Acute heavy alcohol intake increases silent myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable angina pectoris

PURPOSE: The purpose was to determine tumor neovascularisation via colour-coded Doppler (duplex) sonography and the "power mode", both visually and quantitatively, by means of videodensitometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 6 VX2 tumours of 4 to 11 mm size were implanted in 4 rabbits at various sites. The colour-coded duplex sonography and the new sonographic power technique were tested before and after having injected a new contrast medium (SH U 616A). RESULTS: If no contrast medium was injected, tumour neovascularisation was identified in only 50% of the cases. Injection of contrast medium increased signal intensity three to fourfold with all examined tumors. Combined use of the sonographic method by the power technique with injection of contrast medium is outstandingly suitable for tumor vessel imaging even of small tumors, as these initial results seem to show. CONCLUSION: If these results are corroborated by further studies, contrast-medium supported sonographic technique may possibly become established as an alternative method to other imaging procedures.     

A clinical retrospective evaluation of FA/HA coated (Biocomp) dental implants. Results after 1 year

The development of ovulation-inducing drugs has enabled clinicians to more effectively treat the hypothalamic, pituitary, and ovarian abnormalities resulting in infertility. Pregnancy rates have been improved with the use of agents such as clomiphene citrate (CC), human menopausal gonadotropin [hMG or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparations], with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its analogs, stimulating the development of multiple ovarian follicles and increasing the number of fertilizable oocytes. The use of these drugs is not without certain detrimental or "toxic" consequences. The negative effects from superovulation can occur during follicle development, decreasing the number of healthy oocytes and embryos capable of leading to viable pregnancy. Ovulation induction can lead not only to higher incidences of spontaneous abortions, and multiple and ectopic pregnancies, but also to poor pregnancy rates, due, in part, to asynchrony between embryonic development and the uterine environment. Diseases such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), resulting in the secretion of supraphysiologic levels of estradiol, can lend to severe health complications, possibly requiring hospitalization. Most drugs used for ovulation induction can lead to OHSS. Although incidences of OHSS following CC use are less frequent, CC has been associated with hot flushes, multiple gestations, visual disturbances, cervical mucus abnormalities, and luteal phase deficiency. Finally, there are reports that link any or all of the ovulation-inducing drugs with a higher incidence of ovarian and breast cancer, however, a cause-effect relationship has yet to be proven.     

An efficient method to detect calcitonin mRNA in normal and neoplastic rat C-cells (medullary thyroid carcinoma) by in situ hybridization using a digoxigenin-labeled synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe

We report here an efficient and rapid method for the specific detection of calcitonin in tumor C-cells of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). This occasionally aggressive tumor arises from the endocrine thyroid C-cells. Its principal marker is calcitonin, the predominant C-cell secretion, which is detected in patients and in our animal model by radioimmunoassay of the plasma, as well as by immunohistochemistry of thyroid tissues. Although calcitonin is easily detectable in normal C-cells, its content is greatly reduced in tumor cells owing to the disappearance of the secretory granules that store the mature peptide. This finding suggests cell dedifferentiation correlated with an increasing aggressivity of the tumor. We therefore developed a rapid detection of calcitonin mRNA by in situ hybridization on routine paraffin sections, using a synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe labeled with digoxigenin-dUTP. The reaction was detected with an anti-digoxigenin antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase, and the enzyme catalyzed the appearance of a dark blue color. The signal was exclusively restricted to the normal, hyperplastic, and tumor C-cells. It was specific, as increasing concentrations of the unlabeled oligonucleotide led to progressive disappearance of the reaction. Its sensitivity was slightly diminished as compared with corresponding frozen sections, but the intensity of the signal was quite acceptable. High levels of calcitonin mRNA were found in all normal and hyperplastic C-cells. They were increased in most of the tumor MTC cells, which did not correlate with the amount of intracellular peptide stores but explained the abnormally high basal levels of circulating calcitonin of the tumor-bearing rats. ISH is therefore of greater value than ICC for an early anatomopathological detection of this tumor. Our data show that the tumor cells are not "dedifferentiated." They only lack the granular compartment storing the mature peptide before exocytosis, but CT biosynthesis and the rest of the secretory process seem to be complete. Our results suggest that factors expressed in malignant C-cells affect basic cell mechanisms involved in the storage of the mature calcitonin, rather than the expression of the CALC gene.     

Characterization of methylumbilliferone (mendiaxon r)-induced choleresis in the isolated perfused rat liver

The influence of the choleretic drug methylumbilliferone on bile formation in the isolated perfused rat liver is characterized. The compound induces rapidly an elevation of bile flow, bile acid secretion and soium excretion. The increased production of bile is of canalicular origin. The choleretic effect was defined as "bile acid like" choleresis due to excretion of the drug into the bile. It is discussed that the excretion of methylumbilliferone can influence the transport of bile in form of a positive cooperation on transport mechanism.     

Failure of triiodothyronine to inhibit TSH-mediated thyroid hormone release in man

We studied the effect of short-term triiodothyronine administration on thyroid gland responsivity to exogenous thyrotropin in four euthyroid human subjects. Thyroidal iodine release and serum thyroxine during daily im injections of bovine TSH were not significantly inhibited, despite a four-fold elevation in serum T3 concentrations. This negative finding contrasts with earlier positive reports of a regulatory "short-loop" effect of elevated circulating T3 on the thyroid gland. This difference may be due either to the use in previous murine or in vitro studies of non-physiologic, high doses of exogenous T3, or failure to control the withdrawal of the trophic effect of endogenous TSH in man on the subsequent glandular response.     

