Influence of short time exposure to an insect growth regulator, hexaflumuron, on mortality and adult emergence of vector mosquitoes. Hexaflumuron, an insect growth regulator (IGR), was found to greatly affect the development of immatures and emergence of adults of three species of vector mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi, when larvae were subjected to short time exposure of < or = 1 h. This IGR could completely prevent adult emergence even at a minimum exposure time of 10 min at 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mg/l. On treatment, larval and pupal mortality as well as varying degrees of morphogenetic abnormalities were induced in immatures and adults of the three species. Four weeks of control achieved in a slow moving sullage canal breeding Culex quinquefasciatus indicates that this IGR can be of use in such breeding habitats.


The threat of reintroduction of natural transmission of Chagas' disease in Bambuí, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, due to Panstrongylus megistus. In the Epidemiological Surveillance Program in the county of Bambuí, Minas Gerais, between August 1986 and December 1988, 154 Panstrongylus megistus were captured by the local population in both peridomicile and intradomicile environments. Fifteen (9.8%) of the P. megistus harboured Trypanosoma cruzi. Precipitin tests showed that the most frequent triatomine blood meal sources were birds, but other sources were dogs, men and cats. The isoenzyme characterization of 13 T. cruzi strains showed that six belonged to zymodeme Z1, corresponding to the wild cycle parasites, and seven belonged to zymodeme Z2, corresponding to parasites isolated from chronic chagasic patients (domestic cycle). As P. megistus were found to be naturally infected by parasites from both cycles. They are clearly able to transmit T. cruzi from the wild cycle to the domestic cycle. Furthermore the capacity of P. megistus in colonizing houses was observed in one residence, vacant for several years, in which 153 triatomines were captured. The data show the possibility of P. megistus reintroducing the natural transmission of Chagas' disease in the county if Epidemiological Surveillance is interrupted.


[The importance of inflammatory mediators in immune injury of renal glomeruli]. The article reviews contemporary state of knowledge pertaining to the pathogenesis of immune glomerular injury with particular emphasis on mediation of the inflammatory phase of glomerulonephritis. Distinct classes of humoral and cellular mediators are analysed with regard to their participation in experimental and human glomerulonephritis.


[Long-term results of therapy of patients with diabetes mellitus and secondary resistance to sulfanilamides]. Three groups of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus with secondary sulfanilamide resistance (SS) were observed. The first group was given sugar-lowering drugs since the disease was diagnosed, the second group -- insulin plus hypoglycemic drugs, the third group -- insulin injections. The patients were followed up for 6-10 years, from the time of SS development -- 4.6 years. Stable compensation of diabetes mellitus was better achieved with combined therapy including sugar-lowering drugs per os and insulin, a dose of insulin being less by 22 units than in patients on insulin only. Progression of diabetic angiopathies was also less noticeable in the second group on combined therapy. The most unfavorable course of diabetic angiopathies and their progression were observed in the first group on sugar-lowering drugs per os.


[Predictors of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]. A random sampling of males and females aged 20 to 69 (1125 males and 1243 females), residing in Moscow, were investigated. The first screening was in 1979, the final one--in 10 years. The program of the first screening included anthropometry, evaluation of the CVS, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, studies on hereditary aggravation with regard to diabetes mellitus (DM); the program of final screening included the state of carbohydrate metabolism. Data processing was done using methods of multidimensional analysis. Independent signs to be used as predictors of noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus were shown to be the age of 40 and older, a general GTT index of 16, and atherogenicity coefficient values of 3.5 and lower in men, and the presence of dyslipoproteinemia in women.


[Insulin-like growth factor I in patients with newly detected insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]. Levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) or somatomedin C were investigated in 12 subjects with only the onset (3-18 mos.) of IDDM. These levels were low as compared to control values (213 + 65 and 450 + 40 ng/ml) and vice versa, growth hormones levels were higher than those in control subjects (14.0 + 8.0 and 7.5 + 1.2 ng/ml). In one month after intensified insulin infusion and three daily injections, the ratio is smoothed (IGF-1 -- 320 + 20 during CSII; 280 + 12 ng/ml during conventional insulin therapy and GH -- 10.0 + 1.2 for CSII and 15.0 + 1.7 ng/ml for CIT). The disturbed GH/IGF-1 ratio correlated with the glycemia level (r = 0.65). A close connection was established between the levels of IGF-1 and C-peptide concentrations in patients with IDDM onset (r = 0.70, p < 0.05), making it possible to influence beta-cell proliferation and to maintain DM remission.


[Glycosylation products in the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of carbohydrate metabolism disorders]. HbAIc and FA were investigated as markers in the diagnosis of early carbohydrate metabolic derangements. A group with normal TSH and a high concentration for glycosylation products was singled out. Carbohydrate metabolic derangements in 89 per cent showed a tendency to progression. Interrelationship between glycemia and PH was noted. The diagnostic and prognostic importance of HbAIc and FA was determined, and their combined use for single investigation of carbohydrate metabolism was recommended, making it possible to exclude "accidental" latent transitory hyperglycemia. TSH determination at early stages can be of low informative value, whereas HbAIc and FA measurements can detect disorders of carbohydrate metabolism early enough.


[Myocardial involvement in hyper- and hypothyroidism]. The paper is devoted to early myocardial pathology in patients with hyper- and hypothyroidism (15 patients with diffuse toxic goiter and 18 patients with primary hypothyroidism). They were investigated by radionuclide scintigraphy of the myocardium with -201TlCl. The myocardium in thyroid pathology was shown to suffer from dystrophic disorders, determined by metabolic derangements. The absence of disturbed perfusion processes in the myocardium and a diffuse decrease in metabolic activity of cardiomyocytes were revealed. Similar changes were found in patients without signs of myocardial involvement on ECG.


[Anthropometric indices of newborns and hormone levels in various periods of ontogenesis]. The relationships between anthropometric indices and the hormonal status in ontogenesis were investigated in newborns (137 girls and 151 boys aged 1.5-15); the venous blood levels of cortisol, corticosterone, testosterone, estriol, estradiol, progesterone, triiodothyronine, thyroxin, thyroxin-binding globulin, insulin and somatotropic hormone were determined by radioimmunoassay. At the time of investigation all the infants were practically healthy. Information on body mass and length was obtained from form 112 (Child's Development history). The results have shown that testosterone in boys was genetically determined stronger than in girls. Gene control of body mass and length in the intrauterine period is exercised with the help of the endocrine system. Periodic changing of the dominant genes at subsequent stages of ontogenesis leads to a changed role of certain hormones, directly regulating growth processes.


[Feasibility of predicting the dynamics of human body mass]. An original mathematical model of human energy exchange was developed and implemented on a PC. Energy exchange of healthy volunteers on a free diet and physical activity was simulated by inputting examinees' individualized parameters in the model: total body mass, fatty and lean tissue, nutritional energy capacity, power inputs. The main purpose was to study the reliability of prediction of the time course of total body mass with relation to a dietary caloric value and physical activity of an examinee, which was found to be necessary for working out an optimum metabolic diet, e.g. for patients with diabetes mellitus and adiposity. The authors propose a complete text of a computer program which can be used in research institutes and hospitals.


[State of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems in patients with somatotropin-producing hypophyseal adenoma]. Altogether 16 persons with STH-producing hypophyseal adenoma were investigated by tacho-oscillography, total rheography, blood taken from the ulnar vein, a radioimmunoassay to determine the levels of STH, ACTH, cortisol, deoxycorticosterone, aldosterone, T3, T4, vasopressin, prostaglandin E2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and plasma renin activity. Acromegalic patients demonstrated an elevated level of STH, and prostaglandin E2 secretion was inhibited. Two groups of patients were singled out according to the hemodynamic state: the 1st group was characterized by a hyperkinetic type of circulation and normotension of borderline hypertension; the 2nd group was characterized by hypokinetic circulation, increased vascular resistance, labile or stable arterial hypertension. The interrelationship of hemodynamic and hormonal indices was unnoticed. It has been assumed that of pathogenetic importance in the development of arterial hypertension is depletion of E2 production, and at early stages--body liquid retention resulting from hypersomatotropinemia.


[Effects of chronic surfagon administration on secretion of luteinizing hormone and morphofunctional state of the testes in Papio hamadryas]. The paper is concerned with the results of a study of the effects of chronic (12 weeks) subcutaneous infusion of surfagon (D-Ala6, des-Gly10-ethylamide of LH-RH, a daily dose of 3 micrograms/kg of body mass) using osmotic mini-pumps on hormonal function of the hypophyseogonadal system, spermatogenesis and testicular histology in experiments on Papio Hamadryas. Prolonged infusion of surfagon through short-term transient activation of the hypophyseogonadal system was shown to cause inhibition of the basal secretion of LH-RH and testosterone, induction of hypophyseal desensitization to native LH-RH, development of oligo- and azospermia. Inhibited function of the testes was accompanied by noticeable changes in their histological structure (suppression of germinative cell division, narrowing of the seminiferous tubules, moderately transient fibrosis of connective stroma). Neither focal block of spermatogenesis nor foci of calcification or necrosis (observed in rats subjected to prolonged infusion of LH-RH agonists) were observed in Papio Hamadryas. All changes in the reproductive system (including gonadal histology), induced by chronic infusion of surfagon, were of reversible nature.


[Enhanced sensitivity of pituitary cells to corticosteroids in neonatal rats]. The effects of corticosteroids on pituitary cells, obtained from developing rats of different ages, were studied during long-term (3-4 days) incubation. Dexamethasone, cortisol and aldosterone inhibited the rate of DNA synthesis in primary cultures of pituitary cells from neonatal and pup rats more efficiently than in cell cultures of prepubertal and adult animals. Moreover, the above mentioned corticosteroids inhibited total protein biosynthesis in pituitary cells of infantile rats and did not change significantly this index of functional activity in cells of prepubertal and adult animals. In separate experiments steroid specificity of glucocorticoid action was examined in detail: estradiol and testosterone did not change the rates of macromolecule synthesis in neonatal pituitary cells whereas progesterone possessed a weak inhibitory effect that was, however, far less marked as compared to the effect of corticosterone. It has been concluded that neonatal rat pituitary cells demonstrate enhanced sensitivity to anti-proliferative and catabolic action of corticosteroids.


