Isolation, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data of aspartate aminotransferase from chicken heart mitochondria

A series of 238 hydronephrotic kidneys in 219 children is reported. The condition was more common in the male than in the female subject and occurred more frequently on the left side. It was often bilateral, especially in infants, with an abdominal mass as the common presenting feature. Loin or abdominal pain was the most frequent complaint in older children. In some cases hydronephrosis presented as a ruptured kidney following trauma. Only 1 patient was hypertensive. The lesion was asymptomatic in 18 cases and the incidence of urinary infection was low. Dismembered pyeloureteroplasty was the procedure of choice for reconstruction. Preliminary nephrostomy was used rarely and nephrectomy was done in 10 per cent of the kidneys. Of the 7 reoperations 4 were for persistent obstruction and 3 were because stones had formed after the pyeloplasty. The late results, assessed clinically and radiologically, have been entirely satisfactory. Many kidneys of initially doubtful value showed useful improvement after reconstructive operation and no secondary nephrectomies were performed. The only death in the series occurred 2 1/2 years postoperatively and was unrelated to the urinary tract.     

Fusion of nasal swellings in the mouse embryo: surface coat and initial contact

The nasal region of 12-day-old mouse embryos was examined with the electron microscope to determine whether a surface coat and membrane specializations are involved in epithelial fusion between the medial and lateral nasal swellings. Ruthenium red was used to examine the distribution of the surface coat. Prior to contact, a surface coat is always present over the epithelial linings of the nasal swellings in the region of presumptive fusion, and it is often heavier in the fusing than in the non-fusing regions. At the point of initial contact, the coat is present as a thin film between touching superficial cells, suggesting that it may mediate epithelial contact. The initial contact between the cells of the medial and lateral nasal swellings is made by short projections from one superficial cell to the surface of an opposing superficial cells meet. The contacting membranes, which are separated by a distance of approximately 6-10 nm and show an increased electron-density, probably provide a firm adhesion between the nasal swellings.     

Comparison of mortality of patients with heart attacks admitted to a coronary care unit and an ordinary medical ward

During a 32-month period 2047 patients suspected of having heart attacks were admitted to hospital and were followed up prospectively. Out of 1480 eventually found to have definite or probable myocardial infarction, 483 had initially been admitted to an ordinary medical ward because of the shortage of coronary care unit (CCU) beds. More patients aged over 65 had been admitted to a ward than to a CCU, and more patients aged 65 or less had been admitted initially to a CCU. Within each age group, however, patients admitted initially to a CCU were clinically similar to those admitted initially to a ward. There was a higher proportion of successful resuscitations among patients admitted to a CCU, but there was no significant difference in mortality in either age group between patients admitted to a CCU and a ward.     

Urinary fistulas: vaginal repair using a labial fat pad

A technique is recommended to repair urinary fistulas vaginally using a pedicle of labial fat to separate the urothelial and vaginal layers. The technique was used in 6 patients with vesicovaginal and 4 patients with urethrovaginal fistulas. Anatomic results were successful in all cases and stress incontinence was cured in all patients who had this coexistent condition.     

Therapeutic comparison of thiol compounds in severe paracetamol poisoning

Twelve patients with toxic blood concentrations of paracetamol were treated with either cysteamine or amino-acid solution. None of the patients developed severe liver damage, although transient mild biochemical abnormalities developed in three. None of the patients treated with amino-acid solution had side effects due to therapy, whereas all those treated with cysteamine did. It is recommended that amino-acid solutions be used as a temporary measure in patients suspected of massive paracetamol overdose while awaiting estimation of blood paracetamol concentration.