Kinking deformities in collagen (author's transl)

The affect of stretch on collagen was investigated. Alterations of mechanical dimensions and thermostability of fibrils were measured and changes in fine structure determined by x-ray diffraction and electronmicroscopy. Collagen underwent changes both in tensile strength and fine structure following stretch beyond the physiological range. The severity of these changes depended both on the degree of stretch and the cross-link density of the collagen Fibrils either became split into bundles consisting of subfibrillar units or showed circumscribed kinking deformities. The mechanism producing kinking was investigated. It is possible that a connection exists between fibrillar kinking and tendon rupture.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of collagen in liver cirrhosis (author's transl)

Using indirect immunofluorescence technique, 21 cases of hepatic cirrhosis of differing etiology were studied with type-specific antibodies to collagen type I, II, and III. In all cases the fibrous septa and portal tracts showed an increase in type III collagen. No fluorescence could be observed with antibodies to collagen type I and II. Thus, biochemical studies are supported which show, in addition to type III collagen, a new, as yet undescribed type of collagen in liver cirrhosis that is similar to type I collagen electronmicroscopically, but differs from type I collagen biochemically and immunologically. No correlation between the etiology of cirrhosis and the pattern of different collagen types could be found. The origin of different collagen types in liver cirrhosis is briefly discussed.     

Dumping-prophylaxis (author's transl)

The dumping syndrome is due to a vigorous reflex distension of the jejunum, caused by the stomach violently evacuating its contents. The aim of treatment is to overcome the drastic evacuation by restoring the rhythmic peristalsis of the stomach (eukinetics). This can be achieved by a special diet. Every meal should begin with well chewed solids (pulp) and avoid all fluids. With a well organised medical staff a complete success can be achieved. Surgical measures in Dumping can be avoided.     

Dysphonia in acromegaly (author's transl)

Acromegalic dysphonia is described in a series of 80 acromegalic patients. Subjective dysphonia was observed in most patients, objective dysphonia, however, wasnoted in only 50% of the cases. The patients with objective dysphonia usually had progenia, moderate to high acromegalic activity and duration of disease of more than five years. The different factors of importance for the development of acromegalic dysphonia are summarized.     

Arabinosyladenine in ophthalmology (author's transl)

Arabinosyladenine (Ara-A) is an antiviral compound employed for ophthalmological lesions in the form of a 3 p. cent ointment. This purine nucleoside has been shown to possess antiviral activity against several ADN viruses, including herpes simplex virus, but it is ineffective against ARN viruses. Its action in superficial herpetic keratitis is comparable with that of idoxuridine, tolerance to the two compounds being almost identical. Ara-A is of value for treating superficial keratitis lesions not responding to idoxuridine. The weak intra-ocular penetration of Ara-A explains its lack of efficacy in stromal keratitis and herpetic kerato-uveitis, forms in which certain analogues of Ara-A could be beneficial.     

Sarcosporidiosis in sheep (author's transl)

Histological examination of the masseter muscle, diaphragm, oseophagus and heart showed that about 18 per cent of approximately eight-month-old sheep in the Netherlands were infected with Sarcocystis. The masseter muscle obviously was the site of predilection.     

Postmenopausal bleeding (author's transl)

In the study reported here, 554 cases of postmenopausal bleeding were analyzed, i.e. 4.1% of the gynecological cases admitted during the 11 years from 1961 to 1971. In over one-third of these cases (35.3%) bleeding was caused by genital carcinoma. Among nonmalignant causes, endometrial atrophy was the most common (28.5%) followed by uterine polyposis (21.2%). As expected, corpus carcinoma (51%) was the most commonly found malignant genital disease, followed by cervical cancer (38%) which, surprisingly, is almost as common. The time-lapse between onset of bleeding and hospitalization with diagnosis is alarmingly long. In our patients it averages 19.2 weeks, is 36.3 weeks in corpus carcinoma cases and 16.3 weeks in women with cervical cancer.