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Based on the balance of forces across the interventricular septum, we developed a theoretical analysis to explain how one ventricle can directly influence the filling characteristics of the other ventricle. The analysis indicated that the pressure and volume transfer were related to the relative compliances of the interventricular septum and ventricular free walls. The present study examined whether the theoretical analysis could be used to predict changes in ventricular interdependence caused by altering regional compliance. To examine this hypothesis, hearts were removed from 18 dogs and placed in cool cardioplegic solution. Balloons were inserted into each ventricle, and the left and right pressure (delta P1, delta Pr) and volume (delta V1, delta Vr) changes caused by changing the pressure and volume of the other ventricle were recorded. After the initial measurements, acute changes in left ventricular free wall compliance (n = 6), septal compliance (n = 6), and right ventricular free wall compliance (n = 6) were induced by glutaraldehyde injections. As predicted by the theoretical analysis, decreasing left ventricular free wall compliance increased delta P1/delta Pr, delta P1/delta Vr, delta Pr/delta V1, and delta Vr/delta V1 significantly (P less than 0.05) by 89 +/- 15, 155 +/- 33, 282 +/- 65, and 112 +/- 22% (mean +/- SEM), respectively. Decreasing septal compliance decreases delta P1/delta Pr, delta V1/delta Pr, delta V1/delta Vr, delta Pr/delta P1, delta Vr/delta P1, and delta Vr/delta V1 significantly (P less than 0.05) by 48 +/- 7, 71 +/- 10, 69 +/- 14, 48 +/- 7, 62 +/- 8, and 57 +/- 13%, respectively. Decreasing right ventricular free wall compliance increased delta P1/delta Vr, delta V1/delta Vr, delta Pr/delta P1, and delta Pr/delta V1 significantly (P less than 0.05) by 97 +/- 25, 79 +/- 20, 57 +/- 18, and 59 +/- 23%, respectively. Furthermore, these alterations in ventricular coupling were predictable: The actual and predicted percentage changes in the transfer functions were in close agreement. The results of these studies show predictable alterations in the mechanical coupling between the ventricles following changes in right ventricular, septal, and left ventricular free wall compliances.

After a short presentation of the etiopathogenesis of this parasitosis, the authors report their observations on 35 cases of strongyloidiasis followed in the recent years. On the basis of the epidemiologic and clinical analyses of these cases, the authors show that some data, i.e. those on the environment to which the patients belong, or their occupation, and also some clinical manifestations (clinical polymorphism) may suggest the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in the immunosuppressed in about 30% of the cases. An associated blood eosinophilia may be a more possible for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. The positive diagnosis has to take into consideration, beside the repeated diet exam, the method of cultures and also jejunal biopsies, which may also verify the efficiency of the treatment recommended. The authors recommend the treatment with Mintezol and, with lower results, Vermigal and Mebendazol.

On the basis of the authors' experience acquired between 1956 and 1973 (a total of 401 cases with inter-atrial communications and 234 cases of ostium secundum that have been operated by them), data are presented concerning the diagnostic means, the indications and the contra-indications of the surgical treatment, as well as the attitude to be adopted towards the associated lesions.

A number of 56 serofibrinous pleurisy cases were subjected to several usual diagnostic tests, as well as to virological investigations. Significant rises in serum antibody titers to different viruses were recorded in 25 cases; the presence of virus antigens in cells from the pleural fluid could be visualized by immunofluorescence in 11 patients. In many cases there was evidence suggesting multiple viral infection. The contribution of various investigation methods to differential diagnosis is discussed and the etiological patterns specific to different territories are outlined.

Statistical analysis of 80 cases of fulminant-comatose forms of acute viral hepatitis revealed a frequency of 13.7% of splenic hypertrophy as compared to a frequency of 50.6% in 87 common forms of illness. The intensity and frequency of the splenic reaction in the two studied series shows an agreement between the data of the clinical examination--splenic palpability--and the anatomo-pathological ones--splenic weight in grams at necropsy being in inverse ratio to aging. Thus, between the prognostical benignity of the fulminant-comatose forms and the intensity of the splenic reaction appears to be a direct relation.

Between 1953 and 1976 a total of 2527 mitral commissurotomies have been performed in the Clinic for Cardio-Vascular Surgery of the "Fundeni" Hospital. This group included cases with pure mitral stenosis (predominantly following rheumatic disease), but also cases of mitral stenosis associated with other cardiac lesions in which the major hemodynamic element was the mitral obstruction. Criteria are discussed for surgery, the preoperative preparation of the patient, incidents, accidents and complications, as well as technical difficulties of the digital and/or instrumental mitral commissurotomies on closed heart, either carried out for the first time in the respective patient, or as iterative intervention. Comparing the results in relation with the functional stage of the disease (62.5% of the patients were classified in the III-IV evolutive degree, according to the NIHA classification), pulmonary hypertension (61.6% of the patients had medium or severe pulmonary hypertension), associated lesions (present in 17% of the cases--mitral failure predominated, together with tricuspid or aortic failures), it is appreciated that the technique of mitral commissurotomy on closed heart is an useful therapeutic method (88.6% very good and good results, a global death rate of 3.9%) that can be applied in a large category of patients, although there is a trend toward open-heart surgery, with all medico-economical major implications.

The present paper reports on a Q fever episode, including 45 subjects (caretakers, technicians, workers building stables) in a zootechnical cooperative in the district of Argeş. In the new unit milch and reproduction cows were brought from various parts of the district. None of the animals showed visible signs of the disease. No cases of Q fever had been reported in man or animals in the locality until then. The episode had an explosive character, the outbreak occurring during the calving season. The diagnosis was established clinically, epidemiologically, radiologically and serologically.

Two cases are discussed, of severe myocardial ischaemia determined by coronary obstruction. The cases were solved by surgical treatment that consisted in direct myocardial revascularization with the aid of aorto-coronary by-pass with a fragment of autologous saphene vein.

When compared to values obtained in 40 normalweight normolipemic healthy control subjects, serum uric acid levels were found to be significantly increased in 68 subjects with type II-b and especially in 68 subjects with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia. A much lesser increase of uricemia occurred in 22 patients with type II-a. A significant positive correlation between uricemia and serum triglyceride level could be demonstrated but no such correlation was found with serum cholesterol. Overweight and hypertensive hyperlipemic subjects were presenting higher levels of serum uric acid than normalweight normotensive ones. On the other hand, clinical atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus had no additive effects upon uricemia in hyperlipoproteinemic patients. It is suggested that hyperinsulinism and accelerated turnover of lipoproteins, often encountered in obese and hypertriglyceridemic subjects, might lead to an enhanced synthesis of purines and subsequently increased production of uric acid.