The morphologic similarities of human and canine globoid leukodystrophy. Thin section and freeze-fracture studies

Human and canine globoid leukodystrophy are shown to be indistinguishable morphologically. Both have characteristic deposits with polygonal cross-sectional profiles in addition to twisted ribbon-like structures. The specificity of the deposits is emphasized, and their laminated nature is corroborated by the freeze-fracture studies. Their apparently hollow profiles in cross section are thought to be produced by the tight arrangement of the bilayers that prevent penetration of the stain.

Effects of selected herbicides and plant hormones on Prototheca wickerhamii

Prototheca wickerhamii was treated in vitro with 11 different herbicides and plant hormones. Growth was inhibited by indolyl-3-acetic acid, indolyl-3-butyric acid and indolyl-3-propionic acid at 400 mug per ml. Coconut milk was stimulatory.

Comparison of split-course radiation therapy and continuous radiation therapy for unresectable bronchogenic carcinoma: 5 year results

One hundred and eighty-eight patients with inoperable or unresectable bronchogenic carcinoma were stratified by cell type, TNM staging, and prior surgery and then randomized into two treatment groups: continuous radiation therapy and split-course radiation therapy. There was no difference in clinical or objective improvement in the two groups. Survival rates for cases of squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and adrenocarcinoma were the same after both regimens of therapy. Split-course therapy resulted in a significantly better survival rate in cases of large cell carcinoma but the number of cases was small. We doubt that the difference is clinically significant. Objective roentgenographic response was accompanied by improved survival in squamous cell carcinoma, but not in the other three cell types. Split-course radiation therapy is superior to continuous radiation therapy because it is better tolerated by the patient and because re-examination of the patient prior to the second half of split-course therapy permits the detection of new metastatic disease that has become manifest during the rest period and spares the patient the futile second half of radiation therapy.

Peyronie's disease: a study of its natural history and treatment with orthovoltage radiotherapy

Followup data on 90 of 177 patients with Peyronie's disease seen from Janurary 1, 1950 to April 1, 1970 revealed that the ultimate outcome of the disease when not treated was no different from that following orthovoltage radiotherapy. The real benefit derived from orthovoltage radiotherapy appears to be that it hastens symptomatic improvement by 3 to 7 months. In 21 per cent of the patients there was an associated inflammatory joint or tendon disease, an association not previously reported.

A microassay for Gaucher's disease

We report a new assay for the detection of individuals heterozygous and homozygous for Gaucher's disease which requires relatively small samples of whole blood (0.3 ml), and which determines 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside:beta-glucosidase activity under conditions optimal for the determination of leukocyte glucocerebroside:beta-glucocereborsidase activity. The procedure involves the preparation of a leukocyte pellet from 50 mul of whole blood by hypotonic lysis of erythrocytes, followed by assay of beta-glucosidase activity at pH 5.5 in the presence of sodium taurocholate (0.6 g/100 ml). The methods described may also prove to be useful for the diagnosis of other diseases of enzyme deficiency which use fluorogenic substrates and leukocytes as a source of enzyme, such as Fabry's disease, Tay-Sachs disease, and generalized gangliosidosis.

The EPA National Fuels Surveillance Network. I. Trace constituents in gasoline and commercial gasoline fuel additives

A National Fuels Surveillance Network has been established to collect gasoline and other fuels through the 10 regional offices of the Environmental Protection Agency. Physical, chemical, and trace element analytical determinations are made on the collected fuel samples to detect components which may present an air pollution hazard or poison exhaust catalytic control devices. A summary of trace elemental constituents in over 50 gasoline samples and 18 commercially marketed consumer purchased gasoline additives is presented. Quantities of Mn, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu, Fe, Sb, B, Mg, Pb, and S were found in most regular and premium gasoline. Environmental implications of trace constituents in gasoline are discussed.

Torsion of spermatic cord and testicular appendages

Forty-seven cases of torsion of the spermatic cord and testicular appendages have been reviewed. Twenty-eight patients with acute spermatic cord torsions underwent surgical correction. Only 10 were treated in time to preserve viability. The other cases were either gangrenous and required orchidetomy or were questionably viable. Acute, painful scrotal swelling with negative e findings on urinalysis is a surgical emergency. Ten patients had warning attacks, but because of delay in diagnosis and treatment, 4 required orchidectomy. Those patients with spermatic cord torsion who were detorsed before twelve hours had elapsed had viable testes. Patients with complaints of intermittent scrotal sweling and pain, with negative urinalysis, may be suffering from intermittent patients were treated in this manner. Six of these had a transverse lie of both testes, which suggested the underlying anatomic defect leading to torsion of the spermatic cord. The diagnosis of epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis is untenable with a negative finding on urinalysis and results in delay incorrect diagnosis and treatment.