Personality profiles of physically impaired adolescents. Investigated MMPI profiles between two groups of adolescents with dissimilar disabilities (cleft lip/palate, orthopedic) who displayed observable physical impairment. The findings support the contention that type of disability has differential effects on adolescent personality characteristics. However, the profile elevations are consistent with previous reports of behavioral inhibition in both disability groups. Adolescents with impairments of the cleft lip/palate display greater self-concern and ruminative self-doubt over interpersonal interactions. The orthopedically impaired group exhibit an isolative and passive orientation to interpersonal interactions, as well as more generalized feelings of alienation.


Electron-beam therapy for mycosis fungoides. The lesions of mycosis fungoides are radiosensitive and because extensive areas of the body are usually involved, the treatment of choice is with the electron beam. Since 1971, a fractionation scheme of weekly doses for irradiation of the entire skin surface has been practiced with a 6 MeV linear accelerator that generates 3.5 MeV electrons. One hundred and five patients were treated in this way by delivering 400 rads once weekly for six consecutive weeks. All patitents enjoyed complete disappearance of the skin lesions at once. Of the 62 patients whom we were able to follow-up after electron-beam therapy, for periods ranging from one to nearly seven years (median, two years), the duration of remission was one-half to nearly five and a half years (median, one and one-half years). The treatment was well tolerated and no unusual skin reactions or hematopoietic depression occurred.


Radiotherapy of benign dermatoses: indications, practice, and results. Limited indications for radiation treatment of benign dermatoses are presented in order to emphasize modern restrictions and techniques in the use of dermatologic radiation therapy and to promote measures of protection against stray radiation. The use of softer, less penetrating X rays, least effective doses and meticulous shielding are recommended. So done, radiation therapy offers an effective therapeutic alternative for conditions that do not respond to other forms of treatment.


Grenz rays: adequate or antiquated?

Grenz rays: adequate or antiquated? Selected benign dermatoses, recalcitrant to most other forms of therapy, respond to grenz-ray therapy. When appropriately administered, this is a safe treatment for such conditions. This paper delineates the practical application of grenz-ray therapy at the present time.


Suppression of cytotoxic lymphocyte responses in vitro by soluble products of alloantigen-activated spleen cells. Suppression of in vitro cytotoxic lymphocyte (CL) responses was mediated by soluble factor(s) produced when in vivo alloantigen-activated suppressor cells were re-exposed to alloantigen in vitro. Elaboration of suppressor factor (SF) was T cell dependent and was optimal 7 days after alloantigen injection. Suppressor factor failed to inhibit CL generation when alloantigen-primed cells rather than normal spleen cells were used as responders. Moreover, SF added at day 3 of incubation rather than at culture initiation was also ineffective, suggesting that suppression probably occurs during antigen induction or early differentiation. Additionally, suppression was abrogated by the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. Studies combining SF and CL responder cells from a variety of H-2 disparate mouse sdrains revealed that suppression of CL responses: 1) was not alloantigen specific; 2) did not require H-2 homology between responder and suppressor strains; and 3) could not be demonstrated with CBA/J mice. Although CBA/J CL responses were not suppressed by any SF preparation, allo-sensitized CBA/J spleen cells did elaborate SF that inhibited BALB/c CL responses.


Augmentation of human natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity by a soluble factor. I. Production of N-cell-activating factor (NAF). Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC) like immune T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and antibody production is regulated by a soluble factor released during co-culture of lymphocytes with mitomycin C-treated lymphoblastoid cell lines. This N-cell-activating factor (NAF) enhances the activity of effector N cells and increases natural cytotoxicity. There appears to be no restriction for compatibility at the A and B locus of the major human histocompatibility complex in the production or activity of the factor. NAF was observed in the supernatant as soon as 2 days after initiation of mixed culture with a peak of production at 5 days. A soluble factor produced and released by T cells in response to stimulation by other cells acts by enhancing cytotoxicity of effector cells in NCMC, demonstrating a T-N cell cooperation.


Asymmetry in the serological response and mixed lymphocyte reactions between C57Bl/6 and the congenic mutant C57Bl/6.CH-2ba [H(Zl)]. Asymmetry in the relationship between the H-2K mutant strain C57Bl/6.CH-2ba (H-2ba) and the wild-type congenic C57Bl/6 has been demonstrated both in MLR and serologically by haemagglutination. MLR between these strains, when B6 was the responder, was as strong as that toward allogeneic stimulator cells: H-2ba was regularly less responsive toward B6. Responses in both directions were increased, in terms of augmented proliferative responses, by prior immunization. In this context the MLR resembles that towards minor H-locus antigens rather than those controlled by the H-2 locus. Immunization of (H-2ba X BALB/c)F1 hybridgs with B6 lymphoid cells induced the production of a haemagglutinating antibody not directed toward any known H-2 specificity. The B6 haemagglutinogen, termed He, was present on B6 lymphoid as well as red blood cells. Segregation studies of F2 and back-cross progeny of (H-2ba X BALB/c)F1 hybrids suggest that the response to He is controlled by two Ir genes, one of which is linked to H-2.


Assessment of echocardiographic left atrial enlargement in patients with atrial fibrillation. An electrovectorcardiographic study. Standard 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECG) and timed Frank vectorcardiograms (VCG) were recorded in 53 subjects with atrial fibrillation. Thirty-eight patients had echocardiographically documented left atrial enlargement (greater than 4.0 cm) and 15 patients had normal atrial dimensions. The magnitude of the largest "f" wave component during an average cycle length was measured in lead V1 of the ECG and the horizontal plane VCG running loop. Relative sensitivies for detection of left atrial enlargement were: VCG, 25/38 (66%) and ECG 10/38 (26%). An enlarged left atrial internal dimension was diagnosed by the VCG alone in 21 of the 38 subjects (55%). In the group of 15 patients with normal echocardiographic left atrial internal dimensions the prevalence of ECG false positive diagnosis for enlarged left atrial size was 6% in contrast with 0% for the VCG. It is concluded that: 1) the timed Frank VCG is superior to the ECG for the detection of echocardiographically demonstrable left atrial enlargement; 2) the timed VCG and ECG represent complementary techniques for identifying patients with abnormally large left atria; and 3) large fibrillatory waves are rarely observed on the ECG or VCG when the left atrial internal dimension is echographically normal.


The usefulness of x-ray examinations in the evaluation of patients with back pain. Process and outcome data from 440 patients with back pain were analyzed. As a part of their care, 106 patients (24 percent) had back x-ray examinations. The non-x-rayed group of patients was used as a naturally occurring control group to determine what contribution back radiographs made to the cost, to the diagnoses and therapeutic decisions of providers, and to the outcome and satisfaction of patients. Although back x-rays contributed more to the cost of patient care than any other diagnostic study, their contribution to diagnosis was minimal, and had little effect on therapeutic decisions. Patients receiving back x-rays were more likely to have had prolonged symptoms at their first visit, and less likely to be symptom-free at four weeks, but were more likely to be satisfied with their care. The authors conclude that, for patients under 50, back x-ray examinations have negligible diagnostic value and their use could be reduced without decreasing the quality of medical care.


The ampicillin rash as a diagnostic and management problem: case reports and literature review. Ampicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in the United States, and causes skin reactions in five to ten percent of patient populations. These reactions are considerably more frequent in patients with a viral illness, infectious mononucleosis, and lymphocytic leukemia. Skin reactions to ampicillin are usually of two types: a maculopapular rash in about two thirds of cases, and urticaria in about one third of cases. There is strong evidence that the maculopapular rash is a benign, nonallergic phenomenon. Patients with the maculopapular ampicillin rash are often incorrectly labeled as allergic to ampicillin/penicillin. Ampicillin can be continued and administered again in the future in these patients, and this kind of skin reaction resolves spontaneously in a few days without sequelae. Skin tests are neither required nor recommended to document the nonallergic basis of the maculopapular ampicillin rash.


Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in Huntington's chorea. The possibility that genetically determined abnormalities in the monoamine oxidase of certain central nervous system aminergic neurones may play a part in the pathology of Huntington's chorea was investigated using human platelet monoamine oxidase. Significantly elevated monoamine oxidase activity was found in male patients compared to control subjects suggesting this may be a screening test for this disorder. Low monoamine oxidase activity was associated with a better clinical response to drugs.


Habituation of the orbicularis oculi reflex in dementia and dyskinetic states. The habituation index is a quantitative expression of the ability of the orbicularis oculi (blink reflex) to adapt to a series of electrical stimuli applied to the supraorbital region. This parameter has been studied in a group of normal control subjects, and the results compared with those in cases of idiopathic and drug-induced Parkinsonism, states of dementia, and dyskinesias such as Huntington's chorea and senile chorea. Patients with Huntington's chorea showed a tendency for the reflex to habituate readily in contrast to patients with dementia caused by cortical atrophy and those with Parkinson's disease. Younger patients with Huntington's chorea had indices within the normal range. It seems unlikely that this test will prove of value in the detection of clinically unaffected relatives. Where dementia was associated with a reversible intracranial lesion, the habituation index was studied before and after treatment. Failure of habituation in this condition appears to be due to the release of a primitive protective reflex.


Leptotrichia buccalis hemagglutination in cell binding and salivary inhibition studies. The characteristic hemagglutination (HA) of Leptotrichia buccalis was used for measuring its attachment to various human cells and for determining if saliva contained hemagglutination inhibition (HI) factors. The microbial strain utilized displayed the characteristic EM morphology of L. buccalis. Sonicated preparations of the organism were tested for HA activity before and after adsorption with human cells. Buccal epithelial cells, red blood cells (RBC), HeLa and embryonic kidney cells all bound the HA fragments of the organisms. The bacterial fragments on the cells could be observed by fluorescent antibody testing. The fragments were released from the cells used for adsorption with chelators and upon addition of CaCl2 the HA activity returned. Whole saliva displayed hemagglutination inhibition activity in a manner suggesting a binding site interaction. The similarity of the HA activity of F. nucleatum is discussed as are the relationships of cell binding to colonization of the organisms and immunopathology to host cells.


