STUDIES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS : V. THE VIRUS IN FAMILIAL ASSOCIATES OF CASES

The occurrence and duration of the carrier state in familial associates of recognized cases of poliomyelitis was studied by the examination for virus of stool specimens collected from the members of four families at regular intervals for a period of over 2 months. The results indicate that: (1) virus may persist in their stools continuously for 4 to 5 weeks; (2) virus may be encountered intermittently in the stools; (3) in some instances virus may be present for brief periods only; (4) children are more likely to maintain virus than are adults in the same family; (5) infection of a family takes place rapidly, suggesting again simultaneous infection from a common source.     

A stretcher splint for safely transporting the injured

A stretcher for transporting the injured is described which in an almost automatic fashion immobilizes and places in controlled traction and countertraction any long bone fracture. At the same time vertebral fractures are placed in sufficient hypertension to protect the cord and prevent increase in deformity.There is no necessity for the first aid crew to make a diagnosis as there is only one way to position the patient regardless of the injury.X-rays may be taken without taking the patient out of the stretcher.     

Scale-up of Adhesive Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

Pharmaceutical Research -     

Myoblast transfer in duchenne muscular dystrophy

One biceps muscle of 8 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was injected at 55 sites with a total of 55 million viable, purified, and contamination-free normal myoblasts (myoblast transfer). The other biceps of each patient was injected with a placebo to serve as a control. The procedure was blinded to the patients, parents, and investigators. Myoblasts derived from a biopsy specimen of the fathers were cultured and purified under strict conditions and carefully screened for microbial contamination. All patients received cyclophosphamide for immunosuppression for 6 or 12 months. No serious complications were observed after myoblast transfer, indicating that the procedure is safe. The overall therapeutic efficiency of myoblast transfer was poor as judged by the results in maximal voluntary force generation, dystrophin content of the muscle, magnetic resonance imaging of the muscle, and the lack of donor-derived DNA and dystrophin messenger RNA in the injected muscle. An improved efficiency of the take of myoblasts might be achieved by using younger cells and injecting the myoblasts with a myonecrotic agent (to increase the prevalence of regeneration) and a basal laminal fenestrating agent.     

Indirect radionuclide cystography: a sensitive technique for the detection of vesico-ureteral reflux

The detection or exclusion of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) has classically been by micturating cystourethrography (MCUG). Radionuclide cystography will detect VUR but fails to provide the same detailed anatomical informations as MCUG. This study allowed a comparison of indirect radionuclide cystography (IRC) and MCUG in 65 children. Renal reflux was detected by IRC in 32% of renal units, while VUR was seen in 36% by MCUG. When a comparison was made with MCUG, IRC had a sensitivity of 74.1% and a specificity of 90.5%. The markedly reduced radiation dose, avoidance of a bladder catheter plus the ability to monitor the urinary tract constantly during the entire procedure should ensure that IRC is the examination of choice in follow-up studies for VUR in all toilet-trained children.     

Lobar Pulmonary Edema Due to Mitral Regurgitation: Diagnosis by Echocardiography

A bstract One etiology of unilateral lobar pulmonary edema is mitral regurgitation. Echocardiography is able to demonstrate the retrograde flow of blood into the pulmonary veins and allows timely diagnosis and treatment planning. Correction of mitral regurgitation is followed by resolution of the radiographic abnormality.