Diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cystic fibrosis by the synthetic peptide N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid.

The synthetic peptide N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid is specifically cleaved by chymotrypsin to Bz-Ty and PABA. The liberated PABA is absorbed and excreted in the urine. Accordingly, PABA recovery reflects intraluminal chymotrypsin activity and is an index of exocrine pancreatic function. This test was evaluated in 24 patients with cystic fibrosis to determine its role in the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Cumulative percent PABA recovery in six hours was significantly lower in CF patients compared with the control group. No overlap was noted between the two groups. There was good correlation between PABA recovery, fecal chymotrypsin activity, and coefficient of fat absorption. These findings indicate that PABA recovery is significantly reduced in patients with CF and steatorrhea and may prove a practical and reliable test of pancreatic insufficiency.     

Antibiotic concentrations in pus and bone of children with osteomyelitis

Pharmacologic data are presented on 39 children treated for osteomyelitis with one of the following antibiotics: methicillin, dicloxacillin, cephaloridine, or cefazolin. The concentrations of drug in pus and bone were correlated with serum concentrations, with the susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the patients, and with the degree of drug protein-binding. The penetration of the antibiotics into pus and bone was similar for the two penicillins and for the two cephalosporins despite the disparate protein-binding affinities of these drugs. The agents attained concentrations in tissues that were at least several fold, and often more than tenfold, greater than the MIC and MBC values of the S. aureus stains. These data provide a basis for selection of antimicrobial agents for treatment of osteomyelitis.     

Prothrombin complex concentrate (Konyne) in the treatment of hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors.

Two prothrombin complex concentrates, Auto-Factor IX and Proplex, have been reported to be effective in controlling bleeding in hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors. A third PCC, Konyne, was used to treat 64 bleeding episodes (130 infusions) in five hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors. Prompt control of bleeding was observed in each instance with doses of 15 to 100 units of factor IX/kg; no complications were encountered. Konyne resulted in in vivo and in vitro shortening of the partial thromboplastin time of patients with factor VIII inhibitors, but the mechanism of action is unknown. If further studies confirm the efficacy and safety of PCC in the treatment of such patients, its use for this purpose could lead to significant saving of factor VIII concentrates.     

Grand mal-provoked hyperuricemia

A significant increase in S-urate was found postictally in 17 patients with two or more grand mal seizures within 24 h. In six patients S-urate was above the level at which hyperuricemic renal failure may develop. Impaired renal function was observed in two patients who had extremely high S-urates. It is proposed that prophylactic procedures against hyperuricemic renal failure should be carried out in all patients with repetitive convulsions.     

京杭大运河与镇江城市文明的兴起和发展

古代的城邑往往首先出现在交通要道上,或港口、河口、山口或军事要冲.镇江是长江的重要港口,属东南锁钥之地,且城中有山,山中有城,本身就具有得天独厚的地理优势.京杭大运河的开凿贯通更为它提供了一个发展的契机.交通的便捷使处于运河和长江交汇处的镇江迅速发展成为一座著名的历史文化古城.可以说,古运河承载了镇江从古到今的财富与文明,记载了镇江的历史变迁,孕育了镇江的城市文化.     

L'objet en psychanalyse

If a field is defined by its object, what is then about the object of psychoanalysis ? For Lacan it is the object of phantasy, i.e. the object that is lacking and that, because of this very lack, allows a subject to ex-sist with its unquenchable desire. It is also the object of Freud, namely das Ding that he mentions when he tried to theorise a psychology for scientists. Lacan gives this object a material status (the letter) as well as an original formalization by enshrining it in the formula of phantasm: $<>a. Will it be possible for Freudians and Lacanians to discuss this issue ?