[Echographic study of the embryonal and fetal hand]

The morphological aspects of the limbs as well as several details in the forearm and in the hand were observed from the seventh week of gestation on by routine sonographic examination of the embryo and the fetus. This examination was performed once a week beginning in the first months of life. The authors emphasize the value of sonography in the detection of fetal and embryonic malformations of the upper limb. The method has its limits however and remains to be perfected but it has already proved to be efficient for future studies, essentially because of its innocuousness. The images obtained between the 9th and 33d weeks of gestation are presented.

Purification and properties of the cytoplasmic hexokinase from rabbit brain

About 90% of the total hexokinase activity in rabbit brain was found to be associated with mitochondria while the remaining part was found in the cytosolic fraction. The soluble enzyme was purified 4,700-fold to near homogeneity by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography, dye-ligand chromatography and affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a specific activity of 110 units/mg of protein and was obtained in 70% yield. The molecular weight of the purified hexokinase was found to be approximately 98,000 both for the native and the denatured enzyme. The isoelectric point, pI, was 6.2 pH units by isoelectric focusing and the enzyme was found to be able to phosphorylate several hexoses. Mg . ATP2-, among the nucleotide substrates, was the most effective phosphate donor. The properties of the purified cytoplasmatic hexokinase were compared with those of the solubilized mitochondrial enzyme. No significant differences were found in molecular weight, isoelectric point, pH dependence of activity, electrophoretic mobility and affinity for glucose and Mg.ATP2-. However, the temperature dependence of activity, and the specificity for several hexose substrates were markedly different.

[Purification and properties of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial hexokinase from the rabbit brain]

The soluble Hexokinase from rabbit brain was purified 4,700-fold to near homogeneity by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography, dye-ligand chromatography and affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a specific activity of 110 units/mg of protein and was obtained in 70% yield. The properties of the purified cytoplasmic hexokinase were compared with those of the solubilized mitochondrial enzyme. No significant differences were found in M.W., pI and electrophoretic mobility. However, the temperature dependence of activity and specificity for several hexose substrates were markedly different.

[Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni: etiological, epidemiological and preventive aspects]

The Authors, after a brief introduction, examine on the basis of the most recent literature, the taxonomy and the microbiological features of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni, giving a detailed description of the chemical composition, of the biochemical, physiological and nutritional characters, of the antigenic composition and of the cultural methods. Later on, they state the problems arising from the epidemiology of the infections caused by this germ either in man or in animals, examining the most relevant sources of infection. Finally, the Authors describe the most recent laboratory diagnostic methods, the pathogenesis, the clinical manifestations and the prevention of infection, concluding with some therapeutical remarks.

Effects of buffers and pH on rabbit red blood cell hexokinase

The kinetic properties of rabbit red blood cell hexokinase in different buffer systems have been studied. At pH 8.0 the reaction velocity (v) is about 30% higher in glycylglycine compared to Tris, Tea, Hepes or ammonium acetate buffers. The enzyme stability, heat-dependence and spectral properties of the enzyme are also affected by the buffer utilized. None of the following kinetic properties of red blood cell hexokinase varies with pH in the range 6.8-8.5: Km of glucose; Km of ATP and Ki of glucose 6-phosphate.

[Epidemiology of multiresistant S. aureus in a burn center]

Multi-resistant S. aureus, have been isolated from wounds of patients in the burn unit of the University of Parma. The strains were resistant to penicillin (85%), methicillin (30%), gentamycin (63%), rifampicin (41%), cotrimoxazole (38%), lincomycin (39%), tetracycline (73%), erythromycin (66%) and cephaloridine (11%). The spread of these strains has been monitored by the analysis of the antibiograms and the lysotypes and in few cases some strains were also found in other wards of the Hospital. All of these had some correlation with the burns unit. Medical and technical staff of this ward was found to be carrier of multi-resistant S. aureus in 46% of the cases and that feature is supposed to be the most important in the epidemiology of S. aureus in this Hospital.

[Ketamine hydrochloride by continuous drip intravenous infusion in thoracic surgery]

The Authors report an open trial on 50 patients anaesthetized with Ketamine hydrochloride, by continuous drip infusion progressively slowed, with the aid of Fentanil, in thoracic surgery. The proposed anaesthetic technique proved to be excellent as for as analgesia during and after operation as well cardiovascular stability and lackness of side effects is concerned. Recovery from anaesthesia was quick and extremely quite and free from side effects which are common in Ketamine anaesthesia.