Effects of growth hormone in osteoporosis

The effect of chronic administration of growth hormone (GH) to osteoporotic patients was studied using the techniques of total body neutron activation analysis, whole body counting, calcium tracer kinetics, photon absorptiometry, quantitative microradiography, and urinary hydroxyproline. Two dosage schedules were utilized for six months each: 2 units daily and 0.2 w3/4 units of GH daily (where W represents body weight expressed in kg). The lower dosage (2 units) did not produce any appreciable change in the indices studied. Following the higher dose, no evidence of any anabolic effect was apparent in most patients (i.e., no increase in total body levels of Ca, Na, K, P, or Cl). Increases were noted in the urinary calcium excretion rate and in the urinary hydroxyproline excretion. Bone mineral content decreased. The bone biopsies displayed an increase in bone formation and resorption surfaces in response to treatment, but these changes were not statistically significant. It may be concluded that under the conditions of this study, GH administration did not result in an increment in skeletal mass. Several side effects that are characteristic of acromegaly were observed, including hyperglycemia, hypertension, arthralgia, and the carpal tunnel syndrome. Because of the lack of demonstrated benefit and the associated complications of therapy, GH administration does not appear to be of value in the treatment of osteoporosis.     

Phencyclidine: tissue distribution in the rat

This study was performed to provide knowledge of the tissue distribution of phencyclidine and has demonstrated the lipophilic nature of the drug. The distribution of phencyclidine in blood, brain, and adipose tissue of rats has been determined at various time intervals during a 48-hr period. The affinity of phencyclidine for adipose tissue and the demonstration of the presence of this drug in brain tissue long after it is no longer detectable in blood provides some correlation between the tissue distribution of phencyclidine and its clinical manifestations occuring 24-48 hr after administration.     

Nitrous oxide "analgesia": resemblance to opiate action

Nitrous oxide produced a dose-related "analgesia" in mice (median effective dose, 55 percent). The analgesia was evaluated by means of a phenylquinone writhing test. Narcotic antagonists or chronic morphinization reduced nitrous oxide analgesia. Either nitrous oxide releases an endogenous analgesic or narcotic antagonists have analgesic antagonist properties heretofore unappreciated.     

Locally recurrent carcinoma of the breast. Results of radiation therapy

Local and regional recurrences are frequent problems in breast cancer management. Radiation therapy is effective in producing long term remission. This study evaluates the results of radiation therapy of 215 patients with recurrent disease limited to the chest wall and/or regional lymph node areas. The local results showed complete control in 67% of cases (mean and median durations 32 months and 22 months, respectively), partial control in 24% of cases (mean and median 11 and 8 months, respectively) and no control in the remaining 9%. The radiation dose recommended for the treatment of recurrent mammary carcinoma is 5000 rads in 5 weeks for relatively small lesions. Supplementary local doses of 500-1000 rads in 1 week may be given to bulky lesions as necessary for residual disease. Although local relapse indicates a poor prognosis, it is by no means totally hopeless. Of 215 patients treated 44 (21%) survived 5 years and 10 (5%) survived 10 years following radiation therapy of recurrent disease. There were seven patients, or 3%, who were free of cancer at 5 to 15 years. Radiation therapy was valuable in controlling local lesions, and thus, in improving quality of survival, even in those patients who eventually died of metastatic disease.     

Efficacy of intratracheal administration of Newcastle disease vaccine in day-old chicks

Groups of day-old chicks with varying levels of parental antibody were vaccinated against Newcastle disease (B1 strain) with a commercially available device which simultaneously debeaks the chick and emits a fine spray of vaccine into its trachea. Some groups were also vaccinated (B1 or Lasota strain) with a commercially available vaccine sprayer at 9 days, 14 days, or 9 and 25 days of age. Response to vaccine was evaluated once each week during the experimental period of approximately 8 weeks HI titers were determined and 10 chicks were challenged with the Texas GB strain of Newcastle disease virus. In chicks with low to moderate levels of maternal antibody a satisfactory antibody response was attained by vaccination at 1 day of age, and in most cases resistance to challenge was evident by 3 weeks of age. Intratracheal vaccination of chicks with extremely high levels of maternal antibody had a minimal antibody response. All groups of chicks spray vaccinated at 9, 14, or 9 and 25 days of age showed a marked increase in antibody titer regardless of whether they had been vaccinated at 1 day of age.     

