Randomized trial comparing albumin, dextran 70, and polygeline in cirrhotic patients with ascites treated by paracentesis.

Background & Aims: Paracentesis associated with plasma expanders is widely used for the treatment of ascites in cirrhosis. This study investigated the clinical importance of paracentesis-induced-circulatory dysfunction and compared the efficacy of albumin, dextran 70, and polygeline in preventing this complication.

Methods: A total of 289 cirrhotic patients with ascites were randomized to treatment by total paracentesis plus intravenous albumin (97 patients), dextran 70 (93 patients), or polygeline (99 patients).

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: a clinicopathologic scoring system for evaluating risk of cervical lymph node metastasis.

A series of 126 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity with neck dissection was studied. Several clinicohistologic parameters and statistical correlation with lymph node metastasis were evaluated. Statistical association with metastasis was found in the following factors: microvascular invasion (P < 6 x 10(-7)), grade of differentiation (P < .

Use of tiletamine and zolazepam to immobilize captive Iberian wolves (Canis lupus).

A mixture of tiletamine and zolazepam (Zoletil) was used to immobilize 29 captive born Iberian wolves. Based on their excitability during handling procedures the animals were categorized as excited (n = 15) and unexcited (n = 14). We observed differences in the responses of these groups to the drugs.

Successful revascularization of large isolated tracheal segments.

The omentum has been shown to be of use in clinical and experimental revascularization of tracheobronchial anastomoses. We have evaluated the possibility of revascularizing large and completely isolated tracheal segments while preserving the main tracheal characteristics. Ten experiments were performed in dogs, introducing 10-14 cartilage ring tracheal segments enveloped in omentum into the abdomen.

[Chronic lathyrism. Protective effect of pyridinol carbamate on connective tissue lesions in the rat (author's transl)].

The use of lathyric toxins (BAPN) in low dosage (1 g/kg/day) for a period of 8 weeks caused in the rat simultaneous changes in the skin and aortic connective tissues. In the skin. collagen tissue was dislocated and broken in fragments, the elastic tissue disappeared, the fibroblasts were vacuolized and presented evidence of injury.