Evidence for an association between ABO blood group and goitre

Pulmonary perfusion (Q) and ventilation (V) scintiphotography was performed in 16 patients undergoing diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopic examinations. Regional V/Q did not change in the majority of the patients who developed hypoxemia after bronchoscopic studies. An improvement in V/Q was detectable in the patients with a rise in arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) after bronchoscopic examination, and this rise was associated in most with the removal of mucous plugs or extensive secretions. The data indicate that the behavior of PaO2 after bronchoscopic study is dependent upon both the extent of lavage and the yield of the procedure in terms of secretions and plugs. The results also indicate that the removal of secretions or plugs can be associated with rapid return of regional V and Q.     

Echocardiographic oscillating flap in aortic root dissecting aneurysm

A patient had a history, physical findings, and chest x-ray film suggesting type I aortic dissection. This diagnosis could not be confirmed angiographically. Echocardiographic studies predicted both the presence of dissection and the anatomic findings at surgery. A regularly oscillating echo corresponding to the intimal flap was found in the false lumen. This is suggested as a new echocardiographic finding in dissecting aneurysm.     

The generality of immunity to persuasion produced by pre-exposure to weakened counterarguments.

"A previous study… [see 36: 4GD27M] showed that strong initial beliefs are more effectively immunized against persuasion by preexposing them to counterarguments… . The present study tested the hypothesis that preexposure to refutations of some counterarguments against the belief would have a generalized immunization effect, making the beliefs more resistant to strong doses not only of the specific counterarguments… but also of alternative arguments against the given belief… . As expected, the beliefs proved highly vulnerable to the strong counterarguments when there was no prior immunization. Immunization had a direct strengthening effect on the beliefs and also substantially reduced the effect of the subsequent strong counterarguments." From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4GD75P. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intracytoplasmic bacteria in Onchocerca volvulus

Ultrastructural studies on Onchocerca volvulus disclosed intracellular organisms within the lateral chords of adult worms and of the larval stages. In the females the organisms were also present in the oogonia, oocytes, developing eggs and microfilariae. The organisms, found within vesicles of host (filarid) membrane and limited to the cytoplasm of infected cells, appeared to have a developmental cycle consisting of three morphologically distinct forms: a small spheroidal form up to 0.3 micronm in size, a bacillary form up to 1.5 micron7 in length and 0.7 micronm in diameter, and a third form, intermediate in size between the former and the latter, characterized by a dense inclusion. The intravesicular location and the developmental cycle consisting of three distinct forms are the two characteristics which suggest that these organisms are more similar to the chlamydiae than to the rickettsiae, in spite of their being transovarially transmitted. The significance of these findings with respect to the host-parasite relationship and pathogenesis of onchocerciasis is presently unknown and will require further study.     

Effect of high dietary zinc upon zinc metabolism and intracellular distribution in cows and calves

Changes in the metabolism of zinc were investigated in mature nonlactating Holstein cows and 4-mo old calves fed high but nontoxic amounts of dietary zinc. Increasing dietary zinc of calves from 42 to 642 ppm elevated the zinc content of liver and pancreas 600% and 1400%, respectively. The elevated zinc in liver and pancreas involved a substantial increase in all intracellular fractions, with by far the largest amount associated with a 10,000 molecular-weight protein in the soluble cell fraction. This zinc-binding protein may protect the cell against damage from increased zinc. A comparable increase in dietary zinc of mature cows did not affect zinc content of liver or kidney nor alter the intracellular distribution of zinc in the liver. In mature cows, homeostatic control mechanisms which regulate the zinc content of tissue are much more effective than in calves. Accordingly, mature cows probably are able to tolerate higher concentrations of dietary zinc.     

In vitro metabolism of aniline by sheep intestine

1. The major metabolite after incubating aniline with sheep intestine was acetanilide. 2. Other metabolites detected in smaller amounts were 2-aminophenol, 4-aminophenol, 2-acetamidophenol and 4-acetamidophenol. 3. The rumen, abomasum duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were all able to acetylate aniline. 4. 4-Aminophenol, 4-aminobenzoic acid, 4-anisidine and 4-nitroaniline were also acetylated.     

Pulmonary valve cyst in an adult. Case report

A case is described of an asymptomatic woman who had typical findings of mild pulmonic stenosis. Right heart catheterization revealed a 44 mm. Hg gradient across the pulmonary outflow tract, and a filling defect was discovered by angiography. On surgical exploration, the defect was found to be a benign cyst attached to the anterior leaflet of the pulmonary valve.