IgG subclasses in human periodontal disease. II. Cytophilic and membrane IgG subclass immunoglobulins. Lymphocyte membrane-associated IgG subclass antibodies in human periodontal disease were studied to ascertain the relative presence of cytophilic IgG antibodies and the membrane Fc receptors which bind them. The experimental approach correlated the effect of incubating gingiva in tissue culture medium to remove cytophilic antibodies with the changes in the number of Fc receptors detectable after washing. The evidence indicated that the majority of lymphocytes in mild gingivitis lesions lacked cytophilic IgG antibodies as well as Fc recetors. In severe gingivitis, the number of IgG subclass bearing lymphocytes increased to about half of the total lymphoid population, while the percentage of Fc receptor bearing cells remained quite low (12.3 % +/- 3.2, S.E.). The majority of IgG subclass bearing lymphocytes had membrane IgG which serve as receptors for antigen; such cells are classically defined as bone marrow (B) derived lymphocytes and serve as the progenitor for plasma cells. Gingival specimens for patients with periodontitis were found to contain the highest percentage of Fc receptor bearing lymphocytes (38.3% +/- 12.6 S.E.) and cytophilic IgG antibodies. The findings indicate that the clinical stages of human periodontal disease are characterized by different populations of infiltrating lymphocytes.


The in vitro inhibition of microbial growth and plaque formation by surfactant drugs. Several cationic, mixed and amphoteric surfactants were tested for their antimicrobial activity and ability to inhibit the formation of in vitro plaque by oral microorganisms. All had antimicrobial activity against Actinomyces viscosus. Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus mutans. Cationic surfactants were comparable to chlorhexidine in antimicrobial activity but were less effective in inhibiting plaque formation. Amphoteric surfactants were less effective than other detergents in antibacterial activity and had very limited capacity for the inhibition of plaque formation. Comparison of drug structure provides evidence that surfactant substantivity to saliva-coated enamel is a cation active process. Saliva was found to have an antagonistic effect on the activity of cetylpyridinium chloride but not on Triburon.


When courtesy offends: effects of positive and negative behavior by the pbysically disabled on altruism and anger in normals. The initial hypothesis was that physically disabled help-seekers will receive more aid from normal people than will help-seekers when both types of actors display positive personal qualities, whereas the reverse outcome will occur when both display negative qualities. In the first experiment a wheelchair-bound or normal confederate was either friendly and achievement oriented (positive condition) or caustic and apathetic (negative condition) while administering verbal tasks to subjects who were later asked to help the confederate. Contrary to prediction, subjects offered more help to the normal than to the disabled tester in the positive condition, and showed the reverse pattern in the negative condition. It was conjectured that subjects in the positive condition were annoyed by the disabled person's display of "normal" characteristics, whereas in the negative condition they sympathetically accepted the disabled person's inadequacies as befitting a victim of severe misfortune. A new experiment was done, which replicated the independent variables of the first study, but substituted two new dependent variables: covert anger arousal and perception of the confederate as happy-unhappy. As expected, covert anger was greater in the wheelchair-positive condition than in the normal-positive condition, and greater in the normal-negative condition than in the wheelchair-negative condition. Regardless of the confederate's physical status, subjects perceived negative behavior as a sign of unhappiness.


High-pressure liquid chromatographic separation and determination of anomeric forms of streptozocin in a powder formulation. A high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay for streptozocin in a sterile powder formulation (1.0 g/vial) is described. The method effectively separates the alpha- and beta-anomeric forms of streptozocin. Quantitative results are presented for the drug based on the use of an internal standard and peak height measurements.


Ovarian cyst fenestration via laparoscopy. During laparoscopy for diagnosis or sterilization a small series of ovarian cysts was managed by aspiration only or by aspiration, biopsy and fenestration. If the enumerated criteria for cyst selection are followed, the technique described safely permits aspiration and provides data for a therapeutic plan. This method suggests a lower incidence of cyst recurrence.


Laparoscopy for resolving Müllerian abnormalities. One hundred thirty-five patients with various müllerian abnormalities underwent laparoscopy. At a glance the precise malformation was diagnosed correctly: 44 patients revealed a complete absence of the müllerian system; 35 were found to have a transverse ridge across the pelvis, the lateral ends of which were well developed; 33 patients had rudimentary uteri; 7, a median müllerian nodule; 5 belonged to the group with the testicular feminization syndrome; 4 were classified as having a bicornuate uterus; 3 had unicornuate uteri; and 3, septate uteri. One rare variety of müllerian abnormality is also described. Laparoscopy was found to be invaluable in the diagnosis of müllerian abnormalities.


Late complications of laparoscopic sterilization, II. This paper is the continuation of a study initially reported before the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1976. The paper compares a group of 495 patients sterilized by a coagulation and division technique with 3-mm forceps and minimal tissue destruction with a previously reported group of 517 patients who underwent tubal sterilization by coagulation and resection with a 5-mm Palmer drill forceps and marked tissue destruction. The surgery in both groups was performed solely by the author, and the figures reported pertain to those complications occurring in equal postoperative time spans. The follow-up protocol was identical for each group; the only variable between the groups was the method of sterilization.


Direct laparoscope trocar insertion without prior pneumoperitoneum. The results of direct trocar insertion without prior establishment of pneumoperitoneum are documented in 301 consecutive laparoscopies. No complications or technical failures attributable to the method were encountered. A reduction of complications associated with needle-induced pneumoperitoneum may be possible with this method.


Electrosurgery in laparoscopy.

Electrosurgery in laparoscopy. The two factors that probably contributed most to the bowel burns that have occurred during monopolar laparoscopy were the use of higher-than-necessary voltages and the electrical isolation of the salpinx. Preferably, low-peak voltages should be used. If the two-burn technique is used, desiccation should be from distal to proximal to avoid electrical isolation of the salpinx. Bipolar laparoscopy is unquestionably safer than monopolar, but it is also harder to perform because the salpinx must be grasped repeatedly on both sides to desiccate the required 2 to 3 cm of tissue. Moreover, electrosurgical cutting with bipolar forceps is not very practical because the spark punches through to the opposite jaw and the cutting stops. Bipolar forceps that can make a mechanical cut after desiccation are available for those who desire this feature. Metal trocar sleeves are recommended for use with the monopolar, single-puncture technique only. They are not necessary for the bipolar or double-puncture monopolar techniques.


The correlation of pelvic ultrasound and laparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of gynecologic disorders. Cases were reviewed in which both laparoscopy and ultrasound were performed for diagnostic purposes at the Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, Texas, from January 1976 through May 1977. Thirty patients were found to have undergone both procedures. The most common reason (13 cases) was the presence of an adnexal mass. The findings from both techniques agreed in 20 cases, for a positive correlation of 66.7%. Different diagnoses were found in 10 cases, for a negative correlation of 33.3%. The major cause of the discrepancy was the presence of pelvic adhesive disease, not diagnosed by ultrasound but observed via laparoscopy. When the ultrasound findings were reported as "normal," all were confirmed at laparoscopy. Eight laparotomies were performed, and in each case the laparoscopic findings were confirmed.


Vertigo after head injury--a five year follow-up. Three hundred and twenty-one head injury patients investigated at the Workmen's Compensation Board Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre were studied. The patients were classified into two groups, minor and moderate according to the duration of post-traumatic amnesia. Post-traumatic vertigo was a significant symptom in 34 per cent and 50 per cent of the minor and moderate groups respectively. Based on the findings of full otoneurologic and vestibular examination, objective vestibular disorder was noted in 40 per cent and 65 per cent of the two vertiginous groups respectively. An approach to the interpretation of vestibular and oculomotor abnormalities is outlined in order to assign a peripheral (end organ or nerve), central (brainstem or cerebellar) or undertermined localization. Hearing loss occurred in 20 per cent of the minor and 72 per cent of th e moderate head injury patients tested. A five-year post head injury follow-up was available with respect to recovery of vertigo and work rehabilitation. The results of this follow-up are discussed.


Aortoarteritis and cardiomyopathy. A heretofore undescribed association. An interesting association between aortoarteritis syndrome (Takayasu's arteriopathy) and congestive cardiomyopathy has been described for the first time. The severe congestive heart failure in 3 out of 4 cases reported here was not associated with hypertension. Morphologic features of the heart in all cases were characteristic of congestive cardiomyopathy, while in the aorta and its branches, anatomical changes were those of aortoarteritis. An etiopathogenic relationship between the 2 conditions is likely to be present in these cases.


How toxic are phenols?

How toxic are phenols? How toxic are phenols? The phenolic acids cannot all be detoxified. Phenyl-glucuronide, although water soluble, can still disturb cell membrane transport mechanisms. Apprecialbe amounts of toxic-free phenols form a lipid pool in the uremic patient. These findings are also relevant to hepatic coma.


[An episcleral pouch operation with new elastic materials without drainage of subretinal fluid (author's transl)]. An episcleral pouch operation that uses dacron reinforced silicone sheeting for the patch and silicone pellets for the stuffing has been used to treat retinal detachments caused by large retinal tears. The elastic properties of the materials permit a buckling operation without drainage of subretinal fluid.


Spontaneously occurring hypertension in wild Rhesus monkeys. In this study naturally occurring hypertension in wild rhesus monkeys has been noted with a frequency of 13 out of 428 monkeys examined. The maximum systolic/diastolic blood pressure was 242/140 mm of Hg. Clinically there was evidence of grade I retinopathy in one case only, otherwise the animals did not manifest any symptom to suggest illness. Biochemical examination revealed normal plasma angiotensin activity but the level of serum sodium was slightly elevated. The serum potassium, blood urea and serum creatinine values were within normal limits. Serum cholesterol was, however, elevated in two cases. All hypertensive animals were sacrificed by exsanguination and a complete autopsy was performed. It revealed left ventricular hypertrophy in almost all cases, patchy myocardial degeneration with fibrosis in 3 animals and advanced renal disease only in 3 cases. It therefore appears that most of these cases of hypertension belonged to the idiopathic group.


Interaction between cytoplasmic (Ca2+--Mg2+) ATPase activator and the erythrocyte membrane. Human red blood cells (RBC) contain a cytoplasmic, nonhemoglobin protein which activates the (Ca2+-Mg2+)ATPase of isolated RBC membranes. Results presented in this paper confirm that activation of (Ca2+-Mg2+)ATPase is associated with binding of the cytoplasmic activator to the membrane. Binding of the cytoplasmic activator is reversible and dependent on ionic strength and Ca2+. Cytoplasmic activator is sensitive to trypsin but is not degraded when intact RBC are exposed to trypsin. Cytoplasmic activator does not modify the (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase of membranes from RBC exposed to activator prior to hemolysis. Thus, the activator is located in the cell and appears to act by binding to the inner membrane surface.


