Percutaneous biopsy using a safe, effective needle.

A specially designed three-pronged aspiration needle is described. It was used in 166 percutaneous lung biopsies in 151 patients. A correct diagnosis was obtained in 141 patients (93.

Antigenic activity and mobility of bovine pituitary hormones.

The antigenic activity and mobility of bovine pituitary hormones; follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) were studied with the aid of agar gel diffusion and electrophoresis. MSH and ACTH were the only hormones not demonstrating antigenicity. Tests by electrophoresis showed "gamma" mobility of the pituitary hormones exhibiting antigenic activity.

Accurate measurement of NMR amplitudes using a computer-controlled wide line cw nuclear double resonance spectrometer.

A computer-controlled cw nuclear magnetic double-resonance spectrometer, designed for studying the spin-lattice relaxation of quadrupolar nuclei in single crystals, is described. Resonances are detected by a Robinson spectrometer using a technique involving sinusoidal field modulation in conjunction with first and second harmonic phase-sensitive detection. The output of the first harmonic detector provides an error signal, which is used to ''lock'' the spectrometer to the center of the resonance.

The structure of motor end-plates in the rabbit's diaphragm.

The musculature of the diaphragm is parallely arranged and is innervated by single segmental nerves. The pattern of distribution of the phrenic nerve is specific, with the zone of branching being restricted. Teloglia, the arborization and fundamental nuclei accompany the terminal branches, and the territory of the motor unit are definable and may be used to sample the whole fiber group.

Morphology of certain sensory and motor endings in muscle spindles of the rabbit's diaphragm.

The morphological features of certain sensory and motor nerve endings in muscle spindles in the rabbit's diaphragm were examined using a variety of techniques employed in light microscopy. The nuclear accumulation in the equatorial region of the spindle is encased in a dense capsule penetrated by both sensory and motor fibers. The sensory fibers from a profuse internuclear network terminating in round and triangular buttons in direct contact with the sarcoplasmic membrane of the muscle fiber.

Strongyloides stercoarlis--hyperinfection.

A case of severe Strongyloides stercoralis infection is described in a patient with renal failure due to bilateral cortical necrosis. Because thiabendazole, the drug of choice in strongyloidiasis, is primarily excreted by the kidneys, alternative therapy with a mebendazole was instituted. Although the patient eventually died as a result of the renal failure, successful therapy with mebendazole was well demonstrated.

Metrizamide myelography.

Complete myelography using metrizamide and a lumbar puncture is described with special emphasis on the cervical region. Good visualization of the cervical region was obtained in 19 of 20 patients using 10-12 ml and iodine concentrations of 250 mg/ml without special techniques or precautions. Possible explanations of failure to visualize the complete subarachnoid space are discussed.

Xenon-133 determination of muscle blood flow in electrical injury.

Xe-133 washout determination of muscle blood flow (MBF) was used to detect muscle ischemia in electrical injury of an experimental animal model and three patients. The control MBF of rabbit hindlimbs, which averaged 11.29 +/- 1.

Sequential circulatory changes in the circumferentially burned limb.

To assess the hemodynamic alterations in the circumferentially burned extremity, Doppler arterial examinations and Xenon-133 washout determinations of muscle blood flow (MBF) were obtained in 27 limbs. In this laboratory normal resting MBF was 2.82+/-0.

Algorithm for management of pulmonary complications in burn patients.

An algorithm for management of pulmonary complications in burn patients on the same basis as in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome is outline. Pao2 of less than 60 torr (F(I)O2 0.21-0.

Use of Marlex mesh in acute loss of the abdominal wall due to infection.

Closure of wounds of the abdomen with a minimal amount of foreign material is still the preferred method. However, in those instances in which loss of tissue is too great to effect closure or in which closure will place the suture line under tension, the use of a synthetic plastic mesh is an effective alternative. As described, the technique avoids the risks of further necrosis of the tissue, infection and dehiscence.

A nuclear magnetic double resonance study of N-beta-bis-(beta'-chloroethyl) phosphonylethyl-DL-phenylalanine.

Studies were carried out on the effect of decoupling, deuterium labeling, concentration, temperature, and solvent media on the NMR parameters of the vinyl phosphonate adduct of phenylalanine, C6H5CH2CH(COO-)NH2+CH2CH2PO(OCH2CH2C1)2. The results permit assignments of chemical shifts and coupling constants to the various protons of this molecule which contains unique structural features. The NH2+-CH2-protons are deshielded by more than 1 ppm than the CH2-PO-protons.

Subtotal colectomy for refractory pseudomembranous enterocolitis.

Pseudomembranous enterocolitis resulting from therapy with antibiotics such as clindamycin and lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate does not always respond to drug and vigorous medical support. We describe two seriously ill patients who recovered after subtotal colectomy with ileostomy.

Contractile endothelial cells in terminal segments of certain hypophyseal anterior lobe veins.

A dual system of hypophyseal anterior lobe veins is suggested for bovine. One system is associated with the gland at large and utilizes the capsular plexus of veins, while the other, not utilizing the capsular plexus, is associated with the sinusoids of the hypophyseal portal veins. As they reach the capsule of the gland, those veins not utilizing the capsular plexus, are lined, at their terminal segment by endothelial cells with contractile and secretory elements.

The role of reticulo-endothelial cells in hemopoiesis in the adult liver.

Form their sinusoidal position in the properly stimulated adult liver, the reticulo-endothelial cell invades the hepatic cords. Here, their cytoplasmic processes come in direct contact with the cytoplasm of the hepatic cells. Ferritin is transferred from cord cells to the reticulo-endothelial cell, initiating extravascular hemopoiesis.

Optimizing results of gastric bypass.

Gastric bypass is an extensive gastric exclusion operation used in patients who are more than twice their ideal weight. Most of the early postoperative deaths observed in 3% of 442 patients during the initial 9 years, could have been prevented by more attention to operative technique and early recognition and correction of leaks when they occurred. The best weight loss can be produced by adherence to three components of the operation: 1) Bypass of stomach and duodenum, 2) a small fundic segment and 3) a small (12 mm diameter) gastroenterostomy stoma.

Intrarenal vascular changes in adult patients with recurrent haematuria and loin pain--a clinical, histological and angiographic study.

Clinical features have been correlated with renal function, histology and selective renal angiography in 19 patients with recurrent painless haematuria, recurrent loin pain, or both haematuria and loin pain in whom urinary infection, calculi and anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract had been excluded. No deterioration in renal function was observed in any patient over periods of up to nine years. Although all patients showed similar glomerular changes histologically, consisting of focal and segmental mesangial thickening and proliferation and periglomerular fibrosis, mild tubular damage was more common in those with loin pain.

Intrarenal vascular changes in patients receiving oestrogen-containing compounds--a clinical, histological and angiographic study.

Nine patients who developed reversible hypertension and/or evidence of impaired renal function whilst taking an oestrogen-progestogen-containing compound have been investigated. Serial haematological and biochemical studies have been carried out on each patient in association with selective renal angiography and renal biopsies. Abnormalities of the peripheral renal vessels have been demonstrated in all patients and a close correlation between the histological and angiographic appearances noted.