Preliminary results from the third flight of the Millimeter Anisotropy Experiment (MAX)

Preliminary results from the June 1991 flight of MAX are presented. Simultaneous observations were made in bands centered at 6, 9, and 12 cm-1 with a bolometric receiver operating at 300 mK. The experimental sensitivities are the highest reported at angular scales of 0.3 degrees to 1.0 degrees. Interstellar dust is observed to have an emissivity [symbol, see text] nu 1.4+/-0.3 and to correlate with the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) 100- map. After removal of emission from interstellar dust, 1.3 hr of integration on a 6 degrees scan yields an upper limit of temperature difference Delta T/T < 2.6 x 10(-5) at a Gaussian autocorrelation function centered at 0.5 degrees. The experiment and data analysis are described.     

Identifying and tracing a population at risk: the DESAD Project experience.

In recent years, medical record review has been used to alert patients who have received drugs or treatments that have newly discovered side-effects. The experience of the national cooperative Diethylstilbestrol-Adenosis (DESAD) Project in identifying and notifying women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES) shows this to be a difficult task. In order to identify 4,830 exposed women, 221,245 charts were reviewed. Detailed tracing data for one of the centers participating in the DESAD Project indicated that only 85 per cent of the 690 DES-exposed women identified at that center could be notified of exposure. The DESAD Project experience has led to recommendations for standardized prenatal records and drug lists, long-term storage of medical records, new legal guidelines, and improved recording of follow-up information, taking into account issues of privacy.     

The acute effect of insulin on renal haemodynamics and protein excretion in diabetics

Summary The effect of IV injection of 7 to 8 I. U. of insulin on renal haemodynamics and on urinary excretion of beta-2-microglobulin and of albumin was examined in 5 juvenile diabetics. Plasma glucose decreased from a mean value of 250 mg/100 ml to 117 mg/100 ml during the first 85 min after insulin. None of the patients had symptoms of hypoglycaemia and plasma adrenaline did not increase. There was no change in arterial blood pressure after insulin whereas pulse rate increased from 66/min to a maximum of 75/min. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) were decreased by 9 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively, during the first 90 min after insulin (2p < 0.01). There was also a statistically significant decrease in urine flow and urine secretion of several electrolytes, while filtration fraction remained almost constant. IV insulin decreased urinary excretion of beta-2-microglobulin and increased albumin excretion (2 p < 0.05). The albumin excretion induced by insulin is most likely due to increased amounts of filtered albumin, the mechanism of which remains unexplained.     

Timolol-related reduction in mortality and reinfarction in patients ages 65-75 years surviving acute myocardial infarction. Prepared for the Norwegian Multicentre Study Group

Long-term treatment with timolol in patients ages 65--75 years who survived myocardial infarction was related to a significant reduction, compared with placebo, in overall mortality (p less than 0.05), total cardiac death (p less than 0.01), sudden death (p less than 0.05) and reinfarction (p less than 0.01). The analyses were based on 732 patients (384 taking placebo and 348 timolol) from a cohort of 1884 patients in the Norwegian multicenter timolol study. The dosage of timolol was 10 mg twice daily and the patients were followed for 12--33 months (mean 17 months). There were 83 deaths in the placebo group and 52 deaths in the timolol group, a reduction of 35.5%. There were 69 initial reinfarctions in the placebo group and 38 in the timolol group, a reduction of 39.2%. There was no difference in the reduction of mortality and reinfarction between patients 65--75 years of age and patients less than 65 years of age. The incidence of side effects, the number of withdrawals and the reasons for withdrawal were similar in older and younger patients. We conclude that age should not be a decision-making factor concerning timolol therapy in postinfarct patients.     

Two novel missense mutations in the LDL receptor gene causing familial hypercholesterolemia

We have employed analysis of single-strand conformation polymorphisms to identify mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor gene causing familial hypercholesterolemia. Two familial hypercholesterolemia heterozygotes had abnormal single-strand conformation polymorphism patterns of exons 4 and 8. DNA sequencing revealed that the abnormal pattern of exon 4 was due to heterozygosity (G/T) at nucleotide 502. Nucleotide 502 is the first base of codon 147, and the G→T mutation (D147Y) changes this codon from Asp_GAC to Tyr_UAC. The abnormal pattern of exon 8 was due to heterozygosity (A/G) at nucleotide 1097. Nucleotide 1097 is the second base of codon 345, and the A→G mutation (Q345R) changes this codon from Gln_CAG to Arg_CGG- Based upon screening of 437 unrelated familial hypercholesterolemia heterozygotes, both D147Y and Q345R account for about 0.5% of the mutations causing familial hypercholesterolemia in Norway.     

Reappraisal of Delorme's procedure for rectal prolapse

Eighteen patients with second- and third-degree rectal prolapse were treated by simplified Delorme operation during a nine-year period. Operative mortality was nil and significant complications developed in three patients (17 percent). Long-term follow-up (average, 42 months) was established for all 18 patients revealing excellent results in 15 (83 percent). There was only one recurrent prolapse (6 percent) observed during this follow-up period. Technical details of the procedure are described. The simplified Delorme procedure provides acceptable results in the initial surgical management of rectal procidentia.