Inhibition of proteoglycan biosynthesis by hyaluronic acid in chondrocytes in cell culture. The depression of proteoglycan synthesis in ten-day-old high density chondrocyte cultures was shown to be dependent on both the concentration and time of exposure of the cells to hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid had no effect on the overall protein synthesis by the cultured cells. Using benzyl-beta-D-xyloside an exogenous acceptor, it was shown that glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis by the chondrocytes was not affected by hyaluronic acid. It was concluded that hyaluronic acid was effecting glycosaminoglycan chain initiation, hence proteoglycan biosynthesis, either by specifically depressing the synthesis of the core protein or by repressing the activity of the xylosyltransferase.


The partition of glycosaminoglycan-quaternary ammonium complexes. I. The effect of phase composition. The complexes formed between quaternary ammonium cations and polyanionic glycosaminoglycans can be partitioned between partially miscible aqueous inorganic salt and alcohol phases. Small changes in salt concentration can completely shift the complex from one phase to the other. The effect of the phase composition variables: the type of inorganic salt, the type of quaternary ammonium salt, and the alcohol used, were systematically investigated. The sharp transition from solubility in the upper non-aqueous phase to solubility in the lower, aqueous phase was found to be strongly affected by the type of inorganic salt. This transition occurred at higher salt concentrations when NaCl, KCl, or LiCl were used than when CaCl2 or MgCl2 were used. Differences in behavior among glycosaminoglycans were larger for NaCl than for CaCl2. The complex is stabilized to dissociation by salt by increasing hydrophobicity of the non-aqueous phase. However, aggregation of the complex into an insoluble form is also favored by an increasingly hydrophobic environment. The most consistent partition was observed with 1- and 2-butanol. The partition isotherm of chondroitin 4-sulfate was investigated at constant salt concentration. It was found that the partition coefficient varies with the concentration of chondroitin 4-sulfate, although the magnitude of this effect could be diminished by increasing the quaternary ammonium salt concentration.


[Permeability of yeast mitochondrial internal membrane: structure-activity relationship]. In order to investigate the possible relations between the anionic permeability and the functions (or the structure ) of the inner mitochondrial membrane, three types of organelles isolated from S. cerevisiae were tested: mitochondria (aerobic culture), promitochondria (anaerobic culture) and CAP-mitochondria (aerobic culture with chloramphenicol added). By using the technique of swelling in isoosmotic potassium salts, after a derermination of the isotonic conditions, it was possible to discriminate between an electrogenic (valinomycin induced) or an electroneutral (both valinomycin and uncoupler induced) translocation. 1) Mitochondria: The permeability properties of mitochondria are energy dependent: a) Respiring mitochondria are permeable to Cl-; Mg2+, however, inhibits this translocation. Phosphate transport seems to be exclusively electrogenic and mersalyl sensitive, but swelling inhibition by that thiol reagent is restored by Mg2+. b) Non respiring mitochondria are impermeable to Cl-, but ATP addition restores the permeability. Thiocyanate permeates as the anionic form and acetate as the undissociated form. The phosphate transport, sensitive to mersalyl, seems to be partially electrogenic. 2) Promitochondria: Deficient of respiratory enzymes but containing an oligomycin sensitive ATPase, they are impermeable to Cl- only when Mg2+ is added. In these conditions, an electrogenic phosphate transport, sensitive to mersalyl, is observed. 3) CAP-mitochondria: Although CAP-mitochondria are cytochrome deficient and contain an oligomycin insensitive ATPase, they are also impermeable to Cl- in presence of Mg2+. As in fully differenciated mitochondria, an electroneutral phosphate entry is observed; Mg2+ is required for mersalyl sensitivity.