Ageing and degeneration in the macular region: a clinico-pathological study

Clinical and pathological examination was performed on 378 eyes from 216 patients aged 43 to 97 years. This series represented eyes in which the fundi were normal or showed various manifestations of senile macular degeneration. The eyes were divided into six groups according to the histological appearance of a linear deposit at the base of the retinal pigment cells. Groups I and II were considered to represent normal ageing, Groups III and IV the progressive development of senile macular degeneration and Groups V and VI the end-results. Group I showed no basal linear deposit. Thickening and hyalinization of Bruch's membrane was noted as early as the fifth decade. Group II showed patchy development of the basal linear deposit in relation to thickened or basophilic segments of Bruch's membrane, or over intercapillary hyalinization extending to the level of the outer surface of the choriocapillaris. Almost all eyes in these two groups retained a normal fundus appearance but visual acuity declined with age even in the absence of other causes. In Group III the basal deposit formed a thin continuous layer associated with moderate degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium. More than half the eyes had developed a clinical disturbance of pigmentation and in most vision was reduced. Group IV was characterized by thickening of the deposit and more pronounced disturbance of the pigment epithelium. Clinically most eyes showed coarse pigmentary changes and vision was in the order of 6/24. 14-3 per cent of eyes in this group showed early neovascularization from the choroid. In Group V the pigment epithelium disappeared to produce circumscribed areas of depigmentation. The basal linear deposit could be traced throughout the depigmented area in most eyes. Thin fibrovascular sheets were found beneath the pigment epithelium in 41-7 per cent of eyes. Group VI represented disciform degeneration. The basal linear deposit could often be demonstrated as a disrupted hyalinized layer incorporated into the scar. Disciform degeneration was an alternative end-result to geographical atrophy. In each group the clinical and histological findings may be modified by the presence of drusen or by atrophy of the choroid. The basal linear deposit consisted of banded fibres embedded in granular material lying between the plasma infoldings and the basement membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium. This deposit seems to be a manifestation of gradual failure of the pigment epithelium and proved to be the most suitable criterion by which to study the natural history of senile macular degeneration.     

Formalin treatment for intractable hemorrhagic cystitis: a review of the literature with 16 additional cases

Acute, exsanguinating hemorrhagic cystitis secondary to cyclophosphamide therapy, radiation therapy, or an infiltrating bladder tumor may be managed successfully with intravesical Formalin therapy. The indications for its use, the technique, success rates, and complications are discussed. This treatment was effective in 14 of 16 patients in the present series and 79 of 90 cases reported in the literature. Dilutions of 4% or less were as effective as a 10% dilution and were associated with far fewer complications. The early use of Formalin in the treatment of intractable hemorrhagic cystitis is recommended.     

Kinetics of swelling of cotton fibers in aqueous ethylenediamine solutions using moisture regain data

Kinetic studies of swelling of cotton cellulose with 75% (w/w) EDA solution have been carried out. Three rates of the reaction were observed in the temperature range 10–35°C: first, the very fast rate (k₁) lasting for about 10 s; second, the extremely slow rate (k₂) lasting for 30–50 s; and third, once again a fast rate (k₃), k₁ being faster than k₃. k₁ was attributed to the swelling action of EDA–monohydrate in amorphous regions of cellulose; k₂ was assigned to the penetration of swelling species into crystallities accompanied by breakage of H bonds in these regions; and k₃ was assigned to the opening up of the crystallites. Activation energy values confirmed this trend. At higher temperatures (35–55°C), the middle rate k₂ merged with k₃, giving only two rates, k₁ and k₂₊₃, as the higher temperatures brought about simultaneous diffusion of swelling agent into, and decrystallization of, the crystalline portions of cellulose. EDA solution of 65% (w/w) concentration gave only two rates: the initial fast rate assigned to the swelling of the amorphous portion, followed by a slow one, operating in mesomorphous regions of cellulose, without any appreciable decrystallization. This was atributed to the important fact, viz., the absence of EDA–monohydrates in the solution.