Carcinoembryonic antigen in the blood serum of rats with nonspecific intestinal lesions

The sera of rats in which an extensive lesion had been produced in the mucous membrane of the cecum were tested by the agar diffusion method. A carcinoembryonic antigen appeared in the sera of 84% of the animals 24 h after injury, and in most of them it persisted for 15–20 days, corresponding to the period of most intensive regeneration of the intestinal mucosa.Laboratory of Experimental Tumors, N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol, 81, No 4, pp. 467–470, April, 1976.     

Effect of estrogens on the blood serum level of carcino-embryonic antigen in rats with neoplasms of the intestine and nonspecific injuries of its mucosa

Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) was detected in the blood serum of 70% of rats with tumors of the large intestine induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and with posttraumatic regeneration of the mucosa of the large intestine. After injection of estrogen (diethylstilbestrol proionate, 0.57 g daily for 6 days) the frequency of appearance of CEA in such animals increased, as also did the CEA level in the blood serum. In rats with injury to the mucosa of the large intestine, injection of estrogen prevented the natural decrease in the CEA concentration as the intensity of the regenerative process diminished.Laboratories of Experimental Tumors and Endocrinology, N. N. Petrov Scientific-Research Institute of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 582–583, May, 1977.     

Radiofrequency modified maze procedure for chronic atrial fibrillation

Background We studied the effectiveness of Radiofrequency (RF) modified maze in early and late restoration of sinus rhythm in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Methods We studied 84 patients with RHD over 23.6±12.5 months after the RF modified maze and another group of 64 patients over six months after valvular surgery alone (the Non-Maze group). Any thromboembolic episodes and NYHA class of the patient were recorded. The short term survivors in sinus rhythm, underwent stress test and echocardiography for atrial transport function at 3–6 months after surgery. Results In the Maze group, sinus rhythm was restored in 60/70 patients (85.71%) immediately and sustained in 55/70 patients (78.57%) over the follow-up as against an immediate conversion rate of 5.3% (5/53 patients, p<0.001) in the Non-maze group. The additional Cardiopulmonary (CP) bypass time (p=0.13) and cross clamp time (p=0.511) needed for maze is not statistically significant. Left atrial (LA) transport function was preserved in 41/51 patients (80.4%) and Right atrial (RA) transport function in 51/51 patients (100%). Stress test showed good chronotropic response in all the 41 patients in whom it was performed. In the Maze group one patient presented with acute valve thrombosis and subsequently, succumbed to it. In the non maze group 3/55 patients (5.66%) were hospitalized for stroke. No patient needed permanent pacemaker nor was sinus node dysfunction seen. The immediate postoperative morbidity and mortality was comparable in the two groups. Conclusions The RF modified maze is safe, effective and brief without any additional risk. It restores sinus rhythm in the majority, however there is an attrition in some.     

Comparative evaluation of bioglass with calcium sulphate β-hemihydrate for the treatment of intraosseous defects—a clinico-radiological study

Background

The aim of the present clinical and radiological study was to compare bioglass and calcium sulphate β-hemihydrate in the treatment of intraosseous defect in chronic periodontitis.

Method

A total of 50 subjects with bilaterally symmetrical periodontal osseous defects with probing pocket depth = 5 mm and intraosseous defects ≥ 3 mm as seen on the radiographs were undertaken for the study. In one site (group A) bioactive glass was placed in defect and in contralateral site (group B) calcium sulphate β-hemihydrate was used in the defect site.

Results

Clinical improvement was noted in all patients at the end of study. Both the groups showed reduction in probing pocket depth, increase in clinical attachment level, and reduction in osseous defect. Both materials were effective in achieving osseous gain.

Conclusion

The osseous gain in group A subjects was 58.93%, whereas in group B subjects it was 48.56%. Calcium sulphate β-hemihydrates showed promising results and were cost effective.Key Words: bone grafts, periodontal osseous defects     

Patient perception of wound photography

The objectives of this study were to provide an assessment of photographic documentation of the wound from the patients' perspective and to evaluate whether this could improve patients' understanding of and involvement in their wound care. Our results revealed that most patients visiting the wound care clinic have difficult‐to‐see wounds (86%). Only 20% of patients monitor their wounds and instead rely on clinic or nurse visits to track the healing progress. There was a significant association between patients' ability to see their wound and their subsequent memory of the wound's appearance. This was especially true for patients who had recently begun visiting the wound care clinic. This relationship was not present in patients who had visited the clinic for 3 or more years. Patients reported that the inability to see their wounds resulted in feeling a loss of autonomy. The majority of patients reported that photographing their wounds would help them to track the wound progress (81%) and would afford them more involvement in their own care (58%). This study provides a current representation of wound photography from the patients' perspective and reveals that it can motivate patients to become more involved in the management of their wounds – particularly for patients with difficult‐to‐see wounds.