Volume 93  ·   Issue 09  ·  1980

Glucose tolerance and insulin release are tested in 146 women taking compound quinestrol (CQ, an oral contraceptive) monthly, in 23 normal subjects and 12 diabetics. The curves of glucose tolerance, insulin release, release index during different phases and ΣIRI (immuno-reactive insulin)-BG (blood glucose) distribution are compared to study the clinical significance of decreased glucose tolerance observed in some of the subjects taking CQ. It is found in this series that the insulin release curve, 45 minute release index and ΣIRI-BG distribution of subjects receiving the CQ pill all approximate those of normal subjects and differ from those of diabetics. Furthermore, the glucose intolerance accompanied by more active insulin reaction caused by CQ may gradually ameliorate or revert to normal after withdrawal of the drug, which is rarely seen in diabetics. Therefore, it is believed that the glucose intolerance may be related to temporary CQ effect on the metabolism of carbohydrates or insulin.

7 cases of sixth nerve paralysis with esotropia of 20°-50° were treated surgically by Jensen's rectus muscle union without altering the insertions. Medial rectus muscle was also recessed about 6-7 mm in these cases. This operation is safe and effective, relatively atraumatic, easy to perform and yields satisfactory cosmetic results.

Shebeli and Giuba Valleys are long time schistosomiasis endemic regions. The average prevalence rate in these areas is 62.0%. In the experimental station area, the prevalence rate is 82.7. The patients are the infection reservoir, B. abyssinicus is the intermediate host and the main mode of infection is contact with infectious water in daily living. Heavy rain, inundation and overflow promote the spread of schistosomiasis as they promote snail vector proliferation. The B. abyssinicus snail vectors mainly breed in ditchs, paddy fields and pools. They are highly drought resistant, are able to swim against the current and prefer to cluster at water entrances. Anti-S 67 paste at l.5-2 ppm has a molluscacidic effect of 95-100% which can last about 5-7 days. Sodium pentachlorophenate (Na-pcp) possesses an immediate molluscacidal effect of 96% at 5.0 ppm and 100% at 10 ppm and the effect can last 2 days. There is no adverse influence on rice growth if Na-pcp is applied before transplantation. It is demonstrated that some Somali plants have certain molluscacidal effects.

100 cadavers were dissected to study the anatomy of the vagus nerve to ensure precise and efficient surgery. 4 patterns differing in the number of branches were noted in the vagus nerve as it enters the hiatus. Measurements of the levels of the anterior and posterior trunks were recorded, the anterior trunk level being slightly lower than Jackson's but the posterior trunk was also lower than the anterior one. In describing the positions of the anterior and posterior trunks we used a hexagram division with the esophagus at the center. Most of the anterior trunks were within the anteromiddle space and most posterior trunks in the posteroright space. The hepatic branches were clear in all except 1 cadaver, a success rate higher than in some other series. In general the anterior gastric nerve sent more branches to the stomach than the posterior nerve.

This paper presents a clinicoelectroencephalographic report of 7 typical cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) with a discussion of the various aspects of the disease.

214 patients with hydatidiform mole were investigated and treated between 1949-1975. 31 (14.5%) patients developed malignant sequelae on follow-up. In analyzing the predisposing factors to malignant sequelae, it is found that the risk increased with the following conditions: age over 34, uterus large for date, urinary chorionic gonadotropin (CG) titers higher than l:4,096 (approximately equivalent to 106 IU/L), mole consisting mainly of small vesicles and severe or moderate trophoblastic proliferation. The first 3 items provide a basis for a simple scoring system predicting the risk of malignancy. Only high risk patients as evaluated by this scoring system need to be treated with prophylactic chemotherapy. Applied retrospectively to the present series, all the cases with subsequent malignancy and 36% of those with spontaneous regression would have been included in the high risk group. Since all current chemotherapy has definite toxicity, selective prophylactic therapy is more rational than wholesale nonselective therapy. Until better methods of prognostication are developed, this scoring system serves as an aid to selective chemotherapy.

This paper reports 75 cases of Moyamoya disease caused by leptospiral cerebral arteritis. The epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory data, angiographic and pathologic findings as well as establishment of diagnosis are presented. The angiograms demonstrate leptospiral cerebral arteritis as 1 of the causes of Moyamoya disease with typical features.

This study reports the results of 4 investigations of Zhong III2 poliomyelitis virus: a. A total 245,262 children were fed the vaccine with no serious complications noted. b. In trials, 287 children were examined serologically, the neutralizing antibody conversion rates being approximately 72.3-100% and the 4 fold or more increases in antibody were 67.3-76.8%. c. Of 268 children examined, 81.3% excreted homotypic virus. d. In order to investigate the genetic stability Zhong III2 strain was compared with USOL-Dbac strain. The monkey neurovirulence of both strains was more or less similar. The results showed no significant differences in genetic stability between these 2 viruses.

Wild strains of type III poliovirus isolated from stool specimens of Chinese children and rapid passage for attenuation are used. At different temperatures (30, 32, 34 and 36 C), 26 passages in monkey kidney cell cultures are carried out during which virulence is clearly reduced. After 3 purifications by plaque technic, 3 different attenuated strains are obtained among which strain Zhong III2 satisfies the requirements for a suitable vaccine virus after diverse testing. This is particularly true for neurovirulence in monkeys which is very low. This new type virus is recommended for production of China type III poliomyelitis vaccine.