The hypertensive diseases. Evidence that systemic hypertension is a greater risk factor to the development of other cardiovascular diseases than previously suspected. This report summarizes the clinical frequencies of systemic hypertension and necropsy evidence of cardiomegaly in various cardiovascular conditions (Table I), termed "the hypertensive diseases" because of their frequent association with systemic hypertension. Although long recognized as a major risk factor, systemic hypertension appears to be an even greater risk factor to the development of various cardiovascular conditions than previously appreciated. Hypertension by itself appears to be the sole underlying factor in most cases of nontraumatic cerebral arterial or aortic (dissection = partial rupture) rupture. In association with hyperlipidemia, hypertension clearly accelerates atherosclerosis and its devastating consequences.


Epidemiology of severe mental retardation in children: community studies. Twenty-seven community studies of severe mental retardation, defined as IQ less than 50, were reviewed. The prevalence rate of this condition was about 4 per 1000 in older children; the rate was somewhat higher in males but did not vary by social class. About one-half of severely retarded children had significant associated handicaps. The cause of most cases of severe mental retardation is not known, but Down's syndrome accounted for one-sixth to one-third of cases and a small percentage were due to other chromosomal abnormalities, metabolic diseases, or infection.


Mechanical performance of surgical sutures. A comprehensive analysis of the mechanical performance of sutures has been made to provide information concerning the reliability and security of knotted sutures. The tests utilized in this analysis were designed to be easily reproduced by other investigators. The construction of the knot and the knot performance analysis were undertaken utilizing an Instron Tensile Tester. The mechanical reliability of each knotted suture was determined by measuring the number of throws to reach knot break, the expected slippage of the knot when it reaches knot break, and the maximal holding force at knot break. On the basis of these measurements, recommendations are made for the use of a suture at operation.


Regneration in free grafts of normal and denervated muscles in the rat: morphology and histochemistry. Intact soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles in the rat were freely grafted to the contralateral leg after either no preliminary treatment or 14 days prior denervation. Normal muscle grafts during the first week were characterized by a central zone of degenerating original muscle fibers (disappearing by 7-9 days) and a peripheral zone, containing regenerating muscle as well as small numbers of surviving original muscle fibers. A radial gradient of regeneration was establihed, with more mature muscle at the periphery and less mature muscle toward the center. Denervated grafts were characterized by rapid degeneration (within 2-3 days) of original muscle fibers in the central area, rapid appearance of regenerating muscle fibers (e.g. cross striations by 5 days) with uniform levels of differentiation throughout the graft and larger numbers of surviving original muscle fibers at the periphery. During the first week, stages of muscle differentiation in denervated grafts were attained 1-2 days earlier than comparable stages in normal grafts. Later stages of muscle differentiation were similar in both types of grafts. Histochemical studies revealed a loss of enzyme activity (phosphorylase, ATPase and SDH) in the center of early (2-4-day) normal and denervated grafts. Denervated grafts, however, possessed a thicker peripheral rim of enzymatically active surviving muscle fibers than normal grafts. In both types of grafts the old muscle fibers in the center were replaced by enzymatically active regenerating muscle fibers which stained uniformaly (ATPase) until 30 days. By 60 days a mixed fiber pattern had developed. Muscle spindles were found within the grafts.


[(Na+ -K+) dependent adenosine triphosphate of the small intestine: determination and properties in the rat]. A method to assay (Na+-K+) dependent ATPase is described. ADP produced is determined by the pyruvate kinase -- lactate deshydrogenase system. The method is adapted on an LKB 8,600 apparatus. This method is more reproducible, more sensitive and less time consuming than Baginski's procedure. The results given by the two methods have been compared. The stimulation by NH4+, inhibiting capacity and kinetic of inhibition by different cardiotonics have been determined on intestinal brush borders.


Complications with the mandril-grown (Sparks) dacron arterial graft. Mandril-grown dacron grafts were successful (22-35 months patency in the iliofemoral position. Because of the tendency of the mandril-grown dacron graft to become aneurysmal (4 of 17 grafts), its use is probably contraindicated in the hypertensive patient. Overall patency is 41 per cent (7 of 17 grafts) at three years. Patency below the inguinal ligament is 18 per cent (2 of 11 grafts) at 29 months. A minimum waiting period of six weeks is required. No infections occurred in this seeries.


Potential clinical uses of short-acting nondepolarizing neuromuscular-blocking agents as predicted from animal experiments. It is readily evident that a short-acting nondepolarizing agent suitable for clinical use would be of value in anesthesiology. The most commonly used short-acting relaxant, succinylcholine, is a depolarizing drug, with all the side effects inherent in such agents. The authors have investigated the actions of several short-acting nondepolarizing ester neuromuscular-blocking drug in comparison with succinylcholine, and theri interactions with d-tubocurarine, and inhibitors of true and plasma cholinesterase. Two experimental agents, HH-85 and JJ-142, are examples. Tests in animals suggest areas of extrapolation to  human use.


Back pain and vertebral crush fractures: an unemphasized mode of presentation for primary hyperparathyroidism. During a 3-year period, 14 of 319 patients (4.4%) with surgically proved primary hyperparathyroidism had spinal rarefaction with vertebral crush fractures but no unequivocal roentgenographic evidence of osteitis fibrosa generalisata. All complained of back pain, and this was the presenting complaint in 9 of the 14 patients. This incidence was significantly higher (P less than 0.001 for women; P less than than 0.01 for men) than the incidence of similar roentgenographic findings among patients of the same age undergoing operation for protruded intervertebral disks during this same time period. Although tradition equates roentgenographically evident bone disease in primary hyperparathyroidism with the classis findings of osteitis fibrosa generalisata, our observations emphasize that patients with primary hyperparathyroidism occasionally may present in a manner that is indistinguishable symptomatically and roentgenographically from that of postmenopausal or senile osteoporosis.


Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: the Sézary syndrome, mycosis fungoides, and related disorders. Substantial evidence has accumulated to indicate not only that mycosis fungoides and the  Sézary syndrome are closely related malignancies, but to suggest that they are part of a larger spectrum of cutaneous lymphomas. The neoplastic cells of these disorders have membrane features of thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes, a characteristic tissue distribution (skin infiltration, marrow sparing, localization in T-cell regions of lymphoid tissue), and distinctive morphology. For these reasons, we suggest that these lymphoproliferative disorders be grouped together as "cutaneous T-cell lymphomas". The anergy noted in patients of this group with leukemia probably is related to both decreased percentages of normal T cells and presence in the serum of macrophage migration inhibitory activity. Leukapheresis has been particularly effective in the management of selected patients. The homogeneous T-cell populations in the patients with leukemia also provide important opportunities to study many aspects of lymphocyte physiology that are of broad biologic significance.


Treatment of corns by injectable silicone. Corns and calluses are the most frequently encountered foot complaints. The choices of care range from self trimming and application of over-the-counter remedies to professional treatment, which may include tendon, skin, and bone surgery. A technique using fluid silicone injected subdermally to cushion corns is described. Twenty-nine patients with 71 digital pressure keratoses were injected between 1965 and 1970. Results of treatment of 77% of the corns were rated good to excellent after an average follow-up period of six years, and no serious reactions have been observed. The procedure offers an effective, nondisabling method of treatment, as opposed to lifelong palliation or surgical intervention.


Simultaneous occurrence of diabetes, liver cirrhosis, and 47, XX,21 +/46, XX chromosomal pattern. A girl with juvenile diabetes, liver cirrhosis, and 47,XX,21 +/46,XX chromosomal mosaicism is described. The immunoglobulin pattern suggested an autoimmune process. After prednisolone treatment the IgG level and liver function tests became normal and the liver histology improved.


Statewide hospital infection surveillance. Use of workmen's compensation claims to detect nosocomial infection. Workmen's Compensation claims from 193 licensed Florida hospitals were reviewed for 1970 to 1972, to seek possible nosocomial infection, and 55 claims for infection were found. This is a rate of 0.51/1,000 estimated employees in the three-year period. Hepatitis accounted for 44 claims and represented an aggregate expenditure of $83,142. Twenty-eight hepatitis claims arose from six hospitals that have chronic dialysis centers. The rate per 1,000 estimated employees was 1.67 in hospitals with dialysis facilities and 0.17 in hospitals without. A disproportionately large number of hepatitis claims from Dade County was attributed to the location there of eight of 11 Florida hospitals with chronic dialysis centers. Workmen's Compensation claims can be used to develop information about hospital-acquired infection and detect high-risk hospitals.


Comparison of long-term results of 364 femoropopliteal or femorotibial bypasses for revascularization of severely ischemic lower extremities. Successful revascularization of the severely ischemic lower extremity can be achieved by femorotibial as well as femoropopliteal bypass. The incidence of delayed graft occlusion after salvage of the severely ischemic lower extremity is low in patients with femorotibial or femoropopliteal bypass. Femorotibial bypass was performed in over one-third of patients undergoing bypass. Tibial bypasses resulted in effective prolonged revascularization of the severely ischemic lower extremity. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach to revascularization of the severely ischemic lower extremity can result in prolonged limb salvage by tibial or popliteal bypasses in lieu of primary amputation.


[Echocardiographic evaluation of the significance of shunt in secondary communications and in partial abnormal pulmonary venous returns]. Although echocardiography has been useful in diagnosing significant left-to-right shunts at the atrial level, few studies using this technique to quantitate shunt size have been performed. Echocardiograms and hemodynamic data from 28 patients, ages 15 to 58 (mean : 30 years) were reviewed. Twenty patients had isolated atrial septal defects (ASD), 6 patients has associated partial pulmonary venous returns (PPVR) and 2 patients had isolated PPVR. Echocardiograms in the supine position were performed within 24 hours preceding cardiac catheterization. The presence or absence of paradoxical septal motion was noted and right ventricular diameter index (RVDE : right ventricular diameter/body surface area) was calculated. Hemodynamic parameters studied included pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) determined by oxymetry, right ventricular pressure (RVP) and pulmonary resistance (PR). One patient with a Qp/Qs of 1.3 had normal septal motion. Type A paradoxical septal motion was noted in 22 cases, type B in 5 cases. For these 27 patients, the average RVDI was 2.42 (range 1.45 to 3.7), Qp/Qs ranged from 1.5 to 5 (mean : 2.45), RVP from 23 to 71 mmHg (mean : 39) and PR from 0.6 to 4 units (mean : 1.79). A very strons correlation between RVDI and Qp/Qs was observed from equation Qp/Qs : 1.19 RVDI-0.43 with a standard error of 0.4. This relationship was not altered by either RVP or PR values, which also had no apparent correlation with RVDI. This study indicates that echocardiographic measurement of RVDI is a reliable and non-invasive method of evaluating the size of left to right shunts at the atrial level.