[Hypoglycemic activity of bicyclic diterpenoids of the clerodane series as compared to adebit and maninil]. Biocyclic diterpenoids--salvin, salvicin and salvifolin, administered per os to rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg show marked hypoglycemic activity in intact animals as well as in animals with experimental hyperglycemia developing against a background of GTT (3000 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or alloxan (150 mg/kg subcutaneously). They are superior to adebit but inferior to maninil. Prophylactic and therapeutic administration of these compounds ensure the preservation of islet beta-cells in animals with alloxan diabetes.


[Morphofunctional state of the rat supraoptico-neurohypophyseal system in hypoparathyroisis]. Volumes of nuclei and nucleoli of neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus were investigated morphometrically, and the amount of neurosecretion in the posterior hypophyseal lobe was determined photometrically in rats at varying time of parathyroprivic hypocalcemia. The data obtained were indicative of increased function of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus on the 5th day of parathyroprivic hypocalcemia and a decrease in the amount of neurosecretion in the posterior hypophyseal lobe that can be interpreted as a sign of an increased discharge of neurosecretion into the blood flow. A decrease in function of neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic nucleus in parallel with an increase in the amount of neurosecretion in the posterior hypophyseal lobe on days 15 and 30 of development of parathyroprivic hypocalcemia indicated retention of a discharge of neurosecretion. Return of neurosecretion to normal tended to occur on day 60.


Anti-inflammatory effect of human placental extract: a biochemical mechanistic approach. Significant increase of liver succinic dehydrogenase (SHD) activity was produced by carrageenin-induced edema in rats. Pretreatment with human placental extract "Placentrex" inhibited the increased liver SHD activity in a dose-dependent manner. "Placentrex" was found to have no effect on the liver SHD activity in normal rats. Furthermore, heat-induced erythrocyte lysis was inhibited to a substantial extent by "Placentrex" and was found to be almost dose-responsive. However, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation and trypsin activity were not changed in vitro by the "Placentrex". No alkaline phosphatase activity was found in this preparation. All these studies indicate that the membrane stabilization and depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis may be the basis of anti-inflammatory effect of this drug.


[Corticosterone level in testes of rats in varying adrenal functional activity]. The presence of corticosterone in rat testes was demonstrated by combining HPLC and RIA techniques. The presence of the hormone was also taken into account. The testicular corticosterone content was shown to depend upon the functional activity of the adrenals and to diminish acutely after adrenalectomy. Analysis of correlation between the concentration of the hormones in the plasma and testes has shown corticosterone to be formed by testicular cells.


[Effect of experimental hyper- and hypoinsulinemia on the level of cholesterol lipoproteins in aging rats]. A study was made of the effect of hyper- and hypoinsulinemia on blood serum lipoproteins of 5-6-month and 24-26 month old rats. Total cholesterol levels, cholesterol fraction concentration in lipoproteins, the level of insulinemia, and age showed correlation. Administration of insulin had a positive effect on the serum lipid spectrum, increasing the HDL-C content in aged animals. In alloxan diabetes, VLDL-C concentration in serum was on the increase. Alterations were more pronounced in young rats.


[Obstetric care in cardiopathic pregnant women]. Heart diseases in pregnancy represent the main not-obstetrical cause of death and the fourth in absolute way. Cardiopathies should be diagnosed before pregnancy also to try a possible correct contraception. After discussing the modifications of the cardiovascular apparatus in a healthy pregnant subject, the authors dwell upon the modifications affecting heart patients in pregnancy. Particular attention is given to the therapeutical interruption in pregnant cardiopathic patients.


[The vaginal ecosystem in a group of asymptomatic women]. In physiological conditions the vaginal flora reflects, from a quantitative a quality point of view, the metabolical, local and hormonal situation of the woman. The vaginal infections could be facilitated by borderline conditions, between physiology and pathology. The prevention may contribute to limit the development and diffusion of infections. For this reason, we have examined, with a bacteriological and symptomatological test who 50 women requested a gynecological control for different reasons from vulvovaginiti. The results suggest that women often silently accept borderline conditions.


[Renal physiopathology in pregnancy].

[Renal physiopathology in pregnancy]. The authors examined the main anatomo-functional modifications of kidneys during pregnancy, through the analysis of "flux" and glomerular and tubular "functions". Among the modifications occurring in pathological conditions they included pregnant patients with only one kidney, patients affected by kidney calculosis, anomalies of urinary tract and patients who underwent kidney transplant.


[The relation between dysmenorrhea and hot flash in a group of women in climacteric]. Hot flushes in climacteric age can cause noticeable discomfort to those who have them. This functional disturbance confirms the strong relationship between the gonadic steroids and the central neurotransmitters. These complex mechanisms which control reproductive functions limit our knowledge of the pathogenesis of hot flushes. The possible intervention of prostaglandins in the rising of this disturbance and their participation in dismenorrhea have raised the hypothesis that the prostaglandins may be the common denominator in the development of dysmenorrhea in fertile age women and of hot flushes in climacteric age women. Under this context, we examined a number of women in menopause to determine if they suffered with dysmenorrhea in fertile age.


[Epidermoid cyst of the spleen. Description of a clinical case]. A case of epidermoid cyst of the spleen in a young man is reported. The importance of the echotomography and CT for diagnosis of this unusual pathology is pointed out. The role of splenectomy as first choice in the treatment of splenic cysts is emphasized.


[Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma. General aspects and personal experience]. The Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma is a cutaneous lesion with a clinic and recidivant progress that appears in both sexes in the same measure. The metastasis are rare. The authors describe a kind of treatment effected in 13 cases arrived to their observation.


Effect of sulpiride on ischemia- and reperfusion-induced heart damage, in rats. In an experimental model of heart ischemia, obtained in anesthetized rats with the permanent ligature of the left anterior descending coronary artery, the intravenous (iv) injection of I-sulpiride (6-25 micrograms/kg) dose-dependently reduced the lethality rate, the incidence and severity of ventricular dysrhythmias and infarct size during the early phase of ischemia (first 30 min after coronary ligation). Lethality and there incidence and duration of ventricular dysrhythmias were also significantly reduced by the same IV doses of I-sulpiride in a model of coronary reperfusion. These results show that a specific dopamine antagonist is able to limit ischemia- and reperfusion-induced myocardial damage and suggest that endogenous dopamine may exert a deleterious effect in such conditions.


Thickening of the adrenal zona glomerulosa in dogs induced by oxodipine, a calcium channel blocker. Subchronic effects of oxodipine, a calcium channel blocker affecting the adrenal gland of the dog, are described. Thirteen wk of treatment at a high dose (24 mg/kg/day) of oxodipine resulted in drug-induced thickening of the zona glomerulosa and increased stimulation of its secretory activity. It is postulated that subchronic administration of oxodipine at this dosage resulted in a decrease in blood pressure, with uninterrupted stimulation of the adrenal zona glomerulosa to release aldosterone, causing an increase in the width of this portion of the gland involving cellular hyperplasia. Support for this indirect effect is found in the increased presence of renin granules in the juxtaglomerular apparatus.


[The current state of the surgery of portal hypertension]. Surgery for bleeding portal hypertension has evolved widely in the last decades. The surgical procedures that preserve portal blood flow are the first operative choice for well selected patients. Operative procedures that deprive the portal blood flow to the liver, are most likely to promote deterioration of liver function in the late postoperative period. The operation most frequently performed are the selective shunts (Warren) and the thoraco abdominal devascularization (Sugiura). The best results are obtained in patients with a good liver function that are operated in an elective fashion. Non-selective shunts have a restricted indication and low diameter porto systemic shunts are still under evaluation. The combination of drug therapy and/or sclerotherapy with surgery appears to improve survival. Liver transplants are indicated for those patients with associated liver failure. For patients with good liver function, surgery is the therapy of choice.


Spontaneous brain and spinal cord/nerve neoplasms in aged Sprague-Dawley rats. Primary malignant neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord occurred in 20/718 male (2.8%) and in 13/717 female (1.8%) Crl:CD Br strain Sprague-Dawley rats. Of 33 neoplasms, 30 were found in brain while 3 were in the spinal cord. In males and females, the most common brain neoplasm was astrocytoma (13 males, 9 females). Other neoplasms, granular cell tumor (1 male), mixed glioma (2 males, 1 female), reticulosis (1 male, 2 females), and oligodendroglioma (2 males), were especially uncommon. Spinal cord neoplasms included 2 schwannomas (1 male, 1 female) and an astrocytoma (1 male). The overall brain neoplasm incidence was similar for males (2.8%) compared to data compiled for this strain, and there was a 2-fold increase for females (1.8% vs 0.9%) compared to available incidence data.


The histology and development of hepatic nodules and carcinoma in C3H/He and C57BL/6 mice following chronic phenobarbitone administration. Male C3H/He and C57BL/6 mice were given diets containing sodium phenobarbitone (PB) to allow a daily intake of 85 mg/kg. Control and treated animals were killed at 5, 30, 40, 60, and 80 wk. Other mice were killed in extremis or at the end of the respective experiments: 91 wk for C3H/He and 100 wk for the C57BL/6 animals. A basophilic nodule was found in 1/5 control C3H/He mice at 30 wk; these nodules increased in number with time so that nodules of this type were found in approximately 70% of animals by 91 wk. Nodules were not found in control C57BL/6 mice until 80 wk, when they were found in 4% of mice. PB treatment markedly increased the number of hepatic nodules in both strains of mice. The additional nodule burden was due to the development of a second nodule type formed of large cells with a predominantly eosinophilic cytoplasm. C3H/He animals given PB for 60 wk and then returned to a control diet bore fewer nodules at 91 wk than treated mice killed at 60 or 91 wk. The cumulative incidence of carcinoma in control C3H/He and C57BL/6 mice was 28 and 4%, respectively. The incidence of carcinoma was not increased by PB treatment in either strain. It is concluded that both strains of mice behave in a qualitively similar way to PB administration, although they show considerable quantitative differences in terms of the time and number of nodules that develop. Furthermore, the increased nodule numbers associated with PB treatment were not accompanied by an increase in the number of carcinomas.


