Functional cast bracing as a treatment for humeral shaft fractures

Sixty-eight fractures of the shaft of the humerus were treated with a function cast brace consisting of a plaster of Paris individually-molded. A good alignment of fracture fragments is maintained and permitted rapid and uninterrupted osteogenesis. The early presumption of functional activity to the entire extremity resulted in condition conclusive to fracture healing and the prevention of contractures and joint stiffness secondary to prolonged immobilization which is fairly common in other forms of treatmentThere are no non-unions encountered, and morbidity is minimum.(Summary)

Inadequacies of a polished rice and fish diet and recommendations for its improvement in the Philippines

1. Rice constitutes the chief staple food of the Philippines. Several varieties of rice are consumed by the Filipinos. Studies by other workers have shown that the actual compositon of these varieties do not differ very much, but the methods of treatment cause considerable alteration in their composition. Biologically, several systems of classification have been proposed by several workers2. Polished rice is to a great extent used in the Philippines. Dietetically, several reasons are advanced to show the defects of polished rice3. The addition of fish to polished rice undoubtedly improves the protein, the fat, and to a slight extent, the fat soluble vitamin content: yet the minerals, especially calcium and water soluble vitamins, particularly vitamin B are still deficient4. In supplementing a diet consisting of polished rice and fish, one has to take into consideration the social and economic conditions of the masses. The question of supply and distribution of food of right quality but cheaper in price should be considered also5. Suggestions for getting the people to supplement a diet consisting of polished rice and fish are (a) encouragement in the use of green leafy and yellow colored vegetables and fruits to supply the deficiency of vitamin A, B, calcium and iron; (b) promoting the use of pork and glandular organs to supply the deficiency of animal fat and vitamin B1 and minerals, especially iron; (c) encouraging the use of eggs whenever possible in order to supplement the low biologic value of rice protein and to furnish vitamin A, iron and phosphorus; (d) discouraging the use of white polished rice and recommending the use of under-milled rice or hand-pounded rice instead; (e) popularizing the use of mongo beans, soy-beans, and bean products as cheap sources of proteins; (f) explaining the advantage of fresh Philippine vegetables and fruits which are found rich in vitamin C. The feasibility of using powdered skimmed milk as a supplement to the diet of growing Filipino children, pregnant and lactating mothers, should be studied. Caution is surely needed here, since the handling of powdered milk in a totally sanitary manner is difficult. (Summary)

The effective thyroxine ratio in the presence of organic iodide contamination

One of the most common problems that make laboratory evaluation of thyroid disorders unreliable is the presence of organic iodide derived from radiologic contrast media. Several tests have been developed to solve this problem but these are not available locally. This study shows that a new available in vitro thyroid test, the Effective Thyroxine Ratio, can obviate this difficulty. It can be used as a valid index of thyroid function even if done a few days after administration of the iodinated dye. (Summary)

Thyroid hormone economy in normal pregnancy

Thyroid hormone economy was studied in 35 pregnant euthyroid non-goitrous women. PBI was found to be significantly increased by 1.66 ug/100 ml over the control value. Mean PBI value was within normal limits. No alteration in the dialyzable fraction or free thyroxine was found. The absolute concentration of thyroxine was increased. Evaluation of the binding capacity of the carrier proteins in serum showed no change in TBG but an increase in TBPA compared to control levels. (Summary)

Protein bound iodine in normal pregnancy

Protein-bound iodine (PBI) has been reported to be evaluated during normal pregnancy by foreign investigators. This study on 103 normal pregnant Filipino women, however, showed the mean PBI value to be within normal limits, 6.76 +/- 0.1754 ugms/100 ml serum. The mean PBI values of each trimester was found to be also within normal limits; 6.03 +/- .3331 in the first trimester; 6.96 +/- .2983 in the second trimester and 6.89 +/- .2618 in the third trimester. (Summary)

