The hydroxamate of valproic acid, a compound produced by oximation of urine from patients under valproic therapy

A previously unreported substance, detected by gas chromatography after oximation of urine from patients receiving valproic acid, was isolated and analysed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was identified as the hydroxamate of valproic acid.

Ultrastructure of the gastric mucosa harboring Campylobacter-like organisms

The association between Campylobacter-like organisms (CLOs) and lesions of the gastric mucosa was studied in 59 consecutive biopsies. Hematoxylin and eosin and Warthin-Starry silver stains, as well as high-resolution light microscopy (HRLM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were used. The organisms were found in intimate contact with foveolar cells showing abundant phagolysosomes and alterations of the intercellular complexes. CLOs also were seen in close proximity of parietal cells in resting phase, some of which showed degenerative changes. The findings are discussed in light of recent reports linking CLOs to the cause of gastritis.

Efficacy of long-acting oxytetracycline alone or combined with streptomycin in the treatment of bovine brucellosis

Twenty-nine Brucella abortus culture-positive cows were treated with a long-acting oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg of body weight, IM) alone or combined with streptomycin (25 mg/kg, IM or IV) or were re-treated with the same product. There appeared to be a synergism by the 2 drugs. Of 21 courses of treatment with the combined antibiotics, 14 (67%) were considered successful. Only 3 of 14 (21%) were successful using oxytetracycline alone. The period from onset of therapy to cessation of shedding in udder secretions was variable. Four cows that ceased shedding were culture-positive in tissues taken at slaughter. The titers on tube agglutination and complement-fixation tests were of limited value in short-term evaluations of therapeutic regimens.

Day-to-day variations in inducibility of ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the late postmyocardial infarction phase in conscious dogs

The inducibility of ventricular tachyarrhythmias was studied daily on days 3 through 8 after experimental myocardial infarction in 15 conscious dogs. Although a sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia was produced on one or more occasions in 11 of 15 dogs (73%), there was marked daily variation in the results of programmed stimulation. Ventricular fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia was elicited in six dogs on day 3 after infarction. In two of these dogs, no sustained tachycardia could be induced by day 7. In nine dogs sustained ventricular arrhythmias were not inducible on day 3. By day 6 to 7, sustained ventricular tachycardia was inducible in five of these dogs. In clinical practice similar variation in the inducibility of sustained ventricular arrhythmias may conceivably complicate the use of results of programmed ventricular stimulation as determinants of risk of sudden death after myocardial infarction.

Effectiveness of various therapeutic regimens for bovine brucellosis

Various chemotherapeutic regimens were evaluated in 48 culture-positive dairy cows. Cessation of shedding of Brucella abortus from udder secretions and absence in selected tissues at necropsy were criteria of success. A combination of a long-acting oxytetracycline and streptomycin eliminated Brucella in 10 of 14 (71.4%) cows. Two cows that were retreated with the same regimen also became culture-negative. Other treatment regimens, including the use of liposome-encapsulated antibiotics, were less successful. Serotests were a poor criterion of effectiveness.

Actions of disopyramide on potential reentrant pathways and ventricular tachyarrhythmias in conscious dogs during the late post-myocardial infarction phase

The effect of intravenous disopyramide (plasma level 3.7 +/- 1.6 micrograms/ml, mean +/- standard deviation) on reentrant ventricular tachyarrhythmias was studied by programmed ventricular stimulation in 11 conscious dogs 3 to 8 days after experimental myocardial infarction. Sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) was induced in 4 dogs (mean cycle length 173 +/- 14 ms) and nonsustained VT in 7 (8 +/- 4 beats, mean cycle length 136 +/- 18 ms). Disopyramide prevented induction of VT in 1 of 4 dogs with sustained VT and 3 of 7 with nonsustained VT, and increased VT cycle length by more than 30% in 2 dogs with sustained VT and 2 of 7 with nonsustained VT. Disopyramide prolonged refractoriness in the infarct zone, measured by analysis of electrograms from an implanted "composite" electrode, by 38 to 53%, depending on the mode of pacing. These values were significantly greater than the increase produced by disopyramide in ventricular effective refractory period (13 +/- 12%), QRS duration and QT interval. Disopyramide has a selective effect on potential reentry circuits in ischemic myocardium, and prolongs refractoriness in abnormal myocardium to a greater extent than its effect on the normal ventricle.

