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The metacercariae of genus Brachylaima were collected from the kidney of the land snail Monacha obstructa. About thirteen to fifteen metacercariae were collected from each snail. The metacercariae observed were elongated rather than oval. The gonads were no so developed inspite of the great similarity between this larval stage and the adults. No larval stages rather than the metacercariae were observed. The specimens were examined in fresh status and then stained with carmine and fast green as counter stain. The excretory system was developed to very great extent. This seems to be the first record of this larval stage in Egypt since 1899 when Looss collected the adult of B. aequans from Gerbillus aegyptiacus. The heavy infection of snails reflects the higher incidence of this parasite among land snails as intermediate host. Since, the life cycle of this parasite is not yet confirmed experimentally in Egypt, the species has not been identified.

The osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) was recently characterized in regenerating bone marrow. In experimental animals, OGP increases osteogenesis. Immunoreactive OGP (irOGP) in high abundance was demonstrated in normal animal serum mainly as an OGP-OGP-binding protein (OGPBP) complex. Here we show the presence of an OGP-OGPBP system in normal human serum. The total irOGP content, of which the bound peptide comprises at least 80-90%, ranged from 480-4460 mumol/L, several orders of magnitude higher than that of other regulatory polypeptides. The steady state/total irOGP ratio declined between 23 and 49 yr of age. The bound irOGP, purified by boiling, ultrafiltration, and hydrophobic high pressure liquid chromatography, was identical to OGP obtained previously from rat regenerating marrow and mouse stromal cell cultures in terms of its amino acid sequence, immunoreactivity, and mitogenicity. These data demonstrate the usefulness of our immunoassay to measure circulating OGP. More importantly, the identity of the human OGP with that of other species indicates the peptide's evolutionary conservation and, thus, its biological importance. The natural occurrence of OGP in man signifies its potential role in the prevention of bone loss and rescue of bone mass, especially in osteoporosis.

A pathophysiological role for endothelin (ET), one of the most potent vasoconstrictor peptides, has been suggested in ATN and during kidney allograft rejection. As ET is known to have predominantly local effects, we investigated intrarenal ET content in 82 kidney transplant biopsies and 10 normal control kidneys. ET-immunostaining, using a polyclonal anti-ET-1 antibody was investigated in 4 intrarenal vascular beds (glomeruli, capillaries, arterioles, arteries) and in tubular epithelium. Normal kidneys showed a strong staining of endothelial cells in all vessels and of tubular epithelium. In biopsies with signs for acute vascular rejection a marked decrease in ET staining intensity was seen. In contrast, normal staining similar to control kidneys was detected in interstitial rejection and in ATN. The presence of chronic CyA toxicity, however, lead to a significant reduction of endothelial ET staining. Neither mean doses nor trough levels of CyA correlated closely with the immunostaining findings. Plasma big-ET levels were elevated during vascular rejection, but not in interstitial rejection and ATN. This study demonstrates a significant reduction of ET immunostaining in intrarenal vascular endothelium of kidney transplant biopsies showing signs of endothelial damage. In vascular allograft rejection these changes are often associated with a concomitant rise in plasma ET levels. Our findings support a postulated role of ET in vascular rejection and during CyA toxicity and show that endothelial damage, independent of its genesis, can lead to a reduction of intrarenal ET content.

Twenty-six adult or subadult feral cats were collected from Kuwait approximately 8 months after the ignition of the Kuwait oil wells. These animals were obtained from two sources: 12 animals from Kuwait City, a relatively smoke-free area, and 14 from the city of Ahmadi, an area with heavy smoke. Animals were euthanized and a complete set of tissues consisting of all major organs was taken for histopathology. Samples of lung, liver, kidney, urine, and blood were also taken for toxicology. Histopathological lesions observed in the lung were mild accumulations of anthracotic pigment in the lungs of 17 cats. Hyperplasia of the bronchial and bronchiolar gland in 8 cats, and smooth muscle hyperplasia of bronchioles in 14 cats. Tracheal gland hyperplasia was observed in 7 cats, and minimal squamous metaplasia of the tracheal mucosa in 17 cats, Laryngeal lesions consisted of submucosal gland hyperplasia in 2 cats and squamous metaplasia of the mucosa in 5 cats. Hyperplasia of the nasal submucosal glands was observed in 6 animals. The pharyngeal mucosa as well as other organs and organ systems were normal in all cats. Atomic absorption analysis for 11 metals was performed; vanadium and nickel levels (two metals that were present in the smoke from the oil fires) are not indicative of substantial exposure to the oil fires. Based on the histopathological findings and toxicological analysis, it is felt that inhalation of air contaminated with smoke from the oil fires had little or no long-term effect on the animals examined.

A case of an intracardiac echinococcal cyst is presented. The diagnosis was made by two-dimensional echocardiography, which clearly identified a large multiseptated cystic structure in the right ventricular outflow tract. The findings were verified at surgery. It is suggested that two-dimensional echocardiography may be the procedure of choice in the diagnosis of cardiac echinococcal disease.

The application of the soluble antigen fluorescent test as a tool for serological investigation of influenza type A infection in wild birds was studied. The soluble antigen fluorescent antibody test is basically an indirect fluorescent antibody test except that an artificial matrix of cellulose acetate discs is used as a substrate for antigen and the test results are scanned and recorded by a fluorometer. THe influenza type A soluble antigen fluorescent antibody was obtained from concentrated and detergent disrupted virus particles, absorbed onto cellulose acetate discs. Anti-influenza sera were prepared in pheasants and ducks to A/turkey/Ontario/6118/67 and in pigeons to A/turkey/Ontario/6213/68. The antigen-antibody complex was detected by specific staining with monovalent or polyvalent fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated rabbit anti-avian immunoglobulins. The soluble antigen fluorescent antibody test is a sensitive technique for the detection of specific influenza A antibodies in several avian species, and could be adapted for use in large scale surveys.

A prospective, randomized trial was designed to assess the efficacy of intracoronary thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase (STK) in acute myocardial infarction. Sixty-four patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomized within 6 hours of onset of symptoms to 1 of 3 groups. Sixteen patients were treated by conventional means (control group). Nineteen patients underwent coronary arteriography and received corticosteroids and intracoronary and intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG group). Twenty-nine patients received management identical to that of the NTG group, with the addition of intracoronary STK therapy (STK group). Recanalization was demonstrated in 21 of 29 patients (72%) in the STK group. Global and regional ejection fraction (EF) was determined by radionuclide ventriculography before any intervention and 7 to 10 days later. No significant improvement in global EF was achieved in the control and NTG groups. In STK patients as a group, global EF did not increase significantly; however, in patients recanalized with STK, EF improved from 42 +/- 17% to 49 +/- 16% (p = 0.023). All groups showed wide variability of response. Improvement in global EF of more than 5% was noted in 44% of patients recanalized with STK. When subgrouped on the basis of initial global EF of 45% or less or more than 45%, only patients recanalized with STK with an initial EF of 45% or less had an improved global EF (from 30 +/- 10% to 42 +/- 10%, p = 0.015).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The case of a newborn infant showing heroin withdrawal syndrome is reported. Symptoms of neonatal drug withdrawal syndrome, together with the complex problem of maternal drug addiction and pregnancy are briefly discussed.

"This paper investigates variation in birth control knowledge and practices in Iraq as reported in the 1974 National Fertility Sample Survey. The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis indicated the existence of significant rural-urban differentials in knowledge and use of contraceptive methods by ever-married women. With the continuation of the war with Iran, the Iraqi government has adopted pro-natal policy to spur population growth. Whether such a policy achieves its goals is a matter deserving further investigation.", (excerpt)