma haematobium, can be used successfully in the management of this crippling infection. They also suggest that, provided there is no re-exposure, the subjects can remain free of symptoms for more than three years.


The twinning incidence of Nigeria.

The dizygotic twinning rate in Western Nigeria is the highest on record (45-50 per mil maternities). It is suggested that, rather than to peculiarities in the population structure or to genetic factors, such a high incidence might be due to the presence in the diet of estrogen-like substances.


The frequency of ovular resorption during the first trimester of twin pregnancy.

A follow-up of 78 twin pregnancies diagnosed in the first trimester indicated that early ovular resorption occurred in 63% of spontaneous and 64% of Clomiphene-induced gestations, so that singletons were born. No failure was observed in the 12 twin conceptions following administration of gonadotropins or Cyclofenil.


[Serologic data from 537 patients with a positive direct Coombs' test (Vienna 1949 to 1979)].

In the period from 1949--1979 537 patients with positive direct Coombs-reaction were observed, their serological findings are presented and analysed regarding correlations to ABO, Rh, age and sex. Close connexions between the strength of the direct Coombs-reaction, autoantibodies in the serum and the absence of haptoglobin were found as it was expected. The sensitivity of different methods to detect autoantibodies, frequencies and specificities are discussed. Two causes of autoimmune hemolytic anemia with monospecific autoantibodies and four healthy blood donors with unexpected and inexplicable positive direct Coombs-reaction are described.


[General facts on mastocytoma in the dog. Apropos of the first Tunisian case].

After anatomo-pathologic, épidemiologic and etiopathogenic description of canine Mast-cell tumor, the authors insist on the importance of this neoplasm in comparative pathology. Such animal model observation can be eventually used both in cancer Research and in allergo-dermatology.


[Chronic active hepatitis with a favorable course, after fulminant hepatitis].

The case reported here is that of a girl with presumably viral non A, non B, acute hepatitis with a very unusual course. Fulminant hepatitis with submassive and bridging hepatic necrosis and a 17-day coma began during the 7th week of evolution. Prolonged chronic active hepatitis followed. Treatment was initiated 6 months after the beginning of the affection and was maintained for more than 2 years, with an apparent cure persisting after follow-up period of 6 months; fibrous scars were the only abnormalities demonstrable on histologic examination of liver biopsy. It is possible that such type of fulminant hepatitis with unusual course will become more frequent, as survival of the initial acute episode increase.


[Septic arthritis due to a nontoxigenic diphtheria bacillus].

Septic arthritis of the hip in a 2 year old child is described. A nontoxigenic diphtheria bacillus was isolated in large numbers from the articular fluid. The same organism was isolated from excoriated skin lesions of the toes. The bacteriology, epidemiology and pathology of the infection are discussed.


[Hypolemmal cisterns and epileptogenic foci].

A particularly great number of neuronal subsurface cisterns was found in the cerebral cortex of rats in the vicinity of epileptic foci. This phenomenon is worthwhile considering if one remembers the generally admitted role of these cisterns: transmission of ions or of electric potentials.


Effect of n-dipropylacetate and L-glutamine on gamma amino-n-butyric acid levels in brains of rats intoxicated with ethanol.

The concentrations of gamma-amino-n-butyric acid in brains of rats intoxicated with half intraperitoneal LD50 ethanol were determined at various times and found increased at early times (10 min) and decreased later (1 to 3 hours). The concentration tended to be restored to normal values upon administration of n-dipropylacetate (400 mg/kg) or L-glutamine (340 mg/kg). The treatment with both substances showed a positive interaction with an overall positive effect greater than the sum of each.


Colchicine effect on the permeability of the whole epithelium and of isolated cells of frog skin.

The effect of 2 X 10(-5) M colchicine on epithelial cells isolated from frog skins was investigated. Three hours of treatment with colchicine did not change either Na+ and K+ content of isolated cells or nonelectrolyte permeability. When ADH (50 mU/ml) was added, thiourea uptake values became greater than without the hormone; the same values were found in the cells previously treated with colchicine. Na+ transepithelial transport, measured by means of short-circuit current, was inhibited by the antimitotic agent both under control conditions and after ADH stimulation. These results support the view that colchicine does not directly affect ADH action on membrane permeability, but influences some mechanism that controls ADH action on transepithelial transport. Intercellular junctions appear to be the location of such a mechanism.


The role of extracellular potassium in early epilepsy.

Clinical studies indicate that early epilepsy after injury may be associated with some transient and reversible pathophysical processes of the brain. It has been proposed that epileptogenesis in the neocortex and hippocampus may be related to potassium ion accumulation in extracellular spaces. To investigate this hypothesis, we measured [K+]0 using potassium-sensitive microelectrodes in the sensorimotor cortex of cats during early seizures induced by trauma. The [K+]0 increases associated with seizure activity ranged from 14.6 to 25.1 mM, and these were significantly higher than those unassociated with spikes or seizure discharges. Moreover, high K+ solutions (15 mM or more) directly applied to the cortex produced spiking and seizures. These results seem to support the hypothesis that accumulation of [K+]0 is related to development of early epilepsy.


