The neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol in an in vitro model of newborn hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in mice is mediated by CB(2) and adenosine receptors.

To investigate the mechanisms involved in cannabidiol (CBD)-induced neuroprotection in hypoxic-ischemic (HI) immature brain, forebrain slices from newborn mice underwent oxygen and glucose deprivation in the presence of vehicle, or CBD alone or with selective antagonists of cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2), and adenosine A(1) and A(2) receptors. CBD reduced acute (LDH efflux to the incubation medium) and apoptotic (caspase-9 concentration in tissue) HI brain damage by reducing glutamate and IL-6 concentration, and TNFalpha, COX-2, and iNOS expression. CBD effects were reversed by the CB(2) antagonist AM630 and by the A(2A) antagonist SCH58261. The A(1A) antagonist DPCPX only counteracted the CBD reduction of glutamate release, while the CB(1) antagonist SR141716 did not modify any effect of CBD. In conclusion, CBD induces robust neuroprotection in immature brain, by acting on some of the major mechanisms underlying HI cell death; these effects are mediated by CB(2) and adenosine, mainly A(2A), receptors.

A report on extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy results on 1,569 renal units in an outpatient clinic.

We report our experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) treatment of 1,569 renal units in an outpatient clinic with a small focused piezoelectric lithotriptor. A stone-free rate of 93% was achieved. In 3.6% of the patients, mainly those with a history of surgery and/or anatomical caliceal deformations, fragments smaller than 3 mm. in diameter remained despite multiple ESWL sessions and intensive upside down physiotherapy. Of the cases 3.4%, including those without sufficient data, were considered unsuccessful. We treated 58 renal units in children 14 years old and younger, 55 patients had a single kidney and 7 had a horseshoe kidney.

[Prevention of infection in sonography]. / Infektionsprophylaxe bei der Sonographie.

The instruments and surroundings of five ultrasound diagnostic departments were tested for bacteria, antimicrobic characteristics, and prevalence of Hbs Ag in commercial contact medium (cellulose) and were also analysed after contamination in vitro. Facultative pathogenic bacteria as well as normal skin bacteria were found on the ultrasound equipment. It was established that cellulose and oils taken from wide- mouthed containers and applied manually or with a brush, were often contaminated. However, no contamination was evident in contact medium that was still in its original packing or stored in small containers and subsequently refilled daily. No antimicrobic activity on the part of preservative agents in the cellulose could be demonstrated after artificially contaminating some contact medium with Staph. aureus and E. coli. Elimination of artificially added Hbs Ag in the contaminated contact medium could not be proven. It is postulated that transfer of bacteria or Hepatitis B infection during an ultrasound diagnosis is possible. It is therefore recommended that appropriate prophylactic hygienic measures be taken, especially with patients susceptible to infection.

[UV irradiation of the peritoneal dialysis solution for the prevention of peritonitis]. / UV-Bestrahlung der Peritonealdialyselösung zur Peritonitisprophylaxe.

Micro-organisms causing peritonitis during peritoneal dialysis or CAPD can reach the peritoneal cavity either along the Tenckhoff-catheter or via contaminated dialysis fluid. Laboratory experiments with UV irradiation of artificially contaminated CAPD fluid were made to demonstrate whether decontamination could be achieved during the flow through a UV-penetrable (lambda 2537 A) section of the CAPD catheter. Five CAPD bags were contaminated with a fluid culture of the following micro-organisms which frequently cause peritonitis (S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and Candida albicans). After UV irradiation positive cultures could not be demonstrated. UV irradiation of the peritoneal dialysis fluid before entering the peritoneal cavity is proposed as an additional preventive measure.

[Genetic variability of colonies of noninbred Cubavet and CENIC laboratory mice from the Republic of Cuba]. / Geneticheskaia izmenchivost' kolonii neinbrednykh laboratornykh myshei Cubavet i CENIC Respubliki Kuba.

