Wirkung von hochdosiertem Vitamin A auf das Keimepithel der Ratte

Andrologische Untersuchungen vor, während und nach Behandlung mit hochdosiertem Vitamin A, zeigten bei 15 Patienten keinen signifikanten Einfluß auf die Zusammensetzung des Ejakulates. Diese Untersuchungen waren Anlaß zu einem tierexperimentellen Modellversuch.
80 Wistar-Ratten wurden mit verschieden hohen Dosen Vitamin A durch 4 Wochen behandelt. Ein Großteil der Tiere verstarb unter toxischen Symptomen noch vor Ende der 4. Woche und zeigte eine progressive Schädigung des Keimepithels. Bei den überlebenden Tieren fanden sich histologisch die entfernten Hoden nur gering geschädigt, unabhängig von der verwendeten Dosis. Eine spezifische Schädigung des Keimepithels durch hochdosiertes Vitamin A konnte somit nicht festgestellt werden.     

The effect of organochlorine insecticides on serum cholesterol level in people occupationally exposed

Summary Serum cholesterol was determined in 206 workers occupationally exposed to organochlorine insecticides (OCI) and in 86 workers non-occupationally exposed to these chemicals.In both groups of workers the serum cholesterol level increased with age. The increase was greater in exposed workers but the difference between the two groups was statistically significant only in the over 45 years age group.It is thought that OCI induce an increase of cholesterol synthesis, but this process is masked by a concomitant breakdown. In the over 45 years age group a diminished reactivity of homeostatic processes may explain the finding of enhanced cholesterol synthesis which is no longer masked by concomitant catabolism.Supported by Grant 06-004-3 from the U.S.A. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Control Administration.     

The small pyramidal neuron of the rat cerebral cortex. The perikaryon,dendrites and spines

The small pyramidal neurons of layers II and III of the rat parietal cortex have been examined with both Golgi staining and electron microscopy. The cell body contains a large nucleus and only a thin rim of cytoplasm in which the Nissl substance is not well developed. A cap of Nissl substance occurs at the base of the apical dendrite, however, and a number of cisternae of the Golgi apparatus occur in this same location. A centriole is often found here too, so that this region of the neuron represents the cell center. Little Nissl substance occurs in the dendrites, which mainly contain well-ordered arrays of microtubules. Projecting from the stem of the apical dendrite and from the secondary dendrites are spines. Basically, the spines are of three types. The most common ones have long, thin stalks and small end bulbs. The least common ones are mushroom-shaped and have thick stalks ending in large bulbs. The other spines are short and stubby, and have no well-defined stalk. The distribution of these three types of spines has been determined. Although they are rare, spines may also project from the cell body, which has very few synapses on its surface.     

Serum lipid profile in women using levonorgestrel contraceptive implant, Norplant-2

Cholesterol content of major lipoprotein fractions along with total cholesterol (Tc) and triglyceride (Tg) were measured in 65 samples from 35 women using levonorgestrel contraceptive implant, Norplant-2 from the third month of implantation until the end of second year along with twenty-five healthy controls. There were significant decreases in all the fractional lipid values, Tc and Tg, up to the sixth month followed by a gradual rise of all lipid parameters except HDLc which remained much below the control level. Interestingly, VLDLc exhibited a significant rise at the end of the second year.     

Ameliorating effect of FK614, a novel nonthiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, on insulin resistance in Zucker fatty rat