[Type IV truncus arteriousus in a 50-year-old woman]. Report of the case of a 50-year woman with a cyanotoc congential heart disease, relatively well tolerated up to the age of 49. The diagnosis was made at autopsy only. No case published in the literature till now had exceeded the age of 45 years, although the types of truncus arteriosus.


[Papyraceous right ventricle of the adult. apropos of an anatom-clinical case observed in a man suffering from spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia]. Anatomical study of a complete form of papyraceous right ventricle in a young adult hospitalized at the terminal. This is the fifth case with an autopsy examination, but the peculiar fact lies in the combination with a spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia.


[Some regularities of the regeneration of the musculature of internal organs]. The paper summarizes the data of the author and his co-workers on regulation of the musculature of vessels, digestive tract, uterus, ureters and urinary bladder. The smooth muscle cells have different degrees of differentiation. The muscular tissue of the vessels is most differentiated. The uterus musculature is very plastical. After injury mature myocytes are the first to undergo destruction. The intermedial substance is more stable. Myoblasts, young elements of the fibroblast row and the subendothelial layer cells are the origin of muscular regeneration. Figures of mitosis and amitosis are noted. Mature myocytes and intercellular substance are formed in the process of differentiation of the regeneration. The content of RNP in the regeneration cells is high, but in the process of differentiation of its elements it becomes lower. The DNP level has inconsiderable fluctuations. In early experiments PAS-positive substances are revealed in greater degree than in later ones. The content of acid mucopolysaccharides decreases in the process of fibrillogenesis. In all internal organs under study the muscular tissue regenerated. The degree of differentiation, severity of the lesion and functional peculiarities of the organ determine the completeness of the tissue reparation. The musculature of the intestinal tract and vessels regenerates more completely. Mighty layers of connective tissue with de novo formed blood vessels are disposed among the bundles of the repaired muscular tissue of the uterus and urine bladder wall. Simultaneously a part of regeneration cells are destroyed. These are two sides of a single process of development.


[Generalization of the experience of programmed control of the knowledge of students in normal anatomy]. Due to increasing significance of application of programmed control of knowledge in the process of teaching students the development and use of such method has been undertaken at the Department of Normal Anatomy of the Pavlov First Medical Institute since 1968 for examining students of the first and second year. The method was used in combination with a usual traditional form of examining. Rapid "selection" of students satisfactorily prepared for further talk at the examination, objectivity of the mark and determination of questions which should be paid special attention at the second half of the examination are positive sides of the method. The article presents tables with results of programmed control of knowledge in anatomy of students of the first and second years of medical and stomatological faculties for the last 3 years.


[Compensatory-adaptive changes in the endocardium in functional overload of the heart]. In experiments on 46 dogs a structural rearrangement of the endocardium of the left atrium in the process of development of the chronic compensated cardial insufficiency was studied. Dynamics of changes, caused by hypertrophy of the subendothelial layer of the endocardium and its subsequent differentiation, which led to hyperelastosis of the endocardium, as well as hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the smooth-muscle elements of the endocardium were revealed. Analysis of the data obtained, from the functional point of view, enabled the authors to consider the described rearrangement of the endocardium as one of the mechanisms of cardiac compensation.


[Vascular and immunological processes in the pathogenesis of meningococcal infection]. A pathomorphological investigation of 115 lethal cases of various forms of meningococcal infection was carried out. Meningococcemia, its instantaneous forms in particular, are characterized by acute decompensation of the lymphoid system and generalized microangiopathy with the thrombohaemorrhagic syndrome. Haemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenals and damage of the hypophysis represented manifestations of the acute decompensation of the hormonal regulation. Inflammatory changes in meningococcemia were observed not in all the cases (they were absent in 1/4 of the deceased). In meningitis (meningoencephalitis) without sepsis no generalized angiopathy was noted, immunomorphological changes were of a proliferative character. Previous sensibilization of the macroorganism was an important prerequisite for the development of meningococcal infection.


[Diabetic feto- and embryopathies].

[Diabetic feto- and embryopathies]. The present article gives an analysis of available literature and the authors' own findings. Perinatal mortality of progeny of mothers suffering from diabetes mellitus may be caused both by embryopathy and antenatal fetopathy. The authors did not observe diabetic gameto- and blastopathies and no indications to their existance was found in literature, although some investigators admit the possibility of genetic implication in the pathology of progeny of parents with diabetes mellitus. In the progeny of mothers suffering from diabetes mellitus among congenital malformations which allow further intrauterine development and even extrauterine life, according to literature data most often there were observed malformations of the skeleton (37%), cardiovascular system malformations (24%) and those of the nervous system (14%). In all observations of the authors there were found congenital malformations of the bone system not infrequently in combination with other congenital defects. The main features of diabetic fetopathy appear in the last third of pregnancy, and therefore it may be considered as late antenatal fetopathy. The term "diabetic children" applied by some authors to children with diabetic fetopathy should be avoided since it may be erroneously understood as diabetes mellitus. In the majority of cases quite different mechanisms underlie these conditions: hypofunction of the islet apparatus of the pancreas in diabetes mellitus, and its hypofunction in diabetic fetopathy. Diagnosis of diabetic feto- and embryopathies is always based on both clinical and morphological data.


Starvation and seizures. Observation on the electroconvulsive threshold and cerebral metabolism of the starved adult rat. Acute starvation of adult rats resulted in a rise in the electroconvulsive threshold at 48 hours (P less than .10) and at 72 hours (P less than .01), but not at 24 hours. Biochemical correlates included (1) ketonemia and mild hypoglycemia in the blood; (2) a significant rise in the brain cytoplasmic phosphorylation potential and in the energy charge potential; (3) a shift in the brain cytoplasmic oxidation-reduction potential to a more oxidized state; (4) probable partial inhibitions in brain phosphofructokinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase; and (5) relatively small increases in brain sodium (4.1%), potassium (2.4%), and chloride (4.3%). No major differences were seen in brain water content or adenosine triphosphatase activity. The observed cerebral biochemical alterations are believed to be the consequence of increased ketone body utilization, although the precise relationship to the alteration in the electroconvulsive threshold remains unclear.


Penumoencephalographic findings in parkinsonism. Pneumoencephalograms of 19 patients with unilateral parkinsonism, and of 26 patients with symptoms of generalized parkinsonism were studied. Cortical atrophy was found in 46.7% (21), while central (ventricular) atrophy occurred in 77.8% (35) of the patients. The percentage of patients with cortical atrophy, or with enlargement of ventricular body span (VBS) and septum-caudate distance (S-C), was smaller in the hemiparkinsonism group. No substantial correlation was found between enlargement of frontal horn width (FH), S-C and third ventricle width (3V), and the duration of illness. Likewise, no noteworthy correlation could be seen between the degree of central atrophy and the severity of the clinical symptoms. The FH/S-C ratio of the group of unilateral parkinsonism patients was higher than in the generalized parkinsonism group. The FH/S-C ratios in parkinsonism and in Huntington chorea patients varied. A ratio of greater than 1.40 was found in 73.3% of the patients with parkinsonism, and in an earlier study, it was found that 96.4% of the patients with Huntington chorea had a ratio less than 1.40. It is suggested that a FH/S-C ratio less than or equal to 1.40 is compatible with the diagnosis of Huntington chorea, although 26.7% (12) patients with parkinsonism have a ratio less than or equal to 1.40.


Occurrence in wild strains of Neurospora crassa of genes controlling genetic recombination. Each of the main laboratory wild stocks of N. crassa carries one of two alleles at the rec-1 and rec-2 loci and one of three at the rec-3 locus. The constitutions of the stocks are given in Fig. 1. Some of those conserved are evidently not the originals. The third rec-3 gene (rec-3L), found in Lindegren A, controls recombination at the am-1 locus to a level between that of rec-3+ and rec-3, the relative levels being 1 : 8 : 25. At the his-2 locus rec-3L is indistinguishable from rec-3+ in its level of control. This proves that there are minor differences between the control (con) genes, near to am-1 and his-2, which recognize products of rec-3 genes. Further, this is the first clear evidence, though indirect, that the binding sites for products of rec genes are situated in the chromosome regions where recombination is modulated.


The effect of experimental anaemia on the levels of glutathione and glycolytic enzymes of the erythrocytes of normal and glutathione-deficient Merino sheep. The effects of experimental anaemia on the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activity of glycolytic enzymes in the erythrocytes of normal and GSH-deficient Merino sheep were investigated. There was a rise in red cell GSH levels in both groups of sheep; the magnitude of this response was, however, quite different. When expressed as a percentage of the initial value, the rise in GSH level was 18% in normal and 263% in GSH-deficient animals. There was also an increase in the activities of various enzymes following phlebotomy but this increase was similar in the two groups of sheep.


Pseudomyxoma peritonei diagnosed by peritoneoscopy. A case of pseudomyxoma peritonei diagnosed by peritoneoscopy is reported. The rarity of the tumour and the unfamiliarity of the surgeon with the vagaries of this condition often lead to a pessimistic diagnosis of advanced metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma. It is suggested that peritoneoscopy may be of help both in the early diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei, thus sparing patients from unnecessary investigations, and in their follow up, especially when the aggressive policy of multiple repeated resections of the recurrent or persistent lesions is to be adopted.


Biochemical genetic studies of cycloheximide resistance in Neurospora crassa. Genetic analysis of a number of cycloheximide-resistant mutants of Neurospora crassa has shown that resistance is controlled by several genes. Two of these appear to be located on linkage group V. Resistance to the antibiotic is dominant in wild-type-mutant heterokaryons. Two types of cycloheximide-resistant mutants were isolated: one type exhibited colonial morphology only when grown in the presence of cycloheximide and the other type maintained normal morphology even at high concentrations of the antibiotic. Reconstitution experiments with supernatant solutions and 80S monosomes prepared from wild-type and resistant mutant strains indicated that the property of cycloheximide resistance most likely is associated with the ribosomes. No electrophoretic or serological differences were found between the ribosomal proteins of the wild-type and resistant mutants.