["Learning and communication technics" in occupational rehabilitation of the handicapped: experiences wih retrainees in the metal-processing field]

Based on the special problems encountered by older and disabled workers, the authors investigate the potential of "learning and communications skills" training in enhancing the vocational and social reintegration in trade/technical-sector occupations. The experiences outlined refer to retrainees in the field of metal processing. They demonstrate that extra-functional learning goals such as communication skills and the ability to learn systematically, are more easily accomplished when the skills training occurs in association with the functional learning objectives (i.e. occupation-related skills).

[Comparison of the psychosocial benefits of augmentation and reduction mammaplasty in women. Retrospective study of 122 women]

Plastic surgery procedures are being increasingly used on the female mammae. Our study involved procedures for reduction or augmentation of breast size in 83 and 39 noncancer patients, respectively. In order to answer the question of whether more psychosocial benefits are to be expected in reduction or augmentation operations, the following aspects were explored in patient interviews: social, personality/psychological, sexual satisfaction, professional and leisure time, and honest evaluation of the results. These data should have bearing on focussing the preoperative explanation of the operation to the patient.

Germline integration of moloney murine leukemia virus at the Mov13 locus leads to recessive lethal mutation and early embryonic death

Thirteen mouse substrains genetically transmitting the exogenous Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) at a single locus (Mov locus) have been derived previously. Experiments were performed to investigate whether homozygosity at the Mov loci would be compatible with normal development. Animals heterozygous at an Mov locus were mated, and the genotype of the offspring was analyzed. From parents heterozygous at the loci Mov1 to Mov12, respectively, homozygous offspring were obtained with the expected Mendelian frequency. In contrast, no homozygous offspring or embryos older than day 15 of gestation were obtained from parents heterozygous at the Mov13 locus. When pregnant Mov13 females at day 13 and day 14 of gestation were analyzed, approximately 25% of the embryos were degenerated. Genotyping revealed that these degenerated embryos were invariably homozygous and the normal appearing embryos were either heterozygous or negative for M-MuLV. These results suggest that integration of M-MuLV at the Mov13 locus leads to insertion mutagenesis, resulting in embryonic arrest between day 12 and day 13 of gestation. It is possible that the Mov13 locus represents a gene or gene complex involved in the early embryonic development of the mouse.

[The disinsertion of Vater's papilla in stomach resection. Causes, diagnosis and therapy]

Based on the experiences of our own with two papillary disconnections during partial gastric resection and 105 reports of the world literature (1916-1980), the cause, diagnosis and management of the injury is described. The most important factor favouring the operative accident is the foreshortening of the duodenum caused by the scarring of a chronic postbulbar ulcer. The ampulla of Vater may, therefore, be brought closer to the pylorus. The prognosis of the injury is not determined by the time of discovery, but it depends on the complete diagnosis of both severed ducts and adequate treatment. On delayed recognition the lesion may masquerade leaking of the duodenal stump. Successful repair can be achieved by reimplantation or invagination of the transsected common bile and pancreatic duct into the duodenal stump or an isolated Roux-en-Y-loop.

Adenocarcinoma of the floor of the mouth--possible recurrence after 25 years: report of case

A case of adenocarcinoma of the floor of the mouth with widespread metastasis and fatal outcome is reported. The patient was a 50-year-old white woman who had had an adenocarcinoma removed from the same site 25 years before and remained symptom-free during the interval. Histopathologic features of the two oral tumors and a bronchial metastasis are demonstrated.

Hemispheric quantitative EEG changes following emotional reactions in neurotic patients

Twenty-four right-handed patients undergoing primal therapy served as subjects in the study. They all showed symptoms of tension, anxiety, and/or depression. The patients' right and left temporal EEGs were recorded immediately before and after a therapy session. Recordings were done while the patients were resting, and while they were performing a verbal and a visual task with their eyes closed. The EEG data were analysed off-line with a computer, using quantitative amplitude analysis in the 1.5 to 30 Hz frequency band. A "high intensity" group (n = 13) having high ratings of emotional activity in their therapy session was compared with a "low intensity" group (n = 11) with low ratings. The results showed that only in the "high intensity" group was there a significant increase in mean amplitude and amplitude variance in the right hemisphere, measured across conditions. A between-group comparison revealed that the "high intensity" group showed a significantly larger increase in right hemisphere variance and in right over left variance ratio, relative to the "low intensity" group, in which these variables were almost unchanged. These results indicate a greater involvement of the right hemisphere in emotional activity. It is also suggested that the EEG changes found in the "high intensity" group, following a therapy session, reflect a general deactivation of the brain and a functional improvement of the right hemisphere.