Vitamin A levels in the serum of burned patients

Serum vitamin A levels following burns or surgery proved to be significantly lower than those in healthy controls or in patients prior to surgery without burns. The decrease of the serum vitamin A levels of the burned patients did not depend on age or sex of the patient, extension and depth of the burn wound, or circumstances of the injury. It was observed by serial serum vitamin A determinations and by follow-up of the healing process that changes in serum vitamin A levels were closely related to the degree of wound healing. Vitamin A substitution did not affect serum vitamin A levels. A synthetic product, Glutaurine (γ-l-glutamyltaurine) successfully and steadily elevated the low serum vitamin A level in patients with sufficient wound healing tendency. The effect of Glutaurine was only temporary or absent in patients with poor wound healing tendency.It is supposed that the low serum vitamin A level is not the consequence of vitamin A loss, but may originate from decreased RBP (retinol-binding protein) synthesis, and increased need for vitamin A.     

Facial burns with unusual aetiology (inflicted by inflammable spectacle frames)

Two facial burns are discussed where spectacle frames made of celluloid were the cause of the injury. In place of these still widely used frames made of celluloid or other inflammable materials, the use of fire-resistant frames is suggested for people who are working in places with acute fire danger, or for those who smoke.     

Changes in blood glucose after head injury and its prognostic significance

In patients with brain injury a correlation was found between the states of consciousness and the fasting (basal) blood-sugar level. Deep coma was associated with a high blood-sugar level, whereas when consciousness was regained a prompt decrease in the bloodsugar level was observed. It is concluded that brain lesions which affect the state of consciousness also influence the fasting glucose level. The degree and course of the blood-sugar changes may have prognostic significance.     

Laser-induced thrombosis test suitable for pharmacological screening studies

The fine details of the in vivo technique for producing thrombus formation in microcirculation by HeNe laser are described. The criteria of assessing the thrombotic reaction in the mesenteric arteries and veins of mice and venules of the mesoappendix of rats are established. Validity of the test is demonstrated by two potent antiplatelet drugs, aspirin and Fludilat. The method, performed especially in mice, is highly suitable for screening compounds for antithrombotic effects.     

Bone marrow aplasia after high voltage electrical injury

This report describes a patient with severe high voltage electrical injury in whom bone marrow aplasia developed on post-burn day 3. In addition to bone marrow aplasia alterations suggesting disintegration of leucocytes and reduced nitro-blue tetrazolium reductase activity pointing to functional disorders have been observed. Beyond the effect of the extensive burns to depress the bone marrow the possibility of an additional similar action of the high voltage electrical injury is raised.     

Electrostimulation of the neuropathic bladder

Intravesical electrostimulation offers promise in management of neurogenic bladder in children with myelocele. In the past 2 yr, we carried out about 500 treatments in 25 children aged 2 wk to 13 yr. After repeated stimulation, the starting intravesical pressure increases considerably in all cases; however, this was not always accompanied by clinical improvement. Our early results are encouraging, especially after repeated 10-day courses of electrostimulation; bladder contractions increase slowly and micturition begins to appear. Seventeen of 25 patients showed significant improvement, in two patients no improvement was observed. The remaining six have not been treated long enough to evaluate.