Theory of the Supercurrent Diode Effect in Rashba Superconductors with Arbitrary Disorder

We calculate the nonreciprocal critical current and quantify the supercurrent diode effect in two-dimensional Rashba superconductors with arbitrary disorder, using the quasiclassical Eilenberger equation. The nonreciprocity is caused by the helical superconducting state, which appears when both inversion and time-reversal symmetries are broken. In the absence of disorder, we find a very strong diode effect, with the nonreciprocity exceeding 40% at optimal temperatures, magnetic fields, and spin-orbit coupling. We establish that the effect persists even in the presence of strong disorder. We show that the sign of the diode effect changes as magnetic field and disorder are increased, reflecting the changes in the nature of the helical state.

Thymol regulates the functions of immune cells in the rat peritoneal cavity after l-arginine-induced pancreatitis

AIMS

The present study aimed to evaluate the protective action of thymol towards l-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) by studying the function of rat peritoneal immune cells.

MAIN METHODS

Rat peritoneal exudate cells (PECs), obtained 24 h after the injection of l-arginine (350 mg/100 g of b.w.), were evaluated for mitochondrial activity (MTT assay), adherence capacity (methylene-blue assay), and phagocyte enzyme activity (myeloperoxidase, MPO, assay). The activity of α-amylase and free MPO, as well as the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS, i.e. O₂^-), were determined in the peritoneal exudate fluid. Also, serum α-amylase activity determination and pancreatic tissue pathohistological analysis were performed.

KEY FINDING

The administered thymol (50 and 100 mg/kg, per os) caused a significant decrease in the PEC mitochondrial activity and adherence capacity when compared with these functions of PECs isolated from rats with AP. A decrease in cellular MPO activity, as well as in the levels of ROS, α-amylase, and free MPO in peritoneal exudates was found in animals treated with thymol compared to the control animals with AP. Additionally, thymol administration prevented an increase in serum α-amylase activity, accompanied by the decrease in pancreatic tissue damage that follows l-arginine application.

SIGNIFICANCE

The present results showed that thymol exerts significant immunomodulatory properties and a potential to silence PEC functions in inflammatory conditions such as the AP induced by l-arginine.

Morphometric analysis of structural renal alterations and beneficial effects of aminoguanidine in acute kidney injury induced by cisplatin in rats

Since cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity has very important clinical consequences, the purpose of this study was to determine the potential protective effect of aminoguanidine on the acute kidney injury caused by cisplatin. Experiments were done on 40 Wistar rats divided into four groups. The CIS group received cisplatin in a single dose of 8 mg/kg, while the CISAG group received the same dose of cisplatin and aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injections. Animals in the AG group received only aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg) and those in the C group received saline. Quantitative evaluation of structural and functional alterations in the kidneys was performed by analysis of biochemical and parameters of oxidative stress and by histological and morphometric analysis of renal sections. Histological sections of kidney showed structural damage of proximal tubules and glomeruli that were induced by cisplatin. Morphometric analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the area of proximal tubules and the size and cellularity of glomeruli between the CIS and CISAG groups. Glomerular basement membrane thickness was increased in the CIS group, while aminoguanidine attenuated these changes in the CISAG group of rats. Our results suggest that aminoguanidine acts protectively and repairs structural and functional damage of kidney by engaging the existent antioxidative potential at the level of renal tissue.

Toxic essential oils, part VI: Acute oral toxicity of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil in BALB/c mice

Despite being renowned for its volatiles, the data on the toxicity of the essential oil of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae) is rather limited compared to its solvent/water-soluble extractibles. In this study, the aerial parts essential oil of M. officinalis, with over 130 constituents identified herein, 26 of which detected for the first time, was investigated for acute oral toxicity in BALB/c mice. The oil, composed of predominantly monoterpene aldehydes, citronellal (21.2-21.8%), neral (17.8-18.4%), and geranial (22.9-23.5%), which were assayed in parallel with the oil in some tests, induced significant changes in animal behavior, as well as altered biochemical parameters reflecting liver and kidney functions. Different pathological changes in the stomach, duodenum, liver, and kidneys were detected when the oil was administered in doses higher than 1 g kg^-1. A depletion in the liver/kidney antioxidant capacities and an increased rate of lipid peroxidation was noted for animals treated with lemon balm oil. The calculated value of the oral LD₅₀ in BALB/c mice (2.57 g kg^-1) infers that the essential oil is only moderately toxic.

