Determinations of pH, moisture, carbohydrates and ash of Egyptian buffalo meat. A total of 128 samples of Egyptian buffalo meat was analysed for its pH value, moisture, carbohydrates and ash contents. Statistical analysis of the data obtained shows significant difference at 0.01 level for moisture in relation to sex and cut (abdomen and thigh, respectively). There is also significant difference at 0.05 level for moisture in dry season in relation to sex and for ash in relation to cut. At 0.1 level moisture shows a significant difference in relation to season, female in relation to season and green season in relation to sex. Ash also shows a significant difference at 0.1 level in female in relation to season.


[Alkali treatment of proteins. I. Behavior of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in alkali-treated beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin]. The alkali treatment of beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin results in the splitting of disulphide bonds in the protein molecules. When a 0.8-10(4) M beta-lactoglobulin solution in a 0.022 N sodium hydroxide solution (pH = 12) is heated at 90 degrees C for 30 min, 0-4 M disulphide groups, 2.2 M sulfhydryl groups and 1.8 M sulphide ions/M dimeric beta-lactoglobulin are detectable of the total of 4 M disulphide groups and 2 M sulfhydryl groups/M dimeric beta-lactoglobulin. The sulphide ions can be determined directly in the form of hydrogen sulphide or by calculating the difference between the values from the amperometric-argentometric titration and those from the method of ELLMAN (reaction with DTNB). The disulphide groups are determined with the aid of DTNB after reduction with sodium borohydride. The sulfhydryl groups obtained by reduction with sodium borohydride re-oxidize, the reaction velocity being of the second order. If the disulphide groups are reduced with sodium borohydride, the argentometric-amperometric determination of the sulfhydryl groups by means of the platinum rotating-disk electrode is disturbed by the presence of boric acid.


Neurotransmitter synthesis and uptake by isolated sympathetic neurones in microcultures. Assays of isolated single sympathetic neurones show that their transmitter functions can be either adrenergic or cholinergic depending on growth conditions. The data suggest that the number of transmitters made by most mature individual neurones is restricted.


The influence of pH on the excision of UV-photoproducts from HeLa cells. Excision of pyrimidine dimers with pH decreasing in UV irradiated HeLa cells can be depressed. This depression is independent of the UV dose within the investigated range. The excision capacity of HeLa repair system from absolute amount of excised dimers is shown.


Local glucose utilization in acute focal cerebral ischemia: local dysmetabolism and diaschisis. By means of an autoradiographic technique employing 14C-2-deoxyglucose, abnormalities of local brain glucose utilization were studied 90 minutes following occlusion of the left middle cerebral and common carotid arteries in a series of pentobarbital-anesthetized cats. Sham-insulted control animals exhibited a normal pattern of regional glucose utilization. In animals with vascular occlusion, a zone of greatly suppressed glucose utilization occupied the caudate nucleus of the ischemic hemisphere, with variable extension, and was surrounded by a narrow rim of increased local brain glucose utilization, suggesting the occurrence of enhanced anaerobic glycolysis in the latter zones. The cerebral cortex, which was less constantly affected, showed alternating regions of increased and decreased glucose utilization. Quantitation of local brain glucose utilization values from the contralateral nonischemic hemisphere revealed a mild suppression of cortical glucose utilization relative to the control animals. This may be the metabolic equivalent of diaschisis.


Significance of oscillation frequency in intrapartum fetal monitoring. Until now, no statistical data have been available on the significance of the frequency of FHR oscillations. In order to evaluate the relation between oscillation frequency and neonatal outcome, the last 30 minutes of 812 FHR records were analyzed with respect to the number of 812 FHR records were analyzed with respect to the number of oscillations per minute only. Close correlations were found between slow oscillations below 2 per minute and the arterial cord pH as well as the Apgar scores after 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. No relation could be established between any oscillation frequency above 2 per minute and the measures of the neonatal outcome. In discussing the results, slow oscillations are suggested to be identical with the sinusoidal FHR. Emphasis is made that for an appropriate pattern recognition, true beat-to-beat recording is required, avoiding any averaging procedure.


Hyaline membrane disease and acidosis at birth in twins. To test the hypothesis that the increased incidence of hyaline membrane disease in second-born twins is related to acidosis at birth, umbilical arterial [H+] was measured in 26 sets of premature twins. Although overall Twin B had a lower Apgar score than Twin A, there was no difference in their [H+]. If the delivery interval was prolonged over 8 minutes then Twin B infants were more acidemic and had lower Apgar scores. Infants with hyaline membrane disease had lower Apgar scores, but were not more acidemic than infants without respiratory distress. Our data suggest that acidosis at birth is not an important factor in the development of hyaline membrane disease.


Serotonin-containing neurons: their possible role in pain and analgesia. Experimental evidence is reviewed showing that brain and spinal cord serotonergic neurons are involved in nociceptive responses, as well as in the analgesic effects of opiate narcotics. This evidence, based on studies employing pharmacological, surgical, electrophysiological, and dietary manipulations of central nervous system serotonergic neurotransmission, suggests that increases in the activity of brain and spinal cord serotonin neurons are associated with analgesia and enhanced antinociceptive drug potency, whereas decreases in the activities of these neurons correlate with hyperalgesia and diminished analgesic drug potency.


Bicarbonate-induced phosphaturia: Dependence upon the magnitude of phosphate reabsorption. The acute effect of bicarbonate infusion on inorganic phsophate (Pi) reabsorption was determined in thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats stabilized on a high phsophorus diet. In the normophosphatemic state, bicarbonate did not affect Pi reabsorption significantly. On the other hand, after hyperphosphatemia was induced by phosphate loading, bicarbonate inhibited Pi reabsorption. In order to determin if eht aboslute level of plasma or filtered Pi was an improtant determinant of this phosphaturic action of bicarbonate during hyperphosphatemia, equivalent rates of Pi reabsorption were achieved after phosphate infusion in TPTX rats previously stabilized on a low dietary phosphorus intake, but at significantly lower plasma Pi concentrations and filtered Pi loads than in their high dietary phosphorus counterparts. Bicarbonate inhibited Pi reabsorption equivalently in both hyperphosphatemic groups, indicating that the magnitude of Pi transport itself was of importance in determining the inhibitory response to bicarbonate. In addition, the results suggest that transport mechanisms for bicarbonate and Pi may interact competitively.


Reversible lactic acidosis associated with repeated intravenous infusions of sorbitol and ethanol. Infusions of fructose or sorbitol are used commonly in parenteral nutrition and may cause lactic acidosis. A case is reported in whom blood lactate concentration was monitored frequently over a 5-day period during intravenous feeding with a sorbitol-ethanol-amino acid mixture. During the first five infusions blood lactate rose only moderately, but with the final infusion lactate rose to 11-1 mmol/l and the patient had a severe metabolic acidosis. In retrospect the patient had shown deterioration in renal and hepatic function tests during the preceding 24 hr. On terminating the infusions the blood lactate concentration fell rapidly. It is suggested that great care should be exercised when using such infusions in ill patients and acid base status and renal and hepatic function should be monitored frequently.


Unfolding and refolding occur much faster for a proline-free proteins than for most proline-containing proteins. The kinetics for unfolding and refolding of a parvalbumin (band 5) have been examined as a function of pH near the transition region, using stopped-flow techniques. This protein is rather unusual in that it has no proline residues, and therefore serves as a good example to test the hypothesis that the rate-limiting step seen in denaturation reactions is due to the cis-trans isomerization of proline peptide bonds in the denatured state. The kinetics for parvalbumin unfolding and refolding are complex, with the data being resolvable into two fast phases at 25 degrees. The slower of the two phases seen for the parvalbumin is about 100 to 500 times faster than the slow phase seen for proline-containing proteins under the same conditions! These results argue strongly in support of the proline isomerization hypothesis. It is also suggested that the slower phase seen for parvalbumin and the second-slowest phase seen for proline-containing proteins might be due to the cis-trans isomerization of peptide bonds of non-proline residues.


Dopaminergic stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation and parathyroid hormone release from dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. The effects of dopaminergic agonists and antagonists have been studied in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. Dopaminergic agonists caused a transient 20- to 40-fold increase in cellular cyclic AMP and a 2- to 3-fold increase in parathyroid hormone release. Dose-response relationships were similar for cyclic AMP accumulation and hormone release, whether studied by increasing agonist concentration or by increasing concentration of antagonist with constant agonist. The effects on the dopamine receptor could be differentiated from those of the previously characterized beta-adrenergic receptor by specific inhibitors. These results appear to represent proof with a homogeneous cell population that dopaminergic receptors linked to adenylate cyclase can regulate a secretory process mediated by cyclic AMP. This system should be useful in further studies on dopamine receptors and should provide a valid tool for determining interactions of radiolabeled ligands with such receptors.


[Comparative evaluation of the effect of serotonin, melatonin and methoxytryptamine on the content of biogenic amines in the hypothalamus and gonadotropic hormones in the pituitary gland depending on the periodicity of phases of the estrous cycle in rats]. This work is experimental and devoted to the study of functional activity of the pineal gland. The influence of the main biologically active substances (serotonin, melatonin, mexamin) produced by the epiphysis, on the hypothalamo-hypophysial structures was studied; results pointed to the significant role played by the epiphysis in the neuroendocrine regulation system.


Activation of guanylate cyclase by superoxide dismutase and hydroxyl radical: a physiological regulator of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate formation. Partially purified soluble rat liver guanylate cyclase [GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2] was activated by superoxide dismutase (superoxide: superoxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.15.1.1). This activation was prevented with KCN or glutathione, inhibitors of superoxide dismutase. Guanylate cyclase preparations formed superoxide ion. Activation by superoxide dismutase was further enhanced by the addition of nitrate reductase. Although guanylate cyclase activity was much greater with Mn2+ than with Mg2+ as sole cation cofactor, activation with superoxide dismutase was not observed when Mn2+ was included in incubations. Catalase also decreased the activation induced with superoxide dismutase. Thus, activation required the formation of both superoxide ion and H2O2 in incubations. Activation of guanylate cyclase could not be achieved by the addition of H2O2 alone. Scavengers of hydroxyl radicals prevented the activation. It is proposed that superoxide ion and hydrogen peroxide can lead to the formation of hydroxyl radicals that activate guanylate cyclase. This mechanism of activation can explain numerous observations of altered guanylate cyclase activity and cyclic GMP accumulation in tissues with oxidizing and reducing agents. This mechanism will also permit physiological regulation of guanylate cyclase and cyclic GMP formation when there is altered redox or free radical formation in tissues in response to hormones, other agents, and processes.


