The expression of ras oncogene in normal and pathological liver disease

Activation of the ras oncogene is associated with overproduction of the normal gene product (p21). Ninety one paraffin-embedded specimens were used to map the distribution of the normal form of p21 in normal, inflamed, cirrhotic and carcinomatous liver parenchyma. Monoclonal antibodies (Mo-RAP) were raised against the normal form of the ras-oncogene product and histological sections were stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Normal, inflamed and cirrhotic liver showed either minimal or moderate cytoplasmic staining. By contrast primary (n = 13) and secondary (n = 41) liver carcinomas exhibited intense staining. The differential pattern observed in p21 distribution could have useful clinical applications.     

Long-term results of conservative treatment of fractures of the distal radius

The long-term results of the conservative treatment of wrist fractures were observed in a follow-up study of 297 cases over a period of one and one-half years to six years. The evaluation of the results was based on clinical parameters, both subjective and objective, as well as radiological features. The results were: excellent in 38% of cases, good in 49%, fair in 11.5%, and poor in 1.5%; considerably worse were the subjective results (20% fair to poor). No statistically significant relation could be found between results and type of fracture. Clinical deformities and pain in the area of the distal radioulnar joint were frequent. Decrease in grip strength was observed in 17.8% of cases. A limitation of wrist movement was not frequent. Numerous compressive neuropathies were found (41 in 35 patients), especially of the median nerve. The values relative to the three radiographic parameters under investigation (that is, radial deviation, volar tilt, and radioulnar index) were often found to be out of the normal range. The comparative study of postreduction and follow-up radiograms show the loss of reduction to be frequent, especially as far as the volar tilt is concerned. The frequent radiologic deformities are associated with significantly bad results only in cases of extremely abnormal values. However, fractures of the distal radius are not to be underestimated. Long-term results following conservative treatment may not be as acceptable as is generally assumed.     

The impact of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty on the management of peripheral vascular disease

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a well established technique with wide application, but its place in the overall management of peripheral vascular disease is not well defined. This study compares similar groups of patients with peripheral vascular disease in 1981 and 1984, before and after the introduction of the technique to a district general hospital. More patients are now being investigated and treated and this is almost entirely due to the availability of angioplasty. The rates for surgery have not changed. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty should therefore be seen as a new and separate form of treatment for peripheral vascular disease, not necessarily influencing or replacing surgery, and requiring its own allocation of resources in accordance with the increase in the level of care afforded by the technique.     

Autosomal recessive distal dystrophy

We describe five new cases of autosomal recessive distal dystrophy (Miyoshi myopathy) and emphasize the distinctive clinical and laboratory features of this unusual muscular dystrophy. Symptoms began at age 15 to 25, the gastrocnemius muscles were selectively involved, and creatine kinase was elevated more than 10 times normal. The EMG showed abundant brief motor units with numerous fibrillations. Dystrophic features without vacuoles were best seen in the biceps femoris muscle. Asymptomatic creatine kinase elevation was present years prior to the development of weakness. The disorder appears to be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Miyoshi myopathy can be distinguished from other distal muscular dystrophies. We propose a new classification for the distal muscular dystrophies.     

The role of neck dissection in the eradication of salivary carcinomas]

From 1955 to 1984, radical neck dissection (RND) had been done in 300 salivary carcinoma patients, 114 of which had regional lymph node metastasis, with a 38% metastatic rate. Respective 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 year survival rates were 76, 64, 47, 35, 35% in a 3 to 20 years follow-up study in 283 patients (94.33%). The following four points are concluded: 1. The metastatic rate is determined not only on tumor staging, but more to its typing (pathologic behaviour). 2. Elective RND gave a better prognosis than therapeutic and negative metastasis has a better survival chance than positive where the low level metastasis is the worst. 3. According to pathologic typing, Elective RND is indicated for undifferentiated adenocarcinoma, high malignant mucoepidermoid carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and papillary cystic adenocarcinoma, therapeutic RND for malignant pleomorphic adenoma, acinic cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. 4. Unilateral RND is indicated for all but sublingual and buccal tumors.     

Lack of effect of the calcium antagonist isradipine on cyclosporine pharmacokinetics in renal transplant patients.

Hypertension has emerged as a frequent side effect in transplant recipients on effective doses of cyclosporine (CsA). To control hypertension in renal transplant patients, calcium channel blockers have been used; some of these, however, have been shown to cause significant increases in CsA levels. These findings point out that possible interactions of each calcium antagonist with CsA deserve investigation. We performed an open, placebo-controlled study in 12 stable renal transplant recipients to determine whether short-term isradipine influences CsA pharmacokinetics. All patients had mild to moderate hypertension and received triple immunosuppressive therapy with CsA, azathioprine, and prednisolone. Throughout a 4-week period of isradipine treatment, blood CsA levels (specific and nonspecific monoclonal antibodies) remained stable. The mean trough specific level was 121 +/- 14 micrograms/L following placebo, compared to 120 +/- 14 micrograms/L during isradipine. Corresponding non-specific values were 465 +/- 68 and 474 +/- 63 micrograms/L. Also, values for Cmax, AUC, and t1/2 were not significantly changed following 4 weeks of isradipine. Mean arterial pressure was significantly reduced at the end of the study. This study implies that isradipine does not influence CsA metabolism. Further studies should be carried out to determine its long-term effects on CsA pharmacokinetics and renal function in transplanted patients.     

Role of dopamine receptors in the occurrence of the behavioral motor disturbances in rats exposed to high pressure.

When human divers and experimental animals are exposed to an increasing environmental pressure, they develop the high pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) characterized by electroencephalographic changes and sleep and behavioral disturbances. In rats, behavioral disturbances essentially include hyperlocomotor activity (HLA), tremor and myoclonia. Moreover, HLA has recently been demonstrated to be linked to a pressure-induced striatal increase of dopamine (DA). In these experiments, it was proposed to investigate in rats, at the behavioral level, the role of DA receptors in the occurrence of the pressure-induced DA disturbances. DA receptor agonists were found to induce no significant changes in the development of HLA, tremor, and myoclonia. Alternatively, HLA was found to be dramatically antagonized by the use of DA receptor antagonists (SCH 23390, sulpiride, and haloperidol), while tremor and myoclonia only decreased in SCH 23390 experiments.