SMAS-platysma face lift

Correction of laxity in the submental area and of hypertrophic neck cords has been enhanced with the SMAS-platysma face life over that which was achieved with a standard skin face lift. Evaluation of a 6-year experience with the SMAS-platysma face lift reveals that the operation can be safely performed with an acceptably low incidence of complications. The incidence of hematoma and associated complications is less than that which occurs when cervical and submental defatting is performed in conjunction with a skin face lift.     

Preparation of [B23-D-alanine]des-(B25-B30)-hexapeptide-insulin by a combination of enzymic and non-enzymic synthesis.

Des-(B25-B30)-hexapeptide-insulin with B23-glycine replaced by D-alanine was prepared by a combination of enzymic and non-enzymic syntheses. The purified product was homogeneous in polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and could be crystallized. The biological activity in vivo of crystalline [B23-D-Ala]des-(B25-B30)-hexapeptide-insulin was determined as 58% of that of standard pig insulin (27 i.u./mg).     

High-performance liquid chromatography of coproporphyrin isomers.

A reversed-phase system is described for the simultaneous isocratic separation of coproporphyrin I, II, III and IV isomers. The retention behaviour of coproporphyrin I and III is studied in detail. The method is suitable for both analytical and semi-preparative separation.     

Distribution of Fusarium in some British soils

Soil fusaria from various areas in and around Surrey were estimated on medium selective forFusarium. 4 species ofFusarium, F. episphaeria. F. oxysporum, F. roseum andF. solani were detected.F. roseum was the most widely distributed species and present in highest numbers. Among 3 cultivars of this species obtained, non-pathogenic clones of “Culmorum” was always present. The other 3 species ofFusarium were less widely distributed and occurred in lower numbers, withF. solani being the most restricted in distribution and present in very small populations. NoFusarium was recorded for soils from natural field vegetation (except grass areas) and forests.     

Hypermagnesaemia in Presence of Magnesium Depletion in Acute-on-chronic Renal Failure

A patient with renal failure developed hypermagnesaemia, with confusion, drowsiness, and dysarthria. Nevertheless, the dietary magnesium content was low, and investigation showed actual intracellular depletion of magnesium. The cause of this state is not known, though it is presumably connected with a failure to maintain the normal concentration gradient of magnesium across the cell wall. The clinical state and the serum magnesium level returned to normal after treatment with calcium gluconate.     

Growth and survival of fuel isolates in hydrocarbon-fuel emulsions

Two fuel utilizers, a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a Hormodendrum sp., and two fuel isolates which did not use fuel, Staphylococcus and Bacillus spp., were tested for ability to survive and grow in systems containing emulsified or nonemulsified forms of JP-4 jet fuel. Neither emulsion (Alamac no. 1 or Alamac no. 2) supported microbial growth without a water phase. Growth of P. aeruginosa in liquid systems containing either emulsion was not significantly different from growth in liquid systems with nonemulsified fuel. The Hormodendrum sp. grew well in a liquid medium containing nonemulsified JP-4, but when either of the emulsions served as carbon source no growth was observed. However, good growth was noted on spread plates with either emulsion. Viable cells of Bacillus sp. did not increase over a 4-day period, and Staphylococcus sp. did not survive in liquid systems containing JP-4 or emulsions.