LS-2616 (Linomide), a quinoline-3-carboxamide, is an immunomodulator that has been suggested to act on macrophage-like cells. Based on a hypothesis that LS-2616 would stimulate macrophages in the wound and affect the healing process, the effects of LS-2616 on developing granulation tissue were evaluated using a wound model in rats. Subcutaneously implanted cylindrical cellulose sponges were used as an inductive matrix for the ingrowth of granulation tissue. LS-2616 was continuously present at a concentration of 1.2 mg/ml in the drinking water either for 7 days before implantation or starting at the implantation of sponges. Seven days after implantation LS-2616 treatment increased the mean amounts of nitrogen and collagen hydroxyproline over the control level [+20% (p < 0.05) and +59% (p < 0.05), respectively]. The effect was less pronounced in the rats receiving LS-2616 in advance [+7% (NS) and +38% (p < 0.05), respectively]. The mean amounts of nucleic acids and proteoglycans tended to decrease in the rats receiving LS-2616 in advance compared to the control rats [-12% to 13% (NS) and -25% (p < 0.05), respectively]. It was concluded that continuous oral administration of LS-2616 enhanced wound repair in the rat. This immunoenhancement of wound healing results in increased accumulation of collagen.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in a postpartum woman. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in a 29-year-old postpartum woman is described. The patient presented with hypotension, coagulation defects, adult respiratory distress syndrome and scarlet exanthema as a complication of hemolytic group A streptococcal endometritis. One hundred and twenty-two other cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in the literature are reviewed and the criteria of the syndrome discussed. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome seems to be increasing along with more frequent invasive streptococcal infections in several countries. It is therefore important to recognize and treat the infection as early as possible to minimize the risk of mortality.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of the anaphylatoxins on circulation.

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Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development of posterior capsule opacification in the rabbit.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to characterize the development of after-cataract in the rabbit by measuring its wet weight, protein, DNA and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents and using Scheimpflug and slitlamp analysis. Further, aqueous humor (AqH) leukocytes, protein and lens epithelial cell proliferation activity were determined. METHODS: AqH was collected and capsular bags including after-cataract were dissected free on days 0, 1, 7, 14, 28 and 56 after cataract surgery. The wet weights were determined and the contents of DNA, protein and GAG in the capsular bags including after-cataract were analyzed. AqH was analyzed for leukocytes, protein and proliferative activity. In another set of experiments, rabbit eyes were analyzed by the Scheimpflug technique and slitlamp examination on days 0, 1, 7, 14, 28 and 56 after cataract surgery. The wet weight of the capsular bag with the after-cataract was also determined. RESULTS: An increase was found in the wet weight (480%) and the contents of protein (221%), DNA (945%) and GAG (336%) of the capsular bags including after-cataract during the experimental period. In the AqH, all 3 variables measured, leukocytes, protein and proliferative activity, reached their highest levels on day 1 after surgery. In the second set of experiments, the wet weight of the capsular bag including after-cataract increased by 391% during the 56-day experimental period. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), as measured by Scheimpflug analysis, increased from 0.8 to 81.7% and the scores of Elschnig's pearls as well as fibrosis, analyzed by slitlamp, increased from 0.0 to 2.8 and 3.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the same components that are reported to be important in human PCO are also components of PCO in the rabbit. Thus, the rabbit model seems to accurately reflect human PCO development, and because PCO develops much faster in rabbits that would make the rabbit model suitable for studies to elucidate human PCO development.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Protease inhibitors in middle ear effusions.

As the presence of granulocytes in middle ear fluid in serous otitis media implicates a potential risk of extracellular release of granulocyte proteases, the main protease inhibitors in serum, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin, were immunochemically quantitated in such effusions. The mean concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin was found to be higher in middle ear effusion and the mean concentration of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin slightly lower than in plasma. On comparison with albumin, however, lower values than expected were found in the middle ear fluid for the two inhibitors. The high molecular weight alpha 2-macroglobulin was significantly lower than in plasma. Furthermore a low molecular weight protease inhibitor, which is thought to be locally produced in the respiratory epithelium, was demonstrated in the effusion.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Granulocyte proteases in middle ear effusions.

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Complement C3↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mucosal malignant melanomas of the head and neck with special reference to cases having a prolonged clinical course.

