A Follow-up Study of Children with Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections with Particular Regard to Late Nervous Disturbances

Forty-five children with neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, representing all known cases in the diagnostic records of four virological laboratories within a 15-year period, were followed up. Twelve children had died. Sixteen of the 33 survivors were healthy. Thirteen children had severe disabilities: all of them showed severe mental retardation; moreover, 11 were tetraplegic, one was hemiplegic with hydrocephalus and one had a pronounced behavioural abnormality. Four children had slight to moderate disabilities: one child was mildly mentally retarded and three, although mentally normal, had hemiplegia and delayed speech development, one of them having a learning disorder as well. Of these 17 neurologically impaired children 16 had ophthalmological abnormalities. EEG recordings were made in 29 patients in the neonatal period. They were markedly abnormal in 24 patients, 14 of whom had localized periodic complexes. An abnormal EEG was a bad prognostic sign. The neurological outcome was better in the HSV-l-infected children (10 cases) than in the HSV-2-infected ones (35 cases). Progressive or recurrent encephalitis was strongly suspected in two preterm children.     

MEDIASTINAL LYMPHOSARCOMA SIMULATING PERICARDITIS

ABSTRACT: Berg, M., Wilander, E. and Eriksson, A. (Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University Hospital, Uppsala, and Department of Paediatrics, Central Hospital, Boden, Sweden). Mediastinal lymphosarcoma simulating pericarditis. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64: 873, 1975–A case of lymphosarcoma of the heart in a 10-year-old boy is presented. The clinical picture simulated a pericarditis. Prednisolone had a remarkably good temporary effect. Post-mortem examination showed a highly differentiated lymphosarcoma invading the pericardium and myocardium from a primary mediastinal localisation. Cytologic examination for malignant cells in the pericardial fluid must not be forgotten in a case of unexplained pericardial effusion.     

Synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans by human gingival fibroblasts from phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth in vitro

Abstract – The in vitro synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) was studied in gingival fibroblasts from two patients exhibiting phenytoin(PHT)-induced gingival overgrowth, i.e. pseudopockets, which required surgical excision, from one patient on PHT medication not exhibiting pseudopockets and from two normal controls. The results showed that the newly synthesized GAGs were distributed to the culture medium, to a pericellular pool and to the cell fraction. Gingival fibroblasts from the PHT-induced gingival overgrowth showed a significantly increased incorporation of ³⁵SO₄^2- into GAGs compared to the other strains, and this, increase was mainly confined to the dermatan sulfate fraction. These results are in accordance with our previous biochemical studies where increased amounts of GAGs were found in gingival biopsies from the PHT-induced lesion.     

Intraoral hydrolysis of monofluorophosphate

Abstract – The intraoral hydrolysis of monofluorophosphate (MFP) was compared in nine subjects with natural teeth and in nine edentulous subjects after a 1-min mouthrinse with a 100 ppm MFP solution. Analyses of total F and F- in whole saliva samples collected up to 15 min after the rinse suggested that apatite catalyzed breakdown of MFP mediated by dental enamel contributes significantly to the intraoral hydrolysis of MFP.     

Lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in uraemia

Lipid and carbohydrate metabolism variables were studied in twenty-eight patients with chronic renal failure (mean GFR 7.7 +/- 2.5 ml/min) and uraemic symptoms. 71% of the patients had hypertriglyceridaemia (greater than or equal to 2.2 mmol/l). Total serum cholesterol was normal while VLDL cholesterol was high and alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol was low. The fractional elimination rate of Intralipid was low and inversely correlated to serum triglyceride levels. Intravenous glucose tolerance was reduced with normal or slightly increased fasting blood glucose and insulin values before and during the test. Serum triglycerides were correlated to plasma insulin but not to residual renal function or serum urea levels. The cause of hypertriglyceridaemia and lowering of alpha-Lp cholesterol is not unequivocally clear. Present evidence indicate that retarded catabloism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is important but accentuated release of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins may have occurred in a number of cases. The commonly used treatment with beta-blocking agents for hypertension in chronic renal failure may accentuate certain of the metabolic responses in uraemia.     

