Relation between concentration of lead, zinc and lysozyme in placentas of women with intrauterine foetal growth retardation

Intrauterine foetal growth retardation (IUGR) implies increased risk of morbidity and mortality of the newborn. Aetiology of intrauterine retardation is probably multifactorial and may include maternal infection, malnutrition, placental dysfunction, hypertension, toxaemia, smoking, professional and environmental exposure. The work concentrates on the lead, zinc and lysozyme levels in blood and placental tissues of 50 females in the IUGR group and 43 females from a control group. Statistically significant differences in zinc and lead levels between the compared group were found. The IUGR group had lower zinc and higher lead levels. A significant negative correlation of zinc and lead levels was observed. We found a statistically significant relationship between lead levels in placental tissues and the age of the pregnant women. Higher age is associated with higher lead levels in placental tissue, whereas zinc levels decrease. In placental tissues of pregnant females of the IUGR group higher lysozyme levels were found. On the basis of the discussed results the authors recommend zinc supplementation during the pregnancy.     

Improvement of rat lung structure and function after preservation with celsior

Ischemia/reperfusion-induced increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability was shown to be reduced after preservation with Celsior. We investigated reimplantation-induced lung injury in isolated, reperfused rat lungs after preservation via the pulmonary artery with Celsior, Celsior + prostacyclin, and reduced-potassium (40 mmol) Euro-Collins solution (40 ml/kg/body wt each) followed by 2 h of cold ischemia. Arterial and veneous oxygen tensions were recorded during 50 min of in vitro reperfusion after which the lungs (10 right lungs per experimental group) were fixed by vascular perfusion. The tissue was further processed for microscopy, and histological changes were quantified stereologically. Lung preservation with Celsior resulted in a significantly higher volume of air-filled alveolar space with a large proportion of widely distended alveoli compared with the other groups. In the Euro-Collins group the fraction of atelectatic alveoli exceeded that observed in Celsior-preserved lungs. In accordance, the difference between arterial and venous oxygen tensions was significant among Euro-Collins- and Celsior-protected lungs, with improved oxygenation values in the Celsior group. In contrast, addition of prostacyclin to Celsior treatment resulted in rather variable structural as well as functional data. There were no differences in the volumes of intraalveolar edema among the groups tested. However, the volume of alveolar tissue was increased in the Euro-Collins group. In conclusion, compared with Euro-Collins and Celsior + prostacyclin solutions, preservation with Celsior resulted in improved structural characteristics which in combination with improved oxygenation parameters supports the prospective advantage of Celsior in clinical organ preservation.     

n-Hexane neuropathy caused by addictive inhalation: clinical and electrophysiological features

To assess the clinical and electrophysiological features of n-hexane neuropathy caused by addictive inhalation, 4 patients were studied in the progressive phase. The neurological manifestations were characterized by subacute predominantly motor polyneuropathy and disease progression despite discontinuance of the chemicals, which were similar to those reported in industrial exposure, although with a severer degree associated with anorexia and body weight loss. Electrophysiological studies showed that all showed multifocal conduction block and profound conduction slowing, as well as features of axonal degeneration. Sural nerve biopsy showed axonal loss, axonal swelling, and thin myelin probably due to retraction by axonal swelling. n-Hexane abuse causes severe subacute polyneuropathy. The mixed axonal and demyelinating electrophysiological features were consistent with peculiar pathological findings. Conduction block, probably due to paranodal myelin retraction or ongoing wallerian degeneration, is very frequent and could be responsible for the clinical deficits, especially in the early phase of illness.     

春季结膜炎穹窿结膜的临床病理

证明春季结膜炎在穹窿结膜的临床病理。方法：详细记载球（角膜缘）、睑及穹窿结膜的临床表现;对３８眼（２１例）的穹窿结膜（上穹窿３４眼、下穹窿４眼）进行活检,组织切片ＨＥ染色,光学显微镜下观察病理改变。结果：结膜上皮不同程度增生,上皮下淋巴细胞、浆细胞浸润或胶元纤维增生,３８眼标本中３２眼有嗜酸性白细胞、１眼有嗜碱性白细胞浸润。一极轻病例双眼下穹窿结膜只有很少几个淋巴细胞,其中却散在个别嗜酸性白细胞。结论：春季结膜炎的临床病理改变包括穹窿结膜。     