Altered enzymes in the free-living nematode, Turbatrix aceti, aged in the absence of fluorodeoxyuridine. Aging of the free-living nematode, Turbatrix aceti, has been accomplished by a procedure based upon screening of the cultures every 3--4 days to remove newborn organisms. In this system, the enzymes, isocitrate lyase, phosphoglycerate kinase and enolase all show reduced specific activities with age in crude homogenates. More critically, pure enolase shows a reduced specific activity when isolated from old compared with young organisms (958 units/mg vs. 1340 units/mg, respectively). Immunotitration experiments confirm these results. Enolase from old T. aceti requires more antiserum per unit of enzyme activity than does enolase from young organisms. This relationship holds true for both crude homogenates and pure enzyme. The above results closely parallel previous results obtained using fluorodeoxyuridine to prevent reproduction of T. aceti during aging of the organisms. Therefore, use of fluorodeoxyuridine in the aging of nematodes is perfectly safe, at least with respect to results obtained with altered enzymes.


Some interrelations between the density of the Haversian canals and the area occupied by these in the diaphyseal compact bone in man. The authors studied the ratio between the density of the Haversian canals and the area occupied by these in the diaphyseal cortex of the main long bones in man. The interrelation was estimated by means of the correlation coefficient, which varies between -0.135 for the fibula and -0.168 for the humerus. It was found that the two parameters were inversely proportional: the greater the number of canals in a given area, the smaller the relative proportion of the area occupied by them.


[Stratification in the central nervous system]. In the authors' opinion the neuroblasts (glioblasts respectively) are moving along an oxigen-gradient, out of the proliferative layers toward the source of O2 (the vascular plexi). Stratigenesis is influenced by "guiding structures" (fibrillar plate in the tectum opticum), by the elongations of ependymal cells and by the similarly oriented vascular-connectives.


Data regarding the structural feature of nervous elements in the bile ducts during intrauterine life. The nervous elements of the extrahepatic bile ducts were studied on serial sections prepared from rabbit and human embryos and foetuses, using silver impregnation techniques. In the gallbladder of rabbit embryos and foetuses, the nervous elements are absent, whereas the bile ducts possess a dense parasympathetic vegetative plexus. In human embryos, the muscular layers and submucosa of the gallbladder and bile ducts have well developed parasympathetic plexuses and a sympathetic subserous plexus, without nerve cells, respectively. The histotopical identification of nervous elements in the bile ducts allows the distinction of parasympathetic plexuses from the sympathetic ones.


The contemporary concept of alveolitis.

The contemporary concept of alveolitis. The concept of alveolitis as an exudative reaction dominated by plasma and cell accumulation within alveolar air spaces is reappraised in the light of new data concerning the reactional dynamics challenged by non-immune and immune agents vehiculated by air and blood ways, of the systemic approach of lung processes, of the consideration of alveolar walls and the air space delimited by them as a whole. The participation of alveolar mesenchymal cells and of blood cells and plasma in the development of alveolitis is obvious and the changes of alveolar walls are morphogenetically prevailing in time and space over those of air spaces, whose reactions represent only a secondary phase of the lung response. Both the primary parietoalveolar phase and the secondary air space phase form a whole reactional modality of the lung in which accumulative and proliferative, exudation and mobilization changes are highly interacting in the building up of alveolitis. The involved immune mechanisms may determine special cell accumulations, but the basic mechanism, the stereotype and the sequences of this reactional modality of the lung are not essentially different from the non-immune alveolar reactions.


Lesions of the female genital tract in leukemia and lymphoma. A pathological study was carried out on the female genital tract on specimens from 14 patients with leukemia or lymphoma. Marked lesions with microscopic alterations were found in chronic granulocytic leukemia and in histiocytic and mixed lymphomas, accompanied by clinical manifestations. The origin of the blastic elements is discussed.


On skeletal muscle pathology in trichinosis. A study was carried out on the pathology of trichinosis in human muscle biopsy sample and comparatively in experimental trichinosis in the rat, by current microscopic techniques and Troitsky's method of block silver impregnation of the nerve endings. Stress is laid upon the incipient changes in the parasitized muscle fibers, the sarcolemmic origin of the parasite capsule, the myogenic nature of certain periparasitary but intracapsular clear cells of precocious appearance and other associated, non-specific lesions, such as common myositis changes or giant myogenic foreign-body cells. The intimate relationships between parasitized muscle fibres, cellular interstitial reactions, local new-growth vessels and proliferation of the nerve endings are also described. The morpho-functional significance of such morphological synergic manifestations is discussed as an adaptation to the new local conditions brought about by the appearance of the peculiar muscle fibre-parasite unit in trichinosis.


Histochemical and histoenzymic researches in coronary sudden death. Using Lie's technique in order to evidence the fuchsinophilia of the early ischaemic zones and Falck-Hillarp's technique to appreciate the disappearance of the myocardial adrenergic network, the authors followed up the concordance between the precocity of the ischaemia and the frequency of the acidophilia. Studying 54 cases of coronary sudden death by using 100-300 slides in each case, the fuchsinophilic zones were evidenced in 46 per cent of the cases, aspects indicating the morphologic substrate of the sudden death with ectopic ventricular electrical activity centres. The results of fluorescence Falck-Hillarps's technique are the same as those obtained by light microscopy, which is to be preferred in routine practice. Farber-Louvière's microscopic histoenzymic method for succinate-dehydrogenase presents multiple advantages, so that it is preferable to Kollin-Neoral's macroscopic reaction.


Experimental chronic obstructive lung disease. I. Bronchopulmonary changes induced in rabbits by prolonged exposure to formaldehyde. The prolonged exposure to formaldehyde induces in the rabbit lung reactional and dystrophic changes involving the intrapulmonary bronchi, the bronchioli and the lung tissue. These changes are represented by bronchial cell hyperplasia with hypermucigenesis, extrusion of bronchial cells, bronchiolar hypermucigenesis, parcellary squamous metaplasia or necrobiosis of epithelia, thickening of bronchial and bronchiolar walls by subepithelial cell accumulations, destruction of musculo-elastic structures with stenosis or ectasia; the vascular reactions are hyperhaemic and proliferative with an obstructive and fibrous tendency; the parenchymal lesions are atelectasias, intralobular emphysema, and cellular thickening of alveolar walls and interlobular areas. The acid phosphatase, Tween-60-esterase, naphthol-AS-D-acetate-esterase, proline-oxidase and hydroxyproline-2-epimerase activities are increasing, while the leucyl-aminopeptidase and beta-glucuronidase ones are decreasing. The qualitative observations are completed and sustained by quanitative studies of mucous cell kinetics, of cell accumulations and differentiations.


Mutagenicity testing of benomyl, methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate, streptozotocin and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Salmonella typhimurium in vitro and in rodent host-mediated assays. The fungicide benomyl and its commercial preparations Fundazol 50WP and Benlate 50WP and the benomyl metabolite methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate and its commercial preparation MBC 50WP were tested for mutagenicity in in vitro spot tests, in microsomal plate assay, in liquid-culture treatments, or in rodent host-mediated assay. The base-pair substitution Salmonella typhimurium mutant hisG46 and the hisG46-bearing uvrB excision-repair-deficient mutants TA100, TA1530, TA1535 or TA1950 were used as test organisms. Complete genotypic information of these mutants is given in Ames et al. [2]. Captain 50WP, streptozotocin (SZN), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), 2-aminopurine and N-acetylaminofluorene were used as positive control compounds. In nonoverlay spot tests Benlate 50WP was not mutagenic over a dose range of 50-5000 microgram/spot in hisG46 and TA1535. In overlay spot tests 50 or 100 microgram/spot Benomyl, MBC, Fundazol 50WP, Benlate 50WP and MBC 50WP were tested in hisG46, TA1530 or TA1950. Only a non-commercial MBC sample at 100 microgram/spot showed weak mutagenic activity in hisG46. In microsomal activation plate assay MBC, benomyl, Fundazol 50WP and Benlate 50WP were tested in TA100 over a dose range of 50-2000 microgram/plate. None of the compounds showed mutagenicity. In a 20-h liquid-culture treatment 10, 100, 1000 and 10 000 microgram/ml Fundazol 50WP were not mutagenic in TA 30. In 1-h liquid-culture treatments benomyl, Benlate 50WP or Fundazol 50WP failed to induce mutations in hisG46, TA100 or TA1950 over a dose range of 0.25-1000 microgram/ml. Appropriate positive controls were mutagenic in each experiment. The consistently negative results in this study with commercial MBC and benomyl preparations are contrary to positive results reported earlier with similar methods and similar commercial preparations. Possible reasons to explain the different results are presented. The alkylating agents SZN and MNNG induced fewer mutations in TA1530 and TA1950 uvrB excision-repair-deficient strains than in the hisG46 excision-proficient strain, indicating that with these mutagens excision-repair is also a mutation-prone process. In rodent host-mediated assays with Fundazol 50WP in mice 3 consecutive subcutaneous hourly doses of 500 mg/kg in hisG46 and TA1950 and in rats or mice an oral dose of 4000 mg/kg in TA1950 were not mutagenic. The positive control SZN was mutagenic.


Thymus quantitative morphological changes during CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis. The dynamics of the thymus cell densities was studied during CCl4-induced cirrhogenic hepatopathy. The results show that all thymus compartments take part in immune phenomena occurring in the whole lymphatic system. The maximal intensity of thymus participation is attained in precirrhosis and evolutive cirrhosis. Within the cortical zone, the cell density pyroninophilia and blast-transformed cells increase during the first two months. After two months, there is a decrease of the pyroninophilic elements within the cortical zone, concomitantly with their increase at the medullary level, thus suggesting a migration process of the cells, which change the cortical-medullary ratio.


