Apolipoprotein C subtype distribution in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Plasma lipid levels and apolipoprotein C (apo C) composition of VLDL were investigated in a group of Type 2 diabetic patients at first attendance at the outpatient clinic and before any therapeutic intervention. Patients were distributed into two groups of 26 individuals, normo- and hyperlipidaemic, respectively, and compared with two matched control groups. Normolipidaemic diabetic patients had higher serum triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, and lower HDL cholesterol than matched normolipidaemic control subjects.

Partial nephrectomy for tumour.

Thirty-three cases of malignant renal tumour removed by partial nephrectomy are discussed. The indications of this conservative therapy as well as the surgical technique, the results obtained, especially survivals beyond 10 years, as well as the period of time after which the neoplastic disease can be considered as cured are presented.

Quick method of determining lipoproteins, including those of intermediate density, in serum.

We describe an ultracentrifugation method for isolating the different lipoprotein classes relatively quickly. In this method the very-low-density lipoproteins are first separated by non-density-adjusted ultracentrifugation. The resulting infranatant material is then stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 and ultracentrifuged in a density gradient.

Murine graft vs host disease. A model for study of mechanisms that generate autoantibodies to ribonucleoproteins.

We established chronic graft vs host disease in (BALB/c x A/J) F1 mice with the injection of lymphoid cells from the parental A/J strain. These animals developed glomerulonephritis, forefoot edema, alopecia, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy to various degrees, and all developed antinuclear antibodies. To determine whether these antibodies were directed against the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles that are characteristic targets for autoimmune responses in human rheumatic diseases, sera were studied in the 32P immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting assays.

Prospective study on the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in children and adults in Spain.

The cause of primary pneumonia was diagnosed in 157 of 198 children and 165 of 207 adults seen as inpatients or outpatients in a 12-month period. In children Mycoplasma pneumoniae and pneumococcus were identified in 79 and 29 cases respectively. Twenty-nine of 53 cases of viral infection in children were caused by respiratory syncytial virus, two-thirds of the cases occurring in children under three years of age.

[Preoperative psychoprophylaxis in childhood. Results of a hospital program].

Results of a surgical psychoprophylaxis program, theoretically and technically framed within psychoanalytic theory is presented. It also comprises a description of the method used, as well as criteria by which authors have determined whether or not a child is ready for surgery. Results obtained with 134 children and a description of those who showed post-surgical disturbances are presented.

Sequential combination chemotherapy for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary.

Fourteen patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors were treated postoperatively with a short-term, sequential regimen combining cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, bleomycin, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, Adriamycin (Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH), and vinblastine (POMB/ACE/PAV). Two patients had Stage I disease, Five had Stage II, five had Stage III, and two had Stage IV. The histologic diagnosis was immature teratoma in five cases (two cases were Grade 2 and three cases were Grade 3) endodermal sinus tumor in two cases, dysgerminoma in three cases, and mixed germ cell tumors in four cases.

[Detection of carriers and diagnosis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy by DNA analysis].

Carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be, now, more accurately performed with the DNA recombinant techniques. The segregation pattern of DMD gen can be studied using the genetic variants detected at the DNA level (RFLPs) as markers. Cloned fragments within or very close to the gene (intragenic or extragenic probes) are used to reveal the RFLPs.

[Actinic reticuloid. Immunohistochemical study].

A patient that fulfilled the clinical and histological features of actinic reticuloid has been studied. He presented a positive patch test for fragance mix. Typical cutaneous lesions were reproduced with a solar simulator.

[Nail dystrophy of the big toe. Description of a clinical case].

We report on four cases of great toenail dystrophy. This malformation presented itself in the first months of life. Involvement of other toenails and also of fingernails has been observed.

Does testosterone influence the post-stimulatory levels of calcitonin in normal men?

We have analysed the sex difference of calcitonin (CT) levels after combined stimulation with calcium and pentagastrin (Ca-PG) in the normal population, and the relationship of the post-stimulatory CT levels with free testosterone (FT). We have also studied the correlation between CT values and the anthropometric parameters, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BS), as well as the relationship between CT levels and calcium. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between post-stimulatory CT and the increment over the base-line of CT and basal FT, and with the anthropometric parameters.

[Leukemoid reactions in premature neonates with a very low birth weight].

Authors present three cases of leukemoid reaction in very low birth weight preterm infants. Hematologic evolution is detailed and was characterized by the presence of intense leukocytosis with marked shift to the left abundant immature forms. Leukocyte counts reached values of 70,000 and 106,000/mm3 between the second and third day of life, becoming normal around the eight day.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I both stimulate metabolism, growth, and differentiation in the postneurula chick embryo.

Chick embryos after 48 h of development (day 2) maintained in ovo provide an adequate model to study hormonal influences in early organogenesis in vertebrates. In previous studies at this (prepancreatic) stage of chick embryogenesis we demonstrated not only the presence of an insulin-related material but also insulin receptors and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors. Further, when embryos developed in the presence of antiinsulin antibodies, we showed retardation in both morphological and biochemical events which strongly suggested a physiological requirement for insulin in normal embryogenesis.

[Subcutaneous adrenaline versus inhaled salbutamol in the treatment of childhood asthmatic crisis].

As a bronchodilator, inhaled salbutamol has been shown to be as pharmacologically effective as epinephrine. However the use of the pressurised aerosol is difficult for pediatric patients (mainly under the age of six). The use of spacers (inhalation chambers) could solve this problem.

"Shoehorn technique" for inserting Ionescu-Shiley valves in the mitral position.

A technique is described for safer and easier insertion of the Ionescu-Shiley valves at the mitral level by using the same principle that applies in the use of a shoehorn.