[Investigations into mucous membrane compatibility using the Endorfer Jod-Thermalsole treatment of the conjunctivae of rabbits (author's transl)]

The conjunctivae of nine rabbits of the same breed were used to compare the local compatibility of the Endorfer Jod-Thermalsole with that of a physiological NaCl solution. The neuroleptanalgesics were administered using perfusion techniques. The reddening thus caused was used to measure the degree of inflammation. The reddening was assessed subjectively according to a points system and then photographed under the same conditions for greater objectivity. The slides are archived in the Institute for Balneology and Climatology of the University of Munich. After administering the Endorfer Jod-Thermalsole to the mucous membranes for 30 and 60 minutes there was no difference in compatibility as compares to a physiological NaCl solution. No appreciable irritation occurred.

An analysis of the components of the pulmonary shunt equation: significance of the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, arterio-venous oxygen content difference, and mixed venous oxygen pressure

Pulmonary shunt calculated by the Berggren method is commonly used as an indicator of pulmonary function. Although there is usually a good correlation between the shunt and the A-aDO2, other physiologic parameters involved in the shunt equation may significantly alter pulmonary function. The purpose of this study is to show the contribution of the PVO2 and a--v diff to the shunt equation. Data from eight selected patients with A--aDo2 values ranging from 300 to 395 torr and calculated shunts ranging from 6 to 35% were selected for this purpose. In patients with significant changes in PVO2 and a--v diff, the A--aDO2 is more reliable as an indicator of pulmonary function than is the calculated shunt.

Multiple lymphoid polyposis and familial polyposis of the colon: a genetic relationship

A case of multiple lymphoid polyposis of the colon and terminal ileum occurring in a family of familial polyposis is presented. Only one other such case has been reported. Other cases where an association between the conditions was mentioned are reviewed. There is a genetic factor in the etiology of the condition, and a definite link with familial polyposis of the colon is found to exist. Differentiation of the conditions on clinical grounds could be very difficult.

[Eye-symptoms in a case of lactate acidosis caused by Biguanide-therapy (author's transl)]

A report is given of a case in which visual disorders had preceded an excess lactate coma. In both eyes evolution of an intense papillary and retinal edema with, in a high degree narrowed vessels and retinal hemorrhages.

Dietary-induced overeating in experimental animals

Modifications in dietary conditions can result in small, but consistent, increases in caloric intake which over time accumulate to substantial increases in body weight. Allowing rats access to either high fat diets or a variety of highly palatable foods can lead to obesity. Recent experiments also have shown that providing access to sweet carbohydrate solutions in addition to the complete diet can cause weight gains in normal neurologically intact adult rats. Although animals increase consumption of carbohydrate on this dietary regime, they continue to maintain minimum requirements for other dietary nutrients. It appears that increasing the palatability of the diet can lead to overeating, but cannot induce the rat to select a diet that is deficient in protein, fat, vitamins, or minerals. Further exploration of the conditions associated with dietary-induced overeating in animals may provide insights into conditions related to obesity in man.

Sensorineural deafness and labyrinth damage due to lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Report of a case

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) occurred in a hamster handler, produced a "flu"-like illness, and caused unilateral sensorineural deafness and labyrinth damage. Unilateral sensorineural deafness and labyrinth damage caused by LCM virus have not been previously described in the literature.

New approaches to the management of severe acute pancreatitis

A recent experience with seventy-seven patients admitted to Boston City Hospital for acute pancreatitis permitted us to identify thirteen patients (17 per cent) whom we diagnosed as having severe protracted acute pancreatitis. These alcoholic patients obviously had fulminant pancreatitis similar to that reported by others in two instances and pancreatic abscesses in two additional instances, but nine of the patients did not fulfill the criteria usually used by others as a basic for surgical intervention. Specific preoperative diagnosis was obtained in these patients by the aggressive use of endoscopic cannulation of the pancreatic ducts, which documented the presence of surgically correctable lesions. These patients had sustained significant malnutrition, which was corrected only by protracted therapy extending an average of two months and involving all modalities currently available for nutritional support of the severely ill patient. After proper preoperative identification of a specific lesion and correction of the malnutrition, the eleven patients without fulminant disease were operated on with no deaths or significant complication. Nine of the patients had elective procedures, which included six distal pancreatectomies and one total pancreatectomy. Thus, severe protracted acute pancreatitis can be identified, and once categrorized, it can have therapeutic implications.

Septic lung and shock lung in man

Two series of patients were studied by serial measurements of blood gas exchange and pulmonarmonary dysfunction and to evaluate the dangers of respiratory failure in post traumatic patients. There were 27 patients who had sustained profound hemorrhagic shock and massive blood replacement averaging 9.7 liters and 38 patients who suffered general peritonitis or other forms of fulminating nonthoracic sepsis. All were supported by endotrachael intubation and volume controlled ventilators. The overall mortality for the post shock patients without sepsis was 12% while in the septic patients it was 35%. The maximal pulmonary arteriovenous shunt encountered in the post hemorrhagic shock patients at 36 hours averaged 20 plus or minus 8% and was accompanied by high cardiac indices (average 5.1 plus or minus 1.3 L/M-2/min) but no significant rise of pulmonary arterial pressure or peak inspiratory pressure (PIP). Severe pulmonary dysfunction subsequently occurred only in those patients who later became septic. The studies on the septic patients were divided according to the magnitude of the cardiac indices (the high indices averaged 4.8 plus or minus 1.6L/M-2/min) and thelow indices averaged 1.9 plus or minus 1.0 L/M-2/min. In the former, the average maximal shunt of 30 plus or minus 6% was sustained for 4 or more days, accompanied by an elevation of PIP to 36 plus or minus 6 cm H2O and by Pa pressure of 28 plus or minus 5 mm Hg. The patients in low output septic shock usually had an associated bronchopneumonia and had an average venous admixture of 34 plus or minus 8% and PIP values of 41 plus or minus 8 cm H2O. The mean Pa pressure in this group was 29 plus or minus 6 mm Hg.

Effort as a dimension of spontaneous activity in rats

The relationship between effort and voluntary activity was studied in a braked running wheel and a voluntary treadmill. Effort was manipulated by varying the torque required to turn the wheel and by changing the angle of inclination of the treadmill. In both situations distance run was a linear decreasing function of effort, and work accomplished was a nonmonotonic increasing function of effort. These findings are discussed in relation to responsivity and regulatory views of the genesis of spontaneous activity.