[Mechanism of the inhibitory effect of acetylcholine and its analogs on sarcolemma Na, K-ATPase]. Effect of acetylcholine on Na, K-ATPase from cardiac and skeletal rabbit muscles is studied. The inhibition of the enzyme by acetylcholine was shown to depend on the Na+/K+ ratio and Mg2+ concentration in the incubation medium. The sensitivity of Na, K-ATPase to acetylcholine and its analogues decreased as follows: acetylcholine, propionylcholine butyrylcholine, arecoline, carbacholine, choline. Muscle denervation resulted in 20-fold increase of the enzyme sensitivity to acetylcholine. Preparations of Na, K-ATPase from different muscles have the increasing sensitivity to acetylcholine in the following order: white, mixed, cardiac, denervated muscles.


[Effects of magnesium, manganese and cobalt ions on the activity of Ca2+-dependent ATPase of skeletal muscle plasma membranes]. Bivalent cations (Mn and Co) are found to activate ATPase activity of sarcolemma in the same degree, as Mg and Ca. The increase of the activity of Ca2+-dependent ATPase under the certain conditions of treatment of sarcolemma with KCl-Triton X-100 solution is not accompanied by the increase of ATPase  activity in the presence of Mn and Co ions. ATPase activities in the presence of these ions correlate with the activity of Mg2+-dependent ATPase. Bivalent cations Mg, Mn and Co are competitive inhibitors for Ca2+-dependent ATPase. The apparent inhibition constants are determined to be 3,5-10(-5) M for Mg, 0,7-10(-3) M for Co and 1,5-10(-3) M for Mn. It is supposed that Ca2+-dependent ATPase has similar selectivity to bivalent cations as calcium influx that follows depolartization of plasma membrane.


[HCO3-stimulated ATPase from rat tissue homogenates]. Light fractions of homogenates of rat heart, diaphragm, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, muscle, brain, gastric mucosa and of red blood cell membranes contained HCO3-stimulated ATPase. ATPase activity was increased by 15-77% by adding 25 mM HCO-3.


[Respiration toxins as inhibitors of ion transport, supported by ATP hydrolysis, in mitochondria]. Effect of respiration toxins is studied on some properties of mitochondrial membranes and functions connected with ion transport for the expence of ATP energy. The combination of three respiration inhibitors (cyanide, antimycin and rotenone) was shown to develope the following effects: 1) the inhibition of K+ accumulation by mitochondria at the presence of ATP and valinomycin; 2) the decrease in acidification of non-mitochondrial space, accompanying to the K+ transport; 3) the activation of latent mitochondrial ATPase; 4) the inhibition of DNP-stimulated ATPase; 5) the inhibition of mitochondria swelling, caused by K+, Ca2+, or dimethyldibenzylammonium (DDA+) at the presence of ATP+phopshate (or acetate); 6) the stimulation of passive mitochondria swelling in 0.1 MNH4NO3; 7) the inhibition of ATP-induced contraction of mitochondria, swelling in NH4NO3. The data obtained are discussed in a wiev of the conception, which suggests that the attaching of inhibitors to respiration enzymes changes the configuration of the latters, thus disturbing natural structural bond of these enzymes with other protein components of the membrane. The latter can result in the impair of electroisolating membrane properties, in the increase of its conductivity for H+ and other ions, and in the decrease of Vm values of some enzymatic reaction, which are not directly connected with the respiration chain (such as ATPase reaction).


In vitro metabolism of red blood cells from newborn and adult goats. The erythrocytes of newborn and adult goats were studied with respect to GSH stability, GSH regeneration, levels of ATP and 2, 3-DPG, glucose consumption and activities of nine different enzymes of Embden-Meyerhof and pentose phosphate pathways of glucose metabolism. Red cells from newborn goats had significantly higher levels of ATP and 2, 3-DPG. The activities of all the enzymes measured were also significantly greater in the newborn. It is suggested that newborn goats possess red blood cells that are metabolically more active than those of adult goats.


[Physico-chemical and enzymatic properties of contractile protein of rat liver mitochondria]. Some properties of the contractile protein of mitochondria in rat liver (mito-AM) and actomyosin (AM) have been comparatively studied. Mito-AM revealed the viscosity change as well as the precipitation test when ATP was added. The precipitation test rate proved to be higher in some cases than in case of AM. The characteristic feature for both enzymes was the inhibition of the enzymatic activity due to substrate abundance and the reaction product. According to their activating eff on ATP-ase of mito-AM, divalent cations can be placed in the following way: Ca2+ greater than greater than Mg2+greater than Mn2+greater than Zn2+. A similarity in the effect of p-chlormercuribenzoate, amitale and ouabain on mito-AM and AM is revealed. Spectrum analysis data (absorption and fluorescent spectra, fluorescence polarization) as well as different substrate specificity indicate the presence of certain differences in proteins studied. Purified mito-AM revealed a number of components with mollecular meights ranging from 12,500 to 87,000 under polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecul sulphate. The 44,000 mollecular weight polypeptide chain was of muscle actin origin. The results obtained are discussed from the view point of protein functional characteristics.


[Adenosine triphosphatase from the membrane of Micrococcus lysodeikticus]. A preparation of ATPase with a high specific activity was isolated from the membrane of M. lysodeikticus. The enzyme was studied using UV-spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The homogeneity of the protein preparation was shown by gel electrophoresis. The catalytic properties of the enzyme were studied using steady state kinetic methods. The values of Km app. and kcat were determined to be 6-10(-4) and 6 mumoles/mg/min respectively. It is shown that ADP is an effective inhibitor of the ATPase reaction, and the inhibition activity increases in the presence of an excess of Ca2+. The nature of the rate dependence of the ATPase reaction on the concentration of the substrate and on Ca-ADP corresponds to a competitive type of inhibition with binding several molecules of Ca-ADP in the active site of the enzyme.


Preclotting and thrombosis of a dacron prosthesis. A scanning electron microscope study. The authors report eht study of preclotting made on a knitted Dacron prostheses before implantation into a patient. Within 24 h of implantation, clotting occurred. The patient had to be reoperated, and a second preclotting followed. Specimens were removed at different times and fixed in a Rembaum solution before being dried and studied by scanning electron microscopy.


[Spontaneous activation of prothrombin under citraconilation]. N-acylation with citraconic anhydride of purified bovine prothrombine preparations stimulated its spontaneous activation up to intermediate activation products.


[The effect of psychotropic substances on synaptosomal uptake of gamma-aminobutyric H3-acid and the activity of Na,K-ATPase]. The centrally acting drugs belonging to different groups--fluphenazine, trifluperidol, phthoracyzine, imipramine, diazepam, apomorphine, fentanyl, diphneylhydantoin, nonachlazine displayed in vitro an inhibitory effect on the uptake of gamma-aminobutyric acid by rat brain synaptosomes. A decrease in the activity of synaptosomal Na,K-ATPase was found in most cases. Drugs that failed to alter GABA uptake were as a rule found to be ineffective in relation to the enzyme activity (carbidine, morphine). GABA uptake was not affected by certain drugs inhibiting the Na,K-ATPase activity (azabuperon, tetrabenazine). It is supposed that the drugs used had at least two possible sites of action - Na,K-ATPase itself and hypothetic GABA transmembrane carrier.


Dental anomalies in mental patients.

Dental anomalies in mental patients. Fifty-three patients were examined for dental abnormalities at an institution specializing in care of the mentally deficient in Bauru, São Paulo State. The incidence of teeth with abnormal morphology, mainly second molars with an abnormal number of cusps, was extremely high. Enamel hypoplasia was frequently found in anterior teeth, and the percentage of fractured maxillary incisors was significantly higher than that observed in normal individuals.


Furazolidone-pethidine interaction in rabbits. 1 The intravenous injection of pethidine in rabbits pretreated with furazolidone administered orally but not systemically resulted in severe interaction and fatal hyperpyrexia. 2 Treatment with rho-chlorophenylalanine, chloropromazine of cyproheptadine protected the rabbits against the furazolidone-pethidine interaction, while alpha-methyl-rho-tyrosine was ineffective. 3 5-Hydroxytryptophan produced a fatal hyperpyrexia in furazolidone pretreated rabbits. 4 Pretreatment of rabbits with 1,1,1-trichloro-2, 2-bis(rho-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) accelerated and enhanced the furazolidone-pethidine interaction, while oxytetracycline pretreatment completely prevented the interaction. 5 It is concluded that furazolidone-pethidine interaction might depend mainly on potentiation of the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the CNS and that the transformation of furazolidone into an active monoamine oxidase inhibitor metabolite might occur mainly in the gut microflora in the gut lumen.


Autologous immune complex nephritis associated with sickle cell trait: diagnosis of the haemoglobinopathy after renal structural and immunological studies. A renal tubular epithelial antigen (RTE)--anti-RTE autologous immune complex nephritis associated with sickle cell anaemia (SS) has been reported, but immune complex nephritis has never been described in patients with sickle cell trait (SA). During investigation of a child with "asymptomatic proteinuria" cryoprecipitable complexes of RTE-anti-RTE were detected in the serum and granular deposits of RTE, immunoglobulins, and complement localised on the glomerular basement membranes. Morphological and ultrastructural studies showed increased mesangial matrix, sickled red blood cells in the glomeruli and vessels, and tubular and interstitial abnormalities. These findings prompted haemoglobin electrophoretic studies, which showed previously undiagnosed haemoglobin SA in this patient and her family. These observations suggest that nephritis mediated by similar immunopathogenic mechanisms may be associated with SS and SA haemoglobinopathy. Under some conditions patients with sickle cell trait may experience haemodynamic and oxygenation abnormalities, which may be aetiological factors in the immune complex nephritis associated with SS disease.


[Trial prevention of the embryolethal properties of suramin in the mouse by adjuvant progesterone]. Suramine, a trypanocidal drug, has an embryo-lethal and teratogenic action in Rodents. Like Triton W.R. 1339 suramine modifies the lysosomes of the visceral yolk sac. In the mouse the attempts to correct the embryolethal action by a simultaneous progesterone treatment failed while the hormonal treatment is capable to suppress the embryolethality in Triton W.R. 1339 treated mice.


[Effect of a microsomal system on the toxicity and on the interactions of various polycyclic carconogenic hydrocarbons with cells in culture]. The addition of a liver microsomal system (extracted from phenobarbital pretreated hamster livers) to hamster embryo cell cultures, together with a carcinogenic hydrocarbon, reduces the hydrocarbon toxicity and increases the velocity of hydrocarbon uptake by cells.


