Alexithymia in schizophrenia: an exploratory study.

This study assessed a relationship between alexithymia and schizophrenia suggested by reports based on small samples of patients. Here, 50 outpatients with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia were compared with 50 pair-matched healthy subjects. Alexithymia was measured by the Polish version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. The mean total score was significantly higher in the schizophrenia group (M = 52.3, SD = 13.47) than in the healthy controls (M = 45.8, SD = 11.39, p < .02). This replicates earlier findings showing that a group of patients with paranoid schizophrenia have higher scores on alexithymia scales than healthy controls. There seems a need for a comprehensive examination of relations between alexithymia and other concepts denoting pathology of affect in schizophrenia.

[A map of delusional world according to Zdzislaw Bizon]. / Mapa swiata urojeniowego wedlug Zdzislawa Bizonia.

The paper describes an instrument for presentation of content of delusions, which thanks to its synthetic graphic form, leads to improved systematization and understanding of delusional beliefs.

Differences in the course of alcohol withdrawal in women and men: a Polish sample.

A retrospective study compared the course of alcohol withdrawal, including delirium tremens, in women and men hospitalized in the Nowowiejski Hospital in Warsaw from 1973 to 1987. Medical records pertaining to 1179 patients were analyzed; 13.8% of these patients were women and 86.2% were men. The study showed that women began intensive alcohol drinking later than men (p < 0.0001), but the period between the onset of alcohol abuse and the first occurrence of alcohol withdrawal was shorter in women than in men (p < 0.0001). In the period of heavy drinking before hospitalization, women consumed significantly less alcohol then men (p < 0.0001); moreover, women drank nonbeverage alcohol less frequently than men (p < 0.05). Women were hospitalized substantially longer than men (p < 0.0001), whereas the duration of alcohol withdrawal symptoms at the time of hospitalization was comparable in both groups. Withdrawal seizures were significantly more frequent among men than among women (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the patients' somatic conditions were not noted between the groups, with the exception of anemia and decreased potassium concentration, which were more frequently observed in women (both p < 0.0001), and of increased concentration of ALT and hypoproteinemia, which were more frequent in men (respectively, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Co-existing personality disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders--as well as abuse of benzodiazepines and barbiturates--were more frequently observed in women (p < 0.0001). The period between the first hospitalization due to alcohol withdrawal and the time of death was significantly shorter in men than in women (p < 0.05). The results point to differences in the conditions and the course of alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal between women and men.

[Carbamazepine in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal]. / Karbamazepina w leczeniu alkoholowego zespolu abstynencyjnego.

The authors present a review of literature on the initial rationale and efficacy in clinical trials of carbamazepine (CBZ) in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, and the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in alcoholics as well. Neurophysiological and clinical studies support the kindling hypothesis in the pathophysiology of alcohol withdrawal. The exact physiological action mechanism of CBZ has not been entirely examined. However, the "antikindling effects" are of particular importance in epilepsy and other neurological and psychiatric conditions. Numerous controlled studies were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of carbamazepine in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and have compared its properties to other drugs such as clomethiazole and benzodiazepines. Carbamazepine could be a useful alternative to conventional therapeutic approaches, especially in the treatment of mild and moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and alcohol withdrawal with generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Characterization of sulfation patterns of beef and pig mucosal heparins by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Though differing only slightly in their degrees of sulfation, heparin preparations from pig mucosa and those from beef mucosa have consistently different 13C- and 1H-NMR spectra, which provide useful fingerprints for distinguishing the two types of heparin. Integrated areas of NMR signals associated with minor, undersulfated sequences (assigned by comparison with mono-dimensional spectra of selectively desulfated heparins and by analysis of two-dimensional spectra of heparins prepared from pig and beef mucosa) permit quantitation of differences in sulfation patterns. Undersulfation of pig mucosal heparins at position 6 of the hexosamine units, determined by 13C-NMR and expressed as percent glucosamines nonsulfated at C6 referred to total glucosamines, is substantially lower for pig mucosal heparins than for beef mucosal heparins (16.9-21.7% vs 36.7-40.7%; average values: 18.6% vs 40.3%). By contrast, undersulfation at position 2 of the iduronic acid units, determined by 1H-NMR and expressed as percent nonsulfated iduronic acid referred to total (sulfated + nonsulfated) iduronic acid is significantly higher for pig mucosal preparations (9.6-13.5% vs 2.1-2.7%; average values: 12.7% vs 2.3%). Pig mucosal heparins also have a significantly higher content of 3-O-sulfated glucosamine units, which are markers for the active site of heparin for antithrombin-III.

