Technetium 99m-DTPA microcapsules: a new preparation for gastric emptying studies

Technetium 99m-DTPA microcapsules have been developed to measure gastric emptying. Such capsules not only provide high labeling efficiency in vitro, but demonstrate limited dissociation in vivo, resulting in decreased error during measurement. In normal control subjects, the half-life ranged from 40 to 80 minutes under the aforementioned conditions.

[Combination of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery in rectal cancer--an analysis of 128 patients]

The results of 128 patients with rectal cancer treated by the combination of surgery, preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy from June 1975 to December 1979 are reported and compared with those by operation alone. The 5 year survival rates of the different groups were: 69.5% (16/23) for radical surgery plus preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy (RRCG), 56% (14/25) for radical surgery plus preoperative radiotherapy, 53.8% (7/13) for radical surgery plus chemotherapy and 40% (10/25) for radical surgery alone. The 5 year survival rate of RRCG was significantly higher than that of the radical surgery alone group (P less than 0.05). The authors believe that the combination of preoperative radiotherapy, chemotherapy plus radical surgery improves the 5 year survival rate and is worthy of further study.

Hemorrhoids or rectal varices: defining the cause of massive rectal hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension

Identifying the source of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension can be challenging. We present 2 cases of hemorrhage from rectal varices and a discussion on the differences between simple hemorrhoids and rectal varices. Evaluation of rectal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension is discussed and possible therapeutic options are described.

Anaerobic degradation of veratrylglycerol-beta-guaiacyl ether and guaiacoxyacetic acid by mixed rumen bacteria

Veratrylglycerol-beta-guaiacyl ether (0.2 g/liter), a lignin model compound, was found to be degraded by mixed rumen bacteria in a yeast extract medium under strictly anaerobic conditions to the extent of 19% within 24 h. Guaiacoxyacetic acid, 2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)ethanol, vanillic acid, and vanillin were detected as degradation products of veratrylglycerol-beta-guaiacyl ether by thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Guaiacoxyacetic acid (0.25 g/liter), when added into the medium as a substrate, was entirely degraded within 36 h, resulting in the formation of phenoxyacetic acid, guaiacol, and phenol. These results suggest that the beta-arylether bond, an important intermonomer linkage in lignin, can be cleaved completely by these rumen anaerobes.

Yeast mRNA initiation sites are determined primarily by specific sequences, not by the distance from the TATA element

We present evidence suggesting that accurate mRNA initiation in yeast cells, unlike their higher eukaryotic counterparts, is determined primarily by specific sequences downstream from the TATA element. First, changing the distance between the his3 TATA element and the initiation region does not affect the sites of initiation or the level of RNA. Second, reciprocal his3-ded1 and ded1-his3 hybrid promoters containing the upstream and TATA elements of one gene fused to the mRNA coding region of the other gene initiate transcription at sites defined by wild-type mRNA coding sequences, not by the distance from the TATA element. Third, when the his3 or ded1 promoter region is fused to position +2 of the his3 gene, transcripts initiated from a position equivalent to +1 are not observed. The results also suggest that the spacing between the TATA element and initiation site is relatively flexible; distance ranging from 40 to 90 bp appear to be functionally acceptable.

Degradation of Dehydrodivanillin by Anaerobic Bacteria from Cow Rumen Fluid

Dehydrodivanillin (DDV; 0.15 g/liter) was biodegradable at 37°C under strictly anaerobic conditions by microflora from cow rumen fluid to the extent of 25% within 2 days in a yeast extract medium. The anaerobes were acclimated on DDV for 2 weeks, leading to DDV-degrading microflora with rates of degradation eight times higher than those initially. Dehydrodivanillic acid and vanillic acid were detected in an ethylacetate extract of a DDV-enriched culture broth by thin-layer, gas, and high-performance liquid chromatographies and by mass spectrometry.

Ocular histopathologic and biochemical studies of the cerebrohepatorenal syndrome (Zellweger's syndrome) and its relationship to neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy

The eyes of three infants with cerebrohepatorenal disease (Zellweger's syndrome) who died demonstrated ganglion cell loss, gliosis of the nerve fiber layer and optic nerve, optic atrophy, and changes resembling those of retinitis pigmentosa in the retina and pigment epithelium. Ultrastructural examination showed bileaflet inclusions identical to those seen in neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy in the pigment epithelium and in pigmented macrophages, but these were absent in the cornea. Biochemical analysis of tissues demonstrated an excessive amount of very-long-chain fatty acids in the ocular tissues, an abnormality also found in adrenoleukodystrophy. These histopathologic and biochemical results demonstrated that the cerebrohepatorenal syndrome and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy are similar in regard to ocular abnormalities and the presence of saturated very-long-chain fatty acids.

Retention of EMG biofeedback relaxation training

This study investigated how much subjects could retain ability to reduce muscle tension without daily practice and the extent to which periodic re-training would be a practical and effective way of retaining the skill. 19 male and 29 female subjects were given standard frontalis muscle biofeedback relaxation training. After initial training, 34 subjects in the experimental group were further randomly assigned to 3 different re-training groups: re-training once every 2 wk., re-training once every 4 wk., and none. All three groups maintained their ability to reduce muscle tension, and the group given re-training once every 2 wk. further improved that ability.

Coronary artery to left ventricle fistulas: echocardiographic features

The echocardiographic features of a coronary artery fistula that drains into the left ventricle were described in two patients. The clinical picture mimicked moderate to severe aortic insufficiency; however, M-mode echocardiogram revealed unusual features. Diastolic fluttering of the anterior mitral leaflet and the septum was absent in the first patient, while the second patient had marked diastolic fluttering of the posterior mitral leaflet and the left ventricular wall at the atrioventricular junction. In both, the coronary artery fistula could be visualized by cross-sectional echocardiography. Contrast echocardiography performed during cardiac catheterization in the second patient demonstrated that the diastolic fluttering of the posterior mitral leaflet was related to the jetting of blood from the coronary artery fistula.

Penicillin-sensitive Moraxella prosthetic endocarditis. Near disaster caused by failure to treat with penicillin

A patient with late prosthetic endocarditis resulting from Moraxella non-liquefaciens is reported. Correct laboratory indentification is of therapeutic importance as Moraxella is often highly sensitive to penicillin. Because of suspected penicillin sensitivity, antibiotics other than penicillin were used, but failed to control the endocarditis. Prompt response occurred when penicillin was given. Penicillin remains by far the most effective antibiotic for the treatment of endocarditis, particularly when affecting prosthetic valves, and caused by organisms sensitive to penicillin.