Acquired dyschromatopsia in combined exposure to solvents and alcohol

Hypothesis: Does occupational exposure to solvents in combination with alcohol intake give rise to acquired color vision defects? Method: A total of 138 individuals exposed to solvents (toluene, xylene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene) were examined using Lanthony’s D-15 test and compared with 100 nonexposed controls. The extent of color vision loss was quantitatively assessed based on Bowman’s color confusion index (CCI). A cumulative exposure index was calculated from the hours of exposure per day and the years of exposure. In 30 persons who were exposed to trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, urinary trichloroacetic acid was assessed as a parameter of exposure. Alcohol intake was calculated as based on interviews of patients in grams of ethyl alcohol per week. Results: Individuals who consumed more than 250 g alcohol/week and were simultaneously exposed to solvents showed a significantly elevated CCI (P = 0.0044). No significant correlation emerged between trichloroacetid acid excretion in the urine or the cumulative exposure index and the CCI. Conclusion: The combination of alcohol intake and occupational exposure to solvents discloses the risk of acquired subclinical color vision defects.     

"Second-look" operations in patients with colorectal tumour

The diagnostic problems of metastases and recurrences in colorectal tumour patients are reviewed. The question and indications of relaparotomies are discussed in detail. The results of relaparotomies made for tumorous and nontumorous indications at the Department of Surgery of the National Cancer Institute are reported.     

Elevated levels of the rapid inhibitor of plasminogen activator (t-PAI) in acute myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction is frequently caused by acute coronary thrombosis. A previous study in patients three years after myocardial infarction has shown twice as high concentrations of the rapid inhibitor of plasminogen activator (t-PAI) as in healthy controls. The present study involves 29 patients with acute onset of myocardial infarction. Already on admission the mean concentration of t-PAI was 16.5 +/- 7.4 units/ml as compared to 7.5 +/- 2.3 in healthy controls. It is presently unknown if moderately elevated t-PAI levels contribute to a delay of the spontaneous thrombolysis of the coronary occlusion, thus promoting the development of myocardial infarction.     

Agenesis of permanent incisors in a mediaeval maxilla and mandible: aetiological aspects

A paleopathological maxilla and mandible with tooth agenesis were analyzed, focussing on the aetiology of the condition. The jaw material, derived from an adult mediaeval male, was examined by standard anthropological analyses, including radiography. In the maxilla there was agenesis of three permanent incisors and one premolar, and in the mandible of one permanent incisor and two permanent molars. Absence or marked reduction of the incisive foramen and the nasopalatine canal was found. The pattern of tooth agenesis was similar to the pattern observed in contemporary individuals, except for the agenesis of one permanent maxillary centreal insisor. It is suggested that the pronounced lack of the premaxillary area of the nasopalatine canals and the incisive foramen. As the condition can be ascribed to deviations in the prenatal developments, this investigation shows that embryological developmental patterns, which form the basis for the pattern of tooth agenesis, should be taken into account when evaluation dry bonde patholgy.     

Metabolism of methyl-branched iodo palmitic acids in cultured hepatocytes

The metabolic fate of methyl-branched iodo fatty acids was studied in primary culture of rat hepatocytes. We compared 16-iodo-2-R,S-methyl palmitic acid (2-Me), which can be oxidized, with 16-iodo-3-R,S-methyl palmitic acid (3-Me) which can be oxidized only after an initial oxydation and with 16-iodo-2,2-dimethyl palmitic acid (2,2-Me₂) and 16-iodo-3,3-dimethyl palmitic acid (3,3-Me₂) which cannot be oxidized at all. The normal fate of natural fatty acids was given by comparative experiments with [1-¹⁴C] palmitic acid. Monomethyl-branched iodo fatty acids were taken up in the same range as palmitic acid but more than dimethyl-branched iodo fatty acids. After a 15-h incubation, acido-soluble products (ASP) accounted for 75% of the radioactivity taken up as 16-iodo-2-methyl palmitic acid, 50% as other methyl-branched iodo fatty acids and only 30% as palmitic acid, which indicated that all the methyl-branched iodo fatty acids underwent a strong deiodination process. Fatty acids were esterified in the following order: palmitic acid >16-iodo-3-R,S-methyl palmitic acid>16-iodo-2-R,S-methyl palmitic acid>16-iodo-2,2-dimethyl palmitic acid>16-iodo-3,3-dimethyl palmitic acid. Cultured hepatocytes, labelled for 3 h with the various fatty acids and reincubated for 12 h without fatty acid, secreted large amounts of free dimethylbranched iodo fatty acids as compared to the monomethyl ones and palmitic acid. Only hepatocytes prelabelled with 16-[¹²⁵I]iodo-2,2-dimethyl palmitic acid exhibited an appreciable secretion of labeled triglycerides, but at a lower rate than with [1-¹⁴C] palmitic acid. Conversely, the 16-iodo-monomethyl palmitic acids remained chiefly in hepatocyte triglycerides. Minute amounts of 16-iodo-methyl-branched-palmitic acids were found in hepatocyte or secred phospholipids as compared with palmitic acid. This metabolic fate of methyl-branched iodo palmitic acids argues against their utilization as imaging probes to monitor in vivo the synthesis and the secretion of triglycerides by the liver.     

Structural and functional aspects of platelet-derived growth factor and its role in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family consists of three different dimeric forms, AA, BB, and AB, of the two consitituent polypeptide chains, A and B. These interact with two different cell surface receptors that, in part, mediate different cellular functions. The various forms of PDGF, as well as the receptors, are expressed at high frequency in glioblastoma multiforme, and it has been suggested that the growth of this tumor might be affected by autocrine loops involving PDGF and its receptors. The present paper focuses on recent discoveries regarding the family of PDGF ligands and receptors, as well as reviews results concerning PDGF-dependent autocrine growth in experimental and spontaneous glioblastoma.     

Possibilities of finger substitution

Authors deal, in connection with their clinical cases, with the replacement of the fingers of the hand. Attention is called to the fact, that a minimal requirement of the reconstruction, performed on the severe, multiply amputated hand, should be the formation of a "basic hand", and that at the planning of such operations the aim may be the reconstruction of the function of the hand only. Among the methods presented the most modern methods, requiring microvascular surgical technique, are also shown. Although the right of using these is obvious, the older, however well proved methods should not be forgotten either. The possibilities of finger replantation are described didactically; considering the extent of this theme however authors did not strive to completeness.