Correlation of intrahepatic pressure with collagen in the Disse space and hepatomegaly in humans and in the rat

In 70 alcoholic patients the amount of collagen in the space of Disse was compared, using an electron microscopic graded score, to the height of the intrahepatic pressure. A highly significant correlation was found between the amount of collagen and intrahepatic pressure in the group as a whole (r = 0.84; p < 10(-6)), as well as in subgroups of 30 alcoholic patients with normal livers or steatosis (r = 0.83; p < 10(-6)), 9 patients with alcoholic hepatitis (r = 0.81; p < 0.01), and 31 with cirrhosis (r = 0.86; p < 10(-6)). A nonparametric correlational analysis for the complete group also showed a significant relationship (rho = 0.85; p < 10(-6)) between collagen scores and intrahepatic pressure. In 60 patients hepatocyte surface area was measured in the biopsies. In these, hepatocyte surface area significantly correlated with intrahepatic pressure (r = 0.68; p < 10(-7)). No correlation was found between intrahepatic pressure and fat, alcoholic hyalin, or terminal hepatic vein sclerosis. Only with necrosis (r = 0.38; p < 0.001) and inflammation (r = 0.29; p < 0.05) was there a significant relationship with intrahepatic pressure. Chronic ethanol administration for 4 wk in liquid diets to young Wistar rats produced a 50% hepatomegaly due to an increase in hepatocyte size. Intrahepatic pressure in the rats receiving alcohol (19.3 +/- 2.3 mmHg) was significantly higher than in the controls on sucrose (10.4 +/- 0.9 mmHg) (p < 0.01). A highly significant correlation was found between hepatocyte surface area and intrahepatic pressure (r = 0.70; p < 0.005). There was no increase in collagen in the Disse space in these animals. Therefore, hepatomegaly in the absence of an increase in collagen in the Disse space may result in increased intrahepatic pressure. These studies may indicate a sequence of events: hepatomegaly, portal hypertension, and collagenization in the Disse space, which could occur in alcoholic liver disease.

Effects of blood glucose levels on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage

In female rats aspirin-induced gastrin mucosal damage was increased and glycoprotein synthesis decreased by fasting and by insulin administration. Glucose added to the drinking water during the fasting period reduced mucosal damage and increased glycoprotein synthesis to control levels. Alloxan diabetes did not affect mucosal damage or glycoprotein synthesis. Alloxan diabetes plus insulin restored blood glucose levels to normal, and susceptibility to aspirin damage and glycoprotein synthesis were also normal. Alloxan diabetes plus fasting restored blood glucose levels to normal but increased aspirin-induced mucosal damage and reduced glycoprotein synthesis. In vitro incubation of gastric mucosal homogenates showed that diburyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline inhibited glycoprotein synthesis but dibutyryl cyclic GMP had no significant effects. The importance of an adequate supply of glucose to the gastric mucosa and the effects of cyclic nucleotides on glycoprotein synthesis are discussed.

Effects of fasting, stress and drugs on gastric glycoprotein synthesis in the rat

1 The relationship between gastric mucosal damage and synthesis of gastric glycoproteins, as measured by the rate of incorporation of N-acetyl-[3H]glucosamine, was investigated in rats after fasting and restraint stress and a single administration of aspirin (200 mg/kg, orally), phenylbutazone (200 mg/kg, orally), prednisolone (200 mg/kg, orally), or adrenaline (2 mg/kg, i.p.). In one experiment, the effects of aspirin and phenylbutazone on carbohydrate content of the glycoproteins were also determined. 2 Restraint stress, phenylbutazone and aspirin resulted in acute gastric mucosal erosions in some of the rats. Adrenaline produced severe sub-mucosal haemorrhage, but no erosions or ulceration, while prednisolone and fasting gave no gross pathology. 3 The rate of incorporation of N-acetyl-[3H]glucosamine into glycoproteins was decreased after all treatments except adrenaline. In the groups receiving restraint stress, aspirin or phenylbutazone, the decreases were more marked in rats which developed erosions than in those with no gastric pathology. 4 Aspirin and phenylbutazone also produced changes in the carbohydrate content of the glycoproteins, the effects again being greater in the rats which developed erosions. 5 The results are discussed in the context of a possible association between erosion formation and glycoprotein synthesis and it is proposed that inhibition of mucus glycoprotein biosynthesis may be one mode of action of stress and drugs in causing gastric mucosal damage.

Ward design in relation to postoperative wound infection: 3

The wound infection rates, nasal carriage rates, and nasal colonization rates were studied in a recently built surgical unit for two years when it was first opened. Five years later a further two-year period of study was undertaken.Judging by the incidence of postoperative wound infection, as far as both Staphylococcus pyogenes and Gram-negative organisms are concerned, there is no evidence that the environment has become less safe with use over the seven-year period since opening.

Discoid lupus erythematosus, fatty infiltration of liver (alcoholic) and porphyria

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Isolation of herpes virus from erythema multiforme

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Studies with rubella vaccine (RA 27-3) using the subcutaneous and intranasal routes

Two trials were carried out with Wistar RA 27/3 live attenuated rubella vaccine. Five of six seronegative girls in a boarding school gave a positive serological response after subcutaneous administration of vaccine. Mild clinical reactions occurred following vaccination. Susceptible contacts showed no clinical or serological reaction.

Vaccine was administered intranasally to a group of boys in another boarding school. All 3 vaccinated seronegative boys developed antibody whereas the 4 vaccinated seropositive boys showed no significant alteration in antibody titre. Four susceptible contacts received a placebo but did not develop antibodies. Virus was recovered from all virus-vaccinated seronegative boys but not from seropositive nor placebo-vaccinated boys. No clinical reactions were reported.

Changes from high potassium (hk) to low potassium (lk) in bovine red cells

Red cells of newborn calves contain 105-110 mmole K(+) and 1-5 mmole Na(+) per liter of cells. As the animals age the K(+) content decreases to a value of 25-30 mmole/liter of cells after about 60 days. At approximately the same time, the sodium content reaches a value of 60-70 mmole/liter. The time required for half change (t((1/2))) is 35-37 days for both Na(+) and K(+). The activity of (Na + K)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and the influx of K(42) and Rb(86) into the red cells are high at birth and are reduced to 5 and 15% of their original values, respectively, in mature animals. t((1/2)) for both is of the order of 30-35 days. The membrane Mg-ATPase activity is also high at birth and is reduced with a t((1/2)) of 28-32 days to a final value of about 20% of its activity at birth. Separation of red cells according to their age showed that, in animals at the age of transition, newly formed red cells contain a higher K/Na ratio and a higher active transport capacity than older red cells of the same animal. It is suggested that the changes observed are a reflection of the average age of the red cell population as the animal grows.

Erythrodermic psoriasis with corneal ulcers and ophthalmological sequelae

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