Immunologic factors determining survival of cadaver-kidney transplants. The effect of HLA serotyping, cytotoxic antibodies and blood transfusions on graft survival. We assessed immunologic factors determining graft survival in 510 recipients of primary cadaver allografts at one center. The degree of HLA match grade did not directly affect graft survival (54 per cent in no-antigen match, and 42 per cent in three-antigen match, at two years). There was no correlation between the HLA match grade and the degree of stimulation of the mixed lymphocyte culture. Patients receiving more than five blood transfusions had a significantly better graft survival than nontransfused recipients (52 versus 23 per cent, respectively, at two years, P less than 0.001). The beneficial effect of transfusions was noted whether or not lymphocytotoxic antibodies were produced, provided adequate screening was performed before transplantation. Transfusions did not alter the degree of stimulation in the mixed lymphocyte culture. More liberal use of transfusions and frequent screening for cytotoxic antibodies would probably result in more effective cadaver-kidney transplantation.


Formation dynamics of lymph node metastases after heterografting of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in rats. The inoculation of 100 X 10(6) Ehrlich ascites tumor cells into the peritoneal cavity of X-irradiated rats induced a transitory ascites tumor and lymph nodes metastases. The sequential aspects of metastases formation and regression were studied. No metastases were found in non-irradiated rats injected with the same amount of tumor cells.


Data concerning the interpretation of biliary neocanaliculi in prolonged biliary stasis. Using the model of cholestasis after ligation of the common bile duct in the rat, some aspects concerning the ductular neoformation were studied. The authors' observations sustain the hepatocytic origin of neoformed tubular structures by a process of regressive metamorphosis of the hepatic cells which is to be considered as a dedifferentiation phenomenon. Neocanaliculi appear in relation with hyperplastic connective tissue through which the liver could regain its embryofetal cholangiogenesis.


Experimental investigations in acute myocardial ischaemia. Note II. Studies concerning morphophysiologie alterations of the ischaemic myocardium under vascularization conditions. The biology of the myocardial fiber was studied under experimental conditions similar to angina and the premonitory syndrome of myocardial infarction. The morphophysiologic data obtained particularly concerning the mitochondria demonstrated that affection of the myocardium by progressive ischaemia induced less severe lesions than the abrupt onset of ischaemia, also lowering the frequency of ventricular fibrillations.


Role of serotonin in feedback control of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular complex in male rats. Hemicastration of male rats produced rapid changes in plasma testosterone (T) levels both in summer and in winter. However, in winter, after unilateral castration, the duration of T maximum decrease was found to be longer, but the compensatory increase of blood T following its drop was more dramatic as compared to the summer season. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) administration blocked the compensatory increase in plasma T that followed its drop induced by hemicastration. At the same time, under similar experimental conditions, a preliminary injection of p-chlorophenyl-alanine (PCPA) was accompanied by a more marked rise of plasma T than in control unilaterally castrated rats. After the injection of serotonin (5-HT) into the lateral ventricle of the brain there was no effect on the blood T content in rats with intact gonads. However, 5-HT injection to hemicastrated animals under similar conditions completely prevented the compensatory increase of T level in blood after its fall caused by the operation. On the other hand, double intraventricular injection of methysergide was followed by a more marked rise of blood T content as compared with the control hemicastrated rats. The conclusion is drawn that brain serotoninergic neurons are involved in feedback mechanisms related to the control of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular complex.


Myxoma of the mandible--a fibroblastic tumor. A case of myxoma of the mandible is described. The tumor was examined by both light and electron microscopy. Histochemistry showed an abundant acid mucopolysaccharide stroma, embedded in which were stellate cells with branching processes. Ultrastructurally, these cells were seen to be fibroblasts. Occasional myofibroblasts were seen in the tumor. No odontogenic epithelium was identified, and this component was not thought to be important in the histogenesis of the tumor.


'If it's wet, dry it; if it's dry, wet it'. Wet, oozing lesions should be dried, dry lesions should be hydrated and lubricated. Soaks, Castellani's Paint and exposure to the air are effective methods of drying. Dry eczematous lesions can be treated with low patency topical steroids and emollient ointments. The occupational nurse can better treat and prevent dermatitis seen in industry by familiarizing herself with the various contact irritants and sensitizers found in the workplace.


Thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis with mosaic Turner's syndrome: Report of a case. A child was treated for thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis and an associated chromosomal defect. Contrary to most cases in which death is due to the externally situated heart and abdominal viscera, this patient died from congenital heart disease.


Effects of halothane on Ca2+-activated tension development in mechanically disrupted rabbit myocardial fibers. The effect of halothane on maximal and submaximal Ca2+-activated tension in mechanically disrupted right ventricular papillary muscle from rabbits was studied. Steady-state isometric tension generation was measured in the muscle bundle. The relaxing solution contained (in mM) [Mg2+] = 1, [K+] = 70, [MgATP2-] = 2, [creatine phosphate2-] = 15, [EGTA total] = 7 and imidazole proprionate. The contracting solution contained in addition Ca2+ in various concentrations. In all solutions ionic strength was maintained at 0.15 and pH at 7.00 +/- 0.02 at 20 degrees C. Each fiber bundle was immersed in control solutions equilibrated with 100% N2 and test solutions equilibrated with various concentrations of halothane-N2 mixture. Increasing doses of halothane (1--4%) significantly shifted the relationship between Ca2+ and tension towards higher [Ca2+] and depressed the maximum Ca2+-activated tension. The maximum tension generated at pCa = 3.8 was depressed 5% per 1% increase in halothane concentration. The percentage of maximum tension at submaximum Ca2+ concentrations (pCa = 5.6--5.0) was not significantly decreased until halothane concentration was greater than 2%. It is concluded that halothane slightly but significantly depressed the interactions of contractile proteins and to a lesser degree Ca2+-activation of the regulatory proteins. The halothane-induced depression was completely reversible.


Activation and inactivation of neocarzinostatin-induced cleavage of DNA. The possible role of free radicals in the mechanism of neocarzinostatin (NCS) action was studied. While mercaptene markedly stimulate the ability of NCS to degrade DNA, they also rapidly inactivate the antibiotic in a preincubation and at higher concentration inhibit the degradation reaction. The radiation protector S,2-aminoethylisothiuronium bromide-HBr is the most potent compound tested. Scavengers of diffusible OH radicals, O2- or H2O2 do not result in significant inhibition of the oxygen-dependent cleavage of DNA by NCS; in fact, alcohols and other organic solvents stimulate the reaction several-fold. By contrast, the potent peroxyl free radical scavenger, alpha-tocopherol, blocks the reaction 50% at 50 micron.


[The fertility of trisomy 21 sufferers. One case (author's transl)]. A case of pregnancy in a patient with trisomy 21 with birth of a hypotrophic infant, with a normal caryotype but multiple malformations. This case illustrates the limitations on antenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis. Study of the literature confirms the unfavourable foetal prognosis as a result of the risk of transmission of the chromosomal abnormality and, secondly, the prevalence of incest.


[Comparison of oscillation method and body plethysmography for assessment of airway resistance (author's transl)]. Airway resistance was measured by body plethysmography and also by an oscillographic method for assessment of the impedance of the respiratory tract. The results were compared in 42 unselected patients. The correlation between the two values for airway resistance was satisfactory (r = 0,804 p less than 0,001). However, when correlation was sought between each type of resistance-value and other lung function data (FEV1, IGV), the resistance measured by plethymography correlated better than the one measured by the oscillation method. This difference was even more pronounced when 21 patients with manifest bronchospasm were reevaluated after bronchodilatation. Nevertheless, the oscillation method for assessment of the resistance of the respiratory tract serves as a new and practicable tool for bed-side lung function testing, as well as for testing of patients who are unable to cooperate for routine spirography.


Myosins in murine muscular dystrophy.

Myosins in murine muscular dystrophy. Electrophoresis of intact myosin ATPases extracted from fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles of dystrophic mice, and from control mice, was performed. The proportions of the lower ATPase myosin were increased in the dystrophic muscles. These results correlated with the abnormalities in the isometric myogram and the force/velocity relationships which have been described.


Siderophore electrochemistry: relation to intracellular iron release mechanism. Previous studies have shown that there is a major difference between the iron release mechanism of enterobactin, a catechol-based siderophore, and that of the hydroxamate-based siderophores such as ferrichrome. For ferric enterobactin there is an esterase that hydrolyzes the ligand during iron release. In contrast, iron is released by the hydroxamate-based siderophores and the ligands are reused in subsequent iron transport. It has been suggested that release of iron by hydroxamates occurs by reduction to the ferrous complex, a process that does not occur for ferric enterobactin. Cyclic voltammograms of ferrichrome A and ferrioxamine B exhibit reversible one-electron waves with pH-independent formal potentials (Ef-vs. the normal hydrogen electrode) -446 and -454 mV, respectively, within the range of physiological reductants. Ferric enterobactin also shows a reversible one-electron wave (at pH greater than 10) with Ef = -986 mV vs. the normal hydrogen electrode. From the pH dependence of this potential we estimate a reduction potential of -750 mV at pH 7. In sharp contrast to the value for the ferric hydroxamates, this value is well below the range of physiological reducing agents. The results demonstrate that the observed hydrolysis of enterobactin is a necessary prerequisite to in vivo release of iron from the siderophore via ferric ion reduction.


Nucleotide specificity in DNA scission by neocarzinostatin. Using the DNA sequencing technique of Maxam and Gilbert, we show that the protein antibiotic neocarzinostatin, cleaves double-stranded phiX174 DNA restriction fragments almost exclusively at deoxythymidylic and deoxyadenylic acid residues in a reaction requiring 2-mercaptoethanol. Overall, deoxythymidylic acid residues are attacked much more frequently than are deoxyadenylic acid residues, although there is variability in the attack rate for both nucleotides at different locations in the DNA molecule. While all deoxythymidylic acid residues are sites of scission by neocarzinostatin, not all deoxyadenylic acid residues are cleavage sites. There appears to be no clear-cut nucleotide sequence specificity in determining cleavage frequency. Single-stranded DNA is a very poor substrate for neocarzinostatin-induced scission; with one single-stranded DNA fragment, cleavage occurs at a position that is not attacked in double-stranded DNA. The possible significance for its biological activity of a drug that can attack both members of a DNA base pair is discussed.