Subacute toxicity of a halogenated pyrrole hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor in Wistar rats. Wistar rats received an hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, a halogenated pyrrole designated PD 123244-15, orally by gavage for 14 days at 10, 50, 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg. Doses of 150-600 mg/kg caused death and marked systemic toxicity involving stomach, esophagus, liver, gonads, lymphoid tissues, and skeletal muscle. Histopathologic findings included hyperkeratosis in esophagus and forestomach, increased hepatic mitotic activity, ovarian follicular necrosis, testicular atrophy and arrested spermatogenesis, and skeletal muscle necrosis and regeneration. Elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase correlated with muscle necrosis and hepatocellular damage. Marked systemic effects associated with high plasma concentrations were consistent with toxicity defined for other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, with the exception of pathologic alterations in the esophagus and ovaries. Direct mucosal irritation may have contributed to forestomach and esophageal lesions induced by this halogenated pyrrole.


[Proximal gastric vagotomy].

[Proximal gastric vagotomy]. The incidence of uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease has markedly decreased all around the world over the last two decades. The medical and surgical management of patients with peptic ulcer disease, has also changed with the use of more effective drugs. Currently, the objectives of ulcer surgery are to eradicate the disease, to leave the gastrointestinal digestive apparatus as normal as possible, and to achieve these goals with the lowest possible mortality and recurrence rates. Proximal gastric vagotomy is currently the procedure of choice for a large number of gastric surgeons in the treatment of patients with chronic duodenal ulcer, who have failed medical therapy. Its application in treating the complications of peptic ulcer disease, which represent the greater percentage of all operations done for peptic ulcer disease, is less well-tested. However, initial series report good results in selected patients. Proximal gastric vagotomy without a drainage procedure, is the latest contribution to ulcer surgery. The operative mortality, is nearly zero, the recurrence rate of 4% to 11%, and there is virtual absence of significant side effects.


The use of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to detect renal damage in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with gentamicin sulfate. Renal toxicity is a common manifestation to the exposure of laboratory animals and humans to a wide range of xenobiotics. Traditional methods for evaluating renal damage by clinical chemistry such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine are not sensitive to early, mild changes. The use of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to measure the molecular weight spectrum of urinary proteins allows for an evaluation of the functional changes associated with renal damage. The ability of the kidney to filter and reabsorb proteins is related to the functional ability of glomeruli and the proximal tubules. Gentamicin sulfate produces injury to the S-1 and S-2 segments of the proximal tubule in laboratory animals and humans. While severe damage to the tubules is associated with increased BUN, serum creatinine, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosiminadase (NAG), mild injury is not detected by these means. The evaluation of urinary proteins by SDS-PAGE demonstrated renal toxicity at a dose of 6 mg/kg after 2 days of sc treatment. The NAG: creatinine ratio was shown to be elevated after 2 days of treatment at 63 mg/kg. The use of SDS-PAGE as described in this paper provides a sensitive method for detecting renal injury.


Nutrition and education. IV. Clinical signs of malnutrition and its relationship with socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietetic and educational achievement parameters. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of clinical signs of malnutrition, and to measure the interrelationship with socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietetic and educational achievement parameters. A random sample of 550 Chilean elementary and high school graduates (1:1), of both sexes (1:1), from public and private schools (1:1) and from high, medium and low socioeconomic status (SES) (1:1:1), was chosen in the Metropolitan Area of Santiago, Chile. SES was measured through the Graffar Modified Scale. Clinical signs of malnutrition were assessed according to Jelliffe. Nutritional status was determined by means of anthropometric measurements: percentages of weight/age (W/A), height/age (H/A) and weight for height (W/H) were compared with the WHO Tables; head circumference/age (HC/A) with the Tanner Tables, and branchial anthropometric parameters by applying the Frisancho norms. Standard procedures for the 24 hour dietary recall interviews were used to collect data, and adequacy of intake was assessed by the FAO/WHO pattern. Educational achievement (EA) was measured through the Achievement Evaluation Program, (AEP) and Academic Aptitude Test (AAT) in elementary and high school graduates, respectively. Results showed that apart from caries (87.5%), most prevalent clinical signs of malnutrition were dermatosis (13.4%), follicular hyperkeratosis type I (13.2%), nasolabial dyssebacea (7.9%), lustreless hair (7.7%), angular stomatitis (4.4%) and cheilosis (2.7%). The number of clinical signs of malnutrition was found inversely and significantly associated with SES, H/A, vitamin A and calcium intake, as well as with EA, besides registering a lower nutrient intake, specially for energy, riboflavin and niacin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Anthropometric evaluation of the nutritional status of a elderly group from Madrid (Spain)]. Body composition was assessed by means of anthropometry in a group of 75 elderly people (21 men and 54 women), aged 65 to 95 years (mean age 82.1 +/- 0.7) (x +/- SE), mean weight 58.5 +/- 1.7 kg and mean height 150.4 +/- 1.1 cm, which live in al Old People's Home in the Autonomic Community of Madrid. The average Quetelet Index 25.7 +/- 0.7 kg/m2 indicates a basically normal situation although there are 21% obese elderly with Quetelet over 30 kg/m2 and 12% of the cases with the index under 20 kg/m2. Even though the skinfold thickness in our population is inferior to the results obtained in other studies, the triceps skinfold is nearer the values given by other authors, and the suprailiac skinfold is completely different. This means that the elderly studied have less abdominal fat accumulation and more accumulation in arms and legs. This fat distribution can be beneficial in relationship to the risk of suffering several pathologies. Of the males, 15% and 22% of the females have their weight 25% and 30%, respectively, higher than their ideal weight. But there are also some of them with ponderal deficiency; by this means, 23% have 95% lesser than their ideal weight, indicating moderate malnutrition. A total of 16% have less than 85%, indicating medium malnutrition and 2 have less than 75% of the ideal weight, which is indicating of severe deficiency. With age, the measured height, weight, skinfolds, circumferences and diameters, the fat and lean body mass values decrease, the abdominal skinfold and the fat body mass decreasing significantly. Our results can contribute to increase knowledge as to the nutritional status and body composition of the Spanish elderly, and emphasize the coexistence of fat and ponderal excess with deficiencies of higher or lower importance.


[Blood glucose, insulin, GH, and amino acids in rats receiving 3 levels of dietary proteins]. The effect of dietary protein content on the variations in plasma insulin, GH, glucose and both gluconeogenic and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) levels, was studied in Wistar rats. For 21 days animals consumed ad libitum diets containing 4% (LP group) 10% (MP group) or 20% (HP group) protein. Body weight gain and plasma concentrations of the glucose, insulin and both the insulin/glucose (I/G) and insulin/GH (I/GH) ratios varied directly with the protein content of the diet. In contrast the relationships between dietary protein content and GH levels, were inverse. These results indicate that an increase of energy yielding nutrients availability and an decrease of tissue sensitivity to insulin was produced as the protein content of the diet was increased. The increase of plasma aspartate, serine, histidine and alanine levels on LP group suggest a low gluconeogenic process, and the higher rate of BCAA on HP group against to MP and LP groups can be related to a lower tissue uptake. Both effects can be mediated by the tissular sensitivity to insulin.


[Amaranthus mantegazzianus. Chemical composition and protein biological value]. The objective of this work was to obtain the raw seed powder from Amaranthus mantegazzianus, the evaluation of its chemical and protein amino acid composition using certain biological indexes such as: net protein utilization (NPU), true digestibility (TD), biological value (BV), net protein ratio (NPR) and relative net protein ratio (RNPR). A protein content (N x 5.85) of 12.54 g/100g, and a chemical score (CS) (FAO/OMS/UNU 1985) of 74, represented by leucine as the first limiting amino acid were found. The biological test results obtained were: NPU = 54 +/- 6.4; TD = 81 +/- 7.4; BV = 67; NPR = 2.7 +/- 0.3 and RNPR = 60. No significant concentrations of the anti-nutrients studied were found. The high value of available lysine found is remarkable (48 mg/g protein). Therefore, it is concluded that this species could constitute an interesting potential source to supplement proteins which are deficient in this amino acid.


[Extraction and characterization of grain prolamins of 6 sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cultivars]. The purpose of this work was to isolate and characterize prolamines from grains of sorghum, by their solubility and molecular properties. One variety, Zaraza-1 (SV-V51), and five hybrids (Dekalb-55, Dekalb-64, Wac-5005, Pioneer-815B and Savanna-5) were used. The prolamines, called kafirins, were extracted with 70% isopropanol at 60 degrees C, and then fractionated by two methods: 95% ethanol and gel filtration with Sephadex G-200. The molecular weight was determined by electrophoresis in a discontinuous polyacrylamide gel with sodium dodecyl sulfate (PAGE-SDS). The alpha kafirin (soluble fraction in 95% ethanol), and 7.13% of the grain's total protein, and the beta kafirin represents 21.64% of kafirin (the insoluble fraction), represents 78.36% of the kafirin and 25.39% of total protein. Three fractions were obtained from the column fractionation, two important ones (A and C), and one (B) in a lesser amount. The proportion of these fractions varied between cultivars, so that in SV-V51, D-64 and Wac-5005, A is predominant, and in high tannin sorghum, C is the predominant one. Kafirins reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol were separated in four subunits with molecular weights of: 15,000, 21,300, 24,300 and 51,500 daltons. Unreduced kafirin showed a larger number of subunits (six) whose molecular weights were: 15,000, 24,300, 48,500, 69,000, 80,000 and 93,500 daltons. Reduced and kafirin showed the same number of subunits as those of nonfractioned kafirin reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol.


