Identification and radioimmunologic estimation of sexual steroid hormones in aqueous humor and vitreous of rabbit eye

Summary The occurrence of testosterone, estrone, and estradiol-17 in aqueous humor and vitreous body of the rabbit eye was demonstrated. The identity of the steroid hormones was confirmed by their chromatographic properties, microreactions, and radiochemically by crystallization to constant specific activity of their labeled acetates. The levels of testosterone and estrogens in rabbit male and female plasma, aqueous, and vitreous were determined by radioimmunologic assay. The concentrations of the steroid hormones in plasma are higher than in aqueous and vitreous. However, testosterone in aqueous circulates in free form and lacks the binding to sexual hormone-binding globulin as in plasma.

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Zusammenfassung Bericht über das Vorkommen von Testosteron, Oestron und Oestradiol-17 im Kammerwasser und Glasörper des Kaninchenauges. Die Art der Steroide wurde mittels Chromatographie, Mikroreaktionen und radiochemisch ermittelt. Der Testosteron- und Oestrogenspiegel im männlichen und weiblichen Kaninchenplasma, im Kammerwasser und Glaskörper wurde radioimmunologisch bestimmt. Die Plasmakonzentration der Steroidhormone lag höher als diejenige im Kammerwasser oder Glaskörper. Testosteron zirkuliert jedoch im Kammerwasser in freier Form, im Plasma dagegen ist es überwiegend an Sexualhormonebindende Globuline gebunden.

     

Vero cytotoxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli in children with haemolytic uraemic syndrome and diarrhoea in Czechoslovakia

Summary The presence of verotoxin-producing strains ofEscherichia coli (VTEC) was examined in six children with haemolytic uraemic syndrome and one child with haemorrhagic colitis. Stools were screened for strains of serogroup O157 on sorbitol-MacConkey agar for VTEC of other serogroups by serotyping. Verotoxin (VT) was tested on Vero cell monolayers: the antigenic variant of VT was assessed by neutralization experiments. Strains producing verotoxin 1 or verotoxin 2 or both were detected in the stools of all seven children. Three strains belonged to serogroup O157 (two of them to serotype O157:H7, one was non-motile) and another five belonged to serogroups O26 (two strains), O1, O5 and O18. The faeces of five children available for testing contained free VT. Production of VT was also examined retrospectively in 32E. coli strains of serotype O26:H11 isolated from children with diarrhoea; eight (25%) of them produced moderate to high levels of verotoxin 1 despite several years storagein vitro. In conclusion, VTEC including strains of serogroup O157 seem to be an important cause of haemolytic uraemic syndrome, haemorrhagic colitis and diarrhoea in children in Czechoslovakia.

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Vero Cytotoxin bildende Stämme von Escherichia coli bei Kindern mit hämolytisch-urämischem Syndrom und Diarrhoe in der Tschechoslowakei

Zusammenfassung Bei sechs Kindern mit hämolytisch-urämischem Syndrom und einem Kind mit hämorrhagischer Kolitis wurde nach Verotoxin bildenden Stämmen vonEscherichia coli (VTEC) gesucht. Das Stuhl-Screening auf Stämme derSerogruppe O157 erfolgte auf Sorbitol-MacConkey Agar; zum Nachweis von VTEC und anderen Serogruppen wurde die Serotypisierung eingesetzt. Verotoxin (VT) wurde auf Monolayer-Verozellkulturen nachgewiesen; die Bestimmung der Antigenvariante von VT erfolgte durch Neutralisationsversuche. Bei allen sieben Kindern konnten im Stuhl Stämme nachgewiesen werden, die Verotoxin 1 oder Verotoxin 2 bildeten. Drei Stämme gehörten der Serogruppe O157 an (zwei davon Serotyp O157:H7, einer war ohne Motilität) und die übrigen fünf gehörten zu den Serogruppen O26 (zwei Stämme), O1, O5 und O18. Freies VT konnte in fünf Stühlen nachgewiesen werden; diese Untersuchung war nur bei fünf Kindern durchführbar. 32E. coli-Stämme vom Serotyp O26:H11, Isolate von Kindern mit Diarrhoe, wurden retrospektiv ebenfalls auf Bildung von VT untersucht. Davon bildeten achtin vitro (25%) noch mittel- bis hohe Spiegel von Verotoxin 1 obwohl sie schon mehrere Jahre lang gelagert waren. VTEC einschließlich der Stämme der Serogruppe O157 stellen folglich wichtige Erreger des hämolytischurämischen Syndroms, der hämorrhagischen Kolitis und anderer Formen der Diarrhoe bei Kindern in der Tschechoslowakei dar.