Immunoelectrophoretic studies of hydatidiform mole fluid

Antiserum to fluid in hydatidiform mole cysts was produced. Immunoelectrophoretic studies showed that, even after absorbing out HCG from molar fluid, a couple of precipitin arcs still appeared when such molar fluid was reacted with anti-molar fluid serum. Column chromatography with Sephadex G-100 revealed that the antigens other than HCG were eluted in the same fraction as HCG

Relative levels of alpha fetoprotein in confirmed hepatomas among Filipinos

On the 20 proven hepatoma cases, 10 cases or 50 were positive for AFP as shown in Table I. Examples of negative and positive reactions in the initial survey are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The acceptability of the test slide depended upon the presence of a precipitation line between the antiserum and positive control and its absence with the negative controlThe level of the AFP as gauged by the positive precipitation line in the different dilutions of patients sera varied greatly. Examples of these reactions are shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The results for the 10 positive cases are summarized in Table I. The levels varied from 1:8 to 1:256 dilutionThe levels did not appear to correspond to the clinical stage of the disease. The first case, A.O., was an autopsy case dying of hepatoma with only a level of 1:16. The highest level, 1:256, was a case without much clinical evidence for hepatoma. With the rest of the cases, there was no clear-cut relation of the fetoprotein with the clinical state of the diseaseThe levels were not significantly different between the sexes. Age, likewise, did not affect the level. Morphology of the tumors likewise did not show a consistent feature that could be related to the level of AFP in positive as well as negative casesImmunoelectrophoresis tried on a few of our samples showed more positive results than immunodiffusion. This work is still in progress. (Results)

Valid thyroid function test in the presence of contrast media

The effective thyroxine ratio correlates well with the functonal status of the thyroid. It has the added advantage that it gives a valid result despite the presence of organic iodine contaminants from radiologic contrast media. Serum thyroxine determination by the resin method is affected by organic iodide and can not be used in their presence.(Summary)

Chromosomes studies in heritable thyroid diseases

The thyroid disorders studied - hyperthyrodism, endemic goiter and non-endemic or sporadic goiters- are not associated with gross chromosomal abnormalities, either morphologically or numerically. This does not exclude, however, the possibility of minute alterations in the chromosomes not discernible by the human eye. The possibility of a defect at the biochemical or molecular level in these thyroid diseases remain to be explored. (Conclusion)

The measurement of free thyroid hormone in human serum

A method for determining circulating free thyroid hormone using Sephadex gel filtration is described. It differentiates clearly the euthyroid from the hyperthyroid states. Its most useful clinical application is in the diagnosis of clinically hyperthroid states with normal protein-bound iodine and radioactive iodine uptake. (Summary)

Radioimmunoassayable -corticotropin in normal and malnourished children in the baseline state and with methyrapone testing

1.) The radioimmunoassay technique is an easy, sensitive and convenient method for assay of plasma ACTH. For reproducibility of results, plasma extraction is necessary. Plasma ACTH can be measured in 0.5 ml. of normal plasma2) Baseline and metyrapone test corticotropin values are comparable in normal adults and children3) Baseline plasma corticotropin levels are elevated in the malnourished state, the level of elevation is proportional to the degree of malnutrition4)We postulate that a deficiency of a specific nutrient(s) as interpreted as a stressful stimulus by the ACTH secretory apparatus resulting in elevated baseline plasma ACTH levels5) Replacement of this nutrient(s) reversts baseline abnormal levels back to normal. The specific nutrient(s) remain to be identified6) A circadian rhthym of plasma ACTH is demonstrable in normal children. This rythym is dampened in the malnourished state and the amplitude is elevated. Refeeding does not revert this back to normal altho baseline levels at 6:00 A.M. are back to normal. (Conclusions)

The negritos: a medical study

The most common diseases afflicting the Negritos are malnutrition, intestinal parasitism, and upper respiratory tract infection. Inadequate food intake, unhygienic conditions and poverty are mainly responsible for their occurrenceInteresting results noted in the PTC taste sensitivity test and in the distribution of the major blood groups signify that genetic studies may be helpful in establishing the biological origin of the aborigines of the Philippines. (Conclusion)