Complications of angiography in children and means of prevention

In 267 consecutive angiographic examinations in children 14 thromboembolic complications occurred: following surgical exposure 8 complications in 14 cases and 6 complications in 253 percutaneous angiographies. The origin of thrombus during angiography has recently been clarified. Technical advances such as thin walled catheters, systemic heparinization and lately heparinized catheters decreased the complication rate significantly, no complication occurred among the last 153 examinations.     

Enolase isoenzymes. III. Chromatographic and immunological characteristics of rat brain enolase

1. The chromatography of rat brain enolase (2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolyase, EC 4.2.1.11) reveals three distinet components. One of these appears to be isoenzyme 1 (alpha alpha) but isoenzymes 2 (alpha beta) and 3 (beta beta) are absent. 2. The most acidic form of brain enolase was partially purified and an antiserum raised against it in the chicken. 3. a combination of chromatographic and immunological studies showed that a third type of subunit (gamma) is present in the brain giving rise to two further isoenzymes (alpha gamma and gamma gamma). 4. Developmental studies on the brain enzyme show an increase in total enolase activity from foetal life to maturity and a concurrent rise in the proportion of brain specific dimers. 5. It is therefore concluded that there are three genetic loci alpha, beta and gamma, coding for the enolase isoenzymes of rat tissues.     

A renal cause for massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage--renal angiomyolipoma

In any case of intra-abdominal trauma or hemorrhage a preoperative IVP is essential to determine the renal status. Preoperative catheter occlusion of the renal artery in these vascular tumors may be attempted to decrease blood loss. Stigmas of tuberous sclerosis should be sought in patients with vascular renal tumors, especially if they are bilateral. Conservation of renal tissue in tuberous sclerotic patients harboring renal angiomyolipomas is important.     

A-V fistula following use of a Fogarty catheter

Using metallic microelectrodes, intracellular measurements were performed of changes in O2 concentration for spherical oocytes of hens by their replacement from normal (PO2=150 torr) to hyperoxic (to 600 torr) conditions, and vice versa. The curves of O2 influx and efflux were recorded in pulse regime of the working electrode polarization. The character of these curves can be expressed by the following equations: m(t)==c==e=y1t+y0 and m (t) =e-y1t+v0+c, where v1 is determined by the coefficient of cell membrane permeability for O2. Valid differences were shown between values of v1 for oxygen influx and efflux which vanish after the action of cyanides. It is suggested that O2 transport into the cell involves a base component which may be physical diffusion, and an additional component which can be depressed by cyanides.     

Variability of Alternaria alternata: biochemical and immunological characteristics of culture filtrates from seven isolates

Biochemical variability of culture filtrates from the common allergenic mold Alternaria alternata was studied. Differences between culture filtrates from 7 different isolates and between 4 batches of culture filtrate from the same isolate were observed, suggesting the unreliability of presently employed biochemical methods in the routine standardization of mold allergens and the possibility of difficulties in developing standard techniques for their purification. Dextranases, cellulases, and agarases, found in one culture filtrate, may be a further source of problems in laboratory techniques employing A. alternata. The proportions of nitrogen:carbohydrate:dialyzed dry weight were different in culture filtrates from each isolate. Polysaccharides in culture filtrates from 3 of the 7 isolated contained glucose, mannose, xylose, galactose, and a fifth, unidentified sugar. Polysaccharides from one isolate lacked xylose, and the fifth sugar was not demonstrable in 4 of the isolates. Despite the biochemical differences, extensive antigenic cross-reactivity between different isolates was found in precipitin studies and inhibition of antibody binding.     

The effect of prolactin on kidney structure of the euryhaline teleost Gasterosteus aculeatus during adaptation to fresh water

The effect of injections of ovine prolactin on kidney structure was examined in the first 10 days following transfer of seawater sticklebacks to fresh water. In hormone injected animals as well as in controls the glomeruli increase slightly in size after transfer. The podocytes intensify the secretion of mucopolysaccharides, which is indicative of increased turnover of the components of the glomerular basal lamina. The nuclei of the podocytes become enlarged, while those of the juxtaglomerular cells decrease in size. These changes are related to the well known rise of the glomerular filtration rate following transfer to fresh water. Structural indications that prolactin is involved in the control of glomerular filtration were not found. The epithelial cells of the three nephronic segments and of the ureter become considerably better developed after transfer to fresh water. Cell height, nuclear and mitochondrial volume, and surface of the membranes of the basal labyrinth increase in all tubular epithelia, although not to the same extent. Increases are moderate in the first proximal segment, but increasingly higher for the second proximal segment, collecting duct and the ureter. Especially the growth of membrane surface of the basal labyrinth, site of ion transport mechanisms, is impressive. In controls, values characteristic for freshwater fishes are reached in 6 to 9 days for all parameters for cellular development. Prolactin injections greatly stimulate growth rates in all tubular epithelia: freshwater values are reached within 3 days. No further increase was found, however.     

Results in irradiation of the in situ carcinomas of the vocal cords

From 1952 through 1973, 79 patients with the diagnosis of in situ carcinoma and seven with the diagnosis of leukoplakia and/or atypical hyperplasia were treated with irradiation. The staging system was the same as for the invasive squamous carcinomas. The irradiation techniques were also identical to those used for invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The failure rate for the T1 lesions was 11% and 26% for the T2 lesions--in the same range as the failure rates observed for the invasive squamous carcinomas. Only two of the 12 failures were on the initially involved cord. These two facts suggest that most of the failures were not recurrences but were new disease developing on the dysplastic epithelium. There was a delay in the appearance of failure for the in situ carcinomas as compared with that for the invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx. Seventy-six percent of the patients have a normal voice.     

HLA patterns and disease associations

The a priori biologic significance of the histocompatibility complex with its excessive polymorphism remains unknown. Teleologically, however, the role of the HLA system may be viewed as vital for survival of the species and the individual by providing the host with a recognition system of and defenses against viruses, microorganisms, parasites, plant antigens, neoplastic cells, and others. HLA testing, in addition to its usefulness in donor selection for transplantation, has been recently applied to the diagnosis and differentiation of specific diseases, the prediction of disease development (risk prediction), and as a basis for prognostic evaluations. An increasing number of diseases is being shown to be linked by specific HLA antigens and certain common denominators, such as arthritides, autoimmune components or infections, suggesting common etiologic or pathogenic mechanisms or both. These diseases with HLA associations can be separated into those that appear certain, probable, or only statistically possible.