Studies on the change of electrophoretic mobility and the decay of catalytic activity of brain-type creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-BB) following incubation at 37 °C

Incubation of CK-BB in serum (1:3, v/v) at 37°C for 3 h caused a change of its electrophoretic mobility and decay of its catalytic activity. Similar effects were observed following incubation in water. Incubation in saline somehow preserved the electrophoretic mobility but not the catalytic activity. No effect was noted when incubated at 4°C for 3 h. Further study on the rate of decay revealed that the decay in albumin solution (1:50, v/v) is quite similar to that in serum. More dramatic decay was noted when incubated in water and less when incubated in saline. It was further shown that the higher the incubation temperature (4°C, 25°C or 37°C) the faster the decay. The rate of decay of CK-MM was much slower in all conditions of incubation. Determination of isoenzyme activities by means of an immunoprecipitation method again demonstrated that CK-BB lost a great deal of its catalytic activity following incubation at 37°C for 1 h, and hence falsification of the isoenzyme pattern.     

Experimental investigations on the contraction induced by lead in arterial smooth muscle

Previous observations suggested that the turnover of tissue calcium might be involved in the mechanism of smooth muscle contraction induced by lead.In the present investigations, the effect of lead on calcium exchangeability has been studied in the isolated rat tail artery. Experimental results suggest that the mechanism of lead action might be identified with a tissue calcium accumulation and with a lead-to-calcium competition. Evidence exists that the site of action is located in the cell membrane, where lead inhibits the processes of calcium extrusion, and in the intracellular calcium stores, whose calcium binding capacity is lowered; both processes induce an increase of the cellular exchangeable calcium available for contraction.     

Emergency repair of esophageal atresia with lower fistula and segment elongation in cases with a large gap between segments.

Esophageal atresia in premature babies with additional severe malformations must be treated by a method which avoids thoracotomy as a primary operation. Two procedures are available to solve this problem: The first is the gastric division as recommended by Randolph¹ in 1968, with transverse section of the stomach, closure of both portions, gastrostomy to prevent reflux of gastric juice into the trachea, and use of the lower gastrostomy for feeding purposes. Esophageal anastomosis can be achieved later. This procedure suffers from the following disadvantages: (1) prolonged intervention; (2) two sutures across the entire diameter of the stomach include the likelihood of suture insufficiency; and (3) reflux of gastric juice into the lung cannot be definitely excluded, not even with high section which again presents technical problems.The second is temporary cardia closure by means of silastic band² with anastomosis of the segments 2 wk later. This method has the following disadvantages: (1) very tight banding may necrose cardia tissue, (2) loose cardia closure could be insufficient and (3) the necessity of relatively strong tension on the band implies only temporary application—limited to a few days.     

Electron microscopy of Merkel cell carcinoma from formalin-fixed tissue

Merkel cell carcinomas have characteristic, but not pathognomonic, histomorphologic features. The diagnosis can be confirmed by immunohistochemistry studies and electron microscopy. However, differential diagnostic problems often occur only after all tumor material has been fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin, which gives poor tissue preservation for electron microscopy. Therefore, in addition to histologic and immunohistochemical studies, parallel ultrastructural investigations were performed on tumor specimens fixed in glutaraldehyde and routinely processed, for electron microscopy, on formalin-fixed tissue and on formalin-fixed paraffin blocks. Formalin fixation led to an almost complete loss of neurosecretory granules and cell membranes; however, the characteristic paranuclear whorls of intermediate filaments were retained in all tumors. Merkel cell carcinomas are immunoreactive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE), but NSE-antisera have only recently become commercially available. Cytokeratin is demonstrable as a paranuclear clump, and this feature was found in four out of six tumors. Thus histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopy studies of formalin-fixed tissue are able to confirm the diagnosis of neuroendocrine Merkel cell carcinoma.     

The short-term effect of intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate and corticosteroid on temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction

The short-term effect of intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate and a corticosteroid (betamethasone) was compared in a sample of 33 patients who had pain and tenderness to palpation in the temporomandibular joint of at least six months duration that had not responded to previous conservative treatment. The two drugs were randomly allocated to the patients. A volume of 0.5 ml of the drug was injected twice into the superior joint compartment of the TMJ with a two-week interval between injections. The effect on subjective symptoms, clinical signs, and bite force was assessed. Both drugs reduced the symptoms and signs significantly, and no statistically significant difference in effect could be found between drugs in this regard. The results indicate that the difference between the drugs in terms of short-term therapeutic effects is small, and that sodium hyaluronate could be used as an alternative to corticosteroid for patients who have signs of TMJ inflammation, especially for those who have symptomatic osteoarthrosis.     

Verruciform xanthoma of the oral mucosa

The verruciform xanthoma is a rather rare lesion that is mostly confined to the oral mucosa. The clinical picture may vary considerably. The diagnosis is based on the presence of numerous xanthoma cells in the connective tissue papillae. A case of verruciform xanthoma in the floor of the mouth in a 45-year-old woman is presented. The findings reported in the literature are also discussed.     

Detection of antimicrofilarial ES antigen-antibody in immune complexes in Bancroftian filariasis by enzyme immunoassay

An enzyme immunoassay using penicillinase conjugated to Wuchereria bancrofti microfilarial ES antigen has been developed to detect specific antibody in circulating immune complexes in Bancroftian filariasis. Immune complexes were prepared by 3% polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. 44 sera belonging to different groups were tested. 16 of 19 clinical filarial and two of 16 endemic normal sera but none of the non-endemic normal sera showed the presence of antimicrofilarial ES antigen-antibody in immune complexes.     

Chemical methods for male fertility control. Expert consultation of the European Medical Research Council Advisory Subgroup on Human Reproduction

The Advisory Subgroup on Human Reproduction of the European Medical Research Council was founded in 1978 in order to coordinate research efforts and facilitate the exchange of information in the field. A conference held by the Subgroup on chemical methods for male fertility control in 1980 is summarized. The conference reviewed current activity in the field of male chemical fertility control, made recommendations for future research topics, and made further recommendations regarding the allocation of research funds in Europe. The following topics were covered: 1) current research being sponsored by WHO; 2) the Chinese program of research on gossypol, a male steroid pill; 3) the need for more basic research into male reproduction; 4) the advantages and disadvantages of male fertility control thorugh steroids; 5) the possibility of an immunological approach to male fertility control; and 6) the possibility that research into male infertility will provide information useful in male fertility control as well.     

Evaluation of two dose schedules of 15(S)15 methyl PGF2α methyl ester vaginal suppositories for dilatation of cervix prior to vacuum aspiration for late first trimester abortions

15(S)15 methyl PGF₂α methyl ester was used in the form of vaginal suppositories to evaluate its effect as a cervical dilator prior to vacuum aspiration in 49 women seeking medical termination of pregnancy between 9–12 weeks of gestation. Two dose schedules comprising of 1.0 mg and 1.5 mg vaginal suppositories, inserted three hourly for four times, were used in 25 and 23 women, respectively. At the time of vacuum aspiration which was planned 18 hours after the initiation of treatment, cervical dilatation of 10 mm was observed in all the subjects. The incidence of vomiting was significantly higher in the 1.5 mg dose group as compared to the 1.0 mg group. Serum progesterone levels were measured by radioimmuno-assays before insertion of the 15-me-PGF₂α suppositories and after 18 hours, i.e. just before vacuum aspiration. A significant fall in the progesterone level was observed in all cases.