Organ hypertrophy and responses of colon microbial populations of growing swine to high dietary protein

Thirty-two castrated male crossbred growing pigs (average initial wt 26.9 kg) were used to determine the effect of a high level of dietary protein (37%) compared with a normal level of protein (15%) on enterobacteria and Campylobacter sp. inhabitation in the large intestine and on visceral organ hypertrophy and the interrelationships between these two factors. Pigs were kept in pairs (eight pens of two pigs/diet) and fed their respective diets and libitum. Eight pigs (two pens of two pigs fed each diet) were killed at wk 4, 8, 12 and 16 without fasting. Fecal samples were obtained every 2 wk from animals scheduled for necropsy at 16 wk, and colon contents were obtained from all pigs at necropsy; samples were enumerated individually for enterobacteria and Campylobacter sp. Weights of heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, perirenal fat and empty stomach, small intestine and large intestine were recorded at necropsy. Stomach, cecum and proximal colon were sectioned for histopathologic examination. Daily body weight gain was depressed by high dietary protein, but liver and kidneys were heavier in the high protein group than in controls at each time interval. Mild lymphoid hyperplasia of Peyer's patches in the small intestine in some pigs in both groups was indicative of antigenic stimulation but not of pathologic significance. There was no effect of diet on counts of enterobacteria or Campylobacter sp. in feces or colon contents during the 16-wk experiment. We conclude that the hypertrophic response of the tissues of growing pigs to high dietary protein is not the result of the presence of Campylobacter sp. or enterobacteria in the colon contents.     

Interstitial cystitis treated with intravesical doxorubicin

Three patients with interstitial cystitis diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, classic endoscopic findings, and a typical histologic picture were treated with intravesical doxorubicin. All 3 patients showed remarkable improvement, as manifested by complete clearance of irritative bladder symptoms and healing of ulceration. Doxorubicin therefore may be the breakthrough drug for interstitial cystitis.     

Operative treatment of Smith-Goyrand fractures

Optimal treatment of Smith's fracture remains controversial. Conservative management of type III fractures is acceptable, but results are moderate for types I and II.

This study includes 53 patients operated on during the past 10 years; six of type I, 17 of type II and 30 of type III.

The functional end result was good in 32 cases (60.3 per cent) and excellent in nine cases (16.9 per cent).

Functional results of types I, II and III were comparable when the excellent and good groups were added together.

There was no correlation between anatomical result and functional outcome (κ = 0.07), although a good anatomical result usually accompanied a good to excellent functional end result. Operative treatment of Smith's fractures have good functional end results in our hands, regardless of the fracture type.     

The UTAS-E1000 System in electrophysiological studies of the visual system. II. Programming and clinical use

The authors discuss a set of electrodiagnostic tests of the UTAS-E1000 system and their personal work on new tests. They present the scope of applications of the equipment in examinations of some pathological conditions of the visual system and--on the basis of their personal experience--the possibilities of introduction of new electrodiagnostic tests.     

Molecular oncogene markers and their significance in cutaneous malignant melanoma