Lycopene improves methotrexate-induced functional alterations of the Madin-Darby kidney cells in a concentration-dependent manner

Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants among carotenoids due to its ability to quench singlet oxygen and react with free radicals to reduce DNA damage. Methotrexate is widely used in the treatment of several types of cancers and autoimmune diseases. One of the most common side effects of a high-dose of methotrexate is kidney injury. In this study, we evaluated effects of lycopene on the Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) treated with methotrexate through the estimation of their mitochondrial and lysosomal functions ((4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide reduction assay and neutral red uptake assay) and changes in cell oxidative status (determination of advanced oxidized proteins concentrations and reduced glutathione levels) and lysosomal enzymes activity (β-N-acetyl glucosaminidase activity). Results of our study showed that lycopene applied in high concentration caused significant impairment of the MDCK function leading to cell death. Contrarily, in relatively low concentrations lycopene moderately ameliorated methotrexate-induced MDCK cell death estimated by both biochemical and microscopic analyses. It also prevented a significant decline in the MDCK cell lysosomal function estimated by neutral red accumulation ability and activity of the lysosomal enzyme β-N-acetyl glucosaminidase.

Differential expression of KCNQ1 K+ channel in tubular cells of frog kidney

The aim of this study was to evaluate KCNQ1 K⁺ channel expression in the frog kidney of Rana esculenta. KCNQ1 K⁺ channel, also known as KvLQT1, is the pore forming α-subunit of the I_Ks K⁺ channel, a delayed rectifier voltage-gated K⁺ channel, which has an important role in water and salt transport in the kidney and gastrointestinal tract. The expression of KCNQ1 K⁺ channel along tubular epithelium differs from species to species. In the present study the expression of KCNQ1 K⁺ channel in the frog kidney has been demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. The presence of KCNQ1 K⁺ channel was demonstrated in the epithelial cells of distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. However, the pattern of expression of KCNQ1 K⁺ channel differs between distal convoluted tubules and collecting duct. All epithelial cells of distal convoluted tubules revealed basolateral expression of KCNQ1 K⁺ channel. On the contrary, only the single cells of collecting duct, probably intercalated cells, showed diffuse cell surface staining with antibodies against KCNQ1 K⁺ channel. These findings suggest that KCNQ1 K⁺ channel has cell-specific roles in renal potassium ion transport.

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura

Two cases of female patients with solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura are described. Chest radiography and computed tomography showed the presence of a giant mass with inhomogeneous density in the hemithorax in both cases. Transthoracic needle biopsy of the masses showed benign fibrous tissue. Both patients underwent thoracotomy. The tumors arose from the visceral pleura, were peduncular, appeared well-circumscribed with exterior surface smooth, firm and multinodular. The size of tumors were 16x11x6 cm and 15x11x4.5 cm, weighed 650 g and 573 g and both were successfully resected. The pathological diagnosis was benign solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. Seven years after the operations the clinical condition and chest radiography are normal in both women.