Thiols related to mitochondrial ATPase and transports: unmasking upon conformational changes supported by the comparative effects of ethacrynate and dihydroethacrynate. Comparison between the effects on various rat liver mitochondrial functions of ethacrynate, a thiol reagent inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylations [3, 4] and those of dihydroethacrynate its saturated derivative which is not a thiol reagent, has been performed. Both, ethacrynate and dihydroethacrynate increase oxygen consumption by mitochondria in state 4 (succinate as substrate) in a concentration dependent way (from 1 to 5 X 10(-4) M EA or DHEA). This activation is followed, only with ethacrynate, by an inhibition appearing sooner with higher concentrations. After preincubation or mitochondria with ethacrynate (1 to 5 X 10(-4) M), the stimulation of respiration by (ADP + Pi) is completely inhibited whereas it is only weakly affected by dihydroethacrynate at the same concentrations. Ethacrynate and dihydroethacrynate provoke variations of intramitochondrial Mg2+ and K+ levels which need energy from the respiratory chain. These are affected by Pi or (Pi + ADP) in a different way with ethacrynate and with dihydroethacrynate. After preincubation with mitochondria, ethacrynate and to a smaller extent dihydroethacrynate, inhibit partially ADP translocation; ADP increases the inhibitory effect of EA on translocation and not that of dihydroethacrynate. Ethacrynate increases the oligomycin sensitive ATPase activity and dihydroethacrynate still more. After a ten minutes preincubation with mitochondria, ethacrynate and dihydroethacrynate hardly affect the 2.4 DNP stimulated ATPase activity. Preincubation with succinate or ADP strongly increases the ethacrynate inhibition whereas it decreases dihydroethacrynate inhibition. Ethacrynate and dihydroethacrynate do not affect the efflux of Pi produced by ATP hydrolysis but ethacrynate enforces the inhibitory effect of mersalyl (Mg2+ containing medium). After ten minutes of preincubation with mitochondria, ethacrynate binds 25 nmoles of -SH/mg protein (DTNB titration) and dihydroethacrynate has no effect. These results show an effect of ethacrynate on two types of thiols linked with energy conservation mechanisms and ADP translocation. These thiols could be unmasked or made accessible by conformational modifications of the inner membrane upon energization or addition of ADP.


Serotonin metabolism in normal and abnormal infants during the perinatal period. The concentration of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in various body fluids was measured during the perinatal period in two groups of infants born with normal and pathological conditions, respectively. Evidence was obtained showing that fetal blood 5-HT level was relatively stable, uninfluenced by maternal or fetal factors, and was about half the value of the maternal blood. High levels of 5-HIAA and evidence of an active decomposition of 5-HT were found in the amniotic fluid. These findings suggest that 5-HT in utero is subjected to a very active metabolic turnover. The origin of the fetal blood 5-HT and the significance of the placenta in the control of intrauterine 5-HT metabolism is discussed. There was no clear evidence of abnormal 5-HT metabolism in toxemic pregnancies, premature babies, and an infant with Down's syndrome in the perinatal period.


[Lymphocyte chromatin changes in Down's disease detected by heat denaturation]. By using fluorescent microscopy and acridine orange staining it was shown in the studies on short-term culture of human cells that the melting patterns of chromatin DNA of intact lymphocytes of healthy individuals represented the curves with 6 maxima (F530) at the temperature ranges of 45 degrees C, 65 degrees C, 85 degrees C, and 92 degrees C (P less than 0.01). The melting patterns of lymphocytes from patients with Down's disease represented curves with 4 maxima at the temperature ranges of 65 degrees C, 85 degrees C, 88 degrees C, 92 degrees C (P less than 0.01). No decline in the fluorescence intensity at the temperature intervals of 78 degrees C-85 degrees C was apparently due to a greater degree of condensation of definite regions of the trisomal cell chromatin complex. Possible mechanisms accounting for structural readjustments of the interphasic human lymphocyte chromatin occurring under thermal effects are discussed.


[Role of the striatum in the influence of serotoninergic substances on the course of corazole seizures in rats]. The effect of 5-oxytryptophane (5-OT) and of parachlor-phenylalanine (pCPA) on the behaviouristic EEG manifestations of metrazol convulsions in electrostimulation and destruction of the striatum was studied. The effect of the preparations on the myoclonia and the spike-wave rhythm caused by metrazol did not largely depend on the functional condition of the corpus striatum. The capacity of 5-OT to facilitate, and of pCPA to aggravate the course of generalized convulsions and of the postconvulsive state became enhanced in stimulation and was eliminated after the destruction of the striatum.


[Reversibility of structural changes in the chromatin of peripheral blood lymphocyte interphase nuclei in patients suffering Down's disease under influence of serum from healthy subjects]. By using fluorescent microscopy and acridine orange staining it has been shown in the studies on a short-term human cell culture that the cellular chromatin DNA melting curve at the temperature range of 78--85 degrees C depends on changing conditions of the environment, i. e. on the composition of the blood serum.


