Enzymes of glucose metabolism in palmar fascia and Dupuytren's contracture.

Several enzymes participating in glucose metabolism and some of the acid hydrolases were assayed in palmar fascia and Dupuytren's contracture with fluorometric microanalytical methods. The enzyme activities of glucose metabolism were lower in normal palmar fascia than in dermis. The fascia of Dupuytren's contracture exhibited a general increase in the enzyme activities of glucose catabolism. Little alteration was found in alanine aminotransferase and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase activity in the lesion. Lysosomal hydrolytic enzyme activities were increased five to ten times in Dupuytren's tissue. The dermis overlying Dupuytren's contracture exhibited an increase in the enzyme activities of glucose catabolism, but to a lesser degree than did the fascia of the lesion. The epidermis of involved palmar skin displayed normal enzyme activities.     

Treatment of thoracic multiloculated empyemas with intracavitary urokinase: a prospective study

The authors prospectively treated 10 consecutive patients with multiloculated empyemas with intracavitary instillation of urokinase via a percutaneous drainage catheter. Urokinase (100,000 IU) in 100 mL of 5% dextrose in water was instilled into the pleural cavity via a percutaneous drainage catheter. After overnight clamping, the catheter was opened and the empyema drained with use of negative suction (20 cm H2O). Intermittent irrigation of the catheter with normal saline was performed to prevent clogging of the catheter. Complete drainage of multiloculated empyemas was accomplished in nine patients by means of intracavitary instillation of urokinase via a single 8-F catheter. One patient showed complete drainage of multiloculated empyema, but recurrent empyema appeared in the site of a previous tube thoracostomy. A total of 100,000-700,000 IU (mean, 400,000 IU) of urokinase were needed for complete drainage in all patients. Plasminogen and fibrin degradation product levels in empyema fluid were determined before instillation of urokinase to demonstrate any fibrinolytic action. No complications occurred.     

Enzyme activities in granulation tissue: Energy for collagen synthesis.

Sympathectomy was produced in 8 dogs by the intravenous administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The animals were studied at rest and during exercise, prior to and after administration of the drug. The hemodynamic patterns observed during this experiment are similar to the previously reported patterns obtained after extensive surgical denervation or cardiac transplantation.     

Zur Frage „Selbstmord und Witterung“

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Stereotactic device for Gamma Knife radiosurgery in experimental animals: technical note

OBJECTIVE: Radiosurgery has become a well-established treatment modality for many intracranial lesions and the information obtained from animal experiments is crucial in devising new strategies with improved efficacy and less risk. We constructed a stereotactic device for rats which can be used for both usual laboratory work and radiosurgery using a Gamma Knife. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The stereotactic device was made by modifying the basic design of the ordinary stereotactic frames used for usual laboratory work. It was developed for both Gamma Knife model B and C. An auxiliary tool was also devised which facilitates the placement of the target point at the radiation isocenter. RESULTS: The reliability of the device was verified by checking the radiation profile and absorbed dose. The results of the experimental irradiation in normal and tumor-cell-inoculated rats demonstrated the usefulness of the device. CONCLUSIONS: The modified animal stereotactic frame described herein can be used for both the production of experimental animal models and for performing radiosurgery with a common apparatus.     

Single strand DNA breaks in T- and B-lymphocytes and granulocytes in workers exposed to benzene

Comet assays were carried out to evaluate DNA damage in T- and B-lymphocytes and granulocytes from 41 workers exposed to benzene in a printing company and 41 unexposed donors. In T-lymphocytes, DNA damage was slightly higher in exposed workers than in controls. The tail moments in the two groups were 1.75+/-0.29 and 1.47+/-0.41, respectively (P<0.0006). DNA damage of B-lymphocytes in the two groups showed the most significant difference among the three cell types. The tail moments were 3.86+/-0.71 and 1.51+/-0.39, respectively (P<0.0001). In granulocytes, DNA damage was also different, the tail moments being 3.61+/-0.75 and 2.60+/-0.59, respectively (P<0.0001). The comparison of DNA damage in both groups shows that B-lymphocytes could be a useful target in biomonitoring of human exposure to low levels of benzene.