Repair of Achilles tendon ruptures with a polylactic acid implant: assessment with MR imaging

An investigational tendon repair device composed of a polymer of lactic acid (PLA) is currently undergoing multicenter clinical trials for use in repairing rupture of the Achilles tendon. The advantages of the PLA device include high tensile strength and the induction of a rapid proliferative tissue response resulting in a shorter rehabilitation period than with conventional surgical repair. We reviewed 16 MR examinations performed in 10 patients 3-35 months after repair to characterize the MR appearance. All 16 T1-weighted sagittal images revealed a thickened fusiform tendon with streaks of moderate signal within the tendon corresponding to the PLA device and its surrounding collagenogenic response. The double-echo T2-weighted axial images at the mid tendon level demonstrated progressive changes in the signal pattern of the central portion of the tendon that reflected the maturation of the healing tendon. All tendons repaired with PLA implants were uniformly hypertrophied relative to the contralateral normal side because of the induced proliferative collagenogenic ingrowth. Two follow-up MR examinations were performed in six patients and showed mean reductions in tendon caliber of 24% and 30% at the mid and inferior levels. MR imaging of the Achilles tendon repaired with PLA implants shows a diffusely thickened tendon with streaks of signal within the tendon that distinguish it from tendons repaired by conventional techniques.     

Dodecon,das lösliche Hämagglutinin bei allen Adenoviren der Untergruppe II

Zusammenfassung Die Sedimentationsraten der kompletten löslichen Hämagglutinine der Adenoviren wurden bei 16 Prototypen der Untergruppe II im Saccharose-Gradienten bestimmt. Die Werte waren für alle Viren ähnlich (65±10S). Dies bedeutet, daß die strukturellen Komponenten ebenfalls identisch sein dürften, also Dodecon (1).

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Dodecon, the soluble hemagglutinin present in all adenovirus types of subgroup II

Summary The sedimentation rate of the soluble complete hemagglutinins of 16 prototype adenoviruses of subgroup II were determined by means of sucrose gradient centrifugation. The rates were similar for all types (65±10S), thus indicating that the structural components may also be identicali.e. dodecon (1).

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Durchgeführt mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Demonstration of T Lymphocytes in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was allowed to drop straight into Hanks's balanced salt solution. After centrifugation the pellet was resuspended and mixed with sheep erythrocytes. The mixture was further handled as in the E-rosette test with peripheral blood lymphocytes. CSF from 20 individuals were investigated, and rosette-forming cells (RFC) were found in all. Six patients with normal fluid had between 46% and 83% RFC. Four patients with multiple sclerosis had increased numbers of RFC (94%-96%). Low numbers of RFC were found in one patient with cerebellar ataxia and in one of two patients with acute viral meningitis. With this technique RFC can be counted even in normal CSF with a 3-ml sample.     

A locus for autosomal dominant anterior polar cataract on chromosome 17p

Inherited cataract is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease. Here we report the identification of a new locus for an autosomal dominant anterior polar cataract on the short arm of chromosome 17. To map this new locus we performed genetic linkage analysis with microsatellite markers in a four-generation pedigree. After exclusion of seven candidate loci for cataract, we obtained significant positive LOD scores for markers D17S849 (Z = 4.01 / theta = 0.05) and D17S796 (Z = 4.17 / theta = 0.05). Multipoint analysis gave a maximum LOD score of 5.2 (theta max = 0.06) between these two markers. From haplotype analysis, the cataract locus lies in the 13 cM interval between markers D17S849 and D17S796. This study provides the first genetic mapping of an autosomal dominant anterior polar cataract.