The functional properties of the erythrocyte membranes in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis]

Mg-, Ca-, Na-, K-ATPase, acetylcholine esterase and sulfhydryl groups of red blood cell membranes were evaluated in 40 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis in preazotemia stage versus 34 healthy controls. In chronic glomerulonephritis there was a significant fall in Ca-ATPase activity irrespective of the disease pattern. Na, K-ATPase tended tot a decrease contrary to sulfhydryl groups levels and acetylcholine esterase activity. In the nephrotic variant of the disease Na, K-ATPase, Ca-ATPase activity dropped and came to increase due to glucocorticosteroid treatment. The changes are attributed to modification of the lipid bilayer of the red blood cell membranes.     

Pulmonary function, nutrition, and self-concept in cystic fibrosis summer campers

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) often attend special summer camps. We postulated that beyond the simple fun of camp, attendance at camp might improve the clinical status and self-image of the campers. We therefore studied lung function, nutrition, and self-image in 45 children between the ages 6 and 12 years after a two-week CF summer camp. Although there was a 10 percent fall in respiratory rate during camp, spirometry did not change significantly. There were, however, significant gains in weight, skin fold thickness, and midarm circumference after two weeks at camp, and these increases were positively correlated with the number of pancreatic enzymes taken daily by the child. The Primary Self-Concept Inventory test was completed by each camper on the first and last days of camp. Although there was a trend toward increasing self-concept during camp, this did not reach statistical significance. Two weeks' attendance at summer camp appears to be associated with improved nutrition in children with CF. This may be due to increased emphasis on weight gain and appropriate use of pancreatic enzymes or to other factors, like avoidance of tobacco smoke exposure, that are unique to the summer camp setting.     

鳖血清抑癌活性的研究

采用同位素掺入法,以同位素标记物掺入速率为指标,观察了鳖血清对艾氏腹水癌细胞和正常小鼠骨髓细胞的DNA、RNA和蛋白质生物合成的影响,结果表明鳖血清可强烈地抑制~3H-TdR、~3H-UR和~3H-Leu掺入癌细胞,其抑制率分别为96.8％、94.8％和91.9％,而对~3H-TdR和~3H-UR掺入骨髓细胞的抑制率为39.4％和37.3％。将鳖血清在50℃加热十分钟,其抑制同位素标记物掺入靶细胞的活性几乎全部丢失。但鳖血清在生理盐水中透析不影响它的抑制活性。这些结果提示,鳖血清中存在某种不耐热的组份,可强烈抑制癌细胞生长,同时对正常骨髓细胞也有一定抑制作用。     

FM sonography in diffuse liver disease: prospective assessment and blinded analysis

FM sonography - a signal-processing technique that uses frequency and phase information as well as amplitude data - shows promise in evaluation of patients with diffuse liver disease. In a prospective blinded review of 37 patients with biopsy-proved liver disease and 42 healthy volunteers, FM sonography was clearly superior to traditional amplitude-based (AM) sonography in distinguishing healthy from diseased subjects. Statistically significant differences were seen in accuracy (FM, 98.7%; AM, 84.8%), sensitivity (FM, 97.3%; AM, 70.3%), and negative predictive value (FM, 97.7%; AM, 78.8%). Our data also suggest that current FM sonographic techniques cannot differentiate among histologic findings associated with different hepatic parenchymal abnormalities. It is unclear, therefore, whether FM imaging can reduce the numbers of patients who require biopsy for diagnosis or the frequency of biopsy procedures in patients with known disease.     

Pleomorphic adenoma arising in a salivary rest in childhood.

Two children with pleomorphic adenomas developing in heterotopic salivary tissue are presented. These are unusual lesions, rarely seen in adults and not previously described in the pediatric age group.     

Clinical diagnosis and course of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease can be accurately diagnosed by clinical methods alone in about 90% of cases. The adoption of uniform diagnostic criteria and assessment procedures, such as those developed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), will likely improve the characterization of the disease across a variety of clinical settings. In general, Alzheimer's disease is a relentlessly progressive disorder; however, it also is clinically heterogeneous. This is underscored by its diverse cognitive deficits, neurologic features, behavioral pathology, and rates of progression.