Precursor role of arachidonic acid in release of slow reacting substance from rat basophilic leukemia cells. The release of slow reacting substance (SRS) from rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-1) by the ionophore A23187 (5-10 mug/ml) was stimulated 5-fold by arachidonate and inhibited 78% by 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoate (an inhibitor of both fatty acid cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase). Linoleic acid and linolenic acid both inhibited SRS formation, whereas indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) had no effect. Radiolabel from [14C]- or [3H]arachidonate was incorporated into SRS as indicated by comigration of radioactivity and bioreactivity in several chromatographic systems after purification to apparent radiochemical homogeneity. The radiolabeled SRS was clearly separated chromatographically from other known arachidonate metabolites. Thus, SRS appears to be a previously undescribed product of arachidonic acid metabolism, probably formed through the lipoxygenase pathway. The ability to prepare purified, biosynthetically labeled, SRS should be of considerable help in further studies of its structure, biologic function, and catabolism.


Human leukocytic pyrogen: purification and development of a radioimmunoassay. Leukocytic pyrogen is a small endogenous protein that mediates fever. Because of the limitations of bioassays, circulating leukocytic pyrogen has not been demonstrated during fever in humans. The pyrogen was produced in vitro after phagocytosis of staphylococci by blood monocytes. Antibody against the pyrogen was obtained from rabbits immunized with leukocytic pyrogen and the antiserum was purified by solid-phase immunoadsorbants. Purified antibody to the pyrogen was attached to activated Sepharose 4B and used in conjunction with gel filtration to purify the pyrogen. The pyrogen was labeled with 125I and further purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The final preparation of 125I-labeled pyrogen demonstrated a homogeneous band during isoelectric focusing and other separation procedures. With antibody to pyrogen attached to Sepharose, less than 0.1 of a rabbit pyrogenic dose of human leukocytic pyrogen inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled pyrogen to this immunoadsorbant, and this inhibition was not affected by the presence of human serum. Thus, a radioimmunoassay for human leukocytic pyrogen has been developed that may be used to detect circulating pyrogen during fever in humans.


Oxygen intermediates and mixed valence states of cytochrome oxidase: infrared absorption difference spectra of compounds A, B, and C of cytochrome oxidase and oxygen. A study of the near-infrared absorption spectra of three oxygen compounds of membrane-bound cytochrome oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase; EC 1.9.3.1) shows that the formation of compound A (oxycytochrome oxidase) causes no significant infrared absorbance changes at -103 degrees. At -64 degrees, the formation of compound C from the mixed-valence state of the oxidase leads to increased absorption at 740-750 nm. The formation of compound B at -84 degrees from the fully reduced state of the oxidase causes increased absorption at 790-800 nm. Further oxidation of cytochrome oxidase results in increased infrared absorption at 820-830 nm at -60 degrees. The position of the infrared absorption band in compound C thus depends at least upon the oxidation-reduction state of heme a and its associated copper atom. Compound C contains two types of oxidized (cupric) copper; that associated with heme a is initially oxidized, and that associated with heme a3 is oxidized as a second step in the reaction with oxygen. Compound C exhibits a unique intense absorption band at 606-609 nm that is tentatively assigned to a charge transfer interaction between heme a3 in the reduced state and its associated copper in the oxidized state, with heme a and its associated copper in the oxidized state.


Regulation of release from isolated adrenergic secretory vesicles by ATP-mediated changes in transmembrane potential and anion permeability. Isolated chromaffin granules release their contents when exposed to calcium, magnesium, ATP, and high levels of chloride ions. The mechanism of release is not well-understood, but changes in anion permeability may be involved. We found that another anion, thiocyanate (SCN-), also activated release in a fashion similar to chloride, while isethionate (HO-CH2-CH2SO3-) an impermeant anion, was inactive. Mg++-ATP was found to activate the uptake of 36Cl and 14C-SCN, leading us to conclude that activation of anion uptake might be involved in the release process. The 36Cl and the 14C-SCN compartments were then compared by studying displacement of the trace anions by excess cold mass. Chloride and SCN displaced large amounts of both 36Cl and 14C-SCN, while isethionate displaced little of either tracer anion. We suggest, on the basis of these data, that ATP-mediated anion uptake may be the basis for the release mechanism. Release may occur as a consequence of anion and subsequent water uptake into granules, resulting in osmotic imbalance and osmotic shock. This may also be of physiologic importance, and we propose a cellular model for secretion based on  the biochemical properties of the isolated chromaffin granule.


Regulation of the growth and development of sympathetic neurons in vivo. The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) in the neonatal mouse and rat has been employed as a model system to study the regulation of ontogeny of presynaptic cholinergic nerves and postsynaptic adrenergic neurons. During postnatal development presynaptic choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) activity increases 30- to 40-fold, whereas postsynaptic tyrosine hydroxylase (T-OH) activity rises 6- to 8-fold. Transection of the presynaptic cholinergic nerves innervating the SCG prevents the normal development of T-OH activity and the normal accumulation of T-OH enzyme molecules in each postsynaptic neuron. The trans-synaptic regulation of T-OH development is apparently mediated by acetylcholine and postsynaptic depolarization, since pharmacologic ganglionic blockade also prevents normal maturation. Ganglion decentralization also prevents the normal maturation of adrenergic nerve terminals, and the development of end-organ innervation by SCG. Consequently, trans-synaptic factors regulate the ontogeny of adrenergic terminals as well as perikarya. Moreover, normal efferent as well as afferent connections are apparently required for sympathetic development, since removal of salivary glands and orbital contents, target organs of the SCG, in neonates also prevents T-OH development in the ganglia. The postsynaptic neuron contributes to the development of presynaptic cholinergic fibers in SCG. Selective destruction of adrenergic neurons in neonatal mice with either 6-hydroxydopamine or antiserum to nerve growth factor prevents the normal maturation of ChAc activity in presynaptic terminals of SCG. Thus, presynaptic and postsynaptic cells appear to exert reciprocal regulatory influences during ontogeny.


Intramembrane particle aggregation in erythrocyte membranes and band 3-lipid recombinants. The low pH-induced aggregation of intramembrane particles in human erythrocyte membranes was studied in native membranes and in a reconstituted model system. A significant difference in such aggregation was found when samples of freshly prepared ghosts were compared to ghosts receiving pretreatments that removed most of spectrin-actin from underneath the membrane. All conditions effective in aggregating particles are equally effective in precipitating extracted mixtures of spectrin and actin. In Band 3-lipid recombinants, the pH-induced aggregation of particles was duplicated only in samples containing spectrin-actin that equilibrated with these recombinants in sucrose gradients. Therefore, it was proposed that spectrin-actin components, through their associations with the underlying intramembrane particles, could impede particle lateral mobility and also determine particle redistribution in erythrocyte membrane.


The contractile basis of amoeboid movement III. Structure and dynamics of motile extracts and membrane fragments from Dictyostelium discoideum and Amoeba proteus. Motile extracts from D, discoideum and A. proteus have been characterized in order to compare the structural dynamics and chemical regulation of movement in 2 different types of amoeboid cells. The structural dynamics of both extracts involve the formation of a nonmotile cytoskeleton followed by the contraction of actin and myosin to generate both direct contractile force and cytoplasmic streaming. The contractions are regulated by calcium ions and a threshold of ca. 1.0 X 10(-6) M calcium induces a transformation of actin to the free F-actin state which is capable of interacting with myosin. Furthermore, 3 low molecular weight proteins are concentrated along with actin and myosin during contraction and might play a regulatory role in movement. Several common characteristics of amoeba cytoplasm have been exhibited by these two types of amoeboid cells. The major contractile and "associated" proteins are similar, actin and associated proteins are structurally dynamic, and movement is regulated by calcium. The different modes of movement observed in different types of amoeboid cells could result from the site, rate, and extent of actin transformation followed in some regions by contractions.


Factors affecting the urinary excretion of endogenously formed dimethyltryptamine in normal human subjects. The hallucinogenic substance N',N'-dimethyltryptamine and its precursor N-methyltryptamine were found in 24-h specimens of urine from 19 normal human subjects; the mean excretion rates were 386 ng 24 h(-1) and 856 ng 24 h(-1) respectively. The urinary excretion of both compounds was unrelated to age, sex, urinary volume, or creatinine, nor was any consistent diurnal pattern observed. Rates for the mono and dimethylated compounds were not correlated. Diet and the intestinal flora were excluded as a source of urinary dimethyltryptamine. Administration to 4 subjects of sufficient ammonium chloride to increase the H ion concentration of the urine caused a transient increase in dimethyltryptamine excretion but no consistent increase in the rate for N-methyltryptamine. Acidification of the urine did not appear to be the determining factor in this result since in one subject the same drop in urinary pH was achieved by feeding methionine without any increase in dimethyltryptamine excretion.


Properties of four temperate bacteriophages active on Clostridium perfringens type A. Four temperature bacteriophages (designated as PF1, PF2, PF3 and PF4) were isolated from lysogenic strains of Clostridium perfringens type A. On the basis of plaque morphology, pH stability, DNase and RNase resistance, buoyant density, one-step growth parameters and electron microscope phage dimensions, it seems that these phages are different and unrelated. Calcium was required for better phage replication. Bacterial strain S107 appears to be the only UV-inducible strain as compared with the other three lysogenic strains. PF2 has a unique pattern of pH stability showing two optima values: one at pH 5 and the second at pH 8-9. Generally, all four phages have a better resistance in acid than in alkaline pH values. The CsC1 equilibrium centrifugation patterns reveal low figures for phage PF1, PF2 and PF3 and show off the fact that PF4 lysates contain two viral particules different with respect to their densities, a property which other determinations failed to demonstrate. Each phage, except PF4, is well characterized by the parameters of the one-step growth cycle.


Hemolytic activity of a lipid material obtained from peroxidized microsomes. Lipid peroxidation was induced in rat liver microsomes by the addition of NADPH. When mixed with red cells in the presence of EDTA, these peroxidized microsomes caused hemolysis. All of the hemolytic activity of peroxidized microsomes could be extracted with lipid solvents and recovered as an aqueous lipid emulsion.


