Peripheral nerve autografts to the injured spinal cord of the rat: an experimental model for the study of spinal cord regeneration

Regenerated central axons have been shown experimentally to penetrate in peripheral nerve segments transplanted into the spinal cord (SC). However, if the nerves are transplanted between the stumps of the transected SC regeneration is impaired by local cavitation and scarring. Our experiment was designed to study whether nerve grafts bridging a severe transverse SC lesion might provide to central regenerating axons a pathway to by-pass the lesion. To this purpose, 2 segments of autologous peripheral nerves were inserted through small dural openings into dorsal longitudinal myelotomies rostral and caudal to a transverse SC lesion in rats. Eighteen weeks after transplantation a large number of well myelinated fibres filled the grafted nerves. Only a few of these fibres, however, could be followed into the SC; they were located in the outer layers of the dorsal white matter. The problems regarding the origin and destination of these fibres are discussed.

Alternative to tarsorrhaphy in peripheral facial nerve palsy with expectation of functional recovery. Technical note

A simple technique is described for protecting the cornea in patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy while waiting for recovery of nerve function. The application of an adhesive strip to the superior eyelid permits opening and closing of the eye, and provides good protection of the cornea.

Multiple intracranial metastases of malignant melanoma with long-term survival. Case report

The authors present a case of multiple brain metastases and an extracranial secondary localization from malignant melanoma. The patient was operated on three times for the intracranial masses and had a 49-month survival with a good quality of life after the first of the three operations. She lived a total of 80 months from the time of diffusion of the primary tumor. The course of malignant melanoma is unpredictable, and long-term survival can be achieved in some cases, even in the presence of multiple brain metastases.

Algal culture studies related to a closed ecological life support system

Long-term cultures of Scenedesmus obliquus were maintained in an annular air-lift column operated as a turbidostat. We observed a linear relationship between the dry weight of the cultured cells, their cell number, and their chlorophyll content over a broad range of cell density at constant illumination. Thus, the cells did not appear to be adapting to differences in growth rate or light intensity during these experiments. Productivity vs dry wt rose linearly until the cell density reached a level at which light became limiting; at this point approximately 89% of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was being absorbed. The maximum dilution rate of the system corresponded to a doubling time of 13.8 hr, about half the maximum growth rate generally observed at this temperature. Productivity at the maximum was approximately 80% of the maximum theoretical productivity. The rather low incident intensities (approximately 10% of full sunlight) were a main contributing factor to the high light utilization efficiencies obtained in this system, since the cells were never driven into light saturation. In many respects, algae would be ideal plant components for a biologically-based closed life support system, since they are eminently suited to the closely coupled functions of food production and atmosphere regeneration. In this communication, we report some findings on the (steady-state) continuous culture of Scenedesmus obliquus, a physiologically well-characterized green alga with good growth characteristics.

Multidimensional analysis of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Subjective symptoms and experiences were explored within a group of 146 severe, chronic bronchitis and emphysema patients. Eighty-nine symptoms and experiences, derived from initial interviews with 29 patients, were rated according to the frequency of occurrence during breathing difficulties. Key cluster analyses were used to derive a Bronchitis-Emphysema Symptom Checklist (BESC) measuring 11 symptom categories: Helplessness-Hopelessness, Decathexis, Fatigue, Poor Memory, Peripheral-Sensory Complaints, Dyspnea, Congestion, Sleep Difficulties, Irritability, Anxiety, and Alienation. The BESC symptom categories are highly reliable and the relationships among categories are stable across two subgroups of patients. The BESC provides one way to describe how patients cope with and experience chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Symptoms and experiences in chronic bronchitis and emphysema

A heterogeneous group of 146 patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema were asked to rate the frequency with which 89 symptoms and experiences occurred during their breathing difficulties. Normative values and the reported frequency of occurrence for the 11 symptom categories are presented. As expected, symptoms of dyspnea were the most frequently reported during breathing difficulties. In decreasing order, symptoms of dyspnea were followed by symptoms of fatigue, sleep disturbance, congestion, irritability, anxiety, decathexis, helplessness-hopelessness, poor memory, alienation. Separation of the patients into subgroups revealed that women reported more anxiety and helplessness-hopelessness than men. Younger patients reported more irritability and anxiety than older patients. Patients with mixed disease reported more dyspnea than those with chronic bronchitis or emphysema, although patients with emphysema reported more loss of interest in life than patients with chronic bronchitis. Self-ratings of functional incapacitation were clearly related to the symptom reports. Relationships among the symptom categories were discussed, as was the potential usefulness of symptom patterns in exploring coping styles in respiratory disease.

Bronchiolitis obliterans. Report of three cases with detailed physiologic studies

We describe three patients with bronchiolitis obliterans seen at our hospital during the last two years. Their ages were 25, 49 and 69 years. One developed the disease secondary to a probable viral infection, another inhaled fumes, and the third was exposed to unknown precipitating factors. Lung biopsy showed changes compatible with bronchiolitis obliterans in the first two, while in the third, changes were compatible with bronchiolitis obliterans and interstitial pneumonitis. Pulmonary function tests of patient 1 showed severe airflow limitation, increased total lung capacity, a shift of the pressure-volume curve upward with a normal slope, and an elevation of upstream resistance. In patient 3 (bronchiolitis obliterans with interstitial pneumonitis) total lung capacity was normal, the pressure volume curve was shifted slightly to the right and upstream resistance was increased. After treatment with steroids, clinical improvement was observed along with normalization of the pressure-volume curve and a decline in the upstream resistance.