Activation of membrane-bound high-affinity calcium ion-sensitive adenosine triphosphatase of human erythrocytes by bivalent metal ions. The Ca2+-sensitive ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) of human erythrocyte membranes is activated, not only by Ca2+ ions, but also by a series of other bivalent metal ions including Sr2+, Ba2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+. The degree of activation is dependent on the radius of the ion rather than on its nature, in contrast with the dissociation constant of the enzyme--metal ion complex.


Glycogen synthesis in the perfused liver of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. 1. Net glycogen accumulation was measured in sequentially removed samples during perfusion of the liver of starved streptozotocin-diabetic rats, and shown to be significantly impaired, compared with rates in normal (starved) rats. 2. In perfusions of normal livers with glucose plus C3 substrates, there was an increase in the proportion of glycogen synthetase 'a', compared with that in the absence of substrates. This response to substrates, followed in sequential synthesis and enzymic sensitivity in the perfused liver of diabetic rats were reversed by pretreatment in vivo with glucose plus fructose, or insulin. Glucose alone did not produce this effect. 4. Glucose, fructose, insulin or cortisol added to e perfusion medium (in the absence of pretreatment in vivo) did not stimulate glycogen synthesis in diabetic rats. 5. In intact diabetic rats, there was a decline in rates of net hepatic glycogen accumulation, and the response of glycogen synthetase to substrates. The most rapid rates of synthesis were obtained after fructose administration. 6. These results demonstrate that there is a marked inherent impairment in hepatic glycogen synthesis in starved diabetic rats, which can be rapidly reversed in vivo but no in perfusion. Thus hepatic glycogen synthesis does not appear to be sensitive to either the short-term direct action of insulin (added alone to perfusions) of to long-term insulin deprivation in vivo. The regulatory roles of substrates, insulin and glycogen synthetase in hepatic glycogen accumulation are discussed.


K+, MG2+-aspartate (KMg-ASP)--mediated prevention of isoproterenol(ISO)-induced metabolic changes in the myocardium. Isoproterenol (ISO) in a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg b.w. i.v was found to produce alterations of cardiac metabolism in dogs. After 2 h, high energy phosphate stores and glycogen were reduced, whereas the levels of lactate, pyruvate, the lactate/pyruvate ratio and myofibrillar ATPase activity were elevated. Ca2+ -accumulation by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondria were increased (P less than 0.01). After 24 h, a partial recovery in the parameters followed could be observed. Only myofibrillar ATPase activity and the Ca2+ -uptake by SR and mitochondria were lowered. When K,Mg-ASP was administered, i.v. concurrently with ISO, myofibrillar ATPase and Ca2+ -accumulation by SR did not differ from controls 2 h after ISO application. Also the other parameters exhibited a tendency to improve (P less than 0.01), but did not reach control levels. 24 h after ISO application we could observe a similar effect of K,Mg-ASP in the prevention of Ca2+ -overload accompanying metabolic changes.


Staphylococcal micrococcins. I. Isolation of antibiotic-producing strains. Seven strains belonging to the family Micrococcaceae and possessing strong antagonistic properties against Staph. aureus and several other Gram-positive bacteria, have been isolated. The strains were characterized and identified, phage typed, tested for antibiotic-sensitivity and antagonistic activities. Two patients of inhibition were noted.


Percutaneous liver biopsy, peritoneoscopy and laparotomy: an assessment of relative merits in the lymphomata. The relative merits of percutaneous liver biopsy, peritoneoscopy directed liver biopsy and wedge liver biopsy during laparotomy were examined in a series of 100 consecutive untreated patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sixteen of 77 patients had positive findings on percutaneous liver biopsy specimens, with the best yield in patients with nodular (21%) and diffuse (33%) poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. Forty-nine of the 61 patients having negative percutaneous biopsies were subjected to peritoneoscopy and 9 additional positive biopsies were obtained. Thirty-two of the 40 patients having negative percutaneous and peritoneoscopy findings underwent laparotomy and wedge biopsy of the liver, and 8 specimens (25%) were positive for liver involvement; all but one of these were in patients with nodular or diffuse poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. This study indicates that over two-thirds of untreated patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be shown to have Stage IV disease without undergoing laparotomy, and that in the remaining patients, laparotomy proved of consistent value only in patients with poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma.


Assessment of placental function in normal and pathological pregnancies by estimation of plasma oestradiol levels after injection of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. A test of placental function was assessed by measurement of plasma oestradiol levels in 32 patients after intravenous injection of 50 mg dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS). Every pregnant patient showed a rise in plasma oestradiol after DHAS; two puerperal patients showed no rise. It was not possible to distinguish the variable response in normal pregnancy from that in patients with severe hypertension and proteinuria or with retarded intrauterine fetal growth. The test was of no value in one hypertensive patient as a predictor of fetal death eight days later or, in another, to confirm fetal death of two days duration. Our results do not suggest that this test is a useful addition to currently available tests of placental endocrine function.


Distribution and metabolism of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans in subcellular fractions of brain. The distribution, carbohydrate composition, and metabolism of glycoproteins have been studied in mitochondria, microsomes, axons, and whole rat brain, as well as in various synaptosomal subfractions, including the soluble protein, mitochondria, and synaptic membranes. Approximately 90% of the brain glycoproteins occur in the particulate fraction, and they are present in particularly high amounts in synaptic and microsomal membranes, where the concentration of glycoprotein carbohydrate is 2-3% of the lipid-free dry weight. Treatment of purified synaptic membranes with 0.2% Triton X-100 extracted 70% of the glycoprotein carbohydrate but only 35% of the lipid-free protein residue, and the resulting synaptic membrane subfractions differed significantly in carbohydrate composition. The glycoproteins which are not extracted by Triton X-100 also have a more rapid turnover, as indicated by the 80-155% higher specific activity of hexosamine and sialic acid 1 day after labeling with [3H]glucosamine in vivo. The specific activity of sialic acid in the synaptosomal soluble glycoproteins 2 hr after labeling was greater than 100 times that of the synaptosomal particulate fraction, whereas the difference in hexosamine specific activity in these two fractions was only twofold, and by 22 hr there was little or no difference in the specific activities of sialic acid and hexosamine in synaptosomal soluble as compared to membrane glycoproteins. These data indicate that sialic acid may be added locally to synaptosomal soluble glycoproteins before there is significant labeling of nerve ending glycoproteins by axoplasmic transport. Fifty to sixty percent of the hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate of brain is located in the various membranes comprising the microsomal fraction, whereas half of the chondroitin sulfate is soluble and only one-third is in microsomal membranes. When microsomes are subfractionated on a discontinuous density gradient over half of the hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate are found in membranes with a density less than that of 0.5 M sucrose (representing a six- to sevenfold enrichment over their concentrations in the membranes applied to the gradient), whereas half of the heparan sulfate is present in membranes with a density greater than that of 0.8 M.


A kinetic study of thymine 7-hydroxylase from neurospora crassa. The steady-state kinetics of thymine 7-hydroxylase (thymine, 2-oxoglutarate dioxygenase, EC 1.14.11.6) has been investigated. Initial velocity plots were all found to be linear and intersecting. Variation in concentration of two of the substrates, when the third substrate was at a constant high or low concentration, gave initial velocity plots that conform to an ordered sequential mechanism, where thymine is the second substrate to add. With 5-carboxyuracil, which is the end product in the sequential oxygenation of thymine, a competitive inhibition pattern was observed when 2-ketoglutarate was the variable substrate. When either thymine or oxygen was the variable substrate a noncompetitive inhibition pattern was obtained. When either 2-ketoglutarate or thymine was the variable substrate the inhibition patterns observed with bicarbonate were noncompetitive. With succinate noncompetitive inhibition patterns with hyperbolic intercept replots were obtained. These results are consistent with an ordered sequential kinetic mechanism, where 2-ketoglutarate is added first, followed by thymine and oxygen, and the products are released in the order: bicarbonate, succinate, and 5-hydroxymethyluracil. The order of the two last mentioned products, however, is changed in the presence of succinate.


On hepatic and extrahepatic postheparin serum lipase activities and the influence of experimental hypercortisolism and diabetes on these activities. This paper shows that the palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activity of postheparin serum of the rat is mainly derived from the liver. The identity of this activity with the heparin-releasable hepatic triacylglycerol hydrolase activity is established. The consequences of the different substrate specificities of the hepatic and extrahepatic enzymes for the measurement of the overall postheparin serum lipase activity are discussed. Treatment of the rats with either a corticosteroid or with streptozotocin was found to lower the lipolytic activity from the liver and to enhance the extrahepatic activity. Also in human postheparin serum, palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activity is shown to behave identical with hepatic triacylglycerol hydrolase activity. The possible function of the liver in the serum triacylglycerol metabolism is discussed in connection with the proposed mechanism for the role of extrahepatic lipoprotein lipase in atherogenesis.


Purification and characterization of (Na+, K+)-ATPase. V. Conformational changes in the enzyme Transitions between the Na-form and the K-form studied with tryptic digestion as a tool. 1. Purified (Na+, K+)-ATPase consisting of membrane fragments was digested with trypsin. The time course of enzyme inactivation was related to the electrophoretic pattern of native and cleaved proteins remaining in the membrane. 2. Differences in both the inactivation kinetics and the cleavage of the large chain (mol. wt 98 000) allow distinction of two patterns of tryptic digestion of (Na+, K+)-ATPase seen with Na+ or K+ in the medium. 3. With K+, the inactivation of (Na+, K+)-ATPase is linear with time in semilogarithmic plots and the activity is lost in parallel with cleavage of the large chain to fragments with molecular weights 58 000 and 48 000. 4. With Na+, the inactivation curves are biphasic. In the initial phase of rapid inactivation, 50% of the activity is lost with minor changes in the composition of the large chain. In the final phase, the large chain is cleaved at a low rate to a fragment with a molecular weight of 78 000. 5. It is concluded that the regions of the large chain exposed in the presence of K+ are distinct from the regions exposed in presence of Na+ and that two conformations of (Na+, K+)-ATPase can be sensed with trypsin, a (t)K-form and a (t)Na-form. 6. Reaction of the (t)K-form with ATP cause transition to the (t)Na-form. Relatively high concentrations of ATP are required and Mg2+ is not necessary. Phosphorylation of (Na+, K+)-ATPase is accompanied by transition from the (t)Na-form to the (t)K-form. Previous kinetic data suggest that these conformational changes are accompanied by shifts in the affinities of the enzyme for Na+ and K+.


