No abstract

In Cebus albifrons monkeys it was demonstrated that vitamin D(3) promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium-47 and that vitamin D(2) does not increase absorption above that seen in monkeys deficient in vitamin D. These data support previous observations that vitamin D(2) is not effective in preventing metabolic bone disease in this species.

Postoperative prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Mycobacterium chelonei occurred in a man after replacement of the aortic valve. The organism was isolated from blood cultures and from vegetations taken postmortem from the edge of the inserted valve. This is believed to be the first documented report of a mycobacterial endocarditis.

SummaryA group of patients is described who presented with proximal muscle weakness and elevated muscle enzymes. They were initially believed to have polymyositis and one of them was even treated as such over a long period of time. The patients were subsequently found to have hypothyroidism and responded well to thyroid hormone replacement.Hypothyroidism should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of polymyositis. A polymyositislike picture has to be regarded as a symptom and not as a disease since it occurs in several metabolic, infectious, malignant and drug-induced diseases.