[Chemical changes in sorghum during the extrusion and tortilla preparation process]. Chemical changes that occur during preparation of instant sorghum flours processed by extrusion and during the preparation of tortillas, were studied. In the preparation process of instant flours and tortillas two flours were used: whole flour obtained from a sorghum cultivar genotype cmsxs 9A, and another one (20%) from decorticated sorghum flour cultivar, cmsxs 145. These flours were processed in Brabender laboratory extruder GNF/2 of a single screw, with a compression rate of 1:1 and extrusion temperature of 80, 100 and 100 degrees C in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd zones, respectively, with a 5 mm diameter and a screw rate of 130 rpm, flour with 15% moisture and 0.15 Ca(OH)2 concentration. The decorticated sorghum flours presented a lower content of ashes, protein, fiber, lipids, vitamins and minerals in comparison with the whole sorghum flours, due to a partial loss of pericarp and germ. Reduction of said components increased the starch percentage in the decorticated sorghum. The addition of alkali induced an increment in the calcium and ash content of instant flours and tortillas. The most affected components during the extrusion process were thiamine, calcium and the amino acids histidine, arginine and leucine. The more notorious changes in the cooking process for the preparation of tortillas were observed in the calcium, leucine, arginine, histidine and phenylalanine content.


[Comparison of methods for determining corn hardness (Zea mays L.)]. One of the most important intrinsic properties of corn kernels is hardness. Nowadays controversy exists as to which method is more accurate to measure this property. In the present study, therefore, several methods for measuring hardness in corn kernels are compared, for the purpose of finding the most appropriate one. A corn population ranking from hard to soft was tested. The methods tested were: endosperm texture (ET), pearling index (PI) floating index (FI), density (D), near infrared reflectance (NIR), test weight (Ph) and time required to grind the corn with the Brabender automatic micro-hardness (TDB) method. The floating index (FI) method was found to be the most suitable one for determining hardness of corn kernels. This method permitted determination of the differences existing in corn with hard, intermediate, and soft-textured endosperms, with low variation coefficients. The TDB and NIR methods were not appropriate to determine the hardness of corn kernels, showing high variability in the results. With the Ph and D methods it was difficult to distinguish between corn with hard, intermediate and soft texture endosperm.


[Comparative study of the chemical composition and nutritive value of runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) and of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)]. Scarlet beans (Phaseolus coccineus) is an important food grain legume in the diet of rural populations living in the highlands of México, Guatemala and other countries of Latin America. The present study was conducted to obtain more chemical and nutritive data on this grain legume, because of its importance in agricultural production systems and due to the role it plays in rural diets. Ten samples were purchased in the highland markets of Guatemala, to compare their physical, chemical and nutritive characteristics with three samples of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). A sample of 10 kg was used for nutritional studies, fed alone and in mixtures with maize. The results indicated that P. coccineus has greater weight as compared to P. vulgaris (0.74 vs. 0.18 g) and are larger in size (0.60 vs. 0.14 cc/grain). Seed coat percentage was 10.2% for P. coccineus as compared to 9.0% for P. vulgaris. The cooking time was 231 minutes for P. coccineus and 180 minutes for common beans. Seed coat thickness and permeability are different when comparing P. coccineus with P. vulgaris, since at 24 hr soaking time, P. coccineus absorbed 80% of its water weight as compared to 100% for common beans. In chemical composition) small differences were found between P. coccineus and P. vulgaris. The first had slightly more ether extract, crude fiber and ash content than the second. Amino acid content among the six samples of P. coccineus was quite variable, but its pattern was rich in lysine and limiting in sulfur amino acids. Cooking time at 3 hr gave a higher NPR than when cooked at atmospheric pressure for 5 hr, with protein values relative to casein of 69.2 and 60.0%, respectively. P. coccineus protein quality was improved by methionine supplementation, and it appeared to be better digested than that of P. vulgaris. Mixtures of high protein quality were obtained with 15% P. coccineus and 85% maize while common beans and maize mixed in a 30 to 20 ratio showed maximum protein efficiency. The digestibility of the P. coccineus/maize mixtures was higher than that of common beans and maize.


Nutrition and education. III. Educational achievement and food habits of Chilean elementary and high school graduates. The objective of this study was to correlate the educational achievement (EA) of Chilean elementary and high-school graduates with their food habits. For this purpose, a random sample of 550 schoolers from the Metropolitan Area of Santiago, Chile, graduating from elementary and high school (1:1) of both sexes (1:1), from public and private schools and from high, medium and low socioeconomic status (SES) (1:1:1), was selected. Food habits were determined through a specially designed questionnaire and defined as the frequency of consumption of the food groups, expressed as days per week. The EA was established through the Achievement Evaluation Program (AEP) and Academic Aptitude Test (AAT) in elementary-and high-school graduates-, respectively. Results revealed that EA was found significantly and positively correlated with the frequency of consumption of dairy products, meat products and eggs, in both elementary and high school graduates. A significant and inverse correlation between EA and the frequency of vegetables and fruits consumption was observed in both educational levels, and with miscellaneous products, only in elementary school graduates. Food habits explained 24.4% and 16.6% of the EA variance, in elementary and high school graduates, respectively. The frequency of consumption of dairy products was the independent variable with the greatest explanatory power in EA variance (approximately above 70% of the explained variance). These results are important to consider for educational planning focused on the School Feeding Program.


Results of colectomy in elderly patients with colon cancer, based on Medicare claims data. Currently available estimates of outcomes following colon resection in elderly patients with colon cancer are based on series collected at academic medical centers. We used Medicare Part A claims and enrollment records of a 5% nationally random sample of elderly Medicare beneficiaries from 1983 to 1985 to estimate how patient age and sex affected perioperative mortality and 1- and 2-year survival rates among elderly patients undergoing a colon resection procedure for colon cancer. Among the 5,586 individuals in our data set, the overall perioperative mortality rate was 5.0%, ranging from 3.3% in beneficiaries 66 to 69 years of age to 9.3% in those 85 years of age and older. Men had a 31% higher perioperative mortality rate than women (5.8% versus 4.4%, p less than 0.05). The overall postoperative survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 72% and 63%, respectively, decreasing with increasing age, but were similar in men and women. This analysis provides age- and sex-specific estimates of outcomes following surgery for elderly patients with colon cancer that are more precise and have more potential for generalization than those that were available previously.


Surgical treatment of persistent ductus arteriosus complicated by bacterial endocarditis. A seven-year-old girl with persistent ductus arteriosus developed acute bacterial endocarditis with large vegetations in the ductus and the left pulmonary artery. Conservative management was not successful: repeated embolisation to the lungs necessitated operation during the acute endocarditis. Details of the operative technique are presented and discussed.


Solvent effects on chemical processes. I: Solubility of aromatic and heterocyclic compounds in binary aqueous-organic solvents. The standard free energy change (delta G0) for equilibrium dissolution in binary solvent mixtures is written as a sum of effects arising from solvent-solvent interactions (the general medium effect), solvent-solute interactions (the solvation effect), and solute-solute interactions (the intersolute effect). The general medium effect is given by gA gamma, where g is a curvature correction factor to the surface tension (gamma) and A is the molecular cavity surface area. A new feature is the definition of gamma to be that value appropriate to the equilibrium mean solvation shell composition. The solvation effect is modeled by stoichiometric stepwise competitive equilibria between the two solvent components for the solute. The intersolute effect includes the crystal energy and solution phase interactions. In this work, water was solvent component 1, and various miscible organic cosolvents served as solvent component 2. Relating all data to the fully aqueous solution gives an explicit expression for delta M delta G0, the solvent effect on the free energy change, as a function of the mole fractions x1 and x2. This function is a binding isotherm. Nonlinear regression leads (for a two-step solvation scheme) to estimates of the solvation exchange constants K1 and K2 and the parameter gA. This relationship was applied to 44 systems comprising combinations of 31 solutes and eight organic cosolvents. Curve fits were good to excellent, and most of the parameter estimates had physically reasonable magnitudes.


Focal midbrain tumors in children.

Focal midbrain tumors in children. The clinical and neuroradiological features of focal midbrain tumors in 12 children are described, and the results of their surgical management are presented. Patients with a focal midbrain tumor usually exhibit either symptoms and signs of raised intracranial pressure caused by an obstructive hydrocephalus (50%) or symptoms and signs caused by pressure on the tegmentum and cerebral peduncles. The lesions are confined to the tectal plate or tegmentum with possible extension upward to the thalamus and downward to the pons, displacing but not invading these structures. The edges of the tumor are well defined, and the large majority have a solid consistency with intense regular enhancement after intravenous contrast. Radical resection is hardly ever feasible in brain stem tumors, but in this series, significant reduction of the tumor mass was obtained in 75% of the patients, with no surgical mortality and minimal surgical morbidity and with the majority of patients showing clinical improvement postoperatively. All tumors were nonpilocytic, low-grade astrocytomas. Six patients received adjunctive radiotherapy. The mean follow-up period is 2.5 years, and all patients are alive and doing well. We conclude that focal midbrain tumors in children appear to be a distinct subgroup of brain stem tumors and are very amenable to surgical resection with an excellent long-term prognosis.


Fluconazole compared with ketoconazole for the treatment of Candida esophagitis in AIDS. A randomized trial. To determine the clinical and endoscopic response of candida esophagitis to antifungal therapy and to compare the two oral antifungal agents, fluconazole and ketoconazole. Multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial. Fifteen U.S. centers including university, private practice, and county hospital settings. A total of 169 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); odynophagia, dysphagia, or retrosternal pain; white esophageal plaques at endoscopy; and pseudohyphae on esophageal brushings or biopsies. Patients were randomly assigned to fluconazole (100 mg/d) or ketoconazole (200 mg/d). Doses were doubled at week 1 or 2 if no symptomatic improvement had occurred during the preceding week. Therapy was continued for 2 weeks after resolution of symptoms or for a maximum of 8 weeks. Patients were clinically evaluated weekly, and laboratory tests were done every 2 weeks. Endoscopy was repeated within 5 days after the end of therapy. A total of 143 patients were clinically evaluable (assessed within 7 days after therapy), and 129 patients were endoscopically evaluable (endoscopy repeated after therapy). Endoscopic cure occurred in 91% of patients treated with fluconazole and in 52% of those given ketoconazole for a difference of 39% (95% Cl, 24% to 52%; P less than 0.001). Esophageal symptoms resolved in 85% of fluconazole-treated patients and in 65% of ketoconazole-treated patients for a difference of 20% (Cl, 6% to 34%; P = 0.006). Intention-to-treat analyses also yielded statistically significant differences for the comparisons listed above. Side effects were minimal and comparable in the two groups; only one patient in each group had therapy discontinued for adverse effects that were possibly related to the study medications. Fluconazole is associated with significantly greater rates of endoscopic and clinical cure than ketoconazole in patients with AIDS and candida esophagitis. Both drugs appear to be safe and well tolerated.


