A series of nonionic x-ray contrast media containing novel linkages between the triiodobenzene and polyhydroxy moieties have been prepared and screened against established criteria. Of the coupler groups examined (amide including dipeptide, carbamate, ureido, and ester), amide showed the greatest overall utility in terms of safety, solubility, stability, and ease of synthesis. Acute toxicity, solubility and stability data are summarized for each series. In the CNS, certain compounds were well tolerated and some were devoid of any excitatory effects. Intrathecal tissue irritant effects were also unremarkable. Most agents exhibited relatively high osmolalities, raising questions as to the influence of this factor on the safety of myelographic agents. Intravascularly, nonionic media appear also to offer advantages over classical ionic media. However, nonionic media can exert positive inotropic effects and exhibit high viscosity at higher iodine concentrations. Nevertheless, overall results continue to demonstrate the radiographic potential of nonionic contrast media.

Animals↗

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A customized instrumentation stand for patient transport.

A customized instrumentation stand is described for use during transport of cardiothoracic or major surgery patients between the OR and a critical care area. The stand attaches to a patient bed and is equipped with a pulse oximeter, ECG/BP monitor, defibrillator/monitor and support module, oxygen tank, supplies, and medications. The design allows maximum visibility and accessibility, easy movement, and quick attachment to and disconnection from a bed. A similar apparatus may benefit surgical programs facing comparable transport needs.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Angiosuppression and chemotherapy: strategies aimed at their integration in cancer patients.

A number of antiangiogenic agents have been developed as pharmaceuticals and are currently being tested in clinical studies. Potential strategies to enhance the activity of angiogenesis inhibitors could be to combine them, or better still, to administer them either sequentially or concurrently with cytotoxic drugs. Chemotherapy would be a more appropriate initial choice for patients with advanced disease since cytostatic agents can induce a fast regression of the tumor and cancer-related symptoms. Antiangiogenic treatment could be used after chemotherapy in patients who achieve disease remission to prolong the time to progression, the symptom-free interval and the overall survival. Antiangiogenic treatment is likely to attain an important role in the adjuvant setting. In fact, it could be used for prolonged periods after radical surgery to maintain dormancy of residual tumor cells. In spite of these promising preclinical data, several points need to be clarified before the initiation of clinical trials. In fact, certain misconceptions may interfere with their optimum design and result analysis.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

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[Biological characteristics of various strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from human pathological matter].

According to the higher frequency of isolation of bacterial strains belonging to the genus Pseudomonas from various human phatologic materials, in was seemed interesting to study the biological characteristics of these bacteria, which are the most virulent and pathogenic Gram-microorganism. In the present work the results of cultural, biochemical, cytochemical and immunological tests are reported. In vivo tests were also carried out, using rabbits inoculated with whole cells or their products.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ameloblast morphogenesis during amelogenesis. S.E.M. study.

A study has been carried out on the S.E.M. on the enamel of an albino rat's inferior incisor. The observations concern almost the entire ameloblastic cycle, specifically, from the end of the cellular differentiation phase (pre-ameloblasts III) to the end of the modulation phase. The authors have pointed out some morphogenetical variations which during the depositing phase, are manifested on the distal extremity of the cells and are concentrated at this level in the differentiation of the Tomes' processes. Successively, during the transitional post-secretory and cellular modulation phases, the morphogenetical differences at the distal extremities also involve the lateral walls of the ameloblasts and their spatial relationships. Some morphological differences are correlated with different functional moments and revealed by an examination of the corresponding superficial areas of the enamel in the course of its formation. In this study, the constant orientation of the perpendicular is evident at the secretion plane in opposition with other studies that propose a 'pendulum movement' theory of these cells during the depositing phase of the prismatic layers. In addition, a morphological classification is proposed consisting of four types of modulative ameloblasts.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Antibiotic sensitivity of some Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains].

By means of MBC and MIC determinations, the sensitivity tests of some pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas aeuruginosa were determined. Moreover it has been found production of H2S and higher amounts of piocianyne in resistant strains compared with sensible ones.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

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[Health risks associated with child labor: activities and proposals of WHO collaboration centers].

