Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension treated with levodopa and MAO inhibitor: a preliminary report

The clinical and pathophysiological features of a case of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (Shy-Drager syndrome) are presented. Recent reports on the pathological findings in this condition indicate that there may be a defect in catecholamine synthesis in the pigmented brain stem nuclei and sympathetic ganglia similar to that in idiopathic parkinsonism. On this basis a new form of therapy using levodopa combined with MAO inhibition is derived. The results of a trial of this therapy, which produced improvements in both the hypotension and in the extrapyramidal features of the disease, are reported.     

Idiopathic precocious puberty in the chimpanzee: a case report

A female chimpanzee developed premature sex skin swelling, breast budding, advanced bone age, and moderate estrogen effect of the vaginal cytology. Extensive radiographic and hormonal studies excluded all the known causes of precocious puberty and pseudopuberty, yielding a diagnosis of idiopathic true precocious puberty. To our knowledge this is the first observation of idiopathic true precocious puberty in a chimpanzee.     

Idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasia: a review and case report

Idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis is a group of retinal vascular anomalies characterized by retinal vessel dilation and tortuosity, multiple aneurysm formations, varying degrees of vascular leakage and lipid exudate deposition. Idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis may occur as a primary disorder (either congenital or acquired), or may be caused or accompanied by other systemic or ocular diseases. The visual prognosis and effectiveness of therapy is dependent upon the etiology of the retinal telangiectasis. Included in this review is a case report, as well as the classification system used to identify idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasia.     

Subcutaneous mastectomy data: a preliminary report.

This is a preliminary report on data accumulated in the first 12 months by the Subcutaneous Mastectomy Data Evaluation Center at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, California. We present some statistics on 419 subcutaneous mastectomies performed by 105 plastic surgeons.     

Skeletal biology of the Taino: a preliminary report

Preliminary data on the skeletal biology of 78 Taino skeletons belonging to Juan Dolio, an archaeological site of the Maguana province, 80 Km. east of S. Domingo, are presented. The minimum number of individuals, sex, age, stature, and morphologic and morphometric characters were determined. Dental wear and pathology of cranial and post-cranial bones were also recorded.     

Intraperitoneal insemination in repeat-breeder cows: a preliminary report

Intraperitoneal insemination of 62 repeat-breeder dairy cows resulted in 9 pregnancies. The pregnancy rate was not different for intraperitoneal or uterine inseminations. In nonpregnant cows, reproductive variables such as the percentage of cows returning to estrus, the average interval from insemination to the next estrus, and the pregnancy rate following subsequent uterine insemination were not influenced by intraperitoneal insemination. Our results suggest that intraperitoneal insemination could be an alternative procedure to the usual deposition of semen into the uterus in repeat breeder cows.     

Energetics of a host-parasite system: A preliminary report

With little work done so far on host-parasite energetics, a study was made upon rats (albino, ASH/W strain) and their tapeworms, Hymenolepis diminuta.

Host: Rates of relevant physiological processes were found for both sexes, both uninfected and bearing various worm burdens. Body weight, change in weight during an experiment, and temperature, were the most closely linked variables to these rates. Logarithmic regression equations linking these variables were then used with calorific conversion factors to compile energy budgets. Approximating: of energy consumed, 20% was egested, 6% excreted, thus assimilation efficiency was 74%; of energy assimilated, 95% was respired and 5% passed into production.

Parasite: Growth and reproduction were studied in vivo, excretion and respiration in vitro. Approximating: of energy absorbed, 12% was excreted, 88% assimilated; of energy assimilated, 55% was respired and 45% invested in production.

The ecological efficiency of the system was about 0·8%.     

Child mortality differentials in Ghana: a preliminary report

The relationship is examined of child mortality in Ghana with six socioeconomic factors: mother's type of place of residence, education, occupation and work status, and current husband's education and occupation. Using data from the 1979-80 Ghana Fertility Survey, Trussell's marriage duration model was employed to estimate probabilities of dying at exact ages 2 and 5 in different population subgroups. The two education variables (mother's and husband's education) have the largest effect on child mortality, followed by husband's occupation and mother's occupation, in that order. In order to reduce child mortality to tolerable levels, expansion is urgently required of the medical and health services, balanced by an equal development of education, particularly of girls, help being given especially to the rural areas where the majority of the population live.     

Extraperitoneal pneumography; a preliminary report

The presence of a gas in the retroperitoneal tissues makes possible a radiologic visualization of retroperitoneal organs and masses. Retropneumoperitoneum is accomplished by the injection of oxygen at low pressure into the tissues lying between the coccyx and the rectum. The technique of injection is simple and no complications have occurred with the first 30 cases. This method is particularly useful in outlining the kidneys and adrenal glands.     

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in dehydrated patients: a preliminary report

Background

Acute kidney injury has been recognized as a major contributor to end stage renal disease. Although neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (Ngal) has been reported as a promising biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury, no study has yet examined its potential clinical impact in patients with normal renal function. The purpose of current study is to investigate possible difference in serum Ngal levels between dehydrated and control patients.

Findings

A total of twelve patients presented with symptoms of mild dehydration defined by history of diarrheas or vomiting and orthostatic (postural) hypotension and an age and sex matched group of twelve control patients were included. The two groups of patients did not seem to differ in basic clinical and laboratory parameters. Serum Ngal was higher in dehydrated patients when compared to control group (Ngal = 129.4 ± 25.7 ng/mL vs 60.6 ± 0.4 ng/mL, p = 0.02). Ngal was not correlated with age, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, urea or creatinine.

Conclusions

The presence of elevated Ngal levels in dehydrated patients may suggest its role as a very sensitive biomarker in even minimal and "silent" prerenal kidney dysfunction     

Experimental tissue molding for soft-tissue reconstruction: a preliminary report

Molding of pig omentum to create external structures, such as the ear or penis, was performed using silicone rubber molds. The omentum was mobilized on its gastroepiploic pedicle and brought out through a fascial defect. The molds containing the omentum were placed beneath the skin and panniculus carnosus for 4 weeks. Split-thickness skin grafts were placed on both surfaces of the mold, and a series of synthetic materials was placed within the omentum to provide structural support. When an appropriate amount of tissue had been placed within the device, omentum took on the contour of the mold. Excessive pressure associated with swelling resulted in necrosis, while an inadequate amount of tissue gave poor contour. Omentum molded without any support material rapidly lost its contour once removed from the mold. Omentum molded in combination with a synthetic material maintained its shape up to 1 month after mold removal in a limited number of animals. This model was designed to create structures with the fine detail of a prosthesis using autologous tissue. This "prosthesis" made from living tissue could then be transferred secondarily to its recipient area by microvascular technique.     

Predicting invasion in mammographically detected microcalcifcation: a preliminary report

Background

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare malignancy. The outcome remains poor despite complete surgical resection.

Patients and methods

Eleven patients with histologicaly proven epithelial type malignant pleural mesothelioma undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy with systemic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy before and after surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Ten out of 11 patients underwent complete surgical resection, of these 7 patients had stage I disease. Of these 7 patients, 5 are alive without any recurrence, a 2-year survival rate of 80% was observed in this group. There was no operative mortality or morbidity.

Conclusion

Extrapleural pneumonectomy with perioperative adjuvant treatment is safe and effective procedure for epithelial type malignant pleural mesothelioma.