[Biomechanical characteristics of spinal cord tissue--basis for the development of modifications of the DREZ (dorsal root entry zone) operation]

Mechanical properties of the spinal cord tissue--biological basis for the development of the modality of the DREZ surgery lesioning technique Succesful treatment of the chronic neurogenic pain of spinal cord and cauda equina injury origin remains a significant management problem. The mechanism of this pain phenomenon has been shown to be related to neurochemical changes that lead to the state of hypereactivity of the second order dorsal horn neurons. The DREZ surgery (Dorsal Root Entry Zone lesion), designed to destroy anatomy structures involved in pain generating thus interrupting the neurogenic pain mechanism, as a causative procedure in treating this chronic pain, has been performed by using different technical modalities: Radiofrequency (RF) coagulation technic, Laser, Ultrasound and Microsurgical DREZotomy technic. The purpose of the study was to assess the possibility for the establishment of the lesioning technic based on the natural difference in the mechanical properties between the white and gray cord substance. We experimentally deteminated mechanical properties of the human cadaveric cord white versus gray tissue for the purpose of testing possibility of selective suction of the dorsal horn gray substance as a DREZ lesioning procedure. Based on the fact of the difference in tissue elasticity between white and gray cord substance we established a new and simple DREZ surgical lesioning technique that was tested on cadaver cord. For the purpose of testing and comparing the size and shape of the DREZ lesion axchieved the DREZ surgery has been performed on cadaver cord by employing selective dorsal horn suction as a lesioning method. After the procedure cadaver cord underwent histological fixation and analysis of the DREZ lesions achieved. Our result revealed that the white cord substance with longitudinal fiber structure had four time higher dynamical viscosity than gray substance of local neuronal network structure (150 PaS versus 37.5 PaS) that provided possibility for the safe and selective suction of the gray substance of the dorsal horn. Technic includes incision of the dorsolateral sulcus according to Sindous Microsurgical DREZotomy technic than suction under visual control of the dorsal horn gray matter using succer adopted from the lumbar puncture nidle. Operative experimental testing and hystological analysis confirmed expected size and shape of the DREZ lesion performed by dorsal horn suction as DREZ lesioning technique. The utility, selectivity and safety of this technic has been provided by the natural mechanical properties of the cord tissue itself. Application of the Dorsal horn suction as a DREZ lesioning in humans confirmed this technic as a safe and reliable DREZ lesioning method.

[Surgical treatment of rare anatomic variations and anomalies of the thyroid gland]

Choristoma and thyroid gland malpositions are embryonal disorders. The aim of this article is ten years analysis of their diagnostic and operative treatment. In 1425 thyroidectomies we have found: one lingual, intratracheal, intracardial thyroid and ovarial struma; six separated intrathoracic goitre and 10 mostly intrathoracaly (80%) situated goitre; 1.4% out of all. Correct preoperative diagnosis we have in lingual thyroid, two intrathoracal thyroid and in all mostly intrathoracal thyroids, and in others after histopathological examination. Operative approach was: collar incision with medial sternotomy in nine, collar incision with lateral thoracotomy in three, right thoracotomy in two, and only collar incision in one. There were two operative complications, one recurrent nerve lesion and one mediastinal haematoma. There was no hypocalcaemia and mortality. Thyroid gland anomalies are very rare and associated with lot of problems in diagnostic and treatment. In specialised institutions frequency of operative complications is the same like in routine thyroid gland surgery.

Kidney ectopeptidases in gentamicin and mercuric chloride-induced acute renal failure

The clinical use of gentamicin is associated by nephrotoxicity in over 10% of patients. However, the biochemical events responsible for proximal tubular injury and acute renal failure (ARF) are still unclear. In the present study, effects of gentamicin and, comparatively, of mercuric chloride upon rat kidney cortex ectopeptidases were studied. Gentamicin was given i.p., 100 mg/kg daily for up to 6 days, mercuric chloride i.p. once 2.5 mg/kg to rats studied after 3 days. Kidney cortex aminopeptidase N decreased significantly after 3 and 6 days' treatment (p < 0.01), however, angiotensinase A significantly decreased after 3 (p < 0.01), and much more after 6 days of gentamicin treatment (p < 0.001). Dipeptidylpeptidase IV activity was significantly decreased only after 6 days of treatment with gentamicin. In mercuric chloride-induced ARF all three peptidase activities were markedly decreased (p < 0.001). These results suggest that gentamicin-induced decrease in ectopeptidase activities could compromise vasoactive and other biologically active peptides handling, with important consequences upon renal function and metabolism.