Prenatal development of the human humerus.

Fetuses from 105-250 mm C.-R. length were investigated. Using special software dimensions were taken from X-ray pictures. Quantitative changes occurring in humerus during fetal period were determined and expressed graphically.

Pancreatic glucagon levels in infants and children with hyperinsulinemia.

Serum concentrations of pancreatic glucagon were measured in 40 patients with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. In infants with severe disease the glucagon levels were markedly elevated; lower levels were observed in children with episodic hypoglycemia. During diazoxide treatment and after pancreatectomy, the glucagon levels decreased proportionally to suppression of the insulin secretion. Thus the secretion of glucagon seems to be retained in hyperinsulinism in proportion to the insulin hypersecretion, and an increased glucagon level indicates long during and severity of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA using a membrane bioreactor.

Aim of this work was a kinetic study of the deoxyribonuclease I (E.C. 3.1.21.1.) reaction in several conditions. Optimal reaction conditions with enzyme free in solution were determined. DNase activity was studied as function of several parameters such as pH, enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, cofactor concentration. The Km value of the free enzyme was also determined. Subsequently, the possibility to carry out the reaction in systems in which the enzyme was immobilized on the inner surface of the polymeric membranes was evaluated and realized. Experimental procedures, in these new conditions, permitted to determine the mass of immobilized enzyme and the percentage of the reaction product recovery. Results showed that the immobilization procedure determines a decay of the initial activity of enzyme, but there is an important increase of enzyme stability.

Characterization of the chemical structure of sulphated glycosaminoglycans after enzymatic digestion. Application of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure interface.

Pneumatically assisted electrospray was demonstrated to be a powerful ionization source for the analysis of oligosaccharides. A mass spectrometer was interfaced to an HPLC system, using this interface, to determine oligosaccharides from the enzymatic digestion of heparin separated on a reversed-phase column. To set up the technique, and particularly to clarify the ionization process, purified disaccharides, from enzymatic digestion of chondroitin sulphates, were measured. The use of a suitable counter ion in the mobile phase, tetrapropylammonium (TPA), to optimize the HPLC separation, gave, with sulphated di- and oligosaccharides, adducts [M + nTPA - (n + m)H]m-, which were unexpectedly stable to fragmentation; molecular ions [M - (n + 1)H]n-, in the presence of the counter ion, were observed only with desulphated or monosulphated disaccharides. The stability of the adducts and the use of a deuterated ion-pair reagent permitted an exact evaluation of the molecular masses of disaccharides and oligosaccharides of unknown structure. Spectra obtained in the absence of the counter ion contained singly or multiply charged molecular ions and fragmentation ions mainly from loss of the sulphate groups; under these ionization conditions the exact mass determination and interpretation of the spectra were difficult. After removal of the counter ion, tandem mass spectra could be obtained with some interesting data for the characterization of these molecules. Complete spectral analyses were performed with amounts of samples of 50 micrograms but, using microbore columns, one twentieth of this amount may give good spectra.

Defibrotide, a single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide acting as an adenosine receptor agonist.

