[Diagnosis of thrombosis with indium-111 labeled thrombocytes]

The distribution pattern of 111In-labelled autologous platelets was investigated in 50 patients. Imaging was performed with a scintillation camera connected to a computer system. 20 patients suffering from obliterative arterial disease showed a normal platelet distribution. Endothelial lesions after arteriography were found in 6 out of 10 patients. 15 of 20 patients with suspected venous thrombosis showed local platelet deposition. 10 of these patients with local platelet depositions were investigated by phlebography. Positive findings (fresh thrombi) were found in 8 patients. Optimum results were obtained by injecting platelets distal to the venous thrombus. Signs of thrombosis are interruption of blood flow, collateral formation and platelet deposition. This new method offers possibilities of radioisotopic diagnosis of parietal thrombus and venous thrombosis despite anticoagulation or fibrinolysis.

[Diagnosis and therapy of cerebellar angioblastomas]

The mainly infratentorially occurring angioblastomas belong to the group of benign vascular tumours. Histologically, however, one can distinguish from them pleomorphically undifferentiated forms which have an unfavourable prognosis. The article reports on a group of 20 patients who were operated on in the period from 1978 to 1982. The frequency among the brain tumours seen in the same period of time was 4.5 per cent, only related to the infratentorial tumours. Symptomatically, the signs of occlusive hydrocephalus were well to the fore. The exactness of the topical diagnosis by computer tomography in conjunction with microsurgical operation techniques enables a reduction of the operation risk. The postoperative lethality rate was 3 among 20 patients. Attention was drawn to the observation of a family with a genuine v. Hippel-Lindau syndrome in an incomplete form in a descending line with probably autosomal, dominant heredity.

[133Xe-labeling of tissue adhesives for catheter embolization]

A method for radio-nuclide labelling of histo-acryl/lipiodol with 133Xe gas is described. The method consists of dissolving the gas in lipiodol under sterile conditions. After embolization and angiography, the localisation of the embolizing material can be determined by means of a scintillation camera. The labelling method was used in 15 patients. In all patients the position of the embolizing material, as demonstrated by scintigraphy, corresponded with the radiological findings. It was not possible to demonstrate escape of the material by scintigraphy.

[Venography with 111Indium-labelled autologous thrombocytes]

111Indium-labelled thrombocytes were used for radionuclide venography in ten patients. All types of thrombi could be demonstrated with a high degree of accuracy, particularly if the marked thrombocytes were injected distally. In cases of complete occlusion by thrombus, the peripheral end of the clot appeared as a 'hot spot'. Non-occluding thrombi with a thrombogenic surface can be differentiated from lesions of the endothelium. Compared with venography using labelled microspheres, labelled thrombocytes have the advantage of demonstrating the degree of activity of the thrombotic process.

Aminolevulinate dehydratase (E.C. 4.2.1.24): linkage analysis

Linkage data on aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALADH, E.C. 4.2.1.24) and a series of other human genetic markers are presented. One hundred and two families (25 of them being informative) from southwestern Germany were tested. Close linkage (theta = 0.05) between ALADH and the following markers could be excluded: Rh, PGM1, Fy, ACP1, MNSs, HLA, Bf, GLO, PGM3, Jk, Pi, PGP, K, GPT. There is some evidence of possible linkage with HPA.

[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of branches of the aortic arch (author's transl)]

The authors give a report on their first results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of aortic arch branches in 4 patients. In 3 cases, stenosis of left subclavian arteries were treated by PTA with good result. One patient had a stenosis of both carotid arteries which were dilated with moderate effect. In all patients symptoms were removed. There were no complications.

In vitro studies on the interaction between bile salts and key enzymes of the liver

Interactions between bile salts and cellular constituents are of considerable significance in studies on cholestasis. The main points of interest are the effects of the various bile salts on lipid and protein structures. Of primary interest are the interactions with lipids since these can cause disorder in cellular metabolism by eliminating compartmentalization. Conformational changes of proteins can occur through interactions with bile salts. They can involve specific functions. Of special importance here are the enzymes, since these are decisive supportive agents in cellular processes. In this paper, the effect of various bile salts on the activity of key hepatic enzymes was studied. In addition to the kinetic tests for enzyme activity, structural changes of the enzymes were studied as well using electrophoretic techniques. It could be shown that even much lower bile salt concentrations than those which occur in bile can lead to a complete inhibition of activity. The varying sensitivities of different enzymes when they react in the presence of bile salts is striking. According to the degree of hydroxylation, the various bile salts show characteristic differences in inhibitory effect on enzymatic activity. On the basis of the results reported here, it is quite possible that the interaction between bile salts and enzymes is a participating factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of cholestatic hepatic changes.

