Malformation of the tear ducts associated with clefts in the face (author's transl)

A case of malformation of the tear duct associated with clefts in the face is described. To our knowledge this combination has not been described before. The whole symptoms complex consisted of: bilateral cleft lip upper jaw and gum, choanalatresia, mucocele of the left nasal cavity from adhesions of the lower concha with the nasal septum, cystic dilatation of the tear sac at the connection to a bony naso-lacrimal duct. Right inguinal hernia, syndactyly of the first and second left toes, iris-chroid coloboma right with congenital cataract and unilateral right convergent squint. Because of the advanced dacryocystitis on the basis of the congenital dacryostenosis, and external dacryostorhinostomy (modified after Kaleff 1937) was performed after pre-treatment by instillation of antibiotic solutions in the tear ducts. At the same time the nasal cavity mucocele was opened by partial excision of the lower concha and opening the choanal atresia. After a post-operative course free of complications and with clear patency of the tear ducts the oral surgical operation was done--closure of the face clefts. The chromosome analysis was normal the only abnormal result here was an unexplained slow rate of multiplication of lymphocytes in four cultures inoculated at various points of time. Because we could not find any hereditary factors, this symptom complex is probably due to exogenous embryo damage during the early development phase.     

Acute mental stress but not enforced muscle activity transiently increases natural cytotoxicity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The influence of acute mental stress and the effect of electrically induced skeletal muscle contractions on natural cytotoxicity in vivo was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats Natural cytotoxicity in vivo was measured as the clearance of injected 51Cr-labelled YAC-1 lymphoma cells from the lungs, which are specifically lysed by natural killer cells. The mental stress consisted of an air jet directed towards the animals in their cage for 25 min. During the mental stress there was a significant increase in natural cytotoxicity. Thus, retained radioactivity in the lungs was decreased to 74 +/- 6% of the control levels which was set to 100% (P < 0.01). This augmentation of YAC-1-cell clearance could be blocked with the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist Timolol. Two hours after termination of the air stress, in vivo cytotoxicity had returned to control levels. In contrast, acute physical stress, consisting of electrically induced muscle contractions for 60 min, had no significant effects on in vivo cytotoxicity, either during the stimulation or 1, 2 or 24 h after the stimulation. Further, significantly increased plasma levels of adrenaline were seen after the air jet stress, but not after muscle stimulation. There were no significant changes in plasma noradrenaline levels either after air stress or muscle stimulation. These results indicate that changes in in vivo cytotoxicity after mild mental stress are dependent on increased plasma catecholamine levels while acute physical stress without changes in catecholamine levels, does not influence in vivo cytotoxicity.     

High-affinity binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to EGF receptor is disrupted by overexpression of mutant dynamin (K44A)

Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase was analyzed in cells conditionally defective for clathrin-dependent endocytosis by overexpression of mutant dynamin (K44A). EGF-induced autophosphorylation of the EGFR on ice was strongly reduced in cells overexpressing mutant dynamin, and consistently, binding analyses showed that high-affinity EGFRs were lost. In the absence of mutant dynamin the cells displayed both high- and low-affinity EGFR. At 4 degreesC EGF-EGFR localized mainly outside coated pits regardless of expression of mutant dynamin. However, also low-affinity EGFR efficiently moved to coated pits upon incubating cells at 37 degreesC. Thus, expression of mutant dynamin disrupts high-affinity binding of EGF, but not ligand-induced recruitment of EGFR to clathrin-coated pits.     

Motor recovery following spinal cord injury associated with cervical spondylosis: a collaborative study

A prospective multicenter study was conducted within the National Model Spinal Cord Injury System program to examine neurological deficits and recovery patterns following spinal cord injury (SCI) in individuals with cervical spondylosis and without a spinal fracture. Nineteen patients were evaluated. Sixty-eight percent presented initially with motor incomplete lesions. Of those who presented with motor incomplete injuries at their initial examination, 69 percent had less deficit in the lower than in the upper extremities, indicative of a central cord syndrome. At follow-up, 12 subjects were unable to ambulate, four required assistance and three were able to ambulate independently. On the average, subjects doubled their initial Asia Motor Score (AMS) scores by one year following injury. Residual upper extremity weakness, however, limited the ability to ambulate. Recovery of motor strength in this group is comparable to that of individuals with incomplete tetraplegia in general but the proportion who regain ambulatory function is less.     

Posttraumatic gas-containing brain abscess caused by Clostridium perfringens with unique simultaneous fungal suppuration by Myceliophthora thermophila: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Gas-containing brain abscesses are rare, and the vast majority are caused by Clostridium perfringens. Significant simultaneous fungal infection in a bacterial abscess is even rarer. We present such a case and review the literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 21-month-old male patient sustained a penetrating head injury in a barnyard, developed a gas-containing left parietal brain abscess, and presented with high fever, galeal swelling, and seizure. INTERVENTION: The patient initially underwent debridement of his wound and then repeated aspirations. The initial cultures revealed pure growth of Clostridium perfringens. Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, serial neuroimaging did not demonstrate a decrease in the size of the cavity. An excision had to be undertaken 6 weeks after the injury. The culture from the excised specimen revealed an unexpected growth of a saprophytic and opportunistic fungus, Myceliophthora thermophila. Antifungal treatment consisting of the administration of liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole was then performed. The child was well and neurologically intact 6 months after the excision. CONCLUSION: Our review revealed 38 cases of clostridial brain abscess in the literature. Despite the reputation of the organism, the outcome with clostridial brain abscesses was relatively benign. The main characteristics of clostridial brain abscesses are highlighted, with reference to their optimal treatment. Our review also revealed that fungal infection after a penetrating head injury is extremely rare and often fatal. Our case seems to be the first in the medical literature with growth of M. thermophila as a causative agent for intracranial suppuration.     

Liposomal retention of a modified anti-inflammatory steroid

In studies with synthetic lecithins, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine was found to be the preferred form for liposomal retention of cortisol esters at 37 degrees C. Cortisol palmitate was retained longer than cortisol octanoate, whereas unesterified cortisol escaped readily from liposomes. Such a liposome composition may allow the controlled release of modified anti-inflammatory agents, particularly when used for intra-articular administration.     

A method of preparing the results of biomedical research for statistical processing

The method of preparing experimental findings based on their rationing which proceeds their statistical processing has been supposed. It has been shown that the supposed approach allows to find out real changes in the average values which are not revealed without rationing the initial findings.