Comparison of a noninvasive measurement of optic nervehead mechanical compliance with an invasive method

We have postulated that abnormal mechanical support of the optic nervehead at the level of the lamina cribrosa could be the precursor of glaucomatous damage. Recent studies have shown deformations of the lamina cribrosa to be among the earliest changes in glaucoma. To evaluate the support of the nervehead, we have developed a noninvasive optical method to measure the optic nervehead compliance, namely, the displacement of the optic nervehead induced by an artificial increase in intraocular pressure. To test the validity of the method, we have compared noninvasive measurements obtained in post-mortem enucleated human eyes with those recorded using an invasive technique. Both methods had a reproducibility better than 6 microns and induced no damage capable of interfering with the results. The displacements measured by both methods were similar, thus indicating that our optical method is capable of measuring bulk motion of the optic nervehead. Our results were identical with those obtained by other authors using a third method. The data obtained also established the normal range of optic nervehead displacements induced by a range of intraocular pressure increments.

Further evidence that the pigment in the Dubin-Johnson syndrome is not melanin

The pigment in the Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) is shown unequivocally not to be a typical melanin or closely related polymer. In electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of DJS pigment from a hepatoma, it is shown that, unlike true melanins, the pigment associated with the DJS syndrome has no free radical in the absence of light. Exposure to even low levels of visible light over a broad frequency range induces a free radical in the DJS pigment. Previous studies did not appreciate the sensitivity to light of this pigment and therefore erroneously concluded that the DJS pigment had a permanent free radical. The light induced ESR signal in DJS tissue has spectroscopic properties that differ significantly from any known melanins. The pigment is not extracted by lipophilic solvents and is centrifuged down at 50,000g, but not at 5,000g.

Role of surgery in the treatment of primary carcinoma of the liver: a 31-year experience

During the 31 year period 1954 to 1985, 225 major hepatic resections have been performed for symptomatic primary carcinoma of the liver, of which right hepatic lobectomy was performed in 115, extended right hepatic lobectomy in 11, trisegmentectomy in 2, left hepatic lobectomy in 94, and middle hepatectomy in 3. In addition there were 107 partial hepatic resections for 89 asymptomatic small hepatocellular carcinomas. In the 225 patients undergoing major hepatic resection, the operative mortality was 8.0 per cent. In the 107 patients undergoing partial hepatic resection, the operative mortality was 5.6 per cent. Of the total of 314 hepatic resections for primary carcinoma of the liver, 309 were undertaken for hepatocellular carcinoma and the remaining 5 were carried out for cholangiocarcinoma. All hepatic resections in this series were performed with the finger fracture technique without controlling the hepatic hilar vessels, hepatic ducts or hepatic veins outside the liver, although hepatic clamping and the Pringle manoeuvre were also used in selective cases. Of 207 cases who survived major hepatic resection, 119 cases died within one year after the operation, mainly due to recurrence of cancer in the remaining residual lobe, lung metastasis or late hepatic failure. The 5 year survival rate is 18.0 per cent, 12 patients are still alive and well after more than 5 years and the longest survival is 23 years. Of the 89 patients with small asymptomatic hepatocellular carcinomas, 28 died within one to four years of surgery because of a second new growth.

Effects of exogenous fat emulsion on lymphocyte function in septic rats

Effects of exogenous fat emulsion (Intralipid) on lymphocyte function were studied, in vivo, with rats. Abdominal sepsis was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by cecal ligation and puncture. Following a bolus infusion of the fat emulsion or normal saline, lymphocyte proliferations after stimulation with bacto-concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were evaluated in animals divided into the following groups: group I, non-septic rats receiving saline infusion (NS-S); group II, non-septic rats receiving the fat emulsion (NS-F); group III, septic rats receiving saline (S-S); group IV, septic rats receiving the fat emulsion (S-F). Results of the study demonstrated that lymphocyte function was not suppressed by the presence of sepsis, and infusion of the exogenous fat emulsion also did not lead to a suppression of the lymphocyte function in either the septic or the non-septic rats. The results obtained from a previous, as well as this present, study suggest that although infusion of exogenous fat emulsion may suppress the function of monocyte and polymorphonuclear cells, lymphocyte function is not affected.

[[Age composition and population cycles]]

The author attempts to correlate the endogenous population cycle with changes in age composition by examining population trends in Taiwan. "It is argued that while the size of parental cohort is related to the size of offspring cohort by the renewal process, fluctuations in size are correspondingly transmitted and averaged time after time." The concepts of population cycles as a key factor in population change is also examined. (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Fatal infection in neonates of 26 weeks' gestation due to Streptococcus milleri: report of two cases

Fatal sepsis due to a particular biotype of Streptococcus milleri occurred in two neonates born at 26 weeks' gestation. The clinical importance of this biotype in association with premature labour and neonatal sepsis is discussed.

