ANTIGENEMIA HBs AND OTHER SEROLOGICAL MARKERS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM

Serological markers of hepatitis B virus infection were studiedin a group of recently presenting alcoholic out-patients andcompared with a group of long-stay in-patients suffering fromchronic alcoholism. All markers of infection were increasedin the chronic group and Were thought to be related to admissionto the Alcohol Unit. Although both groups had normal liver functiontests, the patients with the longer alcohol history had evidenceof two coexisting causes of liver disease and may, therefore,have a much poorer prognosis.     

Ventriculosaccular carcinoma of the larynx*

A series of 76 cases of laryngeal carcinoma was examined in transverse slices using a motorized slicing machine. Eleven cases of ventriculosaccular carcinoma were detected by this method and the topography and gross appearances of the tumours in the larynges are described. Microscopy of the tumour indicates a keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma the mode of growth of which seems to be by concentric expansion through the whole margin rather than by invading tongues of tumour. In no case was there invasion of laryngeal cartilages or extension to the surgical cut surface of the specimen. The clinical, radiological and biopsy features in 10 of the 11 patients are described. In follow-up studies, which were 12 years or longer in five patients, none had lymph node metastases or recurrences of the laryngeal carcinoma of any sort. The following features may suggest the diagnosis of ventriculosaccular carcinoma before laryngectomy: (1) a ventricular tumour, (2)a supraglottic bulge above it, (3)a paraglottic swelling on CT scan radiology covered by a smooth laryngeal lining and (4) biopsy appearances of a well differentiated ‘folded carcinoma’.     

Synthesis and biological activities of a photoaffinity probe for vasotocin and oxytocin receptors

The present study describes the synthesis and biological activities of the photoreactive vasotocin analog 1–deamino[8–lysine(N^e–4–azidobenzoyl)] vasotocin ([Mpa¹, Lys(N^e–4–azidobenzoyl)⁸]vasotocin). The analog was obtained by introducing the photoreactive aryl azido group at the e–amino group of Lys⁸ in [Mpa¹, Lys⁸]-vasotocin, which was synthesized by the solid phase method. In the isolated toad urinary bladder the photoaffinity analog of vasotocin retained hydroosmotic activity in the absence of u.v.-light. After irradiation the osmotic water flow across the bladder wall increased. Moreover, the water permeability remained high during repeated periods of washout, suggesting that the analog formed covalent complexes with vasotocin receptors in the toad bladder. In the rat uterotonic assay the photoreactive vasotocin analog was without photoactivation a mild agonist. These studies suggest that the photoaffinity analog of vasotocin might be useful for the isolation of vasotocin receptors in low vertebrates and oxytocin receptors in mammals.     

Mouse model of gastric infection with cytotoxin-expressing strain of Helicobacter pylori in studying of pathogenesis of chronic gastric ulcer

Abstract Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor for peptic ulcer, but studies on the role of H. pylori infection in gastric pathology are limited due to lack of convenient models resembling H. pylori infection in humans. We studied the effects of inoculation of conventional BALB/c mice with a toxigenic (cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA)+ and vacuolating cytotoxin gene A (vacA+) H. pylori strain on the course of healing of gastric ulcers. Following inoculation of toxigenic H. pylori or vehicle, gastric ulcers were produced in mice, which were then killed either at day 0 or after 2, 4, 7, 14 or 28 days and ulcer area and gastric blood flow (GBF) were determined. Gastric secretions from mice with chronic gastric fistulae were studied before and after inoculation with toxigenic H. pylori or vehicle (saline). The area (7 mm²) of ulcers in control mice decreased gradually and disappeared almost completely after 14 or 28 days. The ulcers in H. pylori-infected mice were present at all test days, showing a larger area than in vehicle control animals. The GBF in control mice rose gradually with decreasing ulcer size, being significantly higher at the ulcer margin than the ulcer crater. In contrast, the GBF in H. pylori-infected mice was significantly lower at the ulcer area than that in the vehicle controls but, again, the GBF at the ulcer margin was always higher than at the ulcer crater. Gastric acid output was reduced by more than 50% immediately after H. pylori inoculation and was accompanied by a significant increase in plasma gastrin release and a fall in gastric luminal somatostatin content. These secretory changes persisted at all test days. Oedema/congestion of surface epithelium appeared after 7 days and mucosal inflammatory infiltration appeared after 14 days, to further increase after 28 days, upon the induction of ulcer. Plasma interleukin (IL)-Iß and IL-12 were significantly elevated above the initial values compared with controls. Conventional mice with gastric ulcers can be successfully infected with an H. pylori strain expressing cagA and vacA cytotoxin and this infection markedly delays healing of the ulcers, probably due to the fall in GBF in the ulcer area, mucosal inflammation, cytokine release and impairment of the gastrin-somatostatin link.     