[Radioprotective action of N-acetyl p. aminophenol in the mouse]. N-acetyl p. amino phenol given intraperitonealy to mice (20 or 40 mg kilo) before irradiation by 1000 or 500 rad has a radioprotective effect with a reduction in death rate and, after an initial fall, a quicker increase of the number of white blood cells in the treated group.


[Survival of paraganglionic cells of the "SIF cells" type of the superior cervical ganglion of the rat]. A previous organotypic culture of rat's superior ganglion is propitious to the survey of grafts. Neurons keep their own structure for 15 to 18 months. A methodical study of grafts find rather rare or exceptionally frequent paraganglionary cells. These cells (S.I.F. Cells type) can keep their ultrastructural aspect in superior cervical ganglion graft for 15 months and even more.


[Histochemical correlations of vascular permeability and enzyme activity in the choroid plexus in man]. The choroid plexuses are characterized by the absence of alcaline phosphatase activity as well as the absence of any vascular barrier for proteins as revealed by fluorescein tracer observation. This correlation is interpreted as supporting the hypothesis of enzymatic control, via alcaline phosphatase, of the blood-brain barrier. Adenosine mono and triphosphatase activity, on the contrary, is identical in choroid plexus vessels and in vessels where the blood-brain barrier phenomena may be demonstrated.


[Effect of anoxia on the evoked somesthesic response during rabbit maturation]. The resistance to anoxy of the somesthetic evoked response (S.E.R.) has been studied on the young rabbit from birth to ten days. An obvious decrease of this resistance is being observed from the eighth day. The authors drew a parallel from their results and the well known modifications of the oxydative metabolism of the C.N.S. during maturation.


[Late perturbations of the central nervous system compatible with life. 5. Study of learning aptitude of the offspring after administration of anticerebroside serum to pregnant female and newborn rats]. Rabbits are injected with cerebrosids, cholesterol and albumen. Their serum, titrated for anticerebrosids antibodies, was injected into female rats on the 18th, 19th and 20th days of gestation and into the offspring aged 5, 9 and 14 days. The learning ability of the little rats was explored at the age of 1-1/2, 3, 4-1/2 and 6 months. Only the offspring of non-treated mothers and treated themselves present an important alteration of their learning ability, particularly if the injection is on the 5th post-natal day. These results are discussed.


[Instrumental reconditioning at an ambient temperature of 35 +/- 1 degrees C after suppression of the reward in growing rat]. By shortening to 5 seconds the burst of "fresh air" delivered by one level-pressing in 6 or 3 20 minutes sessions of operant conditioning at the ambient temperature of 35 +/- 1 degrees C brings 7 and 3 growing rats up to the maximal value of instrumental acquisition in 2 and 1 sessions. The experiment is going on with 40 minutes sessions in which the first 15 minutes belongs to the reward suppression. In spite of this inhibitory factor there is through the stimulus presence reconditioning which leads to instrumental adaptation at the ambient hyperthermia of 38.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C. At this temperature the instrumental activity level is the same as at 35 +/- 1 degrees C, in 20 minutes and the rectal temperature is rising up to provide compensatory work (+ 2.39 degrees C. instead of + 1.34 degrees C. at 35 +/- degrees C.).


[Influence of an antiandrogen, cyproteron acetate, on the morphogenesis of the epididymis in the chick]. Morphogenesis of the epididymis, which takes place in the chick, during the two months after hatching, is inhibited by the antiandrogenic drug, cyproteron acetate, which acts as strongly as castration. This fact is a good argument for our conception of sexual differentiation after which epididymis is induced by testosterone.


[Ultrastructural observations of the effect of nitrogen mustard on human chromosomes]. The authors observed in electronic microscopy the methyl-bis-beta chlorethylamine action (nitrogen mustard) on normal human chromosomes. The effects were obtained in vitro after colchicine blocking and on grids after fixation. The action is remarkable on the fiber and on the chromatid's structure.


[Study of the germ cell migration to the gonad buds of quail embryo after the action of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid]. At stages 16 and 18, the germ cells counts, in the quail embryos' gonads from control and 2,4,5-T treated eggs, show no significative difference. On the contrary, at stage 20, the gonocyte numbers of the treated embryos are strongly decreased. Actually, this mechanism cannot be stage precisely.


[Biological assay of hypophyseal gonadotropins in the male rat (statistical study)]. The reproductibility, the experimental and statistical procedures of FSH and LH bioassays are studied. The estrogen pretreatment of animals increases, considerably the responsiveness and reliability of the LH bioassays. FSH levels have been determined, by the methods for parallel line assays, in the pituitary gland of normal rats and three days or seventeen days orchiectomized rats.


[Action of an ovulation stimulator on the genital function of the female rat]. Effect of cyclofenil on genital function implied organs, is studied in cyclic female rats injected s. cut: 0.5, 5 or 50 mg/kg/day, during 12 days. The treatment increases pituitary, adrenal and uterine weights, decreases ovarian weight, adrenal and ovarien cholesterol. These data suggest that cyclofenil acts directly or undirectly at different levels of hypothalamo-pituitary-genital axis with central inhibition and light peripheral stimulation.


[Ultrastructural study of the enamel of various mammal species]. The dental enamel of various diet types mammalians was scrutinized through scanning electron microscope. The arrangement of prismes, their form and ultrastructure were successively investigated. The picture we got showed a great diversity in the enamel disposition.


[Creation, in the dog, of a denervated antral pouche, associated with a Heindenhain's pouche: technical considerations relative to surgical time and postoperative complications]. Overall assessment following the creation of denervated antral and fundic pouches, in 64 mongrel dogs, leads to the recommendation of certain important technical options: surgical intervention carried out in 1 stage; respecting of precise operative timetable; reestablishement of digestive continuity by gastro-jejunostomy with large anastomosis mouth; inutility of scraping the walls of vessels irrigating the pouches.


[Effect of glucose and of insulin on the fast induced decrease of insulin response to glucose of the in vitro perfused rat pancreas]. A 24 hours fast decreases by 50% the first and second phases of insulin response to glucose by the isolated and perfused rat pancreas, while the response to tolbutamide remains unchanged. Intra peritoneal administration of low doses of glucose (0.3 g), four times during fasting restored the insulin response. Administration of insulin (0.25 U x 4). Tolbutamide (1.25 mg x 4) or L-leucine (0.1 g x 4), did not. These results show that an exogenous or endogenous insulin impregnation is not the factor responsible for the maintenance of the B cell gluco-receptor during fasting.


[Histochemical study of the facial nerve and of several muscles in Papio papio suffering from facial spasm]. Facial nerve neurectomy were performed in the baboon (Papio papio). Histochemical investigations showed usual criteria of such lesions. Therefore a loose of glycogene within the Type I muscular fibers was observed in animals with a former facial spasm.


[Multiunit activity of the inferior olive during a conditioned motor sequence]. Multinuit activity from the inferior olive was recorded in chronic cats during a learned motor task. The animals were trained to perform a succession of rapid flexion-extension arm movements alternating with two maintained postures. No significant differences were observed in the olivary activity during maintained postures. However an increase of activity occurred before the beginning of the flexion detected on the biceps EMG recordings. The first modifications of olivary activity occurred in synchrony with postural reorganization preceding the flexion. This latter involved primarily the triceps. The increase of activity took place during the execution of movement and ended after the reaching of the target.


[Effect of hypoxia and of anoxia on the posterior pituitary gland of the rat]. The results of the effect of hypoxia or anoxia upon the rat neurohypophysis shows a decrease of the neurosecretory granules and the rise of the small vesicles.


[Hyperbaric oxygen: effect of sodium dipropylacetate and dipropylacetamine on convulsion seizures and pulmonary lesions in the mouse]. It was shown that oxygen at high pressure (OHP) induced epileptic seizures and pulmonary damages on mice. Dipropylacetate protected mice against nervous syndrome better than did dipropylacetamide. No significant pulmonary protection was observed with both drugs.


[Early teratogen effect of neutral desoxyribonuclase on young chick embryo]. Neutral DNA-ase acts as a general teratogen when given to young chicken blastoderms. The rate of the differents abnormalities varies according to the dose given and the embryos' stage. The frequency of the different defects reaches a maximum value with increasing doses it falls generally down with more important doses. DMSO added to the enzyme solution changes the susceptibility of the embryos.


[Experimental value of the biliary excretion of the conjugated form of SBP by the in vivo liver and by the isolated and perfused liver]. We first studied the uptake and excretion of the dye BSP by the isolated and perfused rat liver and by the rat liver in vivo. We then studied BSP-glutathion conjugation with these same methods. We found that benziodarone which induces a marked decrease of conjugation is able to inhibit in vitro the combination BSP-glutathion.


[Potentialization of antibiotics by lytic enzymes]. Few lytic enzymes, specially papaine and lysozyme, acting on the membrane and cell wall structures facilitate effects of bacitracine, streptomycine and other antibiotics. Streptomycino resistant strains became sensibles to this antibiotic after contact with papaine and lysozyme. The results of tests in physiological suspensions concern only the lytic activity of enzymes. The results on nutrient medium concern together lytic, and antibiotic activities.


[Action of the fluorocarbons, 12 (difluorodichloromethane) and 11 (monofluorotrichloromethane), on smooth muscle]. We have studied the action of difluorodichloromethane (F12) and monofluorotrichloromethane (F11) on the rat isolated uterine muscle and the rabbit isolated duodenum. Both gases in the nutritive solution after the functioning of these organs in a way which is, moreover, non identical. On the uterus both gases show an inhibitory effect against the spontaneous contractions. On the duodenum, both gases inhibit the phasic contractions but the basal tonus is strongly increased by F12, and on the contrary reduced by F11. The action is a musculotrop one and quite reversible in every case. Both gases do not modify the action of acetylcholin, epinephrin and histamin.


[Heart noradrenaline and dopamine during acute poisoning of rat by an anticholinesterasic pesticide: parathion]. Noradrenaline level in rat heart decreased after intoxication by parathion. The pharmacological investigations appeared to prove that this decrease results from the storage of acetylcholine, which provoked likewise a slowing of the cardiac rythm. The role of atropine is discussed.


[Action of L-azetidine-2 carboxylic acid on the development of the secondary palate in the mouse]. L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid was administered to pregnant mice. This analogue of proline was shown to be a significant cleft palate teratogen.


[Effect of thyroidectomy on the growth of the adult rat and on weight recovery after fasting]. After thyroidectomy, the growth of adult male rats is almost completely arrested. Body weight regulation is still present, but its decreased: actually, after fasting, thyroidectomized animals do not increase their daily food intake.