Fungal proteases and the mammalian kinin system: I. Brinolase-catalyzed kinin formation and S2160 hydrolysis. Brinolase, a fungal protease advocated for thrombolytic therapy, released kinin peptides from semi-purified kininogens of the human, rabbit, guinea pig, and mouse, and moreover cleaved an arginyl bond of the chromogenic peptide S2160. Its kinetics demonstrated marked differences from the mammalian protease trypsin. Whereas trypsin liberated 100% of the available kinin in 30 min at pH 8, brinolase generated a maximum of only 22% under optimal conditions, viz. incubation of 5 microgram/ml enzyme at pH 4.7 for 5 min. Longer incubations yielded less detectable kinin. This maximal release at acidic pH was not due to increased kininogen consumption, nor was it inhibited by the acid protease inhibitor pepstatin. Evidence is presented that brinolase, unlike trypsin, might both release and destroy kinins.


III. Covalent coupling of rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase. Optimal conditions have been determined for the coupling of rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase (PheH) to  activated CH-Sepharose-4B. When 12 mg of ligand was reacted with 100 mg of matrix, 20% of the initial enzyme activity was covalently bound along with 55% of the protein. The coupled enzyme showed greater thermal stability from 50 degrees to 60 degrees after heating for 15 min, a lower optimum pH, 5.8, slightly less inhibition by Ag+, Cu+2, and Hg+2, and greater resistance to hydrolysis by alpha-chymotrypsin and protease. The uncoupled enzyme, however, exhibited greater storage stability than the covalently linked enzyme at 25 degrees after 24 hrs and at 0 degrees after 21 days. Alteration of the microenvironment by the introduction of sulfhydryl groups and positive and negative charged carriers during coupling of the enzyme either had no effect or markedly reduced hydroxylase activity.


[An experimental study on the pathogenesis of the acute pulmonary insufficiency (author's transl)]. Parameters of the lungs as Compliance PaCO2, PaO2, have been measured in connection with experimental, pathophysiological insults like hematoma, bone marrow intravasation and hemorrhage, in rabbits. Concerning the compliance quotient, a statistically proved decrease was found within the groups, which have had a hematoma. Moreover, the histological picture of the lungs from rabbits with a hematom showed perivascular and intersitial edema and considerable atelectases. Serum of animals, which have had a hematom for at least 24 h has been fractionated by gel chromatography; low molecular weight substances of the fractionated serum were injected into healthy recipients. Thereafter, measurement of the centralvenous pressure suggests the appearance of substances, pharmacodynamic similar to 5-Hydroxytryptamin, in blood of rabbits with hematom.


[Calculation of the pH profile in the intercapillary regions of tumour tissues before and after long-term glucose infusion into the blood stream (author's transl)]. The pH profile in the intercapillary region of tumor tissue is calculated for normal (Case I) and enhanced glucose concentration in blood (Case II) which was increased by a factor of 4 for an extended period of time. The statement used, which takes into account the reduced lactic acid formation in the unsaturated region of cancer cell glycolysis, and the resulting solution of the lactic acid diffusion field equation are given. For Case II (conditions of cancer multistep therapy) and a capillary radius of 4 micrometer this yields the following pH values: Wall at venous end of the capillary 6.7 (or 6.5); at R greater than 12 micrometer, i.e. still in the vicinity of the capillary less  than 6.3: at R approximately 60 micrometer a minimum of 5.9. This rather good pH homogeneity is the prerequisite that all lytic actions and activation mechanism induced by a temporary extreme hyperacidification of the tumor tissue can take place in the major portion of the intercapillary region with a strength of adequate uniformity. Conclusions were drawn from these results with respect to the further planning of cancer therapy. This refers to the utilization of processes serving to increase primary damage to tumor tissue through body defense mechanisms, inhibition of cell proliferation as well as the applicability of new anticancer drugs (CMT Selectines) that are rendered active only in strongly hyperacidified foci of cancer. Moreover, this includes the possible use for increasing the secondary damage to tumor tissue by way of the lysosomal cytolysis, by drastic decrease of microcirculation and the damage of the capillaries in tumor tissue.


Phenylalanine inhibited p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity in the serum as an indication of intestinal cellular disruption in the horse. Examination of tissues obtained from thoroughbred horses showed that the 'intestinal' phosphatase activity could be differentiated from other phosphatases by analysis at a pH of 9-5 and inhibition with 15 mM L-phenylalanine. A simple method for the measurement of 'intestinal' phosphatase in heparinised plasma or serum is described. Application of the technique to serum or plasma from normal and diseased horses indicates that the increase in the activity of 'intestinal' phosphatase is associated with cases showing clinical, biochemical and haematological evidence of intestinal damage.


Effects of intraruminal administration of zinc on gastric acid secretion in sheep. Intraruminal administration of zinc sulphate at 100 and 200 mg Zn/kg bodyweight resulted in central and peripheral effects in sheep. Feed intake was reduced, pH of the duodenal contents elevated and the secretion of acid from isolated pouches of the abomasum doubled. Suggested explanations include a local inhibitory effect of zinc on abomasal acid secretion elevating duodenal pH and a resultant increased release of gastrin stimulating secretion from the pouches.


Blood acid-base state at a variable temperature. A graphical representation. When blood temperature is changed in closed system ('anaerobic') conditions, plasma pH and PCO2 vary but no titration by external CO2, acid or alkaline equivalents takes place. It is therefore assumed that the overall acid-base state undergoes no fundamental change. This is further justified by the constancy of osmotic relationships between plasma and red cells, and to a lesser extent of relative alkalinity and protein alpha imidazole (Reeves, 1972, 1976a, b). These considerations serve as a basis for a correction procedure of pH and PCO2 of blood in open systems in vivo to a standard temperature T* (25 degrees C, eventually 37 degrees C). The temperature-corrected values pH* and P*CO2, and the derived [HCO3]* can be represented on a temperature-independent bicarbonate-pH diagram. This permits an easier interpretation of blood acid-base changes occurring together with body temperature variations, such as in ectotherms, hibernators or in artificial hypothermia. Extension to intracellular pH is considered.


Hemodynamic effects of two cardioselective beta-adrenoceptive antagonists, metoprolol and H 87/07, in coronary insufficiency. Nineteen patients with ischemic heart disease were randomized into two groups and received either metoprolol or H 87/07. Heart catheterization was performed, and the groups were studied at rest and during exercise--before and after intravenous drug administration. During work metoprolol gave a statistically significant reduction in left ventricular work (expressed as pressure-rate product) of about 20%, mainly depending on a reduction in heart rate. Cardiac output decreased by 21%. Stroke volume was almost unchanged. The abnormal increase in left ventricular filling pressure during work was slightly, but not significantly, reduced by the drug. For H 87/07 no significant changes were found in the corresponding variables. This seems, however, to depend on an inadequate dosage, since not even the heart rate during work was significantly reduced. In conclusion, in the doses used metoprolol has been shown to be a potent beta-adrenoceptive antagonist in contrast to H 87/07.


Diagnosis of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux by prolonged monitoring of lower esophageal pH. Lower esophageal pH was continuously monitored for 15 hours in 10 asymptomatic subjects and 27 patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and the pH measurements in symptomatic patients were compared with the results of other esophageal investigations. Symptomatic patients had significantly longer periods of reflux in the pH test than asymptomatic subjects (P less than 0.01), but there was no significant correlation between the pH measurements and the results of esophageal manometry, acid-perfusion, and acid-clearing tests. Ten patients had evidence of esophagitis at esophagoscopy, but there was no correlation between pH measurements and the findings at esophagoscopy. Two patients with esophagitis had no evidence of reflux in the pH monitoring test. The results indicate that the pH-monitoring test has a useful role in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in patients who do not have endoscopic signs of esophagitis. However, negative pH tests do not exclude the diagnosis of symptomatic reflux, and it appears that the test has no value in assessing the severity of esophageal inflammation.


Cigarette smoke activates guanylate cyclase and increases guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate in tissues. The gaseous phase of cigarette smoke induced a 2- to 36-fold increase in the activity of guanylate cyclase in supernatant and particulate fractions from various rat and bovine tissues over basal activity. The characteristics of this phenomenon paralleled those of the activation of guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide, which is a component of tobacco smoke.


Cytidine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic CMP) formation in mammalian tissues. Mammalian tissues possess the capacity to synthesize cytidine 3',5'-monopHosphate (cyclic CMP) via the enzymatic conversion of cytidine 5'-triphosphate to cyclic CMP by cytidylate cyclase. Cyclic CMP formation occurs best in the presence of manganese or iron, at neutral pH, at 37 degrees C, in the absence of detergents, and with whole tissue homogenate fractions. Thus, mammalian tissues are capable of synthesizing not only cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, but also cyclic CMP.


[Follow-up study of non-neoplastic Cushing's syndrome followed by paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome after removal of a malignant pulmonary tumor. Role of the diffuse endocrine system and APUD (amine precursor uptake decarboxylase) cells]. A 27 year old woman had in 1965, a paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome was cured by removal of a pulmonary tumour. The case was published in June 1968. After a normal pregnancy, a recurrence of the Cushing's syndrome in 1969 led in 1970 to bilateral total adrenalectomy in two stages. Pathology showed hyperplastic adrenal glands. After 11 years follow up, we have not noted any relapse of the tumour nor of the Cushing's syndrome. The pathological appearance of the lung carcinoma removed in 1965 (endocrinoid or neuroid structures) suggests that this was an "apudoma" and that the recurrence of the Cushing's syndrome was perhaps an "apudomatosis" involving the pituitary ACTH cells.


Quantitative characteristics of the Feyrter (APUD) cells of the neonatal rabbit lung in normoxia and chronic hypoxia. Our studies show that the apparent number of Feyrter cells in the lung declines during the neonatal period in normoxic rabbits, and that in hypoxic animals a uniformly and significantly lower number of cells occurs as compared with the normoxic rabbits. There is some indication of degranulation of cells in the hypoxic groups. It is suggested that environmental and/or physiological factors associated with the start of extrauterine life, or lung development, may affect the apparent number and probable level of activity of these cells. These changes seem to be enhanced by hypoxia. Mast cells are scarce, and Feyrter cells are relatively more numerous along the airways. These cell types could possibly represent storage sites for 5-hydroxytryptamine, as suggested also by other investigators. Intraepithelial nerve fibres in bronchi and bronchioles were found but they were not limited to innervations of Feyrter cells or related cell bodies.