Background: Oncogenes and other molecular tumor markers that predict tumor aggressiveness may allow individualization and optimization of surgical therapy of intermediate-thickness malignant melanoma. We examined the expression of selected markers, including the HLA-DR antigen, the heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70), and the c-myc oncogene in primary melanoma and regional nodes and related these findings to metastatic potential and survival. Methods: Forty patients with primary melanoma (1.5–4.0 mm) were studied, all of whom had prophylactic lymph node dissection and were followed for 18 months to 7 years. The primary tissue and nodes were examined using immunohistochemical techniques for the presence of HLA-DR antigen and HSP-70 protein and the expression of the c-myc oncogene. Results: Of 40 patients, there were 23 with lesions 1 to 2.9 mm thick and 17 with lesions 3 to 4 mm thick. Nodal metastases were present in 25 of the 40 patients who had elective node dissection. HLA-DR antibody stained the primary tumor in 10 patients (25%), but there was no correlation with survival in this group. HLA-DR antibody stained the stroma and cellular infiltrates surrounding the primary tumor in 28 of 40 patients; in this group there was a correlation of HLA-DR staining of the peritumoral stroma with improved survival overall. HLA-DR staining of the peritumoral stroma also influenced survival when patients were stratified by tumor thickness groups 1 to 2.9 mm and 3 to 4 mm and presence of nodal metastases. HSP-70 was demonstrated in the primary tumor in 25% of patients, who were also shown to have significantly improved survival when compared with those whose primary tumor did not stain with HSP-70. C-myc was expressed in the primary tumor in 25%, but showed no correlation with survival. None of these proteins correlated with or predicted the presence of nodal metastases. Conclusion: We conclude that the use of specific molecular-oncogene markers in intermediate-thickness primary melanoma may identify patients at high risk for conventional treatment failure and reduced survival who may profit from more aggressive surgery, adjuvant therapy, or both.Presented at the 48th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts, March 23–26, 1995.     

The effect of prior back surgery on surgical outcome in patients operated on for lumbar spinal stenosis a matched-pair study

Summary It has been widely observed that the outcome after repeat lumbar surgery is rarely comparable to that of primary surgery. In particular, the results of repeat surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) have not been favourable. We used a matched-pair format in an attempt to decrease the confounding factors so as to determine as exactly as possible the effect of prior back surgery on the LSS patients surgical outcome. The matching criteria were sex, age, myelographic findings, major symptom, and duration of symptoms. From one group of 251 patients without prior back surgery (SO patients) and another of fifty-three patients with one preceding back operation (RS patients), forty-one similar matched patients pairs (one SO and one RS-patient) were formed.There were 8 female and 33 male pairs. The mean age of the SO patients was 51.6 and of the RS patient 51.4 years, and the mean follow-up time was 4.6 and 4.4 years. The assessment of outcome was based on a subjective disability questionnaire. The SO patients fared significantly better than the RS patients (32.1 versus 41.3, P = 0.026). A short time interval between operations in the RS patients had a worsening effect on outcome, but this trend was not significant.We concluded that one preceding back operation had a worsening effect on the outcome of patients operated on for LSS. As a whole, the results of RS patients were unfavourable. The proper time for achieving good surgical results in LSS patients is the initial operation.     

Eingeladener Kommentar zu: “Mittel- und langfristige Ergebnisse nach operativer Behandlung der distalen Radiusfraktur mit der T-Platten-Osteosynthese”

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Surface behavior of axolemma monolayers: Physico-chemical characterization and use as supported planar membranes for cultured Schwann cells

The axolemma membrane forms a stable and reproducible monomolecular layer at the air-aqueous interface. The major lipids and proteins are present in this monolayer in molar ratios similar to the original membrane. Acetylcholinesterase and Na-K-ATPase activities are preserved in the monolayer to levels of 64% and 25%, respectively. The total lipid fraction forms a homogeneously mixed phase. The presence of proteins in the monolayer introduces surface inhomogeneties. Among other features, this is revealed by the presence of two values of lateral pressure at which the monolayer shows partial or total collapse: a broad partial collapse at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m and a sharp collapse point at 46 mN/m. The average molecular areas, the broad collapse point, and the variation of the surface potential per molecule suggest the relocation of protein components at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m. The behavior is consistent with the extrusion and exposure of proteins toward the aqueous medium that depends on the lateral pressure. Schwann cells grown on coverslips coated with axolemma monolayers at 13 mN/m (beginning of the broad collapse) and 34 mN/m (above the broad collapse) recognize the difference in the surface organization of axolemma caused by the lateral pressure which affects their proliferation, morphology, and spatial pattern of organization. Our results show for the first time that response of Schwann cells depends on the intermolecular organization of the axolemma surface with which they interact. These results suggest that the local expression of putative surface molecules of axolemma that may mediate membrane recognition and the signalling of morphological and proliferative changes can be modulated by long range supramolecular properties. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.