Effect of fish diet versus meat diet on blood lipids, coagulation and fibrinolysis in healthy young men

Twelve healthy young men followed a 10-d controlled diet that included 210 g of fatty fish d-1. The diet was repeated after 18 d, but with lean meat substituted for fish. Blood samples were collected for assessment of serum lipids and haemostatic variables in the plasma. Both experimental diets caused serum triglycerides and plasma factor VIIc to decline to the same extent. The meat diet was also associated with significant changes in plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen. PA inhibitor type I (PAI-1) antigen, PAI activity, and t-PA activity of the euglobulin fraction of plasma. The fish diet left these variables unchanged from initial values. Thus, in a paired comparison of the two diets, the fish diet was associated with higher levels of t-PA antigen (5.4 vs. 4.7 g ml-1), which is considered to be beneficial with regard to prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, the fish diet was concurrently associated with the putative unfavourable higher levels of PAI-1 antigen (3.0 vs. 1.2 ng ml-1) and PAI activity (6.1 vs. 3.2 IU ml-1), and lower t-PA activity (80 vs. 140 mIU ml-1). Thus it is unclear which of the two diets has the greatest potential in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.     

Relation Between Body Surface Mapping and Endocardial Spread of Ventricular Activation in Postinfarction Heart

INTRODUCTION: Body surface mapping (BSM) can be used to identify the site of earliest endocardial activation of ventricular tachycardias (VTs). The multielectrode QRS morphology during VT is determined by both the site of earliest activation and the subsequent spread of electrical activation through the ventricles. This study investigated the relationship between the site of earliest endocardial activation, endocardial spread of activation, and the morphology of the multielectrode surface map in patients with remote myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 14 patients with VT late (8.2+/-5.2 years) after myocardial infarction, BSM and simultaneous left ventricular 64-site basket endocardial mapping was performed during a total of 17 monomorphic VTs. In addition, multisite pacing by sequential use of the 64 basket electrodes was performed in 9 patients. BSM and basket mapping revealed the same endocardial breakthrough sites in 8 (47%) of 17 VTs and 189 (59%) of 322 pacing sites; adjacent sites were found in 2 (12%) of 17 VTs and 36 (11%) of 322 pacing sites. Large zones of conduction block explained the mismatch in localization in 2 (12%) of 17 VTs and 52 (16%) of 322 pacing sites. Regional differences in endocardial electrogram amplitudes were found as a cause for dissimilarity in 3 (18%) of 17 VTs and 73 (23%) of 322 pacing sites. Multiple endocardial breakthrough sites were found in 1 (6%) of 17 VTs and 8 (2%) of 322 pacing sites Finally, an epicardial exit site was suggested in 3 (18%) of 17 VTs as an explanation for mismatch, as no early endocardial activity could be recorded. CONCLUSION: Zones of conduction block, regional differences in signal amplitude, and multiple endocardial breakthrough sites are frequent causes for mismatch between BSM and basket catheter activation mapping.     

Nonsecretory Myelomatosis without Intracellular Immunoglobulin

A patient with multiple myeloma is reported with severe hypogammaglobulinaemia but without monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-component) in the serum or Bence Jones protein in the urine. In May-Grünwald-Giemsa stained bone marrow film 45 % of the cells resembled plasma cells. Marrow immunofluorescent studies showed no increase of immunoglobulin containing cells. Ultrastructural studies showed a large number of cells with a well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and other morphological features characteristic for plasma cells.     

Sensitivity of different human cell lines in the biologic evaluation of dental resin-based restorative materials

Abstract— Three different cell lines of human origin, i.c. human epithelica cells (NCTC 2544), and epithelial and fibroblast like cells from human gingiva, were tested for their sensitivity fo three different dental resin-based restorative materials using four different assay techniques. The techniques applied were cell growth measurements by cell number, ⁵³Cr-release, Agar overlay with neutral red staining and colony formation. The ranking of teh cells according to their sensitivity ot the materials varied with the assay technique applied, with no cell line being consistently more sensitive than the others. It is also suggested that the type of medium applied could be important for the result obtained.     

Transvenous Pacemaker Implantation Via a Unilateral Left Superior Vena Cava

A 72-year-old man with a unilateral left superior vena cava and anomalous drainage of the inferior vena cava required permanent pacing. The anomalies were verified by venography and cardiac catheterization. Difficulties in implantation of a temporary and permanent pacemaker are described. A transvenous endocardial lead was placed in a stable position in the right ventricle. The pacemaker system has now functioned normally for 32 months.