Functional and immunologic protein S in normal pregnant women and in full-term newborns

Total and free protein S antigen and C4b-binding protein (C4bp) were determined by rocket immuno-electrophoresis, and functional protein S was assayed by a coagulation method, throughout pregnancy and normal puerperium and in a group of normal full-term newborns (FTN). The functional protein S assay is based on a modification of the APTT, using a mixture of test sample, protein S deficient plasma, activated protein C, phospholipids and calcium. This protein S functional assay is specific for protein S since the APTT prolongation by normal plasma was abolished by incubation of plasma with monospecific, rabbit anti-protein S IgG. The ratios of functional protein S/free protein S antigen in healthy men (n = 13) and women (n = 14) were 1.0 +/- 0.13 (mean +/- SD) and 1.03 +/- 0.20, respectively. During pregnancy there is a decrease in functional protein S and a progressive decrease in total and free protein S antigen, with a functional/free protein S ratio of 0.75 +/- 0.28 in the third trimester of pregnancy (n = 16). In early puerperium the functional protein S level was lower than the free protein S antigen level (ratio about 0.5). In the FTN group, the free protein S level was 39% and protein S activity was about 70% that of adults, with a functional/free protein S ratio of 1.84 +/- 0.31. C4bp values were 23.5 +/- 10.3% in the FTN group, and crossed immunoelectrophoresis showed that in this group the major protein S peak corresponded to free protein S.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Epidemiologic study of cancer of the colon and rectum in the health area of the Nalón valley (Asturias, 1978-1986)]

An epidemiological study was made of malignant tumors of the colon and rectum in the Nalon valley health district (Asturias, Spain). The study period comprehend from 1978 to 1986, inclusive. The population studied, 103,000 hab., has been stable over the last 10 years, and is grouped into well defined sectors: industrial-mining activities and agricultural-livestock raising. The total number of cases was 275 patients, for a mean annual incidence (IMA) of 29.7/10(5) hab., making this a zone of high risk of the disease. Also analyzed are the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods ant therapeutic measures, as well as the epidemiological distribution, a higher incidence being found in the industrialized zone than in the agricultural zone (p less than 0.05).

[Acute respiratory insufficiency following thymectomy: an unusual cause]

We describe the case of a patient with an acute respiratory failure during the postoperative period of a timectomy. Myasthenic syndrome was excluded and bilateral diaphragmatic paralyze was diagnosticated. Incidence, etiology, symptoms, diagnostic and treatment of phrenic paralysis are reviewed.

Chromosomal location of structural genes controlling isozymes in Hordeum chilense : 3. Esterases, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and phosphoglucomutase

Polyacrylamide and starch gel electrophoresis of esterase (EST), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM) isozymes in Hordeum chilense, Triticum turgidum conv. durum, the amphiploid H. chilense X T. turgidum (Tritordeum), and the durum wheat/H. chilense monosomic addition lines revealed the chromosomal location of one EST locus, two GOT loci and one PGM locus. Loci Est-H (ch)1 and Got-H (ch)2 were found on chromosome 6H(ch),Got-H (ch)3 on chromosome 3H(ch), and Pgm-H (ch)1 on chromosome 4H(ch). These results lend evidence for the assumed homoeology relationships between chromosomes of Triticeae species.

Chromosomal location of structural genes controlling isozymes in Hordeum chilense : 1. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase

A study of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase isozyme expression in Triticum turgidum conv. durum /Hordeum chilense monosomic addition lines has revealed the location of two structural genes, 6-pgd-H (ch) 2 and Mdh-H (ch) 1, on chromosome 1H(ch) of H. chilense. The homoeology between 1H(ch) and other chromosome of Triticeae related species is discussed on the basis of isozyme gene analysis.

The digestive capacity of the caecum-colon and the value of the nitrogen absorbed from the hind gut for protein synthesis in pigs

1. The aim of the investigation was to study the effects of lysine, methionine, crude protein, a complete balanced diet, maize starch and potato starch infused continuously into the caecum on the digestibility of the nutrients, urinary nitrogen excretion and N balance in the presence of a normal or a depressed (modified) microflora. 2. The effects of the the infused nutrients on digestibility differed when diets supplemented with antibiotics were compared with unsupplemented diets. 3. Infused lysine improved the digestibility of crude protein (0.004/g lysine), crude fibre (0.01/g lysine), gross energy (0.003/g lysine) and lysine (0.03/g lysine) when the diets were not supplemented with antibiotics. 4. Infused lysine, methionine and crude protein seemed to be of very little value for protein synthesis in the pigs, as the effects on N balance, although positive, were very small. 5. Despite the fact that a part of the infused lysine passed through the caecum-colon and into the faeces intact, the effect of N balance was negligible, indicating that the ability to absorb amino acids through the gut wall in the caecum-colon was very poor. 6. Crude protein, a complete balanced diet, maize starch and potato starch infused into the caecum were digested almost as well as if they had been given orally, thus demonstrating the large digestive capacity of the caecum-colon.

[South American blastomycosis. Diagnosis by colonoscopy]

Two cases of South American Blastomycosis are presented; the disease is not frequent in our country; the cases are a segmentary and difuse type primitive localized in the colon. In both of them the colonoscopy was a very important aid in the diagnosis.

[Emergency endoscopy in upper digestive hemorrhage]

In our hospital the incidence of upper digestive hemorhage [UDH] is greater after the 4th decade of age and predominantes in the male sex. The patients' clinical data was important in the diagnosis of the lesion. In 63% of our cases a close relation was found between the previous intake of substances considered ulcerogenous and the hemorrhagic episode, as well as the presence of stress situations. In our experiences the causes of UDH in order of their frequency are: 1. Acute lesions of the gastric mucosa. 2. Duodenal ulcer. 3. Gastric ulcer. 4. Stomal ulcer. 5. Bleeding esophagitis. 6. Others. The digestive hemorrhages of undetermined caused corresponded to 2,33% of the cases. The early diagnosis of UDH by means of emergency endoscope was of great value in the therapeutic handling of patients.

Sorosporium consanguineum: relation between variable nuclear condition and dissociation

Saprophytic development of Sorosporium consanguineum and its nuclear cycle were studied on laboratory media. During vegetative reproduction, the nuclei of the monokaryotic sporidia were shown to first migrate into developing bud cells where division occurs, one nucleus returning to the parent cell prior to completion of cell division. Following fusion of sporidia of opposite mating type and subsequent formation of infection hyphae, dikaryons eventually dissociated, giving rise to sporidia of both sex groups in the process. As a result of dissociation, shown to occur in several ways, "satellite" sporidial colonies characteristically formed in advance of the parent colony and fusions again occurred between sporidia of opposite mating type. Reports of variable nuclear condition of mycelia in other species of smut fungi in culture are discussed in light of these findings.