The diagnostic value of serum copper/zinc ratio in gynecological tumors.

Serum copper levels (SCu) and serum zinc levels (SZn) were determined on admission in 73 women hospitalized for suspected gynecological tumor. Twenty-five of the women were subsequently found to have malignant tumor, while 48 had benign growths. The serum Cu/Zn ratio of the malignant group (2.

Preparation of a biocompatible albumin-coated ion exchange resin for bilirubin removal from the blood of jaundiced newborns.

Removal of bilirubin by hemoperfusion with ion exchange resin particles is suggested to replace exchange transfusion of blood of jaundiced infants in some cases of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The hemoperfusion system developed here consists of a packed bed of a macroreticular resin which is made biocompatible by a coating of a monomolecular layer of albumin. The choice of the appropriate ionic form of the resin and the proper albumin coating and crosslinking procedure assures a high bilirubin adsorption capacity and excellent blood compatibility of the resin.

Asymmetric release of estrone and estradiol derived from labeled precursors in perfused human placentas.

Human placentas were perfused in vitro through fetal vessels of a single cotyledon with a solution of tritiated androstenedione (A) or tritiated testosterone in oxygenated Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing glucose. The same buffer, without labeled steroids, was used to perfuse the maternal side of the placenta. Fractions of unrecycled "fetal" and "maternal" perfusates were collected to estimate the steady-state rates of output into each perfusate of labeled estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2), formed by aromatization of the perfused androgens.

[Sugar-free diet as long-term or interval treatment in the remission phase of Crohn disease--a prospective study].

20 patients with Crohn's disease were entered into a prospective study, after they had been submitted to standard treatment of the acute phase. In this study long term treatment or treatment between the acute relapses of the disease consisted in daily doses of 8 mg methylprednisolone and 3 mg salazosulfapyridine; in addition the diet was sugar-free and rich in fibers. When remission continued (activity index below 150 point) the drugs were stopped and only dietary treatment was continued.

Ovarian hematoma and hemoperitoneum complicating anticoagulant therapy.

The diagnosis and management of ovarian hemorrhage complicating anticoagulant therapy is discussed and a case presented. The patient, who had undergone mitral valve replacement and was receiving chronic anticoagulation treatment, was admitted with signs of intraperitoneal bleeding from a ruptured ovarian hematoma. This complication must be considered in the menstruating female who is receiving anticoagulant therapy.

Resin hemoperfusion for unconjugated bilirubin removal.

The application of an anionic macroreticular ion exchange resin, coated with a thin cross-linked albumin layer, as a hemoperfusion device for the removal of unconjugated bilirubin from the blood of hyperbilirubinemic newborn babies is reviewed. In vivo hemoperfusion runs with hyperbilirubinemic animal models - either by a choledocho-suprarenal vein shunt or by direct infusion of bilirubin into the vein - showed that a 40-ml resin column can remove some 20 mg bilirubin in 3 h. Hemoperfusion of female 8-14 kg baboons showed no significant effect of the column on blood chemistry and coagulation factors and repeated runs had no ill effects.

Pregnancy in the presence of an implanted pacemaker.

Two young females, who had implanted pacemakers, and experienced an uneventful course of pregnancy and delivery are described. We suggest the chest wall under the breasts as the site of choice for the implanted unit in young females who might expect pregnancy. If this site is used, any restriction of the skin above the unit should be prevented as the abdomen and breasts increase in size.

In vivo hemoperfusion studies of bilirubin removal from jaundiced dogs.

Removal of bilirubin by hemoperfusion (HP) on a macroreticular ion-exchange resin is suggested as a novel clinical procedure for the treatment of jaundiced newborn babies. The efficiency and biocompatibility of the proposed macroreticular (MR) ion exchange column was tested in vivo with jaundiced dogs. An animal model with a choledocho-suprarenal vein shunting allowed to test the column capacity for the adsorption of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin.

Treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: the physiologic basis for a modified approach.

A case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) secondary to human menopausal gonadotropin-human chorionic gonadotropin therapy is presented. Draining 4000 ml of exudate by abdominal paracentesis under real-time B-scan imaging induced a marked improvement in the patient's condition. Fluids from the third space were rapidly excreted, renal function improved, and the patient's weight decreased substantially.

[Beware: propafenon potentiates the effect of oral anticoagulants].

In a 68 years old female patient with premature ventricular contractions who was treated with phenprocoumon (Marcumar) because of pulmonary infarction, propafenon (Rytmonorm)--a new anti-arrhythmic drug--lead to an increased effect of coumarin. Inspite of pausing with coumarin for eight days the low Quick rates (less than 15%) did not increase until propafenon was stopped. Afterwards the coumarin treatment was continued with 1,5 to 3 mg a day.

The ultrastructure of the interface between a glass ceramic and bone.

The interface of alkali-poor glass ceramic implanted in femora of male Sprague-Dawley rats shows soft tissue, chondroid, osteoid, and bone in connection with the implant. The ultrastructure of the interface with soft tissue mainly exhibits a corrosion process, during which the dissolution of the crystalline phase of the glass ceramic precedes the dissolution of the glassy phase. Macrophages are involved in this process phagocytosing debris of the glassy phase and removing as well as dissolving the remainders of the glass ceramic.

Estimation of fetal weight by real-time sonography.

The accuracy of estimating fetal weight with real-time ultrasonography was studied in 81 fetuses. The technique is described and results are compared with those obtained by the B-scan technique. The absolute mean error was 228 g or 8.

[Atenolol in the treatment of premature ventricular contractions. A double blind study in 68 patients (author's transl)].

The effects of atenolol, a cardioselective beta-blocker, on premature ventricular contractions (PVC) were tested in 68 patients in a double blind trial. 35 patients received 100 mg atenolol p.o/day for 5 days, 33 patients received placebo.

The acute effect of metoclopramide on plasma prolactin during pregnancy.

The effect of metoclopramide on plasma prolactin levels was studied in 10 women in the second half of pregnancy. The IV injection of 10 mg metoclopramide produces a significant rise in prolactin in 15 minutes, a peak of up to 6.5-fold over basal levels at 30 minutes and a sustained significant elevation for at least 4 hours.