Radionuclide voiding pattern in children with unstable bladder

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate bladder function parameters by means of quantitative radionuclide cystography (QRC) in anxious, irritable children with unstable bladder.

METHODS

Quantitative radionuclide cystography was performed in 18 children aged between 8 and 12 years, without evidence of neurologic and nephrologic disorders. Findings were compared with those obtained in 10 healthy children aged between 7 and 10 years. The dynamics of the bladder emptying were studied after intravenous injection of 37 MBq/10 kg b.w. 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) in the posterior views. Images of 90 frames every 2 sec. were stored in the 64 x 64 computer matrix during voiding. The patients voided into a container and the volumes were measured.

RESULTS

The parameters evaluated were: functional bladder capacity (ml)--FBC, expected bladder capacity (ml)--EBC, percentage of EBC (%), voided urine volume (ml)--VV, residual urine (ml)--RU, voiding time (sec)--VT, average flow rate (ml/sec)--AFR and peak flow rate (ml/sec)--PFR. There was a statistically significant difference between controls and children with unstable bladder in the following parameters: FBC 288 +/- 33 vs. 244 +/- 27 ml (p < 0.001), % of EBC 99 +/- 6 vs. 82 +/- 6% (p < 0.0001), VV 265 +/- 37 vs. 202 +/- 35 ml (p < 0.0001), RU 22 +/- 11 vs. 48 +/- 19 ml (p < 0.007), AFR 13 +/- 5 ml/sec vs. 9 +/- 4 ml/sec. (p < 0.01) and PFR 19 +/- 2 vs. 13 +/- 3 ml/s (p < 0.0001), respectively. The VT obtained from the control group of 23 +/- 9 s did not differ significantly from the value of children with unstable bladder of 28 +/- 14 s.

CONCLUSION

The results show that quantitative radionuclide cystography is a simple, noninvasive method, which allows a good separation of patients with unstable bladder from the children with normal voiding pattern.

Fungus-like hyphochytrids associated with human disease

We report two cases, with liver and brain abscess, respectively, where fungus-like organisms belonging to the Hyphochytriomycota were found at the site of inflammation together with Peptococcus in the first and Cysticercus cellulosae in the second case. This is the first time these groups of organisms have been reported in human material. The role of hyphochytrids in human pathology remained uncertain as they were found together with already known human pathogens.

[Experimental study of the pathogenesis of frostbite. Part III. Significance of energy status of muscle tissue in the pathogenesis of frostbite]

The authors have investigated energy status of muscle tissue of the lower legs of Wistar rats subjected to freezing, as well as the dependence of ultrastructure changes in muscle tissue mitochondria on the intensity of freezing. The animals were divided into three experimental groups: two groups were exposed to cryoinjury of different intensity, while the third was the control one. Cryoinjury was applied over an experimental after thawing were taken samples of muscle tissue for the analysis of content of energy phosphates and carbohydrates' metabolites, respectively, as well as for morphometric analysis of mitochondria volume out of frozen right and unfrozen left lower legs. Results obtained from different experimental groups were compared mutually and with control group that was not exposed to cryoinjury, respectively. It was found that the freezing in muscle tissue caused hydrops degeneration of mitochondria, depletion of energy reserves, reduction of energy status and the activation of mechanism of anaerobic metabolism. All these alterations were proportional to the intensity of freezing and considerably influenced contractility function of muscle cells, causing prolonged spasm of arterioles in thawed tissue, i.e., rigor congelationis that was primarily defined as an important factor in the pathogenesis of ischemic impairment of thawed tissues.

[Lateral orbitotomy in the approach to an orbital dermoid cyst]

The choice of surgical approach for the resection of orbital tumor is as a rule determined by the tumor position in the orbital space and the best choice is the most direct approach to orbital tumor. Lateral orbitotomy as the extracranial orbital approach is favorable for radical resection of the tumor, which growth is limited to the anterior, lateral and superolateral orbital segment.

