A method using toluene-2,4-diisocyanate and glutaraldehyde to stabilize and conjugate antigens to erythrocytes for use in passive hemagglutination tests.

Erythrocytes were stabilized and activated for conjugation by simultaneous treatment with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate and glutaraldehyde. Following conjugation with an antigen, these cells were suitable for use in passive hemagglutination tests and could be stored in either hypo- or hyper-tonic solutions at 4 degrees C for at least 3 months without hemolysis or loss of agglutinating properties. Furthermore, these cells can be lyophilized and reconstituted with minimal loss of conjugation ability or of agglutination titer.     

Pseudarthrosis of the radius treated by free vascularised bone graft

We report a case of pseudarthrosis of the radius successfully treated by free vascularised bone grafting. After a comprehensive review of the literature, we recommend this as the treatment of choice in this condition. We also report the use of callus distraction of an incorporated vascularised bone graft to achieve bone lengthening.     

Children's Health Care: Brief Report: Cultural Differences in Groups of Parents of Children with Cancer: English- and Spanish-Speaking

Therapeutic groups of parents of children with cancer have been seen as potentially helpful to those parents who utilize the groups The authors report on a study of the differing content raised in two parent groups, one English-speaking and one Spanish-speaking.     

Comparison of Dopamine and Dobutamine Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

A prospective, randomized comparison of the hemodynamic effects of dopamine and dobutamine was performed in 20 patients following coronary artery bypass grafting. Approximately 6 hours postoperatively, when patients were hemodynamically stable, either dopamine or dobutamine was administered at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 μg per kilogram of body weight per minute. At 5.0 μg/kg, both drugs increased cardiac index without changing heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, or peripheral vascular resistance. At 7.5 μg/kg, dobutamine caused a further increase in cardiac index without changing the other variables. In contrast, increasing dopamine from 5.0 to 7.5 μg/kg/min caused significant increases in mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance but no further increase in cardiac index. We conclude that dobutamine is preferable to dopamine in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting, since it produces consistent, dose-related increases in cardiac index without increases in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, or pulmonary vascular resistance.     

Assessing Potential Predisposition of Elementary School Children to Heart Disease

Physical well-being has been designated a top priority for the children in the Clovis (California) Unified School District. In an effort to diminish coronary risk factors and encourage a healthy life style, a health assessment battery was developed for students in grades 1 through 6. The battery included measurements in height, weight, blood pressure, sit and reach flexibility, and skin-fold test for body fat composition. More than 5000 students were administered the tests by a health assessment team consisting of two nurses, three physical education resource teachers, and two clerical staff members. A random sample of 100 males and 100 females at each grade level was utilized for the statistical analysis. The correlation between body fat and weight was .80 (p v .05) in the fifth and sixth grades. Body fat was positively correlated with both systolic and diastolic measures of blood pressure. The coefficient averaged .21 (p v .05) over the 6 grades for systolic and .22 (p .05) over the 6 grades for diastolic blood pressure. Future plans call for the development of a longitudinal profile of students, as well as establishing district norms for the test battery.     

Nutritional concepts in the treatment of head and neck malignancies

Cancer cachexia should no longer be a contraindication to adequate antineoplastic treatment. Current methods of nutritional assessment allow one to identify malnutrition and to follow the nutritional status of the patient throughout the cancer-management program. Enteral nutritional repletion and maintenance remain the ideal course of action, but the gastrointestinal tract is not always readily available or advisable for use; in such circumstances, intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) may be indicated. The properly nourished patient better tolerates cancer therapy, experiences fewer complications of malnutrition (e.g., sepsis and poor wound healing), and has a better-functioning immune system than does his malnourished counterpart. This article reviews methods of nutritional assessment, delineates indications and techniques for nutritional repletion, and summarizes the results obtained.     

Effects of toluene exposure on the spontaneous cortical activity in rats

Effects of toluene on the electroencephalogram (EEG) and its power spectra were measured during a 2-hr exposure in a dynamic inhalational chamber in rats. Rats were exposed to one of six graded concentrations (110.6, 162.5, 432, 676, 1558, 2730 ppm) of toluene on different days. It was found that the duration of waking (W) was increased with a decrease in duration of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep even at 110.6 ppm. Duration of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep was decreased with an increase of W and a decrease of REM sleep at 162.5 ppm. Dose-related effects were noted in higher concentrations. The power of delta frequency band was increased with a decrease of theta frequency band power at hr 1 of exposure to 676 ppm during REM sleep recorded from the visual cortex. The power of theta frequency band was also decreased at hr 2 of exposure at 432 ppm. During W and NREM sleep power spectra were not changed significantly. Results indicate that the changes of EEG are a sensitive measure of the effects of toluene on the central nervous system (CNS).