Amino acid sequence of tyrosinase from Neurospora crassa. The amino-acid sequence of tyrosinase from Neurospora crassa (monophenol,dihydroxyphenylalanine:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.14.18.1) is reported. This copper-containing oxidase consists of a single polypeptide chain of 407 amino acids. The primary structure was determined by automated and manual sequence analysis on fragments produced by cleavage with cyanogen bromide and on peptides obtained by digestion with trypsin, pepsin, thermolysin, or chymotrypsin. The amino terminus of the protein is acetylated and the single cysteinyl residue 96 is covalently linked via a thioether bridge to histidyl residue 94. The formation and the possible role of this unusual structure in Neurospora tyrosinase is discussed. Dye-sensitized photooxidation of apotyrosinase and active-site-directed inactivation of the native enzyme indicate the possible involvement of histidyl residues 188, 192, 289, and 305 or 306 as ligands to the active-site copper as well as in the catalytic mechanism of this monooxygenase.


Calcification of isolated matrix vesicles and reconstituted vesicles from fetal bovine cartilage. Ca deposition by isolated matrix vesicles from fetal calf growth plate cartilage and by a deoxycholate extract from matrix vesicles that included their phosphatase was studied under defined in vitro conditions. Electron microscopy showed that after removal of deoxycholate and lyophilization of the vesicle extract, new vesicles were reconstituted, often with multiple membrane layers. Both intact calf vesicles and reconstituted vesicles initiated Ca deposition maximally when supplied with ATP, GTP, CTP, or UTP. Only nucleoside triphosphates supported Ca deposition well; mono- and diphosphoesters, although hydrolyzed, were ineffective as substrates. Nucleoside triphosphates supported Ca deposition even if the final [Ca] X [P] reached in the reaction mixture was below a metastable level (3.5 mM2), suggesting that matrix vesicles or reconstituted vesicles promote calcification by localizing Ca or PO4 or both. ATP or GTP supported Ca deposition readily at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1.0 mM but, at 2.5 and 5.0 mM, Ca deposition was inhibited. The ATPase of intact matrix vesicles and reconstituted vesicles was stimulated by addition of Ca2+ and Mg2+. Ca deposition did not require additional Mg2+. These results lend support to the hypothesis that matrix vesicles and their phosphatases play an important role in mineralization.


Properties of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase isolated from rat liver. Soluble, oligomysin-insensitive ATPase was isolated from liver mitochondria by a new technique [Drahota and Houstĕk 1977]. Study of the resultant enzyme preparation provided further evidence that the isolated protein displays properties typical of mitochondrial ATPase (specific activity about 100 U/mg, optimum pH 8.2, activation by various bivalent cations and reassociation with membranes deprived of ATPase).


K+--induced changes of oxygen uptake by neuronal enriched and glial enriched fractions from mouse brain cortex. Neuronal and glial enriched fractions were incubated in a medium with 10mM pyruvate, 5mM fumarate and 0.9mM 5'-AMP and the effect of increased external K+ concentrations was studied upon oxygen uptake. A concentration of 65 mM K+ had a different effect on the oxygen consumption of glial and neuronal perikarya. The rate of oxygen uptake by glia was stimulated by 52.81% whilst an insignificant decrease of 15.79% occurred in the neurones. The highest rate of oxygen uptake by incubated cells was estimated in the presence of the substrate system containing pyruvate, fumarate and 5'-AMP. The significance of components in the substrate system for a high rate of oxygen uptake by cells was also tested with 6.2 mM K+ and 65 mM K+.


The effect of hexose monophosphate shunt inhibitors on adenohypophyseal and ceruloplasmin reactions to oestrogen. Oestradiol benzoate, as an aqueous microcrystal suspension, was administered i.m. to rats in doses of 1 mg twice a week; it induced adenohypophyseal hyperplasia and an increase of the thyroxine-binding capacity of the adenohypophyseal proteins in vitro and raised the blood ceruloplasmin level. The simultaneous administration of a hexose monophosphate shunt inhibitor--6-aminonicotinamide (200 microgram/rat/day in food) or oxythiamine (8 mg/rat/day in food)--did not modify the reaction of the adenohypophysis; the hexose monophosphate shunt thus probably does not play a significant role in the adenohypophyseal reaction to oestrogens. By themselves, both inhibitors raised the blood ceruloplasmin level and their effect summated with that of oestradiol. The mechanism of action of the inhibitors is not known, but a nonspecific stress effect leading to an increase in the ceruloplasmin level as an "acute phase protein" is considered to be the most likely.


Dopaminergic control of adenohypophyseal growth after oestrogens: negative results with L-DOPA, RO-4-4602, alpha-methyl-DOPA, apomorphine, haloperidol, pyridoxine and cyproheptadine. Chronic oestrogen treatment augments adenohypophyseal weight and the thyroxine-binding capacity of adenohypophyseal proteins in rats. Since these reactions are both inhibited by ergocornine and ergoline derivatives (as well as by the thyroid hormones, testosterone, anti-oestrogens and antiandrogens), and are potentiation by perphenazine and the dopaminergic neurone blocker Pimozide, the peroral effectiveness of various other substances presumed to act in the region of the dopaminergic or serotoninergic neurones of the hypothalamus was tested. L-DOPA (10 mg/rat/day) did not modify the adenohypophyseal reaction, either alone or combined with the DOPA-decarboxylate inhibitor Ro-4-4602 (1 mg/rat/day). alpha-Methyl-DOPA (10 mg/rat/day), apomorphine (3 mg/rat/day), haloperidol (0.2 mg/rat/day), pyridoxine (20 mg/rat/day) and cyproheptadine (1 mg/rat/day) were likewise ineffective.


The effect of renal arterial infusion of albumin and dextran on tubular fluid reabsorption in the dog. Albumin or Dextran solutions of varying concentration were infused into the renal artery of hydropenic dogs. Their effect on urine flow, sodium excretion, creatinine and PAH clearance, single nephron GFR, fractional and absolute fluid reabsorption in the proximal convolution, reabsorptive t1/2, and hydrostatic pressures in the proximal tubules and adjacent capillaries was compared with a similar infusion of isotonic saline solution. Six, 9, 12, 18 and 25% albumin and 6% Dextran solution did not significantly change the measured parameters. Infusion of 9 and 12% Dextran solution elicited a decrease in water and sodium excretion as well as absolute and fractional proximal tubular fluid reabsorption to a 5% level of significance. Infusion of 18% Dextran was accompanied by a marked decrease in total and proximal reabsorption combined with a decline of GFR, PAH clearance, and hydrostatic pressures in tubules and peritubular capillaries. The results do not support the hypothesis of a direct action of oncotic pressure on tubular fluid reabsorption; the above described effects of Dextran seem to be accounted for by its other "pharmacological" effect.


The relationship between vigilance and cortical EEG manifestations after electrical stimulation of the thalamus and hippocampus in unrestrained rats. The thalamus or hippocampus of unanaesthetized rats with impaired cortical and subcortical electrodes was stimulated with rhythmic series of electrical pulses of 3--15/sec frequency. In both cases, stimulation either did not affect vigilance, or led to a higher degree of wakefulness. The incidence of recruiting responses (RR) and of self-sustained afterdischarges (SSAD) evoked by stimulation of the thalamus was not correlated to the preceding state of vigilance. In stimulation of the hippocampus, a significantly higher incidence of SSAD was found in the quiet waking state. The correlation between the elicitation of RR and SSAD was also significantly the highest after stimulation of the hippocampus during wakefulness.


The changes of in vitro 131I-iodine uptake in the thyroid gland of rats exposed to septal lesions and immobilization stress. The in vitro uptake of 131I by the thyroid gland was investigated in rats after immobilization stress with special respect to animals lesioned in the septal area. Lesions in a septal area performed 10 days before decreased the iodide accumulation in the thyroid, while stress by immobilization increased it to the control basal value. Repeated immobilization in control rats did not produce any changes in the iodide uptake in vitro. ACTH injected in vivo stimulated the iodide 131I uptake in vitro by thyroid glands of hypophysectomized rats. It is concluded that immobilization stress in rats with septal lesions increases 131I-iodide uptake in vitro and that the increase was probably influenced by both catecholamines and glucocorticoids.


Impedance of the arterial system in terms of Fourier harmonic analysis of the pulse wave. The results obtained by analysis of pulse waves by means of Fourier harmonics in healthy subjects and patients with aortic insufficiency show good agreement between input impedance of the aorta and the initial segment of the femoral bed in both groups. This means that in this region there is no marked increase in impedance, which provides a favourable background for energy transfer (blood content) in the distal direction. Impedance in healthy subjects increases in vessels of the lower extremity. In patients with aortic insufficiency there is a marked decrease in amplitude of all higher harmonic frequencies. This practically means that the second harmonic is no longer the main accumulator of energy of the pulse wave as in healthy subjects, and the same is also true, to a proportionate degree, for the third, fourth and fifth harmonics.


Effect of the distance of optokinetic stimuli from the eyes on certain parameters of the optokinetic nystagmus. The above effect was studied in 65 subjects with normal vision (mean age 20 years) in investigations in which the following factors were successively changed: distance of optokinetic stimuli from the eyes; this distance and angular velocity of stimuli; distance and frequency of stimuli or finally distance and accommodation level. The angular velocity of the pursuit nystagmus phase was found to be by far the highest and simultaneously the closest to the angular velocity of optokinetic stimuli when the latter are 1.5m from the eyes. With shorter distances, the velocity of the pursuit movements lags steadily behind that of stimulus velocity. This change is conditioned by changes in OKN amplitude since its frequency as a whole does not change. Even though the accommodation level significantly affects the velocity of the pursuit nystagmus phase, the dependence on the distance of optokinetic stimuli from the eyes persists even after atropinization. The interpretation of these findings must take into account sepcifically the demands on accommodation, convergence, and on visual attention which are increased with shorter distances.


Effect of realimentation after several days' isolated glucose or fructose intake on DNA synthesis in rat liver. Marked stimulation of liver DNA synthesis was observed in rats given an isolated glucose or fructose diet for 4 days and theen refed one day on diets with different protein contents. The strongest stimulatn effect was found in rats refed, after an isolated glucose intake, with a high protein diet (81 cal%). The stimulant effect of refeeding on liver DNA synthesis was far less pronounced in rats subjected to several days' starvation before realimentation than in rats given a  carbohydrate diet. The stimulant effect of realimentation after an isolated glucose intake was distinctly enhanced if triiodothyronine (50 microgram/100 g b.w., i.g.) was administered just before the change to a high protein diet. The increase in liver DNA synthesis in rats fed three days on fructose before undergoing partial hepatectomy was the same as in the controls. In rats given glucose prior to partial hepatectomy, the post-operative increase in DNA synthesis was partly inhibited.


