International journal of tissue reactions
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A patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and a gastric ulcer was found endoscopically to have a double pylorus. One year later the two apertures were found to be fused and appeared endoscopically like a deformed pylorus. We suggest that this lesion, which is usually acquired but may sometimes be congenital, would be better called antro-bulbar fistula.
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The anti-inflammatory effect of dexamethasone in carrageenin rat paw oedema was significantly reduced or abolished by local injection of 0.5-2.5 mg of the antiglucocorticoid progesterone, or of 5 micrograms cycloheximide, or of 2.5 micrograms actinomycin D, into the oedematous area. The results point to indirect dexamethasone action via receptor occupation and de novo protein synthesis, but this view could not be undoubtedly confirmed by systemic administration of essentially higher doses of the substances. The advantages of local low dose antagonist administration versus systemic injection of higher doses are mainly the production of effective tissue levels, as well as avoidance of toxic and other side-effects.
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The stem of the pineapple plant contains, in addition to a number of proteases, particularly bromelain, a non-proteolytic component which is responsible for the complete bridement of experimental burns by an "enzymatic dissection" between the viable native and the non-viable denatured burn tissue. With very little scraping, using a tongue depressor, all of the eschar can be removed and a bed suitable for grafting results. ⋯ The biological activity of the Escharase is not dependent on sulfhydryl groups nor upon the contaminating bromelain activity. The Escharase activity varies enormously from preparation to preparation, but the ultrafiltration procedure tends to concentrate Escharase activity to a fairly constant amount.