John E. Ultmann

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A case of spontaneous rupture of the spleen in a 67‐year‐old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is presented. The patient had been hospitalized and treated with chlorambucil but had complained of left upper quadrant pain during and subsequent to her hospitalization. Immediately prior to death this became extremely severe and the patient exhibited weakness and nausea. At autopsy generalized lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly were noted. Other cases of spontaneous rupture of the spleen also are summarized from the literature. Only 32 cases have been found in leukemic patients and all but 3 have been in men. Although spontaneous rupture of the spleen is an unusual occurrence, the authors conclude that in some cases there is no history of injury or stress.

A method for studying the properties of intracellular and liberated xanthine oxidase.

Abstract A radioisotopic method is described which permits quantitation of the catalytic activities and kinetic properties of intracellular and extracellular xanthine oxidases. No intracellular activator or inhibitor of xanthine oxidase is present. Differences exist in the energies of activation for the intracellular and liberated spleen xanthine oxidases. Passive diffusion of xanthine into the intact cell is not rate-limiting.

Thalidomide: Effects on Enzymes of Glutamic Acid Metabolism in Mice.

Thalidomide caused no significant alteration in the activity of glutamic decarboxylase in extracts of brain or of glutamic dehydrogenase or glutamic oxalacetic transaminase in extracts of brain or liver when added in vitro or injected into normal mice. Administered to pregnant mice, thalidomide had no effect on the activity of the latter enzymes in extracts of embryos with adhering uterus tissue.