Disulfide of thionosine triphosphate, an ATP-analog inactivating (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase in beef brain microsomes is inactivated by the disulfide of thionosine tri[gamma-32P]phosphate, an ATP analog. The inactivation of the enzyme, which is accompanied by an incorporation of radioactivity into the membrane protein, is abolished by ATP or dithiothreitol. Since dithiothreitol restores the activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, which had previously been inactivated by this ATP analog, it is concluded that thionosine triphosphate disulfide reacts with a sulfhydryl group in the ATP binding site of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase.


Glycosaminoglycans and acidic glycoproteins in rabbit uterus under estrogenic conditions. Uterine slices obtained from the estrogen-treated rabbits were digested with pronase. Glycosaminoglycans and acidic glycopeptides were then isolated by Dowex 1 column chromatography and preparative electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane (Separax), in succession. Each subfraction thus obtained was identified by the mobility on Separax electrophoresis and the digestibility with mucopolysaccharidases (Streptomyces hyaluronidase, testicular hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase ABC and heparinase). The resulting data showed that each complex saccharide (hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate C, dermatan sulfate, sulfated glycopeptide and sialoglycopeptide) was separated into 2-5 fractions, indicating charge and/or molecular heterogeneity of each complex saccharide.


Fractionation of mucopolysaccharides by countercurrent distribution in aqueous polymer two-phase systems. A new procedure for the fractionation of mucopolysaccharides based upon differences in their partition behavior in aqueous polymer two-phase systems has been devised. Systems containing dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), trimethylamino-poly(ethylene glycol), potassium bromide and sodium phosphate buffer were employed. Countercurrent distributions were performed with a miniature countercurrent distribution device designed especially for use with aqueous polymer two-phase systems. An advantage over the widely used procedures involving precipitation of mucopolysaccharides as their quaternary ammonium detergent complexes is that the countercurrent distribution pattern of a particular mucopolysaccharide is not affected by the simultaneous presence of other mucopolysaccharides. Preliminary distributions of labelled mucopolysaccharides isolated from the cells and culture medium of monolayer cultures of rat tumor cells demonstrate that the procedure is particularly well suited for the fractionation of very minute quantities of mucopolysaccharides.


Membrane transport during development in animals. This brief and necessarily incomplete survey of available evidence on the development of transport systems in animal cells reveals a primitive state of knowledge full of interesting possibilities for future development. The assembly of membrane-bound transport systems during embryonic development provides unique opportunities for approaching questions relating to gene expression, the synthesis and insertion of membrane proteins into phospholipid layers, the composition and structure of transport systems and the conditions required for their functioning. It seems plausible to assume that the growth and differentiation of animal cells is regulated, in part at least, by the rate of transport of metabolites and ions across the cell membranes. Therefore the sequence of the expression of transport systems is likely to have a profound effect on subsequent stages of growth and differentiation. Feedback regulation of the synthesis of transport proteins by changes in the intracellular or extracellular concentrations of the transported metabolites or ions [52, 53, 85-87] may be a key element in the regulation of the rate of transport processes during development.


Studies on steroids in urine of the male newborn. Four different methods of isolation and purification were utilized to study steroids in urine of male newborns which was collected during the first 5 days of life. These methods included celite column, ion exchange column and thin-layer chromatography, solvolysis and enzyme hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase and aryl sulfatase. Procedural losses were evaluated by using radioactive internal standards. Final quantitation of each steroid was achieved by comparison of its chromatographic and quantitative behavior with the respective standard steroids on various gas-liquid chromatography systems, either as parent compound or as trimethylsilyl ether derivative. The following steroids were found in the amounts indicated: progesterone, 2.1 mug/1 (pool I), 4.6 mug/1 (pool III); pregnanediol, 625.0 mug/1 (pool IIa), 605.0 mug/1 (pool IIb glucuronide), 25.4 mug/1 (pool IIb sulfate), 4.2 mug/1 (pool IIb free), 729.0 mug/1 (pool III); 16alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 713.0 mug/1 (pool III), 16alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, 14,000.0 mug/1 (pool III); 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone, 2,350.0 mug/1 (pool III); 16-dehydroprogesterone, 155.0 mug/1 (pool I), 21.2 mug/1 (pool IIb glucuronide), 97.5 mug/1 (pool IIb sulfate), 5.3 mug/1 (pool III); 16-dehydropregnenolone, 382.0 mug/1 (pool I), 1,380 mug/1 (pool IIb glucuronide), 172.0 mug/1 (pool IIb sulfate), 174.0 mug/1 (pool III); 16-dehydropregnanolone, 8.3 mug/1 (pool I), 239.0 mug/1 (pool IIb sulfate). Pregnenolone, pregnanolone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone could not be detected. The results support the concept that the steroid patterns of urine of the newborn and amniotic fluid are very similar and that the amniotic fluid steroid content is mainly dependent on fetal urinary steroid excretion. The data on delta16-C21-steroids are discussed.


The manufacture of moulded supportive seating for the handicapped. The wheelchair-bound population often have difficulty in obtaining a correct or comfortable posture in their chairs and sometimes develop pressure sores from long-duration sitting. This problem is being solved by manufacturing personalised, contoured seats which support the patient over the maximum area possible thereby reducing the pressure on the body and the incidence of pressure sores. A cast is obtained of the patient in a comfortable, medically correct posture and from this cast the seat is vacuum formed in thermoplastic materials or hand layed up in glass fibre reinforced resin. Some correction of deformity may be achieved. It is also possible to use the moulded seat in a vehicle.


[Na+--K+-adenosine triphosphatase and some oxidoreductases in the kidney of rats with spontaneous hypertension]. The activities of the Na+--K+-ATPase, succinic dehydrogenase (SDH/, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH/ and glucose-6-phosphat dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH/ were studied in the cortex outer and inner medulla of the kidneys of rats with spontaneous hypertension (SHR) and were compared with those of control normotensive Wistar rats. The SHR aged 6--8 weeks had durint the prehypertensive and the early hypertensive stage the same enzymatic activities as control rats. Rats with a steady SH aged 16-22 weeks had low specific activity of the, Na+--K+-ATPase, SDH and LDH in the outer medulla. The latter can be associated with decreased intensity of the energy metabolism and a reduction of the active sodium transport in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the SHR rats and cold cause the phenomenon of exaggerated natriuresis characteristic of hypertension.


[Immunocyte adherence and leukocyte migration inhibition tests in dogs infested with Leishmania donovani. Importance of lymphocyte conservation in liquid nitrogen]. A method of canine lymphocytes isolation and storage in liquid azote with DMSO is described. It was possible to use these lymphocytes in the immunocytoadherence and leucocytes migration inhibition tests in dogs infected with Leishmania donovani. The sensitisation was made with a soluble antigen from promastigotes of L. donovani braid by ultrasounds. The dogs with Leishmaniasis gave positive results. The controls without Leishmaniasis were negative. The tests with conserved lymphocytes were as satisfactory as the same tests with fresh lymphocytes.


[Comparison of topographical locations of reticular cells with 5'-nucleotidase activity in spleen white pulp and lymph nodes in man and rat]. The cells connections occuring in thymus-dependent areas of the splenic white pulp of rat between 5'nucleotidasic reticular cells and small lymphocytes allowed to research this same associated cells in the rat lymph node and the human splenic white pulp and lymph node. The locations of the thymus- dependent areas seem different in man and rat.


[Effects of combination alfaxalone and alfadolone, anesthetic derivatives of pregnanedione, on cerebral hemodynamics in cats]. Intravenous injection of CT 1341 (a mixture of alphaxalone and alphadolone dissolved in cremophor el) induced a decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by 133Xe clearance in cats with artificial respiration (the mean reduction in CBF was 2 ml/100 g/mn for 1,2 mg/kg or CT 1341. So, CBF was decreased by 22% when CT 1341 (7,2 mg/kg) was intravenously injected, (mean Pa CO2 equals 30 mm Hg). Changes in CBF following CT 1341 intravenous injection seems to be caused by cerebral vascular constriction evidenced by the direct observation of pial vessels. Following intravenous injection of CT 1341 (from 7, 2 mg/kg to 19,2 mg/kg), the cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia or hypocapnia was not affected, but autoregulation of cerebral blood flow was transiently abolished. In animals with free respiration, CBF was increased in relation with the elevation in Pa CO2 caused by the depression of respiration.


[Morphometric data on pineal gland of loir (Glis glis) and lerot (Elioyms quercinus) during the annual cycle]. The important involution of the pineal gland of Glis glis and Eliomys quercinus during the months of july and august belongs to a polyglandular involution (anterior lobe of the hypophysis, male and female genital glands) characteristic of estivation.


[Blood lactic acid level changes during acidosis induced by hydrochloric acid perfusion]. An increase in H+ ions concentration by infusion of hydrochloric acid produces a reduction in lactacidemia. This phenomenon is a result of the inhibitory effect of acidosis on phosphofructokinase producing a diminution of intracellular glycolysis.


[An invariant of plasma viscosity].

[An invariant of plasma viscosity]. Determination of "m" invariant cannot lead to an absolute measurement of plasmatic viscosity, because "m" increases with temperature. It allows however to compare data determined in various conditions.


[Immunoreactive vasopressin in the supra-chiasmatic nucleus. Preliminary data in rats]. The immunohistochemical technique for the vasopressin localisation shows the presence of this hormone in neurons of the rat supra-chiasmatic nucleus. Different experimental conditions induce modifications of the supra-chiasmatic vasopressin, and, in the same time, the storage of immunoreactive peptide in the fibres terminating in the external zone of the median eminence. However, the supra-chiasmatic, supraoptic and paraventricular changes are not obligatory similar.


[Changes in rat hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system after repeated ethanol administration]. The histochemical, immunohistological and histoenzymatic study of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system of the rat shows that chronic ethanol administration induces: a temporary blockage of vasopressin synthesis, a vasoconstriction of the neurohypophysial capillaries, a dendritic storage of immunoreactive vasopressin. In our experimental conditions, a long ethanol treatment disturbs the balance between vasopressin synthesis and release.


