Epidemiological aspects of the evolution of influenza infections in a large urban centre (B.) in Romania in 1988

The study describes the peculiarities of the influenza infection evolution, in 1988, in a large urban centre, B., in Romania, as they result from the active surveillance of the epidemiological process of influenza and other viral respiratory tract infections, by means of a complex methodology based on clinical-epidemiological and laboratory techniques. The low endemic morbidity, the evolution of these seasonally ascendant specific incidence, the endemic aspect of influenza infection being maintained as a consequence of its predominance in infants and children, the clinically mild form of the outbreaks, all these are specific elements of the epidemiologic impact in the surveyed territory. They are discussed in accordance with the results of laboratory tests (seroepidemiologic and diagnostic) that confirmed the permanent circulation of influenza virus types A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B in all age groups.     

Influence of the ion-pair-formation on the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. Part 5: Influence of ion-pair-formation on elimination of bretylium and hexylsalicylic acid in rats

Following i.v. administration of the hydrophilic drug bretylium (1) and the lipophilic hexylsalicylic acid (2) in rats the plasma levels of 2 were increased due to an increased intestinal reabsorption of 2. Under these conditions the biliary eliminated amount of 2 was 8 times higher than that following the administration of 2 alone. The eneteroheptic circulation of 2 was found to be interrupted following i.v. administration of 1 and 2 and additional oral administration of an anionic exchanger. Then the plasma levels of 2 were not influenced by 1. On other hand the plasma levels of 2 appear to be too low in order to influence those of 1.     

Cross-correlation analysis of septohippocampal neurons during theta-rhythm

The activity from 55 septohippocampal neuron pairs was examined in rats anesthetized with urethane. In addition to the statistical characterization of the firing patterns of the recorded units, the functional interactions between pairs of neurons and between neurons and hippocampal theta (theta) waves were investigated with cross-correlation techniques. Pairs were classified according to the rhythmic or non-rhythmic discharge pattern of their neurons. (a) theta-Pairs were those in which both the medial septal (MS) and hippocampal (HPC) units were rhythmic (type 1 units). (b) Pairs with a rhythmic and a theta-related non-rhythmic unit (type 2 unit) were called mixed pairs. (c) Pairs composed of type 2 units were called type 2 pairs. theta-Pairs showed periodic cross-correlations and frequently fired with a phase difference which could change in different pairs. Mixed pairs also showed periodic cross-correlations although one of the units was non-rhythmic. Type 2 pairs showed non-periodic positive cross-correlations. Our data provide new information regarding the temporal relationship between MS and HPC rhythmic activities supporting the role of the MS in providing the afferent timing for the generation of theta-rhythm in the HPC.     

Hyperfractionated total body irradiation as part of autologous bone marrow transplantation

On 14 patients with acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) was performed together with high dose cyclophosphamide and hyperfractionated total body irradiation. The radiotherapy was given at a total dose of 13.2 Gy distributed over eleven fractions of 1.2 Gy and four days. All eleven patients transplanted in complete remission are alive, among them ten in unmaintained complete remission at a longest observation time of two years.     

Arthropathies following the administration of pefloxacin to an adolescent with mucoviscidosis

We report the occurrence of knee joint effusion with prolonged functional impairment in a 17-year old boy with cystic fibrosis treated with pefloxacin for recurrent lower respiratory tract infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Because the quinolone pefloxacin fairly often induces joint disease in pediatric age groups, we advocate restricting its use to those patients whose growth is completed. In growing individuals, it seems reasonable to use second generation quinolones only in infections caused by resistant organisms and to avoid exerting the joints during treatment.     

Structural and functional organization of the upper esophageal sphincter

Using traditional anatomical and histological methods, the muscle envelope of the pharynx-esophagus junction was investigated in humans and dogs. In the upper (cranial) portion of the esophagus of man and dogs, an inferior anatomical sphincter was detected which histologically can be referred to the group of rhabdo-sphincters. The upper esophageal sphincter is a purely esophageal structure which in man is located at a distance of 25-30 cm from the maxillary incisors. In adult humans, it is 25-30 mm long and is situated obliquely to the long esophageal axis. The posterior semicircle of the sphincter is located higher than the anterior one. In the area of the upper esophageal sphincter the esophageal wall is of different thickness. Due to the muscle envelope and submucous membrane of the base, the right wall is 1.7-2.0 times thicker than the left, anterior or posterior wall. The data obtained from fiber esophagoscopy of patients and electromyography of the pharynx-esophagus junction of dogs have shown that the upper (cranial) esophageal sphincter control food passage from the pharynx to the esophagus and prevents food reflux to the laryngopharynx, protecting airways from aspiration.     

Clinical neurological methods in the diagnosis of the hand-arm vibration syndrome

Methods for assessing neurological disturbances in the diagnosis of the hand-arm vibration syndrome are described. The clinical examination should comprise a careful history of symptoms and vibration exposure and a consideration of neurological signs known to be associated with vibration exposure. There is as yet no etiologic diagnostic method for vibration-induced neurological lesions. The best method is a relevant clinical examination as described, in combination with a quantitative assessment of sensory modalities (such as the vibration perception threshold) and an electroneuromyographic test.