The CF and HI antibody titers to rubella and measles viruses, the CF titers to influenxa A, and the HI titers to parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3 were carried out on the sera of 20 patients with childhood polymyositis and their matched controls. The titers for measles, parainfluenxa 1, and influenza A were slightly higher for patients than for controls. The control group had antibody titers to rubella and parainfluenza 2 and 3 higher than or similar to those of patients. Strong patterns or significant differences for a given virus or virus group were not encountered.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isolation and purification of three glucuronides of antipyrine. Proposal for an original analytical method for quantitation of sulpho- and glucuroconjugated metabolites.

The determination of the concentrations of antipyrine metabolites in biological fluids is hampered by the difficulty in obtaining pure conjugated compounds to be used as standards. Most authors have proposed determination of total forms by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after deconjugation of these metabolites using chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis. Up to now there is no satisfactory hydrolysis method for the study of all antipyrine metabolites. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the deconjugated metabolites are highly unstable whichever technique is being used. Because of the lack of stability of all these molecules it has been necessary to isolate the glucuroconjugated compounds from urine. We describe a method which allows us to obtain highly purified glucuroconjugated metabolites of antipyrine. Sulphoconjugated compounds have been synthesized previously. We are thus able to propose a chromatographic procedure which allows us to determine simultaneously all stable phase I and phase II metabolites of antipyrine in biological fluids without any step of extraction. This analytical technique allows us to study the activity of the different isoenzymes implicated in the metabolism of antipyrine.

Antipyrine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative MR signal behavior in cardiac cine loops as a function of heart rate.

To evaluate the heart cycle-dependent signal intensity changes in the cardiac chambers, the aorta, and the pulmonary artery, five healthy volunteers were studied with gradient-echo magnetic resonance cine loops at different heart rates. Quantitative evaluation of signal intensity on each side of the cardiac valves showed that there were changes in signal intensity due to section-entry and spin-phase phenomena but none due to the increase in heart rate. The authors conclude that there is no heart rate-dependent signal loss in healthy persons that simulates valvular dysfunction, thus suggesting that signal intensity change can be used as an indicator for this disease, independent of heart rate.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Catatonic signs in neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

The study assessed catatonic signs in neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Records of inpatients meeting both stringent research criteria and DSM-IV criteria (n = 11) or only DSM-IV criteria (n = 5) for NMS were identified. The records were systematically rated on a 23-item rating scale for the presence of catatonic signs. Scores for NMS severity were related to the number of catatonic signs. Fifteen patients met both research criteria for catatonia and DSM-IV motor criteria for organic catatonia. The severity scores of NMS correlated with the number of catatonic signs (Spearman rho = +.71, P < .005). We conclude that multiple catatonic signs are present in NMS and the severity of NMS predicts the number of catatonic signs.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Source identification of PCDD/Fs in a sewage treatment plant of a German village.

The PCDD/F levels in the sewage sludge of a village in North-East Germany were substantially above the limit of 100 pg I-TEq/g for sludge applied to land. A study was initiated to identify the PCDD/F sources in the sewage of this treatment plant. It was found that the PCDD/F contamination entered the plant through the faecal inlet, where the content of faecal storage tanks was emptied into the treatment plant. The isomeric patterns of the higher chlorinated homologues were similar to that of PCP, while incineration showed some influence on the lower chlorinated homologues. Cluster analysis revealed a profile similar to that of PCP.

Benzofurans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ethics and triage.

A disaster is characterized by an imbalance between needs and supplies. In circumstances in which there occur mass casualties, it is not possible to provide care for all of the victims. Thus, it may be necessary to triage the casualties according to pre-established priorities. The performance of triage is associated with many ethical issues. Currently, no Europe-wide agreement on triage and ethics exists. One system based on a categorization into four groups is proposed. Triage should be avoided whenever possible, but, when it is required, there is an obligation to respect human rights and the humanitarian laws, especially with reference to the Geneva Convention of 1864 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. The condition of informed consent must be followed, even in mass casualty situations. Triage always must follow established medical criteria and cannot be based on any other principles. Triage implies constant re-evaluation of victims as conditions of the victims and of available resources change continuously. In order to facilitate international coordination and cooperation, a universal classification system must be adopted.

Disaster Planning↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lack of evidence for involvement of known human retroviruses in multiple sclerosis.

The recent report by Koprowski et al. that human T-cell lymphotropic retroviruses (HTLVs) may be involved in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) has aroused much interest. The report was based largely on immunological evidence, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with viral antigens or disrupted virions. We have accordingly sought confirmation by screening sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from MS patients against cell lines infected respectively with adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) virus (ATLV/HTLV-I) of Japanese cells (MT-1 and MT-2 lines), our own isolate from British black patients with ATL, the MoT cell line which produce HTLV-II, and our own T-cell line containing a local isolate of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus (C-LAV/HTLV-III). We have failed to find antibodies against these retroviruses in the sera or CSF. Furthermore, neither virus could be isolated from the peripheral white blood cells of two MS patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Direct genotype analysis in congenital myotonic dystrophy with an unusual family anamnesis].

We report a case of congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) in which not only the mother but also the paternal family is affected by myotonic dystrophy (DM). Clinical symptoms consisted of poor spontaneous movements, typical facial appearance, respiratory insufficiency attributable to diaphragmatic weakness, feeding difficulties due to impaired gastrointestinal tract motility and poor sucking, joint contractures and thin ribs. She died at 7 month of age, still ventilated, from aspiration pneumonia. By employing molecular genetic methods we were able to show that the affected child was not homozygous for the DM gene.

Electromyography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Zellweger's syndrome (cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome)--its clinical picture, morphology and biochemical diagnosis].

The cerebro-hepato-renal (Zellweger) syndrome is characterised by dysmorphic features, severe muscular hypotonia, hepatic dysfunction and early death in infancy. Recently it has been shown that the disease is an inborn error of metabolism with an unusual variety of metabolic disturbances affecting pipecolic acid, bile acids, plasmalogens and very long chain fatty acids. Ultrastructural and biochemical findings confirming the diagnosis are illustrated. The syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, prenatal diagnosis has become possible.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