[Influence of interfering stimuli on contingent negative variation]. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of interfering stimuli on subjects' C.N.V. With a labyrinthic stimulation before association S1-S2 and arithmetic calculation task between S1 and S2, the C.N.V. showed a statistically significant variation (P less than 0.025): it became prolonged after the response to S2. Provocation of a prolonged C.N.V. could be used as criterion to determine an individual threshold of stress.


[Changes in reactivity of rat visual system during wake-sleep cycle]. The changes in amplitude of primary responses evoked at cortical level by paired pulses delivered into the optic nerve, have been statistically compared during seven stages of sleep and wakefulness. Results are in agreement with changes in reactivity observed by other authors in the cat; an unexpected but significant decrease in reactivity has however been obtained during eyemovements when compared with other periods of paradoxical sleep.


[Double central projection of VIIIth cranial nerve in the frog (Rana esculenta L.)]. In the frog we have cut the anterior or the posterior root of the VIIIth nerve between Scarpa's ganglion and the medulla oblongata. The degenerations show that both roots project onto the ventral and the dorsal vestibular nuclei.


[Changes in ventilatory patterns before and after vagotomy in rabbits]. Ventilatory pattern have been investigated during rebreathing experiments. Before vagotomy, a linear relation has been found between increasing tidal volume and decreasing inspiratory and expiratory durations. After vagotomy, these relations existed but expiratory duration remained almost constant.


[Effect of L-dopa combined with benserazide on hemodynamics and motor activity in hypoxic rats]. Pretreatment by benserazide (50 mg/kg) and L.dopa (100 mg/kg) reduces functionnal deficiency produced by hypoxic hypoxia in rats reduces hemodynamic modifications in relation to it (rheoencephalogram) without any effect on ventilation.


[Influence of the saccule in vestibular tilting reaction in frogs (Rana occipitalis)]. In blinded frogs we have cut the saccular nerve on both sides. This results in decreasing the amplitude of the tilting reactions (which are elicited by stimulation of the utriculi). The saccular facilitation of tilting reactions is more or less great according to the frogs.


[Characteristics of guinea pig anti-bovine parathormone antiserum used in radioimmunologic determination of human parathormone]. The cross-reaction for hPTH radioimmunoassay and the multiple forms of hPTH circulating, pose several problems in interpreting results. This communication reports a sensitive radioimmunoassay for hPTH utilising a guineapig antiserum which is reactive with the amino-terminal region retaining biological activity, and which cross-reacts completely with hPTH, indicating levels of hPTH expressed as bovine PTH equivalent that would be correct.


[Effect of some antibiotics on semi-circular canal activity in the frog (Rana esculenta)]. We have studied the action of two ototoxic antibiotics (streptomycin and gentamycin) on the activity of the horizontal semicircular canal in comparison with those of penicillin and 7 g/1 NaCl solution, all of them being injected into the labyrinthic cavity. Only streptomycin and gentamycin have a specific action, and the one of streptomycin is much more important than the one of gentamycin.


[Effect of adrenaline, glucagon and insulin on glucose metabolism in carp: influence of temperature]. In carps living since 4 months at 6, 20 or 30 degrees C, epinephrine or glucagon injections produce increase in plasma glucose but affect only slightly liver glycogen: lower is the temperature, slower and longer are the effect. Insulin injection induces more or less delayed hypoglycaemia according to temperature acclimatization; decrease in blood glucose is accompanied by a slight increase of glycogen in all tissues at 6 degrees C and on the contrary by a very strong depletion of this polysaccharide in liver and even heart at 20 and 30 degrees C.


[Influence of genital hormones on guinea pig thymus gland cytology]. The changes of the thymic cytologia under the action of genital hormones were studied in giunea pigs. The conclusion of the experiments was: the oestrogens are the only hormones to induce a fast and complete involution of the thymic tissue with appearance of Foa-Kurloff cells'. The cell seems to have all the necessary characters to be the morphologic substratum of an eventual cytocrine secretion of the thymus.


[Catalase activity in Paramecium aurelia]. The catalase activity of Paramecium aurelia was determined by the procedure of Sinha after bacteria elimination from culture medium. A significant level of catalase activity was shown, higher than in other cell kinds. The role of catalase activity in Paramecium sensitivity to low doses of ionizing radiations is discuted.


[Influence of x-rays on depolymerization of lathyric collagen fibers reconstituted in vitro]. Irradiation of native collagen from lathyric rats in solution reduces the depolymerisation speed in the cold of fibres formed by gelification at 37 degrees C, rendering it thus comparable to the speed observed with normal collagen. In our test this normalisation does not appear if the collagen is irradiated in the state of gel. These observations and the absence of specific modifications induced by irradiation in the presence of reagents of the aldehydes speak in favour of the interference, on irradiation, of chemical groups different from the physiological aldehyde groups.


[Argentaffin cells in human adenohypophysis]. Appropriate techniques such as Bodian's method demonstrate numerous argyrophilic cells in the adenohypophysis of man. These cells were shown by subsequent staining methods to be chromophobe cells. Furthermore, beta cells may also be impregnated by the method of Bodian, but display a much less intense argyrophilia than the first mentioned cell type. Both cellular forms react positively to diazotation techniques used to demonstrate indol radicals. This findings should be related, for instance, with the demonstration of indolamines in beta cells by the technique of induced fluorescence.


[Influence of muscular exercise on blood catecholamine levels in rats]. Lactacidemia, catecholaminemia and blood pressure have been measured in normal rats submitted to a swimming exercise. They are overloaded (6% body weight). Lactacidemia is increased after 15 minutes swimming. Adrenalinemia and noradrenalinemia are also statisticaly increased. Blood pressure falls during the exercice period. Hypotension is prevented by beta adrenergic blockade.


[Effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy on Harder (rat and rabbit) and Loewenthal (rat) glands]. An unilateral superior gangliectomy induce morphological changes in the way of an hypersecretory activity of the harderian gland. If the unmyelinised nervous system is not notably affected, some specific cytological aspects are undoubted. (In rats as in rabbits). On "harderised" spots in the outer orbital glands of rats, the same changes occur in the same delay (27 to 130 days).


[Depigmentizing effect of a glucocorticoid applied topically to black giunea pig skin]. A 33 p. cent triamcinolone acetonide in DMSO is applied on the skin of black guinea-pig to ascertain its depigmenting potency. Its action is characterised by a marked, but incomplete, reduction of melanocytes in the epidermis and in the hair. A comparison is made with an other previously experimented corticosteroid.


[Effect of cannabis on learning in the cynocephalic monkey (Papio Papio)]. Chronic treatment of monkeys with Cannabis reduce the speed of acquisition of learned behavior, yet, learning is nevertheless possible. After acquisition, Cannabis administration disturb the responses in the learning test. In this two experimental procedures, tolerance occurs to the effects of Cannabis.


[Polychromatism in eggshell of domestic quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). III. Variability and mechanism of phenotype transmission of the dominant form]. The study of the transmission of egg shell color and pattern in the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) indicates a polygenic inheritance modality, determined by the female sex.


[Polychromatism in eggshell or domestic quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). IV. Porphyrin biosynthesis in uteri of phenotypes belonging to the dominant form]. With the introduction of delta-aminolevulinic acid, uterin extracts, in vitro, can synthesize porphyrins (uroporphyrin, 62%; coproporphyrin, 27%; and protoporphyrin, 11%). At the stage where the uterus contains a white egg, various phenotypes in the dominant form are capable of synthesizing with the introduction of delta-aminolevulinic acid, the same quantity of porphyrins. These results are interpreted, assuming the existence of differences in the activity of the enzymes involved during the laying cycle.


[Effect of L-adrenaline on extracellular space in rabbit aorta and pulmonary artery]. Adrenaline causes an increase of extra-cellular fluid space in aorta and pulmonary artery of the rabbit. The effect is parallel in both tissues and the relative increase is about 20% of the normal value. The results confirm the oedematous reaction of the arterial wall to adrenaline; this action of adrenaline appears to be very long.


[Change in DNA synthesis during compensatory hypertrophy in rat kidney. Stimulating factor in serum]. DNA synthesis by the kidneys was studied in young rats by incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Peak of DNA synthesis was observed as soon as 24 hr after uninephrectomy. No significative difference was observed between control rats and those receiving various doses of serum obtained from uninephrectomized or sham operated rats. Serum of uninephrectomized rats did not increase DNA synthesis in kidney slices in vitro.


[Unit activities of the salmon Salmo salar preoptic nucleus in Parr, Parr-Smolt and Smolt stadia]. The olfactory and gustatory stimulations with NaCl (10(-5)-10(-2) M/1) bring about certain typical modifications of the preoptic cells activity in the case of "Parr" and "Parr smolt". The "on" or "off" or "on and off" effects are very marked. Unlike the "Smolt" stage is accompanied by an important decrease of the preoptic cells activity, sometimes until complete silence of the nucleus. sequential analysis and statistical analysis. The activities recorded on a magnetic tape are feld to a mini computer.


[Iodoamino acid composition of rat thyroglobulin of varying total iodine concentration and fractions isolated by isopycnic ultracentrifugation]. Iodoaminoacid content (iodothyronines, T3 and T4, and iodotyrosines, MIT and DIT) has been determined in enzymatic hydrolysates of thyroglobulin Tg 19S of different iodine content (0.3-0.9%) isolated from equilibrium labeled rats. Preparative equilibrium centrifugation in RbCl density gradients of pure thyroglobulin was used to obtain protein fractions of largely different iodine content (0.2-1.2% I). Thin layer chromatography of total hydrolysates demonstrated that the distribution of iodoaminoacids depends on the total iodine content of each fraction. It is concluded, in agreement with previous results, that the native structure of Tg is an important factor in the regulation of hormone biosynthesis and that even at low iodination levels of Tg. T3 and T4 are synthesized.


[Effect of attenuated Listeria monocytogenes cultures on the development of a sarcoma graft, mouse mammary epitheliomas and a dog carcinoma]. The injection of attenuated Listeria monocytogenes culture together with BP8 sarcoma cells into C3H mice prevented the taking of the graft. Moreover, the intratumoral injection of attenuated Listeria doubled the survival time of the animals and, in one case a regression of the tumour was observed. After intratumoral injection, in three out of five mice, the mammary carcinoma disappeared, and the course of a gingival carcinoma in a dog was slowed down.