[The importance of chemoantibiotic resistance in controlling infections disease (author's transl)].

The AA. examine those  mechanisms which might determine the phenomenon of drug resistance in microorganism. They then review those infections of interest to public health. Diseases such as meningococcus, enterobacterial and vibro infections frequently show chemoantibiotic resistance. The AA. procede to point out the problems which may arise during therapy or prophylaxis. Some measures are then reported as necessary in order to prevent or retard the development of drug resistance in microorganism.


[Results of different methods used for drug susceptibility of Mycobacteria (author's transl)].

Fourty strains of Mycobacteria have been tested for drug susceptibility using Canneti's method of proportions: every strain has been tested using direct method, which provides results in a relatively short time, and using indirect method on primary cultures. Results of two methods have been compared and time required to perform direct and indirect test has been related to one of rapid, impregnated disks, method.


[Observations on antibiotic sensitivity of "Pseudomonas aeruginosa" strains isolated in pediatric wards (author's transl)].

It has been studied the antibiotic sensitivity of 27 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains belonging to only two types, isolated hospitalized children and responsible of different clinical pictures. The strains were in vitro resistant to Carbenicillin, Sisomicine, Gentamycine and many other antibiotic tested, partially resistant to Tobramycin and sensitive to Amikacine, Polimixine B and Colistatin.


["Pseudomonas aeruginosa" in the hospital of Avellino, and the presence of colonies in the obstetric, pediatric and neonatal wards. A microbiological and epidemiological study (author's transl)].

Two episodes of unexpected and widely spread colonisation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a hospital urged us with a series of measures concerning personnel and environmental hygiene and prophylaxis. We referred on the microbiological researches made on nine stories of the hospital building in which the microorganism settled and the countermeasures were adopted. The isolates proved to have a strong resistance to the various types of disinfectant we used and it was particularly difficult to clean wash-hand-basins and some medical tests. The AA. think that carefully instructing the staff in the hospital on bacterial biology and their channel of diffusion, and on the appropriate measures to avoid and fight them, could give better results compared to those we actually obtain by simply disinfecting the environment.


["Pseudomonas aeruginosa" in the hospital of Avellino, and the presence of colonies in the obstetric, pediatric and neonatal wards. A microbiological study of the environment and of hygienic and prophylactic measures (author's transl)].

We observed two episodes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation taking place in a Hospital. This organism was isolated in a pure culture from the faeces of 41 newborn children, many patients and from a large part on the obstetrics and pediatry division's staff. The AA. investigated the ways of spreading of this germ which caused both in the adults and the babies, no sign of illness. Biotypes one causing the first episode and the other related to the second one were isolated them showed a wide spectrum of resistance to several antibiotics and they of disappeared after accurate measures of hygiene concerning persons and places were adopted.


[Observations on antibacterial activity of thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate (author's transl)].

In vitro thiamphenicol antibacterial activity in the presence of N-acetylcysteine as sodium salt proved to be enhanced when compared with that of the antibacterial alone against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The in vitro results were confirmed in vivo in the guinea-pig, where the sera from animals previously treated by i.m. route with thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate, showed a higher antibacterial activity than sera from animals treated with thiamphenicol glycinate hydrochloride. The observation, even after allowing for differences between species might be of some interest in view of use of this chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of respiratory infections.


Gas chromatographic method for the determination of valproic acid in human plasma.

A gas chromatographic method has been developed for the routine monitoring of valproic acid (VPA) in human plasma samples. Two compounds, 2-ethylpentanoic acid (EPA) and 2-propylhexanoic acid (PHA), were synthesized and evaluated as internal standards together with cyclohexane carboxylic acid (CHCA), a commonly employed internal standard. Crystalline barium salts of VPA, EPA, and PHA were prepared, which enabled preparation of standard solutions of high accuracy for use in calibration experiments and in daily intra-laboratory quality control tests. The extraction scheme was designed on the basis of the solvent partitioning properties of VPA. Solvent transfers are required in the extraction scheme, but solvent evaporations are not. Studies were made of the performances of EPA, PHA, and CHCA as internal standards in the VPA assay at different lifetimes of the 10% SP-1000 chromatography column. As judged by these studies, EPA or CHCA is a better choice than PHA as an internal standard, provided that certain guidelines are followed in the use of CHCA.


Valproic acid-phenytoin interaction.

