Perinatal/postnatal study of D-003, a mixture of long-chain fatty acids, in rats.

D-003 is a mixture of long-chain fatty acids isolated and purified from sugar cane wax with cholesterol-lowering and antiplatelet effects. In order to further characterize the developmental toxicity during the treatment period from late gestation up to weaning of the offspring, pregnant females received 0 (control), 500, and 1,000 mg/kg/day D-003 daily by oral gavage beginning at day 15 of pregnancy and through gestation until day 21 postpartum. Maternal clinical signs, body weight, and food intake were measured at regular intervals during gestation and lactation. Live pups were weighed, sexed, and examined for developmental signs. One female and male of each litter were randomly selected to evaluate the reproductive potential. There were no spontaneous or dose-related maternal deaths during the course of this study. The general health and behavioral condition of offspring was good in all groups. No significant differences among groups were found in comparisons of litter size, survival through the weaning period, sex ratio, and male and female weights. This peri- and postnatal study conducted with D-003 in rats indicated that treatment of the dam during late gestation and lactation did not show adversely effects on reproductive performance or fetal development over two generations.

Longitudinal chest x-ray changes in normal men.

To determine the changes on chest x-ray attributable to the aging process, we evaluated cardiovascular and pulmonary structures on two standard postero-anterior chest x-rays taken at least 10 years apart (M = 16.9 years) in 67 carefully screened healthy men initially aged 23 to 76 years. The aortic knob diameter increased in 79% of subjects. Although mean cardiothoracic ratio increased overall, only 3% of men developed a cardiothoracic ratio greater than .50, and none exceeded .51. Pulmonary abnormalities on initial chest x-ray consisted mainly of hyperinflation (27%) and increased markings (19%), both of which doubled in prevalence during follow-up. Kerley B lines and enlarged pulmonary arteries were rare initially but increased three- to five-fold. The prevalence of these findings did not differ between smokers and nonsmokers. Based on commonly accepted x-ray criteria, chronic obstructive lung disease was suggested in 15% of the initial films and 21% of the final films despite the absence of clinical or spirometric abnormalities.

[Relation between pulmonary tuberculosis and the urinary tract]. / Relación entre tuberculosis pulmonar y el árbol urinario.

We have studied 48 children that presented lung tuberculosis together with the effects tuberculosis has on the urinary apparatus. Clinical, laboratory and radiotherapeutic studies were made in order to confirm the diagnosis which was etiologically confirmed in only two cases. In order to make a good diagnosis it is necessary to use a good technique for urine collection with serial cultures corresponding to four consecutive days and the radiological study of the kidney and its afferent ducts. It is an illness more common than what is thought. It is necessary to know how to detect it and it is very important to have it "in mind" when dealing with any generalized tuberculosis disease: (miliary tuberculosis, meningoencephalitic tuberculosis, etc.). With this article, it has been our purpose to contribute to review and to bring up to data the clinical and pathophysiological concepts of this disease.

[Incidence of social factors in the care of children in the urban and semiurban area of Salta]. / Incidencia de los factores sociales en la atención de niños en el área urbana y semiurbana de Salta.

The authors analyse the social histories of 1000 children taking into account their place of origin, state of nutrition, age of the child and of his parents; their social condition, number of offsprings, wages, degree of instruction and profession of the parents, ledging: quality, running water, sanitary and electric services: type of feeding, conditions for preservation of food. All this information is important to the physician because it implies that the patient treated in the hospital should not return to an adverse environment where he will find the same factors that will lead him again to disease.