Genetic structure of non-inbred Cubavet and CENIC mice colonies was investigated for three loci of hair colouring (A, B, D), for potential fertility and embryo mortality. Mice colonies are polymorphis in three hair colour determining loci. Alleles rates are: a -- 0.17--0.36; b -- 0.21--0.26; d -- 0.07--0.17. Both colonies reliably differ in colour genotype distribution (p less than 0.001). There are also some differences in the number of live embryos, yellow bodies and postimplantation mortality (p less than 0.05--0.001). The data obtained allow to control the stability of genetic structure of the population for a long time.

[Filtration and irradiation of the dialysis fluid to prevent bacteriemia during hemodialysis (author's transl)]. / Entkeimung der Dialyselösung durch Filtration oder Bestrahlung.

For prevention of bacteriemia caused by contaminated dialysis fluid it is necessary to protect the dialysator by decontamination of the fluid immediately before entering the dialysator. Using filters with a pore size of 0.2 micrometer or 0.45 micrometer sterile samples of dialysis fluid could be obtained, but flow rate and pressure of the fluid could not be kept constant, when the resistance of the filter increased during use. With UV-lamps no problems concerning flow rate or pressure were encountered, but really satisfying results emerged only in laboratory experiments. This was due to causes which can be influenced by technical improvements of the irradiation unit, while the use of filters implies additional measures at the monitor unit to control flow rate and pressure. The success of the applied antimicrobial techniques should be monitored for not inducing a false conviction of safety.

Correlations between renal interstitium and level of serum creatinine. Morphometric investigations of biopsies in perimembranous glomerulonephritis.

Morphometric investigations in 40 patients suffering from perimembranous glomerulonephritis at different stages showed that there is no certain relationship between the severity of glomerular lesions and the serum creatinine level. In 19 cases in stages I-III, with serum creatinine level less than 1.2 mg/100 ml on biopsy, the renal interstitium was less enlarged than in 21 cases in the same stages, but with serum creatinine level higher than 2 mg/100 ml. There is a significant positive correlation between the relative interstitial volume and the level of serum creatinine. The best congruence was demonstrated in the lin/log-plotting indicating that our values correlate best with an exponential function. We therefore conclude that in perimembranous glomerulonephritis, generally considered to be a glomerular disease, functional impairment cannot be explained by the glomerular lesions alone; interstitial changes have also to be taken into account as a cause of renal insufficiency. The following hypothesis is proposed; that the increase in renal interstitium and possible shrinking of collagen fibres may lead to a narrowing of intertubular capillaries. This may result in slowing of glomerular blood flow and may lead to renal insufficiency.

[Clinical uses of ultraviolet light radiation]. / Klinischer Einsatz von UV-Strahlern

The main use of ultraviolet light radiation in hospitals is for the disinfection of the air. A study was made of the disinfecting efficiency of indirect ultraviolet radiation (lifts, cleaning of bedding), direct irradiation of rooms overnight or after use, ultraviolet curtains (irradiation of the whole width of passages, doorways and entrances) and ultraviolet irradiation of the filter of air-conditioners. The results are analysed. With the exception of the barrier technique ultraviolet light irradiation did not substantially reduce the number of micro-organisms in the air. Knowledge of the limitations and side-effects of this technique, control of the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation and bacterial counts are regular intervals are some of the factors that determine the success of this mode of disinfection. Detailed studies of the acceptable upper limits of the number of micro-organisms in the air of hospital wards and operating theatres is of prime importance for evaluating the effectiveness of air-disinfection by ultraviolet light irradiation.

Disinfection procedures of fiberscopes in endoscopy departments.

Disinfection of fibre endoscopes was examined in 5 endoscopy departments during endoscopy sessions. On the endoscopes, especially in the instrument channels, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus species could be regularly found, in some cases also Enterobacter cloacae and Candida albicans. With the results of disinfection experiments, proposals are made to reduce the infection risk due to insufficiently disinfected instruments in endoscopy departments.