Cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase and ouabain-sensitive K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activities in brain capillaries of the newt

The ultrastructural localization of alkaline phosphatase and K+-NPPase was investigated in brain capillaries of newt by a cytochemical study using whole brain perfusion. The alkaline phosphatase activity was present in both luminal and antiluminal membranes of the endothelial cells. By contrast, the K+-NPPase was located only in antiluminal membranes of the brain capillaries. This distinct enzymatic distribution suggested that the luminal and antiluminal membranes are functionally different. The role of alkaline phosphatase and K+-NPPase in the blood brain barrier is discussed.     

Rectus abdominis myocutaneous free-flap reconstruction following a cranio-orbital-maxillary resection for neurofibrosarcoma

An unusual case of neurofibrosarcoma of the cranio-orbital-maxillary region was resected by a combined neurosurgical and plastic surgical team. The resulting defect was reconstructed in one stage with a free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, obviating the need for subsequent prosthetic obturation of the maxillary defect. This reconstructive technique expedited the patient's convalescent period, allowing him to return to work 3 weeks following surgery. Wound healing was uneventful, and the cosmetic result was acceptable to the patient.     

Humoral antibodies to the antigens related to the structural protein antigens of the mammary cancer virus (MTV) in breast cancer patients and in healthy donors

Indirect radioimmunoassay and immunoperoxidase studies provided further evidence of human serum reactivity with murine mammary tumor virus (MMTV) structural proteins. Examination of over 400 human sera from breast cancer (BC) patients and controls has shown that the incidence of antibodies which react with MMTV structural proteins was significantly higher in BC patients (50%) than in patients with carcinomas of other organs (3%) or normal women (3%). However, the percentage of subjects immune to MMTV was higher in pregnant women (10%) as compared with normal subjects. All the women with BC of the first clinical stage had antibodies to MMTV. The percentage of immune donors was lower among patients with BC of the later stages (IIa, 90%, IIb, 76%, III, 27%, IV, 0%). Thus, a good agreement has been demonstrated between the first stages of BC and expression of antibodies to MMTV.     

Structural changes in cardiac vessels in experimental patent ductus arteriosus

In 43 puppies an experimental arterial duct was produced. The animals were observed for 1--2 months and then killed. Their hearts were separately weighed, and their vessels were studied by means of a complex histomicrometry method. In the puppies with the artificially produced arterial duct, hypertrophy of both cardiac ventricles was gradually developing, combined with thickening medial tunica of the coronary arteries at all levels of their branching. Simultaneously, the oblique-longitudinal musculature of the vascular walls grew stronger. In the distributing arteries it occurred at the expense of the muscular fasciculi situated in adventitia, in the resistance arteries--at the expense of the fasciculi situated in intima. The hypertrophic-hyperplastic changes noted in the vessels of the coronary system were connected with cardiac hypertrophy and with disorders of coronary hemodynamics.     

Q fever urban cases in Romania

Q fever urban sporadic cases in Romania in the 1981-87 period are reviewed as concerns their incidence, seasonality and epidemiological data. Urban cases represented 76.8% as against 23.2% rural cases from the 134 Q fever sporadic cases detected in this period. Cases were distributed throughout all months with peaks during April (18.4% of cases) and June (19.4%). Infections were not related to contact with livestock or domestic birds or with raw milk drinking. Cases could not be identified as Q fever occupational ones. 36.7% of patients were working in nonalimentary industry and only 12.6% were involved in meat industry, veterinary or human medical practices. New studies concerning unusual sources of urban infection such as dogs, cats or urban street pigeons are emphasized.