[Experimental study of the pathogenesis of frostbite. Part II. Role of the sympathetic-adrenergic system in tissue reperfusion immediately after thawing]

The authors have investigated the role of sympathetic-adrenergic system in reperfusion of muscular tissue of the feet of Wistar rats immediately after thawing using alpha adrenergic blocker phentolamine methanesulfonate (Regitin). Cryoinjury was applied over an experimental model of local, controlled freezing of different intensity for certain experimental groups. Blood flow through microcirculation was measured by scintigraphy, following Tc-99m-pertechnetate clearance that was given in muscular mass of frozen right, as well as unfrozen left feet of rats. Results obtained in some experimental groups were compared mutually, as well as with the control group that was not exposed to cryoinjury. The investigations have revealed that immediately after thawing existed significant reduction, non-dependent of the intensity of freezing, in blood flow in microcirculation of both frozen and unfrozen feet of rats compared to the control group. Significant increase of microcirculatory blood flow in unfrozen feet was caused by blockade of sympathetic-adrenergic system, while the blood flow remained unchanged in the frozen ones. The reduction of blood flow in microcirculation of frozen tissues immediately after thawing was not associated with sympathetic-adrenergic factor.

Evaluation of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease by DTPA renal scintigraphy

Sixty patients with previously documented autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) were investigated using dynamic kidney scintigraphy with 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Patients were subdivided in respect of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as follows: PKD I group (normal GFR), PKD II group (moderately reduced GFR), and PKD III (severely reduced GFR). Scintigraphic features, time activity curves, excretion parameters, global and individual kidney functions were analyzed. Because of GFR dependent sensitivity, in advanced renal failure being only 0.1, and low reproducibility (11% intraobserver, 22% interobserver), 99mTc-DTPA dynamic kidney scintigraphy cannot be generally recommended for the diagnosis of ADPKD, but has to become a routine method for functional evaluation of both global and individual renal functions, as well as degree of excretion disturbances in ADPKD patients.

[Experimental study of the pathogenesis of frostbite. Part I. Pathohistologic and ultrastructural changes in tissues immediately after thawing]

Histopathologic and ultrastructural changes in the tissues of frozen extremities of Wistar rats were investigated immediately after thawing. Three experimental groups were formed: two were exposed to cryoinjuries of different intensity, while the third was the control one. Cryoinjury was caused by experimental model of local, controlled freezing of hind, right extremities. Immediately after thawing the tissue samples were taken from frozen right and unfrozen left extremities, in which histopathologic and ultrastructural changes were compared mutually and with control group, respectively. It was observed that the freezing directly caused ultrastructural and histopathologic damage of the tissues that were manifested immediately after thawing and were proportional to the intensity of freezing. Simultaneously, in the tissues existed complex circulatory disorders manifested in open arteriovenous shunts, venous congestion and microcirculatory insufficiency caused by evident spasm of arteriolae that could be considered to be very significant pathogenetic factor in ischemic damage of unfreezed tissues.

Elevated tumour markers in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy

Balkan nephropathy (BEN) is commonly associated with urothelial cancer. Urothelial cancer is manifested in the advanced stage of disease. The aim of this study was to facilitate early detection of urothelial cancer in BEN patients and their family members living in an endemic region by using tumour markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), and a putative marker, ferritin. Fifteen BEN patients with normal renal function, 17 with renal failure (BEN-RF), 13 healthy members of their families (HFM), 14 patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) and 12 healthy controls (C) were studied. Serum CEA levels in BEN patients were within normal limits, however, in BEN-RF patients they were significantly increased over HFM (p<0.05). Serum TPA levels in BEN and BEN-RF patients were significantly higher than in the C and HFM groups (p<0.05). Urinary CEA was not significantly different between the groups studied. Urinary TPA levels in HFM (median 125 U/l, BEN (236 U/l) and BEN-RF (275 U/l) were significantly increased over C (30 U/l), however, TPA levels were increased also in GN patients (437 U/l). None of the BEN patients studied developed urothelial cancer during the ten years' follow-up. Markedly elevated urinary TPA-like levels in all patients studied (HFM, BEN, BEN-RF, GN) suggest that urinary TPA may not be a reliable tumour marker. However, the clinical relevance of high TPA levels in BEN patients should be evaluated.

