Liver disease in hepatitis B antigen [HBAg] positive blood donors

Clinical examination and liver function tests of 14 HBAg positive and 8 HBAg negative blood donors were done. A history of jaundice, contact with hepatitis and hepatosplenomegaly were more frequently observed in the antigen positive donors. Two of the 7 biopsies obtained from donor with persistant HB antigenaemia were normal while 5 showed minimal structural changes. The likely causes of differences in the hepatic response to HBAg and other factors in different ethnic groups is discussed. The incidence of liver disease in asymptomatic individuals with persistant antigenaemia is variable. Banke et al [1971] found no morphological abnormalities in 17 out of 18 biopsies, while changes varying from minor structural distortion to well established chronic aggressive hepatitis and cirrhosis were observed in 14 out of 23 liver biopsies done in HBAg carriers by Prince et al [1969]. Of the 18 biopsies reported by Bolin et al [1973] 5 had chronic aggressive, 8 chronic persistant and 1 acute hepatitis. Changes consistant with past hepatitis were observed in 1, nonspecific changes in 2 and only 1 biopsy was reported as normal. This study is the part of a survey conducted at the blood bank of this center to determine the incidence of HBAg carrier state and the differences in the pattern of liver disease in HBAg positive donors observed here as compared to those reported by others

Effects of methotrexate and total body irradiation on mouse lungs

Separate and combined effects of methotrexate and total body irradiation were studied on normal lungs of mouse. Forty female albino mice weighing 25 to 30 gms were divided into five groups including that of controls. On gross inspection, 70% of lungs of combined therapy group showed signs of congestion, 10% edematous changes; and 20% blackish mottling. Microscopic examination revealed marked histopathdogical changes in the lungs of combined therapy group and milder changes in the methotrexate [Group III] and total body irradiation [Group IV] groups. These findings confirm the enhanced effects of combination of radiations and methotrexate

histological study of the effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] on the gastric and duodenal mucosa

The effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] on the gastric and duodenal mucosa was studied in 53 patients. On endoscopic biopsies, 87% patients showed gastritis and 90% duodenitis. Chronic superficial gastritis was the most frequent lesion in the stomach [49%]; and mild duodenitis in the duodenum [54%]. The antrum was the most frequently involved site in the stomach. An interesting finding in cases of duodenitis was the presence of dilated intestinal glands plugged with mucus

Influence of vitamin C administered after radiation

Postradiation administration of vitamin C was evaluated for its possible effects on reducing or reversing the effects of radiation. Stomach, duodenum, testes and bone marrow of male guinea pigs were examined for the effects of radiation e.g. degeneration, necrosis and cellularity. There was no significant difference in the effects of radiation between animals that received vitamin C and those that did not. The study, therefore, showed that vitamin C when given after exposure has no influence on the effects of radiation