Effect of 3-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-methyl-N-(pentylsulfonyl)-3H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide (FK614), a novel nonthiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist, on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and in liver using Zucker fatty rats (genetically obese and insulin-resistant) was evaluated and compared to other insulin sensitizers. FK614 (0.32, 1 and 3.2 mg/kg), two thiazolidinedione PPAR gamma agonists, rosiglitazone (0.1, 0.32, 1 and 3.2 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (1, 3.2 and 10 mg/kg), and a biguanide, metformin (320 and 1000 mg/kg), were orally administered to Zucker fatty rats once a day for 14 days. Zucker fatty rats treated with FK614 and rosiglitazone were subjected to evaluation by oral glucose tolerance test. Ameliorating effect of each compound on peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance was evaluated using a euglycemic-hyperinsulineamic clamp procedure. FK614 and rosiglitazone dose-dependently improved impaired glucose tolerance in Zucker fatty rats. In addition, FK614 dose-dependently ameliorated peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance in Zucker fatty rats, with the degree of its effect in peripheral tissues almost equivalent to that in liver when compared at each dose tested. Similar data indicating ameliorating effects on insulin resistance was obtained for rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Metformin showed less potent effects than other insulin sensitizers and its effect in liver tended to be greater than that in peripheral tissues. These findings suggest clinical potential for FK614 as a treatment of type 2 diabetes, acting by ameliorating insulin resistance both in peripheral tissues and liver.     

Ipsilateral fracture dislocations of the hip and knee joints with contralateral open fracture of the leg: a rare case and its management principles

This paper discussed the injury mechanism and management of a patient who had concomitant ipsilateral hip and knee dislocations and contralateral open leg fracture.A 32-year-old man presented with ipsilateral fracture-dislocations of the left hip (Pipkin's type IV) and knee (Moore II) joints and contralateral open fracture of the leg bones after a car accident. After emergency resuscitative measures, the hip joint was reduced and Pipkin's fracture was fixed using Ganz approach with lag screws; knee joint was reduced closely and tibial plateau fracture was stabilized with lateral buttress plate and a transarticular spanning fixator. The open fracture on the other leg was de-brided and fixed with an external fixator. There was no instability in both joints after fixation when he was examined under anesthesia. The fractures united after 3 months and the patient had no residual instability of hip and knee. There was no clinical or radiological evidence of osteonecrosis in the hip joint after 6 months. At one-year follow-up, he had satisfactory functional outcome with almost normal range of motion at both joints.Ipsilateral hip and knee dislocations are rare injuries and more caution is needed for early diagnosis. A timely appropriate intervention can provide good functional outcome to the patient in this situation.     

Battered baby with multiple epiphyseal separations: case report and review of literature

Multiple epiphyseal separation in battered baby syndrome is a rare occurrence. We report epiphyseal separations of proximal tibia and distal humerus along with femoral shaft fracture in a child of two and half years of age. In the course of clinical, laboratory, and radiological examinations, the child was diagnosed to be a case of battered baby syndrome. The child was treated and isolated from the mother, who was the culprit for battering the child. We believe, in any epiphyseal injury below 3 years of age, particularly when the distal humerus physis is involved, diagnosis of child abuse should be considered as an etiology.     

Ewing’s sarcoma as second malignancy following a short latency in unilateral retinoblastoma

Second malignancies, mostly in the form of bone sarcomas, are known to occur in hereditary retinoblastomas, which usually present with bilateral disease. Only 2 cases of Ewing’s sarcoma have been reported in the literature following sporadic unilateral retinoblastoma. A 5-year-old boy presented to our hospital with Ewing’s sarcoma of the right humerus (proven by biopsy and immunohistochemistry) following successful treatment of retinoblastoma of the left eye with enucleation and chemotherapy 2 years previously. He was treated with 2 cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. At 15 months follow-up, the tumor had reduced in size and the child had a good functional outcome. The cumulative risk of second malignancies in retinoblastoma survivors is 32%. Ninety-eight percent of second malignancies occur in patients with bilateral retinoblastoma. Germ line mutations have been considered in sporadic tumors occurring bilaterally and multifocal unilateral sporadic tumors. Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are the most common second malignancies. Radiation therapy increases the risk of developing a second malignancy in the irradiated field. Unilateral retinoblastomas, which comprise the majority of retinoblastomas, are not immune from the development of second malignancies. Close follow-up of all retinoblastomas—even in the early period—can improve the outcome by facilitating the early detection and aggressive treatment of second malignancies.