A histological re-examination and re-classification of primary mucosal tumours of the head and neck region, treated at Radiumhemmet and Karolinska Sjukhuset during the period 1927-1970, revealed that 41 tumours were malignant melanomas. All these 41 tumours were located in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and oral cavity and not a single case of primary mucosal malignant melanoma was found in other locations of the head and neck region. In the present study, the long-term prognosis has been analysed. The follow-up period was at least 5 years and ranged up to 48 years. It was found that mucosal malignant melanomas had a very poor prognosis with a five year survival rate of 17% (7 of the total 41 cases) and a ten year survival rate of 7% (3 of the total of 41 cases). The unpredictability of the clinical behaviour of this tumour type is elucidated by cases with a prolonged clinical course despite a primary relatively limited surgery, repeated local recurrences and regional lymph node metastases in an early stage of the disease. Thus, there is always a never-ceasing risk of death in the tumour disease when once a malignant melanoma has occurred. For this reason a meticulous and lifelong follow-up of tumour patients is stressed, and also the value of repeated surgery of local recurrences and regional lymph node metastases.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The antibacterial effect of antibiotics in treatment of maxillary sinusitis.

The antibacterial effect of antibiotic treatment in maxillary sinusitis has been assessed by studying the elimination of bacteria from the maxillary sinus during treatment with penicillin and tetracycline. As adequate antibiotic concentrations are the prerequisite for maximal antibacterial effect, the antibiotic concentrations were controlled. The antibiotic concentrations were determined in maxillary sinus secretions and/or mucosas of 113 patients with maxillary sinusitis, treated with single or repeated doses of penicillin or tetracycline, or the two antibiotics in combination. In 30 patients treated with either penicillin or tetracycline, the bacterial growth in sinus secretion was controlled before and after treatment. It was established that ordinary clinical doses of penicillin and tetracycline may, although not invariably, result in antibiotic concentrations in sinus secretion and sinus mucosa than can be regarded as adequate for treatment, i.e. for penicillin greater than or equal to 0.25 mug/ml and for tetracycline greater than or equal to 1.0 mug/ml. The necessity of achieving adequate antibiotic concentrations in sinus secretion and sinus mucosa to ensure therapeutic success was demonstrated. Thus, bacterial growth remained in the secretions of most maxillary sinuses when the concentrations of penicillin or tetracycline in the secretions were not regarded as adequate for treatment. In contrast, the bacteria were exterminated in most cases where concentrations were regarded as adequate.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗

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Immunoglobulins in maxillary sinus secretion.

The immunoglobin pattern was studied in maxillary sinus secretion of 17 patients with maxillary sinusitis. By single radial immunodiffusion, measurable amounts of IgM were found in the secretions of 15 patients, and of IgA and IgG in the secretion of all patients. In purulent sinus secretion, IgA levels were significantly lower than in serous secretion. Of the total content of IgA in sinus secretion, 30% (purulent secretion) and 43% (serous secretion) were calculated to be locally produced, on average. For IgG these figures were 15% (purulent secretion) and 18% (serous secretion), whereas IgM could not be estimated by the method used. It was also concluded that the maxillary sinus is a suitable organ for investigation of local immunity in regard to bacterial infections.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Purulent and non-purulent maxillary sinus secretions with respect to pO2, pCO2 and pH.

Antral secretions from patients with maxillary sinusitis were aspirated for determination of pO2, pCO2 and pH. In 14 non-purulent secretions the mean pO2 was 12.7 kPa (96 mmHg) and the mean pCO2 5.2 kPa (39 mmHg). The mean pH was slightly alkaline. In 18 purulent secretions, usually with a heavy growth of pneumococci or H. influenzae, the pO2 was zero or close to zero and the mean pCO2 greater than or equal to 10.1 kPa (greater than or equal to 76 mmHg). The mean pH was slightly acid and significantly lower than in the nonpurulent secretions. The gas composition and the pH in purulent secretions do not only influence the metabolic activity and multiplication of bacteria, but may also interfere with the local protective functions of the sinus mucosa and with the bactericidal function of granulocytes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of local gas composition in pathogenesis of maxillary sinus empyema.

An impaired ostial function may be of importance in the pathogenesis of the maxillary sinus empyema due to changes of the antral gas composition. Oxygen is usually not demonstrable in purulent sinus secretion while carbon dioxide accumulates. In vitro, pneumococci were able to create a similar gas environment, provided that the gas exchange between the medium and the atmospheric air was reduced. It is suggested that heavy antral growth of facultative anaerobes, such as pneumococci, is related to the antral ventilation, which when impeded facilitates bacterial growth.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bacteriology of maxillary sinusitis in relation to quality of the retained secretion.

The bacteriological findings in 200 patients with acute maxillary sinusitis are reported. It is concluded that the sampling technique--by antral aspiration--is highly significant in the evaluation of the bacteriological background of sinusitis, whereas the anerobic transport of the sample seems to be of less importance. By aspiration the purulent secretion can be properly separated from the non-purulent secretion. Pneumococci, H. influenzae and anaerobic bacteria can be isolated in about 90% of the patients with true sinus empyema, while sterile conditions are rare.

Anaerobiosis↗