[Polymorphism of the human thyroid colloid as a physico-chemical and biological phenomenon].

The histological material from 83 thyroid glands obtained from male and female human subjects during the medico-legal examination, was studied at the light microscopic level using the general and histochemical staining methods. The phenomenon of age-related increase of follicular colloid density was investigated and various forms of this effect are classified. Possible physicochemical factors of colloid modification are examined. The latter include: colloid "aging", follicular cell desquamation followed by cell death, thyroglobulin desialization, and accumulation of excessive amounts of DNA and RNA in colloid. Biological significance of the excessive colloid accumulation in the follicles with its subsequent increase in density is regarded in the neutralization and isolation of iodine and tyrosine, which are considered as xenobiotics.

[Morphologic changes in the arterial wall in restenosis after reconstructive and endovascular interventions].

Morphological changes in the arterial wall after reconstructive and endovascular interventions in patients with lower extremity arterial atherosclerosis obliterans are analyzed. The role of intimal hyperplasia in the development of restenosis as a late complication in reconstructive arterial surgery is shown.

The effect of prostaglandin E2 on transcriptional responses of Candida albicans.

Prostaglandins are hormone-like chemicals involved in the inflammatory response and in defense against pathogens. We investigated the effect of extracellular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Transcriptional analysis of C. albicans treated with PGE2 indicated differential expression of genes involved in alternative carbon source catabolism, and showed repression of genes encoding components of both the translational machinery and the homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mac1 regulon needed for iron uptake. Prostaglandin-mediated repression of the Mac1 regulon required the Tup1p transcriptional regulator, and did not occur in hyphal cells. Analysis of the promoter of the Mac1 regulon component FRE7 revealed a well-conserved palindromic Mac1p binding site that was critical for expression of a downstream reporter. To identify elements other than Tup1 that are involved in regulation of the Mac1 regulon, we screened a C. albicans transcription factor mutant library with this FRE7 promoter fused to a lacZ reporter. Oaf1p, Stp4p, Azf1p, and Cas1p mutants showed moderate enhancement of reporter expression. Azf1p and Cas1p were shown to be transducers of the PGE2 dependent signaling pathway.

[Hyperplasia of the intima as a cause of restenosis following reconstructive and endovascular operations on lower limb arteries].

The authors herein analyse the role of intimal hyperplasia in the development of restenosis as a late complication in reconstructive surgery of arteries in patients suffering from atherosclerosis obliterans of the arteries of the lower extremities.

Acute high-dose parenteral haloperidol treatment of psychosis.

After 2 days of drug-free observation, 20 newly admitted psychotic patients received 20-35 mg of haloperidol intravenously and 20 patients received 30-40 mg of diazepam intravenously. Posttreatment ratings at 4 and 24 hours with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions revealed significant improvement in both groups but no significant differences between the two treatments.

Is intravenous urography indicated in a young adult with hematuria?

OBJECTIVES: Published reports are devoid of U.S. studies investigating the role of the intravenous urogram (IVU) in adult patients of differing ages with hematuria. To evaluate the efficacy of the IVU in patients less than 55 years old, a retrospective analysis was performed. METHODS: The records of all patients (n = 800) undergoing IVU in an inner city hospital from January 1991 through October 1994 were reviewed for age, gender, race, urinalysis data, and cystoscopic and biopsy findings. Age greater than 55 years, recent trauma, and known malignancy were exclusion criteria. Hematuria was the indication for IVU in 128 of 800 patients. Eight (6.2%) of 128 patients had inadequate chart information, leaving a total of 120 evaluable charts. RESULTS: We stratified the 120 patients by age, degree of hematuria (gross versus microscopic), and gender. The younger group (17 to 40 years old) included 64 patients (53%) and the older group (41 to 55 years old) 56 patients (47%). Gross hematuria was reported in 65 patients (54%), whereas 55 (46%) had microscopic hematuria. Men accounted for 78 patients (65%) and women for 42 (35%). The majority of patients were African-Americans (100 [83%] of 120). Abnormal findings were seen in 17 (14%) of 120 patients. The IVU alone provided no diagnosis of immediate consequence. There was no significant difference in findings between the age groups (P = 0.61), gross and microscopic hematuria (P = 0.28), and men and women (P = 0.59). Contrast reactions occurred in 3 (2.5%) of 120 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this inner city population younger than 55 years of age, the usefulness of the IVU for the evaluation of hematuria is questionable. It did not establish a diagnosis, modify the subsequent evaluation, or change the therapy in any of our patients.