[Epizootiologic situation of rabies in 1997. Urbanization of sylvatic rabies in Yugoslavia]

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is situated on the border of a great sylvatic rabies epizootics occurring in central and eastern Europe. That is the reason why a relatively small number of rabid animals have been registered. In 1997, 124 rabid animals, mainly red foxes, were identified. In recent years red fox rabies epizootics in Yugoslavia has annually spread 15-20 km to the south. Rabies in domestic animals, especially dogs, was characterized with furious clinical forms and dog-to-dog transmission typical of urban rabies. Sylvatic rabies has been almost completely eradicated in some countries of western Europe in the last years, mostly due to the method of oral vaccination of foxes-the main vector of rabies.

[Correlation of cytologic and pathohistologic findings in ultrasonically-guided thin-needle biopsy of abdominal and retroperitoneal organs]

The ultrasonically guided fine needle biopsy is cheap, very sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of nonpalpable deep-seated lesions. During 1992 in the institute of Radiology of Military Medical Academy in Belgrade 87 biopsies of abdominal and 81 biopsies of retroperitoneal organs were performed for the cytological and histopathologic analysis. Deficient material was obtained in 15.4% of the cases. A good correlation between cytologic and histopathologic findings was observed, with diagnostic concordance in 90.8%. In 9 cases with falsely positive cytological diagnosis at the first examination, the diagnosis of malignancy was later confirmed by other diagnosis procedures. Diagnostic difficulties and the significance of adequate biopsy were particularly stressed.

[Repair of a severed nerve with denatured muscle graft--preliminary results of a new surgical technic]

In Neurosurgical Clinic of Military Medical Academy prospective study about the use of denatured muscle graft in nerve repair is in progress, based on numerous experimental and sporadic clinical literature data. The first, experimental part of the investigation is directed to operative technique details and also to find out the manner and duration of muscle denaturation which provide ideal conditions for regenerating axons sprouting. It is concluded that greater pectoral muscle have to be muscle graft donor for nerve defects shorter than 6 cm, and sartorius muscle for those longer than 6 cm. Denaturation for 30 seconds in liquid nitrogen and after that in distilled water for 3 minutes results in micromorphological status in muscle graft which is optimal for axonal regeneration. In the second, clinical part of the work reparations of missile neurotmesis of radial nerve with denatured muscle grafts are performed. Preliminary results 9 months after operation are quite comparable with results after sural nerve graft reparation.

[Personal experience with ex tempore diagnosis of neurosurgical biopsies using the smear method]

The results obtained by the use of the smear method were analyzed in ex tempore diagnostics of 240 neurosurgical biopsies, done in the period from 1991 to 1993. Thirty three different pathologic lesions were found that had their special morphology on smears, indicating the high specificity of this method. In 226 cases (94.17%) the diagnosis was established correctly, but in 14 cases (5.83%) it was not: in three cases the diagnosis was falsely negative and in 11 falsely positive. The main causes of the diagnostic errors were analysed and they included the subjective factors and uncommonness of the analyzed tissue samples. The accuracy of 94.17% enabled sufficiently reliable use of this method in ex tempore diagnostics of neurosurgical biopsies.

[Hemangiopericytoma of the lungs]

Six patients, three women and 3 men with lung hemangiopericytoma treated at the Military Medical Academy in the period 1971-1991 are reported. The youngest patient was 20 years, the oldest 69 years. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients, 3 lobectomies, one bilobectomy, one wedge resection and one extirpation. Multiple hemangiopericytoma was found in one patient which consisted of three separate tumours in the right lung. The other had solitary lesions. Malignant hemangiopericytoma, was found in 4 patients, one of them had metastases in the mediastinal lymphatic glands. Four patients are alive and are under control for nine years in the average without signs of recurrence.