Increased potassium transport and ouabain binding in human Rhnull red blood cells. Potassium (K+) influx and 3H-ouabain binding were studied in human red cells completely lacking the rhesus (Rh) antigens (Rhnull cells) and compared with normal Rh(D) red cells. The Rhnull cells, originally described by Seidl, Spielmann, and Martin (Vox Sang. 23:182, 1972) were normal in size, cation, and water content, indicating no significant increase in cell volume as occurs in young human red cells. However, the ouabain-insensitive K+ permeability, as well as the ouabain sensitive active K+ transport, were increased 1.6 1.8-and 1.4-1.5-fold, respectively, above the values found in Rh(D) control cells. The Na+K+ ATPase activity of membranes from Rhnull cells was also higher than from Rh(D) cells. Binding studies with 3H-ouabain revealed that at 100% K+ pump inhibition Rhnull cells bound 670 and Rh(D) cells 450-500 ouabain molecules per cell. Since the rate of ouabain binding was identical in Rhnull and Rh(D) control cells, we concluded that the Rhnull cell had about 35%-45% more cation pumps than the Rh(D) cell. These additional pumps in Rhnull cells appeared to be indistinguishable from those in control cells. Anti-D or the serum from the Rhnull individual did not alter cation permeability in Rh(D) red cells. The data suggested that the Rhnull cell, known for its hematologic malfunction, was not a young or prematurely released red cell, but had a pleiotropic membrane defect which also affected the passive and active cation transport system on the molecular level. Our finding precludes a structural identity of the rhesus antigen with the molecules composing the Na+K+ pump system.


Skin disease in Lambeth. A community study of prevalence and use of medical care. A community survey of skin disease was carried out in Lambeth, London. A postal questionnaire asking recipients to give details of the presence of skin disease was sent to a stratified sample of 2180 adults; a subsample of 614 persons were interviewed at home and an inspection was made of the exposed parts of their skin. Altogether 92 conditions were identified. These were graded for clinical severity and classified into 13 groups. The overall prevalence of skin disease thought to justify medical care was 22-5%. The most common important condition was eczema with a prevalence of 6-1%. Age, sex, and social class trends in prevalence were found in certain groups of skin disease. Of those with a skin disease thought to justify medical care, only 21% reported having attended their general practitioner in the past six months for a skin complaint. The reported use of medical care and self medication is discussed in relation to the presence of skin disease and other factors.


Neuropathy in experimental diabetes: an animal model. A morphometric study of the common peroneal nerve in early experimental diabetes in rats showed that fibre size was diminished. The reduction in the size of the axon was twice that of the myelin sheath. This may contribute to the understanding of the impaired motor conduction velocity found in diabetics shortly after the onset of their disease.


Characterization of the adenosinetriphosphatase and calsequestrin isolated from sarcoplasmic reticulum of normal and dystrophic chickens. The Ca2+ +Mg2+-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.3) and calsequestrin have been isolated from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of normal and dystrophic chicken muscle. The adenosinetriphosphatases, isolated from the two lines of chickens were identical in molecular weight, enzyme activity and in Ca2+ +Mg2+-dependence. Calsequestrins isolated from the two lines bound identical amounts of calcium. There were no differences in the Ca2+  transport functions of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane, isolated from the two lines of chickens. These results indicate that morphological differences in dystrophic chicken sarcoplasmic reticulum, described by Sabbadini et al (Sabbadini, R., Scales, D. Inesi, G. FEBS Lett. 54, 8 (1975), cannot be ascribed to qualitative differences in the adenosinetriphosphatase or calsequestrin.


Isolation of specific protease inhibitors from Neurospora crassa. Four natural protease inhibitors have been partially purified by heat treatment, ion-exchange chromatography pand gel filtration from Neurospora crassa. The inhibitory activity has been estimated by measuring the inhibition of proteolysis of casein as well as by the protection of Neurospora tryptophan synthase from proteolytic inactivation. The inhibitors are all oligopeptides and possess molecular weights in the range 5000-24 000 and appear to be very specific to Neurospora proteases. They may be classified into two types. The first are specific to Neurospora alkaline protease and the second to acidic protease. None of them exhibited any effect on other proteases including trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, pepsin, thermolysin, subtilisin and proteinase K. The possible physiological role of these inhibitors is discussed.


