Spontaneous and evoked release of met-enkephalin-like material from the spinal cord of arthritic rats in vivo.

Perfusion of the intrathecal space with artificial CSF was achieved in control and arthritic rats under halothane anaesthesia in order to collect the met-enkephalin-like material (MELM) released from the whole spinal cord. On the fourth week following the intradermal injection of Freund's adjuvant to induce arthritis, a marked reduction (-56%) in the spontaneous outflow of MELM was noted in arthritic rats. This effect did not involve changes in the degradation process of MELM, since it persisted when kelatorphan was added to the perfusing fluid in order to inhibit completely the peptidases acting on met-enkephalin. Raising the K+ concentration in the perfusing fluid from 2.4 to 40 mM, as well as moving the hind paws, produced a significant enhancement of MELM release which was (at least) as pronounced in arthritic as in control rats. These results suggest that the basal activity of spinal enkephalinergic neurones, but not that triggered by various stimuli, is reduced in arthritic rats.

[Rectocolic lymph node appearance in adults (author's transl)]. / Aspect nodulaire lymphoïde rectocolique chez l'adulte.

A very characteristic rectocolic "lymph follicle appearance" was observed on radiological examination by double contrast enemas in 3.5 p. cent of 480 cases explored. The usual typical appearance is that of small lacunae of 1 to 3 mm in diameter, with indistinct borders, extending through several colon segments. The frequency with which these images are observed is probably a function of the double contrast technique employed, particularly the adherence of the barium. In most cases, the "lymph follicle appearance" is a variation of the normal, but several rare forms could result from a partial immunity deficiency. Differential diagnosis includes colon wall oedema and most polyposis disorders in their initial stages. Coloscopy with biopsy is necessary when diagnosis is uncertain.

[Ambulatory preparation for double contrast enema. Retrospective study involving 100 nonhospitalised patients (author's transl)]. / Préparation ambulatoire au lavement en double contraste. Etude rétrospective sur 100 malades non hospitalisés.

The authors present a technique of preparation for double contrast barium enema, using the oral route only. It was used in 100 consecutive, suitable non-hospitalised patients with the following results: colonic empyting was perfect in 64% of cases, satisfactory in 25% and inadequate in 11%. Tolerance was deemed to be good. The authors do not suggest that the technique should be used in hospitalised patients, often proving inadequate under such circumstances.

[Double contrast barium enema in the adult, using tannin (author's transl)]. / Lavement baryté en double contraste chez l'adulte. Réhabilitation de l'emploi du tanin

The description of a new technique of double contrast of the colon using barium, gum arabic and tannin in a low dose. The study involved more than, 1,500 adult patients without incident.