Successful treatment for exposure of a dacron aorta, with surrounding infection: case report. The treatment of the patient with an exposed vascular implant should usually be in the hands of an expert vascular surgeon. In certain instances, such as when the exposed area is not close to a suture line and no fistulous tracts connect the exposed area to either suture line, plastic surgery can solve the problem. We present a case of an exposed aortic prosthesis which was successfully treated by removing devitalized tissue, turning a pectoralis major muscle flap over the implant, and closing the skin and subcutaneous tissue over the muscle flap.


[Rehabilitation - results since 1969 and prospects for the future (author's transl)]. The article reviews the rehabilitation legislation in the Federal Republic of Germany since the social-liberal coalition took office in 1969. It shows that for the first time legislation attempts have been made to realise a uniform socio-political concept for the disabled in which rehabilitation is considered an important and independent socio-political task. With the gradual improvement of the legislative provisions the aim has been to try to remove the negative effects brought about by structural weaknesses of a historically developed social security system for the disabled,--especially the unequal treatment of the disabled, varying according to the origin of the disability, and the disadvantages brought about by the organisational and legislative disunion of rehabilitation services. At the same time, the article makes clear that more reforms are necessary in the future, e.g., a further standardisation of rehabilitation services, the elimination of architectural barriers, reform of the benefit system, improvement of the social security for people in need of care and the guaranty of a regular income for those disabled from birth or childhood.


[Integration through university studies--experiences and prospects for the future (author's transl)]. The experiences gained over a twelve year period with wheelchair-users attending Marburg university are reviewed. The technical pre-requisites gradually developed at the university and the Konrad-Biesalski-Haus, a residential home providing accommodation for both, disabled and non-disabled students, have proven good and served as a model for similar facilities in Regensburg, Darmstadt, Hannover, Bonn, Bochum and Bielefeld. Up to 1977, 25 severely handicapped students had successfully completed their studies at Marburg university. Of these, 19 are employed according to their qualification or are taking post-graduate courses. According to the graduates' experiences, personal contacts with the appropriate authorities and private employers were very important for their vocational integration. The general public's understanding of the disabled has improved. What remains to be done is the amelioration of vocational and study counselling services for physically disabled secondary school pupils. Preparatory measures for job placement following study completion should be initiated early on.


A pancreatic-polypeptide-producing tumour associated with the WDHA syndrome. A case with the clinical appearance of WDHA syndrome is described in which serum concentrations of the newly recognized hormonal principle pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were highly elevated, while plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide were within the normal range. The symptoms of the patient seem to be derived from the high levels of circulating PP, as illustrated by an improvement after resection of liver metastases accompanied by a marked decrease of serum PP concentration. Streptozotocin treatment was without effect upon the watery diarrhoea, and PP levels also remained unchanged during medical treatment. The appearance of a PP-secreting tumour leading to a clinical WDHA syndrome widens the spectrum of hormone assays that have to be performed in these patients.


Increasing adipocyte number as the basis for perirenal depot growth in adult rats. The mass of the perirenal adipose depot in male Fischer 344 rats increases between 6 and 18 months of age. This increase is due to an increase in the number of adipocytes in this depot, in contrast with the concept that adipocyte number is constant throughout adult life. The epididymal depot increases in mass between 6 and 18 months of age by adipocyte hypertrophy alone.


[Hendersonula toruloidea, causative agent of a fungal verrucous dermatitis observed in Algeria]. A verrucose dermatitis of the face, accompanied by onychomycosis was observed in a 30 years old male living in Algeria. He was born there and 15 years previously he had been treated successfully for "Dermatophytic disease" due to Trichophyton verrucosum. A deficiency in his cellular immune mechanism was noted at that time. On this occasion Hendersonula toruloidea was isolated from facial lesions and affected nails. The infection of the face, but not the nails, responded to treatment with amphotericin B. In the facial lesions, the fungus was present as single cell units sometimes with a false bud or a short hyphal extension. Cross walls were occasionally present but the cell walls were not pigmented. Intratesticular inoculation of the isolates to guinea pigs resulted in an infection in which the morphology of the fungus conformed to that found in the facial lesions. In cultures, the isolates of H. toruloidea conformed to the descriptions in literature, although pycnidia were not formed.


Cyclic variations in emerging phage types and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus. Data are presented showing phage types and antibiotic-resistant patterns of Staphylococcus aureus over the last 20 years. The spontaneous emergence of different phage types associated with increases and decreases in antibiotic resistance has been shown to be cyclic in nature with prevalence for 5 to 8 years, followed by spontaneous disappearance. Staphylococci resistant to almost all antibiotics and with specific phage types now are being isolated with increasing frequency and pose a serious and sometimes life-threatening situation in surgical patients.


Resolution of pulmonary hypertension and other features induced by chronic hypoxia in rats during complete and intermittent normoxia. Rats subjected to 10% O2 (hypoxic rats) for various periods and recovery regimens were compared with control animals with respect to pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), and muscularisation of small pulmonary vessels. Mean Ppa was measured in anaesthetised animals spontaneously breathing air and rose from 16 mmHg in controls to 36 mmHg in rats exposed to hypoxia for three weeks. Ppa had returned to normal after 20 weeks' recovery in air. RVH regressed a little more quickly, but muscularisation of small pulmonary vessels. Mean Ppa was measured in anaesthetised animals spontaneously breathing air and rose from 16 mmHg in controls to 36 mmHg in rats exposed to hypoxia for three weeks. Ppa had returned to normal after 20 weeks' recovery in air. RVH regressed a little more quickly, but muscularisation of small pulmonary vessels was still apparent after 20 weeks. Some hypoxic rats were subjected to an intermittent normoxic recovery regimen for either 40 or 80 hours a week in air, the remainder in 10% O2. Some reduction in RVH probably occurred after six weeks on the 80-hour regimen, but there was no reduction in Ppa or muscularisation of small pulmonary vessels. These results suggest that the pulmonary hypertension of chronic alveolar hypoxia resolves very slowly and is probably related to structural changes in the pulmonary vessels. Their relevance to human cor pulmonale and intermittent long-term oxygen treatment for these patients is discussed.


Diminished mixed lymphocyte response in ankylosing spondylitis. A diminished mixed lymphocyte response was reported by Nikbin et al. (1976) among patients with ankylosing spondylitis, their asymptomatic relatives and also normal controls carrying the B27 antigen. In the present communication, the responses in 48 ankylosing spondylitis patients and 45 controls were examined in mixed lymphocyte cultures tested against a 'standard stimulator' made up of pooled lymphocytes. A significantly diminished response is confirmed among the ankylosing spondylitis patients, but not in the control group carrying the B27 antigen. The diminished mixed lymphocyte response therefore appears to be more directly associated with the disease than with the B27 antigen, and possibly represents a specific T-cell defect associated with the pathogenesis of the disease.


At least two loci of the major histocompatibility complex can determine mixed lymphocyte stimulation in the rat. Analysis of a recombinant haplotype of the major histocompatibility complex showed that two genetically separable loci (or groups of loci), LD--1 and LD--2, determine mixed lymphocyte stimulation in the rat. LD--1 maps into the H--1B region which contains the Ir genes and is associated with strong, mixed lymphocyte stimulation. LD--2 maps into the H--1A region and determines weak stimulation. LD--1 and LD--2 determinants can be detected by primed lymphocyte typing.


In vitro metabolism of androgens by mammalian cauda epididymal spermatozoa. The in vitro metabolism of [3H] testosterone (17beta-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one), [3H] androstenedione (4-androstene-3,17-dione) and [3H] dehydroepiandrosterone (3beta-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one) by cauda epididymal spermatozoa from the rat, rabbit, hamster, guinea-pig and ram, varied between species. There were differences in the androgens utilized, the extent of their conversion and the identities of the metabolites formed. Of the steroid substrates tested rat spermatozoa metabolized testosterone preferentially while spermatozoa from guinea-pig transformed [3H] dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) almost exclusively. Rabbit spermatozoa converted all three [3H] androgens while hamster sperm utilized [3H] testosterone and [3H] DHEA. Spermatozoa collected from rams killed at the abattoir metabolized both [3H] androstenedione and [3H] DHEA but this capacity was dramatically reduced in spermatozoa collected from rams subjected to short-term anaesthesea. The results are discussed in relation to the possible direct roles of androgens in sperm physiology.


Neonatal and maternal lymphocytes in whole-blood cultures: absence of strong interaction. The relative growth of neonatal and maternal lymphocytes was studied in PHA-stimulated mixed short-time whole-blood cultures, with particular regard to a possible inhibition of the maternal cells. For comparison, neonatal and maternal cells were grown separately. No uniform inhibition was observed, although there was an average 34% depression of growth of the maternal cells in the mixed cultures.


[Rifamycin chromopertubation under laparoscopic control (author's transl)]. There is an inherent danger of infection or promoting the exacerbation of an as yet incompletely healed inflammatory process when retrograde perfusion of the Fallopian tubes is performed, as in the diagnosis of sterility by laparoscopy and chromopertubation. Hence, the intense-red tuberculostatic drug, rifamycin SV (Rifocin) was instilled by means of the Schultz Instillator, either alone or in combination with indigo carmine, in place of the conventional indicator solutions, to test tubal patency in all patients under investigation for sterility, whether there was a history of acute, subacute or chronic salpingitis or not. This procedure was not followed by exacerbation of preceeding infection in a single case, which is particularly noteworthy in two patients shown to have extensive tubal and peritoneal tuberculosis.


Site of ATPase activity in Myxococcus xanthus: lipid requirement for enzyme activity. Dedicated to Professor Dr. W. Schwartz on his 80th birthday. Treatment of cells with lysophosphatidylcholine, lysozyme, and phospholipase D removed most of their phospholipids and reduced ATPase activity to near zero. Addition of a microdispersion of phospholipids restored enzyme activity to various degrees. Phosphatidylcholine was most effective in reconstitution experiments, less effective were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. Lipid analyses of cell fractions were possible through separation of cell wall and cell membrane in a sucrose gradient after differentiated treatment of glutaraldehyde fixed cells with lysophosphatidylcholine, lysozyme, and pronase. Phosphatidylcholine was almost exclusively a component of the cell membrane, whereas phosphatidylethanolamine was that of the wall. It is concluded that lipids are necessary for in vivo function of a Mg-dependent ATPase, and that membrane-associated phosphatidylcholine may serve as a matrix for the enzyme. Lipid extracts made from cells or cell fractions contained plasmologens, not previously reported to occur in Gram-negative, aerobic bacteria.