The binding of single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides to adenosine A1 and A2 receptors was investigated. Defibrotide, a natural substance with established anti-thrombotic and anti-ischaemic effects, displaced [3H]CHA (N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine) and [3H]NECA (5'-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine) concentration dependently, completely and competitively. Ki values of 371 +/- 68 and 688 +/- 115 micrograms/ml (mean +/- S.E.M. of 4-5 replications) were computed for adenosine A1 and A2 sites, respectively. Higher and lower molecular weight polydeoxyribonucleotides displayed comparable affinity, whereas a double-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide and a polyanion with a negative charge comparable to that of defibrotide were inactive. Defibrotide did not affect the total number of binding sites in radioligand saturation experiments. Defibrotide relaxed the K(+)-contracted guinea-pig trachealis muscle (IC50 = 4001 micrograms/ml) about one-third as potently as the CHA-contracted preparation and as potently as the resting preparation. NECA, a mixed adenosine A1/A2 receptor agonist, behaved similarly. The effects were abolished by the adenosine A1/A2 receptor blocker 8-phenyltheophylline, but not by the selective A1 blocker, 1,3-dipropyl-8-(2-amino-4-chlorophenyl)-xanthine. These results demonstrate that defibrotide binds to adenosine receptors and triggers pharmacological responses comparable to those of a known agonist.

[Esophageal achalasia in children (analysis of five cases)]. / Achlazja przelyku u dzieci (analiza pieciu przypadków).

Oesophageal achalasia is a disease of middle age and is only exceptionally observed in children. Five patients aged from 6.5 to 14 years were treated for this achalasia. Routine therapeutic method was repeated pneumatic dilatation of the cardia with a Rider-Moeller dilator. In all, 33 such procedures were carried out without complications. Very good results were obtained in 2 cases already after 3 dilatation procedures. The remaining 3 cases required surgical intervention: in 2 of them esophagomyotomy with antireflux operation was done with a very good result in one case and a good result in another case. The child not treated surgically (lack of parental consent) has still most signs of achalasia with body weight below the 3 centile and with recurrent respiratory infections. The follow-up is from 5 to 66 months.

The surgical approach to hyperinsulinism and hypoglycemia in children.

Authors present 19 children aged from 2 weeks to 16 y with severe hypoglycemia. In 3 oldest children a single nesidioma was found. In other 16 children mainly infants nesidioblastosis has been recognised, and in those cases the subtotal pancreatectomy was performed. In 4 infants the additional resection of the pancreas was done because after the primary procedure hypoglycemia persisted. All patients survived and were euglycemic. Severe hypoglycemia leads to brain damage and therefore should be treated as an urgent state.

Antinociceptive properties of lysozyme fragments.

The in vitro digestion of hen egg white lysozyme with artificial gastric juice gave a complex mixture of peptides, from which a peptide corresponding to the aminoacid sequence 39-53 was isolated. Its further hydrolysis with artificial enteric juice gave two smaller fragments having the aminoacid sequence 39-45 and 46-53 respectively. These products, like lysozyme, showed antinociceptive activity in rats against foot hyperalgesia induced by a subplantar injection of brewer's yeast.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in children with mucopolysaccharidoses: needs for surgical tendons and median nerve release.

This report analyzes the clinical and electrophysiological results of the carpal tunnel release operation in mentally retarded children with mucopolysaccharidoses and discusses the needs for early surgical intervention.

New long-acting 3-azinomethyl-rifamycins.

A number of basic 3-azinomethyl-rifamycins have been prepared. Their synthesis and antibacterial activity in vitro are reported, as well as the preliminary pharmacokinetic data. While the antimicrobial activity is comparable with that of rifampicin, serum levels in mice are much longer lasting. One of the compounds was selected for further studies.

Increased blood level of prostaglandin-like substances during cardiopulmonary bypass in the dog.

Total heart-lung bypass (TBP) for open-heart surgery is often accompanied by a progressive reduction of systemic blood pressure. Since the lung is the main site of elimination of prostaglandins (PGs) from venous blood, TBP may lead to an increase in blood content of vasodilator PGs. TBP was performed in dogs and blood level of prostaglandinlike substances (PLS) was monitored continuously by a bio-assay method. The concentration of PLS increased during TBP to 0.8 ng.cm(-3) blood (in PGE2 equivalents). Restoration of normal circulation led to the disappearance of PLS from the blood. The increase in PLS during TBP was abolished by indomethacin. This was invariably accompanied by elevation of systemic blood pressure. It is suggested that an increased concentration of vasodilator PLS during TBP may contribute to the hypotension observed in total body perfusion.