[Angiography and embolization in the treatment of tumors in single kidneys (author's transl)]

The value of angiography in diagnosis and therapy of kidney tumors is illustrated in a case report. A severe bleeding induced by catheterization of a tumor in a single kidney in connection with a loop nephrostomy was controlled through selective angiographic embolization. The succeeding partial resection of the kidney with total removal of the tumor resulted in well functioning remaining parenchyma of this single kidney.

Genetic markers in primates: pedigree patterns of a breeding group of Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvana Linnaeus, 1758)

The genotypes of 48 barbary macaques were determined with respect to four diallelic systems: ABO blood groups, transferrin, soluble glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and pancreatic amylase. Paternity tests were performed for 32 offspring of 13 (14) females from an established breeding group which contained 3 sexually mature males.

Substrate affinity in PGM1, PGM2, and PGM2 isozymes

An easy method for routine detection of PGM1, PGM2, and PGM3 isozymes is given. Differences in substrate affinity are discussed. Gene products pgm1 can be differentiated from gene products pgm3 by cofactor requirement.

Data on linkage relations between GLO and 21-hydroxylase

Linkage between GLO and 21-hydroxylase was investigated in 11 families with 24 children. Positive lod score values with a maximum of +1.618 at theta = 0.05 indicate close linkage between these marker loci.

Galactose-1-phosphate-uridyltransferase (E.C. 2.7.7.11): a simple routine method for detecting individuals heterozygous for the silent allele Gt 0

A simple routine method for detecting individuals who are heterozygous for the silent gene Gt 0 is presented. This method consists of a combination of electrophoresis and densitometry. The results confirm the theoretical expectation that these individuals would exhibit about 50% of the enzyme activity found in the corresponding normal phenotype.

Recognition of systemic portal shunts by lower extremity radionuclide venography

Radionuclide venography was used to conduct 120 investigations of pelvic veins to find signs of systemic portal shunting. No signs of flow abnormalities were shown in the upper abdominal region in 80 patients with normal pelvic veins; 40 patients suffered from pelvic occlusions. Of these, 10 showed paraumbilical hot spots or liver demonstrations. These symptoms are assessed as signs of systemic portal shunts. The hemodynamic significance of this complication of pelvic vein thrombosis is discussed. It is supposed that a shunt from the systemic veins to the portal vein does not occur as infrequently as described in the literature. The radionuclide venography with 99mTc microspheres is a new and simple way to detect complication of pelvic vein occlusions.

Formal genetics of phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP): investigation on 272 mother-child pairs

PGP (phosphoglycolate phosphatase, E.C. 3.1.3.18) phenotypes were determined by starch gel electrophoresis in 272 mother-child pairs from S. W. Germany. The results confirm and formal hypothesis of three alleles, PGP1, PGP2 and PGP3 at an autosomal locus PGP.

[99mTc marking of gel foam for catheter embolisation (author's transl)]

A simple method is described for marking gel foam particles with 99mTc after reduction of the pertechnetate. This is carried out in the Luer lock syringe to be used for the injection. After embolisation and control angiography, the patient is placed under a scintillation camera. The position of the embolising material can then be demonstrated scintigraphically. In six patients marked emboli were found to be correctly placed. In another patient undergoing a second embolisation for a renal tumour, particles were found in the peripheral circulation.

Human mitochondrial glutamic-oxaloacetic-transaminase, GOTM: formal genetics

The polymorphism of human GOTM was investigated in red blood cells by means of routine starch gel electrophoresis. The formal model of two common alleles, GOTM1 and GOTM2, at an autosomal locus GOTM was confirmed by examination of 640 mother-child pairs. The frequency of GOTM1 in this sample from southwestern Germany was calculated to be 0.981 +/- 0.003.

Mitochondrial malic enzyme (E.C.1.1.1.40) in human leukocytes: formal genetics and population genetics

Mitochondrial malic enzyme MEM (E.C. 1.1.1.40) is present in human leukocytes; the polymorphism of MEM thus can be easily demonstrated using routine starch gel electrophoresis. Data on formal genetics are given. The gene frequency of MEM1 was estimated to be 0.67 +/- 0.02.

Polymorphism of alanine aminotransferase (E.C.2.7.6.1): common and rare alleles

Gene frequencies of common and rare GPT alleles derived from an investigation of 1139 unrelated, healthy individuals from southwestern Germany are given. GPT typing was performed by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis in a Tris-histidine x HCl buffer system. In addition, a new electrophoretic variant, GPT9, is described. The frequencies of the GPT alleles observed were calculated as: GPT1, 0.4987; GPT2, 0.4686; GPT1M, 0.022; GPT0, 0.005; GPT3, 0.0022; GPT4, 0.0025; GPT8, 0.0005; GPT9, 0.0005.