Non-target visual event-related potentials in evaluation of children with minor head trauma

In 50 children, 4 months to 12 years of age, with minor head trauma non-target visual event-related potentials were performed and compared to a second registration of the potentials some months later. On following-up there was a clear tendency for a relative improvement of the latencies of the endogenous potentials. In this way non-target visual event-related potentials proved to be of value in the investigation of mental impairment in early childhood.     

The action of trypsin and zymosan on the respiration of cultivated endothelial cells

Trypsin and Zymosan induce an increase in respiration activity of cultivated endothelial cells. These effects are not due to the production of oxygen radicals. The effect of trypsin will be explained by interfering with the cellular homeostasis of calcium. The stimulated respiration after incubation with zymosan may be connected with the increased phagocytosis.     

Conformationally restricted analogues of the muscarinic agent N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide

Conformationally restricted analogues of the selective partial muscarinic agonist N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-4-pyrrolidino-2-butynyl)acetamide (BM 5; 2) were synthesized. The compounds were tested for muscarinic and antimuscarinic activity in the isolated guinea pig ileum and in intact mice. They were found to be moderately potent muscarinic antagonists or weak partial agonists. The new compounds were less potent than 2 in inhibiting (-)-[3H]-N-methylscopolamine binding in the rate cerebral cortex. Thus, structural modifications of 2 in which part of the amide moiety has been connected with the methyl group in the butynyl chain to form a five-membered ring decrease affinity and in most cases abolish efficacy.     

A comparative evaluation of methods for detecting duodenogastric reflux in patients with peptic ulcer]

The duodenal contents were examined in 81 patients with gastroduodenal ulcer. Bile acid concentrations, alkaline phosphatase activity, and sodium ion concentration were measured for the detection of duodenogastric reflux. Measurements of sodium ion concentration permitted estimation of the immediate volume of the duodenogastric reflux in the gastric contents. No methods for duodenogastric reflux detection should be given preference in examinations of peptic ulcer patients. Multiple-modality studies appear to be the most effective.     

Vestibular testing in comatose patients

The analysis of vestibular responses in a comatose patient often provides the critical information for making a correct preliminary diagnosis and directing the subsequent laboratory evaluation. Because of some uncertainties about what is being tested with the various bedside maneuvers that are used to elicit vestibular responses, we review the physiologic basis for the oculomotor responses that occur with head rotation or with caloric stimuli. We further urge precise and unambiguous terminology to describe both stimulus and response. We suggest using physiologically well-defined terms such as vestibulo-ocular reflex and cervico-ocular reflex and avoiding potentially misleading terms such as the doll's head and the oculocephalic maneuvers.     

Influence of mesh materials on collagen deposition in a rat model.

Alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with its major component collagen are increasingly discussed as possible risk factors implicated in the development of abdominal-wall herniation. Because of the widespread use of alloplastic meshes for the surgical repair of hernias, an animal study was performed to analyze the influence of various mesh materials on the quantity and quality of collagen deposition. In 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats an abdominal replacement was performed using three different kinds of mesh materials: polyester (PE), a pure polypropylene (PP), and a composite mesh made of polypropylene and polyglactin (PG). A simple fascia suture repair served as control. The count of fibroblasts, the collagen/protein ratio, the type I/III collagen ratio, and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) at the interface were analyzed after 7, 21, and 90 days. The ratio of collagen to overall protein (microg/mg) showed significant differences comparing different mesh materials (sham controls 38.44 +/- 16.33 microg/mg, PE 68.5 +/- 23.8 microg/mg, PP 101.6 +/- 32.3 microg/mg, PG 49.6 +/- 11.6 microg/mg at day 90). The ratio of collagen type I/III increased over time in all groups. However, 90 days after mesh implantation the ratio was always significantly lowered compared to the controls. No significant difference was found comparing different mesh materials. The alteration of the scar composition is closely connected to an increased b-FGF expression. b-FGF and count of fibroblasts highly correlated (r =.95) and showed significant elevated levels compared to simple suture repair. The results of our study strongly support the notion that wound healing is affected by mesh implantation. The quality of the ECM deposition as determined by collagen type I/III ratio is impaired in general, whereas the quantity of ECM deposition is markedly influenced by the kind of mesh material.     

Lithium-induced changes in the body mass index

A total of 117 manic-depressives who had been on lithium for a mean duration of 4.7 years were examined before lithium therapy and subsequently at intervals. Information relating to pre-lithium height and weight and current weight were determined and used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) for each individual. Other relevant variables such as age, sex, cumulative lithium dose, duration of therapy, thyroid profile and serum lithium levels were recorded. The results indicated that, although there was a nonsignificant increase in BMI for the whole population, lithium and sex were not significant predictors of any increase in BMI. In nearly 27% of patients BMI actually slightly decreased during lithium therapy. The overall conclusions from this study are that, in the population studied, lithium may not have exerted any pharmacological effects to increase BMI.