High-performance liquid chromatography of penimocycline (author's transl)

Penimocycline is an antibiotic obtained by Mannich reaction between tetracycline and ampicilline. Separation of penimocycline from tetracyclines and other impurities has been studied by high-performance liquid chromatography. The most effective method is liquid-liquid partition on a Micropak CH column (non-polar hydrocarbon bonded on porous silica microparticles) and gradient elution with water-methanol, 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) and 1 mM EDTA. Some results on hydrolysis of penimocycline are given.     

Calculation of radioimmunochemical determinations by "spline approximation" (author's transl)

A simplified method, based on the "spline approximation", is reported for the calculation of the standard curves of radioimmunochemical determinations. It is possible to manipulate the mathematical function with a pocket calculator, thus making it available for a large number of users. It was shown that, in contrast to the usual procedures, it is possible to achieve optimal quality control in the preparation of the standard curves and in the interpolation of unknown plasma samples. The recaluculation of interpolated values from their own standard curve revealed an error of 4.9% which would normally be an error of interpolation. The new method was compared with two established methods for 8 different radioimmunochemical determinations. The measured values of the standard curve showed a weighting, and there was a resulting quality control of these values, which, according to their statistical evalution, were more accurate than those of the others models (Ekins et al., Yalow et al., (1968), in: Radioisotopes in Medicine: in vitro studies (Hayes, R. L., Goswitz, F.A. & Murphy, B. E. P., eds) USA EC, Oak Ridge) and Rodbard et al. (1971), in: Competitive protein Binding Assys(Odell, W. D. & Danghedy, W. H., eds.) Lipincott, Philadelphia and Toronto). In contrast with these other models, the described method makes no mathematical or kinetic preconditions with respect to the dose-response relationship. To achieve optimal reaction conditions, experimentally determined reaction data are preferable to model theories.     

Quantitative determination of hippuric acid in urine using high pressure liquid chromatography (author's transl)]

A simple method to determine hippuric acid in urine by high pressure liquid chromatography is described. An ion exchange column is used for the separation. The detection is carried out with a photometer. The analytical criteria of the reliability of the method are tested. The results for the precision and the accuracy of the method meet the guidelines of the statistical quality control. 34 urinary constituents were tested for their interference in order to examine the specificity. Measuring urine samples from 46 normal persons yielded hippuric acid concentrations between 160 and 2010 mg/1. The median was 400 mg/1, equivalent to 357 mg/g creatinine. These results are compared to those given in the literature. Comparative investigations of those urine samples by a gas chromatographic method matched well, with a coefficient of regression of 0.86.     

Etiology of shock lung: case report (author's transl)

In a woman, 29, two times resection and anastomosis of the small intestine because of extended infarction was performed. Following peritonitis and septic shock a progressive respiratory insufficiency developed and patient died 48 hours later despite intensive ventilatory treatment. Autopsy findings were manifold vascular damage (aorta) and thromboembolisms in mesenteric vessels and iliac veins too. Patient received oral contraceptives over several years, changed the preparation previously and contraceptive therapy was continued with another one. Thromboembolic complications may understood as undesirable side effects of the contraceptives. By microscopy of lung thrombosis in capillaries was seen and in small arteries too, as embolism carried by the blood stream. In pathogenesis of shock lung macrothrombosis as an aetiologic factor is to be discussed.     

A report about the problem of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester-syndrome (author's transl)

Twenty cases of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester-syndrome from Iran are reported with the results of corrective surgery. One pecularity of this syndrome never recorded previously is the unilaterality of the condition and endometrium in the secretory phase. We suggest that this abnormality may have some racial or sectorial incidence.     

Wounds of the hand by injection of fluids under high pressure (author's transl)

The result of mechanisation and technical improvements in industry, wounds by high pressure pistols are very serious. They are often neglected at first for they may be undiagnosed. To the toxicity of the injected product, which diffuses far from the minimal point of entry, may be added the destructive effect of the high pressure on the cell spaces of the hand, which are narrow and inextensible. Surgical treatment includes the association of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and wide removal of the affected tissues as well as the foreign material. Active physiotherapy after immobilisation in a functional position, will permit recovery of satisfactory movements. Amputation is unfortunately often necessary, thus great efforts should be made to prevent work accidents.     

Sj?gren's syndrome with pulmonary fibrosis. A case report (author's transl)

The case is pointing to two remarkable facts: 1. Sj?gren's syndrome may also be proceeding--without demonstrating any inflammatory rheumatic symptoms--with an isolated pulmonary fibrosis, as it had been evident in another case mentioned. 2. In certain circumstances, it may be considerably difficult to differentiate, with reliable certainty, the morphological changes in the salivary gland from those of a malignant lymphoma. Besides, also in literature there are reports concerning malignant degeneration turning into malignant lymphomata [1,8] in cases of Sj?gren's syndrome.     

The place of xerography combined with routine conventional mammography (author's transl)

Xeroradiography is a valuable supplement to conventional mammography, especially in cases with dense glandular structure. In our patient material this new procedure was necessary for clarification of findings on conventional mammography in 16% of cases and improved diagnostic yield. Indirect and direct signs of carcinoma were more easely recognized with xeroradiography, since more detail is visualized because of greater latitude and edge contrast enhancement. Moreover the area visualized is considerably greater. The soft tissue structures can be seen to the level of the thoracic wall. Viewing the films is less tiring than reviewing conventional mammography films. A relatively greater exposure latitude and short exposure times are further advantages of this method.     

Acute intermittent porphyria: report on 17 patients with 49 attacks (author's transl)

In 17 patients (15 women, 2 men) with acute intermittent porphyria in the incidence of 23 clinical symptoms during 49 attacks was calculated. The most frequent symptoms in percentage of attacks were: Red colour of the urine 100%, abdominal pain 92%, tachycardia 88%, hypertension 75%, vomiting 54%, peripheral neuropathy 50%. In 35% of acute attacks a transient normochromic, normocytic anemia developed which is probably due to a disturbance of heme synthesis. Oliguria was found in 25%, azotemia in 12.5% of attacks. 4 patients with an average of 5 preceding acute attacks showed a persistent reduction of renal function during the symptom-free interval, in contrast to 12 patients with an average of 1.7 previous attacks and normal renal function. During the observation period from 1960-1974 3 (= 18%) of the 17 patients died.     

A radioreceptor assay for catecholamines. I. A study with 3H-norepinephrine (author's transl)

A radioreceptor assay for catecholamines(CA) has been established utilizing the microsomal fraction of bovine myocardium as CA receptors and 3H-norepinephrine(3H-NA) as a ligand. The bound fraction was separated from the free fraction by filtration through milipore filters. The following results were obtained: 1) The optimal amount of the microsomal fraction was 250 micrograms/tube, when 3H-NA of 12,000 c.p.m was used. The appropriate conditions for incubation were 2 hours at 37 degrees C in a pH 7.4 sucrose solution. 2) By this method, norepinephrine was detectable in the range from 5 to 100ng/tube. 3) Various compounds with catechol nucleus showed a cross-reaction in this radioreceptor assay system. 4) Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents inhibited the binding of 3H-NA, whereas beta-blocking agents were ineffective. These results suggest that the microsomal fraction of bovine myocardium contains alpha-adrenergic receptors which bind the catechol nucleus of CA.     

Sarcoidosis of the ocular fundus (report of a case) (author's transl)

A report is given of an unusual case of an extensively scarred fundus following chorioditis in sarcoidosis, where depigmentation was prominent and reminding us in the differential diagnosis of possible degenerative changes.