Detection of an antigen containing 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in the sera of patients with tumors of different localizations]

An unusual antigen containing a carcinogenic tryptophane metabolite -- 3-hydroxyanthranylic acid as a hapten (3-HAA-antigen) was found to be present in the blood serum in the overwhelming majority of patients with malignant tumours of various stages and localizations. The 3-HAA-antigen was rarely determined in the patients with nonmalignant diseases was not revealed in the blood serum of healthy donors and patients with benign tumours. The significance of the data obtained for the diagnosis of the tumour process, irrespective of its localization, is discussed.     

Effects of calcium antagonist, 6-(N, N-diethylamino) hexyl-3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate, on digitalis-induced arrhythmias and cardiac contractions

6-(N, N-Diethylamino) hexyl-3, 4, 5-trimethylbenzoate (TMB-6) and lidocaine were equipotent (1 mg/kg) in the conversion of ectopic rhythms to normal rhythms in digoxin-toxic dogs. However, TMB-6 had fewer side effects on heart rates and dp/dt than lidocaine. TMB-6 inhibited the contractile force of electrically stimulated dog and guinea-pig atria and ventricles at concentrations ranging from 2.5 X 10(-5) to 1.7 X 10(-4) M. Elevation of extracellular Ca++ concentrations from 2.7 to 5.4 mM produced a significant increase in the ID50 of TMB-6 in atria (from 2.5 X 10(-5) to 5.0 X 10(-5) M in dogs and from 7.2 X 10(-5) to 1.0 X 10(-4) M in guinea pigs). TMB-6 (7.3 X 10(-5) to 2.4 X 10(-4) M) depressed the amplitude of Ca++-dependent action potentials in depolarized dog cardiac Purkinje fibers. These results are discussed with regard to the antagonism of TMB-6 on Ca++ availability in the myocardium which leads to the conversion of cardiac arrhythmias.     

Amino acid metabolism in liver tissue

Following determination by the method of ion-exchange chromatography of free amino acids in the blood drawn from the portal and liver veins and the abdominal aorta 30 minutes after introduction of a casein suspension to rats it was found that only 50 per cent of amino acids with ramified chain are retained in the liver. Most of the other amino acids, however, become metabolized largely in the liver and it is only their insignificant part that goes into the general circulation. These data may be of use in considering problems related to the peculiarities of metabolism of amino acids with ramified chain.     

Electroroentgenography in children with nose injuries]

The authors conducted electroroentgenography for diagnostics of nasal bone fractures in 55 children aged from 5 to 15. They studied altogether 78 electroroentgenograms comparing them with 61 roentgenograms. Comparing the number and quality of details of nasal traumas revealed by roentgenography and those revealed by electroroentgenography the authors obtained evidence showing that the electroroentgenographic method of investigation was more accurate in diagnosing this pathology. Electroroentgenograms reveal details of destruction both of the osseous structure of the external nose and that of the osteo-cartilaginous structure of the nasal septum and the surrounding soft tissues. The authors recommend to use the electroroentgenographic method for diagnostics of traumatic lesions of the nose in children.     

Effect of temporary ischemia with subsequent recirculation on the ultrastructure of glomerular capillaries and nephrons

The influence of temporary ischemia followed by recirculation on the ultrastructure of glomerular capillaries and some portions of the nephron was studied in 20 albino rats which were subjected to compression of the vascular bundle of the left kidney for 30 min., 1, 2 and 3 hours followed by recovery of the blood stream in the ischemic organ for 3 hours (with a simultaneous nephrectomy of the right kidney). The electron microscopic analysis has established that the amount of micropinocytic vesicles become markedly increased within 3 hours following 30-min. ischemia of the kidney with the recovery of blood circulation in the cytoplasm of endotheliocytes of glomerular blood capillaries. With increased terms of the left kidney ischemia (1, 2, 3 hs) the ultrastructural changes in endotheliocytes increased. There appeared microclasmatosis of the internal plasmalemma of endotheliocytes, the flattened peripheral part of the cytoplasm underwent considerable destruction. Swelling of microvilli of the brush border and vacuolization of the cytoplasm were observed in nephrocytes of the proximal part of the nephron in short-term ischemia (30 min) followed by the recovery of circulation for 3 hours. Longer periods of ischemia (1, 2, 3 hs) casued destruction of the brush border. There appeared secondary lysosomes, in mitochondria there occurred discomplexation and lysis of cristae.     

Characteristics of impaired awareness after traumatic brain injury

The condylar constrained total knee arthroplasty was performed on 29 patients undergoing 33 procedures and were reviewed clinically and radiographically at an average follow-up of 5 years (range, 2-10 years). There were 21 women and 8 men. The average age at the time of surgery was 70 years (range, 32-84). Of the 16 knees that were revision total knee arthroplasties, 8 had a previous infected total knee arthroplasty, and 17 knees had severe deformities requiring the use of the condylar constrained prosthesis. The patients were rated according to the Knee Society clinical and radiological evaluation protocol. Measurements of femoral and tibial component position were obtained as well as femoral tibial angle, patella position, and cement bone radiolucencies. All clinical measurements were made by an independent physical therapist. Clinical results revealed an improvement from an average preoperative knee score of 38 points to an average postoperative score of 86 points. The clinical results for 19 (58%) knees were excellent, 8 (24%) had a good result, 1 (3%) was fair, 2 (6%) were poor, and 3 (9%) were failures. The patients' average functional levels increased from 24 to 58. The final average flexion was 96 degrees. Three knees have been revised (9%). One was revised for recurrent infection, one for periprosthetic fracture, and one for mechanical loosening of the tibial component. There were no other knees with evidence of radiologic loosening. We conclude that the condylar constrained total knee prosthesis provides an acceptable solution for revision and complex primary total knee replacements at an intermediate follow-up term of 5 years.