Microbial transformation of azacarbazoles. VI. Conversion of 6-hydroxy- and 6-amino-alpha-carbolines with copper oxidases

alpha-Carboline substituted at C-6 with hydroxy-group is oxidized by human ceruloplasmin and fungal laccase into reactive intermediate which dimerizes, while 6-amino-alpha-carboline subjected to action of both enzymes yields the polymeric products. To prepare sufficient quantities of compounds needed for structure elucidation studies, laccase, immobilised in polyacrylamide gel was employed as a convenient reagent. The resulting products are suggested to be metabolities of 6-hydroxy- and 6-amino-alpha-carbolines formed in vivo.     

"Taurolin-Gel" and Taurolin-Trockengel" in treatment of osseous tissue inflammation]

The activity and principles of administration of Taurolin have been presented. That drug was used in 15 patients with chronic osteitis. Healing by first intention was obtained in 10 patients, necrosis of the skin occurred in 3 patients, recurrence of inflammation was found in one patient in whom accessory sequestroctomy was performed in the last case of osteitis and arteriosclerosis healing was obtained by second intention. The clinical observation of 15 patients has revealed: a) irritating influence of Taurolin on the soft tissue, b) increased phase of secretion of exudate since the 5 day after surgery, c) bactericidal influence of the drug. Sterilization of the focus occurred at 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. The use of Taurolin requires experience, complete abiding by the principles of use of this drug and equipment with a set of Charrier's drains. The authors are carrying on further observation of the use of Taurolin in the treatment of osteitis.     

Remarks on treatment of unstable fractures of the thoracolumbar spine]

An evaluation of treatment results of unstable spine fractures using the Harrington instruments in 37 patients has been performed. The described method can result in anatomical restoration of the vertebral canal. If vertebral canal lumen is not restored, anterior decompression should be performed making possible removal of posteriorly dislocated bone fragments. The earlier anterior decompression, the greater chance of improvement of neurological conditions. The described procedure is especially useful in fractures with partial palsy. After treatment 70 per cent of the patients with partial palsy resumed their normal lives.     

The value of different methods of treatment of brain abscess in the CT era

Summary 67 cases of brain abscess were analyzed retrospectively. As 2 comatose patients died on admission before any treatment was started, the results are based on 65 treated patients. Different methods of treatment included: total removal in 36 patients, drainage in 14, aspiration in 6 and conservative treatment in 9. Management mortality was 18,5% and was almost not dependent on the method of treatment (except aspiration) being lowest in the drainage group. The mortality was significantly higher in patients with serious impairment of consciousness on admission.Follow-up examination after 1 to 11 years was performed in 47 out of 53 discharged patients and revealed in 25 of them (53%) full recovery. 10 additional cases (21%) are independent. The best early and long term results were obtained in patients by drainage and medical treatment.Chronic epilepsy developed in 34% of patients with supratentorial lesions. The risk of epilepsy was lowest in the group of patients treated by drainage.The authors present the opinion that removal of brain abscess is necessary only in exceptional cases.     

Histamine level and transglutaminase activity may provide indication of the development of spontaneous mammary tumor in C3H mice

Histamine (HA) concentrations and HA metabolizing enzyme activities were measured in macroscopically unchanged mammary glands and in tumor tissue of C3H mice carrying spontaneous mammary tumor as well as im mammary glands of control subjects matched for age.The great fall in HA level and the enzyme activities in tumor tissue was confirmed. In host mammary glands which showed no current evidence of neoplasm, consistently lower than normal HA concentrations and elevated transglutaminase (TG) activity were found, It is suggested, therefore, that HA level and TG activity may provide an early indication of the development of spontaneous mammary tumor.     

Astrocytomas of the cerebellum in children: treatment and results]

Between 1980 and 1987, 113 children with astrocytoma of the cerebellum were treated. The range of the age was 11 months to 15 years. 103 children were treated by surgery only and 10 received surgery and postoperative irradiation. Shunting was necessary in 22% patient with cerebellar astrocytoma. One-year survival for patients with cerebellar astrocytoma was 97%, five-year 89%.