Pelvic types as seen in a tropical setting.

BACKGROUND: Cephalo pelvic disproportion is still the leading indication for caesarean section in many developing countries and the contribution of pelvic typology may play some role in this regard. Our objective is to determine the proportion of pelvic types as seen in a tropical setting. METHOD: A retrospective review of preliminary films of hysterosalpingography of 400 women who underwent the study between January 2000 and December 2007 was reviewed to determine the pelvic typology. RESULT: Of the 400 films reviewed, 361 (90.3%) were gynaecoid, 36 (9%) were androidc and 3 (0.8%) were andropoid. There was no platypelloid pelvis seen in the films reviewed and a mixed type pattern was not observed in this study. CONCLUSION: The proportion of pure gynaecoid pelvis seen in this review is about the highest reported in the literature.

Both TSH and thyroid-stimulating antibody of Graves' disease bind to an Mr 197,000 holoreceptor.

Human and porcine thyroid plasma membranes were submitted to sodium-dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the absence and presence of reductant and electrotransferred onto nitrocellulose paper. Native bovine TSH, IgG from all 10 patients with active Graves's disease tested, as well as rabbit anti-bTSH anti-idiotypic antibody were found to bind to a single Mr approximately 197,000 band present only in non-reduced gels. We conclude that TSH and Graves' IgG bind to the TSH holoreceptor.

Immunology of elastin: study of anti-elastin peptide antibodies by DOT immunobinding assay.

In order to further investigate the role of the immune system in the arteriosclerotic process, we investigated the anti-elastin peptide antibodies (AEAb) of the IgG and IgM types by DOT immunobinding assay in the sera of patients suffering from various arteriosclerotic diseases. In total 232 control and pathological sera were studied. In obliterative arteriosclerosis of the legs 90%, ischemic heart disease 67% and hypertension 60% of sera were positive for AEAb of the IgG type independent of age. In the case of diabetes mellitus, however, the duration of the disease was determinant. In rheumatoid arthritis, the results were negative. No clear-cut positivity could be demonstrated in stroke patients either. These results indicate that AEAb can be detected in some diseases and DOT appears to be an appropriate method for the AEAb screening in various diseases.

Sera but not immunoglobulins of ophthalmic Graves' patients stimulate human embryonal fibroblasts' biosynthetic activity in culture.

The retroocular connective tissue changes in the ophthalmopathy of Graves' disease are known, however, the mechanism which leads to the increase in fibroblast number and activity is poorly understood. Using human embryonal fibroblast monolayers, fibroblast biosynthetic activity in the presence of sera, immunoglobulin deprived sera or immunoglobulins of Graves' patients with and without ophthalmopathy has been measured. Both sera and immunoglobulin deprived sera of the ophthalmic Graves' patients caused a marked increase of protein synthesis and a moderate increase of the sulphated glycosaminoglycan synthesis of fibroblasts. The same stimulatory effect was not found when immunoglobulin in fetal calf serum was used instead of sera, though anti-fibroblast IgG-s were present both in the sera and separated immunoglobulin fractions, as it has been demonstrated in an ELISA system. We conclude that the sera of ophthalmic Graves' patients contains a factor which stimulates human embryonal fibroblasts' biosynthetic activity in culture; this factor is not an immunoglobulin. The system described here seems to be suitable for studying the accompanying connective tissue changes in Graves' disease.

Heterogeneous signal pathways through TSH receptors in porcine thyroid cells following stimulation with Graves' immunoglobulin G.

OBJECTIVE: We compared different signal transduction pathways through thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-R) in porcine thyroid cells (PTC) following stimulation with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and 11 thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin samples (TSI) obtained from patients with Graves' disease. DESIGN: Following stimulation with TSI, the level of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and [Ca2+]i, as well as the membrane bound protein kinase C (PKC) activity and the intensity of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade, were determined in PTC. RESULTS: Seven out of eleven TSI samples activated PTC through IP3 generation, elevated [Ca2+]i from the intracellular pools, exhibited verapamil-insensitive membrane-bound PKC activation, and enhanced release of [14C]AA derivates (however, one of the samples was also able to take up Ca2+ from the extracellular space). Four out of eleven TSI samples did not activate the phospholipase C (PLC) system in which case the Ca2+ signal occurred only in the presence of extracellular Ca2+, the membrane bound PKC activation was verapamil sensitive, and in two of these four TSI samples, the AA release was extremely high. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous examination of the majority of the known signal pathways using TSI samples showed that TSI samples from different patients activate thyroid cells through different pathways. Their effects differ from that of TSH and, to a certain extent, from each other. The results give a certain new insight into the intracellular mechanisms exerted by TSI.

[A strategy for the diagnosis of thyroid function]. / A pajzsmirigyfunkció kivizsgálásának stratégiája.