The interaction between valproic acid (VPA) and phenytoin (DPH) was examined during therapeutic monitoring in an epileptic outpatient population. Gas-liquid chromatographic methods were used to measure DPH and VPA concentrations. (1) In 12 patients on stable DPH regimens, the mean DPH level declined from 19.7 to 15.3 microgram/ml when VPA was added (p less than 0.001). (2) In 20 patients receiving DPH and VPA, the median free fraction was 15.8%, compared to 9.1% free DPH in 40 patients receiving DPH only or DPH and phenobarbital (p less than 0.001). (3) Addition of VPA to a stable DPH regimen may result in a transient increased risk of DPH toxicity, followed by restabilization at the original free DPH level.


[Poligraphy during awakeness and sleep in patients with epilepsia partialis continua].

Report is made of two patients with Epilepsia Partialis Continua (E.P.C.) from brain organic damage (since carcinoma metastasis and localized ischemia). Clinical EEG, neuroradiological and anatomo-pathological and therapeutical problems are dealth with the light of a review on previous papers. The EEG by itself is assumed as a not sufficient neurophysiological mean. Long time poligraphic enregistrations during awakeness and sleep havae, on the contrary, produced interesting data. The continuous and localized more or less rhythmic myoclonus, which are the distinctive feature in the E.P.C., were in both the patients confined to the first two fingers of their hands; the more they decreased the deeper was sleep (phase II and III-IV) and almost disappeared in the REM phase. Thus poligraphic enregistrations for E.P.C. patients are maintained as very significant.


Studies of fibrinolytic activity of uremic and longterm hemodialytic patients with special reference to fibrinolytic inhibitor.

Fibrinolytic activities on cases with chronic renal failure, 13 cases at pre and post introduction of hemodialysis and 40 cases at pre and post hemodialysis of maintenance hemodialysis with 38 normal controls were investigated. The plasminogen activator of untreated chronic renal failure was lower than controls, yet increased with the introduction of hemodialysis. On the other hand the antiplasmin was lowered with the introduction. In cases with maintenance hemodialysis, the plasminogen activator was lower than controls, but was elevated with hemodialysis. The level of antiactivator was higher in uremia of either pre or post hemodialysis than controls. The levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin and alpha 1-antitrypsin were reduced at prehemodialysis state comparing to controls, and yet, increased with hemodialysis, respectively. The low molecular weight antiplasmin and antiactivator, molecular weight below 30,000 were separated with Sephadex G-50 gel filtration of plasma. The low molecular weight fibrinolysis inhibitors of plasma with untreated uremia were elevated comparing to controls, but decreased with the hemodialysis. The removable fibrinolytic inhibitors were indicated, however, the ratio of the low molecular weight fibrinolytic inhibitors to the total fibrinolytic inhibitors were little.


Structural identity of the pluripotential hemopoietic stem cell.

A review is presented of the experiments that resulted in the identification of a specific morphologic entity representing the pluripotential hemopoietic stem cell (HSC) in mouse bone marrow. This entity was subsequently discovered in concentrated HSC preparations from bone marrow of rats, monkeys, and humans. In the mouse, a set of physical parameters (of the HSC) has been collected which agree with its morphologic description. It was also shown that these physical properties, and a number of cell surface properties, do not enable a distinction between HSC and its immediate descendants, the G/M CFU 1 and the E-BFU. The factors that stimulate proliferation of these three cell types have been isolated from human leukocyte conditioned medium and mouse spleen conditioned medium and were partly purified and characterized. The information at present indicates that the three cell types respond to closely related, if not identical, factors. Direct counts of HSC in electron microscopic preparations of density gradient fractions of different enrichment have been compared with HSC values computed from spleen colony counts and f factors for rat and mouse marrow. A high degree of correlation was found between the two types of observations. The slopes of the regression lines for mouse marrow fractions, for concentrates of normal rat marrow, and for concentrates of cycling rat marrow were the same, namely, 0.5. The deviation of this value from the expected value of 1.0 is probably not due to the use of erroneous f values. It is proposed that the observed discrepancy may be due to heterogeneity of spleen colony forming cells, in that a proportion of them may not be pluripotential.


Modulation of erythropoietin concentrations by manipulation of hypercarbia.

The present studies were done to determine whether preventing the respiratory alkalosis, which is known to occur with acute "hypoxic" stimuli, would lead to alterations in plasma concentrations of erythropoietin (Ep). Rats were subjected to two acute stresses, hypoxia and blood loss, separately and in combination, with and without the added stress of hypercarbia. Hypercarbia in all experimental groups was associated with a decrease in plasma concentrations of Ep. This reduction in plasma Ep with hypercarbia could not be fully explained by the higher arterial pO2S or p50S of the hypercarbic rats. Hypercarbia may have indirectly suppressed Ep production by increasing blood flow to the site of Ep production. Alternatively, the cell of origin of Ep could be sensitive to changes in pH and/or PCO2. It was further demonstrated that neither the onset nor the degree of reticulocytosis could be predicted by the plasma Ep concentrations. It is likely that the removal of red blood cells led to a decrease in marrow transit time with the early emergence of reticulocytes after acute blood loss.


