Alveolar gas relationships during the use of semi-closed rebreathing anaesthetic systems

A black box and a geometrical approach have been used to deduce the relationships between alveolar oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations when rebreathing occurs during the use of semi-closed anaesthetic rebreathing systems.     

Evaluation of the intraepithelial lymphocyte count in the jejunum in childhood enteropathies

Intraepithelial lymphocyte counts were evaluated in 131 jejunal mucosal biopsies taken from children with a small intestinal enteropathy arising from a variety of causes including coeliac disease, (untreated, after gluten withdrawal, and during subsequent challenge), giardiasis, cow's milk protein intolerance, and 'intractable diarrhoea'. The counts were compared with those from the biopsies of children referred for investigation but in whom no gastrointestinal disease was demonstrated and from healthy siblings of children with coeliac disease, investigated during a family study. Children with coeliac disease showed a raised count which fell after gluten withdrawal as has been demonstrated by others in adults. Lymphocytic infiltration of the epithelium increased rapidly during gluten challenge in such children, while no change was seen in those children proven ultimately not to have coeliac disease by the usually recognized criteria. In other enteropathies the range of counts was wide, overlapping with both normal and coeliac groups and indicating the nonspecificity of lymphocytic infiltration of the gut epithelium. The findings are discussed in relation to their significance and to further avenues of investigation to determine their possible diagnostic value in confirming the diagnosis of coeliac disease during gluten challenge.     

An electron-microscopic study of Herpetomonase sp. (Leptomonas pessoai)

The fine structure of the promastigotes of Herpetomonas sp. (Leptomonas pessoai) kept in a defined medium at 28 degrees C is described. This portozoon reveals several features in common with other trypanosomatids. A membrane-bounded organelle measuring 0.2 to 0.8 mum in diameter, similar to that described as peroxisome in Crithidia fasciculata, was also observed. A large cavity, located between the nucleus and the kinetoplast and containing vesicles and small particulate material is discussed in this paper.     

The in vivo effect of colchicine on the addition of galactose and sialic acid to rat hepatic serum glycoproteins

Colchicine inhibits the secretion of plasma protein by rat hepatocytes and causes their intracellular accumulation in Golgi-derived secretory vesicles. This study examines whether colchicine affects secretion before or after galactose and sialic acid have been added to the secretory glycoproteins. D-[G-3H] Galactose was injected into rats and was found to be incorporated into serum glycoproteins contained within Golgi-derived secretory vesicles. The administration of colchicine (25 mumol/100 g, body weight), immediately before the injection of D-[G-3H] galactose, caused an increase in radioactivity of the serum glycoproteins in these cell fractions. D-[G-3H] Glucosamine was incorporated into serum glycoproteins contained within the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi cell fractions; however, its incorporation into the sialic acid moieties of these proteins only occurred in Golgi-derived cell fractions. Colchicine administration resulted in an increased incorporation of D-[G-3H] glucosamine into the sialic acid residues of serum glycoproteins contained within the Golgi cell fractions. These data indicate that colchicine inhibits secretion of serum proteins by rat liver after the addition of galactose and sialic acid to the secretory proteins has taken place.     

Clinical aspects of salivary gland tumors

This paper reports on epithelial tumours arising primarily in the major and minor salivary glands. The purpose of this presentation is to summarize our experience of salivary gland tumours on the basis of a material comprising of approximately 3000 salivary gland tumours as well as a review of the literature to date. The tumours are classified according to the classification recommended by WHO 1972. The incidence, location, symptomatology, grade of malignancy and treatment of the different tumour types in this classification are reviewed. Diagnostic procedures are discussed and a scheme for surgical treatment and radiotherapy of the different types of salivary gland tumours is proposed.     

Relative value of peripheral blood, secretion and tissue eosinophilia in the diagnosis of different patterns of allergic rhinitis

Eosinophil count in peripheral blood, nasal secretion and nasal mucosa were studied in 20 controls and 38 patients with different patterns of allergic rhinits. Secretion and tissue eosinophilia were pathologically high in a greater number of patients than peripheral blood eosinophilia. This trend was seen in all patterns of allergic rhinitis but was more evident in seasonal allergic rhinitis. The conclusion was reached that examination of local site and local secretions for eosinophilia is helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.     

Cyclophosphamide in the treatment of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Fifty-three patients 3 1/2 to 20 years of age with steroid-dependent idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) were treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisone. Two dosage schedules were used: a short course (SC) at 3 to 5 mg/kg/day for six to eight weeks and a longer course (LC) at 3 to 5 mg/kg/day for eight weeks followed by 1.5 to 2.5 mg/kg for an additional four weeks. Prednisone was administered concurrently at 50 to 75 mg/sq M every other day. Twenty-nine patients were in the SC group and 24 in the LC group. The two groups did not differ significantly as to age at onset of idiopathic nephrosis nor as to the duration of the INS prior to cyclophosphamide therapy. All patients were followed for a minimum of 42 months after cyclophosphamide therapy. The SC was associated with a higher relapse rate during the first year than the LC (42% and 8% respectively, .01 larger than P less than .025). At 42 months 63% of the LC group were in remission compared with 21% in the SC group.     

Neonatal blood pressures

Arterial blood pressures were taken by the Doppler ultrasound method in 134 unselected mature neonates (birthweights 2,600-3,900 grams) who were managed in the same manner after birth. Blood pressures were measured at 3-5, 10 and 30 minutes of life and, if indicated, intermittently during the next 24-48 h. Left and right arm pressures were identical or differed by only 1-2 mm Hg. Lower than normal blood pressures were found in 4 groups of infants: those born by cesarean section, those recovering from intrauterine asphyxia, those exposed to maternal anti-hypertensive therapy, and those whose mothers received thiopental within four minutes of delivery. Return of the low pressures to within the normal range was fastest following thiopental induction in the absence of fetal asphyxia and slowest after antihypertensive therapy.