Teratomas are rare in amphibians and the neoplasm described here, which had a significant thyroid carcinoma component, is the first tumour of this type to be reported in Xenopus laevis. The thyroid component contained moderately to well-differentiated acinar glands showing much hyperplasia, dysplasia, and reduced and distorted colloid reservoirs. Cartilaginous, neural, muscular, mesenchymal and gut-like epithelial components were also observed in this ventral mediastinal neoplasm, indicating aberrant proliferation from all three germ layers. This teratoma was only one abnormality in a complex of developmental changes, followed for 28 months, which appeared in a single generation of sibling 2-week-old Xenopus larvae. Two hundred larvae produced by an apparently normal adult pair initially showed ocular defects, including microphthalmia, anophthalmia and tumours projecting near the eyes. During further development up to 28 months, mediastinal tumours developed in nine frogs; these tumours were associated with reduced growth, the frogs reaching only 13-20% of normal weight, and greatly enhanced ventral pigmentation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Urinary and biliary excretion of metabolites of halothane in dogs.

To determine the urinary and biliary excretion of metabolites of halothane in dogs, 12 beagles were anesthetized with halothane either at 0.5 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) for 1 hr or at 1.4 MAC for 4 hr. Urine and bile were then collected for 11 days following the anesthesia. The concentrations of inorganic fluoride in the urine and bile were measured with a fluoride electrode and an ion meter. The concentration of total fluoride containing organic fluoride also was measured in the same manner after conversion of the organic fluoride to an inorganic form by combustion. The concentration of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the urine was measured by ion chromatography and that in the bile by gas chromatography. Over 80% of all the fluoride was excreted in the urine as organic fluoride in both groups. While the fraction of TFA in the organic fluoride in the bile was about 30% in both groups, that in the urine was 40% in the 0.5 MAC group and 65% in the 1.4 MAC group. Therefore, it was concluded that the organic fluoride compounds, the metabolites of halothane, and in particular TFA, were excreted mostly into the urine. The extent of metabolism of halothane decreased from 7.6% in the 0.5 MAC group to 4.9% in the 1.4 MAC group. The urinary excretion rate of TFA, however, was not affected by the concentration of inspired halothane.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Finger replantation.

From May 1965 to December 1979, finger replantation were performed on 157 patients (229 digits). Of these 205 fingers were successfully replanted with an overall success rate of 89.5%. In most cases, sensation was recovered to more than protective sensation and approximately 50% of the cases showed 2-point-dicrimination of less than 15 mm. Restricted joint motion was a problem in the replantation at "no-man's-land" in fingers. However, most of the patients gained useful pinch or grasp in their daily living activities and were very satisfied with their successfully replanted fingers. Operative indications, replantation technique, postoperative management and clinical results are reported.

Adolescent↗