Herpes zoster and human immunodeficiency virus infection. The interaction of herpes zoster and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was evaluated in a cohort study of 287 homosexual men with well-defined dates of HIV seroconversion and 499 HIV-seronegative homosexual men. The incidence of herpes zoster was significantly higher among HIV-seropositive men (29.4 cases/1000 person-years) than among HIV-seronegative men (2.0 cases/1000 person-years); the overall age-adjusted relative risk (RR) was 16.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.7-32.6). When compared with that of age-matched population controls from 1945 to 1959, the incidence of zoster was significantly higher among seropositive men (RR, 26.7; 95% CI, 19.3-37.1) and slightly higher among seronegative men (RR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.0-3.3); the latter may reflect increasing background rates over several decades. The risk of herpes zoster was not associated with duration of HIV infection and was not predictive of faster progression to AIDS.


Which medical schools produce rural physicians? To examine the hypothesis that medical schools vary systematically and predictably in the proportion of their graduates who enter rural practice. The December 1991 version of the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile was used to examine the rural and urban practice locations of physicians who graduated from American medical schools between 1976 and 1985. Selected characteristics of the medical schools--including location, ownership, and funding--were linked to the Physician Masterfile. The percentage of the graduates from each medical school who were practicing in rural areas in December 1991, disaggregated by physician specialty. Of the practicing graduates from our study, 12.6% were located in rural counties; family physicians were much more likely than members of other specialties to select rural practice, particularly in the smallest and most isolated rural counties. Women were much less likely than men to enter rural practice. Medical schools varied greatly in the percentage of their graduates who entered rural practice, ranging from 41.2% to 2.3% of the graduating classes studied. Twelve medical schools accounted for over one quarter of the physicians entering rural practice in this time period. Four variables were strongly associated with a tendency to produce rural graduates: location in a rural state, public ownership, production of family physicians, and smaller amounts of funding from the National Institutes of Health. The organization, location, and mission of medical schools is closely related to the propensity of their graduates to select rural practice. Increasing policy coordination among medical schools and state and federal governmental entities would most effectively address residual problems of rural physician shortages.


Air reduction of an intussusception caused by a pathologic lead point in an infant. Lead points that are the cause of an ileocolic intussusception are rare in infants [1], as is successful reduction using barium [2]. Air reduction of an intussusception with a pathologic lead point has not been previously reported. We report a case of an infant with an ileocolic intussusception secondary to a duplication cyst that was successfully reduced with air. The pathologic lead point was recognized at the time of reduction and confirmed with water-soluble contrast. Air is both a diagnostic and therapeutic contrast agent.


Coordination of mastication and swallowing. The coordination of mastication, oral transport, and swallowing was examined during intake of solids and liquids in four normal subjects. Videofluorography (VFG) and electromyography (EMG) were recorded simultaneously while subjects consumed barium-impregnated foods. Intramuscular electrodes were inserted in the masseter, suprahyoid, and infrahyoid muscles. Ninety-four swallows were analyzed frame-by-frame for timing of bolus transport, swallowing, and phases of the masticatory gape cycle. Barium entered the pharynx a mean of 1.1 s (range -0.3 to 6.4 s) before swallow onset. This interval varied significantly among foods and was shortest for liquids. A bolus of food reached the valleculae prior to swallow onset in 37% of sequences, but most of the food was in the oral cavity at the onset of swallowing. Nearly all swallows started during the intercuspal (minimum gape) phase of the masticatory cycle. Selected sequences were analyzed further by computer, using an analog-to-digital convertor (for EMG) and frame grabber (for VFG). When subjects chewed solid food, there were loosley linked cycles of jaw and hyoid motion. A preswallow bolus of chewed food was transported from the oral cavity to the oropharynx by protraction (movement forward and upward) of the tongue and hyoid bone. The tongue compressed the food against the palate and squeezed a portion into the pharynx one or more cycles prior to swallowing. This protraction was produced by contraction of the geniohyoid and anterior digastric muscles, and occurred during the intercuspal (minimum gape) and opening phases of the masticatory cycle. The mechanism of preswallow transport was highly similar to the oral phase of swallowing. Alternation of jaw adductor and abductor activity during mastication provided a framework for integration of chewing, transport, and swallowing.


Heterosexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus infection among pregnant women in a rural Florida community. In the United States, an increasing proportion of women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) live in nonmetropolitan areas. Little is known, however, about the risk factors for HIV transmission in women outside large cities. We interviewed and tested 1082 (99.8 percent) of 1084 consecutive pregnant women who registered for prenatal care at a public health clinic in western Palm Beach County, Florida. This rural agricultural area of about 36,000 people is known to have a high prevalence of HIV infection. The seroprevalence of HIV was 5.1 percent (52 of 1011 women). Black women who were neither Haitian nor Hispanic had the highest rate of infection (8.3 percent [48 of 575]). Only 4 of 1009 women (0.4 percent) reported ever injecting drugs, and the 4 were HIV-seronegative; however, 14 of 43 users of "crack" cocaine (33 percent) had HIV infection. At prenatal registration, 131 of 983 women (13 percent) tested positive for gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, or syphilis. By multivariate logistic-regression analysis, HIV infection was found to be independently associated with having used crack cocaine (odds ratio, 3.3; P < 0.001), having had more than two sexual partners (odds ratio, 4.6; P < 0.001), being black but neither Hispanic nor Haitian (odds ratio, 11; P < 0.001), having had sexual intercourse with a high-risk partner (odds ratio, 5.6; P < 0.001), and testing positive for syphilis (odds ratio, 3.1; P = 0.015). Nevertheless, 11 of the 52 HIV-infected women (21 percent) reported a total of only two to five sexual partners and no known high-risk partners, had never used crack cocaine, and had no positive tests for sexually transmitted disease. In the rural community we studied, most of the women with HIV infection acquired it through heterosexual contact. The increasing seroprevalence of HIV and the increasing incidence of syphilis and use of crack cocaine mean that other women may be at similar risk of acquiring heterosexually transmitted HIV infection.


Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the offspring of patients dying from aneurysm rupture. The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is high in the brothers of patients with aneurysm. A genetic component in the development of AAA has, therefore, been postulated. In this study the offspring of patients who had died from AAA rupture were invited to undergo ultrasonography of the abdominal aorta. The attendance rate was 69 per cent. Thirty-nine sons of median age 60 (range 45-75) years and 23 daughters of median age 62 (range 42-80) years were examined. Abdominal aortic dilatation was found in eight men and one woman. The presence of aortic dilatation in these nine cases was not related to age, hypertension, smoking or symptoms of occlusive arterial disease. It is concluded that the sons of those who have died from ruptured AAA constitute a high-risk group for the development of this condition and should be considered for further screening.


Pathways for fluid loss from the peritoneal cavity. During peritoneal dialysis, fluid is transported out of the peritoneal cavity by lymphatic and nonlymphatic pathways, thereby decreasing net ultrafiltration by 40-50% and reducing small solute clearance by 15-20%. The direct lymphatic pathway consists of the diaphragmatic lymphatics, which directly connect the peritoneal cavity to the bloodstream. The interstitial lymphatic and direct blood entry pathways convey fluid that has been driven into the interstitial space of the tissue surrounding the peritoneal cavity by the increased intraperitoneal pressure, and return it to the bloodstream. Since flow through lymphatic pathways is only a portion of the flow through all pathways, total fluid loss is greater than lymph flow. The best technique for estimating lymph flow is direct measurement by cannulation of lymphatic vessels, a technique that is not clinically feasible. The tracer disappearance technique, which measures the rate at which macromolecules leave the peritoneal cavity, is an indirect measure of fluid loss. The tracer appearance technique, which measures the rate at which macromolecules reach the blood from the peritoneal cavity, slightly overestimates lymph flow because some tracer may enter the bloodstream directly from the tissues. Much of the previous controversy over the contribution of the lymphatic pathways to total fluid loss can be resolved by understanding the differences in what these techniques measure.


Studies on lymphatic drainage of the peritoneal cavity in sheep. In the sheep, it is possible to cannulate several of the lymphatics that drain the peritoneal cavity and assess lymphatic drainage of this serous space directly. Indwelling catheters were placed in the caudal mediastinal and thoracic ducts. The right lymph duct could not be cannulated. Lymphatic drainage of the peritoneal cavity based on the movement of 125I-albumin from the cavity into the lymph compartments was not affected by the osmolality of the dialysate but was markedly altered by anesthesia. In addition, lymphatic drainage was assessed from the disappearance of instilled 125I-albumin from the peritoneal cavity and from the appearance of intraperitoneally administered 125I-albumin in the bloodstream and compared with data from the cannulated preparations. Lymph flows derived from tracer movement into the cannulated lymph compartments and from the appearance of tracer in the bloodstream were very similar. However, calculations of lymph flows based on the disappearance of tracer from the peritoneal cavity appeared to overestimate lymphatic drainage.


Diaphragmatic lymph vessel drainage of the peritoneal cavity. We have studied the drainage of peritoneal fluid through the diaphragmatic lymph vessels in sheep. To measure the lymphatic flow rate, we cannulated the lymphatic vessels and timed the flow from the cannula. After we infused Escherichia coli endotoxin into awake sheep, the diaphragmatic lymph flow rate increased substantially. However, we found no increase in lymph flow in anesthetized acutely operated sheep. This indicates that studies in anesthetized animals may yield underestimates of diaphragmatic lymph flow. In sheep, many of the diaphragmatic lymph vessels drain to the caudal mediastinal lymph node. We cannulated an efferent vessel from that node in 5 sheep. Several days later we infused 100 ml/kg of Ringer's solution into the abdominal space of each awake sheep. In response, the lymph flow rate increased from 0.15 +/- 0.16 ml/min (mean +/- SD) to 0.50 +/- 0.17 ml/min. Our results are important because they demonstrate that diaphragmatic lymph flow increases substantially after fluid infusions into the abdominal space.


