M. Prince Brigham

Histidinemia. A deficiency in histidase resulting in the urinary excretion of histidine and of imidazolepyruvic acid.

Summary A case of histidinemia is described in which the biochemical abnormality can be attributed to a deficiency of the enzyme histidase. As a result of this deficiency, plasma and urinary levels of histidine are markedly elevated. Imidazolepyruvic, imidazolelactic, and imidazoleacetic acids are excreted in the urine in excessive amounts. The presence of imidazolepyruvic acid in the urine is responsible for a positive test with ferric chloride similar to that due to phenylpyruvic acid found in the urine of patients with phenylketonuria. The possibility of a deficiency of urocanase was ruled out by the demonstration of considerable amounts of formiminoglutamic acid in the urine of the patient following administration of urocanic acid.

The effects of cooling on the microvasculature after thermal injury

Abstract The application of cold water to allay pain and reduce edema in burned skin is known to be effective. Evidence suggests that the immediate application of cold water to a burned area reduces spreading of injury and subsequent necrosis. Several mechanisms have been suggested as the primary reason for the inflammatory response that appears after thermal injury, one of these being a damaged circulation. The purpose of this study was to see if cold water protected the circulation and if it contributed in this way to reducing the effects of the burn. Microscopic observations of blood vessels in the bats wing were made following thermal injury produced by heating a 3-cm diameter for 30 sec at 55°. Comparisons were made of the vessels of animals subjected for 4 hr to cold water (18–20°) flowing over the burned area and untreated animals. Significant differences were found in edema formation and subsequent renewal of normal flow.

Histidine metabolism after portacaval shunt in the rat

Abstract Following end-to-side portacaval shunt in the rat with a normal liver, there is a significant increase in enzymatic activity of histidase and histidine-pyruvate transaminase, but no significant change in urocanase activity is noted. Significantly increased excretion of histidine and histamine is observed after end-to-side portacaval shunt, but no significant difference is noted in the excretion of imidazolepyruvic acid. The mechanism of induction of these enzymes is unknown. Administration of substrate does not induce the aforementioned enzymes.

Delayed maturation of tyrosine metabolism in a full-term sibling of a child with phenylketonuria**

Summary The biochemical findings in blood and urine are presented in a child who failed to thrive in the first month of life and in whom the enzyme system which converts p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid to homogentisic acid did not mature until 2 months of age. Spontaneous correction of this abnormality of tyrosine metabolism was followed by dramatic changes in the patients biochemical status.

Surgery of Peptic Ulcer

The contents of this volume, one of the series of Major Problems in Clinical Surgery , covers far more than just the bare surgical aspects of peptic ulcers. It is a volume that delves into all of the medical aspects surrounding peptic ulcers, including history, medical treatment, surgical complications, and theories of ulcer developments. In short, if one were to read this volume thoroughly and retain what he read, he would be considered the absolute and final authority on peptic ulcer in his circle of acquaintance. It is informative, yet interesting and easily read. It is well indexed so that topics are easily found, and bibliographies are at the end of each chapter. Approximately the first two thirds of the book relate to duodenal ulcer and the last third to gastric ulcer. The author does not slight the subject of gastric ulcer in any way, but he uses to advantage and