[Trypsin-induced polyseritis: action of di-iso-propyl-fluorophosphate; evolution of the proteas activity of effusion; comparison with elastase]. 1. Whereas the injections of trypsin in the peritoneum of the rat cause every time a polyseritis (ascites and pleuritis) the trypsin inactivated by di-iso-propyl-fluoro-phosphate remains without effect; this fact proves therefore that the proteasic properties of the trypsin are responsible of this exsudative effect on peritoneum and pleura. 2. The intra-peritoneal injections of elastase cause also a polyseritis in the rat, but it is complicated by shock. 3. The dosage of the proteasic activity in the effusions caused by the trypsin and the elastase, shows a progressive reduction of this activity. At the beginning there is more protease in the ascites than in pleural serositis and the volume of the ascites is greater; later, the findings about the proteases are opposite and the protease content becomes greater in the pleural effusion. This evolution is a new proof of the transdiaphragmatic propagation of the proteasic polyseritis.


[Adrenosympathetic system and thermoregulation in a prosimian Perodicticus potto]. The urinary excretion of catecholamines in Perodicticus potto (1.76-2.94 mug/kg 24 h) is in the same range as in other mammals and the activity of the adrenosympathetic system does not account for the low metabolic rate in this species. The adrenals contain 1.140 +/- 0.14 mug A + NA/mg fresh tissue, of which adrenaline constitutes 94.5 per cent and are thus practically identical to those in Macaca irus. In a cold environment the daily urinary excretion of catecholamines of the tropical but cold hardy potto is only moderately increased.


[Relationship between the level of mineralocorticoid arterial hypertension and calcium metabolism in the rat]. In mineralocorticoid hypertension in the rat, calcium metabolism was disturbed. A positive correlation was found during the onset of hypertension between, urinary calcium and arterial pressure. After several weeks, when hypertension was sustained, calcium parameters returned to control values.


[Effect of an enzyme, thrombic type, defibrase, on the formation of the white intra-arterial thrombus]. The effect of intravenously administered defibrase was studied on the white intra-arterial thrombus. The administration resulted in all experimented animals in a statistically significant decrease of the thrombus formation.


[Wallerian degeneration of the rat sciatic nerve. Lack of effect of cycloheximide and of actinomycin D on the increase of radiophosphate incorporation in acid soluble phosphates observed after section of the nerve]. Plasma inorganic phosphate incorporation into inorganic and organic acid-soluble phosphate fractions of the rat sciatic nerve increases markedly during Wallerian degeneration. Administration of cycloheximide and actinomycin D remains without effect on this specific increase which appears thus independent of cytoplasmic protein neosynthesis.


[Influence of a sublethal irradiation on the immune response of the mouse to sheep erythrocytes]. In the CBA mice, the immunological response of the spleen cells (RFC and PFC direct and indirect) against the sheep erythrocytes is highly depressed by a 400 R dose of X rays. The recovery is not complete at the 30th day after irradiation. The response of the bone marrow cells either irradiated or unirradiated to the antigenic stimulation is very low.


[In vitro comparison of 2 expressions of cellular immunity induced by a cutaneous allograft in the mouse]. A short-term test (5 h) has been compared to a long-term test (48 h) for evaluation of the cellular cytotoxic response which is induced in recipients of allografts. Spleen cells from mice recipients of skin allografts were tested. We have shown that the cellular cytotoxicity expressed in a short-term test is itself expressed during a short period whereas the cytotoxicity expressed in a long-term test is still detectable for months after a first skin graft. Moreover, the lytic activity of the spleen cells is much higher when it is expressed in a long-term test. The fact that we could get, in vitro, in two days, a low primary cellular cytotoxic response against alloantigens, makes likely that during the long-term test, the anamnestic response which can develop is especially responsible for the cellular cytotoxic response.


[In vitro distinction between primary and secondary cellular response to alloantigens by means of a subcellular antigenic preparation]. Living spleen cells and a subcellular product of spleen cells have been compared, in mice, for their ability to elicit, for a long term culture (4-5 days), a cellular cytotoxic response against alloantigens. Contrary to living spleen cells which could induce the same high level of cytotoxic activity in a primary or in a secondary response, the antigenic preparation was only able to mount a very low primary response while it could render highly cytotoxic a lymphoid population proved to be able to mount in vitro an anamnestic response.


[Trial of purification and serological characterization of human and murine transplantation antigens]. Human and murine antigens are purified by exclusion chromatography on Sephadex and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their purification stage checked by analytical methods. The study of antigenic preparations consists of electrofocusing, molecular weight estimation and chemical determinations. A cytotoxicity inhibition test with specific alloantisera reveals the antigenic potency. A microtest using 51Cr labelled tumoral cells has been achieved for the analysis of murine preparations.


[Isoprenaline, propranolol and in vivo phosphorus metabolism of the rat salivary gland]. Chronic treatment with isoprenaline causes hypersecretion and a marked enlargement of submaxillary glands. Isoprenaline, given to normal rats or treated animals with hypertrophied salivary glands, increases the incorporation of 32P in tissue inorganic and organic phosphates and phospholipids. Propranolol given alone is inactive on phosphorus metabolism, but inhibits the effect of isoprenaline. The phospholipid effect is probably related to the increase of membranes in hypertrophied acinar cells; a correlation with the hypersecretion induced by isoprenaline needs further study. The results show that in experimental sialadenosis and hypersialorrhea induced by isoprenaline in the whole rat stimulation of glandular beta-adrenoreceptors and phosphorus metabolism are involved.


[Pentose phosphate pathway and nucleic acid synthesis in human funicular tissue. In vitro studies]. Umbilical cord slices were incubated with either 1- or 6-14C-glucose, the radioactivities of which were measured in CO2 evolved. The ratio, 1 CO2/6 CO2 was low, being comprised between 1 and 2. Furthermore, this incubation of cord slices with tritiated uridine or thymidine resulted in very low incorporations, especially for the latter. Therefore, both the pentose phosphate pathway and the synthesis of nucleic acid have a low activity in the cord tissue: these might be signs of senescence in this otherwise fetal organ.


[Effects of colchicine and of emetine on capillary permeability]. Colchicine and emetine administered locally in the hind paw of the rats increased markedly the capillar permeability. The action may be strongly inhibited by methysergide (0.2 mug). Mepyramine (0.5 mug) is not so active and indomethacine (1 mg/kg per os), even less. As some prostaglandines release serotonine and histamine (8) it is possible that some liberation of these mediators may be attribuable to a previous release of prostaglandines, but the experiments suggest also the possibility of a direct and concomitant release of those two mediators by the alkaloids assayed.


[Respiratory effects of electric stimulation of pancreatic afferents in lightly anesthetized cats]. Electrical stimulation of the pancreatic anterior part produces a respiratory arrest followed by a short polypnea. In some cases (20%) the same effects are obtained by electrical stimulation of the afferent nerves. The afferent fibres involved in this phenomena are situated in the great splanchnic nerves.


[Classification of pain in clinical pancreatic symptomology]. Correspondances analysis dealing with four hundred items of pain in patients suffering of various digestive diseases showed relations between the localisations and temporal evolution of pain. A critical study of results with regard to different diagnoses has been performed.


[Local and metastatic growth of Lewis lung carcinoma as a function of its transplantation site. Application to the study of the pharmacology of sulphadiazine triazene]. The presence of a local tumour and pulmonary metastases is studied after the administration of the Lewis Lung Carcinoma at different sites of transplantation. The intravenous administration routes, in the tail vein and in the portal vein, injections in the liver and in the muscle of the left hindleg are used. The injection in the tail vein induces pulmonary "metastases". The injection in the portal vein is followed by multiple tumours in the whole liver and pulmonary metastases. An unilobar hepatic tumour and early pulmonary metastases appear after transplantation in the liver. Intra-muscular injection gives a local tumour which can be weighed after amputation of the leg and pulmonary metastases. A test of treatment by Sulphadiazine Triazene points out a weak action on the primary tumour and a larger one on the metastases.


[Quantitative study of serotonin-containing cells in fetal rabbit duodenum]. In order to attempt identification in vitro of parameters involved in the cellular differenciation, it was necessary to possess a standard material with identical content and distribution of serotonin cells; these two properties are investigated in this paper. Falck's technic is the only sensitive and specific method in demonstrating serotonin young cells devoid of argentaffinity. From 21, 22, 23 and 25 days old rabbit foetuses, 10 mm length duodenal pieces were treated according to Falck and sections serially cut at 8 microns. Some of these specimens were divided prior to Falck treatment in two pieces 3 mm away from the pylorus and in each piece 200 paraffin sections were cut at 8 microns beginning by adjacent ends and progressing in opposite direction. The number of EC sections in 400 whole transverse sections were determined for each foetus. Great variations were observed from one foetus to another, along the intestine, with weight and age. The Student-Fisher test applied to two consecutive pieces of the same duodenum gathering foetuses in groups of 5 animals did not show significative differences from a group to another. Thus, this material can be employed for comparisons under experimental conditions.


[Ultrastructure of cellular features permitting the regulation of human cerebral cortex microcirculation]. Microglia-like cells and endothelial cells may influence capillary blood output. 1) Microglia-like cells are sometimes interposed between two endothelial processes with which they are nexus-linked. In this position, they protude in vascular lumen which is considerably reduced. 2) Endothelial cells present no contractile filaments but their nucleus and surrounding cytoplasm may protude in vascular lumen, constituting a "coussinet-like" structure. Thus, regulation by specialized structures observed by Legait in brain arteries seems to occur even in the smallest ramifications of brain cortical vessels.


[Determination of LD7a structures on human lymphocytes]. The non-stimulation of DNA synthesis in human lymphocytes in the one way mixed lymphocyte culture conditions allows the typing for LD determinants. The authors describe their technique together with their cryo-preservation procedure and the results obtained in 24 control population and 26 multiple sclerosis patients tested for the presence of the LD7a determinant.


[The effect of difluorodichloromethane (FC 12) on isolated rat and rabbit heart]. We have tried to determine if dichlorodifluoromethane (F.C. 12) might have an effect in vitro on the isolated rat and rabbit hearts. The direct action of F.C. 12 on the heart in vitro is similar in both rats and rabbits. It occurs at doses such as 20 +/- 10 mug/ml (rat) and 35 +/- 5 mug/ml (rabbit). F.C. 12 depresses the strength of the myocardial contractions; the effect is reversible at low concentration (less than 60 mug/ml) but irreversible at high concentration (greater than or equal to 120 mug/ml). It also causes a slight bradycardia, but no significant effect on the basal tonus. At high concentration, F.C. 12 may produce arrhythmia : this action occurs more readily in the rat heart than in the rabbit heart.


