Biapenem versus imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections: report from a Swedish Study Group.

118 patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections participated in an open randomized comparative multicenter trial in order to compare the clinical and microbiological efficacy and safety of biapenem with imipenem/cilastatin (Tienam). 31 men and 27 women (mean age 52.3 years) were enrolled in the biapenem group, and 43 men and 17 women (mean age 52.3 years) in the imipenem/cilastatin group. The patients received either biapenem 500 mg every 8 h or imipenem/cilastatin 500 mg/500 mg every 6 h by intravenous infusion for up to 13 days (mean 6.5 days). 28/43 evaluable patients (65.1%) receiving biapenem and 27/40 evaluable patients (67.5%) in the imipenem/cilastatin group were clinically cured. The microbiological response was satisfactory in 28/43 evaluable patients (65.1%) receiving biapenem and in 27/40 evaluable patients (67.5%) receiving imipenem/cilastatin. No significant differences in clinical or microbiological efficacy between the two treatment groups were found. The present study shows that biapenem may be useful in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.

Metabolism of estradiol in greyhounds and German shepherd dogs. An investigation with special reference to hip dysplasia.

Metabolism of estradiol was investigated in 5 dogs, 3 female Greyhounds with radiographically perfect hip joints and 2 female German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia (one pregnant and the other non-pregnant). One of the Greyhounds was studied both when pregnant and non-pregnant. The non-pregnant dogs were injected with C14-labelled estradiol-17beta i.v. and 5 mg estradiol-17beta benzoate i.m. The pregnant dogs were given only radiolabelled estradiol-17beta. Twenty-four-hour-specimens of urine were collected from the dogs for 6--8 days. Determination of urinary estrone, estradiol-17beta, and estriol was made. It was found that most of the injected estradiol was excreted unmetabolized in all dogs. A significant amount of the injected estradiol was converted to estrone and a small amount to estriol. There was no significant difference in the excretion patterns of estrone, estradiol, and estriol between the Greyhounds with perfect hip joints and the German Shepherds with hip dysplasia, regardless whether the dogs were pregnant or not. The conclusion was drawn that the capacity of dogs with hip dysplasia to metabolize estradiol and to eliminate estradiol and metabolites is not impaired.

Estradiol induced skeletal changes. The long term effect of prenatal and postnatal administration in beagles.

Beagle pups were injected with 200 mug estradiol benzoate per kg body weight daily 5 times weekly during the first 8 weeks of life. The skeletal development of the pups was followed from 8 weeks to 18 months of age. The femoral heads were smaller and the hip joints more unstable in these pups than in controls from 10 weeks of age. The femoral head ossification center increased more rapidly in size in these pups. The bone mass was also increased. Pups of pregnant bitches, which were injected with estradiol benzoate during the last three weeks of gestation, were studied. The highest total dose injected to the bitches was 90 mug per kg bodyweight. Changes in the hip joints such as small femoral heads and increased instability were found in these pups at 8 and 10 weeks of age. Bone mass was less in these pups than in controls. In adult life these pups had loose hips but they did not develop the complete picture of hip dysplasia. The present investigation demonstrates that the early changes in the hip joints caused by estradiol lead to hip dysplasia.

Growth and mitotic rate of the proximal tibial epiphyseal plate in hypophysectomized rats given estradiol and human growth hormone.

Hypophysectomized female immature albino rats were injected with HGH, HGH and estradiol, or estradiol solely. Some animals were left as controls. All animals were killed on day 3 or 5 of the experiment. One hour before sacrifice, the animals were flash labelled with tritiated thymidine. The following parameters were registered: labelling index, thickness of the growth plate, weight gain, and size of the uterus. The following conclusions were drawn. 1. Estradiol decreases the mitotic rate and retards growth of the epiphyseal cartilage. Its effect on the mitotic rate is more pronounced than its effect on the thickness of the tibial epiphyseal plate. 2. HGH increases the mitotic rate and promotes growth of the epiphyseal cartilage. Its effect on the thickness of the epiphyseal plate is more pronounced than its effect on the mitotic rate. 3. Estradiol decreases the mitotic rate even in the presence of HGH. 4. Estradiol seems to have a direct effect on mitosis of the chondrocytes.

Growth and remodeling of the hip joint and proximal femur in adolescent dogs. A scintimetric investigation with special reference to hip dysplasia and estradiol induced changes.

The uptake of 85Sr was shown to be higher in dysplastic hip joints than in normal joints of adolescent dogs. This was interpreted as a sign of increased remodeling. In contrast, the uptake of 85Sr in the growth plate and metaphysis of the proximal femur was lower in dogs with hip dysplasia than in dogs with normal hip joints. This was interpreted as a sign of retarded growth of the proximal femur (more advanced skeletal maturation). Greyhounds of bitches, which were injected with estradiol during pregnancy, also showed retarded growth of the proximal femur. This was interpreted as a late effect of estradiol.