Removal of common bile duct stones after emergency drainage of the gall bladder

Because of the hazards associated with cholecystectomy and choledochotomy in acute biliary tract disease, cholecystostomy may be performed as an emergency procedure. Postoperative tube cholangiography in such patients may show calculi in the biliary ducts. The percutaneous extraction of these calculi prior to cholecystectomy simplifies the elective surgical procedure.     

Assessment of a new spermicidal agent against ejaculated dog and human spermatozoa in vitro

The spermatostatic potencies of a new vaginal contraceptive agent, RS-37367, and a standard surfactant compound, nonoxynol-9, have been compared by using ejaculated dog and human spermatozoa. RS-37367 was 25 to 50 times more potent than nonoxynol-9 against dog spermatozoa. Nonparallel concentration-response lines were obtained against human spermatozoa. Concentrations of RS-37367 causing immediate spermatostasis against dog spermatozoa resulted in vesiculation of the plasma and outer acrosomal membranes of spermatozoa; similarly, immediately spermatostatic concentrations of nonoxynol-9 were associated with the previously documented generalized membrane stripping. The activities of both RS-37367 and nonoxynol-9 were affected by the concentration of dog spermatozoa in semen-compound mixtures. Short-term (5-minute) exposure of spermatozoa to concentrations of RS-37367 not immediately spermatostatic resulted in progressive immobilization of spermatozoa. Extensive washing of the spermatozoa was not able to reverse this effect, in contrast to spermatozoa transiently exposed to nonoxynol-9.     

Influence of cotton dust inhalation on free lung cells in rats and guinea pigs.

The influence of cotton dust inhalation on pulmonary leukocyte recruitment has been examined in rats and guinea pigs in an attempt to develop an animal model which can be used to assess the relative pulmonary toxicity of dusts from various varieties of cotton. Statistically significant increases in leukocyte populations in the lungs occur as the result of dust inhalation. Although the response is not influenced by the sex or age of the test animal, species differences do occur; guinea pigs are more sensitive to the effects of exposure than rats. Also, the exposure regimen tends to influence the degree of the response, with intermittent exposure producing fewer cells than continuous exposure for the same period of time. Future investigations will use the information gathered here to employ the most appropriate animal species as a tool to screen varieties of cotton, and thereby to rank them according to their potential to aggravate or to initiate certain pulmonary pathologies.     

Naloxone pharmacokinetics in the newborn.

1 Plasma naloxone levels were determined by RIA over a period of 6--36 h in three groups of neonates, (1) those given 35 microgram i.v. (n = 6), (2) those given 70 microgram i.v. (n = 6) and (3) those given 200 microgram i.m. (n = 17) naloxone HCl within 1 min of birth. 2 After intravenous administration of 35 and 70 microgram of naloxone peak levels of 4--15 ng/ml and 9--20 ng/ml respectively were reached in 5--40 min and the mean plasma half-life after both doses was 3.1 +/- 0.5 h. 3 Peak levels of 7--35 ng/ml were reached 0.5 to 2 h after intramuscular administration of 200 microgram. The fall in concentration after this was consistently biphasic with the levels declining rapidly between one and four hours and then slowly from four hours onwards. 4 Plasma levels at 24--36 h after i.m. administration were as high as they were 4 h after i.v. administration of 35 microgram and this may account for the prolonged duration of action when this route is used.     

Bacteriocidal properties of platelet concentrates

Platelet concentrates were contaminated with predetermined numbers of bacteria isolated from patients. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa organisms were killed if the number introduced was less than 10(3). When 10(4) through 10(6) organisms were added, their growth was depressed for 24 hours and then slowly resumed. If more than 10(7) organisms were used, a slow and progressive growth occurred. After the concentrates were contaminated with Staphylocoecus aureus, slow progressive growth occurred regardless of the size of the inoculum. Cultures taken from sample phlebotomies performed on a few donors showed that the number and type of organisms released into the blood during the venepuncture are such that they could usually, but not always, be inactivated by the bacteriocidal property of the platelet packs. This bacteriocidal property will usually allow the platelet packs to be stored at room temperature for considerable amounts of time with relative safety. Bacterial growth will normally occur only when the number of organisms introduced during the venepuncture is quite large, and growth will usually occur during the first 24 hours.