Pharyngeal swallowing in patients with paresis of the recurrent nerve

Pharyngolaryngeal function during swallowing was investigated cineradiographically in 22 patients with paresis of the recurrent nerve. Nineteen of these patients (86%) had defective closure of the laryngeal vestibule: 10 patients had defective apposition of the corniculate cartilages, (paresis of the oblique cricoarytenoid muscle), 9 patients had defective apposition of the arytenoid cartilages, (paresis of the interarytenoid muscle), 13 patients had defective movement of the epiglottis (paresis of, i.a. the thyrohyoid muscle), 1 patient had defective closure of the subepiglottic portion of the vestibule (paresis of the thyroepiglottic muscle), 2 patients had defective closure of the supraglottic portion of the vestibule (paresis of the superior ventricular segment of the thyroarytenoid muscle). Five patients with immobility of the epiglottis also had paresis of the pharyngeal constrictor musculature indicating paresis of the superior laryngeal nerve. Our investigation has shown that patients with paresis of the recurrent nerve who present with dysphagia with or without aspiration should be examined cineradiographically for pharyngolaryngeal function during swallowing.     

Influence of physical activity on plasma digoxin in hospitalised patients

The influence of physical activity on the plasma digoxin concentration was investigated in 13 digitalised patients suffering from a variety of cardiac diseases. Plasma digoxin concentration was determined four times during two consecutive days. In the morning, the standing position and one hour of physical activity caused a consistent and significant decrease in the plasma digoxin concentration, the mean reduction being 26.7 percent. In the afternoon, no consistent changes of plasma digoxin concentration were observed during one hour's rest. Consequently, we suggest standardisation of the blood sampling procedure so that no blood collection takes place in the morning until the patient has been performing normal physical activity for at least one hour.     

Immunocytochemical localization and immunological characterization of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein in the bullfrog cerebellum

Antiserum prepared against rat renal calcium-binding protein (CaBP) was used with the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique to localize the 28,000 molecular weight CaBP in the cerebellum of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. Whole brains of premetamorphic tadpoles and adults were fixed in Bouin's solution for 2 or 24 h and embedded in paraffin. 8-microns parasagittal sections were prepared and treated by the PAP method. Purkinje cells of the cerebellum in tadpoles and adults were specifically stained for CaBP. In the premetamorphic corpus cerebelli, the stained Purkinje cells corresponded to the precociously developed Purkinje cells described previously. In the auricular lobe region of the cerebellum mature Purkinje cells were stained. In addition, smaller stained cells were seen. The latter were presumed to be immature Purkinje cells that would mature at the time of metamorphosis. Immunoblot procedure demonstrated cross-reactivity for the ranid brains in the 28,000 molecular weight region. This immunoreactive band comigrated with the immunoreactive band observed with purified rat renal CaBP. Although the exact functional significance of CaBP is unknown at this time, our immunocytochemical and immunological findings indicate that CaBP is an excellent marker for studies of Purkinje cell maturation.     

Biliary atresia in Zaria, Nigeria: a review

The true incidence of biliary atresia in Nigeria is unknown owing partly to incomplete investigation of jaundice in neonates and infants. During 13 years in Zaria, the diagnosis was histologically confirmed in 36 infants and children aged 2-20 months at the time of presentation. Laparotomy was performed in 26 but a bilio-enteric anastomosis was feasible in only 4 and did not establish bile flow. Fifteen patients died, 19 were lost to follow-up and are presumed dead, 2 are alive with persistent jaundice. In contrast, hepatic portoenterostomy performed before the age of 60 days has provided effective bile drainage in many infants in Japan and elsewhere and survival into adulthood is now possible. It is concluded that improvement in surgical care will depend on earlier presentation of children, perhaps through neonatal check-up clinics. Prompt evaluation of conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia would lead to early laparotomy for the Kasai operation to be attempted in selected cases.     

Gold thioglucose-induced brain lesions in hamsters

Previous studies suggest species differences in the central neural effects of gold thioglucose (GTG). To further assess these differences, we studied the effects of single intraperitoneal injections of GTG on the brains of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Within 48 hr of treatment, each of the GTG doses tested (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg) had produced lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus and area postrema. These findings are of interest since they identify the hamster as the first animal known to be susceptible to GTG-induced lesion formation, but resistant to the hyperphagia commonly associated with glucose analog glucoprivation.