Intravascular ultrasound.

Intravascular ultrasound imaging, in which a catheter-based miniature sonographic transducer is introduced into vessels, provides high-resolution, cross-sectional, real-time imaging of the vessel wall and lumen. It has been found to be useful as both a diagnostic and therapeutic adjunct in the evaluation and management of various arterial and venous disorders. Used in conjunction with other imaging modalities, such as conventional angiography, spiral computed tomography, and magnetic resonance angiography, it has the potential to increase the accuracy of percutaneous interventions and device sizing.

[Biological effects of planetary magnetic storms]. / Biologicheskie éffekty planetarnoi magnitnoi buri.

Six physiological parameters of cardio-vascular system of rabbits and ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes were investigated during two planetary geomagnetic storms. At the initial and main phase of the storm the normal circadian structure in each cardiovascular parameter was lost. The asynchronicity was growing together with the storm and abrupt drop of cardia activity was observed during the main phase of storm. The main phase of storm followed by the destruction and degradation of cardiomyocytes. Parameters of cardia activity became substantially synchronized and characterised by circadian rhythm structure while the amplitude of deviations was still significant at the recovery stage of geomagnetic storm.

[First detection of Anopheles species mosquitoes breeding in water-filled cellars]. / Pervoe obnaruzhenie vyploda komarov roda Anopheles v zatoplennykh podval'nykh pomeshcheniiakh.

Studies of the breeding of blood-sucking mosquitos in water-filled cellars of Astrakhan were carried out in 1980-1986 using routine entomological techniques of assessment, collection and determination of blood-sucking mosquitos. In July, 1986, Anopheles sp. breeding in the cellars of 2 multistory buildings was registered along with commonly observed breeding of C. pipiens. The rate of preimago development stages of Anopheles sp. was 2 to 10 sp. per 1 cubic meter of water surface. Water-filled cellars are full of ground water mixed with sewage. It increases epidemiological value of the fact of mosquitos' breeding in populated areas, which should be taken into account during mosquito control.

Drosophila melanogaster Thor and response to Candida albicans infection.

We used Drosophila melanogaster macrophage-like Schneider 2 (S2) cells as a model to study cell-mediated innate immunity against infection by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Transcriptional profiling of S2 cells coincubated with C. albicans cells revealed up-regulation of several genes. One of the most highly up-regulated genes during this interaction is the D. melanogaster translational regulator 4E-BP encoded by the Thor gene. Analysis of Drosophila 4E-BP(null) mutant survival upon infection with C. albicans showed that 4E-BP plays an important role in host defense, suggesting a role for translational control in the D. melanogaster response to C. albicans infection.

Efficacy of percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping in restoring patency of tunneled hemodialysis catheters.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping as a method of restoring function to failing tunneled hemodialysis catheters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 131 percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping procedures were performed on 100 failing tunneled hemodialysis catheters in 91 patients. Only the initial stripping procedure of the first catheter inserted in each patient was included for analysis. Patients were excluded if an additional cause of catheter failure was noted at the time of percutaneous fibrin stripping. Failure of the hemodialysis catheter was defined as inability to sustain an average blood flow rate of 250 ml/min or more in a hemodialysis session. Patients were followed up until the time of catheter failure, catheter removal, or a second stripping. Poststripping primary patency and complication rates were determined. RESULTS: The technical success of the procedure was 95.6%. Median follow-up was 16 weeks (range, 0-128 weeks). The overall median duration of primary patency after the first stripping was 89 days (3 months). No statistically significant difference in primary patency rates was seen between patients who underwent fibrin sheath demonstration by contrast injection and those who did not (p = .71). Female patients were statistically more likely to have catheter failure after catheter stripping than were male patients (p = .02). The route of catheter insertion did not significantly influence poststripping patency rates. No complications were associated with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping is a safe, effective method of restoring patency to failing hemodialysis catheters when the failure is due to fibrin sheath formation and other causes are excluded.

Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary: imaging evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary is a rare complex malignant tumor that occurs in young women. We performed this study to determine the imaging characteristics of this tumor. CONCLUSION: Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary presents as a large complex abdominal mass that can be predominantly cystic and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of complex abdominal masses in girls and young women. In addition, upon encountering a mass with these imaging characteristics in the proper clinical setting, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels should be measured to help make a presurgical diagnosis and to obtain a baseline value.

Use of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer for tubal sterilization by selective catheterization in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Uryx) in nonsurgically occluding the fallopian tube and achieving tubal sterilization in the rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten mature virgin female New England rabbits underwent transvaginal selective bilateral fallopian tube cannulation with use of a coaxial catheter system under general anesthesia. Selective salpingography was performed bilaterally to assess patency of the fallopian tubes. Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer was injected unilaterally through a microcatheter to completely fill the middle portion of the tube. Three to seven days after injection, each animal was bred. Conception was determined by ultrasonography (US) 7-19 days after effective breeding. If pregnant, the rabbit was killed. Otherwise, it was permitted to rebreed until pregnancy was achieved. Histologic specimens of the fallopian tubes were prepared and analyzed. RESULTS: Patency of the fallopian tubes was demonstrated bilaterally in all animals by the free spillage of contrast material into the peritoneum. The delivery of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer into the fallopian tubes was successful in all animals but one, in which most of the plug almost immediately extruded into the uterus. Pregnancy was detected by US in the untreated fallopian tube in the nine rabbits that were receptive to breeding. No pregnancies were detected in the injected side. Histologic analysis demonstrated variable degrees of occlusion, fibrosis, and inflammation, with the majority of specimens demonstrating mild to moderate inflammation and moderate to marked fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer can reliably be placed nonsurgically via the transvaginal approach into the fallopian tubes with use of a coaxial catheter system. Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer appears to result in less fibrosis than previously investigated agents and demonstrates a 100% early sterilization rate in the rabbit model.

Percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping versus transcatheter urokinase infusion for malfunctioning well-positioned tunneled central venous dialysis catheters: a prospective, randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To compare central dialysis catheter patency rates after stripping procedures with those after urokinase (UK) infusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven tunneled catheters with either (i) flow rates less than 250 mL/min and established baseline flow rates > or = 300 mL/min or (ii) flow rates 50 mL/min less than higher established baseline flows were prospectively randomized to undergo stripping procedures (n = 28) or UK infusion (n = 29) at 30,000 U/h via each port concurrently, for a total 250,000 U. Success and patency were determined by dialysis at normal flow rates (> or = 300 mL/min) or at the previously established higher baseline rate. Flow rates were monitored weekly. Primary patency ended with catheter malfunction or removal. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to construct survival curves. RESULTS: In the stripping group, initial clinical success was 89% (25 of 28). The 15-, 30-, and 45-day primary patency rates were 75% (n = 20), 52% (n = 13), and 35% (n = 8), respectively. The median duration of additional function was 32 days (95% CI: 18-48 d). In the UK group, initial clinical success was 97% (28 of 29). The 15-, 30-, and 45-day primary patency rates were 86% (n = 21), 63% (n = 13), and 48% (n = 9), respectively. The median duration of additional patency was 42 days (95% CI: 22-153 d). The Wilcoxon test for equality detected no significant difference in the survival curves for the two treatment groups (P = .236). CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in time to primary patency between the two methods. Both allow temporary catheter salvage in most patients.