[Fluorescence in Thelohania apodemi Doby, Jeannès and Rault, 1963, a microsporidian parasite of the brain of the fieldmouse, Apodemus sylvaticus]. Colonies of Thelohania apodemi in fresh preparations of the brain of the field mouse show an intense fluorescence with ultra violet radiation. This phenomenon is undoubtedly due to the presence of chitin in the spore envelope. It is to our knowledge the first time that such a phenomenon of fluorescence has been described in the Microsporida.


[In vitro formation of adiospores in 10 strains of Emmonsia cresens, the fungal agent of adiospiromycosis]. Emmonsia crescens Emmons and Jellison 1960 is a dimorphic fungus responsible for pulmonary mycoses in animals and man. Temperature was the essential factor influencing the development of the parasitic phase : the adiaspores, which formed better at 37 degrees than at 40 degrees. Certain media (medium with blood, with egg, Sabouraud...) also favoured the growth of adiaspores. The amount of CO2 in the ambiant atmosphere had no effect on the formation of adiaspore phase. On the other hand, the liquid medium Sabouraud was not suitable for certain strains wich were not able to develop adiaspores in semianaerobic media neither at 37 degrees nor at 40 degrees.


[Response of efferent vestibular fibers to horizontal rotation in frogs (Rana esculenta L.)]. The activity of efferent vestibular fibres has been recorded on the nerve of the left vertical anterior semicircular canal detached from its ampulla during rotations in the horizontal plane. Different types of responses have been found; they are noted in table I and pictured on fig. 2.


[Response of the saccule to the direct vibratory stimulation of the macula in frogs]. Direct stimulation of the frog's saccular macula shows that the saccular fibers are sensitive to vibrations between 10(-1) (at least) and 8.10(3) Hz and that their response depends on 1) the frequency of the vibration, 2) the origin of the fiber in the macula.


[Oxidative metabolism of funicular tissue. I. Effect of exogenous substrates on oxygen consumption of funicular tissue in vitro]. Umbilical cord slices were incubated with various concentrations of either glucose, pyruvate or succinate. Furthermore the conversion of pyruvate to AcCoA and the oxidation of the latter were assessed respectively by measuring labelled CO2 evolved from 14C-pyruvate labelled on C1 or C2. The results suggest that 1) ADP stores are low since glucose induces a Crabtree effect; 2) the "succinoxidase" complex is far from being saturated and cannot account for the low oxidations observed under basal conditions; and 3) that the limiting step should be looked for either in Krebs' cycle or at the level of Complex I of the electron transport chain.


[The annual glucido-lipid cycle in a varanid of Senegal]. Lipid and carbohydrate storage depots on one hand, blood lipids and glucose on the other hand, were measured every month in Varanus exanthematicus exanthematicus, the annual cycle of which is correlated to the characteristic succession of one dry and one wet season in the Sahel area. The large cyclic variations of these figures are discussed as a function of the animal behaviour and what is known about its endocrine cycle.


[Gel diffusion tests in malaria. Validity according to different techniques of extracting soluble antigens. Sensitivity compared with indirect immunofluorescence]. The value of the gel diffusion test in human malaria varied considerably, depending on the different methods tested to obtain soluble antigens. With one of these antigens, a saponin lysate of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes, the test proved as sensitive and specific as the IFA test with the homologous antigen.


[A hypothesis about the organogenesis of the digestive tract]. Our experimental analysis in organogenesis of digestive tract in embryonic chick leads to a following hypothesis. In early embryonic stages, undifferentiated endodermal epithelium is roughly determined and has an autodifferentiation potency. Cytodifferentiation but not morphogenesis like gland formation can take place in vitro in some extent in the absence of the splanchnic mesoderm. The mesoderm of the embryonic digestive tract, however, exerts its regionally specific action on the cytodifferentiation as well as morphogenesis of an indifferent epithelium.


[Catecholamines in the sub-esophageal ganglia and the hemolymph of the giant African snail (Achatina fulica Férussac) determined by gas chromatography]. The content of three catecholamines (dopamine, L-norepinephrine and L-epinephrine) in the subesophageal ganglia and the hemolymph of Achatina fulica Férussac was measured by a gas chromatograph with electron capture detector. The dopamine content of the ganglia was 4.3 +/- 0.9 mug/g. L-Norepinephrine and L-epinephrine in the ganglia were not detected. The three catecholamines in the hemolymph were also not detected.


[Hepatotropism of Tyzzer bacteria in experimentally infected chick embryos]. Tyzzer's organism from mice propagated more remarkably in hepatocytes than in yolk-sac epithelial cells producing confluent necrosis of the liver after intravenous as well as intravitelline inoculation. Some lesions with bacterial growth were also produced in the heart muscles and kidneys. The organisms from mouse, rat, hamster and kitten were shown to be equally pathogenic for chick embryos.


[Adsorption of lymphocytes by cells infected by vaccinia virus]. The interaction of chicken lymphocytes with vaccinia-infected cells was examined HEp-2 cells infected with the virus adsorbed chicken lymphocytes. The phenomenon was inhibited by anti-vaccinia serum. Lymphocytes prepared from a chicken possessing red blood cells insensible to the hemagglutinin of vaccinia virus were also adsorbed. Lymphocytes were adsorbed in similar degree at 37 degrees C and at room temperature.


[Relationship between current and voltage in neuromembranes measured by a generator of long-term triangular current]. A generator of triangular current of long duration was constructed to measure the current-voltage relationship (I-V curve) of neuromembranes. Using this instrument, we observed the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the I-V curve of an identified giant neurone (PON) of Achatina fulica Férussac. When two I-V curves (measured in the physiological state and under the 5-HT application) were superimposed by using the firing level as the common standard point, a concordance of two I-V curves in wide range of membrane polarization was observed.


[Ultrastructure of the larval pancreas of an anuran amphibian, Alytes obstetricans L, in organ culture]. Different techniques have been used to realise organ culture of larval pancreas of Alytes obstetricans Laur. Some methods allow to get satisfaction results. The general aspect of the explant is described, as also the ultrastructure of the different parts of the pancreas. The results allow to consider the experimental study of the in vitro metamorphosis under the influence of thyroxine.


[Autoradiographic study of the incorporation of tritiated leucine into mouse neurons and glial cells]. The renewal of labeled proteins in neuronal and glial cells was investigated by means of quantitative light microscope radioautography. Adult and young mice were sacrificed at long intervals after one tritiated leucine injection. Results shpwed the persistance of an increased quantity of label in the young glial cells. For both adult and young, the relative rate of labeled protein breakdown was higher in oligodendrocytes than in astrocytes.


[The effect of castration on the mast cells of the ventral gland of male gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus, Gerbillidae)]. The number of labrocytes increases in male gerbil ventral gland connective tissue, as castration makes epithelial structures enter a resting stage. Inversely, labrocytes number decreases when testosterone injection to castrate males initiates epithelial activity. These variations of mast cells number are not a consequence of changes in gland volume, which only act upon epithelial tissues and do not modify "connective tissue compartment".


[The effect of freezing on the electrophoretic separation of hemolymph proteins of several arthropods]. Electrophoresis in 6% or gradient polyacrylamide gel were realised with fresh and stored hemolymphs. The experiments state that there are variations in relation to storage duration, in the separation pattern of hemocyanin fractions in Astacus leptodactylus, Palinurus vulgaris and Carcinus mediterraneus. Moreover, important changements in the supplementary factor of crayfish plasma are revealed.


[Mouse auditory sensitivity as measured by averaged evoked potentials]. The audition of four strains of mice was determined with summated auditory evoked potentials at the inferior colliculus level. One of these strains was completely deaf. For the 3 others a specific auditory sensitivity was found with statistically different thresholds. But, for these, the best sensitivity is around 16 kHz. Two of them show a flattening of the curve between 32 and 64 kHz. This range corresponds to the ultrasounds emitted by the pups.


[A model of sweating during muscular exercise]. From a practical viewpoint, thermal sweating during exercise can be described by an exponential equation. The errors from this mathematical model are of few importance. Nevertheless, metrologic and physiological factors can complicate theoretically the model.


[The effect of 4-aminopyridine of the synaptic activity in the last abdominal ganglion of the cockroach (Periplaneta americana)]. Synaptic action of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) has been studied in the sixth abdominal ganglion of the cockroach. Our results show that 4-AP has a strong excitatory effect on the ganglion and its seems that it depolarizes as well the pre and postsynaptic membranes. The threshold concentration is about 10(-5) M.


[Purification of rat brain succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase and study of its inhibition by branched chain fatty acids]. Rat brain succinic semialdehyde deshydrogenase has been purified 1300 fold. This enzyme is inhibited non competitively by the same branched chain fatty acids which inhibit GABA-transaminase competitively with respect to GABA. The respective activities of GABA-T and SSADH found in rat brain indicate that at anticonvulsant doses, the acids dipropylacetic and 2-methyl 2-ethyl caproic preferentially inhibit GABA-transaminase thus inducing a rise in cerebral GABA level. This increase is therefore not due to metabolism of the succinic semialdehyde by GABA-T.


[Polymorphism of serum esterases of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)]. Polymorphism of plasma esterases in quail is very important. Phenotypic frequences of genetic variants of three esterases are examined and they show a high proportion of heterozygotes. The maintenance of this polymorphism is supposed to be due to the organophosphorus pesticides.


[Alcohol intoxication via the lung in rats]. 1. The technique of chronic alcohol intoxication by inhalation of alcohol vapor was developed in rats. 2. The blood alcohol level value of rats staying in an alcohol-containing atmosphere increases (from 0 to 4 mg/l) in terms of the atmospheric alcohol level (from 0 to 20 mg/l). 3. The mean blood alcohol level of a group of animals maintained during 20 days in an atmosphere containing 15 mg/l of air, increases regularly during 7 days, and then decreases slowly. 4. Animals that are staying in an atmosphere with a regularly increasing alcohol level can breathe an air containing 20 mg/l of alcohol. This dose is early lethal when used in other animals from the beginning of treatment, what confirms the metabolic tolerance. 5. Withdrawal signs characterized by a central nervous system hyperexcitability are shown by animals which had a high blood alcohol level during 4 or 5 days, when they are back into the ambient atmosphere.