Screening by culture for the detection of gonorrhoea in women.

The number of gonoccal infections detected by each of three sets of diagnostic cultures from the urethra, cervix, rectum and occasionally the throat, were calculated for 1976 when Thayer Martin (TM) medium was used and for 1977 when Modified New York City (MNYC) medium was used. In 1977, 98.7 per cent (451/457) of the total infections diagnosed were confirmed by culture compared with 88.3 per cent (324/367) of infections diagnosed in 1976 (P less than 0.001). The first set of diagnostic tests detected 97.6 per cent (440/451) of culture-positive infections in 1977 compared with only 88.9 per cent (228/324) in 1976 (P less than 0.001). The efficiency of screening with a single endocervical culture was also calculated. This procedure would have detected 90.2 per cent (407/451) of culture-positive infections in 1977 when MNYC medium was used compared with only 78.1 per cent (253/324) in 1976 when TM medium was used (P less than 0.001). It is suggested that the statistically significant improvement in the culture results for 1977 resulted from the introduction of MNYC medium since all other diagnostic procedures were identical to those in 1976. Other advantages associated with the use of MNYC medium are discussed.


[Hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis in chronic alcoholic patients].

Eleven male chronic alcoholics without cirrhosis but with clinical features of alcoholism were studied. Ten healthy men of similar age served as controls. After suppressing hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17-beta-oestradiol (E2) and testosterone were determined in basal conditions and after administration of clomiphene citrate in each case. Basal levels of FSH, LH and E2 were higher and the testosterone level lower in the alcoholic group. After stimulation, there was no difference in gonadal hormone levels between both groups, suggesting a normal hypothalamic-pituitary axis with an adequate gonadal response.


Acetylcholine-like activity in the fruit of the black nightshade (Solanaceae).

The presence of acetylcholine in aqueous extracts of the fruit of Solanum nigrum Linn. (black nightshade) has been established based upon the following pharmacological tests: a) isotonic contraction of the isolated toad rectus abdominis; b) negative chronotropic and inotropic action on the isolated toad heart; c) isotonic contraction of the isolated guinea pig's ileum; d) isotonic contraction of the rat's isolated jejunum; 3) decrease on the cat's arterial blood pressure; f) secretory effects on the rat's submaxillary gland. These actions were selectively blocked by curate or atropine and disappeared after incubation of the extract at 37 C with plasma. Further evidence showing that the fruit of the black nightshade contains acetylcholine was obtained by chromatographic separation of the aqueous extract. The average content of acetylcholine was found to be 250 micrograms/g of fruit.


[Hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis in patients with liver cirrhosis of alcoholic origin].

Plasma levels of testosterone, 17-beta-oestradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone were estimated in 19 males with alcoholic cirrhosis and in 10 healthy age matched controls in basal conditions and after administration of clomiphene citrate. The gonadal hormone response is normal in the cirrhotic group after stimulation with clomiphene citrate, suggesting a normal functional reserve of the gonad of the cirrhotic patients. It is emphasized the direct damage that the alcohol produces in the Leydig cell.


[Results of radiotherapy of gastrointestinal malignancies].

Irradiation offers only a palliative treatment for malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. Cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid represents an exception; above all, preoperative irradiation improves a five year survival rate up to 15%. There is a better prognosis for non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphomas of the entire gastrointestinal tract.


[Aplastic anemia following indomethacin therapy].

A 78 year old woman developed non-fatal pure red cell aplasia after taking Indomethacin for a long period. We gave the patient red cell transfusions and treated her with Methylprednisolon. Approximately 3 months after discontinuation of Indomethacin the patient felt well and blood picture was normal.


[Physiopathology of prostaglandin I2 synthesis in the human gastrointestinal mucosa].

1. PGI2 is synthetized in human gastrointestinal mucosa. 2. PGI2 seems to be responsible for pathophysiological conditions. 3. Disorders caused by an enhanced or diminished PGI2-synthesis could be treated in the future by inhibition of prostacyclin synthetase or exogenous synthetic PGI2 respectively. 4. In order to remove the problems with the unstable PGI2, synthetic analogs could be used for the treatment.


Echographic studies of osmotic agents.

The effectiveness of osmotic agents, acetazolamide (Diamox), urea, glycerol, and mannitol, and massages (5 and 10 minutes) for inducing hypotony in rabbit eyes was evaluated by ultrasonography. Mannitol was found to have the greatest hypotonic effect followed closely by urea and glycerol, then acetazolamide. The difference between the 5 and 10 minute massages was negligible.