No abstract

We adapted and introduced in our laboratory a simplified animal model of radiation‐induced enterocolitis. After a shielding of the parenchymatous organs, our dose‐response studies revealed that 20 Gy x‐ray radiation resulted in about 20% mortality and reproducible lesions in the terminal ileum and proximal colon. These changes are optimal for pharmacologic studies since they may be decreased or aggravated by drugs. Sucralfate dose‐dependently decreased the clinical signs of enterocolitis (e.g., lethargy, diarrhea) as well as the number and area of ileal and colonic erosions and ulcers. The wet weight of the ileum and colon were also decreased by sucralfate. bFGF at the small doses used exerted a beneficial effect only on a few of the parameters of enterocolitis. Thus sucralfate, and maybe bFGF, might decrease the severity and accelerate the healing of radiation‐induced enterocolitis. Copyright © 1998 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

The typical jejunal villus is tongue-or chisel-shaped, in which the lacteal is axial, the artery paraxial and the vein lies near one of the lateral borders. The artery forms a T-junction with the specially wide marginal capillary at the tip which distributes blood to the greater part of the subepithelial capillary plexus. This plexus is so dense that no epithelial cell is more than 30 p away from the blood stream. The higher density of the plexus i n the tip reflects the higher functional capacity of the epithelium there and the plexus in the base of the villus is less dense in keeping with the lower functional capacity of the basal epithelium. The vein begins in a manner which does not suggest the presence of an arterio-venous anastomosis.

1. The human radioulnar articular disc is a shelf extended medially from articular cartilage on carpal facet of radius. 2. Its medial border is embedded in the wedge of vascular connective tissue which contains fine arcuate ligamentous bands joining the disc to the ulna and articular capsule. 3. The ventral and dorsal borders are loosely attached to short ligaments which go from radius to the inner surface of articular capsule. 4. These arrangements permit radius and disc to rotate on ulna freely during pronation and supination.