[Comparative study of neurophysiological effects of unsubstituted phenol ethers of alpha mono- and diglycerides]. The addition of a second alpha-glyceryl to alpha-phenoxypropanediol strongly modifies the inhibitor actions on the synaptic transmission. These new di-ethers do not show solubility nor effect on the water superficial tension and simultaneously do not provoke any neurophysiological inhibitor effect. The ability of cellular penetration by lipidic solubility seems a necessary condition for pharmacological effect of alpha-glyceric ethers.


[Effect of phenoxybenzamine, propranolol and guanethidine after repeated administration on nutritional blood flow in rats]. In anesthetized rats, after i.p. treatment during 4 days: phenoxybenzamine and guanethidine were hypotensive and increased nutritional blood flow in squeletal muscles; propranolol had a poor hypotensive effect and decreased nutritional circulation in heart, skin and intestine.


[Rates of endogenous noradrenaline release in rat brain, heart and intestines: comparison of results obtained after biosynthesis inhibition and 3H-tyrosine labeling]. After labelling of noradrenaline stores with tyrosine 3H, the rate constant of NA efflux was calculated from the change of the NA-3H and TY-3H specific activities. The biological half-life of NA was 2,2 h in the brain, 24 h in the heart and 3,3 h in the intestine. These values were similar to those obtained after inhibition of NA synthesis by alpha-methylparatyrosine.


[Preliminary data on the origin of splanchnic nerve afferent fibers with respiratory influence]. Electrical stimulation of threshold branches beyond the celiac ganglion in lightly anesthetized cats results in phrenic nerve responses of two kinds. The anterior branches are inhibitory. The inferior branches are excitatory. The significance of the results are discussed in relation with visceral afferent nerve pathways.


[Meiogenic function of follicular fluid. Gonadotropins and labeling with Na2 35SO4 in follicular cells and ovocytes in immature mice]. The injection in immature mouse of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) with Na2 35SO4 in a strict equilibrium allowed us to show the concentration of 35S in the follicular fluid (meiogenic function) and around maturating oocytes (meiosis). This result allow new cytological progress in the field of vertebrates oogenesis.


[Clinical, anatomical and biophysical data on a case of encephalopathy with aluminum deposits]. A man presented at 27 years of age, the first signs of a progressive neurological and mental deterioration which eventually lead to his death at 37, from an intercurrent pulmonary infection. He was a severe alcoholic. The pathological examination of the brain revealed patchy demyelination and deposits of crystalline material, resembling so called calcifications. The biophysical examination showed the presence in the brain and other organs, of aluminum and phosphorus in all deposits, sometimes associated with iron, sulfur and calcium. Nothing in his past history suggests any contact with aluminum. Presumably this is a case of "generalized aluminosis", with the main clinical and pathological features manifesting in the central nervous system.


[Influence of intra-uterine growth retardation on plasma and adrenal corticosterone levels during development in rats]. The evolution of plasma and adrenals corticosterone was followed in normal rats, sham rats, IUGR rats and their controls, during the foetal and post-natal development. Adrenals weight was significantly reduced in IUGR rats. Corticosterone plasma levels were lower in IUGR rats up to 24 hours after birth.


[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in cerebral cortex of young rats undernourished since birth]. The developmental profile of the isoenzymes of lacticodehydrogenase of cerebral cortex, investigated by starch gel electrophoresis, is not retarded during neo and post-natal undernutrition, although hypothyroidism is known to do so.


[In vitro study of buffer capacity of blood as a function of hemoglobin concentration in rabbits]. Rabbit blood samples with different hemoglobin contents were equilibrated with 3,5 and 7% of CO2 in air permetting buffer line determination. Normal buffer line was --24.5 +/- 1.45 Slyke (M +/- 1 SE). The buffer line/hemoglobin concentration calculated regression line was beta = 2.46 [Hb] + 6.56. These data are compared with results obtained in human blood.


[Utilization of rubidium 86 for humoral cytotoxicity tracing of sarcoma 180]. 86Rb has been used as a tracer for Sarcoma 180 ascitic cells in a humoral cytotoxicity system, and compared with the trypan blue dye exclusion method. In as little as five minutes after contact with antiserum and complement, about 90 p. cent of the isotope has gone from the cells, with a significant difference between controls and experimentals. There is a good correlation between 86Rb and trypan blue dye exclusion results. The only pitfall is a relative fragility of cells during the centrifugation stages of the two washings.


[Effect of dl-propranolol and l-and d-alprenolol on arterial pressure in awake or anesthesized, normo- or hypertensive rats]. Intravenous administration of dl-propranolol, l-and d-alprénolol in normotensive and spontaneous, renal or neurogen hypertensive rats induced decrease of blood pressure in anaesthetized animals. In awake animals hypotensive activity was irregular and lower.


[Immunological study of gonadotropic and prolactin cells in adenohypophysis of the Barbary duck (Cairina moschata L.)]. In both lobes of the pars distalis of the Barbary duck the basophile, alcian-blue positive and PAS negative cells no affected by thyroxine treatment are revealed by anti-HCG-immunserum; they are certainly gonadotropic cells previously named delta-cells in the Pekin duck. In the cephalic lobe only one type of PAS positive cells, is revealed by antiprolactin antiserum; they are abundant and very active in the broody duck.


[Strontium and calcium metabolism. Interaction of strontium and vitamin D]. Oral administration of strontium to calcium wellfed rats blocks the intestinal absorption of calcium. When high doses of vitamine D are given over long period, the inhibition of calcium intestinal absorption disapears. Under these conditions the absorption of strontium is increased. It is suggested that there is only one absorption mechanism for these two cations. An overdose of the vitamine D increases the renal elimination of strontium but under these conditions the plasma concentration of the strontium is unchanged. Vitamine D brings about the some action on the bone fixation of the strontium as it does on the bone fixation of calcium. The bone fixation is increased with low dosages. The bone fixation is decreased with high dosages.


[Mathematical study of estrogen-progesterone antagonisms in the golden hamster]. By the test of experimental deciduomata in the golden Hamster we have built a curve of hormonal antagonism between estradiol benzoate, and progesterone for growthing doses. The mathematical treatment of this curve allows a comparison with the figure of an enzymatic inhibition reaction.


[Optical microscopic study of the effect of the hypothalamic hormone T.R.H. on certain cell types of rat anterior hypophysis]. A cytological and optical microscopic study of the anterior lobe of hypohysis in the Wistar adult rat 10, 30 or 60 minutes after intravenous injection of 50 mug of synthetic TRH discloses modifications of thyrotropic cells and prolactin cells. It's possible to recognize a quick degranulation of the prolactin cells (with a maximum at the 10th minute) and a slower degranulation of the thyrotropic cells (perceptible at the 10th minute and very pronounced at the 60th minute). The somatrotopic cells did not show any modification.


[Effect of temperature changes of the intestinal wall on the digestive motility in wakeful dogs]. The effect of intestinal wall temperature variations on the digestive motility has been studied in the non anaesthetized dog. The results show the presence of a linear relation between the basic electrical rythm frequency and the intestinal wall temperature; the frequence of spikes potentials emission is an exponentiel function of intestinal wall temperature.


[Study of sodium pump in erythrocytes with 22Na and 42K. I. Technics and results in normal people]. An isotopic technique enabling the study of sodium and potassium flux rates in human red cells is reported. Nine normal patients have been studied for both isotopes. The results obtained are compared with those published in the literature.


[Protection by oral vaccination of mice with an avirulent live strain of Salmonella typhimurium]. Before determining the quantity of mouse intestinal secretory IgA after oral vaccination, we have tried to find the best conditions of immunization with an avirulent S. typhimurium strain given by oral route. The results show the superiority of the live vaccin with respect to the heat-killed one.


[Radioimmunoassay without extraction of L-triiodothyronine in human serum]. A radio-immunoassay of L-triiodothyronin is described. Blinding of T3 to TBG is prevented by salicylate (1%--w/v). The rabbit antiserum obtained by injection of a complexe T3-bovine serum albumin is diluted between 1/10000 and 1/20000. Bound and free hormone are separated by polyethylene glycol (17%--w/v). Serum T3-concentration in normal subjects averaged 132 +/- 29 ng/dl (SD). In hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients, these values were respectively 351 +/- 118 ng/dl and 68 +/- 21 ng/dl.


[Correlation between uterine weight and endometrial development in rabbits treated with progesterone]. Progesterone induced effect on rabbit uterus follows a log dosis endometrial glandular changes linear relationship and log dosis-organ weight one. It appears a strong correlation between endometrial changes and organ weight. Thus organ weight may be looked like a pseudogestative activity test, histological investigation remaining the actual proof of specific activity. Besides these relations bring direct informations on the quality of new progestatives.


[Identification of chromosome aberrations observed in human cancerous cells by labeling of R bands]. A precise identification of chromosome abnormalities observed in cancerous human cells may be demonstrated by chromosome banding. The types of newly formed chromosomes seem to indicate the possibility of a correlation between chromosome rearrangements and regions of heterochromatin. The evolution of neoplastic cells would be due to a balance between an increase in the level of chromosome mutation and stable changes.


[Electrofocusing of hydrolases in rat brush border enterocytes]. Different hydrolases (cellobiase, enterokinase, lactase, leucine aminopeptidase, alcaline phosphatase and trehalase) of the brush border's enterocytes of the rat have been studied by electrofocusing. Every hydrolase is focused in a single peak, the pI of which is given.


[Distribution of ubiquinones (coenzyme Q) in Gram negative bacillae]. The coenzyme Q system was examined on 55 strains of Gram negative aerobic or facultatively anaerobic rods. No bacteria contain Co-Q7 nor Co-Q10. Ubiquinone Q8 predominates in Flavobacterium and in Enterobacteriaceae; Q9 was the only homolog found in the Pseudomonas, and predominates in the Acinetobacter.


[Effects of ethinyl estradiol compared with norethisterone (pure or contaminated) on vaginal keratinization of castrated rats]. Norethisterone samples are often contaminated by estrogen traces which can be measured by mass spectrometry and which invest the progestative with estrogenic properties in the Allen and Doisy test. Therefore, one had better, in pharmacodynamic experimenting, use samples that have been purified by chromatography or that are pure out of synthesis. However, one will not forget these are not without some estrogenicity, a fact which seems linked to the very nature of the norethisterone molecule.