[Local contractility and acidosis in the ischemic myocardium of the dog (author's transl)]. In open chest dogs up to 8 side branches of the R, circumflexus and descendens were embraced and could selectively be occluded. With a new developed method local myocardial length changes in the ischemic areas, and with H+-sensitive minielectrodes the interstitial H+-activities were measured. All changes which were observed during the 3-30 min lasting coronary artery occlusions (H+-increases to about 500 neq/1, increases of diastolic length, decreases of the contraction amplitude, ST-elevations) returned to preocclusion levels during reperfusion. LVP and dp/dt remained unchanged during ischemia and reperfusion.


Teratological study of etoperidone in the rat and rabbit. Etoperidone was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis. The oral doses were 100 and 300 mg/kg in the rat and 5, 25 and 50 mg/kg in the rabbit. In the rat the dose of 300 mg/kg produced toxic effects on the mother, consisting mainly of behavioural changes and death in some cases; a slight increase in embryofetal mortality was also observed. The dose of 100 mg/kg still produced behavioural changes in the mother, but had no effect on the product of conception. Chlorcyclizine, on the other hand, used as a reference drug in the rat produced fetal malformations at a dose devoid of any toxic activity on the maternal organism. The doses studied in the rabbit were shown to be pharmacologically active in the mothers, producing sedation. No effect, however, was observed on embryofetal development.


In vitro biosynthesis of radioactive estradiol-17 beta, 17-glucosiduronate by rhesus monkey liver. A method for the preparation of radioactive estradiol-17 beta, 17-glucosiduronate by incubating 3H-estradiol with rhesus monkey liver microsomal preparation in the presence of uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid is described. Small but significant amounts of the conjugate were also obtained from the 150,00 pellet and cytosol fractions. The addition of NADPH to the incubation media increased the yield of radioactive-estradiol-17 beta, 17-glucosiduronate perhaps by preserving the integrity of the C-17-hydroxyl group. As expected, the effect of the reduced nucleotide was more pronounced in the fractions other than the microsome. The biosynthesized conjugate was isolated and purified by multiple column chromatography and the structure was confirmed by derivative formation, enzyme hydrolysis and crystallization of the aglycone.


[Content of nicotinamide coenzymes in rat liver under conditions of nicotinamide administration]. The content of NAD+, NADH, NADP+, NADPH in the liver of normal, fasting rats, those on the low-carbohydrate diet and suffering from alloxan diabetes was studied as affected by nictotinamide. Changes in the NAD+ content, sum of nicotinamide coenzymes, the [NAD+] + [NADP+]/[NADH] +/- [NADPH] and [NAD+] + [NADH] (sum of nicotinamide coenzymes) ratios are mainly due to nicotinamide administration. Changes in the content of reduced forms of both nucleotides depend equally on nicotinamide administration and the physiological state of animals. Response of the rat organism to nicotinamide administration consists in a sharp intensification of NAD+ synthesis and in a less pronounced intensification of NADH, NADP+ and NADPH synthesis.


[Equilibrium system consisting of soluble forms of fibrin and the specific anticoagulant D fragment of the firbinogen molecule]. According to the authors' observations, mixtures of fibrin monomer and fibrinogen-derived D fragment are gradually transformed into an equilibrium system when fibrin exists partly in a solid clot form and partly as a soluble material made unclottable by the influence of fragment D. The amount of such a soluble fibrin proved to be a linear function of the D fragment concentration. Three fibrin monomer preparations obtained in different ways were used. All of them showed similar properties as to the modifications with D fragment. The solubilzing activity of D fragment in the equilibrium system could sharply be raised by increasing ionic strength or pH. It is known that these medium changes produce the same stimulation effect on D fragment, being examined as an inhibitor of fibrin monomer polymerization. But the concentration dependences of the two activities of D fragment differ in principle.


The sedation and anaesthesia of birds and reptiles. Demand for veterinary care of birds and reptiles is increasing and with it a knowledge of the current methods of restraint and sedation of these classes. Some of the safer and more practical methods are reviewed and commented on in the light of recent results from the Zoological Society of London's veterinary department.


[Cholinesterase activity of sperm from rams infected with Brucella ovis]. Studied were the indices of cholinesterase activity of semen taken from 23 normal rams and 23 rams infected with Brucella ovis, the latter being positive by the complement-fixation test and showing a varying deterioration of the semen production. The results obtained were processed biometrically. Established were dependable differences. The cholinesterase activity of semen of brucellosis-affected rams proved four times higher than that of normal rams' semen: 39.45 +/- 5.49 microleter TO2 for 1 hour as against 174.15 +/- 9.97 microleter. A reverse correlation was established between the values of the cholinesterase activity, and the pH value and the percent of pathologic forms of spermatozoa.


Development of hemagglutination assays I. Attachment of anti-HBs antibody to stabilized erythrocytes. Conditions favoring the coupling of antibody to human erythrocytes stabilized by a variety of reagents were studied with the use of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen. Functional anti-HBs bound to erythrocytes was measured by radioimmune assay using 125 I-HBsAg. The attachment of anti-HBs to aldehyde-stabilized cells is favored by low pH and low ionic strength. The extent of antibody binding is both concentration and time dependent. Development of spontaneous agglutination of the coated erythrocytes occurs with the attachment of increasing quantities of anti-HBs. Although antibody was rapidly taken up by aldehyde-stabilized erythrocytes, it was initially readily dissociable, but after longer exposure became firmly bound. Experiments pertaining to the chemical nature of the more stable antibody-erythrocyte complex gave results consistent with covalent bond formation, though rigorous proof was not developed.


Lysis of intact yeast cells and isolated cell walls by an inducible enzyme system of Arthrobacter GJM-1. Bacterium Arthrobacter GJM-1 known in the literature as a good producer of alpha-mannanase was found to accumulate in the culture fluid lytic activities against viable yeast cells during growth on isolated cell walls or beta-glucan fractions of yeast. The accumulation of the lytic activities showed an inducible character. The lytic system produced in the medium containing baker's yeast cell walls was capable of complete solubiliaztion of cell wals in vitro. The system lysed viable cells of a number of yeast species and induced their conversion to protoplasts in an osmotically stabilized medium. The lytic system showed different pH and temperature optima when viable cells or isolated cell walls were used as substrates. The pH optimum of the lysis of isolated cell walls was identical with pH optimum of beta-glucanase activities in the crude system. The results pointed out that in the lysis of intact cells, in addition to beta-glucanases, some other factor is involved. Substantial differences in the nature of the outer and the inner surface of cell walls of Saccharomuces cerevisiae  were confirmed in this paper based on the different susceptibility to lysis of the cell walls in vivo and in vitro.


[On the problem of dimethylnitrosamine formation from tetracycline-derivatives by nitrosation reaction in acidic medium (author's transl)]. The hydrochlorides from tetracycline and six tetracycline derivatives -- 7-dimethylamino-6-des-methyl-6-desoxytetracycline [minocycline], 7-chlorotetracycline [chlorotetracycline], 7-chloro-anhydrotetracycline [anhydrochlorotetracycline, 7-chloro-6-desmethyltetracycline [demethylchlorotetracycline], 5-hydroxytetracycline [oxytetracycline] and 6-desoxy-5-hydroxytetracycline [doxycycline] -- were reacted with different amounts of sodium nitrite at 37 degrees C for two hours in aqueous buffer solutions at pH 2 and 4. Dimethylnitrosamine formation was confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography and by combined gas-liquid chromatography/mass-spectrometry from minocycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline and anhydrochlorotetracycline. Dimethylnitrosamine formation from minocycline and doxycycline was blocked by ascorbic acid. The catalytic effect of sodium thiocyanate for the dimethylnitrosamine formation from minocycline and nitrite was investigated. The different reactivity of the investigated tetracycline derivatives towards nitrite in acidic solutions is discussed by stereochemical considerations in connection with the formation of hydrogen bridge linkages. This hypothesis was confirmed by dimethylnitrosamine formation from anhydrochlorotetracycline and sodium nitrite at pH 2.


On the mechanism of inactivation and ATP-dependent reactivation of rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase. The mechanism of in vitro inactivation and ATP-dependent rapid reactivation of rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase by a membrane-bound system from rat liver and kidney cortex and the nucleotide specificity of this process was investigated using partially purified tyrosine amino-transferase as a substrate. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) could be replaced by guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP), Whereas inosine 5'-triphosphate (ITP) was less effective. During reactivation [gamma-32P]ATP was incorporated into the enzyme and not excorporated by incubation of the labeled enzyme with excess non-radioative ATP. Inactivation of labeled tyrosine aminotransferase by a particulate fraction led to a decrease protein-bound radioactivity concomitant with an increase of [32P]orthophosphate. This points to a phosphorylation and dephosphorylation mechanism in the regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase activity.


[Thioacylamides and thioacylureas as inhibitors of photosystem II (author's transl)]. Thioacylureas and thioacylamides were found to inhibit photosynthetic O2-evolution (Hill-reactions) of "broken chloroplasts", some derivatives approaching an I50 of 10(-5) M. The inhibition site is near photosystem II. The inhibitory effects of the tested derivatives vary in theri pH-dependency between pH 5 and 8.


[Researches to the conversion of sorbit into sorbose by Acetobacter suboxydans (author's transl)]. The production of sorbose by Acetobacter suboxydans (4) is closely related to the concentration of sorbit in the medium. An increasing concentration of sorbit gives rise to the inhibition of cell reproduction; followed by a decrease of sorbose content in the culture medium. The decrease of sorbose yield in concentrations of about 15% sorbit in medium indicates the decreasing metabolism rate of the total population of Acetobacter suboxydans (4) culture and does not refer to the ability of the individual bacterium cell to produce sorbose. Relevant research work showed, that sorbose production for each bacterium cell distinctly increased with the decrease of the number of cells in a population of Acetobacter suboxydans (4) as a consequence of the application of an increased sorbit concentration. An unrestrained reproduction of bacteria could be obtained by exluding all factors involved in the contamination of sorbit and exhibiting toxic effects. Therefore the organisms could be offered a greater concentration of sorbit for conversion into sorbose. Thus sorbose yield would be increased, respectively. The total conversion of the C-source into sorbose could not be obtained with Acetobacter ruboxydans (4).