Bile acid synthesis and excretion following release of total extrahepatic cholestasis by percutaneous transhepatic drainage

Abstract. Urinary, biliary and serum bile acids were studied in three patients before and after percutaneous transhepatic drainage for total bile duct obstruction.
Before drainage high urinary excretion often different bile acids occurred. The percentage distribution was: cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid (66–86%), hyo-cholic (3–16%), 3β 12α-dihydroxy-5-cholenoic (3–6%) and 3β-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid (2–8%). These acids were regularly found in serum. In addition small amounts (less than 2%) of norcholic, allocholic, 3β, 7α-dihydroxy-5β-cholanoic, 3α, 7α-dihydroxy-5α-cholanoic and lithocholic acid were excreted in urine. Trace amounts of these bile acids were found in serum.
After start of drainage biliary bile acid excretion increased rapidly during the first day, dropped to a minimum during the second or third day and then slowly increased again. In spite of normal volumes of bile produced, the total serum bile acids and the urinary excretion of bile acids remained increased during a drainage period of 19 days. The bile acids were of the same type as observed during cholestasis. In serum the increase was mainly due to high concentrations of chenodeoxycholic and 3β-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid, as sulphate esters.
Glycine and taurine conjugates of cholic, chenodeoxycholic and hyocholic acid were mainly excreted in bile. Bile acid sulphate esters were only present in trace amounts in bile and were mainly excreted in urine. This, combined with low renal clearance, explains the elevated serum levels of sulphate esters of chenodeoxycholic and 3β-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid conjugates.     

Within- and Between-Patient Variation of the Signal-Averaged P Wave in Coronary Artery Disease

Objectives: To estimate interobserver, within-patient and between-patient variation of the signal-averaged P wave. To determine whether demographic, clinical, conventional ECG information, and coronary angiographic data are associated with the signal-averaged P wave duration in patients with documented coronary artery disease. Background: A prolonged signal-averaged P wave may indicate the presence of a substrate for atrial tachyarrhythmias and may predict subsequent development of atrial fibrillation. However, information on variation, reproducibility, and determinants of the signal-averaged P wave are sparse. Methods: One hundred ninety-three patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease underwent two consecutive procedures of signal-averaging of P waves (SAECG1 and SAECG2). Interobserver, within-patient, and between-patient variation of the signal-averaged P wave was estimated (coefficient of variation: SD/mean). Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with signal-averaged P wave duration (SA-P). Atrial late potentials were considered if SA-P > 140 ms, and logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters associated with the presence of atrial late potentials. Results: The interobserver, within-patient, and between-patient coefficients of variation for the signal-averaged P wave duration were 7.5%, 6.0%, and 8.4%, respectively. The signal-averaged P wave duration correlated significantly with standard ECG P wave duration and height of the patient (r = 0.59). Forty-nine percent of the patients had atrial late potentials. P wave duration in the standard ECG correctly classified 73% (140/188) of the patients with respect to atrial late potential positivity or negativity. The sensitivity was 67% and the specificity was 78%. Agreement on the presence or absence of atrial late potentials between two observers was present in 71% (136/193) of the patients, and in 78% (151/193) between SAECG1 and SAECG2. Conclusions: The signal-averaged P wave has limited reproducibility in patients with coronary artery disease, and a normal or abnormal signal-averaged P wave can be predicted from the conventional ECG with high accuracy. It is recommended that the signal-averaged P wave be compared with the standard ECG P wave duration in follow-up studies with the aim of predicting atrial fibrillation.     

COURSE OF RENAL FUNCTION IN IgA GLOMERULONEPHRITIS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

ABSTRACT. The pathophysiology of IgA GN was investigated in different stages of the disease. Seventeen patients who were between 3.5 and 16.5 years of age at the onset were included in the study. Clearance studies were performed repeatedly in 6 patients (in 5 of them over a period extending from the onset to 5-9.5 years) and only once in 9 patients (10-23 years after the onset). Two patients (one with uremia) were only evaluated clinically. C_In, C_PAH and U_NaV were studied during hydropenia (HP) and 3% isotonic saline volume expansion (VE). Shortly after the onset C_In, C_PAH and U_NaV were depressed. Renal function was essentially normal 1 and 2 years after the onset in spite of signs of active disease. A supernormal GFR was found in 7 patients after they had had the condition between 5 and 17 years. After a duration of IgA GN for >9 years 3 of 12 patients had developed hypertension and uremia and 2 had hypertension or labile BP. Three of 10 patients had a normal GFR and BP, but had increased natriuresis during VE. Only 2 of 10 patients were normotensive and had normal renal function. Disturbancies in the renal function are thus frequent in all stages of IgA GN and the changes seem to be related to the duration of the disease. Exaggerated natriuresis may indicate progressive disease.     

Altering alcohol price by ethanol content: results from a Swedish tax policy in 1992

In July 1992, the Swedish alcohol retail monopoly reset the taxes for alcohol sold in state stores according to absolute alcohol content. This provided a unique opportunity to examine the effects on alcohol sales within the three beverage classes (beer, wine and spirits) in a situation where price is purposely linked to alcohol content. The most notable effects of the taxation change were a substantial compression of the range of prices for spirits and wine and a corresponding expansion of the price spectrum for beer. Consumers appear to have responded to these tax changes by shifting away from beverage brands that became relatively more expensive. These results suggest that alcohol policy strategies to reduce total alcohol consumption should consider the entire price/quality spectrum as well as differences in absolute alcohol per volume across the three alcohol beverage types.