Further studies on the therapy of organophosphorous anti-cholinesterase intoxication with veratrinic compounds; the role of calcium

Experiments were carried out to investigate the role of calcium in the therapy of soman intoxication with 9-anthroic acid (ANCA), a compound with veratrine-like pharmacological properties. The effects of ANCA on the respiratory paralysis and on the calcium content of the blood and that of the hindleg muscles were determined in anaesthetized, atropinized rats injected with 4 times LD50 soman. The respiratory paralysis which in control animals occurs within a few min after the injection of soman can be delayed about 2.5 hr by treatment with ANCA. It was found that ANCA causes a small decrease of the blood calcium content, an effect which is potentiated by soman. A comparison was made between the calcium accumulation in the indirectly stimulated gastrocnemius-soleus muscles in these animals with that in the non-stimulated muscles on the other side. Whereas the injection of soman or ANCA alone caused no change, the combination of the two drugs induced a two-fold increase in the accumulation of calcium in the stimulated muscles. The non-stimulated muscles remained unaffected. The accumulation of calcium in the stimulated muscles induced by soman and ANCA could be partly antagonized by lowering the free calcium concentration of the blood by EDTA. Moreover, treatment with EDTA improved the therapeutic effects of ANCA. It is concluded that the therapy of soman poisoning with ANCA falls short in completely preventing respiratory failure since ANCA causes an accumulation of calcium in the stimulated muscles of soman-poisoned animals.     

Genetic analysis of the South Altaian population of the Mendur-Sokkon village, Altai Republic

This study was a continuation of complex research on the gene pool of indigenous Siberian populations conducted at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences. In the population of South Altaians from the Mendur-Sokkon village, Ust'-Kanskii raion, Altai Republic, polymorphism for the following genetic markers was studied: blood groups ABO, MNSs, Rhesus, Kell, Duffy, and P; erythrocyte acid phosphatase (AcP); phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1); haptoglobin (Hp); and transferrin (Tf). The genetic position of South Altaians relative to the populations of the European part of Russia, Siberia, and the Urals was estimated. It was demonstrated that the gene pool of the South Altaian population of Mendur-Sokkon possessed both Caucasoid and Mongoloid genetic characteristics, with the latter prevailing. Genetically, this population is most closely related to Mongols and Nentsis. The genetic distance between South and North Altaians was large; this agreed with earlier genetic data and confirmed anthropological and ethnographic evidence indicating that these two groups had different backgrounds and were at different stages of ethnogenesis.     

Doctors who perform operations. A study on in-hospital surgery in four diverse geographic areas (second of two parts)

To facilitate manpower planning in the surgical field, a study was c onducted into the work loads of surgeons in various specialities in 4 different geographical areas. Surgeons in group practice and surgeons who were Board-certified specialists carried a statistically significant larger work load of surgery. The certified surgeons performed more and more complex operations. The mean operative work load increased steeply with age, reaching a maximum at 40-44 years, and fell linearly after that age. Approximately 18 years following medical school graduation were needed for a surgeon to achieve his maximum work load. The geographic factor had no appreciable effect on work loads. Tables which broke down frequencies for each major type of operation for each type of surgical specialist indicated that even commonplace operations were not frequent events on the average for any individual surgeon. It is concluded from the study that work loads are relatively low due to excessive supply of surgeons. This is of concern because there is some doubt about maintenance of surgical skills by those doctors who perform infrequent operations. The widest variation in practice was evident between ophthalmologists and thoracic surgeons, indicating that manpower planning in this field would have to be done on a specialty-by-specialty basis. 3 plans for redistributing the operative work load and reducing the number of specialist surgeons are considered.     

Seroepidemiologic investigations of human hepatitis caused by A, B, and a possible third virus

The results of magnet implantation in the upper and lower eyelids of 29 patients suffering from Keratopathia due to lagophthalmos due to facial palsy as well as the surgical techniques involved are described. Contrary to a lateral tarsorrhaphy - still popular today - this method does not alter the form or the size of the palpebral fissure nor does it hinder the visual field. It is technically simple to perform and easily reversible should nerve function recover. The subjective results were also good.