[Genic and antigenic frequencies of ABO, Rhesus(D) systems and HLA in Ille et Vilaine]. The study of the genic and antigenic frequencies of the ABO and Rhesus systems amidst a population of 16559 subjects, reveals are very good correlation as regards the various autors. Considering the HLA typing of 481 subjects, one will point out the lowering of the HLA2 antigen.


[Plasma transport of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3H. I. Nature and classification of indole derivatives after injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3H]. After a single i.p. injection of tritiated-5-hydroxytryptamine to young, old or stressed rats, the blood plasma was filtered through Sephadex-G 25 column. Two peaks of radioactivity were obtained. One was excluded from the column and eluted together with plasma proteins, the other was retained on the column and eluted as free indoles. The radioactivity bound to plasma proteins was identified as 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid. The free radioactivity was identified as 5-hydroxytryptamine.


[Plasma transport of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3H. II. Identification of the carrier protein of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid]. In the first note, we have demonstrated a 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid binding to plasma proteins. By gel filtration on Sephadex G 200 and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid carrier protein was identified to serum-albumin.


[Effect of a beryllium complex on growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens (types R and S). I. Influence on the lag phase]. The toxicity of beryllium for Pseudomonas fluorescens is studied with the aid of an anionic complex of the element which is stable in peptone medium at pH 6 during the period of investigation. The toxic effect is characterized by an increase in the lag phase which is proportional to the square of the beryllium concentration. Further, a process of progressive adaptation is observed when the concentration of the beryllium complex is gradually increased.


[Effect of a beryllium complex on growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens (types R and S). II. Competition with magnesium]. A study of the inhibitory action of beryllium on the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens reveals that the observed effect can be partly explained by competition between beryllium and magnesium in various processes which are indispensable to cellular metabolism. In addition, an "adaptation" phenomenon is observed which appears to be based on the selection of cells which are more highly resistant towards the inhibitor.


[Influence of cosmic radiation at high altitude on duration of the cell cycle]. Paramecia cultures placed at 3800 meter altitude, show a proliferating activity acceleration if we compared them to control cultures placed at low altitude under the same environment conditions. These results confirm the cosmic irradiation influence upon the activating effect produced by the natural ionizing radiations on living organisms.


[Effect of insulin on electric activity of sheep jejunum]. The effect of insulin on the electrical activity of the small intestine was studied in both normal and alloxan induced diabetic sheep. In normal animals the migrating myoelectric complexes recur at intervals of about 90 min. In the diabetic sheep, the complexes recur at only 2 hourly intervals and administration of insulin restored the pattern to normal. Since in normal sheep, insulin slightly increases the activity and volatile fatty acids, which release insulin do likewise, one may conclude that insulin may control the activity of the gut.


[Insulin secretion and intestinal motility]. In dogs after feeding increased plasma insulin concentration is positively related in converting the "fasted" pattern of electrical activity into the "fed" pattern. In sheep, the release of insulin induced by a perfusion of volatile fatty acids is accompanied by similar changes in the pattern of electrical activity. The results indicate that insulin release induced by nutrients plays a major role in the control of intestinal motility in both species.


[Influence of radiation on plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase in rats]. Plasma cholesterol and lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase activity are studied in irradiated rats. Ionizing radiations cause an increase of cholesterol levels in plasma, concerning mainly ester fraction. Lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase activity in plasma of irradiated rats is diminued 48 hours after exposure. This decreased rate of LCAT is probably the consequence of the post-irradiation hypercholesterolemia.


[Effect of some antidiuretic agents on the polyuria-polydipsia provoked by alcohol]. The authors have studied in the dog--normal or diabetic insipidus after hypothalamic lesion--submitted to oral ingestion of ethanol the effects of a few antidiuretic drug: chlorpropamid, atromid-S, carbamazepin and carisoprodol. The carisoprodol only can reduce the diuresis and the drinking provoked by ethanol.


[Influence of oxygen concentration in the gas phase on cultures of mouse and rat ova]. Two cell mouse and rat embryos are cultivated in vitro in the conditions described by Whitten, reducing the oxygen concentration in the gaseous phase at 5%. The first ones can become blastocysts while the second ones are stopped in their development.


[Glycogen levels of rat ova during cleavage]. Cytophotometric measurements of PAS positive material in isolated rat eggs leads to a good evaluation of their glycogen content. Amounts of this polysaccharide in these eggs were found relatively constant during cleavage.


[Changes of lymphoid cell cytotoxicity, shown in vitro, of mice bearing a syngeneic tumor after injection of killed tumor cells]. Lymphoid cells from mice bearing a syngeneic tumour show a cytotoxic activity in vitro, occuring in two succesive waves. Normally inactive during the second week after grafting, lymphoid cells have a marked killing ability during this period when heavily irradiated tumour cells have been injected on the 6th day. On the contrary, the cytotoxicity due to the graft, which is important from the 20th to the 30th day, is inhibited by injection of killed tumour cells 15 days before the test. Quantitative variations of the tumour antigen liberated in the animal may be responsible for those effects.


[Immuno-cyto-adhesion and sublethal irradiation]. 1. In sublethally irradiated CBA mice, the relative and absolute numbers of spontaneous rosetts forming cells against sheep erythrocytes are markedly decreased in bone marrow. 2. The decrease of the absolute number of spontaneous RFC is also important in the spleen in spite of an increase of the RFC relative number above the normal values between the 8th and 12th day after irradiation. 3. The graft of normal bone marrow cells immediately after irradiation of the shielding of a medullary area during irradiation promotes the recovery of the immunocytoadherence capacity of the bone marrow cells but not of the spleen cells.


[Chromosome study in leukemic C57Bl mice]. Whereas the incidence of spontaneous leukemias is extremely low in the C57Bl mice, the exposure of young animals to fractionnated X-ray doses can induce up to 85% of lymphosarcomas. The i.p. injection to isologous mice of acellular extract of spleen or lymphnodes from such leukemic animals results in the apparition of reticulosarcoma in the treated animals. Most of them die within three to four months. Our cytological observations performed at different intervals of time after i.p. of RadLV failed to demonstrate the presence of numerical or structural chromosome aberration in the leukemic animals.


[Incapacity of 5-hydroxytryptophan to act against the depression of tumor-resisting power of host animal which is induced by whole body x-irradiation]. The effect of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) against the depression of tumor-resisting power in host animal, which is induced by a whole body x-irradiation of 500 R, was studied. Host animal and tumor cell used were LAF, hybrid mouse and mastocytoma cell, respectively. The i.p. injected dose of L-5-HTP was 6.25 mg per mouse, which is most effective for protecting mice from radiation-induced hematopoietic death. In the experimental conditions, the agent was not effective to prevent the radiation-induced depression of tumor-resisting power of the animal.


[Local Schwartzman phenomenon in axenic rabbits]. Local Schwartzman phenomenon was produced by coli-endotoxin in all the germfree rabbits tested (11 in all) at the age of 102 to 135 days. Any kinds of natural antibodies were not detected in sera of the rabbits, which in fact were found to be agammaglobulinaemic in most cases, as revealed by immunoelectrophoresis. These facts suggested that the germfree rabbits utilized here had not been sensitized to bacterial endotoxins. From the results obtained here, it may be concluded that the existence of hypersensitivity to endotoxin is not necessary to the production of local Schwartzman phenomenon by bacterial endotoxin.


[Ultrastructural histogenesis of chicken myocardium]. The structure of the ventricular myocardium of the chick embryo was studied from the 4th day of incubation until one day after hatching. Special attention was paid to the differenciation of myofibrils, their branching at the level of stria Z and their relations with desmosomes.


The isolation and characterization of the plasma membrane of cultured chinese hamster ovary cells. Plasma membranes were prepared from cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells utilizing a two-phase polymer system and were characterized by enzymatic and chemical assay, and by electron microscopy. The usual degree of purification of presumptive membrane markers such as Na+-K+ ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) ranged from three-to eightfold. Gel electrophoresis in SDS revealed several polypeptides and two glycopeptides which were enriched in the plasma membrane fraction.


Growth patterns of adenine-3B; supersuppressor strains of Neurospora crassa. The interaction between several suppressible ad-3B alleles and several supersuppressor genes had been examined both quantitatively and qualitatively in a tetrad analysis. Quantitatively, there is a good deal of variation in mean growth rates of cultures showing supersuppression: part of this variation can be attributed to variation in the suppressibility of ad-3B alleles, part to variation of suppression efficiency of ssu alleles, and part to the action of modifying genes. Qualitatively, ad-3B; ssu cultures nearly always show cyclic stop-start growth patterns. Escape from stop-start growth to wild-type growth is common.


The interactive effect of ultraviolet irradiation and 5-bromouracil at the rib-1 locus in Neurospora crassa. 5-Bromouracil (5-BU) was shown to enhance reverse mutation rates when added to conidia of a rib-1 strain of Neurospora crassa previously irradiated with ultraviolet light. A comparison is presented between various incubation intervals in the presence and absence of 5-BU while varying the UV dose. An increase in mutation frequency ranging from 0.028 - 2.05 X 10(2) times greater than the spontaneous frequency, UV frequency alone or 5-BU frequency alone was observed when UV irradiation and 5-BU were combined.


Radiation carcinogenesis.

Radiation carcinogenesis. Accidental or therapeutic exposure to radiation may induce tumors of various histologic types in human beings as well as in animals. Two tumors in this report arose in the organs which had been included in the field of radiation 32 and 8 years before, respectively. The author briefly reviews the literature, which abounds with references to radiation carcinogenesis.


The role of adenosine triphosphate, chalones, and specific proteins in controlling tumor growth fraction. During growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vivo, the proportion of cells in the S phase of the proliferative cell cycle decreases in a manner analogous to the decreasing growth fraction often associated with the growth of solid tumors. An examination of biochemical parameters that might regulate the growth fraction of Ehrlich ascites tumors by causing accumulation of cells in G1-G0 shows that (a) the tumor progresses from an aerobic to an anerobic state as it approaches the plateau phase of growth, as indicated by lactate dehydrogenase content, but cellular adenosine triphosphate content remains constant; (b) tumor-specific growth inhibitors (chalones) are not detectable in cell-free ascites fluid from plateau-phase tumors; (c) electrophoretically identifiable soluble proteins isolated from tumor cells that have been exposed to labeled amino acids in vivo are qualitatively identical during early and late tumor growth; and (d) ornithine decarboxylase activity increases in a bimodal fashion in the first 10 hr after transplantation of 10(7) cells and then declines rapidly during the first few days of growth. The second (and larger) of the two ornithine decarboxylase increases coincides with the surge of cells from G1-G0 into S phase, suggesting that this enzyme, or the polyamines that it synthesizes, may play a role in controlling the growth fraction of this cell population.