Studies on phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in soil and rhizosphere of different plants. I. Occurrence of bacteria, acid producers, and phosphate dissolvers. Occurrence of bacteria (total), acid producing and phosphate dissolving micro-organisms in soil, rhizosphere, and rizoplane of Egyptian cotton, peas, or maize during their different growth phases was studied. The rhizosphere effects were generally positive and differed according to type of plant, growth phase of each special plant, and type of micro-organism under study. The high densities of bacteria, acid-producers, and phosphate-dissolvers in the rhizoplane samples suggest the conclusion that roots of the studied plants are colonized with these soil micro-organisms. The role of the micro-organism and the mechanism of the noted colonization is not fully understood yet. However, the presence of high numbers of bacteria in the rhizosphere zones of all plants is undoubtedly important, since they may convert organic and inorganic substances into available plant nutrients. The acidproducing organisms were greatly stimulated in the rhizosphere of all plants. Consequently, the production of acid, especially in alkaline soils such as in Egypt, may directly or indirectly react with insoluble inorganic compounds, converting their nutrient elements into available forms for the growing plants. But not all acid-producers are considered as phosphate-dissolvers. Therefore, the presence of high numbers of phosphate-dissolving bacteria in the rhizophere zones may explain how the growing plants can obtain their requirements in such alkaline soils.


Studies on phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in soil and rhizosphere of different plants. II. Selection of the most efficient phosphate-dissolvers and their morphological grouping. Two hundred colonies which showed positive reaction on the plates prepared for the phosphate-dissolving bacteria from control soil rhizosphere soils and rhizoplane samples of maize, peas, or cotton were isolated at random. Fifty isolates were selected as the most efficient isolates according to their capability for increasing the amounts of available phosphorus in the media with corresponding decreases in pH values. The percentage of the most efficient isolates differed according to type of plant and location of isolation. Not only the morphological types of the phosphate-dissolving bacteria differed in soil and in rhizosphere, but they also differed in the rhizosphere soil of each special plant. Morphological differences in the isolates from rhizosphere soil and from rhizoplane samples of the same plant were also occurring. The abundance of mycelial-forming bacteria and of aerobic sporeformers in Egyptian soil is important as they are well known to resist adverse conditions, such as high temperature and dryness to which our soils are subjected most time of the year.


The N4-hydroxycytidine reduction system in toluenized cells of Salmonella typhimurium. 1. Enzymatic reduction of N4-hydroxycytidine to cytidine in Salmonella typhimurium is highly specific. The reaction occurs only at the nucleoside level. Free base or its 1-methyl analogue is not reduced. 2. The pH optimum shows a broad plateau with a maximum at pH 7.0. The apparent Km value, estimated in the toluene-treated cells, is 4.8 mM and Vmax 1.4 nmoles/min/mg of wet bacterial weight. The reaction is NADH-dependent, although in toluenized bacterial cells it can occure without addition of any exogenous factor.


Intrauterine hypoxia -- a phenomenon peculiar to the second twin. During a 5-year period twin births occurring at the university hospital were investigated for the presence of clinical and biochemical symptoms of intrauterine hypoxia. It appears that intrauterine hypoxia, when detectable, is limited to the second twin. Some factors which may influence the oxygenation of the second twin have been analysed, i.e., the mode of delivery, the time interval between deliveries, and the duration of gestation. No single explanation for the genesis of the hypoxia seems to be valid.


Clinical trial with lorazepam in pre-operative anxiety. An important part of the pre-operative preparation of a patient consists in the treatment of his anxiety. One hundred eighty-two patients (varying in age from 17 to 80 years) were sedated for surgery with lorazepam. The evening before intervention, each patient received 1 tablet of lorazepam (2.5 mg) and on the day of operation (90 minutes before induction of the anesthesia), each patient received an I.M. injection of lorazepam and atropine, the dosage being adjusted to body weight. The prior administration of lorazepam usually gives very good results with only slight risk of side-effects and without unhappy recollections of the pre- and post-operative periods. Most of the patients were very calm, being well rested, conscious and capable of conversation. In our experience the sedation of anxious patients with lorazepam would seem to be a very good and safe procedure.


Enzyme histochemical study on hepatoma--the relation between enzyme activity and histological type. The activities of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP), alkaline phosphatase (A-p), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) were examined in 18 cases of hepatomas. The activity of gamma-GTP was most remarkable in the hepatoma consisting of small to medium-sized tumor cells showing the least atypism. The enzyme activity found in the type composed of large tumor cells resembled that of normal liver and was considered to be the most mature form of the neoplasm. This enzyme was not found in the immature type composed of small typical tumor cells. A-P activity was seen in only a few cases of hepatoma; conspicuous in one case showing immature features and sporadically in one case with florid histological pattern. The activity of this enzyme could not be confirmed in the type demonstrating marked gamma-GTP activity. LAP activity was noted in the majority of cases, especially marked in the medium-sized tumor cells, but there was hardly any connection between this enzyme and histological type. In general, the cases demonstrating positive gamma-GTP activity tended to show LAP activity. Although the activity of gamma-GTP and that of A-p usually showed an inverse relation, all three enzymes demonstrated almost equal activity in the type showing a florid histological pattern.


An improved direct colorimetric method for the quantitative analysis of urinary hippuric acid as an index of toluene exposure. An improved direct colorimetric method for determining the concentration of urinary hippuric acid as an index of toluene exposure was described. One tenth ml of urine was diluted with 0.4 ml 0.01 M phosphate buffer H 6.9 and mixed with 0.5 ml pyridine. The mixture was layered on 0.2 ml benzenesulfonyl chloride. The reaction was started by mixing for one min with a mechanical shaker. The colored solution was allowed to stand for 30 min, diluted with 5 ml ethanol, and absorbance measured at 410 nm within 30 min after the dilution. The coefficient of variation of this method was 6% and the recovery 103% when urine contains about 0.2-0.5 mg hippuric acid per ml of urine. The concentration was linear up to 2.0 mg per ml hippuric acid in a specimen.


Antibacterial effect, plasmid curing activity and chemical structure of some tricyclic compounds. Diethazine, amitriptyline and imipramine showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect on different bacteria. Chlorpromazine sulphoxide and fluorescein were ineffective even at 1000 microgram/ml. The antibacterial compounds deleted at 40-70% frequency the F'lac plasmid of Escherichia coli K12 LE-140.


Inhibition of transmitter release from isolated rabbit kidney by bradykinin. The effect of kallikrein on the release of norepinephrine has been studied in the isolated perfused rabbit kidney. Kallikrein in the perfusion medium caused an inhibition in the rise of the perfusion pressure induced by periarterial stimulation and in the contraction of rabbit aorta superfused by the venous outflow of the stimulated kidney. On the contrary, kallikrein caused a potentiation in the urine volume induced by periarterial stimulation. Similar findings were obtained when bradykinin was added instead of kallikrein. Kallikrein did not alter the pressure response and rabbit aorta contraction but potentiated the diuretic effects of exogenously administered norepinephrine. Acetyl salicyclic acid when added to the perfusion medium containing kallikrein caused a reversal in all parameters measured in this study. It is concluded that the changes of the effects of periarterial stimulation of the isolated rabbit kidney by kallikrein are mediated through the bradykinin-mediated increased generation of intrarenal prostaglandins.


Translation by bacterial cells of messenger RNA for interferon of animal origin. Escherichia coli, strain AB 1157, cells are capable of translating human, mouse, and chicken messenter RNA for interferon with production of interferon of the corresponding specifity. This translation occurs in the presence of serum. The activity of the resulting interferon decreased in parallel to dilution of the original mRNA preparation, upon multiple ulitization of the mRNA solution, as well as upon reduction of the interferon- producing activity of cells-donors of mRNA due to prolonged storage of the cells. Unlike animal cells, the bacteria do not require pre-treatment with actinomycin D. The interferon translated by bacteria is inactivated by trypsin and resistant to ribonuclease.


Physico-chemical properties of interferon produced by a mixed leukocyte suspension. Physico-chemical properties of partially purified interferon produced by a mixed culture of human peripheral blood leukocytes following induction with double-stranded RNA extracted from f2 phage infected Escherichia coli were studied. Molecular heterogeneity of the interferon preparation was demonstrated by gel chromatography on a Sephadex G-100 column, disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The first two methods revealed 5 peaks, the latter 7 peaks of interferon activity. There was no difference in the molecular nature of interferon produced by cultures exposed to the inducer for the whole period of incubation and that produced by cultures from which the inducer was removed after a short induction time.


Effect of amino acid replacement on the stability of the tobacco mosaic virus protein structure. A comparative polarographic study on the alkaline degradation of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) strain vulgare and its mutant TMV 483, having histidine instead of glutamine at position 9 in the polypeptide chain, was performed. In the course of alkaline degradation and subsequent incubation in the supporting electrolyte at 0 degrees C TMV 483, unlike TMV vulgare, showed a polarographic effect indicating the unfolding of the TMV polypeptide. It was concluded that the replacement of glutamine-9 by histidine causes a decrease in the stability of the three-dimensional structure of the TMV protein subunit. A polarographic study of untreated virions as well as denatured proteins of both TMV strains showed that histidine, when incorporated into the polypeptide chain, is not active polarographically at the conditions used.


Ultrastructural studies of cell-virus interaction in reptilian cell lines. IV. Effects of chloramphenicol and ethidium bromide on VSW cell mitochondria and associated virions. Structural effects of chloramphenicol (CAP) and ethidium bromide (EB) on VSW cell mitochondria and intramitochondrial virions (IMV) have been studied on a comparative basis by thin-section electron microscopy. CAP-treated cells show a wide variety of mitochondrial alterations, frequently involving swelling of the organelle and loss of cristae orientation. IMV are generally severely disrupted, particularly in peripheral regions. In such configurations, strand-like material radiates in a spokelike fashion from the shell zone to adjacent cristae-matrix area. EB-treated cells also display considerable mitochondrial distortion evidenced primarily by the formation of small, localized multimembrane regions. IMV exposed to EB, however, are less structurally damaged than CAP-treated ones. The relative incidence of IMV production is enhanced approximately fourfold in EB-treated cells compared to CAP-treated ones, suggesting that virion synthesis may be under nuclear, rather than mitochondrial, control.


