Data processing of digital recordings of microscopic examination of urinary sediment.

The analysis of urine was actually the beginning of laboratory medicine. The important part of the routine urinalysis is the microscopic examination of the urinary sediment [Fogazzi and Cameron, Kidney Int 1996;50(3):1058-1068; Diamondopoulos, Am J Nephrol 1997;17(3-4):222-227; Fogazzi et al., Clin Chem Lab Med 1998;36(12):919-924]. The microscopic examination of the urine is the least standardised and most time-consuming part of the routine urinalysis, even though it is now known that careful analysis of the sediment components can provide early information concerning the anatomic integrity of the kidney and the existence and extent of recent damage. Our objective was to develop a computerised image processing system and an interactive software package for the backing of clinicians, medical research and medical students. The system consists of: (a) a CCD camera attached to a microscope. (b) Digital processing device. (c) Computer equipped with special video card. (d) Printer. (e) Software. Image analysis begins with a digital capturing of the image as data. The image is detected with 256 gray levels and displayed with a resolution of 512x512 pixels. A pixel is an abbreviation for picture elements and represents the dots on a screen. Once the image is acquired in digital format, the data can be manipulated for changes in the display image or for statistical purposes. The digitised microscope images are a very important part of renal diagnosis and of teaching nephrology.

[Rejoining the labor market once child-care leave is over]. / Visszateres a munkaeropiacra a gyermekgondozasi ido letelte utan.

"The author of the study analyses, from the aspects of a particular group, the situation of [women in the labor force] in Hungary. In sample surveys carried out in the first quarter of 1993 and 1995, mothers on leave for child-care were interviewed about their intentions...to renew their gainful activities. Of some 25 thousand households 1,450 and 1,491 women on leave for child-care answered the questions in 1993 and 1995, respectively.... The results indicate...that chances of women [rejoining] the labour market depend on the sector and regional location of their previous workplace, on their craft qualification etc." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Experimental determination of the flame expansion factor.

The flame expansion factor (ratio of volumes of flame gases before and after burning) has been determined by mercury vapour introduction. The method is based on the determination of atomic concentration ratio in the flame and the flameless gas jet using the same sample introduction rate. A good agreement has been found between the expansion factors determined by the proposed method and those calculated by the gas law.

Efficacy and tolerance of 400 MG bezafibrate in diabetic and hyperlipidaemic patients.

The authors report the results of an open clinical study using 400 mg Bezafibrate once a day. Among 25 diabetic patients (type II.) underwent a 4 weeks period with nutritional advice. Average changes from inclusion levels were -24% for total cholesterol, -56% for triglicerides, +11.9% for HDL-cholesterol, -19% for plama fibrinogen. In conclusion, bezafibrate at a daily dose of 400 mg had significant lipid-modifying properties but also exhibited a beneficial effect on other related risk factors such as fibrinogen reduction.

Revision arthroplasty of the hip with extensive bone loss. Preliminary study.

In this preliminary study, authors describe their experiences with revision of the cup and with that of the femoral stem. Former has been performed by them since 1993 39 times on 37 patients, the latter 3 times on 3 patients. The method was successful in most of the cases; the anatomical integrity was preserved and stability was satisfactory.

[Management of early avascular femur head necrosis by flexion osteotomy. 2-year follow up]. / A korai avasculáris combfejnecrosis kezelése flexiós osteotomiával. Minimum 2 éves utánkövetés.

Authors report on the results of treatment in 19 patients, operated for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The first operation was performed in October, 1989. The average follow-up was 28 (24-42) months, the minimal follow-up 2 years. The state of one patient grew worse, one was unchanged, the rest improved. Operation in early cases is suggested if less than 50 per cent of the femoral head is attainted.

[Clinico-pathological and orthopedic-surgical aspects of essential osteolysis (Gorham disease)]. / Az osteolysis idiopathica (Gorham-kór) klinikopatológiai és ortopédsebészi vonatkozásai.