[Seroepidemiologic study of immunity to rubella among the population of Tadzhikistan]. The first serological survey of the human population of Tajikistan was carried out with the purpose of detection of antibody inhibiting hemagglutination of rubella virus. As a result, in over 2500 persons high intensity of formation of the herd immunity was established. A greater portion of the population (66%) acquired antibody in preschol age. The formation of the immune portion completed by 10--14 years of age. Among women of the child-bearing ages about 8--15% had no antibody to rubella virus. This value in combination with intensive spread of rubella among children indicates that in this republic the epidermiological situation with rubella appears to be unfavourable for adult women.


[The mitral valve in echocardiography].

[The mitral valve in echocardiography]. In echocardiographic investigations the mitral valve occupies a central position. Its pathological changes in the echocardiogramme in the diseases of the mitral valve itself as well as in other cardiopathies are described. Apart from the morphological estimation the measuring methods are discussed.


Chromosomal proteins in hepatocarcinogenesis. The chromosomal proteins of rat liver were studied by SDS-gel electrophoresis during the process of nitrosomorpholine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, in the primary hepatomas thus obtained, and in their metastases. It was found that an increased proteolytic activity was present in liver homogenates from carcinogen-fed animals which caused differences between the nonhistone chromosomal proteins of control and carcinogen-treated livers. These differences disappeared in the presence of the protease inhibitor PMSF. In the primary hepatomas slight quantative changes were observed: an increased amount of two proteins of 43000 and 63000 daltons molecular weight, respectively, and a decrease in the histone subfraction H 1 degrees. In the metastases both quantative and qualitative differences were detected: a strong decrease in the protein bands corresponding to the contractile proteins alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and actin; an increased content of the 63000 dalton protein; the appearance of new proteins of approximately 60000, 90000, and 120000 daltons molecular weight, and the complete disappearance of histone H 1 degrees.


Tumor persistence and regression in skin carcinogenesis. An experimental study. A lifetime study in Swiss mice showed that a single 300microgram application of 7, 12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) once, or 300 or 30microgram DMBA once followed by 3.2 microgram phorbolester for 15 weeks induced a high number of skin tumors many of which regressed spontaneously. The regression occurred mostly early in the experiment, the number of appearing and regressing tumors following a cynical pattern. The incidence of regressions was only to a limited extent associated with tumor size, tumor duration and total number of tumors. Repeated DMBA treatment, 5 microgram twice a week induced the same types of tumors in larger numbers: with a smaller incidence of regressions and only if they were transient in nature, i.e., lasting less than 3 weeks. These occurred in animals which showed a large number of persisting tumors simultaneously, but which rarely displayed multiple regressions. The results indicate the occurrence of multiple steps of neoplastic transformation from hyperplastic lesions, benign regressing tumors, presistent tumors and frankly malignant ones, the incidence as well as biological behavior depending upon inducing treatment.


Cell kinetics in the spleen of Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice. During the period of 18 days after transplantation the uptake of 3H-thymidine into DNA was significantly increased in the spleen of Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing Swiss and NMRI mice. Adenosine deaminase activity was within the control limits in tumor-bearing Swiss mice and significantly increased for the tumor-bearers of the NMRI strain. However, the increase in the DNA content, which is associated to splenic hyperplasia, was evident only for the Swiss strain. The time course of the retention of 3H-DNA revealed that the half life of spleen cells ranged from 41 to 46 h in normal and tumor-bearing Swiss mice and normal NMRI mice. For tumor-bearing NMRI mice the rate of cell depletion was significantly increased (t1/2 = 32h) compared with that found in normal NMRI mice (t1/2 =44 h). The mean survival time was 23.0 days for the tumor-bearing Swiss mice and 24.6 days for the NMRI mice. These data suggest that the immune responses were similar in both strains of mice, although cell kinetics was different in the spleen of tumor-bearing Swiss and NMRI mice.


Biological behavior of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]-formamide induced carcinoma of the transitional epithelium in the rat. 30 female Wistar rats weighing between 70 and 90 g were fed for 8 months with 0,188% N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl] Formamide (FANFT). After this period a papillary tumor of the urinary bladder was demonstrable in each animal. Histological examination always revealed a transitional cell carcinoma with prevailing medium tumor stages; no distant metastases were found. The grade of malignancy was classified as medium and high. No significant statistical relationship could be ascertained between tumor stage and grade or between grade and weight, but a correlation was established between tumor stage and weight. After 12 months, 36/60 kidneys were found to be normal, whereas in 20/60 dysplasias and in 2/60 transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis were observed; secondary hydronephrosis due to bladder tumors occured 4 times. Other organ changes were not noticeable.


[Quantification of proteinthiols in morphologically normal basal cells and pathological squamous cells of the cervix uteri]. Smears taken from eight probands with carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma of the cervix uteri have been stained with DDD and Fast Blue B. The extinctions microspectrometrically measured at 560 nm are directly proportional to the quantity of protein-SH-groups. The extinctions of the total cell (Eges) and of the cell nucleus (EK) are measured in 67 basal cells (BAS), 78 dysplatic cells (DYS), 122 undifferentiated cancer cells (UNIF) and 89 differentiated cancer cells (POLY). From BAS through DYS and UNIF to POLY EK increases by a total of 176%. In all four cell types investigated, linear correlations between EK and Eges have been found to occur with a probability of over 99%. The straight lines ascertained represent a relation between EK and Eges which is obviously very characteristic for each cell type, and it becomes apparent that the measuring points corresponding to each single cell are in each instance so close to the straight line that in most cases a differentiation of the three pathological cell types is possible even without a morphological criterion. The straight lines corresponding to BAS, DYS and UNIF start from a common origin, whereas the straight line corresponding to POLY branches off from the UNIF line only. This is in accordance with the formal genesis of pathological variants observed in the cervical squamous epithelium or in differentiated carcinomas of the squamous epithelium respectively.


Genetics of susceptibility in the platyfish/swordtail tumor system to develop fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma following treatment with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). About 7000 animals of 65 different genotypes of the xiphophorine fish were treated with the direct acting chemical carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU; 10(-3)M; four times for 1 hour in two week intervals), in order to find out whether the susceptibility for development of fibrosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas is directly related to the genotype. A genotype specific susceptibility was found, ranging from zero to about nine percent. The highest susceptibles were found in certain backcross hybrids involving P.variatus/X.helleri-hybrids and X.helleri, as the recurrent parent. These genotypes were further analysed. Both P.variatus and X.helleri, as werr as their F1 proved to be insusceptible; while from the three backcrosses, which were tested, namely the BC1, BC4 and BC15, both the BC1, and the BC4, were susceptible, but the BC15 was insusceptible. The results are interpreted on the basis of the assumption that the differential susceptibility is a function of the type of control of a tumor gene (Tu-Fi-Rh) endogenous to P.variatus and involved in development of fibrosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas. Accordingly, in P.variatus and in the F1 the Tu-Fi-Rh is controlled by repressing genes (R-genes) linked as well as non-linked to Tu-Fi-Rh; because simultaneous mutation of both R-genes following treatment with MNU is an extremely unlikely event, these genotypes have an extremely low susceptibility. By contrast, in the BC1 and the BC4 the non-linked R-genes become eliminated and only the linked R-gene remains for repression of Tu-Fi-Rh; this condition confers a high degree of susceptibility, because one single mutation may lead to impairment of the R-gene and to Tu-Fi-Rh-mediated formulation of fibrosarcomas and rhabdomysarcomas. In the BC15, furthermore, also the Tu-Fi-Rh has become eliminated, resulting in a loss of the susceptibility. The results suggest that in the xiphophophorine fish the susceptibility for responding to MNU-treatment with the development of fibrosarcomas and rhabdomysarcomas is related directly to the genotype.


[On the carcinogenetic action of N-nitroso compounds. 7th communication: methyl-, trideuteromethyl-, ethyl-, n-propyl-, n-butyl-, acetoxymethyl-nitrosamine, and methyl-butyroxymethyl-nitrosamine (author's transl)]. The homologons alkyl-acetoxymethyl-nitrosamines were tested for carcinogenicity in SD rats. All compounds were found to be carcinogenic and induced within the same time carcinomas of the forestomach. The total doses necessary for induction of tumors are related to the length of the alkyl chain and hence to the watersolubility. These results are discussed.


The influence of embryonal bursectomy on benzpyrene-induced sarcoma of the chicken. 160 chickens hormonally bursectomized before hatching, and 160 controls were twice given a dose of 10 mg 3,4-benzo(a)pyrene 2 weeks and 6 weeks after hatching. After 24 weeks the controls had developed muscle sarcomas at a significantly higher rate than the bursectomized animals (49.6--32.1%). The tumors were identified as malignant polymorphocellular rhabdomyosarcomas in light and electron microscopy. When the experiment was stopped after 27 weeks, the controls showed more tumors than the bursectomized chickens (65.1% versus 58.9%). The effect of bursectomy lies in a prolongation fo tumor latency. The frequency of metastases is equally decreased to a significant degree (41.7% versus 21.7%). These results are interpreted as an illustration of the disturbed equilibrium between the T and B cell responses.


Chemotherapy studies in autochthonous rat tumors intestinal cancer. Intestinal tumors in rats were induced by three different chemical carcinogens. Only tumors induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine responded slightly to combination chemotherapy of Adriamycin, Methotrexate, 5-Fluorouracil, and Cyclophosphamide. The same therapy failed in tumors induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine or acetoxymethyl-methyl-nitrosamine. These results and the comparability of chemotherapy in autochthonous tumors to experimental and clinical observations are discussed.


