Pneumomediastinum following a surgical renal biopsy

A case of pneumomediastinum, which appeared after a biopsy of the right kidney by minimal lumbotomy, is reported. The anatomicopathological condition of the renal fragment obtained was judged to be focal and segmental hyalinosis. We wish to emphasize the rarity of such a complication, the type of electrocardiographic changes observed, and the rapid and spontaneous recuperation of the patient without further repercussions.     

Coronary arterial smooth muscle contraction by a substance released from platelets: evidence that it is thromboxane A2

When human platelets are aggregated by thrombin, material is released that rapidly contracts strips of spirally cut porcine coronary artery. Prevention of the contraction by indomethacin suggested mediation by a prostaglandin. The contraction produced by aggregating platelets was unlike those produced by prostaglandins E2, F2alpha, G2, or H2, but resembled that evoked by thromboxane A2, which is formed by platelets during aggregation.     

Growth hormone radiologand assay unresponsive to human prolactin

A specific and sensitive radioligand assay for growth hormone with female rat liver plasma membranes is presented. Growth hormones of different species are able to displace labelled human growth hormone from membrane binding sites with parallel standard curves. Human prolactin V-L-S is not equal to 1 and the international human prolactin standard MRC 71/222 do not affect the assay. Human prolactin preparations with different growth hormone content displace human growth hormone tracer only to the same extent as they contain growth hormone when measured by radioimmunoassay.     

The cytogenetic disorders in the people who took part in the cleanup of the sequelae at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station and who lived continuously in areas with an unfavorable ecological situation

Cytogenetic disturbances are manifested now in persons who liquidated aftereffects of the Chernobyl disaster. The character and course of the disturbances depend on the ecological conditions of the region where liquidators live at present. Examination of a group of liquidators with nerve-psychopathologic disorders and accompanying somatic pathology has revealed the presence of cytogenetic disturbances, mainly of the chromosome aberration type. At the same time, in persons who live under conditions of high environment pollution with ejections of industrial enterprises, the number of chromatid aberrations increases, which may be a result of action of chemical mutagens. A tight correlation is revealed between the level of cytogenetic disorders in lymphocytes and expressivity of the secondary immunodeficiency. Elimination of lymphocytes with unstable chromosome aberration is delayed when ecological pollution of the biosphere reaches the high level.