Authors present two cases. One of their patient was followed for 30 years. They discuss the pathological characters and diagnostic difficulties of the disease. They have observed that with radical operations of--according to necessity--serial surgical interventions the outcome of patients can be properly controlled against recent pessimistic opinions.

[Management of 2 cases of pseudarthrosis]. / Lábszár álízület megoldásának 2 esete.

Authors describe their standpoint concerning the choice of therapeutic methods in the solution of two cases of the lower leg's pseudarthrosis. On the basis of two cases treated successfully they strive after osteogenetic induction and adequate stability and in the formation of principles after the equilibrium of modernity and rationality.

Comparison of complications of total hip arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis.

Between 1971 and 1985, 3080 arthroplasties were performed. The authors analyze patients reoperated because of primary surgery complications. Of the primary arthroplasties (2889), there were 1788 operations performed for primary osteoarthritis, and 379 hip replacements for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Reoperation rates in both groups were the same (3.4%). In the group with rheumatoid arthritis, the rate was 1.45%, much lower than the osteoarthritic group.

L-carnitine replacement therapy in chronic valproate treatment.

Ten epileptic children with chronic valproic acid (VPA) treatment were given L-carnitine for 14 days. As compared to age and sex matched control subjects the carnitine status of the VPA treated children showed carnitine insufficiency prior to the carnitine administration with lower total and free carnitine in plasma and in urine. In response to the extra intake the plasma free and esterified carnitines increased 1.7-fold. The daily excreted amount of esterified carnitines increased 6.5-fold (1.55 +/- 0.23 vs 10.1 +/- 1.68 mumol/kg/day, means +/- SEM, p less than 0.005) showing that a considerable part of the administered carnitine participated in the elimination of acyl groups from the body. The depressed level of beta-hydroxybutyrate in the plasma (31.8 +/- 7.42 vs controls 118.0 +/- 16.0 mumol/l, means +/- SEM, p less than 0.005) remained unaffected by the carnitine administration (29.7 +/- 7.06 mumol/l) suggesting that the hypoketonemia is not a direct consequence of the carnitine insufficiency. No differences were observed in the plasma level of free fatty acids, triglycerides and in insulin: glucagon ratios between the VPA treated and control subjects, suggesting that lipolysis of fats and the hepatic hormonal control mediated by these hormones are not the sites at which VPA causes reduced fasting ketogenesis. The plasma level of VPA and the seizure control remained unaffected by carnitine treatment.

[Consolidation of congenital tibial pseudoarthrosis using Ilizarov's compression-distraction method]. / Congenitalis tibia-álízület konszolidációja Ilizarov compressiós-distractiós módszerével.

Authors describe a case of consolidation of a congenital pseudarthrosis. The difficulties of the treatment of this disease are known. Very few procedures can secure the internal fixation and the induction of osteogenesis in the same time. Authors used beside internal fixation the distraction method that led to a surprisingly quick consolidation.

Serum total, HDL, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of increased prevalence of coronary heart disease. In general, the plasma level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) correlates with the risk of incidence of ischemic heart disease. The levels of total, HDL, low density (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in healthy controls. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (26 men and 103 women), the serum total and LDL cholesterol were higher, whereas the HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were lower (p less than 0.001) compared to the values observed in controls (625 men and 749 women). Similar patterns were seen when results of age and sex matched controls were compared to the results of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The lipid parameters of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were not different when the patients were treated with steroidal or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

[Plastic repair of the acetabular floor for acetabular protrusion in total endoprostheses of the hip joint]. / Pfannenbodenplastik wegen Protrusio acetabuli bei Totalendoprothesen des Hüftgelenks.

The authors describe the early results of the acetabular floor replacement procedure introduced by them. The surgical technique and the exact method of preparing the autograft are described in detail. The authors consider the use of autologous bone preferable to other methods. This technique results in guaranteed bony consolidation. No complications occurred during the three-year observation period, and none of the patients have any complaints.