Genetic characteristics of clones derived from measles virus strain L-16. The L-16 vaccine strain of measles virus produced in L-41 cell cultures of various size (0.5-0.2 mm in diameter), with clear or opaque centers, thus being genetically heterogeneous by the S and P markes. The clones derived from the L-16 strain differed from it and from each other in a number of genetic properties. Clones isolated at different temperatures, 35 degrees or 32 degrees C, differed from each other in thermostability, sensitivity to interferon, interferon-inducing activity, antigenicity and plaque size. Marked correlations were established between cytopathic activity (TC) and reproductive activity in L-41 cell cultures; thermostability at 50 degrees C (T50 character) and inactivation constant; and interferon-inducing activity and sensitivity to interferon.


Influenza virus antigens in human leukocytes after oral administration of live tissue culture influenza A monovaccine. Influenza A virus antigens were detected in leukocytes by immunofluorescence. After intravenous inoculation of the A/Moscow/16/65 (H2N2) vaccine strain to chickens, cytoplasmic antigens of the virus were observed in mononuclear leukocytes from 24 to 72 hours post inoculation (p.i.). The course of antigen detectability was similar after two repeated inoculations of the virus. After oral vaccination of human volunteers with a live tissue culture influenza A monovaccine from the X-47 (H3N2) recombinant viral antigens were also found in mononuclears; the maximal number of antigen-positive cells was observed at 24 hours p.i. The method of membrane immunofluorescence proved to be the most sensitive for antigen detection; it revealed a considerable decrease in the number of antigen-positive cells after repeated administration of the virus to volunteers. This fact may possibly reflect the development of antiviral resistance in the process of vaccination.


Isolation and preliminary characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of pseudorabies virus. Nine ts mutants of pseudorabies virus (PRV) strain BUK were isolated following bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) or NaNO2 mutagenesis by a selection technique based on a shiftdown from nonpermissive to permissive temperature. This technique is described and its advantages are discussed. The nine ts mutants have been assigned to four complementation groups.


Measurement of antibodies to herpesvirus types 1 and 2 in human sera by microradioimmunoassay. The binding of 125I-labelled anti-human antibodies against the fc IgG fragment to unlabelled antiviral immunoglobulins in the surface of infected cells was used to quantitate antibodies against herpes simplex virus type (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in sera from patients with cervix carcinoma. The microradioimmunoassay technique (micro-RIA) proved to be 5-10 times more sensitive than the microneutralization test. Antibody titres determined by micro-RIA correlated with neutralizing antibody titres to both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The relative antibody titres to HSV-1 and HSV-2, as determined by micro-RIA, could be used to distinguish persons previously infected with HSV-2 by means of II/I indices.


Infectivity of DNA recovered from cells persistently infected with SV5 paramyxovirus. Infectivity of DNA isolated from L cells chronically infected with SV5 paramyxovirus was demonstrated by inoculation of continuous RH and HEp-2 cells. Infectivity of the DNA was completely abolished by treatment with deoxyribonuclease or by alkaline hydrolysis but did not change after treatment with ribonuclease and specific anti SV5 serum. The virus obtained as a result of transfection caused haemadsorption in susceptible cells and was neutralized by specific antiserum like the prototype SV5 strain.


Mononuclear cells in Japanese encephalitis virus infection: changes in cells counts and specific fluorescence. Progressive reduction in blood cell counts was observed in mice inoculated intracerebrally (ic) with Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus. No changes were observed in the blood cell counts of mice inoculated intraperitoneally (ip). Reduction in cell counts after a transient rise was noticed in lymph nodes of mice inoculated by either route but the cell counts returned to normal in lymph nodes of ip inoculated mice by the 8th day post inoculation (p.i.). JE virus antigen was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in mononuclear cells from the blood, spleen and lymph nodes starting from the 3rd and 4th day p.i. in mice inoculated ic and ip, respectively. The number of fluorescent cells increased as the infection progressed. The number of fluorescent spleen cells uas higher in ip than in ic inoculated mice. Live virus could only occasionally be demonstrated in the cells.


Search for correlates of resistance to virulent challenge in mice immunized with Coxiella burnetii. Mice immunized with live phase I or phase II Coxiella burnetii, with killed phase I or phase II organisms or with trichloroacetic acid (TCAE) or phenol (PE) extracts were resistant to intraperitoneal infection with phase I C. burnetii irrespective of whether or not they displayed phase I antibody response at the time of virulent challenge. Increased phagocytosis of purified phase I organisms by blood leukocytes or peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) was noticed only in mice with phase I agglutinating antibodies in their sera or peritoneal washings. Passive transfer of resistance was made possible only by sera containing phase I agglutinating antibodies. Adoptive transfer of immunity by spleen cells, but not by PEC, was achieved providing that these cells were taken from mice immunized with live phase I C. burnetii.


Massive occurrence of rickettsiae of the spotted fever group in fowl tampan, Argas persicus, in the Armenian S.S.R. Fowl tampans (Argas persicus) collected in Oktemberyan in the Armenian S.S.R. in 1974 were found to be massively infected with rickettsiae of the spotted fever (SF) group. One isolated rickettsial strain, designated Armenia 9, is antigenically related to, and probably identical with, strain Armenia 11 and strain B of Rickettsia slovaca, isolated from Dermacentor marginatus ticks. Strain Armenia 9 grows readily in chick embryo yolk sacs and in chick embryo cell (CEC) and L-cell cultures. It causes generalized infection in both soft and hard ticks. A fatal disease was produced in Clethrionomys glareolus after subcutaneous inoculation. Similar inoculation of other small wild rodents (Mus musculus, Microtus arvalis, Apodemus flavicollis), hens and laboratory animals (guinea pigs, white mice and hamsters) resulted only in an antibody response.


Some biological properties of an endotoxic lipopolysaccharide from the typhus group rickettsiae. A lipophilic thermostable lipopolysaccharide (LPS) complex was isolated by phenol extraction from purified suspensions of the typhus group rickettsiae. The LPS complex is antigenic and possesses some endotoxic properties such as toxicity for actinomycin D-treated mice, pyrogenicity for rabbits and guinea pigs, ability to elicit hypothermia in white rats and local Schwartzman reaction and active cutaneous anaphylaxis in rabbits.


Effects of ethanol on electrical parameters of the in vivo rat stomach. The gastric transmural electrical potential difference (PD) and direct-current resistance were measured in the rat in vivo under conditions in which the luminal pH was controlled over the pH range 1.0 to 12.0. Raising the pH above 11.0 caused a reduction in both PD and resistance. This is consistent with basic groups limiting cation permeability through the mucosa. Exposure of the mucosa to 20% ethanol caused a reduction in resistance, PD, and H+ secretion, and an increased appearance of Na+ in the lumen at neutral pH. The pH dependence of the resistance at high pH values was also eliminated, consistent with the elimination or bypassing of channels containing basic groups. Mucosal exposure to 8.5% ethanol reduced the PD and H+ secretion without affecting resistance. The increased appearance of Na+ in the lumen seen with this alcohol solution also occurred following exposure to hyperosmotic sucrose.


Gastric mucosal damage by taurine and glycine conjugates of chenodeoxycholic acid. Bile damage to gastric mucosa may be demonstrated by means of changes in the transmucosal movement of H+ and Na+ ions. In the present study pure 10 mM solutions of taurine and glycine conjugates of chenodeoxycholic acid were instilled into canine Heidenhain pouches. Solutions were prepared at pH 2, 4, and 8, as previous work had shown a greater damaging effect at low pH. The present study confirmed this pH effect, but only with respect to movement of Na+ ion for taurine conjugates. The magnitude of the changes in ionic movements was much greater with pure bile acid solutions than that seen previously with whole bile. These findings are discussed. The greater damage seen below the pKa of the bile acid conjugates suggests that its nonionized form is the more damaging.


Endocrine cells of bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. Among the epithelial elements of the pulmonary airways are cells with features suggestive of endocrine function. Although these cells share a number of properties with the intestinal endocrine (argentaffine) cells, peptide hormones analogous to the multitude of those present in the gastrointestinal tract have yet to be identified in the lung. The oat cell carcinoma, which arises from this cell type, is of importance clinically, yet investigations into the basic properties and functions of this cell have been difficult and sparse, in part due to a lack of appreciation of the problem.


Fetal reacting bradycardia.

Fetal reacting bradycardia. Acute and abrupt fetal bradycardia are considered to be vagal in origin. In addition to head compression and funis compression bradycardias, we will report on those acute fetal bradycardias occurring during maternal seizures and maternal voiding, during aortocaval compression, during terminal labor, and during the immediate postpartum period. While certain mechanisms are known which can explain some or parts of these bradycardias, we conclude that in the clinical setting information is insufficient to determine their etiology with precision. Instead of labeling abrupt fetal heart rate pattern as resulting from either head or funis compression, it is suggested that the patterns be described according to their severity and duration. Such acute fetal bradycardias can be detrimental in terms of reduced umbilical flow. Administration of atropine may be indicated in the otherwise healthy fetus with acute bradycardia.


Intrapartum fetal asphyxia: clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and significance in relation to pattern of development. The clinical and fetal heart rates and acid-base characteristics and their sequelae have been reviewed in 587 patients. The relevant clinical factors in the asphyxia group were the preterm fetus, the intrauterine growth retarded fetus, maternal toxemia, and midforceps delivery. The duration of the developing metabolic acidosis in the asphyxia group ranged from terminal to the last two hours of labor. Marked patterns of total decelerations and moderate and marked patterns of late decelerations are of predictive value in the diagnosis of intrapartum fetal asphyxia with a trend to an increased incidence in the longer duration categories, between four and two hours prior to delivery, and a significant increase in all categories during the last two hours of labor. The significance of intrapartum fetal asphyxia to the newborn infant is evident from the low Apgar scores, increased incidence of moderate and severe respiratory distress syndrome, and central nervous system complications in the asphixia group in relation to the normal group.


