Various combinations of antihypertensive drugs: comparative assessment in elderly patients]

Our objective in this study was a comparative evaluation of efficiency of modern drug alternatives to treat peptic ulcer, based on new algorithms of diagnosis and treatment. The results obtained suggest to us that in a major proportion of cases uncomplicated duodenal ulcers might be efficiently managed in an outpatient-clinic setting even with a two-to-four week monotherapy. The best results of treatment are recordable in those groups of patients having received inhibitors of proton pump.     

Humoral (antibody-mediated) rejection in lung transplantation

To confirm the existence and characterize the pathologic features of humoral (antibody-mediated) lung rejection, we prospectively studied 55 lung transplant recipients (24 male [44%] and 31 female [56%], age range 14 to 69 years [mean 45]). The time between transplantation and biopsy ranged from 2 to 1546 days (mean 274). We performed direct immunofluorescence with C3, immunoglobulin M, and immunoglobulin G antibodies on frozen sections of 106 transbronchial biopsies and one wedge biopsy and compared the results with 13 explanted lungs, one donor lung, and two controls. The histologic diagnoses of these 107 biopsies included acute cellular rejection (62, 58% [minimal 23, mild 33, moderate 5, and severe 1]), chronic rejection (eight, 7%), chronic vascular rejection (two, 2%), acute vasculitis (five, 5%), cytomegalovirus pneumonitis (two, 2%), acute pneumonia (two, 2%), acute organizing pneumonia (two, 2%), diffuse alveolar damage (one, 1%), no evidence of rejection or infection (30, 28%), lipoid pneumonia (one, 1%), and inadequate for histologic diagnosis (one, 1%). Eighty-nine of 106 (84%) transbronchial biopsies, the wedge biopsy, and control lungs were satisfactory for direct immunofluorescence, because each contained alveolate lung parenchyma and arterioles or venules. There was no demonstrable immunofluorescence in the wall of the blood vessels or in the lung parenchyma in any case. We conclude that (1) transbronchial biopsies and wedge biopsies provide adequate material to evaluate humoral rejection, and (2) in spite of the large population studied, the satisfactory material obtained, and the wide range of histologic diagnoses, we could not demonstrate the occurrence of humoral rejection in the lung.     

Effect of obsidan on the systemic hemodynamics of dogs in ontogeny

Investigations on dogs of different age have brought evidence that intravenous administration of 2 mg/kg of obsidan (propranolol hydrochloride) causes in 18-22-day old puppies a fall of arterial pressure due to a reduced cardiac ejection with little changing total vascular peripheral resistance. The frequency of the rhythm and conduction in the heart are slowed down. In dogs aged 3-5 years the arterial pressure remains unchanged, since the diminution of the cardiac output is attended by a greater vascular resistance.     

Validity of epidemiological classification: study of asymptomatic properties of a discriminant criterion

Aiming to assess the presence of selected anaerobic microorganisms in root canals of human teeth with chronic apical periodontitis. 25 central and lateral upper incisors presenting with radiographic evidence of chronic apical periodontitis were studied. The pulp chamber was opened under aseptic conditions and samples of the root canal content were collected with sterile absorbent paper points, which were placed and dispersed in test tubes containing reduced transport medium RTT. Aliquots were dried on glass slides and stained by indirect immunofluorescence for detection of Actinomyces viscosus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. The results showed a positive indirect immunofluorescence reaction in 24 of the 25 samples. Fourteen were positive for the specie Actinomyces viscosus, 12 for Prevotella intermedia, 10 for Fusobacterium nucleatum and 4 for Porphyromonas gingivalis. A semiquantitative assay was easily implemented for assessment of degree of infection by the organisms in individual cases.     

The evaluation of the efficacy of hemosorption and plasmapheresis in IHD complicated by chronic heart failure

Hemosorption and plasmapheresis were studied for effects on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant blood activity, platelet hemostasis, microcirculation, myocardial contractility and intracardiac hemodynamics. The results demonstrated that antioxidant blood response is a key criterion responsible for decreased efficacy of hemosorption and plasmapheresis in patients with progressive angina pectoris with chronic heart failure. The results of hemosorption and plasmapheresis in the above patients may become better if an adjuvant antioxidant therapy is used.