[Use of ethanol naturally enriched in carbon 13 for metabolic studies]. The ratio of carbon 13 to carbon 12 is higher in organic substances which originate from corn or cane, as compared to most higher plants. Cane alcohol or corn alcohol are enriched in carbon 13 as compared to common European foods. This discovery provided a new technique for alcohol metabolism studies with animals or men. The ratio of carbon 13 to carbon 12 is measured by mass spectrometry in the carbon dioxide expired after administration of cane or corn alcohol. This ratio increases significantly and reaches a maximum when the blood alcohol level has decreased considerably.


[Association in organ culture of the hypophysis and glandular tissue of the testis of Gobius niger L]. Pituitaries of Gobium niger are previously cultured separately for periods of time varying from 6 to 20 days. Therafter, their gonadotropic potency is tested by associating them during three days with explants of glandular tissue from testis as effectors: in each case, a new fish gives a controll pituitary and three testicular explants. The latter are distributed into (1) controll explant, (2) explant associated with controll pituitary, (3) explant associated with a previously cultured pituitary. The results indicate that a gonadotropic potency subsists in the pituitary even after 20 days of isolated culture.


[Hypothalamo-hypophyseal relationships in the chick embryo]. When a chick embryo, deprived of its hypothalamo-pituitary complex by partial decapitation, is bearing a grafted hypophysis, this gland is unable to induce a normal development of the thyroid. The volume of this gland is reduced and, consequently, the fixation of iodine is decreased from the age of 16 days. Some authors think that there are no hypothalamo-pituitary correlations in the chick embryo. On the contrary, these observations lead to admit their appearance towards the end of the incubation.


[The effect of the testicular mullerian-inhibiting hormone on ovarian development in the chick embryo]. In female chick embryos grafted with embryonic testis, it is a correlation between the effects of the graft on the mullerian ducts and on the ovary. Indeed, when the graft causes retrogression of the ducts, it induces an ovarian atrophy also. These facts lead to think that these two activities are due to the same substance, the mullerian inhibiting hormone of the testis.


[Cytophotometric determination of the relative amounts of deoxyribonucleic acid in the nuclei of blastocysts during normal and retarded implantation in the rat]. Cytophotometrics measures of DNA-Feulgen were realized in normal and delayed implantation blastocysts of the rat. During afternoon of the 5th day of progestation, blastocysts were of two types: those nuclei of which were in G1 gap and those nuclei of which were synthetising DNA. In delayed implantation, blastocyst nuclei were in G1 or G2 gap. Mitosis were rarely seen. After oestrogen injection DNA-synthesis started again. Cell kinetics before ovoimplantation is discussed.


[Cytophotometric study of deoxyribonucleic acid in mesometral cells of experimental deciduoma in unilaterally pregnant rats]. Ploidy level of mesometral cells in experimentaly induced deciduomata is determinated by DNA-Feulgen cytophotometric measures. This tissue shown the first evolutive stages leading to polyploïdy (mono-binucleated cells) it was unable to reach a ploïdy level higher than 4 n.


[Ultrastructural study of dysgeneic ovaries of rats, resulting from Misulban administration during fetal life]. She-rats have been treated at the 15th day of gestation with Misulban. The she-rats born from the former ones present an ovarian dysgenesis due to a precocious destruction of the germinal cells by the radiomimetic. These dysgeneses are characterized by the presence of cordal epithelial structures and of stroma. Cells whose cytoplasmic infrastructure is characteristic of a steroidogenesis have been searched on ovaries taken of between 15 days and 6 months. In the absence of follicular organization, they appear only from puberty and are localized particularly, between the epithelial structures, in the conjonctive stroma.


[The pathways of glucose catabolism in Tenebrio molitor: the effects of fasting and the injection of the corpus cardiacum-corpus allatum complex]. In the adult of Tenebrio molitor (Coleopterous) the pentose cycle is greatly used for the glucose degradation: starvation or injection of corpus cardiacum-corpus allatum complex alter this metabolic orientation : the pentose pathway is decreased and the glucose itself is less utilized.


[Plasma Ca, Na, and K levels during the hibernation of hedgehogs, common dormice, and garden dormice]. The plasmatic rate of Ca, Na and K are nearly constant during the deep lethargy of hedgehogs, common dormice and garden dormice and little differ from those measured in the active animals at 22 degrees C. Only the kaliemies of the hibernating common dormice and garden dormice are very low. The evolution of the three parameters during the alternance lethargy and periodic arousal has been analysed in terms of the metabolic and endocrinian changes which occur at those moments.


[Relationship between changes in respiratory metabolism and usage of the pentose cycle in Bombyx mori L. exposed to different temperatures]. By means of injection of labelled glucose (1(14)C, 6(14)C) we compared the importance of the utilization of the different pathways of the glucose degradation in terms of the temperature imposed on the animals at different stages.


[Subcellular distribution of Mn2+ and its effects on the respiration of rat liver mitochondria in different thyroid states]. Manganese concentration has been measured in the different subcellular fractions of live cells of normal and thyroidectomized rats. Results show that the quantity of Mn2+ taken up is smaller in the mitochondria and larger in the nuclei of the hypothyroid animals. When manganese is added to isolated mitochondria, an activation of mitochondrial respiration occurs and this activation is greater in thyroidectomized animals.


[Short term effects of docosenoic acid-containing oils on rat cardiac lipids: colza oil and partially hydrogenated herring oil]. Partially hydrogenated herring oils induce a cardiac lipidosis after a few days of feeding in the Rat. The level of C 22 : 1 in the oil, its chemical structure (erucic acid or isomers) as well as the presence of linoleic acid seem to have an effect upon the intensity of the phenomenon.


[Effect of tannic acid on liver levels of vitamin A in rats maintained on balanced diets or deprived of this vitamin]. A 6 month study in rats fed a balanced diet containing 3,2 p. 100 tannic acid resulted in a marked decrease of the hepatic concentration of vitamin A. In an other study, rats were fed vitamin A deficient diets containing 0, 0,8, 1,6 and 3,2 p. 100 tannic acid. There was no effect of tannic acid on the hepatic concentrations of vitamin A determined on days 20, 40 and 60.


[Technique for isolation and purification of metaphase chromosomes of KB cells]. Metaphase chromosomes were isolated from KB cells according to Salzman and Mendelsohn's method. Whole-mount electronic microscopic preparations of chromosomes in situ, after isolation and after purification showed that the morphological patterns of this material are preserved in spite of physical and chemical treatments (pH 3).


[Biliary transport of sodium and chloride. Excretion of large amounts of NaCl in hypothermia]. Hypothermia inhibits the (Na+ K+) ATPase but does not decrease the concentrations of Na in bile when NaCl is added to the perfusate. With ouabaïne, another inhibitor of (Na+ K+) ATPase, we had previously seen decrease of sodium excretion. This discrepancy might be the result of an increase excretion in bile acids during hypothermia.


[Atomic absorption spectrophotometry of rubidium levels in several biological media. Technical problems and preliminary results]. The mean of Rubidium rates in human plasma is found in the range of 0,1 mg/l with poor fluctuations; it is significantly less in woman than in man. There is a good linear correlation between rates in plasma and in red cell, rates which are in the same relation than potassium ones. Mean urinary clearance of rubidium is 16 ml/mm but there are large variations.


[Folliculo-stellate cells of the anterior hypophyses of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus L.)]. The anterior lobe of the hedgehog pituitary possess folliculo-stellate cells. These agranular (or few granular) cells, connected together by juctional complexes in relation with mitochondria, limit small cavities; at the luminar surfaces, microvillosities projecting in the lumen are seen. The lumina of cavities contain, or not, an electron dense substance, but not remnants of glandular cells. Long slender cytoplasmic processes, extended between adjacent granular cells, takes contact with the basement parenchymatous membrane, where they form a so-called "vascular foot". The cytoplasm of these cells contains a variety of organelles; their development is variable and appears in relation with the functional activity of the cell.


Ultrastructure of the so-called "chordoid sarcoma". Evidence supporting cartilagenous differentiation. A rare, distinctive neoplasm occurring in the soft tissue of the extremities and resembling chordoma has been recently described and variously termed "chordoid sarcoma," "chordoid tumor," and "parachordoma." An example of this tumor occurring in the flank is presented. The tumor lacks the ultrastructural features associated with chordomas. Moreover, the tumor appears to be elaborating an abundant matrix of sulfated acid mucopolysaccharide interspersed with collagen fibers in varying stages of maturation. These features suggest that the tumor is exhibiting chondroid, rather than chordoid, differentiation. Previous reports of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma bear a striking light microscopic and electron microscopic similarity to the "chordoid sarcoma," suggesting that the latter is a variant of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.


Oncogenic transformation of C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 mouse embryo cells by halogenated pyrimidine nucleosides. Oncogenic transformation has been induced in vitro in the C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 line of mouse cells by exposure to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR) or 5-fluorouracil. This transformation is both dose and time dependent and can be markedly decreased by simultaneous exposure of the cells to thymidine. The transformation induced by 5-fluorouracil is probably due to its intracellular conversion to FUdR or its monophosphate. Transformation by FUdR was found to be cell cycle dependent with maximum sensitivity to transformation occurring in early S phase. Cell lines that produced sarcomas in antithymocyte-treated syngeneic mice were isolated from FUdR-transformed cultures. Trifluorothymidine, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine induced no transformed foci in the C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 cell line. Thus, not all mutagens produce oncogenic transformation nor does the lack of mutagenicity, as classically measured, completely exclude the possibility that a given agent is oncogenic. Also, there was no evidence of the "switch on" of oncornaviral information in the FUdR-transformed cell lines.


Conformational analysis of the glycosaminoglycans. II. Bond-angle studies, torsional potential, and steric map for the beta-D-(1leads to 3) linkage. The geometry of the glycosidic valence-bond angle for both the beta-D-(1linked to4) and beta-D-(1linked to 3) linkages has been investigated by using CNDO and PCILO molecularorbital techniques on model compounds. In each case, the glycosidic valence-bond angle of minimum energy was about 111 degrees, corresponding to the value observed in ether analogs. A secondary energy-minimum was found near 116 degrees, which is the value experimentally observed for saccharides. It was concluded that long-range intra-and/or inter-molecular interactions are responsible for overall preference for the 116 degrees value of the valence-bond angle. The force constants predicted from the shapes of the 116 degrees bond-angle minima gave poor agreement with the experimental values found for ethers and employed in normal coordinate analyses of saccharides. The results did suggest that the beta-D-(1linked to3) bond angle should be 115.6 degrees, which is smaller than the corresponding beta-D-(1linked to4) bond angle. An intrinsic torsional potential-function and general steric map were also determined for the torsion-angle rotations of the beta-D-(1linked to3) linkage.