Effect of aromatic retinoids on rat chondrosarcoma glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. Synthetic aromatic analogs of retinoic acid were administered i.p. and p.o. to Fischer F344 rats bearing a transplantable chondrosarcoma. 35CO4 incorporation into glycosaminoglycans were compared for neoplastic and normal cartilage explants after removal from animals given various analogs. There was a direct relationship between [35S]glycosaminoglycan synthesis by chondrosarcoma chondrocytes and inhibition of tumor growth. The degree of inhibition of [35S]glycosaminoglycan synthesis in the neoplastic cartilage was dependent on the dose of the retinoid administered. At 20-mg/kg/day doses of retinoid for 4 weeks, 35SO4 incorporated into glycosaminoglycan by treated tumor explants was reduced as much as 95%. There was no reduction of [35S] glycosaminoglycan produced in normal costal cartilage of the same animals. Retinoid treatment of 20-mg/kg/day doses for 4 weeks resulted in a 75% reduction in glycosaminoglycan per mg of chondrosarcoma; there was no reduction in costal cartilage glycosaminoglycan. Retinoid (10- to 20-mg/kg/day doses) elevated collagen levels per mg of chondrosarcoma but had no effect on costal cartilage collagen. Combined in vitro and in vivo studies showed that retinoid administration modified neoplastic chondrocyte function but had no measurable effect on normal chondrocyte function.


Influence of hormonal alteration of host on estrogen-binding capacity in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors. The estrogen-binding capacity of mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene was measured in lesions from animals after the ovariectomy, deprival of insulin (diabetes), or treatment with lergotrile mesylate to inhibit prolactin secretion. The average estrogen-binding capacity was 30 fmoles/mg cytosol protein in growing or static carcinomas from intact (control) animals. A significant reduction in estrogen-binding capacity was observed in regressing but not static mammary tumors from ovariectomized animals. In regressing and static tumors from diabetic rats, estrogen-binding capacity was significantly lower than in lesions from intact animals; this effect was not seen in growing tumors from diabetic rats. Tumors that were growing or static in lergotrile-treated animals showed reduced capacity to bind labeled estradiol. The effects of duration of hormone treatment or time of tissue storage on estrogen-binding capacity were examined and did not appear to be correlated with the decreased binding in tumors from treated animals. The results suggest that hormones capable of producing altered neoplastic growth may influence the level of estrogen receptors.


Pharmacology of chlorozotocin Nsc-178248), a new nitrosourea antitumor agent. Structure-activity studies of nitrosourea pharmacology have resulted in the synthesis of a new water-soluble agent,chlorozotocin, which has significant antitumor activity against the L1210 leukemia system and produces only a minor degree of inhibition of mouse and human bone marrow DNA synthesis compared to BCNU. It is important to emphasize that the bone marrow sparing feature of chlorozotocin is relative and that if the drug is administered at lethal dose levels in mice, myelosuppression is observed. The potential importance of these studies is the identification of a new and active nitrosourea antiumor agent with modified bone marrow toxicity. If aminoglucose modification of nitrosourea bone marrow toxicity can be confirmed in man without significant loss of antitumor activity, the use of such a compound could facilitate treatment of patients with neoplastic disease who have pre-existing abnormal bone marrow function. It would also allow the more effective use of a nitrosourea agent in combination with anticancer agents possessing more potent myelosuppressive properties.


Hot film coronary artery velocity measurements in horses. Coronary velocity measurements have been carried out in anaesthetized, open-chest horses using a constant-temperature, hot-film anemometer system. L-shaped needle probes inserted by direct vessel puncture have been used to measure velocity profiles in the left common, left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex coronary arteries. The flow conditions were characterized by peak Reynolds numbers from approximately 200 to 1500 and values of the unsteadiness parameter from 3 to 10. These measurements indicate that in the left common coronary artery the profile is in general skewed towards the outer wall as would be expected for fully viscous flow in a curved tube. In the left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary arteries just distal to the bifurcation, the skewing was found in general to be away from the flow divider. However, in regions of the LAD and left circumflex 5-6 diameters downstream of the bifurcation, the peak systolic and diastolic profiles were indicative of a more fully developed, Poiseuille type flow with only slight skewing observed. The results of this study indicate that the flow in the coronary system, though in general laminar and disturbance free, is extremely varied in character and may exhibit large amplitude, low frequency flow oscillations. Furthermore, for these vessels which all lie on the surface of the myocardium, large systolic flows were observed to be present, even though the major portion of the volume flow was reserved for the diastolic period.


