A clinical and epidemiologic study morsicatio buccarum/labiorum

abstract – A study of habitual self mutilation of the buccal and/or labial mucosa by biting was conducted on 8,589 persons attending the Royal Dental College, Copenhagen. Forty-two cases were found. The youngest patient was 5 years old and the oldest was 47. The condition occurred most frequently (1.77%) among persons aged 15–19 years. There was no difference in prevalence between males and females. Combined mutilation of cheek(s) and lip(s) was more frequent (62%) than isolated mutilation of the cheek(s) (24%) or isolated mutilation of the lip(s) (14%). Bilateral biting of the cheeks was more frequent than unilateral biting, and biting of the lower lip was more frequent than biting of the upper lip. Ninety-three per cent of the patients were aware of their habit, and most of them stated that they had been biting for years. Twenty patients were re-examined; in all but one patients the biting persisted but in 7 patients the location of the lesions had changed. In several cases a link could be traced to personal problems and mental stress. It was further noticed that many patients were students and white-collar workers, suggesting that "intellectual" work may predispose for the habit.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor tissue and blood serum from patients with breast cancer

Enzyme immunoassay showed that the content of free vascular endothelial growth factor increases in tumor cytosols and blood serum from patients with breast cancer. A positive correlation was found between the contents of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor cytosols and blood serum. After removal of the tumor the content of vascular endothelial growth factor decreased only in 49% patients. It should be emphasized that changes in these parameters did not depend on their initial values.     

Perftoran infusion in acute myocardial infarction

Fifty patients with acute myocardial infarction were examined after infusion of perfluorane. Microcirculatory status was evaluated by biomicroscopy of the eye conjunctival capillaries. Changes in the capillaries were evaluated by B-Ditcel classification. Myocardial status was studied by ECG and EchoCG. Myocardial contractility was assessed by the degree of shortening of the anteroposterior size and ejection fraction. Changes in coagulogram were studied. After the infusion of perfluorane, the number of functioning capillaries increased, venous congestion decreased, arteriolar and venular diameters increased, and hypercoagulation was corrected.     

Effects of epsilon-aminocaproic acid, amben and kontrikal on fibrinolysis due to tissue-type plasminogen activator from the pig heart

Simultaneous intravenous administration to rats of epsilon-aminocaproic acid and high doses of plasminogen tissue activator from the pig heart was shown to prevent fibrinolysis changes induced by the tissue activator. Amben completely suppressed the action of the tissue activator at the blood concentration 15 times less than that of epsilon-aminocaproic acid. A greater effect of amben on the blood activator level was noted. Contrykal exerted only slight effect on fibrinolysis stimulated by the tissue activator.     

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY

SUMMARY The psychological impact of an epidemiological study of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) was assessed in a representative sample of practice list patients. Of the 889 men completing a general health self-report questionnaire previously validated in a screening programme, 75% knew nothing of problems of the prostate, and 84.5% were not at all worried about prostate problems prior to commencement of the study. Receiving the letter of invitation and the procedures neither increased nor reduced anxiety levels for 69% and 70% respectively. In the 227 men referred to hospital for further investigation the procedure increased anxiety in 28%, decreased anxiety in 20%, and had no effect on the remainder. The sample of 137 (16%) men who, prior to interview, were in some way worried about problems of the prostate had significantly more urinary tract symptoms than those who were not at all worried about prostatic problems. Despite being worried about prostatic problems and having significant urinary symptoms, this group was no more likely to have attended a GP for investigation and/or treatment. Results are discussed in relation to the possible psychological effects of general health screening and the reluctance of men to attend for consultation despite awareness and concern regarding urinary symptomatology.     