     

The effect of antiaggregating drugs on the patency of grafts in the arterial system

In experiments in dogs we studied the effect of anti-aggregating agents on the patency of prosthetic vascular grafts (4 mm in diameter) and vein grafts, both placed in areas with a rate of flow ranging between 50–60 ml/min. All 6 prosthetic grafts became occluded in the nonmedicated controls, 1 of 5 prosthetic grafts remained patent for a prolonged period of time in dogs receiving 250 mg acetylsalicylic acid 3 times a day, while 5 of 6 prosthetic grafts remained patent in animals receiving an antiaggregating mixture. Follow-up studies showed that antiaggregating medication had no effect on the patency of vein grafts, but it prevented the formation of mural thrombi and subendothelial proliferation.

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Résumé Nous avons étudié chez le chien l'effet d'agents anti-aggrégants sur la perméabilité de greffes vasculaires prothétiques (4 mm de diamètre) et veineuses ayant des débits de 50–60 ml/min. Les greffes prothétiques se sont toutes obstruées chez les 6 témoins non traités; chez 5 animaux recevant 250 m g d'acide acétylsalicylique 3 fois par jour, 1 greffe est restée perméable à long terme; sur les 6 animaux recevant l'agent anti-aggrégant, 5 greffes sont restées perméables. Pour les greffes veineuses, la médication anti-aggrégante n'a aucun effet sur la perméabilité; mais elle prévient la formation de thrombi muraux et la prolifération sous-endothéliale.

     

Nonprocedural bleeding after left atrial appendage closure versus direct oral anticoagulants: A subanalysis of the randomized PRAGUE-17 trial

Introduction

Observational studies have shown low bleeding rates in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated by left atrial appendage closure (LAAC); however, data from randomized studies are lacking. This study compared bleeding events among patients with AF treated by LAAC and nonvitamin K anticoagulants (NOAC).

Methods

The Prague-17 trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial that compared LAAC to NOAC in high-risk AF patients. The primary endpoint was a composite of a cardioembolic event, cardiovascular death, and major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB) defined according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH).

Results

The trial enrolled 402 patients (201 per arm), and the median follow-up was 3.5 (IQR 2.6–4.2) years. Bleeding occurred in 24 patients (29 events) and 32 patients (40 events) in the LAAC and NOAC groups, respectively. Six of the LAAC bleeding events were procedure/device-related. In the primary intention-to-treat analysis, LAAC was associated with similar rates of ISTH major or CRNMB (sHR 0.75, 95% CI 0.44–1.27, p = 0.28), but with a reduction in nonprocedural major or CRNMB (sHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31–0.97, p = 0.039). This reduction for nonprocedural bleeding with LAAC was mainly driven by a reduced rate of CRNMB (sHR for major bleeding 0.69, 95% CI 0.34–1.39, p = .30; sHR for CRNMB 0.43, 95% CI 0.18–1.03, p = 0.059). History of bleeding was a predictor of bleeding during follow-up. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common bleeding site in both groups.

Conclusion

During the 4-year follow-up, LAAC was associated with less nonprocedural bleeding. The reduction is mainly driven by a decrease in CRNMB.     

A comparison of the cryoprotective effect of glycerol and dimethyl sulphoxide in the preservation of murine bone marrow

Summary The most suitable glycerol and dimethylsulphoxide concentrations were determined out of the three tested concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) in slow-freezing process of murine bone marrow preservation by means ofTills andMcCullochs test in vivo, and the cryoprotective effects of both substances were compared. The 5% concentration proved to be best in both cases. No differences on the cryoprotective effects of dimethylsulphoxide and glycerol were observed while using the same volume concentrations.

