Fibrinolytic response to standardized venous occlusion in different age groups

The purpose of this study was to find out the range and distribution of fibrinolytic response to standardized venous occlusion in healthy volunteers and to determine whether there were any differences according to age and sex. In 118 healthy volunteers (55 males, 63 females) of various age groups, the total fibrinolytic activity in euglobulin fractions was measured by a well controlled fibrin plate method before and after venous occlusion of 5 minutes at 100 mmHg. The difference between our method and previous methods is that we occluded for a relatively shorter duration than that of previous studies (15-20 minutes) at constant pressure (100 mmHg), instead of midway between systolic and diastolic pressure. This method was reliable and reproducible as a tool to qualify and assess the fibrinolytic activity capacity of individuals. The results showed that there was no difference in basal fibrinolytic activity and the response to stimuli in various age groups (p greater than 0.25) and in male and female groups (0.1 less than p less than 0.375).

The effect of genetic counseling on performance of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis

Currently the number of pregnant women who have indications for, but do not receive, prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis is increasing. The purpose of this study was to review the prenatal cytogenetic services and to analyze the effect of genetic counseling on performance of the prenatal cytogenetic test. From January 1987 to July 1988, there were 2,796 deliveries at Severance Hospital, Yonsei Medical Center, of which 126 patients had indications for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis. Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 5 patients (1, monosomy X; 1, trisomy 18; and 3, trisomy 21). Four patients were found in the group who had indications for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis while only one was found in the group who did not (p less than 0.01). The most common indication for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis was advanced maternal age (59%). The prenatal test rate was highest in patients whose indications were a previous child with chromosomal abnormality (100%) and parental translocation carrier (100%). Most (89%) of the patients were tested by amniocentesis between the 16th and 20th week of gestation. The two most common reasons for patients not receiving a prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis were late registration (41%) and absence of genetic counseling (34%).

Protein synthesis and amylase messenger RNA content in rat parotid salivary glands after total or partial stimulation with isoproterenol

The rate of synthesis of secretory proteins increases significantly in rat parotid glands after stimulated discharge of stored proteins. How any difference in the amount of secretory protein discharge affects the rate of subsequent protein synthesis, and whether this post-secretory synthesis is regulated at the level of messenger RNA, was now examined. One group of rats was stimulated to secrete 97% of stored secretory proteins by an intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol. The other group received a much smaller dose to induce the discharge of about 40% of the proteins. Despite this difference in secretion, the subsequent rates of total protein synthesis, as well as of amylase, were increased to about the same extent. The amylase messenger RNA (mRNA) was identified and quantified by hybridization with a 32P-labelled amylase complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. The amylase mRNA in stimulated and unstimulated rats was of the same molecular size (Northern blot analyses). The amount of amylase mRNA, determined by dot blot analyses, were also increased in stimulated rats, although this increase was not as great as that in the rate of amylase protein synthesis. The implications of this discrepancy concern the possibility that the mechanism of regulation of secretory protein synthesis in parotid glands is at the translational level.

A case of recurrent infantile polycystic kidney associated with hydrops fetalis

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis is becoming a predominant form of fetal hydrops due to the declining incidence of immune hydrops fetalis triggered by Rh isoimmunization. Infantile polycystic kidney appeared to be related to hydrops fetalis whether it is causal or merely coincidental and may represent another entry to differential diagnoses. Infantile polycystic kidney was diagnosed by an elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) value coupled with an ultrasonographic abnormality scanned as a multicystic mass with ascites in the fetal abdomen antenatally. This study presents a case of infantile polycystic kidney that resulted in a stillborn baby with hydrops fetalis and extensive placental calcification; it was the first case in Korea in which nonimmune hydrops fetalis was associated with infantile polycystic kidney in consecutive siblings by autosomal recessive inheritance in one family. In addition, this paper comprehensively reviews the incidence, etiology, prenatal diagnosis and proper management of nonimmune hydrops fetalis.

Synthetic aci-reductones: 3,4-dihydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones and their cis- and trans-4a,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro diastereomers. Antiaggregatory, antilipidemic, and redox properties compared to those of the 4-substituted 2-hydroxytetronic acids

Synthetic procedures for the elaboration of aci-reductones belonging to the 6- or 7-mono- or bis-substituted-3,4-dihydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones (6-10) and their cis- and trans-4a,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro diastereomers (11, 12) are described. hexahydrobenzopyranone aci-reductones were conveniently prepared by using Meldrum's synthon (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione, 49). Certain of these substances were evaluated for antilipidemic activity in the cholesterol-fed rat model, and all analogues were studied for their ability to inhibit aggregation of human platelets. Results are compared to aci-reductones belonging to the 4-aryl- and 4-spiroalkyl-2-hydroxytetronic acid systems (4,5a,b). Redox potentials for all aci-reductones were determined with cyclic voltammetry. It would appear that the 4-aryl-2-hydroxytetronic acids represent leads for further study as antiatherosclerotic drugs owing to their favorable antilipidemic and antiaggregatory properties whereas the benzopyranones are of most interest as probes for platelet antiaggregatory mechanism studies.

Mycoplasma hominis septic arthritis

An unusual case is described of extragenital Mycoplasma hominis infection presenting as a septic arthritis of the hip joint in a young paraplegic girl. The few reported cases of M. hominis septic arthritis are summarized. Based on the current case and these reported cases, the etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this infection are discussed.

Relationship between the result of preoperative pulmonary function test and postoperative pulmonary complications

Good preoperative screening and evaluation of patients undergoing surgery is necessary because it serves to identify the individual who is at risk of increased intra-operative and postoperative morbidity and mortality. The retrospective study was done in an attempt to determine if abnormalities in preoperative pulmonary function, detected by routine pulmonary function tests, would predict which patients would suffer from pulmonary complications following surgery. Pulmonary complications in the postoperative period included fever, atelectasis and respiratory failure. The overall incidence of pulmonary complications from our 78 patients undergoing surgery was 37 percent based on clinical criteria. This incidence was high in patients with FEV1 less than 1.0 L/sec, MVV less than 40% of predicted value and PCO2 more than 45 mmHg.

Successful treatment of typhoid fever with a single dose of ceftriaxone for one or two days

The therapeutic efficacy of ceftriaxone was evaluated in variable dose and duration schedules in twenty patients with bacteriologically proven typhoid fever. The results were satisfactory in the cases that were given a single dose of 3 g for two days (12/12) or 4 g for one day (3/4). Some untoward reactions were observed in 8 cases, but it was not clinically significant.

Ceftriaxone appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of typhoid fever when administered in a single dose of 4 g for one day or 3 g for two days on an outpatients basis.

Comparative antiaggregatory activity in human platelets of a benzopyranone aci-reductone, clofibric acid, and a 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran analogue

A synthetic method for the preparation of aci-reductone 6-chloro-3,4-dihydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (3) from 5-chlorosalicylate is presented. In human platelets, the benzopyranone derivative 3, clofibric acid (1), and the 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran analogue 4 inhibited aggregation and serotonin secretory responses to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) with a rank order of potency 3 greater than or equal to 4 greater than 1. Only analogues 3 and 4 consistently blocked the aggregatory responses (greater than 50%) to arachidonic acid (AA) and U46619, a thromboxane A2 agonist. Further, the rank order of inhibitory potency against U46619-induced serotonin secretion was 4 greater than 3 greater than 1. Benzopyranone 3 is of interest since it was the most potent inhibitor of thrombin-induced [3H]AA release (3 much greater than 4 = 1) and more potent than 1 or 4 for the blockade of the ADP- or AA-mediated pathway of platelet aggregation.