Dose response in vivo to digoxin in normo-and hyperkalaemia: associated biochemical changes. The effect of digoxin, at two different inotropic levels, was examined in normo- and hyperkalaemic dogs. For similar inotropic responses, normo- and hyperkalaemic dogs had similar levels of (Na+, K+)-ATPase inhibition and microsomal-bound digoxin.


A model for the assessment of left ventricular compliance: effect of hypertrophy and infarction. Non-linear elastic theory was applied to the problem of diastolic filling of the left ventricle, which was treated as a thick-walled sphere. The mathematical model was used to predict pressure-volume relationships for ventricles with various initial dimensions and myocardial elasticity constants. A resonable agreement was obtained with data reported in the literature. The results may provide a basis for the use of empirical compliance indices.


Rate and time of DNA synthesis of individual Chinese hamster cells. The duration of DNA synthesis of a diploid cell line of Chinese hamster fibroblasts was determined in a comparative study by the FLM technique, and also by a new technique for measuring the rate of DNA synthesis of individual cells. These methods produced comparable results when applied during exponential growth of the cells. The rate of DNA synthesis was measured by means of quantitative autoradiography following a short-term incubation of the cells with 5 X 10(-6) M FUdR and 10(-5) M 14C-TdR. The choice of the medium for this purpose did not seem to be critical. The autoradiographic silver grains over cells and 14C-standard sources are counted by microphotometry using incident light bright-field. The direct measurements of DNA synthesis rate are 'compartment' statistics which have been converted into 'flux' parameters for comparison with the FLM method and applicability in cell-kinetic calculations. Frequency distributions of the rate of DNA synthesis of individual cells thus obtained may resemble normal distributions quite closely. They result from several factors: differences in the rate of synthesis in different parts of the S-phase, the density distribution of cells within the S-phase, the variation in the time of DNA synthesis among individual cells, and the experimental error. In the case of a pronounced partial synchronization as probably has been present in one experiment performed in the lag phase, an incorrect time of DNA synthesis may result from the rate values. Due to the variation in DNA synthesis rate in different parts of the S-phase it is not possible to determine the duration of DNA synthesis of an individual cell. However, the mean values of DNA synthesis time are reliable. The new method will be preferentially applied for determining the duration of DNA synthesis of human cells in as far as difficulties are encountered with the classical methods. In addition, it may be used to advantage for studying cells which make up low percentages in mixed populations. It finally permits a safer morphological classification of the cells under study than is possible with the classical methods.


Fine structure of the spermatheca of the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor L.). The spermatheca of the female mealworm beetle is an inflorescence of branching cuticular ducts which is connected to the bursa copulatrix via a cuticular neck surrounded by a muscular coat. The infolded bursal cuticle consists of a distinct outer epicuticle, inner epicuticle, procuticle, and a subcuticular zone; the latter is rich in mucopolysaccharides. The cuticle of the neck lacks a distinct procuticle. The cuticle of the spermatheca itself is mostly inner epicuticle with two thin underlying lamellae of procuticle. The cells of the bursa are loosely coupled to the procuticle, whereas cuticular projections bind the epithelia of the "neck" and the spermatheca proper to the underlying epithelia. The apical plasma membranes of the spermathecal epithelium are sinuous and much infolded; we believe that this epithelium controls the micro-environment within the cuticular ducts.


Histochemical properties of skeletal muscle fibers in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The response of rat gastrocnemius muscle fibers to chronic streptozotocindiabetes was studied. Transverse sections of this muscle from normal and diabetic rats were histochemically assayed for reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide-diaphorase, myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase, mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities. Cross-sectional areas of the fiber types were measured, and fiber capillarization and populations estimated. Chemically-induced diabetes appeared to have little effect on the metabolic or morphological properties of slow-twitch fibers. However, a general dedifferentiation occurred in the 2 fast-twitch fiber populations. There was a loss of oxidative potential in the fast-twitch-oxidative-glycolytic fibers, and a significant decrease in size in the fast-twitch-glycolytic fibers. No change in the proportions of slow- and fast-twitch fibers in the muscles of diabetic rats occurred. It is concluded that hypoinsulinism has differential effects on the 3 fiber types in heterogeneous rat skeletal muscle, and that slow-twitch fibers are least affected by the diabetic condition.


Comparative ultrastructure and blood-brain barrier in diapause and nondiapause larvae of the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). Ultrastructural examination of diapause and nondiapause larval brains of the European corn borer disclosed anatomical differences that may be related to the insect's "blood-barrier". The perineurial type I cells are quite closely appressed in the diapause brain, but thrown into extensive folds with large intercellular spaces in the nondiapause brain. The perineurial type II cells of diapause and nondiapause larvae are basically similar in general ultrastructure, and most likely form the basis for the "blood-brain barrier." Horseradish peroxidase penetration studies indicated that the outer margin of the perineurial type II cells constitute the limits of infiltration into the brain. An enzymatic component of the "blood-brain barrier" is postulated in this insect. The localization of ATPase in the perineurial type II cells indicates that energy-requiring regulatory mechanisms may be localized here. Metabolic studies with isolated brains, coupled with recent evidence from mammalian systems, suggest that glial cells may be of importance in an enzymatic "blood-brain barrier."


Aortic stenosis surgery in infancy.

Aortic stenosis surgery in infancy. During the past 14 years, 28 infants (23 males) underwent valvotomy for severe aortic stenosis at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston. The median age was two months and the oldest patient was six months old. Congestive heart failure was present in all but two babies. Preoperatively, the electrocardiogram was abnormal in all, with left ventricular hypertrophy and a strain pattern being present in 19. At cardiac catheterization, the peak systolic ejection gradient (PSEG) ranged from 35-130 mm Hg (median 90 mm Hg). Associated cardiac lesions were present in 39%. Twenty-four infants underwent valvotomy with inflow occlusion. Four patients were operated upon using cardiopulmonary bypass. There were eight early and two late deaths. The 18 survivors have been followed from six months to 11 years (median five years). Only four are symptomatic. Mild aortic regurgitation developed postoperatively in six patients, moderate in one and severe enough to require valve replacement in another one. The electrocardiogram improved postoperatively in 15 patients, but became entirely normal only in one. Five children required a repeat valvotomy for residual stenosis 1-10 years after the original procedure (median four years). At this second operation, the majority of the valves were flexible and noncalcified, and valvotomy was accomplished without difficulty. One child who underwent valve replacement for aortic regurgitation at age two years is well seven years later.


Hemodynamics and annuloplasty in isolated mitral regurgitation in children. Isolated mitral insufficiency in children is quantitated angiographically by comparing the stroke volumes of the right ventricle and left ventricle. The disease results in greater enlargement of the left atrium than of the left ventricle and is accompanied by a significant increase in left atrial "distensibility." Right and left heart pressures may be normal or may be increased; they tend to be elevated in the group with regurgitant fractions of over 50%. Annuloplasty results in marked clinical and hemodynamic improvement and may even be corrective.


Rapidly progressive obstructive cardiomyopathy in infants with Noonan's syndrome. Report of two cases. Two patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and Noonan's syndrome are presented. Both patients were found at postmortem examination to have gross malformation of the mitral valve and obliteration of the left ventricle due to muscle hypertrophy. Each case demonstrated similar clinical, echocardiographic, and angiographic findings. The poor response to medical and surgical therapy are noted.


Effect of alpha receptor blocking drug, thymoxamine, on allergen induced bronchoconstriction in extrinsic asthma. In ten patients with extrinsic bronchial asthma, allergen provoked bronchospasm was significantly inhibited by the alpha receptor blocking drug thymoxamine given intravenously. In two of these patients thymoxamine by inhalation also effectively inhibited allergen induced bronchoconstriction. It is suggested that thymoxamine may be acting either by increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and thus inhibiting mediator release following allergen challenge or by modifying the airways response to these mediators by altering the bronchomotor tone. The variable responses recorded after allergen challenge in presence of alpha blockade with thymoxamine suggests that the dominant effect is on the bronchomotor tone rather than the mediator release.


Accumulation of 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in ketoacidosis. 1. Urine and serum samples from patients with ketoacidosis of varying degree and etiology have been examined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. 2. In addition to 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, relatively high concentrations of two analogous hydroxy acids, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid and 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid, were found in the urine. 3. There were highly significant positive correlations between the excreted amounts of the three acids. 4. Experiments on rats with isotope-labelled compounds revealed that the acids were formed by the degradation of leucine, isoleucine and valine. 5. The accumulation of the hydroxy acids during ketoacidosis is probably caused by a similar derangement of the metabolism of all three branched-chain amino acids.


Enzymatic pattern of glucose metabolic pathways in pyruvate kinase-deficient erythrocytes. It has been shown that in some cases of congenital non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia (CNSHA) with pyruvate kinase deficiency, the primary defect may be related to diminished magnesium-stimulated ATPase activity, followed by elevation of the erythrocyte ATP level. ATP as the end product of glycolysis inhibits by negative feedback control the activities of key glycolytic enzymes involved in energy production, i.e. pyruvate kinase (PK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK). Erythrocyte-deficient PK, however, is insensitive to the stimulating effect of fructose 1,6-diphosphate (FDP), which is normally a positive effector of PK. Both competing effectors, i.e. ATP and FDP, seem to show specific interaction. PK, inactive in the presence of high concentrations of ATP, seems to lose its sensitivity to FDP. This effect persists until ATP molecules are present in excess. In vitro incubation of deficient PK with ATPase resulted in increased PK activity as well as in recovery of its sensitivity to the stimulating effect of FDP. The same effects were obtained in vivo by administering magnesium levulinate intravenously to CNSHA patients with PK deficiency. This may indicate that magnesium ions stimulate deficient ATPase activity and lead to diminution of ATP as a negative effector for other regulatory enzymes.