Effect of Therapeutic Ionizing Radiation on Implantable Electronic Devices: Systematic Review and Practical Guidance

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have been in use for over 50 years and their therapeutic value is undisputable. With the rapidly aging population, it is estimated that the number of CIEDs will grow dramatically over the next 2 decades. Given these predictions, the topic of management of concomitant conditions associated with older age becomes more relevant than ever. In particular, the number of patients with an implanted CIED diagnosed with cancer is expected to rise by about 70%, from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million within the next 2 decades. Treatment of most of these tumors and tumor metastases requires radiation therapy. However, the necessary high doses of radiation can potentially interact with the function, longevity, and integrity of the CIEDs and/or cause harm to the patient. The impact of an absence of clear therapeutic guidelines for oncology patients with CIEDs who should undergo radiation therapy is vast; and due to the fear of possible complications related to device failure, many of these patients may not be treated adequately to their needs, which can strongly affect their prognosis. This article summarizes the available data on the management of patients with CIEDs undergoing radiotherapy. It systematically presents possible causes and consequences of direct and scattered radiation on CIEDs, highlights possible complications that may occur during this kind of treatment, and provides practical guidance for this challenging real life clinical setting.     

Standard and intermediate risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Poland: A report of the Polish Children's Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group

A total of 527 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) from the most frequent risk groups: standard risk group (SRG) and intermediate risk group (IRG) were treated between 1987 and 1991 according to an intensified treatment program (based on the BFM protocol) including the use of an intermediate dose of methotrexate in the IRG. A comparison of the treatment results in this group from 513 children treated between 1981 and 1987 indicates that the chance for a 6 year event-free survival has increased to 73% (previously 55%).     

SENSORY NERVE CONDUCTION VELOCITY AS CORRELATED TO FIBRE SIZE IN EXPERIMENTAL UNDERNUTRITION IN THE RAT

The nerve conduction velocity was examined in sensory dorsal roots of pre- and postnatally undernourished and well-nourished control rats after supramaximal stimulation. Altogether forty-eight roots were examined: twenty-four from three undernourished rats 180 days of age, and twenty-four serving as controls from three well-nourished rats of the same age. It was found that the fastest sensory nerve conduction velocity was reduced in proportion to the reduction of the thickest myelinated fibres of the dorsal roots in undernourished rats.     

ASSESSMENT OF DIAZEPAM LOADING DOSE THERAPY OF DELIRIUM TREMENS

The efficacy of the diazepam loading dose method of treatmentof delirium tremens was assessed in comparison with the traditionaltherapy. The experimental group and the control group comprised51 and 45 patients respectively. The clinical institute withdrawalassessment for alcohol (CIWA-A) scale was applied to assessthe intensity of the symptoms. Diazepam doses in the experimentalgroup oscillated from 40 to 210 mg (mean 86.9±47.2 mg).The control group was receiving diazepam and other psychotropicdrugs in divided doses. In the experimental group deliric symptomswere present from 2 to 24 h (mean 6.9±4.8 h), and inthe control group from 2 to 123 h (mean 33.8±25.7 h).The results show a large efficacy of the loading dose methodcorresponding to substantial reduction of the psychosis duration(fivefold in comparison to the control group). The method provedto be safe, with no significant complications.