A study of the protein composition of the zona pellucida of mammalian oocytes and zygotes by a method of microelectrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel

It is known that drugs are not unlimitedly stable. Dilutions of the antineoplastic agent daunoblastin used in the clinic and experimental work, were examined, whether they could be stored for several days. By means of impulscytophotometry, spectral-photometric measurements, counting of surviving cells and estimation of DNA-synthesis after culturing pieces of tissue in the presence of daunoblastin it could be established that this drug, diluted even four days ago, still possesses sufficient activity.     

Prognostic factors of the probability of the occurrence of complications in the radiation therapy of malignant neoplasms

The authors present an analysis of the causes of radiation induced complications in 383 patients referred to the Chair of Clinical Radiology from different medical institutions of the country. It was found that under distant gamma therapy, to prevent the development of complications the value of TDF-factor should not exceed 105--110, for the associated radiotherapy--130--140, and that for close focal roentgenotherapy--130--150. In vast majority of patients (95.3%) the complications resulted from surpassing the normal tissue tolerance. To prevent radiation injuries it is suggested to take into consideration the TDF-factor values, while in planning radiotherapy to choose such schedules of irradiation, which preclude any surpassing of the tolerance of normal tissues and organs adjacent to the tumor.     

Surgical anatomy of the greater pectoral muscle

In 41 preparations of the m. pectoralis major it has been stated by means of anatomical methods that the vascular "hilus" is projected on the upper third of its middle part and represented by the thoracic branch of the thoracoacromial artery. The latter has several variants dividing into branches of the successive orders. It has been stated that the muscle has a wide network of anastomoses at the macro-microscopic level. For plastic purposes, it is expedient to use the external and middle parts of the m. pectoralis major which have more favourable conditions of the blood supply. Owing to the data obtained and the technique, developed on 25 corpses, for cutting out and graft transplantation in the thoracic cavity, it has been possible to operate 9 patients.     

Variations of cardiac cycle length in patients with coronary heart disease before and after aortic coronary bypass surgery

It is well known that variations in cardiac cycle length or heart rates may be used for noninvasive evaluation of autonomic cardiovascular control. The investigation uses an original procedure. The data for analysis of cardiac cycle length variations (CCLV) are those obtained regularly at follow-up intervals, random 24-hour Holter 2-lead ECG recordings for 5 sec, and simultaneously calculated continuous sequence of mean heart rate. With the procedure, the correlations of CCLV with the parameters reflecting the early postoperative status of patients with CHD, including acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, rhythm and conduction disturbances, as well as age, operative stress, concurrent diseases. The findings are of both diagnostic and predictive value at subsequent stages of CHD treatment.     

Histology and histochemistry of intervertebral discs of rats participated in spaceflight

The qualitative and quantitative histological and histochemical changes in the structure and macromolecular composition of lumbar intervertebral discs of rat during a 12.5-day space flight (Cosmos 1887 biosatellite) were determined using light and polarization microscopy. Semiquantitative histochemical, topo-optical reactions were measured and evaluated by retardation values of birefringence. (a) Lateral expansion and accumulation of the notochordal cells in the nucleus pulposus was observed in contrast with the vivarium control, where the chondroid cells dominated. (b) The cartilage and plate showed a swelling, which consisted mainly of hypertrophied cells sometimes with mild extracellular mineralization. (c) In the external zone of annulus fibrosus and cartilage end plate a mild decrease of orientation of collagen fibers was found. (d) A significant increase of orientation of hyase sensible glycosaminoglycans in the internal zone of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus was observed. (e) In the external and internal zones of annulus fibrosus an increase of orientation of glycoproteids was revealed. The alterations of macromolecular components of intervertebral discs, cartilage end plates, and the osteoporotic changes of the lumbar vertebral bodies producing the looser structure of vertebral column after 12.5 day space flight suggest the necessity of the common evaluation of these structures, and may explain the heavy spinal pains of astronauts.     

Carotid artery repair for radiation-associated atherosclerosis is a safe and durable procedure

OBJECTIVE: The development of carotid atherosclerosis after neck irradiation is well documented. There has been concern about the safety and durability of carotid artery repair through a radiated field. The objective of this report is to describe the immediate and long-term results of a series of cases collected in a 13-year interval. METHODS: From 1984 to 1997, 24 patients underwent 26 carotid artery operations. All the patients had undergone prior radiation therapy at a mean interval of 17 years, with an average radiation dose of 6300 rad. Severe scarring of the skin or radiation fibrosis were present in two thirds of the patients, with 4 patients having permanent tracheostomies. The indications for carotid surgery included cerebral or monocular transient ischemic attack (58%), asymptomatic high-grade stenosis (27%), prior stroke (12%), and tumor invasion of the carotid artery (4%). General anesthesia was used with selective shunting on the basis of carotid artery back pressure or electroencephalography monitoring. Patch angioplasty closure was used in 79% of the patients. The operations included standard carotid endarterectomy (n = 20), external carotid endarterectomy (n = 2), carotid patch angioplasty alone (n = 2), aortocarotid bypass grafting (n = 1), and carotid interposition grafting (n = 1). Four patients required skin grafting or myocutaneous flaps. RESULTS: No deaths or strokes occurred within 30 days of the operations. Six patients had transient cranial nerve palsy, and two had wound infections. The patients were followed from 1 to 156 months, with six patients being followed for longer than 18 months. No strokes were seen at late follow-up examination. Duplex scan examination documented one occlusion, in a patient with primary closure, and two restenoses, one of which necessitated reoperation. The remainder of the grafts were widely patent. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid surgery after neck irradiation is safe and durable. The long-term patency rates and the protection against subsequent neurologic events are similar to the results obtained in the absence of radiation therapy. Problems of wound healing were not found in this series.