Thermal shock hemolysis in human red cells. I. The effects of temperature, time, and osmotic stress

Thermal shock is a form of hemolysis which occurs in human red cells exposed to greater than a critical level of osmotic stress of 1.4 Osm and subsequently cooled from above about 12 degrees C to below that temperature. Higher concentrations and higher cooling rates each increase the amount of hemolysis, within limits. Incubation for varying periods in hypertonic solutions and varying temperatures of incubation affect the amount of thermal shock. The effect of cooling rate on thermal shock is independent of the period of exposure to hypertonic solutions. Thermal shock is not the cause of freezing injury in human red cells, at least above -10 degrees C.     

Vagotomy and Pyloroplasty for Gastric Ulcer

In a series of 68 patients with gastric ulcer who were treated by vagotomy and pyloroplasty there were no operative deaths, though one patient who received massive transfusions died 14 weeks later from hepatic necrosis probably associated with serum hepatitis. Four patients developed recurrent peptic ulceration requiring further surgical treatment. The clinical condition of all but three of the remainder was satisfactory after an average follow-up period of three years and two months. Of the 14 patients who presented with an acutely bleeding gastric ulcer, one subsequently required gastrectomy for continued bleeding; in all the others the immediate and long-term results were satisfactory. Of 21 patients with a “high” ulcer and 29 with combined gastric and duodenal ulceration one (4·8%) and three (10%) respectively suffered recurrences. We conclude that vagotomy and pyloroplasty is a satisfactory form of treatment for a high or bleeding gastric ulcer, but that for all other gastric ulcers some form of gastric resection is preferable.     

Light intensity and sexual maturity

There are confirmable clines, by latitude, of melanin concentration in pigmentation for man as well as other mammals and birds. This has been suggested to be, in man, a result of the importance of vitamin D synthesis which can be inhibited by darker skins in higher latitudes. Experiments on mice suggest that another mechanism may be operative; greater photic stimulation of the pineal lowers the age at first estrus and may confer a reproductive advantage in this way.     

Urinary Concentrating Ability in Women with Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy

The incidence of impaired renal concentrating ability in pregnant women with asymptomatic significant bacteriuria is significantly less than previously reported when osmolality readings are performed on every urine specimen obtained during the 24 hours'' deprivation of fluids. The concentrating defect is more considerable as pregnancy progresses. The lower the maximum urinary osmolality the more difficult is the treatment of the patient, and the higher the incidence of acute pyelonephritis.