[Late sequelae of rib fractures]

For an assessment of the late lesions after rib fractures 108 patients having had an accident between 1968 and 1973 were followed up. As to the individual signs observed, the patients were very heterogeneous. Radiodiagnostic, spirometric and scintigraphic data were compiled in order to characterize the late morphologic and functional lesions. By means of correlation and discrimination analyses as well as tests of significance we found that the extension of the late lesions depends either on the age of the patient nor on the number of fractured ribs but, instead, on concomitant intrathoracic lesions. The late morphologic lesions such as deformedly healed rib fractures and pleural thickening were the substrate for the ventilative and circulatory disturbances of the lung.

[The evaluation of the Kveim test in sarcoidosis diagnostics for out-patients (author's transl)]

In a total number of 113 cases the Kveim test was performed. The antigen used was produced in the institute for pulmonary diseases and tuberculosis, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia. Patients with sarcoidosis had positive results in 65.8%, including 19.5% doubtful positive cases. In a special group of patients with sarcoidosis, who received corticosteroids at the same time, only 25.7% showed positive results. In a control group of 24 cases no positive result was observed. The Kveim test is an useful method for diagnostic purpose in out-patients. Further investigations for improvement of this method will be necessary.

Cotransfer of two linked human genes into cultured mouse cells

Two linked human genes which code for the expression of cytosol thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.75) and galactokinase (ATP:D-galactose 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.6) have been cotransferred via purified metaphase chromosomes from the human lymphoblastoid cell line WI-L2a, into mouse L-cells [B82 and LM(TK-)]. Both genes have previously been shown to be closely linked on the human chromosome E17, band q21-22. Coexpression of both human enzyme markers was detected in two out of eight gene transfer clones, whilst the remaining six clones contained only human cytosol thymidine kinase, as shown by electrophoretic techniques. A further 23 human enzyme markers corresponding to 15 different human chromosomes were found to be absent in these gene transfer clones. No human chromosome or chromosomal fragment could be detected by karyotype analyses. Some of the gene transfer clones rapidly lost the transferred donor material when grown in nonselective medium, whereas others expressed a stable phenotype under these conditions. Prolonged maintenance in selective medium favors the survival of gene transfer cells expressing a stable phenotype. Possibly these cells harbor the donor genes integrated into a recipient chromosome.

[Diaphragmatic and lung abnormalities (author's transl)]

This report deals with diaphragmatic abnormalities, their origin, anatomy, clinical features, therapy and prognosis. A rare deformity of the diaphragm: aplasia of the left side combined with hypoplasia of the left lung and a mediastinal abnormality is described and problems of diagnosis and surgical therapy are discussed.

[A case of reticulosis in a mink]

Bei einem männlichen Hedlund-Jungnerz wird eine Retikulose beschrieben. Die Erkrankung war klinisch durch Inappetenz, pfeifende Atemgeräusche, Exophthalmus, Lymphknotenschwellung im Kopf- und Halsbereich sowie Lähmung der Hinterhand im Endstadium gekennzeichnet. Pathologisch-anatomisch fanden sich generalisierte Schwellung der Körper- und Organlymphknoten, tumorartige Herde im Herzmuskel, in der Interkostal- und Longissimusmuskulatur und im Nierenhilus sowie Milzschwellung. Histologisch war die Retikulose durch generalisierte und systematisierte Wucherung retikulo-histiozytärer Zellen in der Mehrzahl der Organe mit deutlicher Beziehung zu den Provinzen des retikulo-histiozytären Systems charakterisiert.