Thyroid hormone profiles in experimental acute renal failure

Thyroid hormone profiles were determined in two groups of dogs made uremic, either by i.v. uranyl nitrate 10 mg/kg BW injection or by bilateral ureteral ligation, and in one group of sham-operated animals. Each group consisted of 6 dogs and served as its own control. From blood samples taken in 12-h intervals up to 144 h for uranyl nitrate-injected dogs and 96 h for operated dogs, serum levels of T4, T3, fT4, fT3, rT3, and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassays. The results obtained in both groups of uremic dogs showed an initial sharp fall of T4, T3, fT4, and fT3 followed by a plateau or retarded decrease. In sham-operated dogs the fall of these hormones was slight and of short duration. Reverse T3 had a tendency to increase in all groups examined, but a significant elevation was recorded only after bilateral ureteral ligation. In this group cortisol serum levels were found the highest, being also significantly increased in the other two groups. The temporal coincidence of the most marked alterations in T3, rT3, and cortisol serum concentrations indicates a significant role of stress in thyroid dysfunction. Although serum creatinine rise and weight loss were not parallel with thyroid hormone alterations, the involvement of uremic compounds and malnutrition in this process is also quite clear. Thus, the data presented suggest simultaneous influences of uremic toxins, stress, and malnutrition on the induction of thyroid dysfunction in dogs made uremic by uranyl nitrate injection or bilateral ureteral ligation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Etiologic factors in fetal intrauterine growth retardation]

The authors studied the incidence of individual aetiological factors which may cause intrauterine interruption of foetal development. The research concerned 26 pregnant women hospitalized in the Ward for Pregnancy Pathology of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics over the period from 1986-1989. The majority of women with this manifested EPH gestosis: essential hypertension was observed in 3 patients (12%). Particular attention was paid to the final stage of delivery and to the Apgar Score. Discussion includes the results of other authors. In the conclusion the importance and significance of this problem are stressed--within the scope of perinatal medicine--in view of the high morbidity and mortality rates among infants.

Chondroma of the cervical spinal canal. Case report

The authors report a case of cervical spinal canal chondroma in a 28 year-old man. The tumor was removed completely. Only about 10 similar cases are reported up to now.

[Carcinoma in situ in cryptorchid testes in post-pubertal patients]

The pathohistologic analysis of testis sections of 37 postpuberty patients with different types of cryptorchism is performed. The tissue samples were taken during orchiopehy, fixed in Bouin's solution and treated by the standard histologic techniques. The morphologic criteria are presented for identification of the presence of the so called carcinoma in situ cells found in two cases. Besides, in 13 patients rare, mainly single, atypical germinative cells were found in a smaller number of the seminiferous tubules. It has been concluded that the presence of carcinoma in situ cells in undescended testes of some patients and considering the simple way of sampling, lack of complications and high reliability of the diagnostic procedure, it is absolutely justified to take routine biopsy of testes during orchiopexy in each postpuberty and perhaps prepuberty patient.

[Pulmonary thromboembolism--an autopsy study with clinico-pathologic correlations]

The study comprised 3.629 autopsies performed at the Institute of Pathology and Forensic Medicine of the M.M.A. in the period 1980-1990. Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was found in 533 (14.68%) of autopsied cases, that is, 10.88% of all causes of death. In the studied period there is an increased frequency of all PTE, especially of those with fatal outcome (p < 0.05). Of the total number of PTE found at autopsy (533), clinical diagnosis was established in 136 (25.51%), and of all fatal PTE found at autopsy (395) the clinical diagnosis was established in 123 (31.14%) during life. The clinical diagnosis of PTE was confirmed by autopsy in 42.42% of cases. Operations and neoplasms are the most frequent conditions in which PTE is occurred while myocardial infarction is the most frequently misdiagnosed for PTE during establishment of clinical diagnosis.