Stretch receptors in urodele limb muscles. Non-encapsulated, fine beaded nerve endings were found histologically on some muscle fibres in a number of limb muscles in newts and axolotls. They were present in newt muscles that had been chronically de-efferented, and in which no efferent activity survived, and were therefore likely to be sensory. They were located only on muscle fibres on or near the outside surface of the muscle. These small-diameter muscle fibres were characterised histochemically by low lipid, SDH and phosphorylase content; ultrastructurally by low glycogen content, and relatively large myofilaments poorly delimited by a sparse SR. There were many of this type (Type 1) that did not support sensory endings. A few endings occurred on another larger-diameter type of fibre (Type 2) whose properties were opposite to those listed above for Type 1. There was virtually no specialization of muscle fibre structure beneath the sensory endings. Physiological experiments involving ramp-and-hold and sinusoidal stretch applied to the muscle whilst recording single-unit afferent responses in m.ext. dig. III of axolotls showed unit responses very similar to those known from muscle spindles, particularly those of the frog.


Light and drug induced changes of epiphysial synaptic ribbons. In the present investigation experiments were carried out to determine whether the functionally obscure synaptic rebbons of mammalian pinealocytes can be affected by acute changes in environmental lighting and which chemical processes may be involved in their regulation. Experiments carried out in male guinea-pigs have shown that the amounts of synaptic ribbons are immediately affected by changes in the lighting pattern. Extension of the light period reduced the normally occurring increase, whereas extension of the dark period inhibited the normally occurring decrease in the amount of synaptic ribbons. Results following injections of a number of drugs known to influence pineal function (noradrenaline, L-DOPA, propranolol, reserpine and p-chlorophenylalanine, respectively) suggest that synaptic ribbons may be directly or indirectly regulated by beta-adrenergic mechanisms.


Differential effects of mercurial compounds on excitable tissues. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), Ca2+ plus Mg2+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ionophore were obtained from white rabbit skeletal muscles. Methylmercury inhibited the Ca2+ plus Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-transport but had no effect on the Ca2+-ionophore. Mercuric chloride inhibited all three functions (i.e., ATPase, transport and ionophoric activity). The mechanism of HgCl2 inhibition of the Ca2+-ionophore was by competition with Ca2+ for Ca2+-ionophoric site whereas its inhibition of the enzyme and Ca2+-transport was due to the blockage of essential sulfhydryl (--SH) groups. Ca2+ plus Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-transport were more sensitive to methylmercury than to HgCl2. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) was obtained for the electric organ of T. californica. Methylmercury inhibited the ACh binding to AChR WITH Ki = 5.7 - 10(-6) M. This effect was not due to mercuric ion alone since mercuric chloride up to 10(-4) M did not affect ACh binding to AChR. It is concluded that: the Ca2+ plus Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-transport contain --SH groups essential for their activity, and that the two functions are tightly coupled; the Ca2+-ionophore contains no --SH groups essential for its activity; CH3HgCl inhibition of Ca2+ plus Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-transport is partly due to its reactivity with --SH groups in hydrophobic environment; the Ca2+-transport is inhibited by HgCl2 through two processes, one which is the blockage of --SH groups and another which is the inhibition of the Ca2+-ionophoric site; and the inhibition of ACh binding to AChR is due to the blockage of --SH groups in hydrophobic environment, which is inaccessible to Hg2+. Our data present for the first time a molecular basis for the myopathy associated with mercurial compounds toxicity.


Sensitivity to tuberculin and to a nonmammalian sensitin in Mandalay District, Burma. Delayed hypersensitivity that can be demonstrated with either a strong dose of tuberculin or a conventional dose of a sensitin prepared from certain nonmammalian mycobacteria (mycobacteria of Runyon Groups II and III, e.g., Mycobacterium avium), is known to be highly prevalent in most tropical and many subtropical areas and rare in many temperate zones. Whether such sensitivity interacts significantly with tuberculosis or with leprosy is not known.A study of reactions to tuberculin (PPD-S) and to a sensitin prepared from M. intracellulare (PPD-B) was carried out in villages close to an area in which a clinical trial of the preventive effect of BCG against leprosy was being conducted. The population had not been vaccinated with BCG. Some of the villages were in river valleys that become flooded every year for a long period during the rainy season; others were on slopes above the area subject to floods. The findings showed that sensitivity to the nonmammalian sensitin was prevalent in the area, and thus confirmed previous findings of low-grade tuberculin sensitivity in Burma and neighbouring countries. No difference in this prevalence was found between flooded and nonflooded villages.


Adaptations of the left ventricle to chronic pressure overload. Left ventricular (LV) function during the adaptation to chronic pressure overload produced by an ascending aortic constriction was analyzed in conscious dogs, instrumented with intraventricular micromanometers and pairs of ultrasonic crystals for measurement of LV wall thickness (WTh) and internal LV chamber diameter. During inflation of the cuff to produce LV pressures averaging 220 mg Hg, calculated peak wall stress (WSt) increased by 55% above control while percent shortening decreased by 24% and mean circumferential shortening velocity (VCF) decreased by 39% from control. By 9 days (mean) after aortic constriction, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the LV wall increased by 10% and peak WSt fell to 37% above control. End-diastolic diameter (EDD) increased to 4% above control, while percent shortening and mean VCF remained reduced at -12% and -20% of control, respectively. During the phase of concentric hypertrophy (mean 2 1/2 weeks), CSA increased further to 15% above control and WSt fell to 22% above control, while EDD and percent shortening returned to control and mean VCF increased to -7% of control (not significant). At 24 hours after release of the cuff WSt, percent shortening, mean VCF, and peak velocity of LV pressure rise (peak dP/dt) were not significantly different from control. Rapid, partial regression of hypertrophy was observed in some dogs. Thus, the left ventricle responds to chronically elevated pressure by initial dilation with increased WSt followed by gradual wall thickening and consequent reduction of WSt to near normal. After successful adaptation to the pressure overload, hypertrophy per se did not produce intrinsic depression of the myocardial inotropic state.


Micromethod for fractionation of acid mucopolysaccharides. A new micromethod for fractionation of acid mucopolysaccharides based upon the use of different concentrations of HC1 to separate the complex of CPC with non-sulphated, monosulphated and polysulphated acid mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans) is presented. The method utilizes the different binding of the anionic macromolecules to the cationic compound cetyl pyridinium chloride. The method is simple and reproducible. The use of HC1 as eluent allows the exclusion of some steps required when salts are used for elution. Hexuronic acids are determined on the eluents.


Determination of urinary dehydroepiandrosterone using 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. A method for the determination of urinary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) using 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is described. The method includes extraction with ethylacetate, solvolysis, and color development using 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. A study of comparison with gas-liquid chromatography method and recovery test was made, and results were sufficient for routine tests.


Lymphocytotoxins and mixed leucocyte culture blocking factor activity in the plasma of uraemic patients undergoing haemodialysis. Mixed leucocyte culture blocking factor activity (MLC-BFA) in the plasma of haemodialysis patients appears as a result of recent blood transfusions and is concentrated in IgG fractions of the blocking serum. Four patients neither developed lymphocytotoxins nor MLC-BFA in spite of having received multiple blood transfusions. Such 'unresponsive' recipients had an excellent clinical course upon receiving an allograft.


Determinants of cardiac performance in severe aortic stenosis. Left ventricular (LV) myocardial function and the influence on LV pump performance of associated coronary arterial disease, of outflow obstruction and its consequences, and of altered ventricular pressure-volume characteristics were examined in a representative group of 28 adult patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (valvular orifice area less than 0.50 sq cm/sq m). Eighteen patients (64%) exhibited depressed LV pump performance with levels of ejection fraction less than 0.50. In seven patients, coronary arterial disease documented by either arteriographic studies or postmortem analyses was associated with a segmental (i.e., nonhomogeneous) LV contractile disorder consistent with previous myocardial infarction. In the remaining 11 patients a homogeneous LV contractile disorder was the result of chronic outflow obstruction and its consequences. The possibility that reduced ventricular performance might be accounted for by increased afterload could not be supported by significant correlation between LV contractile characteristics (estimated from the ejection fraction and the mean circumferential fiber shortening rate) and indices of afterload (including LV systolic pressure, aortic valvular orifice area, and mean systolic wall tension). This observation suggested that myocardial hypertrophy and other consequences of longstanding obstruction to outflow played a primary role in depression of LV performance in these patients. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume was abnormal in all but three patients with depressed LV function; this increase was accompanied by a disproportionately greater increment in end-diastolic pressure, suggesting that reduced distensibility limited the ability of the ventricle to compensate for reduced contractile performance by means of the Starling mechanism.


The new look into the gastrointestinal tract. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy has proved to be the most accurate method of diagnosing disese of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopic technics already are being employed for the treatment of gastric polyps. Experimental work on endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is under way in several medical centers. A variety of methods are being tested: laser photocoagulation, suture clip placement and the use of bioco+mpatible tissue glues. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography now is established as a useful technic in the diagnosis of biliary tract disease. Its diagnostic usefulness in the pancreas is confined to certain diseases in which it is desirable to determine the need for operative intervention. The initial success of endoscopic papillotomy and stone extraction promises further future therapeutic uses for ERCP. Colonoscopy may well prove to be the most useful of the gastrointestinal endoscopic methods. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing colonic cancer, in determining the source of occult colonic bleeding and in providing information regarding idiopathic colonic inflammatory disease. The success of polypectomy indicates the possibility of substituting endoscopic treatment for invasive surgery. Laparoscopy in conscious patients is a well-established technic that is useful in gastroenterology, hepatology, oncology and gynecology. Its usefulness has long been appreciated in other countries and the method merits wide use in the United States. Endoscopy is a rapidly changing and evolving field. This monograph has attempted to outline the current state of the art, but many changes are expected in the next 5-10 years.


