[Pulmonary effect of inhaling leather-impregnation sprays (author's transl)]

After inhaling a leather-impregnation spray in a confined space, coughing fits and dyspnoea occurred in a 40-year-old man and an 20-year-old woman, previously in good health. The cardinal symptoms on admission to an emergency ward were of interstitial pulmonary oedema in the X-ray but without increased pulmonary arterial pressure. Administration of corticosteroids both by aerosol and intravenously improved the acute symptoms within a few hours. Two subsequent chest X-rays demonstrated complete healing. The acute symptoms were caused by the impregnation spray producing an alveolitis or toxic lung oedema in both cases. The early topical administration of corticosteroids would appear to be the most important preventive and protective measure.

Different levels of gene realization in the diurnal control of rat liver enzymes

Diurnal rhythms are demonstrated in five rat liver enzymes : argininosuccinate synthetase, ATP : citrate lyase, glutamate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and succinate dehydrogenase. In a 12 : 12 h light-dark cycle, maxima of enzyme activities occur at the beginning of the dark phase in the case of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, at the end of the dark phase in ATP : citrate lyase, and in the middle of the dark phase in the other three enzymes. The diurnal increase of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is blocked by cycloheximide, cordycepin, alpha-amanitin, and 5-azacytidine. The maximum of ATP : citrate lyase is likewise suppressed at the levels of both translation and transcription, as shown by administration of cycloheximide and 5-azacytidine, respectively. Hence, these two enzymes appear to be regulated transcriptionally. The diurnal rise of argininosuccinate synthetase an glutamate dehydrogenase is also totally inhibited by cycloheximide, whereas cordycepin, alpha-amanitin, and 5-azacytidine are ineffective in the first phase of enzyme accumulation. In a later phase, however, alpha-amanitin and 5-azacytidine become inhibitory. The two enzymes therefore seem to be regulated sequentially by post-transcriptional and transcriptional mechanisms. The diurnal increase of succinate dehydrogenase is nearly insensitive to alpha-amanitin and 5-azacytidine; cycloheximide is only partially inhibitory and, in particular, almost ineffective during the late rise. Thus, the rhythm of this enzyme might be controlled mainly by an activation and, perhaps, by a transitory post-transcriptional mechanism.

[Combination of beta-receptor blocking agents and saluretica in outpatient treatment of hypertension. Results of a comparative study (author's transl)]

In a randomized single-blind study a comparison was made between the blood pressure lowering effect and the tolerance of two different combinations of beta-blockers and diuretic agents, one of the combinations being given in a sustained-release form. The study was made in 60 out-patients suffering from hypertension of the severity degrees I and II (WHO). The blood pressure reduction achieved as well as the diminution of the increase in heart rate and blood pressure under ergometric load proved to be almost equal in both groups. The number of patients whose blood pressure was normalized by the end of the study was larger in the group treated with Cardiotensin. The influence on laboratory parameters was only minimal and without clinical relevance. Both preparations have generally been well tolerated and exhibited an equal duration of effect.

Post-clinical follow-up of spinal patients through domestic check-ups. (Koblenz model)

One hundred spine-injured patients have been visited at their homes, examined and questioned about their medical and social situation. The medical conditions have improved, compared with a former similar check-up. But the tendency to work has decreased and is lagging behind other countries. Possible reasons are pointed out.

[Conservative treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases]

The therapeutical effect and tolerance of Defluina was studied in a selective open trial of 24 patients suffering from peripheral arterial diseases in Fontaine's stage I and II. All patients were treated with Defluina, 30 drops three times a day during a period of six weeks. From the statistically significant improvement of the different control parameters it can be concluded that peripheral arterial circulation has increased considerably in the course of the Defluina treatment. The preparation was always well tolerated, no side-effects were observed.