Child labour should be analyzed with regard to the main frameworks where it arises: particularly, the small family based enterprises in agricultural, hospitality and restaurateurs' sectors play a leading role. In these contexts the child can underestimate the risks related to the carried out work activity and assimilate the work background to the family background. In spite of the national thorough regulations on child labour, the network of WHO Collaborating Centres is working to develop a common awareness in order to evaluate, communicate and prevent the occupational health and safety risks for children, at national and international level.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Functional phenotypic immunological aspects in patients with LAS/ARC].

The parameters in antibody-positive with LAS/ARC and antibody negative drug-users have been studied. The results show that in the first group the lymphocyte profile and in vitro immunoglobulin production are greatly affected. In the second group only modifications about activation markers and PWM induced B lymphocyte differentiation are present.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of beta-3-thienylalanine and phenylalanine on tumor cells in vitro.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Carcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Antimycotic activity in vitro and in vivo of 5-fluorocytosine on pathogenic strains of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans].

The authors have analyzed the 5 Fluoro Cytosine (5FC) activity on strains of Candida albicans and Criptococcus neoformans, both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined; in vivo tests of pathogenicity on rabbit and mouse have been executed. The various findings obtained have shown a strong activity of the 5FC on strains of Candida and Criptococcus.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impairment of lymphocyte sensitivity to prostaglandin E2 in cultures from patients with lymphoadenopathy associated syndrome.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) appears to have an immunosuppressive role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Therefore, the effect was studied of PGE2 pretreatment of T lymphocytes from patients with lymphadenopathy associated syndrome (LAS) on the expression of CD25 and CD71 as well as plaque forming cell (PFC) generation in pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-driven cultures. The PGE2-treated or untreated T lymphocytes were cultured with B cells and monocytes in the presence of PWM. Both CD25 and CD71 expression were assessed with an immunofluorescence technique; PFC generation was tested by hemolysis. Before exposure to PWM, LAS lymphocytes showed activation as evidenced by high CD25 and CD71 expression and PFC generation. Pretreatment by PGE2 did not inhibit expression of activation markers and PFC generation in LAS cultures, in contrast to what happened in control cultures. Thus, LAS lymphocytes are activated in vivo and are less sensitive to PGE2 inhibition than normal lymphocytes.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of in vitro polyamine treatment on LDH isoenzyme patterns in Yoshida sarcoma cells and in former macrophages.

LDH isoenzyme shifts are frequently observed in several malignant neoplasm when compared with the corresponding normal tissues. In the present work, we studied LDH isoenzyme behaviour both in Yoshida cells and in founder macrophages, before and after polyamine treatment. The choice of polyamine was prompted in that these polycations also act on the enzymatic and metabolic steps. Results obtained evidenced: i) LDH activity was higher in Yoshida cells than in macrophages; ii) polyamine treatment provoked in tumour cells a very strong increase of LDH activity whereas in macrophages only a slight decrease; iii) Yoshida cells showed the presence of 4 LDH isoenzymes only.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Water supplementation enhances the effect of high-fiber diet on stool frequency and laxative consumption in adult patients with functional constipation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a high-fiber diet and fluid supplementation in patients with functional chronic constipation. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and seventeen patients with chronic functional constipation (aged 18-50 years) were randomly divided into two treatment groups. For two months both groups consumed a standard diet providing approximately 25 g fiber per day. Group 1 (58 patients) was allowed ad libitum fluid intake, while Group 2 was instructed to drink 2 liters of mineral water per day. Compliance was monitored throughout the study and results were assessed in terms of bowel-movement frequency and laxative use. RESULTS: Fiber intake was similar in the two groups, while total daily fluid intake in Group 2 (mean 2.1 liters) was significantly greater than that of Group 1 (1.1 liters)(p < 0.001). In both groups, there were statistically significant increases in stool frequency and decreases in laxative use during the two-month trial, but both changes were greater in Group 2 (stool frequency: p < 0.001 vs. Group 1; laxative use: p < 0.001 vs Group 1). CONCLUSIONS: A daily fiber intake of 25 g can increase stool frequency in patients with chronic functional constipation, and this effect can be significantly enhanced by increasing fluid intake to 1.5-2.0 liters/day.

Adolescent↗