Net ultrafiltration in peritoneal dialysis: role of direct fluid absorption into peritoneal tissue. 'Net ultrafiltration' in peritoneal dialysis refers to the difference between the osmotically induced ultrafiltration into the peritoneal cavity and the fluid loss from the cavity during dialysis. Recent research has demonstrated that, during a 3- to 4-hour experimental dialysis, 5-25% of the total fluid loss is via lymphatics and the remaining fluid is absorbed directly into the tissue surrounding the peritoneal cavity. The driving force for this convection into tissue is the hydrostatic pressure gradient between the peritoneal cavity and the tissue, which ranges from 2 to 8 mm Hg during the typical 2-liter dialysis in humans. Because the convection from the cavity occurs during periods of a positive net ultrafiltration, the peritoneum and its underlying tissue cannot be represented as a single membrane but function as a composite of 'tight' and 'loose' membranes. More data on the mechanical properties of the peritoneal tissue space and its response to hydrostatic pressure in the cavity are required before we fully understand fluid transport at the tissue level.


[Immunohistochemistry in the anatomopathologic diagnosis]. In order to determine the value of immunohistochemical staining methods for morphologic diagnosis specimens of 949 cases received at the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of the Department of Pathology of the Medical School of Botucatu, in the period 1984-1989 were reviewed. All of them were submitted to the immunoperoxidase staining (PAP or ABC). The main morphologic diagnosis was confirmed in 468 cases (49.3%); the definitive diagnosis was made in 244 cases (25.7%) that had only differential diagnosis, and contributory information was provided in 74 cases (7.8%); the immunohistochemical staining was non-contributory in 114 cases (12%). It rendered an unsuspected diagnosis in 49 cases (5.2%). The analysis of these cases shows that immunohistochemical methods may provide important and sometimes essential informations for definitive diagnosis. This technique is particularly useful for distinguishing between carcinoma, lymphoma and melanoma.


Lymphatic and nonlymphatic pathways of peritoneal absorption in mice: physiology versus pathology. In conjunction with our studies of the pathogenesis of malignant ascites formation, we have analyzed the transperitoneal transport of macromolecules in mice. In this review, I summarize our experimental results concerning the influx (transport from the blood to the peritoneal cavity) and efflux (transport from the peritoneal cavity to the blood) of a number of different tracers [fluorescein-labeled dextrans (FITC-D), 51Cr-RBC, 125I-HSA, and 125I-fibrinogen]. We examined tracer transport in ascites tumor-bearing animals as a function of tumor growth and compared our results with transport properties obtained in normal awake mice and in mice that had received an intraperitoneal injection of a solution of 5% bovine serum albumin to simulate the protein-rich fluid accumulation associated with ascites tumor growth in the peritoneum. Our results indicate that both increased influx as well as impaired efflux are required to initiate and maintain tumor ascites fluid accumulation. To test the hypothesis that increased influx reflected increased vascular permeability, we monitored transport of intravenously injected FITC-D tracers (FITC-D) into the peritoneal cavity by fluorescence microscopy. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the decreased efflux, we determined tracer efflux rates both as the rate of appearance in the blood and as the rate of disappearance from the peritoneal cavity. We compared these transport properties for both soluble as well as particulate tracers. Our results indicate that there are additional routes of egress available to soluble macromolecules not available to particulate tracers such as 51Cr-RBC, and that in ascites tumor-bearing animals, the lymphatic pathway is shut off rather rapidly as judged by the decreased rate of 51Cr-RBC removal. By fluorescence microscopy we observed the interstitial tissue uptake of intraperitoneally injected soluble macromolecules (FITC-D) in the parietal peritoneal wall, particularly in animals with an increased intraperitoneal pressure, thereby confirming additional nonlymphatic pathways of peritoneal absorption in mice. Finally, we used the particulate tracer 51Cr-RBC to estimate the peritoneal lymphatic drainage rate, yielding a value of 1.6 microliters/min in normal awake mice based on the rate of tracer disappearance from the peritoneum.


Role of lymphatics in peritoneal dialysis. There is a renewed interest in understanding the precise role of lymphatics in the ultrafiltration kinetics during peritoneal dialysis. In the normal state, lymphatics draining the peritoneal cavity are the principal means of removal of intraperitoneal isosmotic fluid and macromolecules. During a hypertonic peritoneal dialysis exchange, after peak intraperitoneal volume is achieved, fluid removal proceeds at an almost linear rate, causing intraperitoneal fluid volume to reduce. The isosmotic fluid removal from the peritoneal cavity could occur through the microcirculatory capillaries or through the lymphatic capillaries draining the peritoneal cavity. Animal and human studies suggest that this fluid loss occurs primarily through lymphatics. The two indirect methods of lymph flow measurements, plasma appearance and peritoneal disappearance of tracer colloid, show conflicting results. Although direct measurement of lymph flow rates through cannulation of mediastinal lymph vessels in animals suggests a significant flow through the lymph channels in response to intraperitoneal fluid instillation, lymph flow modification at the lymph node level may prevent use of this technique to assess the precise role played by lymphatics in fluid kinetics during peritoneal dialysis. By analogy with ascites and by extrapolation from previous studies of drain volumes after infusion of isotonic and hypertonic solutions, the average daily lymph absorption rate during CAPD may be predicted to be at least 1 liter per day.


Lymphatic versus nonlymphatic fluid absorption from the peritoneal cavity as related to the peritoneal ultrafiltration capacity and sieving properties. In this article we discuss the role of capillary fluid absorption via Starling mechanisms (the transcapillary hydrostatic pressure gradient opposed by the colloid osmotic pressure gradient as multiplied by the capillary UF coefficient) vs. lymphatic fluid absorption as determinants of the total fluid loss from the peritoneal cavity during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We also mention that, under nonsteady state conditions, there is in addition some net absorption of fluid into the interstitium of tissues surrounding the peritoneal cavity. Support for the contention that nonlymphatic fluid absorption directly into the capillaries is the major mode of fluid transport from the peritoneal cavity to the blood is given by measurements of the peritoneal-to-blood clearance of tracer albumin (or other proteins). Such measurements yield clearance values of the order of 0.2-0.3 ml/min in CAPD. This represents only about 20% of the total peritoneal fluid loss rate (1.2-1.3 ml/min) in ordinary CAPD dwells. Indirect support for a relatively low lymph flow is also derived from capillary physiology. Like continuous capillary walls, the peritoneal membrane shows a bimodal selectivity towards molecules of graded molecular size. Thus, small solute transport can be described as occurring by diffusion through numerous 'small' (approximately 50 A radius) pores, whereas large solute transport is consistent with blood-peritoneal convection through smaller numbers of 'large' (radius approximately 250 A) pores. Furthermore, peritoneal sieving data are compatible with the notion that large crystalloid osmotic pressure gradients cause fluid flow through a water-exclusive ('ultra-small' pore) pathway. A three-pore model of peritoneal selectivity can explain why small solute sieving coefficients are only 0.5-0.6, even though small solute reflection coefficients are close to zero. Another important implication of the three-pore concept is that the peritoneal UF-coefficient is much higher than previously thought, emphasizing the role of capillary absorption in the fluid loss from the peritoneal cavity in CAPD. It is concluded that fluid loss from the peritoneal cavity is dominated by capillary fluid absorption. Hence, lymphatic absorption accounts for just a small fraction of the peritoneal-to-blood absorption of fluid in peritoneal dialysis.


Intraperitoneal fluid fluxes analyzed according to the 'three-pore' model in individual patients on CAPD. Individual CAPD patients have markedly different characteristics of their peritoneal membranes, making it desirable to measure the transport rates of each individual in order to ensure adequate dialysis. An analytical tool has been developed based on the three-pore concept of microvascular exchange, whereby it is possible to differentiate among possible causes for disturbances in PD. A so-called loss of ultrafiltration during PD can result from two different causes. First, an increased total pore cross-sectional area available for diffusion (or A0/delta x) can cause increased transport of glucose to blood and hence diminish the osmotic gradient such that a net filtration turns to net reabsorption of fluid from the abdominal cavity to the blood. Secondly, fluid loss can be due to a high lymph flow (>> 0.3 ml/min/1.73 m2).


Net fluid absorption under membrane transport models of peritoneal dialysis. The effect of oncotic pressure and lymphatic flow on intraperitoneal dialysate volumes in peritoneal dialysis is investigated under each of two membrane transport models: one assuming a homogeneous single-pore membrane and the other a heteroporous three-pore membrane. In both cases, solute and fluid removal are assumed to occur via a mass transport model in which the peritoneum acts like a synthetic membrane separating two well-mixed compartments (body and dialysate). The homoporous mass transport model of Pyle and Popovich and the three-pore model of Rippe et al., although conceptually different, are shown to be equivalent mathematically. This feature allows one to apply the analytical solutions of Vonesh et al. to either model. It also enables one to apply parameter estimates from one model to another; for example, one can apply the lumped sum reflection coefficients of the three-pore model to a homoporous membrane model. A comparison is made between the use of empirically estimated rejection coefficients computed under the homoporous membrane model of Pyle and Popovich versus lumped-sum reflection coefficients calculated in accordance with the three-pore model of Rippe et al. The two models predict similar drain volumes provided the exchange is conducted using glucose as the osmotic agent. However, one does see a significantly different contribution of protein oncotic pressure and lymphatic drainage to fluid absorption under the two sets of osmotic reflection coefficients. Moreover, for a simulated exchange employing an osmotic agent with a molecular weight of 20,000 daltons, the use of reflection coefficients calculated under the three-pore model yields net ultrafiltration values which are more consistent and physiological than results obtained using the empirically estimated rejection coefficients. Since estimates of 'lymphatic flow' will vary according to the quantity and quality of input parameter values (i.e., hydrostatic pressure, protein concentrations, osmotic reflection coefficients), it would be better to label these estimates as the sum of lymphatic and unmodeled net fluid absorption.


