Ralph C. Gordon

Zinc deficiency and behavior: A developmental perspective

Abstract Zinc deficiency was induced in 35 and 300 day-old male Holtzman rats. Group ZDA was fed ad lib a diet deficient in zinc (1 ppm), ZSP controls were pair-fed a diet supplemented with zinc (50 ppm) and ZSA controls were fed ad lib a diet supplemented with zinc (50 ppm). Physical status and six open-field behaviors were evaluated. Food intake, body weight and plasma zinc concentrations were significantly reduced in both age groups. Expanded use of the open-field revealed significantly lower latencies to explore the novel environment and significantly lower ambulation scores in the young and older zinc deficient rats. Older rats spent significantly less time grooming than their controls. Rearing was significantly less in young zinc deficient rats and “kangaroo-like” posture was evident. Young rats made deficient during critical periods of growth and development, were at greater risk for most parameters tested, compared to the older deficient rats. These results do demonstrate, however, that feeding low-zinc diets to older, fully developed animals results in significant physical and behavioral impairment.

Efficiency of skin sterilization for a venipuncture with the use of commercially available alcohol or iodine pads

Skin sterilization for a venipuncture is routinely done with commercially available alcohol or iodine pads. Selection of the antiseptics, alcohol or iodine, however, in most situations has been made on the basis of very little scientific data. With many patients with granulocytopenia who are undergoing venipunctures, the choice of antiseptic may be an important factor in preventing infections. We investigated two widely and commercially available disinfectant pads, alcohol and iodine, in the efficacy of skin sterilization. Seventy subjects (35 adults and 35 children) were randomly selected for this study. A designated area of the right and left forearm was sterilized either with alcohol or with an iodine pad in a predetermined uniform fashion. Specimens were obtained for cultures before and after sterilization. The bacterial cultures were performed with the use of blood agar plates and trypticase soy broth. For data analysis growth of any organisms on agar plates or trypticase soy broth after sterilization was interpreted as a sterilization failure. The iodine swab was significantly more efficient than the alcohol swab; the former yielded an 80% sterilization rate whereas the latter resulted in a rate of 61% (p less than 0.02). If, however, the growth only in agar plates was compared, the alcohol wipe yielded no growth in 83% and iodine in 84%, virtually identical success rates. Bacillus spp. predominated the residual organisms after either the alcohol or the iodine wipe. A variety of other organisms, however, including Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium spp., grew after alcohol but not after iodine sterilization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative In Vitro Studies of Cinoxacin, Nalidixic Acid, and Oxolinic Acid

Cinoxacin and nalidixic acid were found to be similar in in vitro activity against 138 Shigella isolates and somewhat less active than oxolinic acid on a weight basis. Cross-resistance developed when 10 shigellae were transferred on increasing amounts of the respective agent contained in Mueller-Hinton agar. Plate dilution studies of the effect of changes in agar pH on the minimum inhibitory concentration revealed that the antibacterial activity increased with decreasing pH. Protein binding investigations revealed a high degree of binding, with nalidixic acid > oxolinic acid > cinoxacin.

In vitro Activity of Multiple Antimicrobial Combinations against Pseudomonas cepacia Isolates

For 16 isolates of Pseudomonas cepacia from patients with cystic fibrosis, synergism was determined by the killing curve method, utilizing various combinations of antibiotics [ticarcillin (Ti), rifampin (Ri), tobramycin (To), imipenem (Im), ofloxacin (Of), polymyxin B (PB), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (S x T)]. All 16 isolates were resistant to Ti, To, Ri, and PB; 11 were sensitive to S x T, 13 were sensitive to Im, and 2 were sensitive to Of. The combination of Im/Ri was synergistic for 8 isolates. Several combinations (Ti/Ri/Im), (Ti/Im/To), (Ri/Im/To) also demonstrated synergism for these 8 isolates. The Im/Ri combination did not demonstrate synergism against the other 8 isolates. The Ti/Im/To combination was synergistic for 6 of these. The Ri/Im/To combination was synergistic for 5 and the Ti/Im/Ri combination was synergistic for 3. Synergism could also be demonstrated with several 4-drug combinations. This study suggests that multi-drug combinations may have a role in the treatment of P. cepacia infections if proven in clinical studies.

Hemophilus Parainfluenzae Meningitis Report of Two Cases

Physical examination revealed an irritable, lethargic, well-nourished infant with fever, and decreased skin turgor. The anterior fontanelle was full but not tense and head circumference measured 43 cm. Both tympanic membranes were inflamed. Nuchal rigidity and Kernig’s sign were present. Lumbar puncture yielded cloudy fluid with 1,445 white blood cells/mm3 (79 per cent PMNs), protein 132 mg/100 ml and glucose 2 mg/100 ml. It contained pleomorphic gramnegative rods; a culture yielded H. parainfluenzae, sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, kanamycin, and gentamicin by disk susceptibility testing. Therapy was initiated with ampicillin 300 mg/kg/ day given intravenously every Four hours in divided doses for two weeks. The child remained

In Vitro Susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae to Eight Antibiotics

Freshly isolated strains of Haemophilus influenzae type B were studied for their in vitro susceptibility to eight antibiotics with a low concentration inoculum. No organisms were identified as being resistant to ampicillin, but minimal inhibiting concentrations for that antibiotic were somewhat higher than reported previously for a similar method. Carbenicillin and ticarcillin resembled ampicillin in activity, and the three agents were more effective on a weight basis than the other agents tested.

Listeria Monocytogenes infections.

This article reviews current information regarding human infection withListeria monocytogenes. Significant advances have occurred in regard to our knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunology, and treatment of this disease which was formerly believed to be of importance mainly to veterinarians. It remains a cause of high mortality in the many different groups of compromised hosts in infects unless diagnosis and treatment are rapidly established.

John B. Murphy: unique among American surgeons.

John B. Murphy (1857–1916), one of the most outstanding and controversial surgeons of his age, was a product of the strong clinical programs that developed in Chicago in the late 19th century. Heavily influenced by Christian Fenger, surgeon and surgical pathologist, he went to Europe for training under Theodore Billroth and others. He applied results of his dog lab experiments to human problems while maintaining a large private practice. He is best known for his teaching clinics, for his groundbreaking work with a button for intestinal anastomosis, and for encouraging early operation in appendicitis. Though often in trouble with his fellow surgeons who accused him of stealing patients, especially in the Haymarket affair and when Theodore Roosevelt was shot, he nevertheless made many contributions to the care of surgical patients and development of academic surgery.

Charles R. Drew: Surgeon, Scientist, and Educator

The first African-American Surgeon to achieve extensive training in medical research in the modern era was Dr. Charles Drew (1904–1950) who completed a doctoral degree in medical sciences at Columbia University in 1940. He became the director of the American Red Cross Blood Bank program during World War II and received many accolades for his work with plasma. This historical vignette reviews the details of his life as a scientist and surgical educator while fighting the overpowering racism which black professionals were subjected to during that time. The controversial aspects and facts of his premature death in an automobile accident in the South are explored as well.

Setting the record straight

The underlying and essential rationale of the principle is that a person should not be prejudiced by the terms of a written document if (a) those terms fail to give effect to the intention of the relevant parties (that is both parties in the case of a bargain, or the maker in the case of a voluntary transaction), and (b) reliance on the terms as written in that document against that person would be unjust in consequence.