Type I and type IV collagen promote adherence and spreading of human type II pneumocytes in vitro

Human lung tissue was enzymatically digested with dispase and type II pneumocytes were subsequently separated on a discontinuous metrizamide gradient. In primary adherence assays with freshly isolated cells, mean adherence values of 21.7, 19.6, 13.4, 6.8 and 7.0% were obtained after 48 hours on type I collagen (CI), type IV collagen (CIV), fibronectin (FN), laminin (LM) and tissue culture plastic, respectively. Secondly, readherence and spreading assays were performed with type II pneumocytes, previously cultured on CI, FN, matrix of murine EHS cells, and culture plastic. After a culture period of 48 to 72 hours, the cells were replated and tested on CI, CIV, FN, LM, CI + FN, CI + LM, CIV + FN and CIV + LM substrata in order to find out whether preculture substrata can modulate the adherence response of these cells. Readherence values, 1 hour after replating, were 3.3- to 8.6-fold higher than primary adherence values after 48 hours. The highest readherence values were always obtained on collagen-containing substrata after preculture on fibronectin. Spreading values after replating ranged between 35.4 and 6.6% on collagen-containing substrata, the highest values were again obtained after preculture on FN. Less than 6.9% and 0.5% of the cells spread on pure FN and pure LM, respectively. The data of the present investigation indicate that human type II pneumocytes adhere and spread preferentially on collagenous substrata rather than on other components of the extracellular matrix. This might be important in helping us to understand the functional in vivo activity of these cells, especially as regards re-epithelialization of the injured pulmonary alveolus.

Circulation of influenza virus A(H1N1) in Moldavia (Romania) during 1978-1982

The influenza virus A(H1N1) subtype that reappeared after an absence of 20 years was incriminated as an etiological agent of acute respiratory disease outbreaks in Moldavia (Romania). There were three epidemics in the winter--spring of 1978, 1979, and 1982, that affected mostly school communities and young adults. In 1980-1981 the circulation of A(H1N1) virus was limited. In all the epidemics mentioned the A(H1N1) subtype caused mild influenza cases, with minimal complications and insignificant mortality.

[Methodolgy and interpretation in the study of the complement system in chronic hepatitis]

The determination of the total hemolitic serum complement, as a screening test for investigating the activity of the entire complement system and the measurement of the C3 fraction consumption, has now gained a peculiar importance due to its contribution to the clearing up of some problems regarding the pathogeny an diagnosis of chronic hepatitis. The correlation of these values alterations with the presence of antiglobulinic antigens orientatively suggests the presence of immune complexes taking part in the maintainance of the inflammatory hepatic process.

Single haemolysis for the assay of antibodies to some haemagglutinating arboviruses

The single radial haemolysis reaction has been shown to be suitable for the quantitative assay of specific antibody to West Nile and Sindbis viruses. Only 5 mul of undiluted serum are needed for the test, which can be performed on crude preparations of antigen and without removal of nonspecific inhibitors. It is therefore a very simple procedure. Moreover, it appears to be more specific than the classical haemagglutination-inhibition tests.

[Posterior (retrovascular) mediastinocervical goiters]

Three cases are presented of endo-thoracic goiters with posterior, retro-vascular developement, a very rare variety of the mediastino-cervical goiter. The anatomic pathways are described, along which this variety of goiter can migrate inside the thorax, as well as the radiologic signs which allow to make a diagnosis. In view of making a choice of the access route the importance of the diagnosis is particularly stressed, before surgery is attempted. It is also demonstrated that the best route is the vertical cervicosternotomy of the partial type (the Welti technique), completed by antero-lateral thoracotomy in the III-rd right intercostal space.

[Details concerning a surgical technic in a case of esophagotracheal fistula]

The authors present a surgical technique for the treatment of oeso-tracheal fistula located in the left supra-hylar fossa, by mobilization of the aorta and ligature of the first intercostal arteries, which provide sufficient light for the surgical procedures. The technique described is illustrated by a personal observation demonstrating its value by the simplicity of the post-operative evolution and the complete recovery. Stressing the difficulty encountered in the pre- and intraoperative localization of the fistula, the authors consider that the technique proposed by them is the type of the necessity technique, the only one allowing to perform a direct surgical approach of the fistula at this level.

[Incomplete form of congenital megacolon]

The inapparent form is described, of a congenital megacolon. The surgical treatment consisted in an exeresis of more than 70 cm of volvular sigmoid, as well as of limitrophic areas supposed to be dystonic. Re-establishment of the continuity was achieved according to the technique of B. Duham 1, modified according to D. Vereanu and A. Pesamosca.