Evaluation of peritoneal membrane pore models. Pore models of peritoneal fluid and solute transport are reviewed and critiqued. Although several pore models of the peritoneal membrane have been previously formulated, a model containing three distinct pore sizes is required to accurately simulate both the molecular size dependence of solute transport and the time dependence of fluid transport during peritoneal dialysis in man. Nevertheless, certain observations from peritoneal dialysis experiments using animals do not agree with predictions from the three-pore model. These discrepancies suggest that the three-pore model of peritoneal transport based exclusively on capillary physiology is incomplete. Moreover, our inability to accurately estimate peritoneal reflection coefficients for small osmotic solutes questions whether lymph flow rates from the peritoneal cavity calculated using the three-pore model are reliable. Further experimental and theoretical studies are needed to obtain a better understanding of peritoneal transport physiology.


Current trends in the management of invasive bladder cancer. In muscle-invasive bladder cancer, attempts at cure have traditionally involved radical local treatment by either radiotherapy or ablative surgery. However, these treatments have been associated with a high morbidity and have failed to address the problem of subsequent metastatic disease, to which many patients eventually succumb (often within the first 3 years after treatment). Modern imaging techniques have led to much improved staging information, allowing careful selection of patients suitable for radical "curative" treatment; at the same time, patients identified as already having metastatic disease may be spared major surgery that is unlikely to influence the outcome of their disease. Reconstructive surgical techniques are beginning to transform the quality of life for patients offered radical surgery, by avoiding the need for traditional urinary diversion. In addition, the use of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy combined with radical local treatment addresses the problem of micrometastases at diagnosis and offers the prospect of improved survival, although the results of clinical trials are awaited to evaluate this further. Future advances in treatment may be expected to occur as our understanding of the biology of bladder cancer increases. Of particular value will be predictive information about the invasive potential of initially superficial tumours, so that these cases may be targeted for "aggressive" treatment from the outset.


Current trends in the management of localised prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer in the UK is increasing, and the disease is being detected more often in younger patients (e.g. from routine PSA measurement during health-care screening). Left untreated, a significant proportion of patients will undergo progression of their disease locally and/or develop metastases. Modern imaging techniques have greatly aided the assessment of early prostatic cancer, enabling both accurate assessment of the primary tumour and giving valuable information regarding lymph node metastases. PSA measurements are also extremely helpful, and this has replaced acid phosphatase as a marker for prostatic malignancy. Controversy still remains, however, over the best form of management. Radical prostatectomy undoubtedly produces the best results in the literature, but the patients are highly selected (e.g. those with nodal metastases are excluded) and some patients with well differentiated tumours may have been over-treated, as they may have been expected to do well with surveillance alone. Full clinical trials are required in identically staged patients to assess the relative merits of surveillance, radiotherapy and surgery, and this should now be possible with recent advances in imaging techniques.


Extra pyramidal side effects associated with paroxetine. A 29-year-old man admitted to a psychiatric unit was successfully treated for a paranoid psychosis with trifluoperazine. Following reduction of neuroleptic dosage and addition of paroxetine he developed severe extra-pyramidal side effects. These remitted after withdrawal of medication and did not recur following recommencement of trifluoperazine. This is the first report of such a side effect associated with paroxetine use in man.


Perception and awareness of phonemes in phonologically impaired children. Fourteen phonologically impaired children and 14 normally speaking controls were given tests of speech discrimination, in which they had to distinguish between similar phonemes, and tasks of rhyme judgement and matching words on the basis of their initial phoneme, which require the child to identify the same sounds across differing word contexts. Compared to the control group, children with phonological impairment were poor on the phoneme discrimination tasks, but there was wide variation in performance and seven of these children scored near ceiling levels. All children showed some ability to discriminate contrasts they could not produce. Substantial deficits were found in the ability of phonologically impaired children to identify phoneme constancy across differing word contexts. It is difficult to explain such findings in terms of impaired auditory discrimination. Results are discussed in relation to normal phonological development, and it is suggested that phonologically impaired children do not progress to the stage of analysing words at the level of the phoneme.


The effects of speech and language therapy for a case of dysarthria associated with Parkinson's disease. We report the results of a single-subject multiple baseline across behaviours experiment of a 74-year-old woman presenting with Parkinson's disease. Her speech was typical of a hypokinetic dysarthria. The main features of her dysarthric speech were: a restriction in the modulation of fundamental frequency, an inappropriate pitch level and a rate disturbance. Three measures of prosody were operationally defined as follows: (1) linguistic modulation of fundamental frequency, (2) mean fundamental frequency and (3) rate. Treatment focused on ameliorating these aspects employing a multiple baseline design. Measures during and post-therapy documented improvement for each of these three aspects of prosody. Independent judges were also more capable of understanding her speech and her speech prosody after therapy. Upon follow-up measures 10 weeks later, most of the improvement was maintained.


Characteristics of children with specific language impairment attending language units. The characteristics of children with specific language impairment (SLI) attending four language units in the north-west of England are examined. The present study involved 15 children with SLI and two sets of control groups: a same-age group and an MLU-matched group (MLU = mean length of utterance). Results are discussed in terms of the following questions: Do children with SLI attending language units fit the classic definition of SLI? Can children with SLI be categorised as having expressive versus receptive language problems? What other aspects of educational attainment such as reading, maths and science are affected by SLI? The paper ends with implications for future research.


Frozen phonology thawed: the analysis and remediation of a developmental disorder of real word phonology. A 5-year-old boy presented with very deviant phonological production, as well as some delay in acquisition of vocabulary for comprehension. Investigations showed that, in contrast to his very limited phonological system in word production and naming, he was able to repeat a variety of non-words with reasonable accuracy using a variety of syllable structures. A period of therapy aimed at improving his phonological segmentation skills resulted in dramatic improvement in real word production to the same level that he showed with non-words. This improvement was specific to the domain of treatment--real word phonology--demonstrating that the effects were a result of the therapy regimen. The reasons for this dissociation between the phonology of real words and non-words are discussed. It is concluded that the child's pattern of performance is incompatible with theories which assume that a single phonological representation is used both for word recognition and for output. His deficit appears to lie in a failure to update the underlying phonological representations used to drive spoken output as his phonological abilities develop--his lexical phonology was 'frozen'.


Effects of avocado as a source of monounsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipid levels. To examine the effects of avocado on plasma lipid concentrations, a three-diet trial involving 16 healthy volunteers was carried out. A diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids using avocado as their major source (30% of the total energy was consumed as fat: 75% of the total fat from the avocado), with restriction of saturated fats and less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day was evaluated. Subjects also were in a free-diet period with the addition of the same amount of avocado. Finally, volunteers received a low-saturated fat diet without avocado. The first and third diets were designed to simulate a usual diet and volunteers carried on their normal activities during the trial, only the three daily meals were eaten in our clinical unit. Diets lasted 2 weeks and they were assigned in a randomized order. In both rich-monounsaturated fat (RMF) and low-saturated fat (LSF) diets, there were similar reductions in the plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after 2 weeks of the LSF and free monounsaturated-enriched (FME) diets. The plasma triacyglycerol levels lessened after RMF and FME diets, while LSF diet increased them. In total cholesterol and in low-lipoprotein cholesterol levels, there were statistically significant differences between the FME and the LSF diet periods. Avocado is an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acid in diets designed to avoid hyperlipidemia without the undesirable effects of low-saturated fat diets on HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations.


Ferruginous bodies in cases with occupational and non-occupational exposure to inorganic dusts. A study with 40 matched cases. In this study we evaluated the usefulness of ferruginous bodies (FB) quantification in lung digest and histologic sections from 40 patients with a history of exposure to inorganic dusts. The patients were matched with 40 cases without occupational exposure. The samples of peripheral lung tissue were digested and all FB were quantified. Lung sections were also evaluated in order to confirm the presence of FB. The concentrations of FB in the patients were higher than the controls (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001). The patients group showed a median concentration of 194.5 FB/g of dry lung tissue (FB/g) vs. 34.0 FB/g in the controls. Seventy percent of the patients had more than 100 FB/g vs. 27.5% in the controls cases. Pneumoconiosis was diagnosed in 19 patients, 17 had FB/g above 100 and only 4 were positive to FB in lung sections. We can conclude that lung digest and FB counts help to confirm exposures to inorganic dusts above the background values found in the general population. FB counts can help when the clinical file does not confirm the exposure.


Isolated congenital heart defects in first degree relatives of 185 affected children. Prospective study in Mexico City. Parents (n = 355) and siblings (n = 313) of 185 index cases (IC) with congenital heart disease (CHD) were cardiologically evaluated. In the consecutive sample (2 years) Mendelian and chromosome syndromes were excluded. Four patients and nine siblings had CHD. The frequency of affection in siblings was 2.6% (8 in 313 siblings). All affected relatives are under medical care at the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS. In 10 of the 12 affected relatives found, the type of CHD was discordant from that of the IC. Discordance was found also in 9 of 36 IC with two or more CHD. An interpretation is given: if the mutated gene(s) has its effect in early embryological stages, affected relatives may have any type of CHD, but if the alteration occurs later, concordance is expected to be found. This model contributes also in explaining the remarkable genetic heterogeneity that exists in CHD.


