[Disturbance of micturition, a harmless side effect of subdural regional anesthesia?]

The authors report on a disturbance of micturition following spinal anaesthesia which due to improper treatment took two months to resolve. The neurological status showed failures which were due both to the anaesthesia (irritation of root in the S 4 and S 5 regions by the spinal needle and action of the local anaesthetic agent) and to the surgery of a relapsing inguinal hernia (irritation existed, we could not exclude the possibility that the primary disturbance of bladder emptying was due to the anaesthesia and not to the surgical procedure of a possible mental component. In any case, the long-term atony resulting from the basically harmless handicap - even requiring placement of a suprapubic bladder fistula - could have been avoided if the postsurgical treatment had been conducted properly and in accordance with good medical practice.

[Therapy of conventionally uncontrollable hyperhydration with hemofiltration]

The authors report on three extracorporal methods for treating pulmonary hyperhydration which cannot be managed by drugs or respiratory measures. Of these three extracorporal treatment methods, mechanical haemofiltration (MHF) and pump-driven haemofiltration or ultrafiltration (PHF and PUF, respectively) require complicated equipment which can be operated only by personnel well-trained in extracorporal treatment methods. On the other hand, the third method can be handled even in intensive-care wards not equipped with dialysis facilities and which are not able to operate on a mechanical basis: This method is represented by the technique of continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration (CAVH), utilising relatively low doses of heparin so that the method can also be employed on freshly operated patients and accident victims. Although all treatment facilities are available in the authors' hospital, the CAVH method is employed in specific cases, since it places least stress on circulation provided accurate balance of fluid turnover thus achieved is secured.

Sulfonyliminoimidazolidines. A new class of oral hypoglycemic agents. 1. 1-[[p-[2-(acylamino)ethyl]phenyl]sulfonyl]-2-iminoimidazolidines

A series of 1-[[p-[2-(acylamino)ethyl]phenyl]sulfonyl]-2-iminoimidazolidines has been synthesized. Compounds from this new class of oral hypoglycemic agents lower blood glucose in normal and in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Potent analogues were obtained by modification of the acyl residue. 1-[[p-[2-(Crotonylamino)ethyl]phenyl]-sulfonyl]-3-cyclohexyl-2-iminoimidazolidine (44) turned out to be the most potent compound in the normal rat (20 times tolbutamide), and 1-[[p-[2-(5-methylisoxazole-3-carboxamido)ethyl]phenyl]sulfonyl]-3-cyclohexyl-2-imino-imidazolidine (30) displayed the highest potency in the diabetic rat (similar to phenformin).

Influence of selective vs. panel chemistry tests on cost and diagnostic time

In the present economy, much concern has been focused on the cost and medical efficacy of laboratory tests being performed. This study examined the difference in laboratory costs associated with physician's use of selective vs. panel chemistries and the frequency of inefficient use of laboratory tests. A determination of the difference in the average number of laboratory visits needed to reach diagnosis associated with the use of these two test methods was made. The study was conducted at a 270-bed community hospital in suburban New York, where the physicians are free to choose selective and/or panel chemistries. Random selection of 200 outpatient records revealed that three types of ordering patterns existed: panels, selective, and a combination of the two. Of the three, panel testing resulted in substantially lower costs and fewer return visits to the laboratory than either selective or mixed (combination of selective and panel) testing.

Chicken ribosomal DNA: gene frequency and purification by R-loop hybridization

The genes for ribosomal RNA of chicken are present in about 200--240 copies per haploid genome. The ribosomal genes were separated from the bulk of DNA by different methods. In CsCl-actinomycin D gradients the GC-rich ribosomal DNA is shifted to the lower density side of the bulk of DNA. After hybridization with iodinated ribosomal RNA under conditions where R-loops are formed ribosomal DNA has an increased density. The R-loops can be separated from the bulk of DNA in Cs2-SO4 gradients.

[Haemodialysis in acute renal failure; technique and surveillance (author's transl)]

Access to the blood stream for haemodialysis is generally via an arterio-venous shunt. Experience has shown that the introduction of two Shaldon catheters (with a modified Seldinger technique) into the upper caval system does not require special surgical knowledge and shortens and simplifies the preparations for haemodialysis in acute renal failure. As the catheters can easily be changed over guide wires, correction of obstructions and bacteriological examinations of the catheter tips do not present a problem. There were no complications. With this simplified access the acute stage of renal failure can be bridged for up to 6--8 weeks. The diameter of the catheters ensures an adequate flow of 150--200 ml/min. In vitro tests with a modified catheter (not yet available commercially) established 1. that the flow rate could be increased by 45 percent without altering the pressure of the return flow, and 2. that its use did not increase the rate of haemolysis. Incorrect placing of the catheters--the venous limb should be higher, i.e. nearer the heart, than the "arterial" catheter--may raise the re-circulating fraction by 6--18 percent. Since heparinization is necessary for haemodialysis but carries the grave risk of haemorrhages, espeically in the patients of an intensive care unit, it is essential to provide the means for estimating partial thromboplastin time at the bed side. This allows the heparin doses to be sufficiently reduced to obviate haemorrhage during and after haemodialysis.

[Protein screening in wheat and broad bean specimens in Gatersleben]

Actually and in future times plant proteins will constitute the main and primary source of proteins in animal feeding and human alimentation. Therefore, the main efforts to resolve the world nutrition problems are focused on the increase of the protein production and the improvement of the nutritional quality of plant seed proteins. In this regard plant breeding occupies one of the most important strategic positions. With the aim of selecting forms with elevated grain protein content and improved protein quality the systematic screening of collections of wild forms and cultivated cereals and leguminoses constitutes a pre-requisite of successful breeding work in relation to the above-mentioned task. In 1970 the Central Institute of Genetics and Investigation of Cultivated Plants at Gatersleben, GDR, belonging to the Academy of Sciences, started a systematic protein screening with about 10000 wheat, 6500 barley and 450 broad bean specimens, which are parts of the World Collection of Cultivated Plants at this institute. Protein determination was performed by the traditional KJELDAHL-method. Limiting amino acids, essentially lysin from cereal grains, were estimated by automatic ion exchange technique. The annual analytic capacity amounted to 6000 to 8000 samples. First results and problems of wheat- and broad bean-screening are reported in the present publication.