[Effects of a new analogue of LH-RH, D-Ser(TBU)6- EA10-LH-RH, on gonadotropin liberation in males (author's transl)]. Effects on the secretion of gonadotropins by D-Ser (TBU)6-EA10-LH-RH were investigated in 7 male volunteers without known endocrine disturbances. One week after subcutaneous injection of 100 mug of LH-RH the probands were given 5 mug of the LH-RH analogue subcutaneously into the abdominal wall. LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations were estimated in the serum and compared with each other at varying intervals after each injection. LH-RH caused a marked increase of the LH content in serum after 20 minutes with a maximum after 40 minutes. The effect of the analogue occurred with a delay. After 40 minutes an LH level was reached which still persisted 6 hours later. Contrary to LH there were considerable individual differences in serum FSH levels. In the initial phase after injection of LH-RH and LH-RH analogue that increase of the FSH level in serum was almost parallel. However, the analogue showed a marked depot effect. Serum concentrations of testosterone showed no significant changes after administration of the releasing hormones. D-Ser(TBU)6-EA10-LH-RH is approximately 20 times effective as LH-RH. A dose of 5 mug is effective for 6-8 hours.


Steroidogenesis in rat leydig cells: changes in activity of 5-ane and 5-ene 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases during sexual maturation. The activities of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases of 5-ane and 5-ene steroids were examined in interstitial tissue from testes of rats at different ages. The enzyme reactions were localized in the Leydig cell cytoplasm of isolated cells and in frozen tissue slices. Relative reaction velocites of the NAD-linked hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were obtained spectrophotometrically with 17 steroid substrates using the 12,000 X g supernatant of isolated interstitial cells from 28-29 day old rats; the rate of 3(alpha,beta) dehydrogenation of 5-ane-3beta steroids was markedly (10 to 20X) higher than that of 5-ene-3beta steroids and 5-ane-3alpha steroids. The hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities of testes from 124 rats between the ages of 15 and 138 days were determined using as substrates, 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one, 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one, 3beta,17beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-androstane, dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone. Between the ages of 15 and 32 or 34 days the gonads grow in size more rapidly than the body and the 5-ane-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities show very marked increases; changes in the 5-ene-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases are much less pronounced, so that at 34 days the activity of 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one dehydrogenase is approximately 20 X that of dehydroepiandrosterone dehydrogenase. After 34 days, the 5-ane-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities decline. It is suggested that during sexual maturation the testicular biosynthesis of active 5-ane androgens may proceed via 5-ane precursors with the help of age-dependent 5-ane-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.


Growth hormone and prolactin content of hyperplastic anterior pituitary of dehydroepiandrosterone treated rats. 30 days after implantation of 80 mg dehydroepiandrosterone (androst-5-en-3betaol-17-one) hyperplastic enlargement of the anterior pituitary has been observed in about 80 per cent of the female rats. There was an important increase of prolactin content, growth hormone content remained unchanged. The mentioned alterations were found to be reversible, since regression was observed after DEA treatment exceeding 30 days. In females developing no hyperplasia pituitary growth hormone contentration and content has been decreased, prolactin content remained unchanged. In male rats on identical treatment no change of pituitary weight, growth hormone and prolactin concent has been found. The results suggest that, under physiological conditions, DEA does not affect pituitary growth hormone and prolactin content, however response to pharmacological doses was different in male and female rats.


An ATPase depending on the presence of single-stranded DNA from mouse myeloma. An ATPase was purified from mouse myeloma MOPC 70E the activity of which depends on the presence of single-stranded DNA and divalent cations such as Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Ni2+ or Fe2+. The enzyme splits both ribonucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates but preferentially ATP and dATP yielding nucleoside diphosphates and inorganic phosphate. The enzyme has an absolute requirement for single-stranded DNA. Alternating double-stranded polydeoxynucleotides are only slight effective, and native double-stranded DNA, single-stranded and double-stranded RNAs as well as DNA - RNA hybrids are ineffective in stimulating the ATPase. The enzyme has further characterized by sedimentation in a sucrose density gradient (s20, w = 5.5 S) and by isoelectric focussing in an ampholine pH gradient (pI = 6.5).


Replacement of lysine by arginine, phenylalanine and tryptophan in the reactive site of the bovine trypsin-kallikrein inhibitor (Kunitz) and change of the inhibitory properties. The reactive-site sequence of a proteinase inhibitor can be written as . . . -P3-P2-P1-P'1-P'2-P'3- . . . , where-P1-P'1-denotes the reactive site. Three semisynthetic homologues have been synthesized of the bovine trypsin-kallikrein inhibitor (Kunitz) with either arginine, phenylalanine or tryptophan in place of the reactive-site residue P1, lysine-15. These homologues correspond to gene products after mutation of the lysine 15 DNA codon to an arginine, phenylalanine or tryptophan DNA codon. Starting from native (virgin) inhibitor, reactive-site hydrolyzed, still active (modified) inhibitor was prepared by chemical and enzymic reactions. Modified inhibitor was then converted into inactive des-Lys15-inhibitor by reaction with carboxypeptidase B. Inactive des-Lys15-inhibitor was reactivated by enzymic replacement of the P1 residue according to Leary and Laskowski, Jr. The introduction of arginine was catalyzed by an inverse reaction with carboxypeptidase B, while phenylalanine or tryptophan were replaced by carboxypeptidase A. The reactivated semisynthetic inhibitors were trapped by complex formation with either trypsin or chymotrypsin. The enzyme - inhibitor complexes were subjected to kinetic-control dissociation, and the semisynthetic virgin inhibitors were isolated. The inhibitory properties of the semisynthetic inhibitors have been investigated against bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin and against porcine pancreatic kallikrein and plasmin. The homologues with either lysine or arginine in the P1 position are equally good inhibitors of trypsin, plasmin and kallikrein. The Arg-15-homologue is a slightly more effective kallikrein inhibitor than the Lys15-inhibitor. The semisynthetic phenylalanine and tryptophan homologues, however, are weak inhibitors of trypsin and still weaker inhibitors of kallikrein, but are excellent inhibitors of chymotrypsin. Their association constant with chymotrypsin is at least ten times higher than that of native Lys-15-inhibitor. A dramatic specificity change is observed with the phenylalanine and tryptophan homologues, which in contrast to the native inhibitor do not at all inhibit porcine plasmin. Thus, the nature of the P1 residue strongly influences the primary inhibitory specificity of the bovine inhibitor (Kunitz).


The control of the adenosine triphosphatase of Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores by divalent cations and the membrane high energy state. 1. The rate of ATP hydrolysis, catalysed by Rhodospirilum rubrum chromatophores is accelerated by low concentrations and inhibited by high concentrations of uncoupling agent. 2. The inhibition at high concentrations of uncoupling agent is potentiated by the presence of free magnesium ions. At low uncoupler concentrations magnesium has no effect on the rate of ATP hydrolysis. 3. Inhibition of ATP hydrolysis by high concentrations of uncoupling agent and free magnesium ions is reversed by illumination. Illumination has less effect at low magnesium concentrations. 4. Free calcium ions inhibit ATP hydrolysis independently of the coupled state of the membrane. 5. Under coupled conditions, magnesium ions can overcome the inhibition induced by calcium. The two ions complete for the same site on the enzyme. 6. Inhibition by free magnesium in highly uncoupled chromatophores and inhibition by free calcium are both non-competitive with respect to the divalent cation-ATP substrate. 7. These data are consistent with a model in which divalent cations can bind to a site on the enzyme which is distinct from the substrate site. The regulation of the enzyme activity by the high energy state of the membrane is dependent on the occupant of this site.


Cardiomegaly in neonatal hypoglycemia.

Cardiomegaly in neonatal hypoglycemia. Chest X-rays of 24 hypoglycemic newborns were compared with those of a matched control group of newborns with normal blood glucose levels. In the hypoglycemic group heart size was found to be significantly greater than in the control group. No correlation could be established between the degree of cardiomegaly and the severity of hypoglycemia. 19 of the 24 hypoglycemic children were prematures or small for dates and it is postulated that the low glycogen stores in these infants do not meet the metabolic demands of the myocardium during its postpartum circulatory adaptation.


Tubular Na, K-ATPase deficiency, the cause of the congenital renal salt-losing syndrome. In the serum of two infant sisters with a congenital renal salt-losing syndrome, Na was rather low and K considerably increased. Even with Na levels of 126 mval/1, sodium was excreted in the urine. Creatinine and hippurate clearances were normal. Primary disturbances of the steroid metabolism were not detectable; plasma cortisol was normal, aldosterone and renin were compensatorily increased. Treatment with DOCA was unsuccessful. Whereas the first infant died (in another hospital), the second one throve well with high oral substitution of NaCl. There was no pathological findings other than a moderate hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, in a kidney biopsy. Except for minimal activity in the ascending limb of Henle's loop, there was no membrane bound Na, K-ATPase in the microdissected tubules. This finding most probably explains the renal salt loss, as this enzyme is necessary for the transcellular flow of sodium and potassium.


p-Chloroamphetamine (PCA): acute and chronic effects on habituation and sensitization of the acoustic startle response in rats. In a series of 6 experiments the effects of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) on the acoustic startle response in rats were investigated. 15 min after 5 mg/kg PCA startle amplitude was inhibited, 2-15 hr after PCA startle was facilitated. Rate of habituation however was not altered. Both the inhibitory and excitatory effects of PCA were blocked by pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine but not by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. 24 hr, 1 week and 4 weeks after PCA, initial startle amplitude was unchanged but PCA increased rate of sensitization over successive tone blocks. Increased sensitization was most pronounced at 10 mg/kg and absent at 2.5 mg/kg. The early inhibitory effect of PCA but not the later facilitatory effect was eliminated by reducing the level of background noise. The results suggest that inhibition of startle sensitization is associated with enhanced release of serotonin (5-HT) whereas enhancement of startle sensitization is associated with 5-HT depletion.


Synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans by the three cell types of the rabbit cornea in culture. Rabbit corneal cells were cultivated for 21 days and then exposed to Na235SO4, a precursor of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG). All 3 cell types of the cornea, the fibroblasts, the epithelial as well as the endothelial cells, synthesize GAG. The fractionation-patterns of the epithelial and endotherlial GAG are almost identical and differ clearly from the one of fibroblastic GAG.


The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in brain of Quaking mice. The (Na+ 4 K+)- and Mg2+-dependent ATPase distribution in several brain areas has been investigated in Quaking mutant mice characterized by myelin deficiency. A marked decrease of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity has been found in limbic structures, hypothalamus and cerebellum. The Mg2+-dependent activity did not change. A possible involvement of the impairment of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in the seizure susceptibility of this mice is discussed.


