Immunoblotting demonstration of antibodies to the organic matrix of developing bovine enamel

Antiserum was raised against an acetic acid extract of partly mineralized bovine enamel. By use of immunoblotting it was shown that rabbit antibodies react with both high and low molecular weight proteins. Most but not all of the enamel proteins isolated by different extraction solutions were antigenic identical. The blotting time was found to be important when immunoblotting of enamel proteins is carried out.     

AGGRESSIVENESS, ONSET OF DEPENDENCE, AND TREATMENT OUTCOME IN SOCIALLY WELL-ADAPTED ALCOHOLICS

Current typologies of alcoholism derive from the whole spectrumof afflicted persons. One type is characterized by variablessuch as early onset of dependence, violence, and aggressiveness.In previous research, this has been shown to be correlated withpoorer prognosis. We tested this association in a fairly homogeneoussubgroup of 258 socially rather well-adjusted male inpatients.Aggressiveness was assessed psychometrically. As a group, patientsdid not differ from general population norms. However, age wasnegatively correlated with aggressiveness. Even after takingpatients' age and duration of dependence into account, aggressivenesswas associated with an early onset of dependence and furtheraspects of drinking history, thus confirming results from previoustypology research. Overall treatment outcome after 6 and 12months was quite good, but was not influenced by aggression.     

Interaction Between Accessory Pathways Resulting in Inability to Induce Reciprocating Tachycardia

A 44-year old male with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome presented with atrial fibrillation. The patient was found at the electrophysioiogical study to have two accessory pathways, one concealed and the other conducting exclusively in the anterograde direction. After radiofrequency catheter ablation of the anterograde conducting pathway, orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia, which previously could not be induced despite an aggressive protocol, was easily induced. Ablation of the concealed pathway resulted in termination of the tachycardia and suppression of inducibility. We propose that interaction between the two accessory pathways resulted in an inability to induce reciprocating tachycardia.     

Tuberculosis of the Colon in a Kidney Transplant Patient

ABSTRACT A 58-year-old woman experienced recurrent fever episodes after kidney transplantation. She was treated with antibiotics because of suspicion of staphylococcus infection. Abdominal pain combined with haemorrhagic diarrhoea occurred eight months after transplantation. A barium enema revealed a stenotic process in the middle part of the ascending colon mimicking carcinoma, and hemicolectomy was consequently performed. Histological examination revealed tuberculosis with little granuloma formation and abundant acid-fast tubercle bacilli in the mucosa and submucosa, and only slight perigranulomatous reactions. The patient was successfully treated with triple antituberculous chemotherapy without deterioration of allograft function. Tuberculosis should be suspected in immuno-suppressed patients suffering from pyrexia of unknown origin, even when chest X-ray is normal.     

The Search for Perinatal Definitions and Standards

ABSTRACT. Progress made during the last 60 years in reaching international agreement on perinatal terminology is reviewed. Agreed terms currently in use in respect to birthweight, gestational age and the collection of perinatal mortality and morbidity statistics are stated and defined. Arguments are advanced in support of an internationally agreed methodology for the measurement and reporting of infant growth in the perinatal period.     

Ectopic Gallstone as a Cause of Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Callstone ileus is, of course, a well known cause of small bowel obstruction. A gallstone, however, is a very rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction. Three cases illustrating this phenomenon are exhibited. Radiographs were diagnostic in two of the studies. All three patients did well postoperatively.     

Fetal habituation in high-risk pregnancies

Summary. Habituation is a basic form of learning and probably requires an intact central nervous system. Habituation in the behavioural response to vibration in 40 normal human fetuses was compared with that in a group of high-risk pregnancies with an increased risk of fetal neurological damage. Highly significant differences in habituation patterns between the high-risk groups and normal control subjects were found. This test may offer a method of assessing the integrity of the fetal central nervous system.