The correction of postburn deformation of the neck using a musculocutaneous flap from the major pectoral muscle

In 15 patients with the postburn neck deformation, the plasty with a musculocutaneous flap of the musculus pectoralis major was employed. Use of the technique permits to avoid prolonged immobilization of a neck. A good functional and cosmetic result has been noted.     

Ultrasonic diagnosis of meniscus lesions

Controversy exists about the value of ultrasonography of meniscal tears. We therefore examined 101 knee joints of 99 patients in a prospective study. Prior to the arthroscopy the menisci were scanned from an independent team by using 7.5 and 10.0 MHz ultrasound waves. 81 meniscal tears were seen at arthroscopy; 36% of these tears could not be detected with the scanner (? false negative results) while 20% of intact menisci showed positive echogenic structures, which were analysed as meniscal tears. It seems that ultrasonography of the menisci is still of experimental use without any clinical importance.     

Endothelin modulation of neuroeffector transmission in rat and guinea pig vas deferens

The effects of endothelin-1 (human, porcine) on contractions induced by transmural nerve stimulation, exogenous ATP or noradrenaline, and on the release of [3H]noradrenaline were studied in guinea pig and rat vas deferens. Endothelin enhanced nerve-induced contractile responses, increased basal muscle tone and increased the contractile response to exogenous ATP in both guinea pig and rat vas deferens. Endothelin did not affect the contractile responses to exogenous noradrenaline. The calcium channel blocker felodipine antagonized the stimulating effects of endothelin in the rat vas deferens, whereas blockade of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways by a combination of BW 755C and indomethacin was without effect. In rat vas deferens preparations preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline, endothelin inhibited the 3H overflow induced by transmural stimulation, although the contractile responses were enhanced by endothelin. Pretreatment with forskolin or felodipine did not abolish the endothelin inhibition of radiotracer overflow. In conclusion, endothelin can modulate adrenergic and purinergic neuroeffector transmission in both guinea pig and rat vas deferens via inhibitory prejunctional and stimulant postjunctional mechanisms. The stimulant postjunctional effect seemed to predominate in our experiments.     

Late toxic effects of long-term exposure to lindane in peripheral blood cells in rabbits. II. Erythrocyte changes.

After lindane administration in daily doses of 0.1 LD50 for one month (total dose 2.0 LD50) changes in the erythrocytes were found persisting for up to 4 months after withdrawal of the pesticide. A significant increase in the number of echinocytes, a greater per cent of reticulocytes, significantly raised level of denatured haemoglobin, and an increased number of erythrocytes of higher sensitivity to oxidating factors in relation to control group was observed.