Volatile constituents of the dried leaves of Cassia angustifolia and C. acutifolia (Sennae folium)

The official drug Sennae folium (obtained from Cassia angustifolia and/or C. acutifolia) was found to contain small amounts of volatiles (0.047% based on dry weight) which were analyzed in detail by GC and GC/MS. More than 200 compounds could be detected, 122 of them were identified, representing about 90.7% of the peak area of the total mixture. The volatile constituents can be classified into monoterpenoids (8.8% for sample A and 34.6% for B), sesquiterpenoids (4.2% and 4.0%, respectively), phenylpropanoids (4.2%/15.2%), fatty acids and esters (54.3%/14.2%), and miscellaneous compounds (19.3%/22.7%). Apart from hexadecanoic acid which was strong in both samples (36.8%/9.7%), the occurrence of menthol, geranylacetone, and (E)-anethole is of interest.     

In vitro antitumor activity of MIC2 protein-doxorubicin conjugates

The pseudoautosomal encoded MIC2 glycoprotein is a tumor-associated antigen of Ewing's sarcoma (ES) and closely related tumors of unknown function. To investigate the use of this protein as selective drug carrier recombinant MIC2 was coupled to doxorubicin by a two step glutaraldehyde method (molar ratio DOX/MIC2 of 32 and 16). The conjugates showed dose-dependent cytostatic activity against the ES cell line SK-ES1, the peripheral neuroectodermal line KAL and the prostate cancer cell line PC-3 concurrent with reduced toxicity against normal lymphoblasts. In comparison to free doxorubicin the MIC2-doxorubicin conjugates exhibited highest activity against the PC-3 cell line. Confocal microscopy showed intracellular accumulation of MIC2 conjugates.     

Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis: polyclonal surface immunoglobulin on "hairy" cells.

The cytochemistry, surface markers and functional properties of purified mononuclear cells obtained from the peripheral blood and spleen of a patient with leukemic reticuloendotheliosis were studied. Nonspecific esterase activity, a monocyte marker, was demonstrable in 83% of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and 84% of the splenic mononuclear cells. Rosetting techniques failed to detect T or B lymphocyte surface markers on the majority of the cells. Direct immunofluorescence revealed capped, noncytophilic surface immunoglobulin on the cells with all immunoglobulin classes being detectable. Since noncapping conditions ahd been used during immunofluorescence staining, the observed caps were attributed to in vivo binding of autoantibodies to the "hairy" cells. This conclusion was supported by the demonstration of susceptibility of the "hairy" cells to lysis mediated by normal allogeneic lymphocytes. It is postulated that the "hairy" cells in this patient are leukemic monocytes which bear autoantibodies directed against leukemia associated antigens.     

Psychological studies of families with children and adolescents following surgery for congenital heart defects (tetralogy of Fallot and aortic coarctation)

Sixty-two children with operated congenital heart disease (34 with tetralogy of Fallot and 28 with coarctation) ranging in age from 9 to 16 years underwent a detailed psychological examination. The results were compared with children without structural heart disease and with test norm values. The aim of the study was to check findings on intelligence and explore aspects which had been hardly considered previously (for instance learning capability, concentration, mental work-up of disease etc.). We had assumed that there were differences between the Fallot group and that of coarctation, since the former had been handicapped physically prior to surgery. There were differences in terms of logical thinking, where children with coarctation turned out to be better. As far as other variables were concerned there was no significant difference (such as behavioural features), nor was there any difference between boys and girls. The results show that psychic "problems" of cardiac children do not resolve automatically after surgery, but there may be children with persisting psychological peculiarities who require guidance, occasionally even psychotherapy.     

Focus group: implications for program evaluation of mental health services

The focus group is a qualitative research method that involves group interaction based on a selected topic. It generally involves eight to 12 individuals who discuss a particular topic under the direction of a moderator who promotes interaction and guides the discussion on the topic of interest. This paper presents theoretical perspectives and a review of focus group methodology applied in related disciplines. A research project, which applied the focus group methodology, is described to illustrate important principles in utilizing this qualitative research technique. Information related to preparation for focus group sessions, structure, setting, participants, principles related to conducting the session and analysis are presented. The relevance of this methodology for research and practice in mental health also is discussed.