Management of a glomus jugulare tumour with internal carotid artery involvement

A previously healthy 40-year-old female presented for surgical resection of a large glomus jugulare tumour with extensive involvement of the carotid siphon and intracranial extension. Conduct of anaesthesia with specific reference to cerebral protection is discussed. A combination of induced hypothermia, barbiturate therapy, normotension, normocarbia and prior clamping of the distal internal carotid artery was chosen. The role of barbiturates as a therapeutic intervention is debated.     

MEASURMENT OF CIRCULATING THYROID MICROSOMAL ANTIBODIES BY THE TANNED RED CELL HAEMAGGLUTINATION TECHNIQUE: ITS USEFULNESS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASES

Thyroid-microsomal antibodies were quantitated by a new technique utilizing tanned sheep red blood cells coated with human thyroid microsomal antigens. This haemagglutination assay (MCHA) correlated with the immunofluorescent antibody (FAB) but not with the thyroglobulin haemagglutination antibodies (TGHA) assay.
Of forth-one patients with Hasmimoto's thyroiditis, Thirty-nine (95%) were MCHA but only twenty-four (59%) TGHA positive. Titres were similar for the hypothyroid and euthyroid patients. Patients less than 20 years of age had either negative (50%) or low titre (less than 1:160) TGHA but 100% positive MCHA at titres greater than 1:1280. Of twenty-one patients with Graves'diseases eighteen (86%) were MCHA and six (29%) TGHA positive. Of thirty-two patients without thyroid diseases eleven (34%) were MCHA and/or TGHA positive. On the basis of family history and associated abnormalities, in eight of eleven, positive antibodies may have been due to subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Fourteen subjects of a control group (10%) were MCHA postivie. Seven of ten examined had goitres.
MCHA is a simple and quantitative test, useful in the diagnosis of autoinnune thyroid diseases.     

Pituitary-testicular function in patients with chronic alcoholism

Abstract. Testis and liver histology, and pituitary—testicular function were studied in thirty chronic alcoholics. Severe reduction of spermatogenesis was found in 30% and in these patients serum follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin concentrations were significantly higher. There was no correlation between abnormalities in the liver and testis. The serum testosterone was normal in most cases. Sexual dysfunction and testicular atrophy occurred in more than half of the patients and were not related to liver disease. Testicular disorder in chronic alcoholism may be independent of liver disease.     

Synthesis of Ac-Asp-Gly-Ser and Ac-Asp-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2

The syntheses of Ac-Asp-Gly-Ser and Ac-Asp-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂ are described. The two peptides were prepared in solution by stepwise elongation using the DCC method with additives (HOSu or HOBt). The push-pull method was also used in the synthesis of Ac-Asp-Gly-Ser. A racemization test of the amino acids in this peptide has been performed.