Clinical Problems in Atrial Synchronous Ventricular Inhibited Pacing: A Long-term Follow-up of 54 Patients

Fifty-four VDD-paced patients were followed for more than 12 months; they were studied retrospectively in order to assess possible clinical problems and their management. The patients were between 19 and 84 years of age (mean, 66 +/- 11). Twenty-four of the 54 received a VDD pacemaker as a primary implant and 30 had had VVI pacemakers which were changed to VDD mainly because of limited exercise tolerance or symptoms of AV asynchrony. The follow-up time was between 12 and 69 months (mean, 39 +/- 17). Pacemaker and lead problems were neither frequent nor serious. Six patients had spontaneous paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, four had pacemaker-mediated supraventricular tachycardias and six had ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Treatment of tachyarrhythmias included drugs, DC conversion, reprogramming, or combinations of these measures. Frequency of hospitalization was not greater than expected. In conclusion, VDD pacing appears safe and reliable, with problems mainly associated with the underlying cardiac disease rather than to the pacing mode itself.     

A New Lead for Transvenous Atrial Pacing and Sensing Clinical and Electrophysiological Experiences

The Medtronic 6961 lead has been used in 14 patients for transvenous atrial sensing and/or pacing. This lead is furnished with small tines of silicone rubber at the distal end. The conductor coil material is space wound for flexibility. Thus, the lead lacks intrinsic elasticity and can be fastened within the right atrial appendage without a preformed J-shape. The clinical experiences with the lead are encouraging. The lead is easier to introduce and position in the right atrial appendage than the previously used tined J-shaped leads (Medtronic 6991). The small size of the new lead makes the choice of vein less critical and a normally-sized external jugular or cephalic vein permits the use of the same vessel for a second ventricular lead. By means of a lead extension wire, consecutive determinations of the P-wave amplitude, stimulation threshold of the right atrium, electrode resistance, and P/QRS-ratio were made for four weeks following electrode insertion. The mean P-wave amplitude at insertion was 4.9 +/- 1.5 mV (mean +/- SD). There was a significant decrease to a lowest mean level of 309 +/- 1.1 mV after one week. From that time there were only small variations. In the supine position and with normal breathing there was a spontaneous variation of the P-wave amplitude of +/- 12%. The P-wave amplitude was influenced by body position and maximal breathing movements to a minor extent. The threshold of stimulation was 0.9 +/- 0.4 V after one week. Later there was a small decrease in the threshold which, however, still remained significantly higher than at the time of insertion. The total resistance of the electrode system was about 700 ohms and P/QRS-ratio about 4 +/- 3. During an observation time ranging from 4 to 11 months there were no electrode dislocations. The electrodes were connected to the intended pacemakers without complications. In conclusion, the transvenous endocardial atrial lead, Medtronic 6961, shows attractive and promising qualities. The electrophysiological data recorded are suitable for the pacemakers in use. The electrode definitely deserves further evaluation.     

Upper gastrointestinal tract lesions in patients with nonspecific ulcerative colitis

Endoscopic and morphological examinations of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were made in 80 patients with nonspecific ulcerative colitis (NUC). Tests for Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric juice acidity were also conducted. It was found that in many patients NUC was associated with development of nonspecific esophagitis, gastritis and duodenitis. The endoscopic examination revealed erosions of the abdominal esophagus in 13.8% cases, erosive-ulcerative alterations in the stomach and duodenum in 27.5% of NUC patients. The most marked changes occurred in patients with severe NUC. Alterations in the upper GIT were not related with either Hp or the acidity. Morphological examinations of the biopsies from the esophagus, stomach and duodenum demonstrated changes similar to those in biopsy material from the colon. The same type of morphological changes in mucosa from the upper GIT and the colon in NUC indicates that their pathogenesis is also the same.     

Stimulation of kainate toxicity by zinc in cultured cerebellar granule neurons and the role of mitochondria in this process

Zinc chloride (0.01 mM kept for 3 h) is not toxic to cultured cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) while kainate (0.1 mM kept for 3 h) demonstrates some but very low toxicity towards these cells.Measurements of the relative intraneuronal zinc ion concentration showed that increase in [Zn²⁺]_i under the simultaneous action of ZnCl₂ and kainate was significantly stronger compared to their separate action. Simultaneous treatment of CGNs with kainate and zinc chloride caused the swelling of neuronal mitochondria and consequent intensive neuronal death, which was totally prevented by NBQX (an AMPA/kainate-receptors blocker) or ruthenium red (a mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter blocker). These data imply that Zn²⁺ synergistically to kainate increase their separate toxic effects on mitochondria leading to rapid neuronal death.