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In consideration of the vast prevalence of schistosomiasis and heavy alcohol consumption in many parts of the world, the possibility of an interaction between these two conditions inducing liver disease was studied in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Alcohol consumption significantly reduced by 25% the mean granuloma diameter and by about 60% the extent of fibrous tissue deposition determined chemically as hydroxyproline. DNA, as an expression of the inflammatory and cellular components of the granulomatous reaction in the infected animals, was also significantly reduced by alcohol consumption. These results indicate the need for epidemiological studies in the clinical manifestations and course of schistosomiasis in human alcoholics.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether long-term ethanol consumption affects the long-term regeneration of the liver after partial hepatectomy and to study whether the metabolic demands imposed on the liver by the regenerative process accentuate liver damage produced in the liver by ethanol. Animals fed alcohol (35% of total calories) in liquid diets over time were partially hepatectomized (68% removal) and then were given ethanol-containing diets until complete liver restitution. They were studied at 24 hr and at 7 and 14 days. At these times, prior and continued ethanol administration did not result in changes in total DNA restituted, percent of cells undergoing mitosis, or incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA as determined chemically and by autoradiography. After partial hepatectomy, ethanol-fed animals showed a reduction in both DNA and proteins per gram of liver. However, these effects were the result of the hepatomegaly induced by ethanol and were also observed in sham-operated animals fed the diets containing ethanol. An apparent decrease in percent restitution of live weight was observed at 24 hr after hepatectomy in the ethanol-fed animals. However, this was caused by a marked increase in hepatocyte size in the controls, which matched the already enlarged hepatocytes in the ethanol-fed animals. Partial hepatectomy was found to transiently increase the lipid content of the livers in control animals. In ethanol-fed animals partial hepatectomy resulted in markedly fatty livers, as observed both histologically and chemically, which exceeded these abnormalities in alcohol-fed sham-operated rats. In conclusion, long-term ethanol consumption prior to partial hepatectomy and continuous ethanol consumption after the operation did not affect negatively the complete restitution of the liver when compared with controls.

The pneumatic orthosis is potentially a substitute or replacement for conventional long-ler and under outer clothing. Pneumatic tubes are incorporated into the orthosis and may be inflated at will by the patient. In a preliminary test it was found to be lighter, more comfortable and cosmetically more acceptable than conventional braces. This paper presents the results of the first pilot study of the orthosis in the United States, conducted by the New York Medical College--Bird S. Coler Hospital Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, using 11 patients with different levels of cord transection. The orthosis was tested for its effect in the following areas: pulmonary function, blood chemistries to determine calcuyn function and phosphorus metabolic retention or loss; spasticity; urinary tract studies; skin; systemic blood pressure and pulse; physical comfort; and effect of temperature and humidity on patient. Wearing time was increased daily until a patient tolerated a minimum of one hour of inflation and six to eight hours of deflation comfortably without negative results. All the patients tested tolerated daily use of the pneumatic orthosis up to six to eight hours with no harmful effect on the skin. It did not interfere with healing of existing decubiti. Use of the pneumatic orthosis prevented postural hypotension in all tested cases, facilitated urinary outflow, increased vital capacity and reduced spasms related to postural changes.

Chronic alcohol consumption is known to increase hepatic gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity. The biological significance of this change has, however, remained unknown. Using a recently described methodology which allows the determination of basolateral ectoenzyme GGT activity (Ble-GGT) in perfused rat liver (Speisky et al, 1985), we have investigated the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on Ble-GGT and on its participation in the utilization of circulating glutathione (GSH). Ble-GGT was markedly increased (40-75%) by chronic alcohol consumption. The ecto-activity strongly correlated with total GGT activity, measured in whole liver homogenates from ethanol-fed animals (r = 0.898, p less than 0.001). Ble-GGT was found to catalyze the utilization of significant amounts of circulating GSH (7.4-14.7 nmol/min/100 g B.W.). Chronic ethanol treatment led to marked increases (111%) in the hydrolysis of circulating GSH, which highly correlated (r = 0.958, p less than 0.001) with total liver GGT activity. An increased Ble-GGT activity following chronic alcohol consumption might constitute a mechanism to increase the hepatic availability of GSH precursors.

The incidence, time of onset, and role of exercise in the progression of heterotopic ossification were documented retrospectively in burn patients. In 12 of 1,066 patients (1.2%) consecutively admitted to a burn center, the abnormal bone formed posteriorly around the elbow joint. The initial signs were localized joint pain and rapid decrease in range of motion, and the average time of onset was 12 weeks after thermal injury. Prior to the diagnosis of heterotopic ossification, all patients were managed with an exercise program of active and active-assisted movements. In patients who persisted with passive and active-assisted range of motion, especially beyond the range of pain-free movements, the ossification progressed to complete ankylosis and required surgical intervention to remove the heterotopic bone. On the other hand, postoperative patients and patients who followed a program of active exercise within the pain-free range gained excellent range of motion. It was concluded that passive stretching of the periarticular structures during the acute phase of heterotopic bone formation is detrimental to the final outcome.