Effects of altering carbohydrate metabolism on energy status and contractile function of vascular smooth muscle.

Substrate-dependent changes in vascular smooth muscle energy metabolism and contractile function were investigated in isolated porcine carotid arteries. In media containing glucose glycogen catabolism accounted for all the estimated high-energy phosphate turnover that occurred in conjunction with contraction induced by 80 mM KCl. However, in glucose-free media glycogen catabolism accounted for only a portion of the estimated ATP utilization in resting and contracting arteries, even though glycogen stores were not depleted.

Determination of cardiac output in critically ill patients by dual beam Doppler echocardiography.

Recent technology in Doppler echocardiography has produced a dual beam Doppler instrument that is capable of insonating the total cross-sectional area of the ascending aorta. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of this instrument in measuring cardiac output in critically ill patients by comparing results with those of the thermodilution-derived cardiac output. A technically adequate Doppler cardiac output measurement was attained in 71 (91%) of 78 patients.

[Acyclovir and pregnancy: current aspects].

Acyclovir (ACV), an antiviral nucleoside analog, is active against Herpes simplex viruses (HSV1, HSV2) and varicella virus (VZV). These viruses seems to be prejudicial to the pregnant woman and to the fetus. Yet, ACV is not recommended for use in pregnancy.

Influence of anesthetics on cerebral blood flow velocity in infancy. Effects of halothane versus thiopental-fentanyl.

We studied the effects of 2 anesthetic protocols on blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery, measured with a pulsed Doppler sonograph in infants. A first group of 10 infants (mean age 64 days) was anesthetized with halothane and nitrous oxide. A second group of 10 infants (mean age 88 days) was anesthetized with thiopental-fentanyl i.

Neonatal renal dysfunction and intrauterine exposure to prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors.

Three cases of renal dysfunction at birth were observed in premature babies exposed in utero to prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors (PSI) and corticosteroids. Transient water and sodium retention with uraemia occurred in one patient, and severe acute renal failure with marked hyperkalaemia in twins. These findings may be due to impairment of prostaglandin (PG)-mediated renal adaptation to stress conditions after transplacental passage of PSI.

Detectability of Erythromycin in Eight Milk Products Using the AOAC Bacillus stearothermophilus Disc Assay.

A comparison was made of the ability of the AOAC Bacillus stearothermophilus disc method using Antibiotic Medium 4(A4) and Penicillin in Milk (PM) assay agar to detect erythromycin in eight milk products. PM assay agar outperformed A4 agar by 470%, producing an average detectable level of 0.26 ppm (range 0.

Adult cardiology and the expanding supply of physicians.

The number of cardiologists can be projected with considerable accuracy into the next century. The total cardiology pool of physicians will increase until the year 2015 at which time those entering and leaving the pool will come into equilibrium. At that time the ratio of active cardiologists to the population will have greatly increased.

Findings on routine right heart catheterization in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Whether catheterization of the right heart should be performed routinely in all patients undergoing coronary angiography for assessment of coronary artery disease is controversial. To objectively assess the utility of routine right heart catheterization, hemodynamic data from 2,178 patients studied for angina having no signs, symptoms, or history of congestive heart failure were analyzed retrospectively. The salient results are as follows: 0.

[Meningomyocarditis caused by Coxsackie virus B4 in perinatology. Value of anti-Coxsackie virus B IgM].

The authors report a case of meningocarditis in a neonate caused by a Coxsackie virus B4. Outcome was favorable. Diagnosis was possible by detecting Coxsackie B4 specific IgM using an ELISA test with the sera of the infant and his mother.

[The transfer of newborn infants. Experience of a department of neonatology].

The results of 6 years of neonatal transport to the neonatology unit of the Hautepierre hospital (January, 1980 to December, 1985) are reported. During that period 1866 neonates were transferred from maternities of Strasbourg and its region to the neonatology unit, representing 23.77% of total admissions.

[Persistent hyperbilirubinemia after intrauterine intraperitoneal transfusions in 4 newborn infants. Role of intraperitoneal red cells present at birth].

Four neonates who had undergone intra-uterine peritoneal blood transfusions for Rhesus disease and hydrops fetalis presented, during the first days of life, with intractable hyperbilirubinemia in spite of multiple exchange transfusions. The hyperbilirubinemia was due to delayed absorption and hemolysis of peritoneal red cells. This unusual complication can be successfully managed with peritoneal lavage which should be performed when the antenatal history is contributive for low absorption of transfused blood.

[Chickenpox and pregnancy. Perinatal aspects and prevention].

Five neonates born to women who had had varicella late in pregnancy or in the post-partum were admitted to our unit during the last year. In utero transmission of varicella-zoster virus occurred in 2 cases. One of them had no clinical eruption but specific IgM at a titer of 1/200.

Evaluation of single sensor transcutaneous measurement of PO2 and PCO2 in the neonate.

A single combined transcutaneous sensor for PO2 and PCO2 was evaluated in a neonatal intensive care unit. The values obtained with the combined sensor were compared with the values obtained with two separate electrodes monitoring respectively PO2 and PCO2. Adequate correlations were found.