[Thermographic thorax diagnostics]

Among several variants of devices the infra-red thermography has obtained a wide technical perfection allowing to measure the thermal energy emitted from the body surface without contact, quickly and dynamically, and to produce a picture for analysis. Since numerous functional and pathophysiological proceedings are connected with changes of temperature, the use of thermography for diagnosis of processes near the body surface may be recommended. Based on thermic observations in 63 patients and a control experiment in 15 persons, experiences with the thermography in the diagnosis of diseases, which are localized more profoundly in the thoracic cavity, were reported.

[Mode of action and inhibition of polygalacturonase covalently bound to polysaccharide and glass carriers]

Endo-polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15.) from Aspergillus spec. is much changed as far as its mode of action and the interaction with vegetable inhibitors of pectinase (from green beans and cucumbers) are concerned when it is covalently bound to insoluble carriers (Sepharose, cellulose powder, macroporous glass and nonporous ballotinis). Whereas a 2% degradation of substrate by the soluble enzyme caused a 50% decrease of viscosity of citrus pectic acid, the comparable degradation of substrate was increased to a level of about 10% with the investigated polygalacturonase carrier complexes apparently independent of the properties of the carriers and the kind of binding of the enzyme. In contrast to this the higher degradation of substrate of 15 and 20% respectively which was further stated at a 50% decrease of viscosity is unambiguously connected with the carriers and is in direct correlation with the specific activity of the polygalacturonase carrier complexes. Contrary to the soluble enzyme the covalently bound enzyme produces more lower oligomerous galacturonic acids by an exo-mechanism or by multiple attack already at the beginning of the hydrolysis of pectic acid. During the final stage there is an enrichment of trigalacturonic acid besides mono- and digalacturonic acids independent of the state of solution of the enzyme. It could further be stated that the strong inhibition of the soluble endo-polygalacturonase by selected pectinase inhibitors which was described earlier is reduced by degrees with the enzyme covalently bound to the insoluble carriers.

Hemoglobin F Koelliker (alpha2 minus 141 (HC 3) Arg gamma2); a modification of fetal hemoglobin

An electrophoretically HbA-like hemoglobin component is produced in increasing amounts during storage in hemolysate preparations from macerated tissue (liver, kidney, spleen) of fetuses. Within twenty four hours after hemolysate preparation the "fast moving" fraction increases up to 40 per cent of total hemoglobin, while the concentration of HbA remains constant (5 - 7%) in hemolysates obtained from peripheral blood of the same donor individuals. By structural studies (fingerprint and aminoacid analysis) the HbA-like component was identified as an artefact of HbF, characterized by the absence of the C-terminal arginine of the alpha chains. From experimental data it is concluded, that the break down product results from a digestion of HbF by carboxypeptidase B, the enzyme being released from the macerated tissues. Analogous to a modification of HbA, i.e. Hb Koelliker (alpha2 minus 141 Arg beta2), the structure of the degradation product of HbF is alpha2 minus 141 Arg gamma2 (HbF Koelliker).

[Aspects of the risk-free use of micro-catheterization in 3342 examinations]

The microcatheterization for purpose of sounding of the right heart has proved itself in the prediagnostics of vitia cordis, for verification of the latent cor pulmonale, especially in combination with the bicycle ergometer load, and in the intensive medicine in the permanent measurement of the pressure of the pulmonary artery. The method gives the advantage of the frequent reproducibility and at the same time uncomplicated usability. In 3,342 microcatheter investigations only eight complications appeared (0.24% of the cases). Practical methodical references are given and possibilities of error in registering the pressure are indicated.

Enhanced pulmonary toxicity with bleomycin and radiotherapy in oat cell lung cancer

In a recently completed study, combination chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine was given to 29 patients with oat cell lung cancer. There were no cases of pulmonary fibrosis in these 29 patients. Although several of these patients had prior radiotherapy, none had concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This same four-drug chemotherapy regimen was combined with concomitant radiotherapy in 13 patients with oat cell lung cancer. There were three cases of fatal pulmonary fibrosis and two other cases of clinically significant pulmonary fibrosis. All five cases of pulmonary fibrosis occurred several weeks after completion of a six-week course of bleomycin (total dosage 90 units). It is concluded that bleomycin cannot be safely administered while patients are receiving radiotherapy to the lung.

[Relation between manifest bronchial obstruction and bronchial hyperreactivity (author's transl)]

Based on the inquiry of 252 patients an investigation was carried out concerning the frequency of manifest bronchial obstruction in dependence on the bronchial hyperreactivity. Patients with bronchial hyperreactivity showed more frequently with a high significance as well a decrease in the FEV1 as an increase of resistance. Therefore in dependence on the occurrence of a manifest bronchial obstruction also the probability of a simultaneous presence of bronchial hyperreactivity increases. The results are important for understanding the functional dynamics of the bronchopulmonary system, especially the evocation of dyspnea by irritation of the respiratory tract.

Oat cell carcinoma of the lung. Early treatment results of combination radiation therapy and chemotherapy

Since August 1974, 50 patients with histologically proven oat cell carcinoma of the lung were treated at Indiana University Hospitals with a combination of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, BCG immunotherapy, and radiation therapy to the primary lung tumor and whole brain. Twenty-nine patients are eligible for a 6-month follow-up and are included in this report. All 29 patients responded to therapy; 12 patients (41%) had a minimum of 50% reduction in tumor mass and 17 patients (59%) had complete clinical remission of disease. Eight (38%) of the 29 patients have remained in complete remission from 6 to 14 months, and 90% of the patients survived a minimum of 6 months. This represents a considerable improvement in survival rates over what had been obtained at Indiana University Hospitals previously.

Enhanced pulmonary toxicity with bleomycin and radiotherapy in oat cell lung cancer

In a recently completed study, combination chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine was given to 29 patients with oat cell lung cancer. There were no cases of pulmonary fibrosis in these 29 patients. Although several of these patients had prior radiotherapy, none had concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This same four-drug chemotherapy regimen was combined with concomitant radiotherapy in 13 patients with oat cell lung cancer. There were three cases of fatal pulmonary fibrosis and two other cases of clinically significant pulmonary fibrosis. All five cases of pulmonary fibrosis occurred several weeks after completion of a six-week course of bleomycin (total dosage 90 units). It is concluded that bleomycin cannot be safely administered while patients are receiving radiotherapy to the lung.

[Demonstration of a non-invasive measurement of the heart minute volume]

With the help of a rapidly indicating oxygen gas analyser and the additional use of the rerespiration of a gas mixture, containing nitrogen and carbon dioxide, we succeed in analysing the partial oxygen pressure in the mixed venous blood and thus establishing non-operatively the minute output of the heart according to Fick's principle.

[Clinical-pharmacological studies on the effect of mephentermin and methamphetamine on the hemodynamics of the lung circulation]

In haemodynamic investigations of altogether 40 male probands with normal and restricted functional capacity of the lungs the result of an intravenous injection of mephentermine (30 mg) or methamphetamine (15 mg) was a transient increase of the mean pressure in the pulmonary artery and of the resistance of the pulmonary vessels. Temporarily parallel the arterial mean pressure and the resistance of the vessels in the greater circulatory system in most cases increased by about the same, in healthy persons after application of methamphetamine by a smaller relative amount. In the dosage used the vasoconstrictive effect of methamphetamine was altogether only somewhat more expressed. At the time of the maximum increase of the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery in healthy persons methamphetamine had a negative chronotropic and inotropic effect. It is referred to practical therapeutic consequences.