The rodent as an experimental tool in gerontological research. Advances in basic gerontology has has brought along numerous methodological questions among which the growth-persistency as a function of ageing of the rodents, particularly the rat, plays an intriguing role. The fact that, the rat's growth may proceed for more than half of the lifetime was confirmed by many authors. Whether the senescent loss in body weight is induced by the subnormal food and water intake in old age, or rather, the former leads to the latter, has not yet settled. It is suggested however, that the apparent detrimental losses in masticatory function; i.e. defects of the maxillary incisors of the aged animals exert food consumption by all accounts. This can be either the consequence or cause of the unessential loss of body weight well before death. The reasons which explain the startling pecularity concerned of the rodents must be sought in the phylogenetical backgrounds of these species. Most of them are still in their flourishing-evolutionary period of the present. These small-sized, omnivorous, highly-variable animals are non-specialized but labile/flexible species to convert according to our requirements. Neverthless, particular attention should be paid when treating these animals, as rather primordial species, whose one or more characteristics, i.e. persistency in growth merit a special caution of gerontologists.


[Polyploidisation - a phenomenon of aging? (author's transl)]. By means of cytophotometric determination of DNA in different cellular systems an increase in polyploidisation correlated to age could be demonstrated. The latter is well demonstrable if compensatory hyperplasia or hypertrophy occurs. It is discussed that cellular systems of older individuals can increase their DNA - content, but they are not able to carry out a caryo-and cytocinesis.


[Tensibility measurements on the rats aorta (author's transl)]. II. Elasticity Parameters in Various Ages Power-extension diagrams of longitudinal and transversal stripes of the Aorta thoracica were recorded by means of an elctro-mechanical measuring instrument. The samples were taken from 108 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 9, 15 and 24 months. The following parameters describing age-dependent alterations were calculated from the hysteresis loops of three consecutive extension-relaxation cycles: 1. the maximum power 2. the area of the first hysteresis loop 3. the characteristic of the relaxation-part of the third cycle. The maximum power and partly the areas of the hysteresis loops increased with age. The curves obtained by longitudinal stripes were approximated to a linear function (y = a + bx) plus a power-function (y = cxd). Their constants were explained as indices to the plasticity of the aorta, the retraction-power of the elastic fibres, the degree of the spiralization of the collagen fibres and the amount and/or the stability of the collagen. The ageing changes of these parameters indicated an increase of plasticity, an increase in the retraction-power of the elastic fibres, a rise of the pitch of the collagen spiral and an increase in the amount and/or in the stability of collagen. The curves from the extension of the transversal stripes revealed a different extension characteristic and could be described as the sum of two power functions. The causes of this different behaviour are not yet clearly understood.


Long-term tryptophan restriction and aging in the rat. Growth-retarded rats fed a tryptophan deficient diet at 21 days for periods of 6-22 months were shown to reach normal body weight when subsequently fed Purina Rat Chow. They demonstrated an increased ability over similar aged controls to recover from hypothermia induced by 3-minute whole-body ice water immersion, were able to bear litters at 17--28 months of age, showed a delay in the age of onset of visible tumors, and indicated an increase in their average lifespan at late ages. Animals fed on this diet from 3 months of age revealed a similar ability to reproduce at advanced ages, but not as marked as those placed on the diet earlier. The average lifespan (in months +/- the standard error of the mean) of the rats recovering from the long-term tryptophan-deficient diets was 36.31 +/- 2.26 while the control rats survived an average of 30.5 +/- 1.90 months. The last of 8 rats surviving the period of tryptophan-deficiency died at 45.50 months (1387 days) while the last of 14 control rats died at 41.75 months (1266 days). It is hypothesized that some kind of subtle mechanism exerts its influence on the rats during the period of tryptophan deficiency which caused an accelerated morbidity and mortality as they approached senescence approximately 1 to 2 years after refeeding. This is parallel to the situation with immature animals subjected to long-term caloric restriction and then fed on normal diets.


The age dependence of bile acid metabolism in rats. The age dependence of bile acid metabolism in rats was investigated and the following results were obtained. 1) Synthesis rate, pool size and total secretion decreased in old rats (24 month) significantly compared to young rats (6 weeks). 2) The quotient of taurine to glycine conjugates is is significant lower in old rats compared to young rats. 3) The lithogenic index remains unchanged in all age groups. 4) Old rats show a significantly higher Km for cholic acid uptake, whereas the diffusion coefficient is decreased. The possible influence of humoral factors on age dependent regulations of bile metabolism is discussed.


Age-dependent changes of the protein synthetic machinery of liver cell cytoplasm as revealed by electron microscopic morphometry. Complete electron microscopic morphometric explorations of the liver were carry out in groups of 5 each young, adult and old female Wistar rats. In addition, livers were studied 1, 5, 10, 20 days after 2/3 hepatectomy in old rats. Characteristic age-dependent change: Decrease of the surface density of total endoplasmic reticulums between 1 and 12--27 months of age. After the partial hepatectomy the regenerated old liver "shows a certain" rejuvenation. The results suggest the validity of the theory of accumulation of somatic mutations during aging.


[Age-dependent metabolism and polymerisation of collagen (author's transl)]. Investigations of collagen metabolism on the one side and of crosslinking of fibres on the other side speak for the assumption that the decrease of synthesis of collagen correlates with an increase of its crosslinking. This process can be seen in the skin of aging rats. The increase of steady crosslinks bonds represents a regulation to elongate the life-span of fibres, that means a compensation for the decreased production of new collagen.


[Degenerative changes in the central region of aging human rib cartilage, as influenced by growing cross section diameter (author's transl)]. In the centre of aged human rib cartilage, a yellowing degenerative zone is seen, while in a circular peripheral region the tissue remains unchanged. The cartilage of the 12th rib shows decrease in diameter towards its free end. It therefore was used as a model to find out wether there is a critical diameter of the diffusion stretch leading to a degeneration of the centre. This stretch was to be compared with the diameter of the peripheral circular zone. Cartilage of the second rib was used for comparison. The length of the free end showing no degeneration was 2,5- to 4 mm. Its radius was longer than the diameter of the circular zone in the middle part of the 12th rib cartilage, but this was not found in the second rib cartilage nor at the base of the 12th rib cartilage. The difference between the cartilage of differing individuals was more striking than the difference found between all cross sections of the second and 12th rib cartilage. The length of the diffusion stretch is thought to be an accessorial cause of aging besides the age changes of the cells and intercellular matrix, but not the only cause.


Acute hypocapneic hypokalemia: an latrogenic anesthetic complication. Hyperventilation of patients during surgical anesthesia is a common practice in the United States. The results obtained in the present study re-emphasize serum potassium concentration is directly proportional to arterial carbon dioxide tension, and that for every 10 torr decrease in PaCO2 there is a concomitant 0.5 mEq/L decrease in potassium. Therefore sudden and significant levels of hypokalemia may occur during the course of a general anesthetic, and since hypokalemia is known to be capable of producing serious cardiac arrhythmias, hyperventilation should be avoided during surgical anesthesia, particularly in patients on drugs which produce electrophysiologic changes similar to those resulting from hypokalemia.


[Early mortality after ingestion of caustic substances]. The authors define the management of a patient following emergency admission for the ingestion of a caustic liquid: immediate assessment by fibroscope oesophagoscopy; avoidance of all corticosteroid therapy and of the insertion of a gastric tube; parenteral alimentation. The frequency of early deaths has considerably decreased since the applications of this method, either as a result of shock or of the inhalation of caustic liquid.


Cerebral surface pH changes during asphyxia, hypotension, and circulatory arrest in the dog. A technic is described for the measurement of cerebral surface pH in acute experiments in anesthetized dogs. During asphyxia and circulatory arrest, cerebral surface pH fell promptly and more profoundly than arterial blood or muscle surface pH; during hypovolemic hypotension (30 to 50 torr) cerebral surface pH declined later and less than muscle surface pH. The cerebral surface pH reflects the pH of the cortical interstitial fluid. Since the blood brain barrier is effectively impermeable to lactate, the changes recorded in the cerebral surface pH are a useful index of cortical intracellular metabolism.


[Anesthesia for esophageal surgery].

[Anesthesia for esophageal surgery]. At the present time, it is rarely necessary to operate after a digestive perforation complicating the ingestion of a caustic fluid. By contrast, cancer surgery progresses. Anaesthesia requires protection with a high degree of analgesia and curarisation. The use of a Carlens tube during oesophagectomy via a thoracic approach facilitates the surgeon's task. Compensation for blood and water losses should be generous. Insertion of a gastric tube through the plasty makes it possible to avoid gastrostomy. Finally, postoperative artificial ventilation is necessary in these individuals who often suffer from some form of respiratory pathology.


[Surgical treatment of caustic esophagogastric stenosis in the chronic phase]. The authors report the results of 26 oesophagoplasties carried out using the descending colon for oesophageal stenosis as a result of a caustic lesion. Superior: in 5 cases the anastomosis being made to the pharynx. Inferior: 8 associated gastric lesions being treated either by resection or by short circuit. The remaining oesophagus was removed in two cases. There were two postoperative deaths. In all the remaining patients a satisfactory functional result was obtained.


[Intensive care and diet in cases of caustic esophageal stenosis after the first eight days]. On the basis of 12 cases of caustic burns of the oesophagus, the authors describe the technique of alimentation, once the acute phase of the first eight days has passed. From the 8th to the 15th days, calories and provided parenterally. An upper GI series is carried out on the 15th day: if the stomach is healthy, the authors fashion an alimentation gastrostomy, if the stomach is damaged, they carry out gastrectomy with alimentation gastrostomy or jejunostomy. In all cases, continuity is re-established by coloplasty two months later.


[Caustic lesions of the esophagus in the child]. On the basis of a study involving 21 children treated over a 10 year period, the authors describe a method for the management of a child following the ingestion of a caustic fluid: emergency oesophagoscopy to determine the extent and nature on the lesions, in severe forms, alimentation gastrostomy, which would seem to be preferable to parenteral alimentation, is carried out, on the 21st day, a new endoscopic and radiological assessment, permitting distinction between those cases which are cured and those progressing to stenosis. In this latter group, the choice is made between dilatations and oesophagoplasty on the basis on the lesions present and the development of complications during dilatation.


