Evaluation of coronary flow reserve in hypertensive patients by dipyridamole transesophageal doppler echocardiography.

This study evaluates the coronary flow reserve (CFR) in hypertensive patients with and without left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. CFR was assessed by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in 15 normal subjects (group I), 21 hypertensive patients without LV hypertrophy (group II), and 27 hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy (group III). All hypertensive patients were complaining of typical anginal pain and had normal coronary angiograms. The sample volume was placed at the bifurcation of the left main and left anterior descending coronary arteries. Coronary blood flow velocities were evaluated at rest, 2 minutes after dipyridamole infusion, and 2 minutes after intravenous aminophylline. The ratios of dipyridamole to rest peak diastolic and systolic velocities were considered as indexes of CFR. Peak diastolic velocity ratio was significantly lower in group III than in groups I and II (1.6 +/- 0.2, 2.7 +/- 0.4, and 2.1 +/- 0.2, respectively; p <0.05), and it was significantly lower in group II than I (p <0.05). The peak systolic velocity ratio was significantly lower in group III than in groups I and II (1.7 +/- 0.3, 2.8 +/- 0.3, and 2.1 +/- 0.2, respectively; p <0.05), and it was significantly lower in group II than I (p <0.05). The peak diastolic velocity ratio was inversely related to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and LV mass index (r = -0.48, -0. 51, and -0.37 respectively) in hypertensive patients. It is concluded that CFR is significantly impaired in hypertensive patients, especially those with LV hypertrophy, compared with healthy subjects. The degree of impairment of CFR is related to LV mass index.

A histopathological and histochemical study of the ovaries of mice experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

Thirty-two female mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and 16 non-infected control mice were studied. They were killed by cervical dislocation, dissected and their ovaries examined histopathologically and histochemically. Ovaries of infected mice showed definite structural damage. No ova, worms or specific granulomata were detected. The study points to a possible immunological mechanism producing such changes simulating those occurring in schistosomal nephropathy. Detection of immune complexes in such organs is recommended.

Human respiratory nasal mucosa in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). An electron microscopic study.

The fine structure of the respiratory nasal mucosa in cases of systemic scleroderma was studied in 5 patients. The cilia were absent in all the sections examined, and the epithelium showed characteristic morphological details. Absence of the mucous elements in the sero-mucinous glands was noticed with evidence of increased activity of the serous units. The capillaries and small arterioles showed severe changes. Electron-dense deposits were seen within the various constituents of the nasal mucosa. It was assumed that the characteristics of the disease are dependent on individual reactivity of a genetically determined immune system stimulated by an undetermined factor.

Histochemical and histopathologic studies of alveolar mucosa under complete dentures.

An investigation was made of the enzymatic, histochemical, and histopathologic characteristics of clinically healthy edentulous mucosae of non-denture wearers. The effects of dentures on the oral mucosa were examined and related to the length of time that dentures were worn. Succinodehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes were used along with periodic acid Schiff's stain. Hematoxylin and eosin stain was used for the histopathologic study. The results indicated that a denture stimulates the underlying mucosa for the first 3 years. A healthy mucosa results, showing slight hyperkeratinization and increased enzymatic activity. After 3 years there are atrophic changes which can lead to inflammatory changes. There is also a reduction in enzyme activity associated with wearing dentures for more than 3 years. Remaking the dentures after 3 years increases the enzymatic activity of the alveolar mucosa.

Clinical, biochemical and histochemical studies on infants with Acrodermatitis enteropathica chronica.

7 infants diseased with Acrodermatitis enteropathica and 10 normal controls were included in this study. The values of anthranilic acid glucuronide, 6- aminohippuric, anthranilic acid, N-acetyl Kneurine, Kneurine and 30 H Kneurenine, were estimated in mg/24 hours urine, both basal and after tryptophane load. In addition, histopathological and histochemical studies for lactase, succinic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and alpha-non-specific esterases activities were done for the intestinal mucosal biopsies. All the previous investigations were then repeated after two months treatment with 500 mg/day diiodohydroxyquinoline. The tryptophan metabolites were significantly low in the diseased infants, both basal and after tryptophan load. Moreover, the intestinal enzymes activities were altered. After 2 months treatment with diiodohydroxyquinoline the diseased infants became clinically improved, tryphtophan metabolites became normal, but the activities of the intestinal enzymes were not altered. The biochemical and histochemical findings were discussed, giving the possibility of competitive inhibition of the diiodohydroxyquinolines and the by-product 8 OH Quinololic acid resulting in more degradation of Kneurine and 3 OH Kneurenine to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.

Red cell membrane lipids in thalassaemia.

Red cell and plasma lipids and their fractions were estimated in 20 cases of thalassaemia and 20 normal controls. In thalassaemia there was reduction in red cell lipids and their fractions, plasma lipids and their fractions, and derangement of liver functions. On the other hand, the intestinal fat absorption, morphology of intestinal mucosa and histochemical studies of fat absorption were normal. Hypolipidaemia may be possibly caused by deranged liver functions and is probably responsible for the diminution in erythrocyte lipids. A genetic factor producing reduction in red cell lipids may be also present.

Histochemical studies of renal biopsies of nephrotic children.

Histopathological and histochemical studies were done on renal biopsies taken from twenty nephrotic children and thirty Albino rats of which fifteen were rendered nephrotic by the intravenous injection of nephrotoxic serum and the other fifteen served as controls. There were reduced activities of succinic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and non-specific esterases enzymes. These changes may be secondary to the insult which caused the nephrotic syndrome, or the result of the heavy proteinuria. In conclusion, a derangement in carbohydrate metabolism may underlie the disturbed metabolism of the basement membrane, the distortion of the foot-processes, and the tubular dysfunction.