Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

On the basis of own observations of courses the author adopts a definite attitude to the early symptomatology of the rheumatoid arthritis. During the first weeks of the rheumatoid arthritis the following symptoms are found: articular syndromes, more frequently in form of obstinate polyarthralgias, mono-oligoarthritis, accompanied by morning rigidity and accelerated BSR as well as impairment of the general condition. In the majority of the patients only the tentative diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis may be made. After a one to three months' course of the disease the diagnosis becomes more probable. It is above all based on constancy and symmetry, characteristic localisation of the articular process, morning rigidity, radiologically paraarticular loosening of the structure and morphological symptoms of an acute and subacute synovialitis. 6 to 12 months after the beginning of the disease a clinical picture forms which allows to make the diagnosis of a certain or classical rheumatoid arthritis in accordance with the criteria of the ARA. The occurrence of a high activity of multiple affection of the joints (permanent symmetrical polyarthritis including the small joints of the hands and feet), distinctive morning rigidity, high fever and much accelerated BSR, beginning with the first weeks of the disease, speaks for the possibility of the development of an arthrovisceral form of the course of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Osmotic and ionic regulation in different populations of the new zealand freshwater crayfish Paranephrops zealandicus

1. Some features of the osmoregulatory mechanism are compared in four populations of Paranephrops zeal andicus White collected form freshwaters of different ionic concentrations. 2. Crayfish from freshwaters of ca, 2-0 mM-NaCl concentration show a sustained decrease in blood concentration of ca. 8% when placed in 0-2 mM-NaCl. 3. Populations from freshwaters of ca. 0-2-0-4 mM-NaCl show lower rates of net salt loss in distilled water and higher rates of net salt uptake form dilute NaCl solutions than do populations from freshwaters of ca. 0-8-2-0 mM-NaCl. 4. Renal salt losses over the first 24 h in distilled water account for ca. 18% of the total salt loss. 5. It is suggested that P. zealandicus from environments of lowest concentration shows a similar degree of adaptation to freshwater as do crayfish of the northern hemisphere. It differs in possessing a substantially higher blood concentration.     

The critical transmural pressure of the abirway

The critical transmural pressure (Ptm) is defined as the transmural pressure of the airway at the site where and when flow is limited during a forced expiration. According to the presented theory, the maximal expiratory flow (Vmax) can be calculated from the relation between Ptm and the corresponding cross-sectional area of the airway (A). By means of a pitot-static tube, Ptm-A curves were constructed for several locations in the elastic airway of a mechanical model. From these curves local Vmax was calculated at different values of Ptm and compared with actual flow, i.e. measured Vmax for the entire airway. In the downstream part of the airway, the actual flow equalled calculated Vmax at most Ptm values. The site of flow limitation, being the most upstream point where actual flow equals calculated local Vmax could therefore be located. Theory and experiments showed positive as well as negative Ptm not influenced by change in upstream or downstream resistance. Flow limitation could therefore be initiated at distending as well as compressing pressures across the wall of the airway. V was regarded as a function of Ptm and the elastic recoil pressure of the lung (Pel). Measured and calculated iso-Pel, Ptm-V curves agreed well with one major exception: when Ptm less than Ptm measured curves were distorted due to a concomitant downstrean compression of the collapsible airway.     

Comparison of calcium lactate with chlorine as a washing treatment for fresh‐cut lettuce and carrots: quality and nutritional parameters

The efficacies of calcium lactate and chlorine washing treatments of fresh‐cut lettuce and carrots were compared during storage at 4 °C over 10 days. The gas composition of packages, colour, enzyme activity, texture, sensory attributes, microflora and levels of ascorbic acid and carotenoids were evaluated at 1, 3, 7 and 10 days. Calcium lactate treatment was not significantly different to chlorine treatment (p < 0.05) in terms of maintaining colour, texture and acceptability of fresh‐cut lettuce and carrots during the entire storage period. The washing treatments did not affect levels of ascorbic acid of fresh‐cut lettuce or carrots. Carotenoid levels were higher in calcium lactate‐treated carrots than chlorine‐treated samples at the end of storage. Mesophilic, psychrotrophic and lactic acid bacteria counts were not significantly different between treatments for both vegetables. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Significance of adrenal hormones in brain energy metabolism

Intensity of glycolysis was studied under conditions of immobilization stress and adrenalectomy as well as with administration of adrenaline and hydrocortisone. The processes of aerobic glycolysis, activity of enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondria respiratory chain, content of total, free and protein-bound glycogen, glucose-I-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, cytrate and macroergs in the brain are shown to depend on the level of adrenal hormones producing a multilateral effect on a series of energy metabolism links.     

Mercury levels in freshwater fish of the state of South Carolina

Samples of fish from freshwater sources of rivers, lakes and ponds all over the state of South Carolina were collected during the Summer of 1974 and 1975. The fish collected were Bass, Bluegill, Redbreast, Catfish, Shad, Carp, Crappie, Mudfish and Pike. Samples were analyzed using the flameless atomic absorption procedure outlined by Hatch and Ott, and Uthe et al as modified for use with Perkin-Elmer, Coleman MAS-50 mercury analyzer. Triplicate samples of fish tissue were analyzed by wet digestion method. The mean mercury levels in ppb were determined for baseline mercury levels. A significant finding of this report is that those species for which fish of widely differing weights were analyzed, larger fish had higher mercury levels. Mercury levels exceeding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guideline of 500 ppb for fish tissues have been found in the Mudfish from Edisto River and Pike fish from Lake Murray. Higher levels of mercury occurred in the highly vascularized blood tissues of liver and kidney than in muscle. Carnivorous and bottom-feeding fishes are the most reliable indicators of mercury pollution.