Splenic angiography was performed before and after graded blunt trauma to the spleen in 15 monkeys. In 9 of these, followup angiography could be performed in week or more later. Pronounced spasm of the splenic artery and leakage of contrast medium into the peritoneal cavity were found to imply a serious prognosis. Local reversible spasm of arterial branches can cause transient defects in parenchymal filling. Larger defects corresponding to hematoma, extravasation of contrast medium, and displacement of vessels may be compatible with good primary prognosis. If, however, these signs indicate that the lesion is of sufficient magnitude and has a peripheral location there is a risk that extensive bleeding will occur. So-called delayed ruptures never occurred in this study.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Imaging the surface of Staphylococcus aureus by atomic force microscopy.

The surfaces of four strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which differed in their expression of capsular polysaccharides, were examined using atomic force microscopy. The images show that it is possible to get information about surface characteristics of S. aureus using atomic force microscopy (AFM) following simple preparation. Strains Smith Diffuse (serotype 2), Reynolds (serotype 5), Wood-46 (capsule negative) and JL243 (capsule negative) were grown on medium known to promote the expression of capsular polysaccharides. The bacteria were air-dried prior to being imaged using tapping-mode AFM. Differences in the appearance of the bacterial surfaces were evident between the strains. The two capsule-negative strains exhibited a smooth regular surface, as opposed to the mucoid appearance of the two strains having polysaccharide capsules. Moreover, comparison of images of the heavily encapsulated serotype 2 strain and the serotype 5 strain indicates that a type 2 capsule can be distinguished from a type 5 microcapsule.

Microscopy, Atomic Force↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term treatment with budesonide in vasomotor rhinitis.

Twelve patients entered a long-term study of budesonide treatment in vasomotor rhinitis. The efficacy of the treatment was studied. Possible systemic side effects were studied via an ACTH stimulation test prior to and during treatment. The local effect in the nasal mucosa was studied by means of a nasal biopsy before and after one year of treatment. The treatment has proved effective, while producing no systemic or local side effects during a one-year treatment period.

Administration, Topical↗