Effect of (+)-catechin on renal and intestinal transport. The ability of dog renal cortex slices to accumulate beta-methyl-glucoside or glycine is enhanced by the flavonoid (+)-catechin at a concentration of 3.5 mM. This stimulatory effect is apparently due to a decreased rate of efflux of either substrate. On the other hand, the uptake of p-amino-hippuric acid and N1-methyl-nicotinamide is inhibited by (+)-catechin. The drug at the same concentration is without action on amino-acid transport by guinea-pig intestine in vitro.


Matrix vesicles of bovine fetal cartilage: metabolic potential and solubilization with detergents. The ATPase of matrix vesicles is not stimulated by calcium ions, nor do the vesicles have any capacity to metabolize glucose. ADPase of high activity is also present; thus vesicles cannot be a component of the conventional ATP cycle, in which energy is stored by phosphorylating ADP and released by hydrolyzing the resultant ATP. These results do not support speculations that matrix vesicles might function by concentrating calcium via an energy-dependent ion transport system such as those found in the plasma membrane and the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Matrix vesicles' alkaline phosphatase can be solubilized by treatment with certain detergents: sodium dodecyl sulfate (12 mM and 16 mM), cetylpyridinium chloride (14mM), and deoxycholic acid (DOC, 14 MM). The first two detergents denature the enzyme during storage whereas DOC does not. DOC will also solubilize ATPase and inorganic pyrophosphatase. Yields of the three enzymes are 85-95%. Dialysis of a DOC digest of vesicles removes DOC and 43% of protein, and also causes much of the alkaline phosphatase to become particulate once again.


Complementation analysis of linked circadian clock mutants of Neurospora crassa. A fourth mutant of Neurospora crassa, designated frq-4, has been isolated in which the period length of the circadian conidiation rhythm is shortened to 19. +/- 0.3 hours. This mutant is tightly linked to the three previously isolated frq mutants, and all four map to the right arm of linkage group VII about 10 map units from the centromere. Complementation tests suggest, but do not prove, that all four mutations are allelic, since each of the four mutants is co-dominant with the frq+ allel--i.e., heterokaryons have period lengths intermediate between the mutant and wild-type--and since heterokaryons between pairs of mutants also have period lengths intermediate between those of the two mutants.


[Construction of a finger substitute with sensation following the loss of all fingers]. On a patient with traumatic loss of all of the fingers a light but satisfactory grip was obtained by the construction of an opposition post with sensation. This was achieved by a tubed abdominal pedicle flap containing iliac bone graft. A neurovascular cross-finger flap was transfered from the uninjured hand in such a way that an anastomosis to a branch of the nerve of the injured hand was possible, allowing for the development a satisfactory sensation.


[The clinical value of sequential renal scans with 131 iodo-hipuran and renal perfusion with 99mtc compounds using computer analysis (author's transl)]. Two methods of sequential scintigraphy are considered critically: a) Quantitative computer evaluation of nephrograms obtained by a gamma camera using 131Iodo-Hipuran. b) Quantitative flow studies of the kidneys after bolus injections of 99mTc preparations. Statistical evaluation of data from 171 patients examined by both methods has shown that the isotope nephrogram is not sufficiently sensitive for diagnostic purposes. Isotope nephrography combined with estimations of effective renal plasma flow on each side separately is of value to the urological surgeon by providing important information regarding severe degrees of renal functional impairment. Perfusion measurements, using a gamma camera and 99mTc preparations, are a promising survey method for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis. (Much of this work is contained in a dissertation by C. Knick).


[Isotope nephrographic investigations after experimental unilateral fractionated irradiation of a kidney (author's transl)]. The left kidneys of rabbits were fractionally irradiated to a total dose of 6.000 R. Renal function was regularly monitored by isotope nephrography. Semiquantitative measurements (Zum Winkel) and comparison to the two sides (Bargon and Emrich) show changes in renal function in the functional and excretory phases; these, however, were less marked than after single dose irradiation. The results are discussed with reference to the relevant literature.


[Familial occurrence of hydronephrosis and of the mega-ureter -- megacystis syndrome (author's transl)]. The authors describe the familial occurrence of hydronephrosis, the father and two daughters being affected. In another family, mother and son suffered from the mega-ureter-megacystis syndrome. Cases described in the literature are reviewed. It is stressed that relatives of patients with congenital anomalies of the urinary tract should be carefull screened for possible renal abnormalities.


[Liver scanning in diffuse liver disease (author's transl)]. The results of liver scans performed with 99mTc-sulphur colloid in 169 patients suffering from diffuse liver diseases and in 48 normal controls were evaluated. The patients with reactive hepatitis, acute hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis, fatty liver and fibrosis of the liver show only minimal deviations from the scintigraphic pattern. On the contrary, highly increased colloid uptake in the spleen is found in cases of chronic aggressive hepatitis, whilst the intrahepatic distribution of the colloid is approximately normal. In cases of liver cirrhosis, increased colloid uptake is found in the left lobe of the liver as well as in the spleen and in the bone marrow. Either normal findings or cirrhosis-like changes of the colloid distribution are observed in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.


[Radiographic techniques for hip prostheses (author's transl)]. A number of special projections are described which will show most of the abnormalities which may be associated with hip prostheses. Most of these projections can be carried out without any difficulties.


[The betA-angle. a diagnostic sign for the early diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia (author's transl)]. A new radiographic sign for the diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia is described. The beta-angle lies between the proximal end of the femur, the medial trochanter and the edge of the acetabulum. Measurements were carried out on 1174 hips and the size of this angle was established. The theoretical transition point between normal and dysplastics is 52 degrees. In reality the transition is smooth, and angles of 50 to 56 degrees are to be regarded as physiological transition values. A vertical position of the acetabulum or lateral position of the end of the femur necessarily results in an increase of beta angle. Values above 56 degrees indicate a definitely abnormal state in a child's hip joint.


[Contra-lateral selective hip angiography (author's transl)]. A new method for the selective demonstration of the larger and smaller vessels which supply the hip is described. A curved catheter is introduced into the opposite femoral artery, it is advanced into the common iliac artery and a guide wire is then introduced into the femoral artery on the side to be examined. The catheter is withdrawn and a second, soft, catheter is introduced over the remaining guide into the femoral artery. The appropriate vessels can then be selectively catheterized by means of the catheter and guide wire. Good selective demonstration was achieved in 14 patients with various types of hip disease.


[Comparative investigations of osteotropic isotopes. i animal experiments on the uptake of 18f, 85sr and 99mtc-ehdp (author's transl)]. In normal rabbit bones, as well as in callus, there is significantly more uptake of 18F than of 85Sr or 99mTc-EHDP. Extraosseous abscesses show significantly higher uptake of 99mTc than of 18F or 85Sr. In the presence of hyeraemia, there is no significant difference in the uptake of the various osteotropic radio-nucleides.


[The roentgen diagnosis of chronic inflammatory disease of the middle ear with tomography (author's transl)]. Tomography of the middle ear is a reliable method for the diagnosis of a cholesteatoma. Radiological diagnosis is possible in nearly all cases showing changes in the bony margins of the tympanic cavity and of the retro-tympanic spaces. Bone changes of the medial wall of the tympanic cavity, unless they extend into the labyrinth, can only be shown by tomography. In contrast to cholesteatomas, osteolytic changes are rare and only superficial as a result of ordinary, chronic otitis media. They can be demonstrated by tomography, particularly in the region of the lateral wall of the attic. Diffuse enlargement of the epitympanic recess is rare in chronic otitis media. Destruction of the ossicles may be found with cholesteatomas and, more rarely, with chronic otitis media; evidence of destruction of the ossicles is therefore not adequate for a radiological diagnosis of a cholesteatoma. In addition, the demonstration of bone changes is necessary for this diagnosis. In general, the tomographic investigation of the ossicles is subject to certain limitations. In most cases, destruction of ossicles can be inferred only if their size is reduced, their shape is altered, or if they appear to be absent. Unsharpness of normal-sized or only slightly reduced ossicles is an unreliable sign and has causes other than superficial destruction. An impression of unsharp and "washed out" contours may be due to inflammtory osteoporosis of the ossicles, or to a reduced absorption differential between porotic bone and abnormal contents of the tympanic cavity. This process may even produce the appearance of absence of the ossicles. In the presence of cholesteatomas, the unsharpness is more probably due to superficial destruction than is the case with chronic otitis without a complicating cholesteatoma.


[The use of roentgenstereophotogrammetry in dentistry for the localisation of ectopic teeth (author's transl)]. Ectopic teeth in the maxilla in eight patients were localised by roentgenstereo-photogrammetry and the findings confirmed at operation. This new method is likely to be useful in dental surgery.


[Primary oxalosis. report of a case with radiologic-pathologic-anatomical correlation and review of the literature (author's transl)]. The radiological changes in a patient with endogenous oxalosis are correlated with their pathological and anatomical counterparts. These involve particulary the kidneys (nephrolithiasis, calcium oxalate nephrosis with scarring), the skeleton (combination of renal osteodystrophy, secondary hyperparathyroidism and oxalate deposition), and soft tissues (generalised oxalate deposition). The pathological aspects described in the literature are mentioned and possible forms of treatment are stressed.


[Lymphography in childhood (author's transl)]. Fifty-one lymphograms were performed in children; the indications, technique and results are discussed. Indications are the search for retroperitoneal involvement in lymphogranulomatosis, lympho-sarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma; in the search for metastases from malignant tumours, particularly abdominal neuroblastoma, soft tissue sarcomas of the abdomen and lower extremities, testicular tumours and malignant melanomas and finally, for primary lymph-oedema and lymphangiomas. Technique is the same as for adults, but requires particular manual dexterity. Children under six years require general anaesthesia. Amongst 28 children with malignant lymphomas, pathological changes in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes were found in seven. In six, this resulted in a change of the staging. Five out of 16 lymphograms in children with malignant tumours showed evidence of lymph node metastases. All six lymphangiograms in children with lymphoedema and lymphangiomas were abnormal.


[Critical comment on enlargement techniques in diagnostic radiology (author's transl)]. Detail sharpness in radiographic magnification depends upon the properties of the focal spot, the screen and upon object motion. With direct magnification the finite size of the focal spot causes an increased penumbra. Uneven distribution of focal spot radiation leads to formation of false images. Radiographic magnification is rational when using a minute focal spot in combination with a poorly resolving (high speed) screen while the object remains stationary. Using high detail screens or non screen films there is no improved but possibly inferior resolution to non-magnified images, even though 0.1 mm x 0.1 mm foci are employed. Radiographic magnification performed with focal spots larger than 0.3 mm x 0.3 mm is not reasonable. Magnification procedures cause a considerable radiation exposure to the patient.