[Therapy of juvenile iron deficiency with bivalent iron dragees (Fe2-fumarate, succinate, sulfate). Controlled double-blind study]

In 53 children with moderate iron deficiency (haemoglobin 7,5 to 12 g/dl) divalent iron salts as tablets (59Fe2+-fumarate, -succinate, -sulfate) were tested versus placebo (controlled double-blind study). Gastrointestinal side effects were most frequently seen with iron succinate (50%) and iron sulfate (25%). Therapeutic success as measured by haemoglobin regeneration was not significantly different among the three iron salts, but significantly more effective than in the placebo group. Children beyond the age of two years mostly refused the application of tablets and should be supplied with liquid preparations.

A double-blind trial of a zinc sulphate/citrate complex and tetracycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris

Forty-eight patients participated in a 3-month double-blind study to compare the effect of orally administered zinc sulphate/citrate complex and tetracycline hydrochloride in acne vulgaris. Tetracycline significantly reduced the overall grade, and the number of non-inflamed lesions, papules and pustules by the third month. It also reduced significantly the non-inflamed lesions and papules at the end of the second month. In contrast, zinc therapy only had a significant effect on the pustules at the third month. The results indicate that tetracycline is far superior to the zinc complex in patients with moderately severe acne.

Medicinal iron to low birth weight infants

Serum ferritin concentrations were measured during the first 6 months of life in 28 low birth weight infants (mean birth weight 1820 g range 900-2460; mean gestational age 34 weeks range 29-37) fed a standard formula fortified with ferrous sulphate. Fifteen of the infants received supplementary medicinal iron (ferrous succinate) from 3 weeks of age, and 13 only from 2 months of age. All were given vitamin E from 10 days of age. The serum ferritin values did not differ between the groups at 1-2 days, 8-10 weeks or at 6 months. Furthermore, there were no signs of hyperhaemolysis at 8-10 weeks in the group receiving medicinal iron early. The data indicate that the iron content in the formula is sufficient until 2 months of age, but also that thereis no disadvantage in starting medicinal iron at 3 weeks of age, if the diet is sufficient in vitamin E.

[Diplostomiasis in fishes in lake farms and the ways for its control]

Diplostomosis is the most common disease affecting Coregonidae in lakes of Karelia where intensive fish farming is conducted. The most acute form of diplostomosis, cercariosis, is especially dangerous for larvae introduced into small water bodies. Depending on a season or weather conditions a shift in the infection rate of fishes with metacercariae takes place. Some ways for diplostomatosis prophylaxis are being suggested. Relatively shallow lakes with low miniralisation of water of sulphate type have been found to be most suitable for Coregonidae nurseries. The very specificity of the intensive use of lakes for fish farming offers possibilities for diplostomosis development. In lakes-nurseries with a regulated water regime the abundance of Lymnaeidae can be reduced by winter draining off the water. The chemical control of mollusks, local use of copper sulphate, is also possible under lake conditions.

Alleviation of fluorine toxicity in starting turkeys and chicks with aluminum

Aluminum (Al) compounds were evaluated as fluorine (F) toxicity alleviators in starting broiler chicks and turkeys. Added F levels from NaF ranged from 0 to 1000 ppm, whereas Al levels varied from 0 to 800 ppm. Al was fed either as Al2O3 or Al2 (SO4)3.18H2O. When fed as the sulphate salt, 800 ppm of Al completely prevented the toxic effect of at least 1000 ppm of F. Al2O3 was not effective as an alleviator of fluorine toxicity. When the mode of action of Al2(SO4)3.18H2O against F toxicity was studied in colostomized turkeys it was apparent that F absorption occurred but was probably less efficient than previously reported in ruminants. Al significantly (P less than .05) reduced F absorption in turkeys. Urinary F levels were: 2.4 ppm in birds fed a control diet (26 ppm F), 17.8 ppm in birds fed a diet with 1000 ppm F, and 6.7 ppm in birds fed the high F diet with 800 ppm Al as the sulphate salt. In addition, data from this study indicated that starting broiler chicks were more tolerant (800 ppm F) than starting turkeys (600 ppm F) to fluorine toxicosis.

Comparative clinical evaluation of two salts of quinidine using 24-hour Holter monitor recordings

In 13 patients admitted to a coronary care unit, antiarrhythmic efficacy and safety of quinidine gluconate in a nonmatrix formulation were compared to placebo and quinidine sulfate. Both quinidine preparations were effective in reducing the number and severity of ventricular and supraventricular extrasystoles when compared to placebo. Except for a few cases in which quinidine gluconate was significantly more effective, both quinidine preparations appear to have similar clinical antiarrhythmic efficacy and duration of action. A 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring device and electrocardioscanner were utilized in this research. No major unexpected adverse effects were observed.

Does increased gastric mucus play a role in the ulcer-protecting effects of zinc sulphate?

Zinc sulphate pretreatment i.p. produces dose-related reductions in stess ulcer incidence in pylorus-occluded rats. The associated increases in gastric wall mucus, in stressed and nonstressed animals, suggest that a similar effect may contribute to its ulcer-reducing ability in man.