Evaluation of oxidized regenerated cellulose for prevention of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions

Oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) is widely used to cover the denuded mesothelium and to promote hemostasis. We evaluated ORG in a rabbit model to assess the potential for adhesion reduction after uterine trauma and intestinal anastomosis. After surgery, a second laparotomy was done on postoperative day 7 for macroscopic evaluation of adhesion formation. The traumatized uterine horns wrapped in ORC had more numerous and higher grade adhesions compared with the non-surgical left, intact horns. However, when compared to the contralateral uterine horn which underwent trauma without ORG, a significant decrease in the grade of adhesion formation was noted. Rabbits undergoing intestinal anastomosis had the most pronounced degree of adhesion formation. Typically, the area of healing was encapsulated in a fibrin clot with adhesions attached to adjacent viscera. When ORC remained between the lesion and adjacent organs during mesothelial regeneration, adhesion formation decreased. However, the soft, gelatinous mass of ORC was also an effective nidus for clot formation. Where post-and intra-operative ooze produced a fibrin clot in the ORC, dense adhesions formed.     

Separation of Specific Initiation Factors Involved in the Translation of Myosin and Myoglobin Messenger RNAs and the Isolation of a New RNA Involved in Translation

Two messenger specific factors, phosphocellulose fractions 3 and 4, have been isolated from the initiation factor 3 fraction of red muscle initiation factors by chromatography on phosphocellulose. When added to a reticulocyte cell-free system containing both myoglobin and myosin mRNAs, phosphocellulose fraction 3 is found to specifically stimulate the synthesis of myoglobin while phosphocellulose fraction 4 is found to specifically stimulate the synthesis of myosin. In addition, a new RNA, isolated from the initiation factor 3 fraction, is shown to specifically inhibit the translation of heterologous mRNAs.     

Detection of circulating antigens in onchocerciasis

This report describes the presence of circulating Onchocerca volvulus antigens (COA) in sera of patients with onchocerciasis. By using a double diffusion immunoelectrophoresis method, COA could be detected in 24 of 77 sera analyzed (31%). In contrast, when more sensitive assays such as the radioimmunoprecipitation-PEG assay or sandwich radioimmunoassay were used to detect COA, about 75% of the sera from O. volvulus-infected patients were found positive; moreover, a highly significant correlation between the two assays was observed. The parasite specificity of the COA was demonstrated directly by identity reaction with a component of O. volvulus somatic antigens. COA was never found when hyperimmune antisera against other parasite antigenic extracts were used instead of anti-O. volvulus hyperimmune serum. However, when anti-O, volvulus hyperimmune serum was used against sera obtained from patients infected with various other helminths we found a cross-reactivity between COA and the circulating antigens of other human filarids (Wuchereria bancrofti, Loa loa, Brugia malayi), but not with other nematode or trematode parasites (Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni, Fasciola hepatica). Further immunoelectrophoretic studies demonstrated one precipitin are localized in the cathodic region which seemed specific for COA, which raises the possibility of preparing a monospecific hyperimmune serum to circumvent cross-reactivities.     

Standardization of Cardiopulmonary Roentgenograms in Infants and Children

Methods were devised to standardize cardiopulmonary radiographs of infants and children. With these techniques, films can be taken either at the end of inspiration and in systole, or at the end of inspiration alone. A statistical evaluation of these two methods demonstrated their superiority over the usual procedure. The use of these techniques is strongly recommended in patients of the pediatric age group.