Biomonitoring of genotoxic exposure of aluminium plant workers.

Humans are environmentally and occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). PAH's are a class of tumorigenic compounds which act through metabolic transformation to chemically reactive forms, epoxides, which covalently bind to DNA forming DNA adducts. To evaluate the genotoxic effects of PAH's, air and urine samples were analyzed for PAH. Blood samples were analyzed for benzo(a)pyrene-diol-epoxide-DNA (BPDE-DNA) adducts. New methods for analyzing DNA adducts in lymphocytes have been used to study the genotoxic effects of human exposure to carcinogens. BPDE-DNA adducts in lymphocytes have been used as internal dosimeters of exposure to PAH's and several studies have been conducted. We measured BPDE-DNA adducts in aluminium plant workers with immuno-assay and physico-chemical methods. PAH-DNA adducts were detectable to a lesser extent in subjects working in an aluminium plant compared to subjects working in a coke oven plant.     

Intralbugineous testicular prosthesis a new technique summary of 30 implants

A study of 16 patients who underwent intralbugineous testicular implants during the practice of orchiectomy is presented. In 14 cases of prostatic carcinoma, after bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy intralbugineous prostheses were implanted and in 2 other cases of testicular torsion unilateral prosthesis was implanted. With this new, easily executed technique the size, mobility and testicular sensibility are maintained.     

Significance of the diagnosis and treatment of arterial injuries of the wrist

Authors report on arterial injuries in a 2-year material of hand injured. The combination of injuries observed and the methods of treatment are described. Attention is called to the fact, that because of anatomical characteristics of these regions, the diagnosis of arterial injuries is not always easy. Four cases of their own are briefly described in whom the arterial injury could be stated only at the development of complications (pulsating haematoma, false aneurysm, later bleeding). The importance of the primary careful treatment and the significance of the examination of the circulation (Allen's test, Doppler) are stressed.     

Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus

Based on repeated fluoroangiographic examinations in a group of 28 children with type I diabetes mellitus the authors observed progressing diabetic retinal changes. At the end of the three-year observation period they found progress in 32% of the children. They investigated influence of risk factors such as age, duration of the basic disease, its metabolic compensation, sex and HLA typing on the development of diabetic retinopathy.     

Study of the lens epithelial cell density in cataractous eyes operated on with extracapsular and intercapsular techniques

Epithelial cell counting was performed in 47 fragments from lens anterior capsules obtained during extracapsular and intercapsular surgery. Mean cell count was 3,277 cell/mm2; there was no correlation between cell number and age and no significant difference in cell counts between extracapsular and intercapsular surgery. There were, however, significant differences between advanced cataracts and the other cataract types (2,947 vs. 3,356). This may be important in explaining the differences in regenerative opacification of the posterior capsule in the different types of cataracts.     

Late postpartum eclampsia. Apropos of a case

We report the case of a 32-year-old multipara who presented preeclampsia on the fourth day after childbirth without receiving proper treatment that progressed to eclampsia 4 days later. Pregnancy and delivery had been uneventful. The patient presented proteinuria (30 mg/dl), serum total proteins 5.3 g/dl and serum albumin 3.3 g/dl. Blood pressure was controlled with methyldopa, 500 mg at six-hour intervals by intravenous route. The patient presented hypoxemia secondary to bilateral pleural effusion and aspirative pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Treatment with cefotaxime, 1 g at six-hour intervals by intravenous route and clindamycin, 600 mg at six-hour intervals by intravenous route was initiated. Sedation was maintained with thiopental sodium, 3 mg/kg/hour in continuous infusion. At dismission, the patient was completely recovered from her clinical picture and needed no antihypertensive therapy. Physiopathologic features and the aforementioned complications are discussed with particular reference to differential diagnosis.     

Transient protein S deficiency with deep venous thrombosis during Salmonella typhimurium infection

A patient with deep venous thrombosis and low protein S activity during the course of Salmonella typhimurium infection is presented. Although protein S deficiency has been reported in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation, it was not present in this patient and his protein S activity was normal after the findings of infection and deep venous thrombosis disappeared.     

Temperature-dependent effects of halothane and isoflurane on the isolated left atrium

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie - The aim of the present study was to examine whether changes in temperature alter the effects of halothane and isoflurane on...     

Effects of nail rigidity on fracture healing

The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of the rigidity of nails on the healing of fractures as evaluated by mechanical strength and rate of bone mineralisation. Ten rats supplied biomechanical data at the start of the experiment and another 100 rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups. In 20 rats no intervention was performed, and they served as a reference group of normal values. Thus, 80 rats underwent a standardised partial osteotomy in the left femur diaphysis prior to manual fracture, reaming and intramedullary nailing. One group received rigid steel nails (group 1) and another, cannulated steel nails (group 2). Group 3 received semi-rigid titanium nails and group 4, soft polyethylene nails. Ten rats in each group were evaluated at 6 and 12 weeks after fracture, and radiographs and callus diameter measurements were performed. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the bones was performed, and the degree of mineralisation in the callus segment, distal diaphysis and total femur was calculated by the scanner. Subsequently, the bones were tested mechanically by a three-point bending test in a Mini Bionix (MTS) testing system. Radiographs revealed clearly visible fractures at 6 weeks in the intervention groups. At 12 weeks there were no signs of bridging callus in group 4, while the other groups presented scarcely visible osteotomies. The callus area in group 4 was significantly larger at both 6 and 12 weeks than in groups 1–3. In these groups there was a significant decrease in callus area between 6 and 12 weeks. Both maximum bending load, bending rigidity and fracture energy increased significantly in groups 1–3 between 6 and 12 weeks, while bending load and fracture energy increased in group 4. At 6 weeks no significant differences were detected between groups 1–3 in mechanical strength. Group 4 had a significantly reduced maximum bending load and fracture energy at 6 and 12 weeks as well as bending rigidity at 12 weeks. At 12 weeks group 3 had a significantly increased maximum bending load and fracture energy compared with groups 1 and 2. Bone mineral count (BMC) in the callus region in group 4 was significantly reduced at both 6 and 12 weeks. BMC in the callus showed no significant differences between groups 1–3, either at 6 or at 12 weeks. BMC in the distal diaphysis was significantly reduced in groups 1 and 4 compared with group 2 at 12 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the callus region revealed no significant differences between groups 1–3 at 6 weeks, while at 12 weeks BMD was higher in group 3 than in group 1. BMD in the callus region and total femur in group 4 was significantly reduced at 6 weeks. This study demonstrates that diaphyseal fractures treated with titanium nails with a bending rigidity similar to the intact femur have a higher maximum bending load and fracture energy at 12 weeks than both rigidly or softly nailed fractures. BMD in the callus region was also highest after titanium nailing at 12 weeks. BMD in the distal diaphysis and total femur indicates that the degree of stiffness of the nails have little influence on total bone mineralisation at 12 weeks.