Local recurrence of rectal adenocarcinoma following preoperative radiation therapy and surgery. An important therapeutic endpoint of the surgical treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma is to obtain local control. In an attempt to enhance this goal, we started a regimen of treatment consisting of preoperative radiation therapy (PRT), 45 Gy in 5 weeks, followed by surgery 4-6 weeks after termination of the PRT. Depending on the local characteristics of the tumor, either an abdominoperineal resection (APR), a posterior pelvic exenteration (PPE), and a total pelvic exenteration (TPE) were performed. All patients found with distant metastasis were excluded from this study. There were 66 patients: 40 males and 26 females. Fifty six underwent an APR, six a PPE, and four a TPE. Their median age was 56 years. Major complications were intraoperative bleeding (15%); perineal wound infection (21%); abdominal wound infection (9%). Five patients (7.5%) died within 30 days of surgery; two after APR, two after PPE and one after TPE. Median follow-up is 60 months. The overall local recurrence rate is 9.8%. Recurrences related to the Astler-Coller modification of Dukes' stage were 0/21 in A or B1, but 6/40 (15%) when the stages were B2, B3, C1, C2 and C3. In conclusion, we found this treatment approach effective in obtaining local control of the rectal adenocarcinoma and comparable to the results of other series. However, it was associated with significant morbidity and mortality.


Changes of energetic value and protein level of rumen content in sheep fed with stuff with livex and blood meal supplementation. The aim of studies was to determine the influence of Wrocław product from blood--brown, dried livex (modified by whey) and blood meal, which were added to sheep forage, on energetic value and protein, also volatile fatty acids (VFA) levels in rumen content of these animals. The samples of rumen content for determination of the three parameters mentioned above were taken 2.5 hrs after finished morning feeding. The addition of livex and blood meal to forage was 2%. When two non-conventional diet supplements were used in vivo, there was observed significant inhibitory influence of livex on methane level among rumen gases, amounting to 38.9% in sheep and increase in protein amount of about 25.92% (for blood meal these values were: 5.6% and 7.4%, respectively). In connection with that, energy of rumen content was higher by about 22.22% in group of sheep fed with stuff with livex addition and by about 7.41% in group fed forage with blood meal addition. The using of livex as an addition to fodder caused increase of the rumen fermentation efficiency and also regulation of non-glucogenic ratio of volatile fatty acids.


Investigation of usefulness of electroreticulograms obtained from the sheep body surface in estimation of reticulum electrical activity. The experiments were carried out on 3 sheep with one pair of platinum electrodes chronically implanted in the reticulum wall. The reticulum action potentials were recorded simultaneously from the body surface (using the needle electrodes placed subcutaneously) and from the implanted electrodes using an electroencephalograph Reega XVI Duplex TR. It was found that the two- or three-phase deflections on the electroreticulograms obtained from the body surface were exactly correlated with the series of potential spikes on the records from the implanted electrodes. The number of phases in each deflection was equal to the number of the series of potential spikes during the reticulum excitation. During the reticulum hypotony the decrease in action potentials was observed. That is why we were not able to record the electrical activity from the body surface, while it was still possible to record electroreticulograms from the implanted electrodes.


The effect of calcium ions on the intensity of peroxidation processes and the severity of ethanol-induced injury to the rat's gastric mucosa. The effects of verapamil (Isoptin Knoll) and calcium glubionate (Calcium Polfa) were studied on the generation of free radicals and activity of anti-oxidant enzymes in rat's gastric mucosa following the oral administration of 50% ethyl alcohol. Ethanol in this concentration caused injury to gastric mucosa as well increased the levels of peroxidation products (malonyl dialdehyde, hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes); at the same time a decreased enzyme activity was observed (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase). Verapamil administered before ethanol increased the ulcerogenic activity of alcohol, increased the activity of the studied antioxidant enzymes (except catalase) and caused the decrease in the levels of peroxidation products in gastric mucosa. Calcium glubionate increased the enzyme activity and showed some protective effect on gastric mucosa.


The role of selected biochemical components of equine seminal plasma in determining suitability for deep-freezing. Experiments conducted on the freezability of 400 ejaculates collected from 64 stallions demonstrate the possibility of predicting the semen's ability to withstand the freezing/thawing process. If the sperm concentration, AspAT activity and total protein content in the seminal plasma of raw ejaculates are determined before freezing, the effects of freezing may be forecast in about 80% of the ejaculates.


Cytoarchitecture of the paracervical ganglion (Frankenhauser) of pig. Employing different histochemical methods, the morphology of the paracervical (Frankenhauser) ganglion is described in sexually immature pigs. The bilateral ganglion of an elongated shape is situated on both sides of the ventro-lateral surface of the cervical and vaginal wall in the proximity of their junction, lying under the serous membrane. Three main groups of cells have been identified and described, namely: principal cells, SIF cells and satellite cells. It has been determined that some of these cells contain noradrenaline, others, however, acetylcholinesterase. The paracervical ganglion is most likely the main source of supplying the vagina, cervix, uterine corpus and partly its horns with postganglionic adrenergic fibers.


The influence of Ambroxol on peroxidative processes in lung and plasma in dogs after pulmonectomy. The purpose of the studies was to determine the effect of Ambroxol on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and on the glutathione level as well as the intensity of the peroxidative processes in the lung tissue, alveolar macrophages and plasma in dogs after unilateral pulmonectomy. On the 2nd and 6th day after the surgery the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the glutathione level were studied in the remaining lung. The levels of the lipid peroxidation products were determined in the analogous system. In both examined groups the increase in the antioxidant enzyme activity and the lipid peroxidation product levels was observed in the remaining lung after the surgery. In Ambroxol-treated animals the statistically significant increase in the antioxidant enzyme activity was noted while the intensity of peroxidative processes was found to be lower. This fact may suggest that Ambroxol stimulates the resistance of the lung tissue to the free radical activity and inhibits the lung peroxidative processes in dogs after pulmonectomy.


Seasonal variations of antipyrine pharmacokinetics parameters in calves. In the experiment the values of parameters of antipyrine kinetics were defined (Vd - volume of distribution, t0.5 - half-life, CA - metabolic clearance) in calves in January, April, July and October 1986 and in January and July 1987. Statistically significant increase of distribution volume and increase of hepatic antipyrine clearance were recorded, as well as significant shortening of half-life of this substance in the organism of tested animals in summer 1986 and 1987, compared with the remaining seasons of the year. Antipyrine pharmacokinetics in winter, spring, autumn 1986 and winter 1986/87 did not differ significantly.


Effect of LH and prolactin on steroid secretion by perifused luteal tissue from pregnant gilts with induced hypoprolactinemia or after passive immunoneutralization of LH. The study was performed using luteal tissue obtained from 24 pregnant gilts. Group I was treated with bromocriptine (BR) from 37th to 42nd day of gestation. Group II was treated with homologous anti-pLH serum from 37th to 42nd day of pregnancy. Group III was given BR from 67th to 72nd day of gestation. Group IV received anti-pLH serum from 67th to 72nd day of pregnancy. The effect of exogenous LH or prolactin (100 ng/ml) on secretion of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) by luteal tissue was studied using perifusion technique. Prolactin caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in P4 secretion by luteal tissue from gilts in groups I and IV. Both LH and prolactin decreased (P < 0.05) estradiol secretion by luteal tissue obtained from gilts from group IV. Luteinizing hormone stimulated (P < 0.05) P4 and E2 secretion by luteal tissue from gilts from groups IV and II, respectively. The results demonstrate that both LH and prolactin have a regulatory role in steroid secretion by luteal tissue of gilts in the mid- and late periods of pregnancy.


Pharmacokinetics of antipyrine in calves during first 35 days of life. The experiment was carried out on 10 bull-calves of black-white breed, aged 2-35 days. The following parameters of antipyrine pharmacokinetics were determined: Vd - volume of distribution, t0.5 - biological half-life, CA - metabolic clearance. It has been shown statistically that the volume of antipyrine distribution (expressed in 1/kg) was significantly decreasing with age of examined animals. The antipyrine half-life proved to be the longest on the 20th day of calves' life and the shortest on the 10th and 30th day. The maximum values of metabolic clearance of antipyrine were observed in calves aged 10 days and the minimum ones in animals aged 20 days. In the cases of t0.5 and CA a tendency to changes of values of these parameters of antipyrine pharmacokinetics in 10 days periods was observed.


The changes in bile flow and its composition in sheep following liver damage by carbon tetrachloride. Sheep were prepared surgically in a manner permitting the measurement of bile flow by preserving its enterohepatic circulation. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was administered intraruminally in a dose 0.5 ml/kg b.w. After CCl4 administration a decrease in bile flow and bile acid excretion was observed. The decrease in bile flow observed after CCl4 administration was lower than the decrease in bile acid output. Thus it can be suggested that in this condition the effects of bile acid output on the bile secretion can be partially abolished and maintaining of relatively high bile flow is connected with an increase in the bile acid-independent bile flow. The increase of the bilirubin concentration in bile was observed after acute liver damage by carbon tetrachloride.


Prospective endoscopic study of duodenal ulcer in Zimbabwean Blacks. One thousand seven hundred and fourteen Black Zimbabwean patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Demographic details of the patients were analysed. A randomly chosen cohort of 50 patients with duodenal ulceration was compared to age and sex matched controls regarding lifestyle and H. pylori infection. Five hundred and sixteen patients had active duodenal ulcers, giving a crude prevalence rate of ulceration of 456 per 100,000 new hospital cases. There is a difference from the disease in Western countries in several respects. The incidence appears to be increasing in Zimbabwe. There was no significant difference between ulcer patients and controls in their association with alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, urban residence and salicylate ingestion (p > 0.1), Ulceration was most strongly associated with H pylori gastritis compared to control (p < 0.001). Duodenal ulceration was most prevalent in the 21 to 30 year age group. The overall male to female ratio was 4.7:1. A significant proportion of patients had persistence of ulceration after a standard course of Cimetidine. Pain did not always correlate with presence or absence of ulcers.


Booked and unbooked mothers delivering at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe: a comparison of maternal characteristics and foetal outcome. This study was prompted by the poor maternal and foetal outcome at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe, in unbooked mothers compared to women who had booked for antenatal care. Comparison was made of 195 recently delivered unbooked mothers with 196 booked mothers. Unbooked mothers were significantly more likely to be younger, of lower parity, be single, have lower socio-economic status, live in or migrate from rural areas, be uneducated and have an unwanted pregnancy. Their infants were significantly more likely to preterm and/or of low birth weight and had a higher perinatal mortality. The major reasons cited by the women for not booking were lack of money and delivery occurring before the intended time of booking. Discussion focuses on how to improve outcome in unbooked mothers.