Cortisol in physiological concentrations acts within minutes to modify effects of prolactin and growth hormone on prostaglandin secretion: importance of effect in modulating cellular responses to calcium and cyclic nucleotides

We propose that intracellular prostaglandins (PGs) are essential for the final expression of the effects of second messengers in most cells. We suggest that the amounts of PGs required are very small (in the picomolar range) and are much lower than those used in most current PG studies. We suggest that while therapeutic levels of inhibitors of PG synthetase may be adequate to block the overflow of PGs from cells, they are in most cases unlikely to reduce intracellular PGs sufficiently to test the role of such PGs. We propose that there is a basal level of PG synthesis unaffected by hormones but that above this level PG synthesis is regulated by the interplay between physiological levels of cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone and thyroid hormones. For the most part prolactin seems to stimulate PG synthesis and cortisol to inhibit it: cortisol has, however, no inhibitory effect on basal PG synthesis. In reducing prolactin-stimulated PG synthesis cortisol is 1000-2000 times more potent than indomethacin on a molar basis. We suggest that the regulation of intracellular PG levels is the mechanism of the so-called "permissive" actions of these hormones. These concepts could prove important in the understanding of many aspects of physiology and pathophysiology including diurnal and seasonal changes in hormone responsiveness. They are also relevant to the use of established drugs and the design of new ones.     

Diazepam-ketamine anaesthesia for open heart surgery "micro-mini" drip administration technique

Two hundred open heart cases anaesthetized with a combination of diazepam-ketamine using "Micro-Mini" drip administration technique were presented. The results were eminently desirable, and in the opinion of the authors are a notable improvement over other methods for all types of cardiovascular surgery including most advanced heart diseases. The advantages of this anaesthetic method for cardiovascular surgery are as follows: 1. Effects on cardiovascular system are minimal.--2. Respiratory depression is negligible.--3. There is no increase in salivation or muscle tone.--4. Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia are simple and smooth.--5. Anaesthesia can be maintained, using a high concentration of oxygen alone, by a slight increase in rate of ketamine administration whenever necessary.--6. Post-anaesthetic psychotomimetic effects are negligible.--7. Nearly 100% of patients have excellent amnesia.--8. It has a wide margin of safety.--9. This technique has proved highly acceptable to patients and surgeons. We feel ketamine should be used in small dosages continuously administered with either "Micro-Mini" drip infusion or infusion pump. Ketamine given in this fashion should be regarded as an analgesic.     

Diazepam-ketamine anaesthesia for open heart surgery a "micro-mini" drip administration technique

Two hundred open-heart cases were anaesthetized with a diazepam-ketamine combination. The results were excellent. A "Micro-Mini" drip technique insured low, even, but adequate dose levels of ketamine and less drug was used. Induction and maintenance are simple and smooth. Effects on the cardiovascular system and respiratory system are minimal. The margin of safety is wide and 100% oxygen can be used whenever needed.     

Clinical, statistical and immunocytochemical characterization of giant cell tumour of bone amoung Egyptian population

Clinical and immunocytochemical analysis of twenty eight cases of giant cell tumour of bone was performed in this study. The results revealed that nine of the cases were benign, while the other nineteen were malignant. The female to male ratio was 2.5:1. The average age incidence was 28.18 years. The most common site of occurrence was the femur. anti endothelial antibody revealed negative immunocytochemical reaction of the stromal cells and giant cells for both benign and malignant cases; While using anti-HLA-DR antibody demonstrated positive immune reaction of some of the strumal and giant cells of all the cases examined.     

Dieldrin in fish and shellfish from the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool Bay

OBJECT: The authors studied the reliability of a new method for noninvasive assessment of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in head-injured patients in which mean arterial blood pressure (ABP) and transcranial Doppler middle cerebral artery mean and diastolic flow velocities are measured. METHODS: Cerebral perfusion pressure was estimated (eCPP) over periods of continuous monitoring (20 minutes-2 hours, 421 daily examinations) in 96 head-injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score < 13) who were admitted to the intensive care unit. All patients were sedated, paralyzed, and ventilated. The eCPP and the measured CPP (ABP minus intracranial pressure, measured using an intraparenchymal microsensor) were compared. The correlation between eCPP and measured CPP was r=0.73; p < 10(-6). In 71% of the examinations, the estimation error was less than 10 mm Hg and in 84% of the examinations, the error was less than 15 mm Hg. The method had a high positive predictive power (94%) for detecting low CPP (< 60 mm Hg). The eCPP also accurately reflected changes in measured CPP over time (r > 0.8; p < 0.001) in situations such as plateau and B waves of intracranial pressure, arterial hypotension, and refractory intracranial hypertension. A good correlation was found between the average measured CPP and eCPP when day-by-day variability was assessed in a group of 41 patients (r=0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive estimation of CPP by using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography may be of value in situations in which monitoring relative changes in CPP is required without invasive measurement of intracranial pressure.