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Zusammenfassung Die brauchbaren Glycerin- und Dimethylsulfoxid-Konzentrationen aus den drei Testkonzentrationen 5%, 10% und 15% im Langsam-Gefrierprozeß von Rückenmarkpräparationen von Mäusen wurden untersucht. Man arbeitete mit den Methoden vonTill undMcCulloch in vivo und verglich die kryoprotektiven Wirkungen beider Substanzen. Die 5%-Konzentrationen von Glycerin und Dimethylsulfoxid erwiesen sich in beiden Fällen als die günstigsten Konzentrationen, wobei auch keine Differenzen der kryoprotektiven Wirkung beider Substanzen zu bemerken waren, wenn die gleiche Volumenkonzentration zur Anwendung kam.

     

Ring-shaped alkali burns of the rabbit cornea

Summary Corneas of 32 rabbits were coagulated in a circular zone of 1 mm width and 10 mm diameter. The results of the experiment showed sharply limited injury throughout the entire depth of the cornea without lateral diffusion. The reactions of the corneal stroma during the first three days are described and discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Hornhäute von 32 Kaninchen wurden in einer 1 mm breiten Ringzone von 10 mm Diameter mit Alkali koaguliert. Es folgte eine scharf begrenzte Verletzung, die durch die ganze Hornhaut ohne Seitendiffusion hindurchging. Die reaktiven Veränderungen des Hornhautstromas binnen der ersten drei Tage werden beschrieben und diskutiert.

     

Absorption of different elemental diets in a short-bowel syndrome lasting 15 years

Summary In a patient with total colectomy and only 120 cm of the proximal small bowel remaining after resection for Crohn's disease, comparative studies were performed on the absorption of isocaloric amounts of Vivonex HN, Flexical, Codelid, Jejunal, and Precision LR. These elemental and/or complete diets were fed by a nasogastric tube at a constant rate of 260 ml/hr, 1 cal/ml, 2185–2660 ml per feeding period of 8.4–10.2 hr daily. Discharge of intestinal fluids from the jejunal stoma ranged between 2940 ml (Vivonex HN) to 4760 ml (Jejunal) per daily feeding period, resulting in a net intestinal loss of fluids and dehydration with the exception of Flexical. Jejunostomy discharge on Flexical was only 1325 ml per comparable period. The patient tolerated dietary fat relatively well absorbing 61% of 87 g of fat from Flexical and 60% of 108 g from a natural blenderized diet. The other diets used were either fat-free or with a minimum amount of fat. The second best tolerated diet was Vivonex HN, the feeding of which resulted in the highest intestinal retention of nitrogen (84% of the 16.3 g fed as opposed to 78% of 9.1 g fed in Flexical). Vivonex HN also had the highest intestinal retention of phosphorus. Intestinal fluid absorption was not related to the intestinal transit time measured by a nonabsorbable marker or to the osmolality of diets. Diets containing fat may inhibit secretion by the enterogastrone-like effect induced by dietary fat in the remaining bowel. High amino acid content of some of the low-fat diets may release gastrointestinal hormones which stimulate secretion, and the simple carbohydrates prevent fluid absorption. In the short-bowel syndrome with normal functions of the pancreaticobiliary system, diets based on fat and protein hydrolysate should be the nutritional therapy of choice.     

Quantitative myotonia assessment with a commercially available dynamometer in myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2

Introduction: The objective of this study was to develop a simple method for quantitative assessment of myotonia in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and DM2, to compare the myotonia severity, and to correlate this objective outcome with a subjective scale, the Myotonia Behaviour Scale (MBS). Methods: A commercially available dynamometer was used for all measurements. The relaxation time after voluntary contraction was measured in 20 patients with DM1, 25 patients with DM2, and 35 healthy controls. Results: The average relaxation time was 0.17 s in controls, 2.96 s in patients with DM1, and 0.4 s in patients with DM2. The correlation between relaxation time and MBS score was significant, 0.627 in patients with DM1 and 0.581 in patients with DM2. Discussion: Our method provides a valid and reliable quantitative measure of grip myotonia suitable as an outcome measure in clinical trials and as part of routine examinations to gather data on the natural history of myotonic disorders. Muscle Nerve 59:431–435, 2019