Robert M. Kark

Serum cholinesterase in health and disease

Abstract 1.1. The origin, nature and function of the serum cholinesterase is discussed. 2.2. Values for serum cholinesterase activity in 120 healthy individuals, as determined by Michels simple electrometric method, are presented. 3.3. Changes in serum cholinesterase activity are described in a variety of disease states. In general, low levels are found in patients ill with liver disease, malnutrition and chronic debilitating diseases, acute infectious diseases and anemias. Normal levels are observed in patients ill with uncomplicated obstructive jaundice, myasthenia gravis, hyperthyroidism, asthma, hypertension, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus and many other diseases. High levels occur in the nephrotic syndrome. 4.4. Changes in serum cholinesterase activity following administration of a variety of drugs are described. 5.5. Evidence is presented to support the concept that the serum cholinesterase molecule is synthesized in the liver in parallel with the albumin molecule and that it has a life span of approximately twenty-eight days.

Natural History of Lipoid Nephrosis and of Membranous Glomerulonephritis

Abstract Twenty-one patient each with lipoid nephrosis (LN) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) were observed for a long period of time. Six patients with LN and one with MGN were under 14 year...

The nutritional status of Japanese prisoners of war, Burma 1945.

Excerpt In May 1945, during environmental and nutritional investigations on Indian soldiers in South East Asia, an opportunity offered itself for the study of 29 Japanese prisoners of war captured ...

Negative Effects of Vitamin B12 on Blood of Healthy Individuals, with Special Reference to Eosinophils.

Summary 1. Oral or intramuscular administration of large amounts of vit. B12 was without effect on the blood of healthy adults and children. In particular, an eosinophilia was not observed. 2. Neither allergic nor toxic symptoms were noted during or after therapy. 3. It is concluded that vit. B12 is not the eosinophilic factor present in raw calves liver.

Adenocarcinoma of the Jejunum Diagnosed Pre-Operatively: A Case Report

Summary A case is reported in which anemia, disturbances of the central nervous system, and occult blood in the stool were striking findings in a patient ill with primary urological complaints. These findings obscured the correct diagnosis of carcinoma of the jejunum which was established by x-ray and confirmed by histological examination of the surgical specimen. The patient was treated successfully by surgery. The need is emphasized for: (1) more frequent consideration of malignancy of the small bowel in the differential diagnosis of anemia due to gastrointestinal blood loss, and (2) more frequent performance of x-ray studies of the small bowel in the face of persistent occult blood in the stool associated with normal upper and lower gastrointestinal studies.

Hypertension and Some Diseases of the Small Vessels of the Kidney

Pathologic changes in the kidneys in essential and malignant hypertension are described, and clinical and pathologic features of a number of disease processes associated with hypertension are reviewed, among them diabetes mellitus, polyarteritis nodosa, amyloidosis, scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus.

PANEL DISCUSSION ON CLINICAL NUTRITION AND LIPID METABOLISM

Moderator: LAURANCE W. KINSELL, M.D., Director, Institute for Metabolic Research, Highland Alameda County Hospital, Oakland, California. Panelists: JAMES B. ALLISON, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology and Biochemistry, and Director, Bureau of Biological Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. IRVING GRAEF, M.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, New York University Post-Graduate Medical School, New York, N. Y. ROBERT KARK, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. HERBERT POLLACK, M.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, New York University Post-Graduate Medical School, and Associate Physician for Metabolic Diseases, Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, N. Y. WARREN M. SPERRY, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, N. Y. CHARLES F. WILKINSON, JR., M.D., Professor of Medicine, and Chairman, Department of Medicine, New York University Post-Graduate Medical School, New York, N. Y.