[Hepatitis A in Oslo].

During the last six years we have registered 237 persons with acute hepatitis A in Oslo, 96 of them with non-Scandinavian names. The number with non-Scandinavian names is increasing. Almost all the hepatitis A patients with non-Scandinavian names are children, and two of three had been infected in Pakistan.

[Blood flow in umbilical artery in fetus with intrauterine growth retardation].

Many studies of Doppler blood flow velocimetry show an association between alteration of flow waves and adverse perinatal outcome in growth retarded fetus. In our study, 74 cases of growth retarded fetuses were evaluated with umbilical artery Doppler. Sixty-five showed the presence of diastolic flow and all of them had good perinatal outcome, regardless the score of the different indexes.

Familial dwarfism and painful muscle spasms.

We report a family with a disorder characterized by limbs and truncal undulating painful muscle spasms, short stature, fine and sparse hair in the scalp, absence of body hair, low implanted ears, big nose, pitched voice, enlarged heart ventricles and increased fasting glucose levels. Symptoms began in childhood and did not progress after the third decade of life. This disorder represents a new clinical phenotype among the several forms of dwarfism associated with neurological manifestations already described in the literature.

Sperm increase inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mass in Xenopus laevis eggs preinjected with calcium buffers or heparin.

Although it is known that all fertilization events are due to elevated intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), it is not known how sperm induce an increase in zygote [Ca2+]i. We report that sperm can increase inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in Xenopus laevis eggs that have been preinjected with calcium buffers to prevent the increase in [Ca2+]i (both the initial increase and the subsequent wave) after fertilization. After buffering [Ca2+]i to levels well below basal, IP3 production was not blocked, whereas IP3 metabolism may be inhibited.

[Usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture in 3 cases].

We report three male patients in whom the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture was raised. Conventional X ray examination showed an unilateal bulging of the diaphragmatic dome in two and the association of basal atelectasis in the third. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture in all.

[Evaluation of prostatic specific antigen after a digital rectal examination: experience with 36 patients].

Levels of prostatic specific antigen may be modified with procedures over the prostatic gland. We measured this antigen in 36 hospitalized patients before and immediately after a digital rectal examination. Antigen levels were 8.

Quantitation of soluble HLA class I heterodimers and beta 2-microglobulin in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Beta 2m serum levels have been shown to be increased in patients with tuberculosis and HIV infection. We determined the stability of beta 2m and of sHLA-I dimers in serum, and then determined the levels of both molecules in 60 non-HIV-infected patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and in 55 adult controls. The levels of sHLA-I in samples kept at room temperature declined by 8% at 30 minutes, 16% at 60 minutes, and 36% at 120 minutes.

[Spontaneous regression of a cystic hygroma].

A case of a nonseptated cystic hygroma with spontaneous resolution in utero is presented. The clinic, sonographic, and morphologic findings as well as the prognosis of septated and nonseptated cystic hygromas are discussed.

[Outbreak of typhoid fever in a family].

We describe a small epidemic of typhoid fever in a family who came originally from Pakistan. In 1992 six members (mother and five children) of a family of ten were admitted to our department with typhoid fever within a nine-day period. The index case was an 18 months old girl who had been hospitalized and treated elsewhere for typhoid fever.

[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in chronic hemodialysis and kidney transplantation patients].

Hepatitis C virus antibodies were measured in 26 chronic hemodialyzed patients and 43 kidney transplant recipients, using a second generation ELISA method. Fifty four percent of hemodialyzed had a longer duration of dialysis treatment compared with patients with negative antibodies (57.6 +/- 30.

[Pneumococcal vaccine recommended for HIV-infected individuals].

The Epidemic Section at the Oslo City Department of Health and Environment, is responsible for monitoring communicable diseases in Oslo. We have registered an increase in the number of severe cases of pneumococcal disease with bacteremia, sepsis and meningitis. Fifty-two cases of invasive pneumococcal disease occurred in Oslo in 1992.

Maternal plasma volume expansion and hormonal changes in women with idiopathic fetal growth retardation.

Objective: To explore the mechanisms underlying the reduced maternal plasma volume associated with idiopathic fetal growth retardation (FGR).

Methods: In 30 normotensive women with growth-retarded fetuses and 26 with normal-size fetuses, plasma volume was measured with a modified Evan's blue method. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, and urinary excretion of kallikrein, prostacyclin, and thromboxane A2 were measured at 34-40 weeks' gestation.

Maternal hemodynamic adjustments in idiopathic fetal growth retardation.

The hemodynamic characteristics of 11 normotensive gravidas with idiopathic fetal growth retardation (FGR), were compared with 11 controls of similar age, parity and body size. At weeks 36-38 of gestation, plasma volume was 3,161 +/- 121 ml in controls and 2,624 +/- 95 ml in the FGR group (p < 0.003); cardiac output (CO) was 6,191 +/- 132 ml/min in controls and 5,483 +/- 186 ml/min in the FGR group (p < 0.

Cloxacillin-induced acute tubulo interstitial nephritis.

Objective: To report a case of possible cloxacillin-induced acute tubulo interstitial nephritis (AIN).

Case Summary: A 15-year-old male patient presented with hypertension, edema, lumbar pain, sterile pyuria, eosinophiluria (ten percent), and severe renal dysfunction three months after the ingestion of cloxacillin. A renal biopsy revealed diffuse edema and inflammatory infiltrate of the interstitium (five percent eosinophils).

[The fall of the Jericho walls].

Archeologic and medical evidence and biblical texts were analyzed in search of support for the hypothesis that the fall of Jerico walls might have been related to an epidemic caused by Schistozoma hematobium. There is evidence of the presence of Balinus trunctus, a snail acting as an intermediary host, but not of the disease itself. However, the hypothesis could still be tenable if all inhabitants left the city, which is suggested by all available evidence.

[Traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst, 2 cases].

Two patients with traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst are presented. One patient was treated with percutaneous drainage and the other was operated on to perform a cystoenterostomy. Both patients recovered successfully.

Hemodynamic changes in underweight pregnant women.

Twelve normal-weight and 12 underweight women were compared to test whether fetal growth retardation in underweight gravidas is related to inadequate maternal hemodynamic adjustments. Plasma volume (+/- standard error) was 3227 +/- 103 mL in normal-weight and 2731 +/- 84 mL in underweight women (P less than .002).

Substance use among Hispanic and non-Hispanic adolescents.

This study compared lifetime prevalence data on substance use with demographic and psychosocial variables among 2,821 Hispanic and non-Hispanic white students from two Southwestern cities. Study findings revealed that ethnic-racial background factors were not the strongest predictors of substance use. Rather, when the analyses accounted for school grades and for maternal education, non-Hispanic youth had higher lifetime substance use rates than Hispanic youth.

[The fall from height of king Ocozhyia of Israel].

An historic and literary analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the fall from height experienced by Israeli King Ocozhyia (book of kings 2: 2-17). We conclude that the clinical course was brief, there was no brain injury and it is likely that he developed a fracture but no retroperitoneal, soft tissue or vascular injury. Most likely hypovolemia and respiratory insufficiency derived from thoraco-abdominal injury caused his death.

[Glycosylated hemoglobin in normal pregnancy].

In a prospective and transverse mode, HbA1 levels were determined in 60 normal pregnant women distributed in 5 groups according to gestational age. Also, total hemoglobin and glycemia levels one hour after a 50 g oral glucose load were determined. No statistically significant differences were found in HbA1 mean level of the different gestational age groups of our study.