Erythrocyte characteristics in vitamin E-responsive anemia of the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus).

To characterize the vitamin E-responsive anemia occurring in owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus), osmotic fragility, and H2O2-induced and time-dependent hemolysis, as well as RBC lipid peroxidation, were compared in anemic and nonanemic owl monkeys. Whereas vitamin E serves as a lipid-soluble antioxidant, the glutathione peroxidase system functions in the water-soluble phase of the cell. Thus, activity of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, as well as reduced glutathione concentrations in owl monkeys' RBC, were compared with those of rhesus macaques and cebus and squirrel monkeys fed the same diet and maintained under the same management scheme.

Diminutive polyps: histopathology, spatial distribution, and clinical significance.

This retrospective study of 329 diminutive colon polyps revealed that 49.2% of the polyps were neoplastic, whereas 49.9% were nonneoplastic.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in clams and oysters from New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, March 1978.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from 17 stations of the western and New Bedford Harbor areas of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, clearly show that the New Bedford Harbor area is severely polluted. Up to 5 ppm PCBs (dry weight) were found in shellfish tissue. The most likely sources of the PCBs are chronic releases from two electrical component manufacturers in New Bedford.

The efficacy of 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, and methyl CCNU in advanced gastrointestinal malignancy.

50 patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), 1-(2-chloroethyl)3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (MeCCNU) and mitomycin C (Mito C). 43 patients, with diagnoses of colorectal, pancreatic or gastric cancer, were evaluable. 13 patients (30%) achieved complete remissions, and 4 achieved partial remissions.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare entity. Its aetiology and pathogenesis still remain obscure. The condition is predominantly right-sided.

Fracture of the neck of the femur in childhood.

Fractures of the femoral neck in children are rare. They are commonly associated with severe complications, especially avascular necrosis of the femoral head, non-union, coxa vara and premature closure of the upper femoral epiphysis. A review of current literature and a detailed analysis of cases seen in this hospital are given.

Therapeutic efficacy of vitamin E and selenium in treating hemolytic anemia of owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus).

The roles played by vitamin E and by selenium in the anemia of owl monkeys were studied by injecting a mixture of the two antioxidants in 17 anemic monkeys. The result was an increase in mean hemoglobin concentration from 8.6 +/- 2.

Combination chemotherapy in advanced gastrointestinal malignancy.

This study compares two combinations of drugs with proven activity in gastrointestinal malignancy. The drugs utilized are 5-fluorouracil (5FU), mitomycin C (Mito C), and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (MeCCNU). All 57 patients received 5FU 25 mg/kg as a 24-hour infusion for 5 days every 4 weeks.

Abnormalities of hepatic mitochondrial urea-cycle enzyme activities and hepatic ultrastructure in acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Two patients presenting with acute fatty liver of pregnancy were studied. Because of similarities between acute fatty liver of pregnancy and Reye's syndrome, we investigated hepatic ultrastructure, urea-cycle enzyme activities, and plasma amino acids. Initial liver biopsies obtained 12 and 21 days after the onset of illness demonstrated microvesicular fat deposition and mitochondrial ultrastructural changes, including pleomorphism and abundant crystalline inclusions.

Selenium, vitamin E and the response to swimming stress in the rat.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of exercise on rat glutathione peroxidase system enzymes and lipid peroxidation among animals supplemented and unsupplemented with selenium (Se) and vitamin E (E). Liver, muscle and blood were taken before, immediately after and 24 hours after exercising to exhaustion by swimming. No effect of exercise was found on muscle or liver enzymes, although exercise resulted in depressed glutathione reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities in erythrocytes immediately after exercise.

The effect of dietary selenium and vitamin A on biochemical parameters and survival of young among white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Thirty-two adult female white-tailed deer were assigned to four complete pelleted diets (+/- 45 ppm vitamin E; +/- 0.2 ppm selenium). Selenium and vitamin E concentration in the unsupplemented diet was 0.

Identification of the dietary lectin, wheat germ agglutinin, in human intestinal contents.

Plant lectins are known to have potent biological actions of normal and malignant cells. High concentrations of these lectins are present in many types of high residue diets. The specific binding of wheat germ agglutinin, a dietary plant lectin, to N-acetylglucosamine was used as the basis for purification of this lectin by biospecific chitin affinity chromatography.

Aortoduodenal fistula: role of endoscopy in diagnosis.

A patient with an aortic by-pass graft presented with intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding. A definitive diagnosis of an aortoenteric fistula involving the third part of the duodenum was made at endoscopy. Diagnosis of an aortoenteric fistula is often difficult with angiography and barium contrast studies, frequently being negative.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus (hemoductal pancreatitis): gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm into the pancreatic duct.

A patient with recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding was found to have pancreatitis and a pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery that communicated with the pancreatic duct. Similar pathology noted in ten other patients found in an extensive review of the literature suggest that this rare entity must be considered in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal hemorrhage of obscure origin. In this collected experience, the combination of recurrent left upper quadrant pain, a history of pancreatitis, and recurrent bouts of gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin were usually present in those patients who were found to have a splenic artery aneurysm as the source of the blood loss.