Showing papers in "Southern Medical Journal in 1971"

Metabolism of fibrinogen in cirrhosis of the liver.

Abstract: The metabolism of human fibrinogen labeled with radioactive iodine was studied in 50 patients with documented cirrhosis of the liver and in 35 healthy control subjects. Results in cirrhotic subjects were the following: plasma volume 47 +/- 10 ml/kg; plasma fibrinogen concentration 250 +/- 102 mg/100 ml; total plasma fibrinogen pool 118 +/- 59 mg/kg, representing 0.73 +/- 0.10 of the total body pool; fibrinogen half-life 2.99 +/- 0.59 days; fractional catabolic rate 0.34 +/- 0.09 of the plasma pool per day; absolute catabolic rate 39 +/- 20 mg/kg per day; fractional transcapillary efflux rate 0.82 +/- 0.30 of the plasma pool per day. Results in the control subjects were the following: plasma volume 42 +/- 7 ml/kg; plasma fibrinogen concentration 284 +/- 71 mg/100 ml; total plasma fibrinogen pool 119 +/- 40 mg/kg, representing 0.72 +/- 0.07 of the total body pool; fibrinogen half-life 4.14 +/- 0.56 days; fractional catabolic rate 0.24 +/- 0.04 of the plasma pool per day; absolute catabolic rate 28 +/- 9 mg/kg per day; fractional transcapillary efflux rate 0.60 +/- 0.26 of the plasma pool per day.A significant difference between cirrhotics and controls was observed for plasma volume, fibrinogen half-life, fractional and total catabolic rates, and transcapillary efflux rate. During heparinization of 10 cirrhotic patients the fibrinogen half-life was prolonged from 3.15 +/- 0.69 to 4.59 +/- 0.79 days. This was associated with a rise in plasma fibrinogen in six out of eight patients. Heparinization did not influence the fibrinogen half-life in five control subjects. Inhibition of the fibrinolytic system in 17 patients resulted in prolongation of the plasma radioactivity half-life of more than 1 day in only three patients, an incidence comparable with that in five control subjects. These results strongly support the concept of accelerated fibrinogen consumption by a process of disseminated intravascular coagulation in cirrhosis of the liver.

Nerve conduction studies: an aid in the diagnosis of the thoracic outlet syndrome.

Abstract: Testing of the ulnar nerve by this technic has been helpful in establishing the diagnosis of pressure upon nerves in the thoracic outlet.

Prevention of small bowel contamination by ileocecal valve.

Abstract: This experimental study indicates that absorptive difficulties following removal of the ileocecat valve are the result of bacterial contamination of the small bowel above the level of the valve.

Liver disease in hyperthyroidism

Abstract: The authors point to the evidence of disturbed hepatic function, long recognized in some instances of hyperthyroidism. Though congestive heart failure may seem to be the cause in some, in others there is no explanation as yet for such dysfunction.

Tympanic thermography: a clinical and research evaluation of a new technic.

Abstract: The authors describe a new method of continuously recording the body temperature in burn patients by use of a thermister probe placed against the ear drum.

Parotid duct fistula: a review.

Abstract: The authors present a historical reveiw of causes of fistula, and the numerous methods of advanced repair.

Secondary carcinoma of the testis.

Abstract: Carcinomatous metastasis to the testis is a rare disease. The authors review their experience with such a circumstance.

Traumatic abdominal aortic occlusion.

Abstract: Two cases of aortic occlusion following blunt trauma are presented with a plea for early diagnosis and treatment. The authors do not, however, stress the help that early arteriography frequently gives.

Dynamic Analysis of Coupled Shear Walls and Sandwich Beams

Abstract: A study is made of the free vibration of planar coupled shear walls, a common lateral load-resisting configuration in building construction where two walls are coupled together by a system of discrete spandrel beams. The differential equations and boundary conditions are obtained by the variational method, and by assuming that the spandrels can be replaced by a continuous system of laminae, or small beams. Natural frequencies and mode shapes are determined, and the results are presented in a number of figures from which the natural frequencies of any coupled shear wall can be extracted. The importance of including vertical displacement in the analysis is discussed, and a study of the effect of neglecting the vertical inertia term is given. These cases are illustrated with graphs and with one specific example. Investigations are also made of the asymptotic behavior of the system as the spandrels become weak, as they become stiff, and as the frequencies become large. Finally, the theory of sandwich beams is presented and compared to that for coupled shear walls. It is observed that for most cases of constant properties, the differential equations (and boundary conditions) reduce to the same mathematical form for both theories.

Secondary systemic amyloidosis: analysis of underlying disorders.

Abstract: The authors have analyzed the disorders underlying the development of secondary amyloidosis in 100 cases. No unitary factor has been found to explain the development of secondary systemic amyloidosis.

Evaluation of patients with history of allergy to local anesthetic drugs.

Abstract: The author believe that most of the so-called allergic reactions to these drugs are merely a cutaneouos sensitivity and not anaphylactoid. They review the methods used in their study to reach a definitive classification of reactions to these drugs.

The brown recluse spider bite: controlled evaluation of treatment using the white rabbit as an animal model.

Abstract: The authors report upon management of this spider bite in the experimental animal. Steroids seem to have a favorable effect upon the degree of necrosis which follows envenomization.

Soft tissue sarcomas involving the extremities and the limb girdles: a review.

Abstract: This excellent review of the literature and the authors' own experiences provides an up-to-date categorization of these rumors on histologic criteria. Prognosis and management is related to the biologic and histologic characteristics of the several types of tumors.