Double immunoenzyme staining method for analysis of tissue and blood lymphocyte subsets with monoclonal antibodies

Double immunoenzymatic method for sequential staining with two different monoclonal murine antibodies and two different enzymes was shown to be useful in defining hematopoietic cell subpopulations in human tissues and blood. The method allows for the identification, localization, and enumeration in the same section of distinct cell populations. Air-dried smears of cell mixtures can be stained. The optimal sequence of enzymes/substrates was: horseradish peroxidase/3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole followed by the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase complex/naphthol AS-MX phosphate. Red-and blue-colored reaction products are easy to view in a light microscope. Combinations of two different mouse monoclonal antibodies or of a mouse monoclonal antibody and polyclonal antiserum made in rabbits or goats can be sequentially applied to the same section or smear thus facilitating a definition of the distribution of two cell populations reactive with these antibodies. The relative distribution patterns in tissues of cells bearing distinctive antigens are important in studies of cellular differentiation and of human pathogenetic processes including neoplasia and transplant rejection.

A cohort study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia on Guam and Rota

A prospective study of the incidence of new cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia was conducted by follow-up of 899 Chamorros in the Mariana Islands who participated in a baseline medical examination and interview in 1968. During a 15-year follow-up period, 28 new neurologically confirmed cases occurred, including 23 with parkinsonism-dementia and five with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The low incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was consistent with the reported disappearance of this disease from the Mariana Islands. However, the continuing high incidence of parkinsonism-dementia was not in agreement with a similarly reported disappearance nor with the hypothesis of a common cause of both diseases. Of 23 selected baseline examination variables, only the preference for traditional Chamorro food was significantly associated with an increased risk of parkinsonism-dementia. A review of the accumulated epidemiologic data on these neurologic diseases in the Mariana Islands did not support the current hypothesis that a chronic nutritional deficiency of calcium is a cause of both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia.

Sarcoidosis of the stomach

A 25-year-old housewife presented with an 8-month history of epigastric pain, vomiting and weight loss. This was found to be due to sarcoidosis of the stomach. Her condition improved remarkably on steroids.

Functional changes in rat-liver mitochondria during the early phase of burn injury

Using succinate as a substrate, the respiratory control ratios of liver mitochondria from burned male Sprague-Dawley rats with full skin thickness burns covering 20 per cent of the body surface area were increased at 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after burn, the peak being at 30 min post-burn. A sham group acted as control. In comparison with the sham group, the specific activity of succinic dehydrogenase was slightly decreased and the activities of cytochromes b and c + c were decreased significantly 30 min after burning. All the results suggest a lack of increased metabolic activity during the early phase of burn injury.

Enzyme Immunoassay for Detection of Salmonella in Foods: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was performed in 25 laboratories to validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) procedure utilizing 2 specific monoclonal antibodies for rapid detection of Salmonella in foods. The EIA was compared with the standard culture procedure for detection of Salmonella in 6 food types: ground black pepper, soy isolate, dried whole eggs, milk chocolate, nonfat dry milk, and raw deboned turkey, Uninoculated and inoculated samples were included in each food group analyzed, with the exception of poultry which was naturally contaminated. There was no significant difference in the productivity of the EIA and culture procedures at the 5% level for any of the 6 foods. The enzyme immunoassay screening method has been adopted official first action.

Effects of exogenous fat emulsion (Intralipid) on chemotactic function of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells in sepsis

Effects of exogenous fat emulsion (Intralipid) on the chemotactic function of monocytes and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells were studied in vivo with rats. Abdominal sepsis was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by cecal ligation and puncture. Following a bolus infusion of the fat emulsion or saline, chemotactic function of monocytes and PMN cells was evaluated in animals divided into the following four groups: Group I, non-septic rats receiving saline infusion (NS-S); Group II, non-septic rats receiving the fat emulsion (NS-F); Group III, septic rats receiving saline (S-S); Group IV, septic rats receiving the fat emulsion (S-F). Results of the study revealed that monocyte function was suppressed by the sepsis, whether saline or the fat emulsion was infused, and administration of the fat emulsion resulted in suppression of monocyte chemotaxis both in the non-septic and the septic rats. Although in this study chemotactic function of PMN cells was not significantly suppressed by the sepsis, administration of the fat emulsion again led to a suppression of PMN cell function, in both the non-septic and the septic rats. Results of the study confirmed that administration of an exogenous fat emulsion may suppress the chemotactic function of the monocytes and PMN cells and, in the presence of severe sepsis, infusion of the fat emulsion may lead to a further deterioration of immunologic function of the host. Special care, therefore, should be taken against the use of exogenous fat emulsion in septic individuals or in those at risk of infection.

Antitumor effect of two-drug simultaneous or sequential use of cisplatin, vindesine or etoposide on human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines in tumor clonogenic assay

The antitumor effects of two-drug simultaneous or sequential use of cisplatin, vindesine or etoposide were examined in human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines by human tumor clonogenic assay. Different tumor cell lines (PC-9, PC-13 and PC-14) that originated from the same histological cell type responded quite variably to simultaneous and/or sequential therapy. The antitumor effects of various sequential combinations of cisplatin, vindesine and etoposide depended strongly on the nature of the individual tumor cell line tested.

Hypoxia-sensitive NMR contrast agents

The rate of reduction of nitroxides is shown to be more rapid in hypoxic cells. The rate of reduction and the effect of hypoxia on the reduction rate vary for different nitroxides. These findings indicate that it may be feasible to develop in vivo NMR contrast agents that selectively will indicate areas of hypoxia and thereby aid in the detection of disease processes such as neoplasia, ischemia, and inflammation.