[The physician and physicist C.G. Kratzenstein's work and research in St. Petersburg 1748-53]. / Laegen og fysikeren C.G. Kratzenstein's virke og forskning i St. Petersborg 1748-53.

Through introduction from Leonhard Euler the young Halle-scientist C.G. Kratzenstein (1723-95) - famous for his investigations concerning electricity and its physical-therapeutic effect - obtains appointment as member of the St. Petersborg Academy of Siences. Professor G.K. Tsverava in physics of the Leningrad Academy of Sciences and I have restudied and recapitulated our investigations from 1974 and 1989 in a combined study to show, what the young Kratzenstein fullfilled during his work for the Russian Academy during the years 1748-53. He develops astronomical instruments, "geographical and nautical weights", "Sea-watches" and a.o. also a rowing-machine, which might help ships during calm. He is also physician to sick young studets at the Marine Hospital, repairs the Gottorpglobe after the fire of it - and performs an autopsy of an elephant. He obtains much spiritual support from Euler - having much troubles with the chancellor of the Academy J.D. Schumacher. In 1752 Kratzenstein participates in a scientific travel to Archangelsk and therefrom sailing west-on along the Norwegian coast, where he ascertains that it in maps is placed 200 sea-miles too far to the east. He passes Copenhagen, where he during a stay is invited to bec ome a professor of the Copenhagen university. ...

[Jacques-Benigne Winsløw and his original research on the mobility and function of the spine]. / Jacques-Benigne Winsløw og hans originale undersøgelser af rygsøjlens bevaegelighed og funktion.

It was not until the time of the anatomist Vesal (1514-64) that the function of the spinal facet-joints was understood. First with the effective anatomical studies of the Danish anatomist J.B. Winsløv (1669-1760) in Paris and of the German anatomist Josias Weitbrecht (17th and 18th century) in St. Petersburg, the building and function of the spinal disk were described. Texts and illustrations in the incunabels (last part of the 15th century) tells of the rather slow development of understanding of the spine's anatomy and movability. X-ray and MR scanning from the 20th century have produced far better methods for studying the normal and abnormal building and function of the spine - but Winsløw and Weitbrecht's investigations were really epoch-making.

Study of restriction fragment length polymorphism in the cystatin C gene of elderly patients with dementia and aged Down's syndrome patients.

Using a full length cystatin C cDNA probe and the Alu I restriction enzyme a total of 33 patients with senile dementia, Alzheimer type and 31 Down's syndrome patients have been investigated for the presence of the 630 bp Alu I restriction fragment length polymorphism in the cystatin C gene detected in Icelandic patients with hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy. Results showed that all the patients had normal cystatin C fragment length of 600 bp.

The penetration of metrizamide into the brain after routine lumbar myelography as shown by cerebral computed tomography and its effect on auditory brainstem transmission time.

Metrizamide is a widely used contrast medium with some well known adverse reactions. In a preliminary study, CT scans and brain stem evoked potentials (BAEP) were done before and 18 hours following lumbar myelography on 12 patients. A statistically significant prolongation of the BAEP was observed. Metrizamide therefore seems to be a potent substance in clinical use as indicated by its effect on BAEP. BAEP should not be done within the first few days after myelography with metrizamide.

HLA--Dw4 and rheumatoid arthritis.

Forty-seven patients with a "definite" or "classical" rheumatoid arthritis according to the ARA criteria were typed for the serologically detectable HLA--A, --B, and --C antigens and 36 of these patients were typed for the HLA--D antigens, Dw1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 by the MLC technique. The frequency of Dw4 was increased to 44.4% in the patients compared to 17.2% in normal controls (P = 8 X 10(-4)). The frequency of Dw1 and Dw7 was also increased although this was only of borderline significance. The frequency of Dw2 was remarkably low, especially in females, which is of interest, as the same antigen has a low frequency in some other autoimmune diseases. No significant deviations of the frequencies of HLA--A, --B, and --C antigens were found in rheumatoid arthritis patients.