Level of functioning of siblings and parents of probands of varying degrees of retardation

A further analysis of already published data supports the position that retardates of low ability level less frequently have retarded siblings, retarded parents, and parents low in occupational level than do retardates higher in ability level. The analysis supports the position that there are two types of retarded individuals, persons retarded as a result of gene or chromosomal anomalies, brain injury, etc., who more frequently occur in the lower-level retardate group, and persons whose retardation represents polygenic segregation, who more frequently occur in the higher-level group.     

Modes of Inheritance of Errors of Refraction

Eighteen families in which both parents had refractions within the range of +4·0 D to −4·0 D and axial lengths seen in emmetropia (22·3-26·0 mm) showed coefficients of correlation of the order 0·5 indicative of polygenic inheritance. Such coefficients were seen for axial length (0·407) and for the cornea (0·487), but not for the lens (which is known to be yoked to the axial length). No such coefficients were seen in 19 families in which one of the parents had axial length outside the emmetropic range (nine families with long axes and 10 with short axes).

The pattern of polygenic inheritance for emmetropia (completely correlated optical components) and errors of refraction up to 4·0 D (inadequately correlated components: correlation ametropia) follows that seen in stature and other measurable characters. In contrast the high refractive errors with their abnormal axial lengths (component ametropia) are—like the extremes in stature—pathological anomalies with monofactorial inheritance.

     

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of extracts of five species of wood-colonizing fungi

Screening new organisms for antibacterial activity and searching for new antibacterial drugs is important due to the constant generation of new antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. An E. coli broth microdilution test was used to evaluate the results of the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence test in five of the most antibacterially active species of wood-colonizing fungi. Serpula lacrymans was found to be a potential source of thermostable antibiotic(s) and the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence test was confirmed to be a useful method for screening for antibacterial activity.     

膝关节骨性关节炎的关节镜治疗体会

目的我科自2001～2005年4月对59例67膝的骨性关节炎（0A），进行关节镜检查及镜下清理术。方法镜检：膝关节骨性关节炎伴不同程度滑膜炎，滑膜皱壁粘连纤维片，关节软骨不同程度破坏。镜下清除增生滑膜，松解粘连，去除剥脱软骨、修复关节面。结果随访2月～4年，平均1.5年，术后综合评估2月～1年，优良率94％；1～2年，优良率79.2％；2年以上优良率54.8％。结论关节镜对膝关节骨性关节炎诊断能提供了比较全面的资料，并对骨性关节炎早期有良好疗效，具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少和重复治疗等优点。     

Aspects of the mechanisms of action of benzydamine

Benzydamine shows some properties that are common with other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) but displays also properties which are different from those of other NSAIDs. It inhibits prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis at high concentrations, which however can be reached by topical application of the drug. It has no inhibiting effect on amino-acid decarboxylases, which are inhibited by various NSAIDs. Benzydamine has no effect on sulphydryl-group reactivity, contrary to most NSAIDs. It inhibits platelet aggregation and the inhibition of the collagen-induced aggregation appears to be rather selective with respect to other NSAIDs. It displays a stabilizing effect on erythrocyte membranes which appears related to its high affinity for membranes in general, and it inhibits the respiratory burst of stimulated human monocytes and granule enzyme release by human neutrophils.