ATP induced polarization of keratohyalin granules

Within seconds of exposure of frozen sections of stratum granulosum of glycerinized cow hoof to a buffered solution of adenosinetriphosphate, the keratohyalin granules underwent transformation into polarized fine linear rods. This polarization phenomenon was associated with gross pleating, twisting and crumpling of the section, indicative of varying contractile forces.     

EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF METACHRONOUS COLORECTAL CARCINOMA

The frequency of metachronous colorectal tumours in a prospective 20-year series of patients with colorectal cancer is reported. Thirty-one patients, that Is 2.1% of the patients operated on for cure, had metachronous carcinomas, and 5.4% had metachronous polyps. One-third of the metachronous carcinomas were diagnosed at scheduled postoperative control examinations, and the others because of their symptoms or at autopsy. The reported metachronous carcinomas are considered to represent failures of follow-up only and not to indicate their true incidence, since their natural course has been arrested by removal of adenomas whenever found. Several of the metachronous tumours were judged to be overlooked synchronous ones, and therefore a thorough postoperative examination of the remaining large bowel is advocated. The finding of subsequent tumours in this series indicates that continuous follow-up is worthwhile.     

The stratum granulosum: a contractile system

Sheets of stratum granulosum of glycerinated cow hoof epidermis showed immediate contraction on exposure to ATP in the presence of calcium. Other layers of the epidermis were unresponsive. Contraction of the stratum granulosum could be induced also by dopamine, but not by a variety of other pharmacological agents. It could be blocked by EGTA, lidocaine, or high concentrations of potassium. It is postulated that the keratohyalin granule is a contractile protein uniquely responsible for the changes observed.     

The effect of corticosteroids on in vitro endotoxin-induced microclots

The in vitro endotoxin-induced fibrin microclots could be completely inhibited in blood by treating the patient with an oral dose of 30--60 mg prednisone 24 h before drawing the blood sample. When added to 100 ml blood in vitro, the minimal inhibiting dose of corticosteroid is 0.004 mg betamethasone or 0.5 mg hydrocortisone.     

A long-term prognosis for the fixed saddle-bridge

This report constitutes a long-term study of 100 saddle-bridges applied by the author during the years 1958-1973. The aim of the investigation has been to assess the prognosis for this form of therapy. The probability that a saddle-bridge will still be functioning completely, without repair, after 5 years is 93%, and after 10 years (as also after 12 years) 83%. Only 12% of the appliances had been removed 12 years after the application. The risk of defects is about the same during the first 5-year period after the application as it is during the second and the third 5-year periods. A comparison between saddle-bridges applied before and after 1965 shows no demonstrable difference as regards the 5-year prognosis in spite of modifications with respect to range of indication and therapy. The causes of the defects have been divided into biological and technical. During the first 5-year period technical defects appear to be in the majority, whereas during the later stages, biological defects predominate. Background factors such as sex, the age of the patient, length of saddle, localization in the jaw do not prove to have any appreciable importance for the prognosis. There is, on the other hand, a significantly better prognosis when the opposing jaw is furnished with the patient's own teeth and/or fixed bridges than with a removable denture. The author points out that from the result of the study, the saddle-bridge has such a good long-term prognosis that its range of application for fixed constructions should be considerably extended.     

Fluoride release by silicate cements and composite resins

abstract – The purpose of the study was to determine the fluoride content of acrylic and composite resins and to study the release of fluoride from these materials in comparison to the release from silicates. The analytical results showed that one composite contained approximately the same amount of fluoride as is generally reported for silicates. The other resins contained none or only minimal amounts of fluoride. The release of fluoride was studied by measuring the uptake of fluoride by synthetic hydroxylapatite. Rectangular test specimens, 2 × 2 × 12 mm, made of the fluoride-containing resin were shaken in a neutral (pH 6.8) and an acidic (pH 5.8) solution with the hydroxylapatite for 7 weeks. The apatite was analyzed for fluoride each week and the test specimens were then transferred to a fresh solution with new apatite. As a control, a composite without fluoride was studied in the same way. For comparison two silicate cements were also included in the study. The results show that, during the first week, the uptake of fluoride by the apatite was greater from the silicates than it was from the composite. After that period the uptake continued at a lower level and did not show any marked decrease during the observation period. This continued uptake was about the same from both the silicates and the composite.     

A Syndrome with Painful Lipomas,Familial Dysarthria,Abnormal Eye-movements and Clumsiness

ABSTRACT. A syndrome of dysarthria, clumsiness and abnormal ocular movements are described in a man and his 3 children. His father, who died when our patient was born, also had the same speech abnormality. Our patient also had multiple painful lipomas suggesting a probable diagnosis of adipositas dolorosa Dercum. Although he looked muscular he complained of muscular weakness and fatigue. Oral treatment with a local anesthetic, mexiletin, inhibited the pain in the lipomas. Analysis of the speech disorder in our patient and his children revealed disturbances in the coordination of jaws, larynx and tongue with a poor control of pitch and volume and impaired intelligibility. The poor fine coordination of hands, clumsiness when walking, dysarthria and disturbance of eye-movements could be due to a familial malformation in the pons or cerebellum. Computer tomography and X-ray of head were normal but the grooves on the surface of the cerebellum were more marked than usual.     

Haemostatic changes during continuous oestradiolprogestogen treatment of postmenopausal women

Summary. To identify changes in haemostatic balance during continuous oestradiol-progestogen treatment, 60 postmenopausal women with climacteric complaints, mean age 55.4 years (range 44–68) were randomly allocated to receive one of four hormone replacement regimens for one year. All four formulations were administered daily and continuously, each contained 2 mg of 17 β-oestradiol in combination with either norethisterone acetate, 1 mg (group A) or 0.5 mg (group B) or megestrol acetate, 5 mg (group C) or 2.5 mg (group D). No significant changes occurred during treatment within or between the groups in platelet count, fibrinogen and 2-antiplasmin. Activated partial thromboplastin time was shortened (P<0.05) in group D and a decline in factor VII activity and antigen (P<0.001) and in AT1II activity (P<0.05) was noted in group A. Protein C tended to decline in all treatment groups but statistically significant changes were noted only in groups A and C. Two women developed crural thrombosis during the observation period.