Postural drainage: variability of patients' responses

Assessing the benefit of postural drainage (PD) by pulmonary function (PF) tests is complicated by variable responses of patients. Examples of subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are presented to emphasize: (1) the need for knowing whether a patient is already receiving PD treatment prior to pulmonary function testing (PFT), (2) measuring PF for several days concurrently with PD, and (3) the pitfalls of conclusions reached with a single-day assessment of PF before and after PD. Patients requiring substantially higher doses of medication were also those whose PF deteriorated with PD. Serial opinions of patients as to whether PD affected their ease of breathing proved a valuable indicator of actual PF changes. However, single-day determinations may give spuriously positive results.

Biogenic amines and beta-endorphin responses in the rat vas deferens

1. Recent studies have demonstrated that activation of opioid peptide receptor by beta-endorphin results in a change of bioamines in peripheral tissues. 2. The present results could be interpreted assuming that the action of beta-endorphin, on the smooth muscle of the isolated rat vas deferens, is independent of catecholaminergic, cholinergic and tryptaminergic neurotransmission. 3. There is evidence that it is through a specific opioid 'epsilon-receptor' which have been shown a high degree of affinity for beta-endorphin.

Postural drainage effect after bronchodilator inhalation in patients with chronic airway obstruction

To determine the effect of postural drainage (PD) on pulmonary functions and sputum volume in patients with partially reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, comparisons were made between days with and without PD in 13 such patients. Pulmonary function tests were done 3 times a day over a 12-day period. Medications remained unchanged during this time. PD had no significant effect on either individual pulmonary function tests or 24-hour spectrum volumes. The function tests done at 9:30 AM showed some improvement over those obtained at 8:00 AM without regard to PD, indicating the beneficial effects of bronchodilators inhaled 15 to 20 minutes before PD. Patients were classified as PD responders, nonresponders and negative responders on the basis of concurrent consideration of forced expiratory volume in 1 second, mid-forced expiratory flow and airway resistance. Although the 24-hour sputum volumes did not change, the amount associated with PD was greater. It is suggested that PD is helpful for some patients but detrimental to others. Single pulmonary function tests and single day measurements are insufficient to determine the effects of PD.

Plasma cell granuloma of the lung: endobronchial presentation and absence of response to radiation therapy

Plasma cell granuloma of the lung is an uncommon, slow-growing, benign "pseudotumor" morphologically and clinically distinct from malignant plasma cell tumor (plasmacytoma). Its histopathology is distinct from sclerosing hemangioma and pseudolymphoma. Most are located in lung parenchyma, but a few present as endobronchial lesions. Patients are usually less than 30 years of age. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment and the prognosis is very good. Experience with radiation therapy is limited to one previously reported case. We report a case of plasma cell granuloma of the lung which is unusual because of the patient's age (71 years), endobronchial location, recurrence after local resection, and absence of response to radiation therapy. Ultrastructural features of the lesion are also described.

"Fibrous dysplasia" of the skull with complete unilateral cranial nerve involvement. Case report

A 40-year-old man with a slowly progressive unilateral sclerotic process of the base of the skull developed complete involvement of all cranial nerves on the right. Roentgenograms of the skull are interpreted as fibrous dysplasia, but pathological confirmation is lacking.

[Considerations about a case of a large neuroma of the acoustic nerve (author's transl)]

The authors, referring to a personal case of a giant acoustic neuroma, stress how the diagnosis of neuroma of the VIII nerve is late discovery. Actually traditional radiological methods and CT would allow the diagnosis of acoustic neuroma in a very early stage with easier possibilities of surgical treatment and less neurological collateral effects.

Outpatient oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A review of 13 years' experience and an evaluation of modes of therapy

Thirteen years' experience with home oxygen for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are reviewed. Home oxygen is safe and relieves pulmonary hypertension and elevated RBC mass in some, but not all patients. Marked clinical improvement is the most important result of long-term home oxygen use, including reduced hospitalizations and return to gainful employment for a few patients. Chronic compensated carbon dioxide retention is well tolerated and adaptive in cases of severe chronic airflow obstruction. New oxygen concentrators are effective in correcting hypoxemia and may make home oxygen administration more convenient and less expensive.

Time course of ovum transport in guinea pigs

The time course of ovum transport was determined in cycling guinea pigs. The occurrence of ovulation was determined in assessing changes in vaginal cytology. The day of the postovulatory leukocyte influx was considered day 1 of the cycle. Ovum transport in guinea pigs is characterized by a relatively long sojourn in the ampulla, followed by rapid transport through the isthmus. This pattern is similar to that seen in women and subhuman primates and different from the pattern in rabbits.

Empirical quantum chemical approach to structure-gas chromatographic retention index relationship. I. Sterol acetates

It has been found possible to correlate chromatographic retention parameters directly with molecular electronic structure by means of a linear relationship. The empirical parameters used are total energy and localized charge, calculated by the method of Del Re. They are deduced directly from the molecular structure and they permit the retention index to be calculated theoretically with an acceptable error.