The 'sandwich technique' in the management of the open abdomen.

A management technique of the open abdominal wound is described. It consists of a 'sandwich' composed of a Marlex mesh and an Op-Site wound dressing with interposition of suction tubes. Such a technique prevents evisceration, protects the skin, decreases evaporation, allows accurate fluid replacement, facilitates nursing and adds to the patient's comfort.

Spontaneous perforation of the rectum. A case report.

A case of spontaneous perforation of the rectum is reported. The incidence, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition is briefly discussed.

Characterization of yolk platelets isolated from developing embryos of Arbacia punctulata.

Yolk platelets, a major organelle of sea urchin eggs and embryos, were isolated from Arbacia punctulata and biochemically characterized over the course of development to the pluteus stage. Fractionation by sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed yolk platelets in two major density classes. The low-density yolk platelet fraction could be obtained as a very homogeneous preparation and was highly enriched in acid phosphatase activity, while depleted of mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase) and plasma membrane (phosphodiesterase) marker enzymes.

Characterization of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus egg cell surface receptor for sperm.

In earlier studies from our laboratory, the intact sperm receptor was partially purified from Strongylocentrotus purpuratus crude egg membranes, but due to its insolubility, it was not possible to purify it to homogeneity. Nonetheless, this receptor preparation bound with species specificity to acrosome-reacted sperm, thereby inhibiting fertilization. Antibodies against the partially pure receptor inhibited fertilization in S.

[Immunologic and clinical findings in different liver diseases (statistical studies)].

In 140 out-patients of a liver dispensary department 18 clinical and immunological markers (autoantibodies) in 7 well defined diseases were found. We them underwent to a multiple linear factor analysis. 4 different and independent structural factors could be defined: 1.

Colonic necrosis in acute pancreatitis. A complication of massive retroperitoneal suppuration.

Colonic necrosis is a rare complication of peripancreatic sepsis following acute pancreatitis. Three patients with colonic necrosis associated with extensive retroperitoneal suppuration are reported. The pathogenesis of this syndrome may be explained by the tendency of pancreatic abscesses to extend widely in the retroperitoneum.

Anti-inflammatory activity of orpanoxin administered orally and topically to rodents.

Orpanoxin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) lacking gastric ulcerogenic effects in the therapeutic dose range in rats, was compared with six reference NSAIDs for oral activity in the rat paw carrageenin-induced edema assay. Tested NSAIDs were ranked on the basis of oral mg/kg ED50 values: piroxicam, 0.55; orpanoxin, 35.

A monoclonal antibody inhibits calcium accumulation and skeleton formation in cultured embryonic cells of the sea urchin.

The assembly of the spicules (primitive skeleton) of the sea urchin embryo is being studied in primary mesenchyme cells cultured in vitro. A monoclonal antibody (1223) has been prepared that inhibits the deposition of CaCO3 into the spicules. This antibody reacts with a 130,000 Mr cell-surface protein that is concentrated on the surface of approximately 5% of the cells of dissociated gastrula stage embryos.

A prospective study of hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis after cardiopulmonary bypass.

General surgical complications after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are infrequent but serious. No prospective studies have evaluated their incidence. We analyzed in such a study 135 patients who were to undergo CPB.

Characterization of the sperm receptor on the surface of eggs of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

Eggs of the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Arbacia punctulata bind sperm with a high degree of species specificity. By use of an in vitro assay that utilizes bindin (the protein from sperm that mediates sperm-egg binding) egg surface-derived glycoconjugates that function as receptors in this adhesion process have been identified and purified. These glycoconjugates are of extraordinarily high molecular weight and exhibit some properties expected for a proteoglycan.

A simple device for exteriorizing chronically implanted catheters in dogs.

A device, consisting of a round base and cap made of polytetrafluoroethylene, was made to exteriorize and protect chronically implanted arterial and venous catheters in conscious dogs. In experiments lasting as long as 9 months, the subcutaneously implanted button-like appliance did not cause tissue reactions and was well tolerated by 98% of a group of 200 dogs. Being maintenance-free, having the capacity to exteriorize several catheter or wire outputs, and needing no protective harness were advantages of the device.

Induction of calcium-dependent, localized cortical granule breakdown in sea-urchin eggs by voltage pulsation.

A technique that employs a high-voltage pulses to produce pores in cell membranes (Kinosita and Tsong (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad.

Cost evaluation of infections in intensive care.

The study deals with one aspect of cost benefit analysis of infection control, namely the measurement of extra costs incured by patients who acquired nosocomial infections (NI) in intensive care units (ICU). The consequences of NI are expressed in terms of length of stay, extra drug and antibiotic costs, extra sterile supply used and mortality. Infected patients stayed at the ICU twice as long as non - infected patients, the mean cost of antibiotics prescribed was four times higher, the mean value of other drugs and infusion fluids was approximately 1 1/2 times higher.

Glycoproteins of coated pits, cell junctions, and the entire cell surface revealed by monoclonal antibodies and immunoelectron microscopy.

Topographical descriptions of three major plasma membrane glycoproteins of murine 3T3 cells were obtained by immunoelectron microscopy with monoclonal antibodies. A glycoprotein of Mr 80,000 was distributed throughout the total cell surface. A second of Mr 90,000 was concentrated in coated pits, and a third of Mr 100,000 was localized at cell junctions.

Abnormalities of lysosomes in human diploid fibroblasts from patients with Farber's disease.

An accumulation of ceramide associated with the deficiency of acid ceramidase has been demonstrated in cultured diploid skin fibroblasts from a patient with Farber's disease. We extend this observation to investigate the lysosomal localization of accumulated ceramide and the abnormalities of lysosomes caused by this ceramide accumulation in Farber's diseased fibroblasts. We have found that the lysosomal fraction isolated from Farber's diseased fibroblasts by a subcellular fractionation procedure is markedly low in density compared with that of normal fibroblasts and is separated from other subcellular organelles.