Inventory of plants used in traditional medicine in Somalia. III. Plants of the families Lauraceae-Papilionaceae.

Thirty-five plants are listed, which are used by traditional healers in the central and southern parts of Somalia. For each species are listed: the botanical name with synonyms, collection number, vernacular name, medicinal use, preparation of remedy and dosage. Results of a literature survey are also reported including medicinal use, substances isolated and pharmacological effects.     

Structure-activity relationship in the gastric cytoprotective effect of several sesquiterpene lactones.

The structural requirements for the gastric cytoprotective activity of several sesquiterpene lactones are reported. A theoretical-experimental study on the potentially active centers is carried out. The biological evaluation of reduced analogues and the simulation of the molecular interactions between these compounds and an endogenous cysteine residue suggest that the presence of a non sterically hindered Michael acceptor seems to be an essential structural requirement for the cytoprotective activity in this family of compounds. This observation suggests that cytoprotection is mediated through a Michael reaction between the sulfhydryl-containing peptides of the mucosa and Michael acceptors present in the molecules under study. This mechanism of action is in addition to and distinct from the one proposed in our previous paper, namely, that these sesquiterpenes stimulate endogenous synthesis of prostaglandins.     

Method for retroperitoneal drainage in destructive pancreatitis]

The authors developed a method for drainage of the retroperitoneal space in acute destructive pancreatitis, which includes retroperitoneal advancement of tubes to the pancreatic bed. To limit the spreading of the pyonecrotic process by creating an effective withdrawal of the exudate, the drains are introduced on both sides through the space between Toldt's fascia and the colon, and additional drains are also introduced into the paracolonic space limited by Toldt's and prerenal fascias.     

Using clinical signs to diagnose anaemia in African children.

Anaemia is a serious and common problem among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. As a first step towards developing guidelines for its recognition and treatment, we conducted a study to evaluate the ability of health workers to use clinical findings to identify children with anaemia. Health care workers examined a total of 1104 children under 5 years of age at two hospital-based outpatient clinics in rural Malawi. Blood samples were taken to determine haemoglobin concentrations. Pallor of the conjunctiva, tongue, palm or nail beds was 66% sensitive and 68% specific in distinguishing children with moderate a anaemia (haemoglobin concentration, 5-8 g/dl) and 93% sensitive and 57% specific in distinguishing those with severe anaemia (haemoglobin concentration, < 5 g/dl). Even without laboratory support, which is often unavailable in rural Africa, clinical findings can identify the majority of children with anaemia.     

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia with respiratory failure: a new syndrome?

Acute, noninfectious, eosinophilic pneumonia with respiratory failure has been described in adults. This new form of eosinophilic lung disease differs from the previously described types of eosinophilic pneumonia. Patients with this entity develop rapid progressive respiratory failure, which seems to respond to corticosteroid therapy. Eosinophilia in lung biopsy specimen, or in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid seems to be a common denominator. We present the first pediatric case of this new, distinct form of eosinophilic lung disease and review the pertinent literature.     

Structural and metabolic changes in the ventricular myocardium in experimental massive pulmonary embolism

N. I. Pirogov Second Moscow Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. S. Savel'ev.) Translated from Byulleten' Ékperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 113, No. 3, pp. 327–329, March, 1992.     

Profile and course of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Conakry. Apropos of 268 cases seen at the Cardiology Department of the Ignace-Deen University Hospital 1986-1987

Over a period of two years (1986-1987), the authors have studied the morbidity and mortality of various cardiovascular diseases in a hospital population of 268 patients. By comparing it with a previous similar study conducted over 5 years (1981-1985), they have reached the following conclusions: the prevalence of the main nosological groups is equivalent (H.B.P., rheumatoid valvulopathies, chronic pulmonary heart, ischemic cardiopathies; severity of the valvulopathies and their prognosis which raise social and medical problems especially that of cardiac surgery, still inexistent in Guinea; increased prevalence of diseases such as hypertension and rheumatoid valvulopathies. They suggest early screening, especially for rheumatoid valvulopathies and hypertension, which cause major social problems because of their complications. Besides, it would be desirable that visits at regular intervals be made mandatory in schools and universities and at preemployment examinations and in all SMI (?) centers in the country.     

A Critical Analysis of the Sacks-Vine Gastrostomy Tube: A Review of 120 Consecutive Procedures

Results from 120 patients managed with a Sacks-Vine gastrostomy tube were analyzed. In our experience, this device can be successfully placed in almost all cases (96%), and has a low rate for procedure-related mortality (0.8%) and major (4.4%) and minor (12.4%) complications. Advantages and problems associated with this feeding catheter are discussed. The Sacks-Vine gastrostomy tube is a reasonable alternative to other catheters placed by different methods.     

Contraction of urinary bladder by central norepinephrine originating in the locus coeruleus

Studies were performed to elucidate the role of the locus coeruleus, which is rich in norepinephrine-containing cell bodies, in vesical function using alpha-chloralose anesthetized cats. Stimulation of the locus coeruleus caused contraction of the urinary bladder, which was not affected by transection of the bilateral hypogastric nerves, but blocked by intravenous administration of hexamethonium, a ganglion blocking agent. In animals with transected hypogastric nerves, the locus coeruleus-induced contraction was inhibited by intrathecal administration of phentolamine (alpha-blocker) and prazosin (alpha 1-blocker), but not affected by intrathecal sotalol (beta-blocker) or yohimbine (alpha 2-blocker). In animals treated with reserpine, the locus coeruleus-induced contraction was enhanced by intravenous application of L-dopa, a precursor of norepinephrine. These results suggest that norepinephrine derived from the locus coeruleus activated preganglionic neurons in the sacral intermediolateral nuclei via alpha 1-receptors, thereby producing urinary bladder contraction.     

Accuracy of the Master's exercise test in detecting significant coronary artery disease

To assess the significance and accuracy of noninvasive tests in detecting significant coronary artery disease (CAD; greater than 50% stenosis), the Master's exercise test, treadmill exercise test and dipyridamole-loading myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were performed and their results were compared with coronary angiographic findings in 60 patients with angina but without myocardial infarction. Among these, 27 patients had significant CAD. The Master's test performed in outpatient clinics had an 85% sensitivity and a 76% specificity in detecting significant CAD, when the degree of ST depression was equal to or exceeded 1 mm. The sensitivity further improved to 96% by adding chest pain to the criteria; then all patients with multivessel disease or critical ischemia were identified by the Master's test. Treadmill tests performed after admission had a 78% sensitivity and a 67% specificity. When the severity of ischemia was judged either by exercise capacity or the degree of ST depression or the coronary T wave, the treadmill test was superior to the Master's test. Although patients without significant CAD had longer exercise capacity and the higher maximum heart rate in the treadmill test than did those in the Master's test, these trends were similar but less marked in patients with significant CAD. Dipyridamole-loading myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showed an excellent sensitivity and specificity; 96% and 94%, respectively, in detecting significant CAD. It was particularly useful in distinguishing false positive exercise results due to left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary spasm and that in women, from true positive results. In conclusion, the Master's test is a simple and useful method for screening CAD in community hospitals and in outpatient clinics.