Excessive fibrinolysis: the coagulopathy following Merrem''s hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) bites

In 56 patients with proven hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) bites, 12 (21.4%) developed continued oozing of blood from the site of the bite and a prolonged clotting time. Further investigations showed low fibrinogen levels and increased fibrinogen degradation products in plamsa. The bleeding time, platelet count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time with kaolin were normal. The bite of this snake can be complicated with a coagulopathy in which excessive fibrinolysis seems to be the main abnormality.     

Extents and models of adduction of hydrocarbon and nitrogen-containing solvents in coal liquefaction

Coal liquefaction experiments have been carried out to determine the tendency for adduction of several hydrocarbon- and nitrogen-containing structures typical of coal. Principal conclusions are: that even good hydrogen donors such as tetralin and octahydrophenanthrene are adducted readily; that benzyl radicals adduct primarily by radical-radical reaction, yielding thermally labile products; and that quinoline adducts to coal-derived liquids primarily by hydrogen bonding with little formation of C-C or C-N bonds.     

Sexual impotence: a complication of external sphincterotomy

In paraplegic patients with upper motor neuron lesions, endoscopic sphincterotomy is a commonly used procedure to lower sphincter resistance and facilitate voiding. The technique yields 95% satisfactory clinical results. In the recent literature several authors report on temporary or permanent loss of erections after sphincterotomy. The 3 and 9 o'clock incision and resection appear to carry a higher risk (30-60%) than operations performed at the 1 and 11 o'clock or the 12 0'clock position (0-6%). Impairment of erectile reflex activity is more frequently observed in cases with severe intraoperative bleeding requiring deep coagulation and in the event of reoperation. We report on the clinical, radiological and urodynamic findings of a series of 47 cases (3 and 9o'clock resections). Partial and/or temporary inhibition of erection was observed in 5, total and permanent loss in 1 patients.=     

Uptake of triiodothyronine into cultured human muscle cells

The uptake of T3 was measured in cultured human muscle cells at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 in a medium containing albumin and glucose. The initial up]take increased linearly when the total T3 concentration was varied from 10(-9) to 10(-4) M. At prolonged incubation time the uptake decreased to virtually zero in about 30 min. These data indicate a rapid passive transport mechanism of T3 and a fast equilibration of the cellular T3 with the surrounding medium. In agreement with these conclusions the efflux of T3 was rapid and the initial uptake was not altered by pre-incubation in a T3-containing medium.     

Retinal emboli in patients with mitral valve prolapse

Small fibrin-platelet emboli caused by prolapsed mitral valves may cause retinal occlusive disease with a wide range of ophthalmic manifestations, including amaurosis fugax in young people, retinal or choroidal arteriolar occlusion, and retinal neovascularization (atypical Eales' disease). Six patients with retinal occusive disease underwent extensive noninvasive cardiac and systemic tests and were found to have prolapsed mitral valves. Patients with unexplained ocular emboli should be examined by a cardiologist for possible mitral valve prolapse.