Showing papers in "The Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology in 1968"

Selectivity of organ response to cadmium injury and various protective measures

Abstract: This study was set up to investigate the lethality of cadmium and with the use of radioactive cadmium to determine whether cysteine causes any alterations in distribution of cadmium that might alter its toxicity. Comparisons were made with BAL selenium and zinc as well as with various other amino acids. After subcutaneous administration of cadmium chloride (.012 mM/kg) the testes of CD-1 mice undergo total destruction although only .1% of the dose administered (.07 mcg cadmium) reaches the gonads. In terms of concentration the testes is vulnerable to as little as .15 mcg of cadmium per gm wet weight of tissue; liver and kidney which attain concentration levels 45-90 times greater show no microscopic evidence of damage. Cysteine prevents cadmium from injuring the testes but enhances the lethality of cadmium 5-fold; greatly increased quantities of the metal are directed to the kidney selectively destroying the proximal convoluted tubules. BAL selenium and zinc which also protect the testes from cadmium neither increase the distribution of cadmium to the kidney nor enhance the toxicity of cadmium. Other than cysteine none of the 13 other amino acids tested protects the testes or increases cadmium toxicity. In contrast to the kidney the testis is protected in the face of the increase in cadmium level caused by both cysteine and selenium.

Coarctation of the aorta.

Abstract: A 29-year-old man was admitted for acute chest pain and electrocardiography showing ST segment elevation in the inferior leads. The patient was sent for cardiac catheterization, but attempts at passing the guidewire past the ligamentum arteriosum were unsuccessful. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed showing possible dissection flap in the ascending aorta. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed coarctation of the aorta rather than dissection. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed this diagnosis (Figure 1) with a long segment of interruption of the aorta, proximal to the expected origin of the left subclavian artery (arrow). Coarctation of the aorta occurs in 7% of all congenital heart defects with a male predominance.1 The adult type of coarctation is more commonly distal to the left subclavian artery2 rather than proximal, as with this patient. Magnetic resonance imaging also demonstrated markedly enlarged and tortuous intercostal arteries primarily on the right side of the chest (Figure 2, arrows). In patients with coarctation of the aorta, intercostal arteries supply blood to the descending aorta rather than conducting blood from the descending aorta.2 Enlarged intercostal arteries are usually present bilaterally in patients with coarctation of the aorta causing rib notching, but when the interruption involves the left subclavian artery, they may be present exclusively on the right.2 This patient was scheduled for surgical intervention for his aortic coarctation.