Lung tumorigenesis by 1,2-diformylhydrazine in mice. 1,2-Diformylhydrazine was administered in drinking water as a 2% solution to randomly bred Swiss albino mice for life from 6 weeks of age. As a result of treatment, the lung tumor incidence rose from 15 to 96% in females and from 22 to 82% in males. The treatment had no statistically significant effect on the development of other types of tumors. Histopathologically, the neoplasms exhibited the characteristic appearance of adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the lungs. The work is part of a series of studies aimed at revealing the relative carcinogenic potency of mono- and dialkyl-hydrazines and also their possible environmental significance as cancer causative agents.


PAL-test for malignant disease.

PAL-test for malignant disease. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from a total of 300 subjects including normal controls and patients with malignant and non-malignant disorders were investigated to determine their ability to agglutinate with Poly-l-lysine 3400 (PAL-test). A high level of association between clinically evident cancer and a positive reaction was confirmed. Lymphocytes from 72 of 90 patients with malignant diseases as well as 33 of 140 patients with non-malignant processes showed positive reactions. All healthy controls were negative. The positive evidence of the PAL-test amounted to over 80%. The results and possible mechanisms of the PAL-test are discussed.


Sequential changes of T- and B-cells, virus antigen expression and primary histologic tumor diagnosis in virus-induced lymphomagenesis of mice. T- and B-cell counts, estimation of Ig receptor fluidity, and expression of virus-coded antigens were correlated with histological findings during the development of virus-induced mouse lymphoma. Tested were BALB/c mice after infection with the strongly oncogenic Moloney leukemia virus (MLV), the moderately oncogenic (in BALB/c mice) Gross passage A virus (GLV-A), and the essentially non-oncogenic Gross 3T3 tissue culture virus (GLV-T). Methods included immunofluorescence microscopy with antisera against T-cells, B-cells and MLV intact virus, routine histology, and electron microscopy. Following time sequence of changes was observed in mice with oncogenic MLV- and GLV-A infection but not in GLV-T infection: Significant decrease of Ig receptor fluidity and expression of virus antigen were observed already at the initial investigation, i.e. 2 weeks post virus infection. This was followed by significant decreases in percent T-cells 5--8 weeks later, accompanied by histologic atrophy of the thymus and of thymus-dependent regions of lymphatic tissues. Another 2--8 weeks after the decrease in percent T-cells occurred, the first lymphomatous foci became obvious in the thymus. Clinically overt and generalized lymphoma was diagnosed at 20--30 weeks post virus infection. Ultrastructurally, some changes in the arrangement and quantity of cytoplasmic microfilaments were noted in proliferating lymphoblasts and in lymphoma cells. It is concluded, that the described changes were related to the oncogenic potential of mouse C-type RNA viruses and not just to virus infection per se.


[The heart in hypertension. III. Determinants of left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic left ventricular compliance (author's transl)]. Diastolic wall stress and compliance were determined in 74 patients with essential hypertension during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Ventricular compliance was normal in compensated essential hypertension without coronary artery disease even at severe left ventricular hypertrophy. In contrast, additional coronary stenosis and ventricular dilatation due to cardiac decompensation was asscociated with considerable decrease in ventricular compliance. Thus, left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension does not imply per se a change in ventricular compliance. A decrease in ventricular compliance was followed by a decrease of forward pump function of the left ventricle. whereas ventricular work index (as estimated as the product out of systolic wall stress and the stroke volume) increased. This disproportion between external and internal ventricular work increased with increasing ventricular dilatation and was greatest in decompensated essential hypertension. Accordingly, decompensated essential hypertension had largest ventricular work load and lowest forward pump function in comparison to all other patient groups with essential hypertension. The mass to volume ratio may be considered an important determinant of the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension. The relationship between the mass to volume ratio and the systolic wall stress may provide a diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of the left ventricle in essential hypertension on the basis of dynamic ventricular geometry.


[Occupational health in Belgium].

[Occupational health in Belgium]. The author describes briefly the state of occupational health in Belgium. The organization and the activities of occupational health services and the legislation regarding the compensation of work accident and occupational diseases are first outlined. The training of occupational physicians in medical schools is also described as well as the trend of research activities in occupational health in Belgium.


[Preventive medicine activities of Suva]. The Swiss National Accidents Insurance Fund (Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt, Suva) not only has to pay in case of injuries (of both occupational and nonoccupational nature) and occupational disease, an essential duty given by law (Kranken- und Unfallversicherungsgesetz, KUVG) is the prevention of work accidents and occupational disease. The Suva department for Prevention of Accidents (Abteilung Unfallverhütung) is responsible for technical measures; the occupational physicians of the Suva Medicine department (Medizinische Abteilung) are carrying for the medical prevention of occupational diseases which is the item here explained in detail. In 1977, the medical prevention was extended ot a total of 236,000 insured workers. (Of the almost 2.7 million workers and employees 1.7 million are insured by the Suva.) The legal basis, the kind of prevention done and its organization are described.


[Light and scanning electron microscopic studies of structure of dentin interglobular spaces (author's transl)]. The author, after giving a literature survey, reports the results of scanning electron microscope examinations of interglobular spaces. The interglobular spaces are mineral-free regions within the dentin. They contain an organic matrix with a smaller amount of ground substance and a smaller number of collagenic fibrils than are contained in the matrix of mineralized dentin. Obviously, hollow spaces observed during microscopic examination are artifacts produced by shrinkage of the matrix despite good fixation. It has not so far been possible to obtain any indications of liquid-filled spaces.


[Studies of the permeability of human dentin Part I: Basic studies of constant physiological parameters and experimental variables (author's transl)]. Diffusion processes proceeding in the dentin are of fundamental scientific interest and of major importance to numerous therapeutical measures, with the permeability of dentin playing an essential role. Their exact quantitative determination is possibly in vitro only and depends upon various factors. Relevant investigative results obtained using standardized parameters and the methods employed are subjected to a critical analysis and interpreted with regard to the possibility of using them for specific comparative studies. The results reported in this paper are only indirectly applicable to clinical studies. However, they can considered a useful starting point for further studies.


[Effect of a change in brain monoamine levels on reproduction of an elaborated escape reaction in rats]. An escape reaction was elaborated in Wistar rats in a shuttle box to shocks delivered to the animal's foot in a time stereotype. Single administrations of serotonin precursor--5-Hydroxytryptophane (10 mg/kg) and of catecholamine inhibitor--M-tyrosine (100 mg/kg) had a facilitating effect on this reaction. The animals' behaviour became regulated; this was manifested in a shortening of latencies. Catecholamine precursor d,l-DOPA (35 mg/kg) and serotonin inhibitor p-Chlorophenilalanine (320 mg/kg) worsened the rats' adaptive behaviour in the experimental situation enhancing their fuss movements. The latencies of the escape reactions became longer. The data presented point to a reciprocal--conjugate interaction of serotonin- and noradrenergic brain systems as well as to an antistress serotonin effect on behaviour.


[Comparative studies of caries epidemiology using skulls from the Iron, Slavic, and Middle Ages as well as modern subjects (author's transl)]. The present paper compares the incidence and intensity of caries (DMF caries index) determined on skulls from the Iron, Slavic, and Middle Ages with corresponding results obtained for a modern civilized population. More specifically, the results reported in this paper were obtained from clinical and roentgenological examinations of 371 skulls from the ages referred to above as well as of 10,340 inhabitants of the city of Rostock. The results indicate a marked increase in cariosity between the Iron Age and the present time. This increase in the incidence and intensity of caries is considered to be due predominantly to the abrasion resulting from the then preparation and composition of food (which contained as much as 3 percent of stone dust), whereby an essential point of predilection for caries is removed.


[Concerning the reversibility of initial carious lesions in the fissure region (author's transl)]. Using a light microscope, the authors compared longitudinal ground sections of human premolars from a region where the drinking water contains 1,0 p.p.m. of fluorine with the preparations from a region where the drinking water contains 0.35 p.p.m. of fluorine. Under the microscope, "healty" teeth may also show initial carious lesions in the fissure region. These changes are significantly less frequent in premolars which developed under the influence of fluorine. This finding and an age-depending decrease of the initial carious lesions in the fissures militate in favour of the reversibility of these changes.


[Incidence and intensity of mottled teeth (fluorosis) in regions where the drinking water has different contents of magnesium and calcium, respectively (author's transl)]. A total of 1612 seven- to sixteen-year-olds of both sexes were included in a study of which the purpose was to determine whether different concentrations of magnesium and calcium, respectively, in the drinking water (Ore Mountains) have any effects upon the mottling of the enamel of permanent incisors. It was not possible to determine an epidemiological relationship, but what could be reconfirmed was that the incidence and intensity of mottled teeth correspond with the drinking water fluorine level.


[The importance of the etiology of caries and periodontal diseases to the strategy of prevention (author's transl)]. Caries and the inflammation of the marginal periodontium are initiated by different pathomechanisms of microbial factors of the dental plaque. Etiologically, both pathologic changes are therefore associated with the dental plaque. Progression is modifiable by both local and general factors. Consequently, prevention of these major stomatological diseases is based upon a common concept and divides naturally into primary, secondary, and tertiary measures.


[Studies of the edge-strength of some silver-zinc amalgams Part I: Creep value (author's transl)]. From a compilation of all investigative results it is apparent that there are only minor differences in edge-strength between the AP preparations and VH 67 grade. Showing the best values within this particular group is the AP 3 grade. Its use as a filling material may be expected to yield the best results as regards durability. In contrast, the results obtainded for the VH 50 grade material cannot be regarded as satisfying the requirements of a dental amalgam. A marked tendency toward creeping and high rates of corrosion result in the edge-strength of this material being reduced to an unacceptable level.


Epidemiologic features and phage types associated with nosocomial infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. An apparent problem with increased numbers of nosocomial infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis at a large hospital was studied in a clinical-epidemiological investigation. Thirty-six cases of S. epidermidis infection were confirmed on the thoracic surgery, general surgery, nursery and pediatric services during a 3-year period. Nine cases were fatal and six of these occurred in patients following cardiovascular surgery with implanted prothesis. The majority of cases (25/36) occurred following cardiovascular surgery. The median onset of infection was six days from the date of surgery, suggesting infection during the intraoperative period. Although the number of cases studied remains small, two phage types, 71/108/275a/459 and 407-2, did predominate among these clinical infections. Interestingly, during this same time interval these same types predominated among surgical staff members closely associated with these patients. Resistance to antimicrobials was high among isolates tested, with more than 50% of the strains resistant to six or more antimicrobial agents.