Hobby-induced factor VII deficiency

Hemorrhagíc tendency and granulocytopenia due to prolonged contact with trichloroethylene and toluene are described in a boy whose hobby was model air-plane assembly. The hemostatic defects found were hypoproconvertinemia, moderate hypofibrinogenemia, and increased capillary fragility. The clinical and laboratory abnormalities disappeared following interruption of the exposure. The abnormalities in the coagulation mechanism are ascribed to a toxic effect of the trichloroethylene on the liver, while the granulocytopenia is considered to reflect a bone marrow-depressing action of benzene contaminating the toluene. The increased capillary fragility is presumed to be due to a toxic effect of the chemicals on the blood vessels.

Influence of experimental atherosclerosis and various vasoactive drugs on cerebrospinal fluid pressure in rabbits

The effect of atherosclerosis, vasoactive drugs and plasma expanders on the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) was studied. The CSFP rose during development of atherosclerosis parallel with the elevation of serum lipids. Slow intravenous administration of low molecular weight dextran elevated the CSFP during the infusion period, which fell 30 min after treatment to the pretreatment level. Treatment with vasoconstrictor drugs elevated the CSFP, whereas the vasodilators used in this work produced various effects, namely: ethanol elevated the CSFP, priscoline lowered it and nicotinic acid showed no effect on it.