[Combined action of nickel sulfate and x-irradiation on human lymphoblastoid leukemic cells]

In a first experiment, cells were cultured in media supplemented by nickel sulphate, irradiated in same media and cultured in same media after irradiation. In a second experiment, cells were cultured during 18 hrs. in media supplemented by nickel sulphate, and then cells were washed and cultured in normal media where they were irradiated. The nickel sulphate toxicity appears as a creasing function of the nickel sulphate concentration and the nickel sulphate action endurance. The nickel sulphate toxic effect is amplified by X-Rays. This amplification is a time function that depends on the X-Ray dose, nickel sulphate concentration and period of time from the outset of culture to the irradiation. The nickel sulphate toxic effect appears faster when nickel works after X-Rays.

Effects of ascorbic acid and its 2-sulfate on rabbit aortic intimal thickening

Effects of intravenously injected L-ascorbic acid or L=ascorbic acid 2-sulfate on aortic intimal thickening were examined histologically, qualitatively, and quantitatively in the upper, middle and lower thoracic aortic positions of cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic rabbits. A means of evaluating the degree of pathology of the aortic positions was developed employing five descriptive statistics of intimal thickening. Both L-ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate inhibited intimal thickening. The most significant reductions were observed in the upper thoracic aorta.

Zinc sulfate supplementation for treatment of recurring oral ulcers

Use of zinc sulfate in promotion of wound healing and in maintenance of epithelial integrity suggested its possible use in the treatment or prevention of recurrent oral ulcers. In a series of 32 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU), serum zinc levels were observed. Seventeen patients, eight with initial serum zinc levels above 110microng/dl and nine with serum zinc levels below 110microng/dl, were provided zinc sulfate supplementation up to a total of 660 mg/day. All patients with initial serum zinc levels less than or equal to 110 microng/dl showed improvement; three of the eight patients with initial serum zinc levels above 110 microng/dl improved, five did not. Improvement consisted of 50% to 100% reduction in frequency of episodes. This suggests a combination of causes of RAU, one of which may be a local or general deficiency of zinc or a defect in metabolism, perhaps at the cellular level, related to zinc.

[Prevention of supraventricular tachysystole with anti-arrhythmia agents]

The paper substantiates the necessity of using a set of antiarrhythmic drugs for the prevention of supraventricular tachysystoles. In the development of supraventricular tachysystoles an important role is attributed to the disorders in automatic regulation of the sinus node. Cases are described in which the development of paroxysmal cardiac fibrillation with approximately equal intervals of time was caused by an inhibition of the sinus node activity. The set of antiarrhythmic drugs included beta-adrenergic blockers, isocholinic-type drugs, cardiac glycosides, Rauwolfia serpentina preparations, parasympatholitic drugs.

Effects of zinc sulfate on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and protease in rabbit corneas

Zinc ions were shown to reversibly inhibit the activity of Pseudomonas protease. Zinc sulfate was more effective topically in preventing corneal perforations by this enzyme than either cysteine or edetate disodium (Na2 EDTA). The reversibility of the enzyme inactivation by zinc sulfate and its efficacy in preventing perforations were used to estimate the duration of the enzyme activity in the cornea. The protease was found to retain its activity in the rabbit cornea for up to two days after intrastromal injection. The extent of corneal destruction in rabbit corneas infected with live Pseudomonas cells was significantly greater in eyes treated with zinc sulfate than in controls, precluding its use in a clinical setting.

Medical management of refractory hematuria in sickle-cell trait

Hematuria secondary to sickle-cell trait has on occasion proved refractory to medical management. We have adopted a new six-drug regimen to deal with this difficult problem. Herein is reported our experience with this protocol in 2 patients. Our results have been excellent, with hematuria clearing within twenty-four hours. The drug regimen is used in an attempt to alter the conditions that are favorable for sickling in the renal medulla.

Treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica with zinc sulphate. Rerport of 3 cases

The therapeutic effect of orally administered zinc in 3 patients affected with Acrodermatitis enteropathica is reported. Single daily doses of zinc resulted in rapid improvement of the general condition of these patients and in clinical remission within a week. Serum, urine and hair zinc levels as well as alkaline phosphatase, which were very low before treatment, returned to normal after therapy. This brief report confirms the efficacy of oral zinc in the treatment of Acrodermatitis enteropathica.

Inhibition of salicylate and lithium absorption in the human intestine by copper sulfate

Copper sulfate, given orally in an emetic dose, decreased the absorption of therapeutic doses of acetylsalicylic acid or lithium carbonate, more than was expected judging from the recovery of salicylic acid in the vomit. Ten volunteers participated.

[Increased thymidine excretion under the influence of polyanions]

During the first 24 hours following injection of polyanions (dextran sulphate in a dose of 62.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight; poly I. poly C in a dose of 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight) to rats and mongrel albino mice an increased urinary excretion of thymidine was revealed which occurred after their exposure to high X-ray doses. An increase in urinary excretion of thymidine is assumed to be due to migration of lymphocytes to the blood channel.

Sustained bacteremia and transvenous cardiac pacemakers

Five patients with transvenous cardiac pacemakers had sustained staphylococcal bacteremia (defined as bacteremia for at least 12 hours) two weeks to ten months after pacemaker insertion. Three of the five patients had no evidence of an extravascular focus of infection at the time of stphylococcal bacteremia. An additional patient had a petechial rash, which is unusual in staphylococcal bacteremia, unless endocarditis is present. All patients were treated with antibiotics and drainage of the pacemaker packet when it was infected, removal of the pacemaker generator, or removal of the catheter electrode. One patient without evidence of pocket infection was treated successfully with antibiotic therapy alone.

Accumulation of storage iron in patients treated for iron-deficiency anaemia

The repletion of iron stores after treatment was studied in 38 patients with uncomplicated iron-deficiency anaemia. The serum ferritin concentration rose significantly when oral treatment was continued for two months after the attainment of a normal haemoglobin concentration. Patients treated with a total-dose infusion of iron dextran had thehighest final serum levels, which were significantly greater than in patients given Ferro-Gradumet. Oral ferrous sulphate was almost as effective as parenteral iron in producing iron stores.

Diplococcus pneumoniae. Cellulitis in drug addicts

Cellulitis caused by Diplococcus pneumoniae was diagnosed in two heroin users. To our knowledge, this medical emergency, clinically indistinguishable from deep fasciitis of pyomyositis, has not previously been reported as having been caused by the agent identified in these two patients.