The characteristics of thyroid function tests are analysed. The author stress the importance of the right strategy for investigating thyroid function in the view of expenses, labor and time consuming tests. The guidelines of American Thyroid Association for use of laboratory tests are presented. Finally there is published another investigating protocol, which can be applied for our domestic situations.

[Bone scintigraphy in uremic osteodystrophy]. / Csont scintigráfia végzése uraemiás osteodystrophiában.

99mTc-HEDP bone scan was carried out on 12 long-time haemodialysed patients, suffering from bone pains. X-ray examinations of the bone and laboratory tests (serum calcium, -phosphor, -alkaline phosphatase, -parathormone, -aluminium, -ferritin) were also performed. The scintigrams were evaluated by two semiquantitative scores. Based on diffuse, increased radiopharmacon uptake of the bones and more than five points in the Fogelman score 5 patients most likely had serious and 3 had moderate hyperparathyroidism. In two patients osteomalacy was presumed based on decreased radiopharmacon uptake of the bones, increased uptake of the soft tissues and zero Fogelman score. Mixed or other bone disease was suggested in two other patients. Good correlation was found between the results of bone scans, the parathormone values and the results of histology obtained after parathyreoidectomy of 4 patients and autopsy of two others. This non-invasive examination (ie. bone scan) is helpful in differential diagnosis of uraemic osteodystrophy and its wide use is proposed in domestic nephrological practice.

[Rheologic investigation of electrode gels]. / Elektródagélek reológiai vizsgálata.

Nine electrode gels have been investigated 6 of them are used in hospital pharmacies of this country. The results were compared to properties of two gels from abroad, the recommended electrode gel has been developed on this basis. Character of formed gel structure has been studied by flow curves and structural forces have been numerically characterized by determining the parameters of the function made linear. By determination of electric conductivity the proposed Carbopol gel has been found suitable not only to supersonic tests but also to ECG and may be to EEG.

[Rheologic investigation of electrode gels. II. Mechanical and thermal stability]. / Elektródagélek reológiai vizsgálata. II. A mechanikai és höstabilitás vizsgálata.

In the publication consisting of 3 parts nine electrode gels have been investigated six of them are used in hospital pharmacies of this country. Character and stability of gel structure have been studied and controlled by rheological methods. Structural forces have been numerically characterized with maximum and equilibrium viscosity, values of "M and B coefficients" and directional tangents of viscosity curves. Mechanical and thermal stability have been determined, changes for six months storing have been studied by means of all rheological parameters, respectively. Besides investigating rheological parameters electric conductivity values--which are important in respect of practical use of electrode gels--have been determined too. On the basis of results Carbopol "G" designated gel has been found to be the best its use has been proposed not only in supersonic tests but also in ECG.

[Rheologic investigation of electrode gels. III. Study of temporal changes of gel structure]. / Elektródagélek reológiai vizsgálata. III. A gélszerkezet idöbeni változásainak tanulmányozása.

In the publication consisting of 3 parts nine electrode gels have been investigated siú of them are used in hospital pharmacies of this country. Character and stability of gel structure have been studied and controlled by rheological methods. Structural forces have been numerically characterized with maximum and equilibrium viscosity, values of "M and B coefficients" and directional tangents of viscosity curves. Mechanical and thermal stability have been determined, changes for six months storing have been studied by means of all rheological parameters, respectively. Besides investigating rheological parameters electric conductivity values--which are important in respect of practical use of electrode gels--have been determined too. On the basis of results Carbopol "G" designated gel has been found to be the best its use has been proposed not only in supersonic tests but also in ECG.

Survey of impaired drivers, fatally injured or surviving, who caused fatal highway accidents in Alberta in 1970-72.

In 1970-72, 456 (53.4%) of 854 drivers responsible for a motor vehicle accident in which either they or other persons were killed had been drinking beforehand. Of surviving culpable drivers tested for blood alcohol concentration 81.7% were found to be legally impaired; however, only 24.8% of these drivers were tested. Because surviving culpable drivers pose a possible future hazard to highway safety it is important that data on this group be collected and analysed.

Lymphocytes resided in the thyroid are the main source of TSH-receptor antibodies in Basedow's-Graves' disease?

The source of TSH-receptor antibodies (TRAb) in Basedow's-Graves' disease is still under debate. Previous studies by other groups had found TRAb levels in the thyroid vein higher than or equal to that in the peripheral vein. The aim of the present work was to investigate the suspected presence of this TRAb gradient in 14 Graves' patients who underwent surgery. Interestingly, in 6 patients higher levels of TRAb were measured in the antecubital vein when compared to the thyroid vein, in another 6 there was no gradient and 2 exhibited higher TRAb levels in their thyroid veins. A clear gradient of thyroid hormones in favour of the thyroid vein was also present, while no gradient of TSH, anti-thyreoglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies, total IgG, IgA and IgM levels and no differences of the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratios were found between the two sampling sites. We conclude that cells other than lymphocytes residing in the thyroid gland must also be involved in TRAb production.