A closed inhalation chamber for quantitative metabolism studies of volatile compounds with small laboratory animals

With the inhalation system described an animal can be kept in the same atmosphere of a 2-liter desiccator for up to 24 h. The expired carbon dioxide is adsorbed with soda lime and the resulting reduced pressure is balanced by a supply of oxygen also used for the inflow of the chemical to be investigated. Urine and faeces can be collected separately and the system allows a periodical control of the concentration of the chemical by sampling the air with needle and syringe.     

Obstetric Defibrination Syndrome with Abnormal Thrombin-Fibrinogen Reaction and Immunologically Reactive Altered Fibrinogen in Serum

The clinical and laboratory features of a patient with the obstetric defibrination syndrome are described. The abnormal bleeding responded to fibrinogen therapy and epsilon-aminocaproic acid was not used. The patient's plasma contained little fibrinogen capable of clotting without protamine and it inhibited the thrombin clotting time of normal plasma. Increased fibrinolysis was not observed. Serum obtained from the plasma after addition of protamine and concentrated thrombin contained a substance which reacted with an anti-fibrin serum when tested by an immunoelectrophoretic technique. The results confirmed that ‘altered’ incoagulable fibrinogen determinants were present in the patient's blood which may have interfered with the thrombin-fibrinogen reaction. It is suggested that these changes may be due to intravascular coagulation and not only to fibrinogenolysis. Similar but less severe coagulation changes were observed in the infant's cord blood.     

氯硝西泮抗惊厥作用耐受及停药后大鼠脑内NMDA受体放射自显影观察

氯硝西泮抗惊厥作用耐受及停药后大鼠脑内ＮＭＤＡ受体放射自显影观察廖建湘王丽左启华（北京医科大学第一医院儿科１０００３４）氯硝西泮是一种常用的抗癫痫药，但容易诱发耐受，而耐受后撤药又会导致撤药症状，从而限制其应用［１］。癫痫点燃动物模型脑组织及手术获...     

Enterovenous fistula: unusual complication of Crohn disease

An unusual complication in a patient with Crohn enterocolitis is presented. Ultrasound and computed tomographic studies showed stationary gas in the portal vein, and a presumptive diagnosis of septic ascending portal thrombophlebitis was made. Emergency laparotomy was performed and the terminal ileum was excised for recurrent Crohn disease. Pathologic examination showed a fistula from the lumen of the inflamed segment to the superior mesenteric venous system. Autopsy 1 month later showed organizing thrombi and fecal debris in the portal venules.     

Effects of Epidural Analgesia on Plasma Catecholamines and Cortisol in Parturition

To assess the effect of epidural block on plasma catecholamines and cortisol during labour and delivery, plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol levels were determined in 26 healthy parturients, all of whom delivered vaginally (18 received an epidural block, eight had meperidine 50 mg intramuscularly). We found a significant drop of plasma epinephrine and cortisol and no significant reduction of plasma norepinephrine 1 h after administration of epidural block compared to preblock values. Observing the data during the whole course of labour in correlation with cervical dilatation, in the control group, where the parturients received meperidine, all hormones rose progressively up to the moment of delivery. One hour after delivery the catecholamines returned to normal levels; cortisol returned more slowly. In the epidural group the increase of plasma epinephrine and cortisol was significantly inhibited but not that of norepinephrine.     

Intravenous glucose tolerance and plasma insulin response in children with homozygous β-thalassaemia

ABSTRACT. Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion were studied after intravenous glucose load in 10 normal and 27 children with homozygous β-thalassaemia of whom 11 received 5–20 units of blood (1.25–5g total iron) and 16 received 50–60 blood units (12.5–40g total iron). Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were similar in normal and thalassaemic children. Differences were found at 10 and 20 minutes of intravenous glucose administration both in glucose blood levels. (which were considerably higher) and insulin levels (which were significantly lower), in thalassaemic patients compared to normal children. Evidence of depression of pancreatic function was found in three out of 11 patients, with low and in three out of 16 patients with severe iron load. These findings suggest that in thalassaemia pancreatic impairment is not always directly related to the degree of iron overload.