[Perforations of the cervical esophagus in attempted tracheal intubation. A report of 12 cases]. The authors underline the factors favouring perforation of the oesophagus during intubation in the light of 12 personal cases: difficulty in intubation, use of an introducer, inexperienced operator. Such a perforation may result in mediastinitis and should be treated early with massive polyvalent antibiotics and a surgical suture left at rest for approximately one week.


[Pharyngolaryngeal fistula and hypopharyngeal perforation resulting from difficult tracheal intubation]. The authors report a case of lesions of the pharyngo-oesophagolaryngeal junction following difficult intubation. On the basis of the small number of cases published in recent years, they attempt to determine those factors which may permit early diagnosis before the development of complications in order that any medical or surgical therapeutic measures applied may be fully effective.


[Surgery for carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods and techniques]. Given the poor prognosis in carcinoma of the oesophagus, and with the aid of advances in anaesthesia and postoperative care, surgery has progressively evolved towards wider excision and a reduction in the number of operative stages. Partial oesophagectomy, with gastrolysis and gastro-oesophageal anastomosis, via a left thoracotomy, is favoured by large number of authors. However, it involves a certain number of disadvantages: by definition a limited excision, unsuitable for carcinomas in the cervical region and a marked risk of postoperative gastro-oesophageal reflux. Total oesophagectomy offers a hope of better results from an oncological standpoint, the more so since excision may be extended superiorly (laryngectomy) or inferiorly (total gastrectomy with lymph node excision). Continuity is re-established using a colonic transplant. The operation may be performed in two stages, though a single stage procedure with two teams would appear to be preferable, overall mortality and morbidity being reduced. Finally, colonic oesophagoplasty may be used alone, as a simply palliative measure, without associated tumour excision. By short-circuiting the oesophageal stenosis, it permits continued alimentation per os and the patient's period of survival is more comfortable.


[Postoperative complications in esophageal surgery]. Apart from certain complications which may follow any surgical procedure, the authors sought to emphasise in particular the problems posed by fistulae occurring after oesophageal surgery. They draw a clear distinction between cervical fistulae which, draining adequately, do not affect the vital prognosis, merely prolonging the period of hospitalisation, and intrathoracic or sub-diaphragmatic fistulae, with a grave prognosis and which pose delicate problems of re-operation, drainage and intensive care. They feel that the possibility of prevention of these digestive fistulae must be stressed, combining the most meticulous surgical technique with appropriate pre- and postoperative care.


[Preoperative assessment: value and limitations in the preparation for surgery of esophageal or cardia carcinoma]. Pre-operative assessment of a patient suffering from a carcinoma of the oesophagus demonstrates numerous pathological features and marked malnutrition. The authors give details of their method of nutritional preparation: operation is scheduled only when the patients are restored to a state of anabolism, i.e. when daily potassium balance is greater than 40 mEq and daily nitrogen balance exceeds 4 g. Carolies are provided either intravenously or via a gastric tube. Alimentation consists on average of 2,000 to 2,6000 calories as carbohydrate and lipids and 12 to 14 g of nitrogen. This preparation lasts on average for one week. It is associated with a reduction in mortality and the number of postoperative complications.


[Practical problems and results of parenteral alimentation in 60 patients undergoing surgery for neoplasms of the esophagus]. Sixty patients suffering from a neoplasm of the oesophagus underwent surgery. All received parenteral alimentation in an intensive care unit and its value was studied, in particular in the immediate postoperative period. Describing the technique used, together with the qualitative and quantitative nature of the products employed, the authors analyse the results obtained and in particular the effectiveness of treatment from the standpoint of protein balance and of body weight stability in these patients.


[Tracheo-bronchial intubation for surgery of the esophagus via a thoracic approach]. Tracheo-bronchial intubation using a double-lumen Carlens tube provides the surgeon with a mediastinal operating field free of any obstruction by the lung and provides greater surgical ease than that of an assistant retracting a constantly invasive lung with tracheal intubation. This anaesthetic technique involving the ventilation of only one lung during the endothoracic period of the surgical procedure has not been used routinely for extra-pulmonary surgery since the shunt which is created leads to a fear of dangerous hypoxia. The aim of this study involving 30 patients is to demonstrate that the blood oxygen saturation obtained by the careful ventilation of a single lung, that of the side on which the patient is lying, is perfectly acceptable and comparable with the preoperative oxygen saturation of the subject at rest. This is obtained at the price of an increase in insufflation pressures of the order of 100 percent. Re-expansion of the collapsed lung without visual confirmation after careful endobronchial aspiration makes it possible to prevent the development of areas of micro-atelectasia and to ensure the absence of any pulmonary postoperative complications.


[The influence of preoperative irradiation on postoperative complications in surgical treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus]. Over a 15 year period, the authors operated upon 650 patients suffering from carcinoma of the oesophagus. Amongst them, 185 underwent pre-operative irradiation. The latter appears to increase the percentage in whom excision was possible. By contrast, the occurence rate of postoperative complications is essentially the same in both groups of patients apart from chylothorax which was more common in the irradiated subjects.


[The value of early routine radiological examination following esophagectomy for carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus]. An early upper gastrointestinal series may be carried out on a routine basis after recovery of the postoperative ileus and makes it possible to confirm the good quality of the anastomoses or, by contrast, reveal a benign fistula. Under some circumstances, it may be carried out very early following the development of postoperative complications: pain, fever, respiratory, circulatory and renal insufficiency or in the presence of abnormal discharge from the drains. It then shows whether this complication is due to an oesophagomediastinal or pleural fistula.


[Postoperative pulmonary complications following surgery for carcinoma of the esophagus]. Pulmonary complications frequently occur during the postoperative period following surgery for neoplasms of the oesophagus. The aetiology varies according to the time of their onset but the clinical signs and treatment are essentially the same. The problems encountered and related either to anaesthesia, to the surgical approach to the position of the patient. It is after the third day that complication develop related at one and the same to the past history, classical in such patients, (tobacco, chronic bronchitis, alcoholism) and the ectopic position of an abdominal viscus.


[Pulmonary complications of esophagectomy for carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus]. The authors studied 20 patients undergoing operation for a carcinoma of the middle third of the oesophagus during the period January 1972 to April 1975. Postoperative pulmonary complications are extremely common in such patients. All the patients had pulmonary function study results which were compatible with this type of surgery. All underwent resection with oesophagogastric anastomosis via a left thoracophrenolaparotomy. Of the 20 patients, 14 suffered from one or more episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, some related to pneumonia. On the basis of various associated clinical, radiological, biological, evolutive and histopathological criteria, five types of pulmonary complication were distinguished: 1-Shock lung; 2-Infective pneumonia; 3-Traumatic pulmonary disease; 4-Acute cor pulmonale; 5-Lung disease of undetermined origin. Twelve patients died as a result of pulmonary complications, 11 early (before the 16th day). One patient only died as a result of rupture of the oesophagogastric anastomosis.


[Peroperative sinus arrest in a patient with sick sinus syndrome (apropos of a case)]. A sinus arrest occured during a surgical intervention in a patient suffering from a sinus nodal dysfunction. The Fentanyl acetate used as an analgésic, seems to have played an important role in the genesis of the accident, depressing sinusal and junctional automatisms. Though unusual, this complication leads to a further investigation in preoperative period for a possible sinus nodal dysfunction in order to anticipate an extreme preoperative bradycardia (sino atrial block) treated with intravenous administration of isoprenaline. Intraveinous atropine test is a simple preoperative technique of research in front all unexplained sinus bradycardia.


[Trial droperidol premedication in infants and children]. Droperidol premedication for children (0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg) was compared with pentobarbital and Dolosal--promethazine). Results are analyzed using criteria proposed by Burken and Nisbet. Droperidol compared very favourably with the order drugs. However a decrease in efficacy was noted with infants and neuw-born children, even with higher doses. The possible incidence it hypertonic seizures renders this drug unsuitable for ambulatory surgery.


[Prevention by pindolol of electrocardiographic changes during bronchoscopy performed under local and general anesthesia]. Sixty patients were studied with respect to ECG modifications during bronchoscopy under local or general anesthesia, using dynamic electrocardiography. The increase in heart rate and incidence of extra-systoles were greater under local than general anesthesia. When pindolol, a beta-blocker with practically no bronchospastic effect was administered before the procedure, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of tachycardia and extra-systoles. This drug appears to be useful before bronchoscopy.


[Electric burns in the operating room. Apropos of 4 cases]. Four cases of patients suffering from peroperative skin burns at electrocardioscope electrode sites are reported. They were the result of incorrect function of the cutting diathermy, (error of internal or external connection). Use of the electrocardioscope with a "floating input" protects the patient against this type of electrical accident.


[A case of survival after 65 hours of immersion in the Mediterranean]. Survical time of a man immerged in sea water at a mean temperature of 20 degrees C was 65 hours. This remarkable tolerance of a professional diver to hypothermia is attributed to his adapted clothing and safety equipment, and to favourable atmospheric conditions. On the light of this accidental immersion, one must reconsider out of date concepts concerning sea rescue with respect to water temperature, clothing equipment of the ship-wrecked, meterological conditions and circonstances of accident.


[Comparative study of nitrogen sparing during parenteral feeding as a function of carbohydrate intake]. The nitrogen balance of two groups of patients, A and B, was studied during the first four post-operative days. Groups A (31) received a daily intake of one liter of Totamine concentrée glucidique with glucose 10 p. 100 1,5 liter. Groups B received Totamine concentrée glucidique with glucose 30 p. 100 1,5 liter. There was no statistically significant difference in nitrogen balance between both groups. On the other hand, the cumulative nitrogen balance was positive for both groups for the first four post-operative days.


[26 cases of tracheal stenosis after prolonged intubation or tracheotomy. Personal retrospective study]. A retrospective study over a period of 10 years, involving different hospital departments, revealed a total of 26 patients with post-intubation and/or post-prolonged tracheotomy stenosis which required surgical treatment. Predisposing factors included poor general condition, infection, iatrogenic factors related to intensive therapy (respiration, inadequate nursing) and the duration. Stenosis were situated from the sub-glottis to the carina. After surgical treatment, there were ten cases of restenosis, two multiple, and one inflammatory granuloma. Intubation may be life-saving, but must be performed by an individual competent in the procedure, under strictly aseptic conditions, and using non-traumatic disposable material. The patient should undergo thorough ENT examination at the time of extubation, repeated one month and six months later.