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Test strips are convenient tools for rapid, semi-quantitative analysis of a variety of parameters by dipping them for a few seconds in a sample solution followed by a simple colorimetric read-out. Their sensitivity is mainly determined by the reactivity of the test dyes on the reaction zone and is not sufficient for some applications. The detection limit of commercially available free chlorine test strips, for example, is at present not low enough to confirm the absence of this analyte as disinfectant in rinsing solutions after disinfection or to control required residual amounts of chlorine in drinking water. Therefore, we developed a user-friendly lateral flow test which is capable to detect very low amounts of free chlorine. The latter relies on a larger sample volume passing the reaction zone as compared to simple dip test strips. An amount of as low as 0.05 ppm chlorine can, however, only be detected if oxidation stable flow test substrates are used. The eventually developed flow test reaches a 10x higher sensitivity than a commercial dip test. The result is obtained within 4-5 min flow time, whereby no action is required by the user during this analysis time.

Internal gall bladder fistulas with a hollow viscus following dislocation of a gallstone into the intestine represent one of the late sequelae of cholelithiasis. We report the case of a 78-year-old patient, who suffered from a cholecystogastric fistula with consecutive stone transmigration into the stomach.

We have reported about three patients with extensive destruction of the anorectal sphincter apparatus which were treated at the I. Surgical Clinic of Innsbruck University, Austria, between 1964 and 1981. Diagnostical methods and therapy are explained. Special emphasis is layed on exact anamnestic, clinical, radiological and neurological diagnosis of the sphincter before the closing of the protective colostomy.

A case of "bowenoid" leukoplakia in the anal region of a 31-year-old woman is presented to our knowledge for the first time in the literature. Clinically the lesion appeared as a "simple" leukoplakia. Although excision of the lesion was performed as histologically shown in toto, three recurrences followed. Both retinoid therapy and local treatment with 5-fluorouracil were unsuccessful, whereas radiation therapy apparently cured the patient.

In 32 patients with colorectal carcinomas, the immunoreactivity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured on section preparations of the tumours by means of a computer controlled microdensitometric method. By measuring numerous single points, the intensity of the immunohistochemical staining reaction of CEA was evaluated. This method is superior to the commonly used semiquantitative method (+, ++, ) for the assessment of various degrees of staining intensity whenever the antigen to be measured is not homogeneously dispersed in the tissue. The results show that highly differentiated colorectal carcinomas of stage A according to Dukes classification have a lower CEA immunoreactivity than highly differentiated carcinomas of stage B. A correlation between CEA immunoreactivity and degree of malignancy could only be found in patients in stage B. Stage C carcinomas of all degrees of differentiation appeared with a very low CEA immunoreactivity. CEA follow-up controls in our study were of little value for detecting local recurrences; metastases, however, almost always caused an increase in serum CEA titers. Prognostically, a preoperatively increased serum CEA level seems to be as unfavourable as a low CEA immunoreactivity in the tumour.

Endoscopic decompression of the bowel in "toxic megacolon" is presented in two cases as an alternative procedure to Turnbull's technique using multiple bowel fistulas. In our opinion this technique seems to be a substantial improvement in the treatment of "toxic megacolon" and may even help to prevent ileotomy-colotomy in some cases.

An assay of lipolytic activity in human adipose tissue is described, in which native homogenates of the adipose tissue yield the enzyme, as well as the triglyceride substrate, and the emulsifying phospholipids. The lipolytic activity in the presence of serum is characterized mainly as lipoprotein lipase activity by a pH-optimum of 8.0, by the fact that serum is necessary for full activity, and that it is inhibited by 1 M NaCl and by protamine. At serum concentrations of higher than 50% a marked inhibition of the lipolysis is observed. Noradrenaline, insulin, and heparin have no effect on the serum-stimulated lipolytic activity.

The effects of the main lipoprotein density classes on the human adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity were studied. A dose-dependent stimulation of lipoprotein lipase activity was obtained for HDL and, to a lesser extent, for VLDL on a constant weight basis. LDL exerted virtually no effect. At higher concentrations, HDL as well as VLDL inhibited the stimulated lipolytic activity. In type V hyperlipoproteinemia, the stimulating effect of VLDL and of HDL was significantly lower, whereas the inhibiting action of HDL was markedly increased.

We report 3 patients with traumatic renal artery thrombosis treated successfully with revascularization. The diagnosis was made preoperatively in 2 cases and intraoperatively in 1. Treatment consisted of reanastomosis with a saphenous vein patch on the side of the arteriotomy in case 1, an aortorenal artery saphenous vein bypass in case 2 and a bypass graft from the aorta to the distal renal artery in case 3. Two patients had functioning kidneys and normal blood pressure, and 1 patient dies 24 hours after reconstruction.