Transcutaneous measurement of blood flow velocity in the human aorta. A Doppler velocity meter for measuring blood flow velocity in the human aorta is described. Using pulsed ultrasound, this instrument allows the velocity to be measured at selected depths. The instrument has been tested in laboratory experiments, and appears to give accurate estimates of mean flow velocity for both steady and pulsatile flows. Flow velocities and estimates of stroke volume have been obtained from the ascending aorta in 18 patients. It is suggested that at present only relative values for flow and flow velocity can be measured. A method for obtaining absolute values for these parameters, based on scanning in the aortic arch, is proposed.


Fibrin subunits in venous and arterial thromboembolism. The subunit fibrin composition of thrombi of both venous and arterial origin was examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis. The thrombi were recovered by surgical intervention and all had the same fibrin subunit composition. The alpha chains were cross-linked as alpha-chain polymers alpha (p), the gamma chains as gamma-chain dimers (gamma-gamma) while the beta chains were not crosslinked; a further subunit of molecular weight 33 000 was shown to be present in all the fibrins examined and was a degradation fragment of the beta or gamma chains. This data suggests that the crosslinked alpha chains are rate limiting to the lysis of thrombi in vivo. The digestion of pulmonary emboli by plasmin yielded soluble degradation products which were identified as D dimer and E, the latter fragments being the major products obtained by the lysis of in-vitro made plasma clots. The similarity of the composition and lysis of thrombus fibrin to that formed in vitro augurs well for the justification of in-vitro research on mechanisms in thrombolysis.


Androgen-dependent fibrinolytic activity in a murine mammary carcinoma (Shionogi SC-115 cells) in vitro. Physiological concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can specifically induce the release of fibrinolysin from androgen-dependent mammary carcinoma (Shionogi SC-115) cells in vitro. No fibrinolytic activity was observed in cells cultured either in the absence of DHT or presence of pharmacological concentrations of estrogen. Furthermore, an autonomous tumor derived from the Shionogi SC-115 cells produced fibrinolytic activity independent of added DHT or estrogen. These observations suggest a close correlation between fibrinolytic activity of a tumor and its ability to grow in vivo.


Depolymerization of F-actin by deoxyribonuclease I. Deoxyribonuclease I causes depolymerization of filamentous muscle actin to form a stable complex of 1 mole DNAase I:1 mole actin. The regulatory proteins tropomyosin and troponin bind to filamentous actin and slow down but do not prevent the depolymerization. In the absense of ATP, heavy meromyosin binds tightly to actin filaments and blocks completely the DNAase I: actin filament interaction. Addition of ATP releases heavy meromyosin; DNAase I is then rapidly inhibited and the actin filaments are depolymerized.


Differences and similarities in chromatin structure of Neurospora crassa and higher eucaryotes. The subunit structure of Neurospora chromatin which contains a full histone complement (Goff, 1976) exhibits both differences and similarities to chromatin of higher eucaryotes. The size of the DNA per subunit is only 170 +/- 5 base pairs, as compared to 200 base pairs in higher eucaryotes. However, the internal structures of the subunits are closely related. They contain 140 base pairs of DNA that are more tightly associated with the histone core and similarly arranged on the outside of the subunit. Hence the difference in structure resides in a shorter linker region of adjacent subunits in Neurospora chromatin. This is supported by a reduced primary cutting site and a lower content of lysines in histone H1. The role of H1 and its relation to the linker region are discussed.


Biological, biochemical and physicochemical evidence for the existence of the polyadenylate - polyuridylate - poly 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate triple-stranded complex. The interferon-inducing activity of the double-stranded complex poly(A) - poly(U) in primary rabbit kidney cell cultures is reduced when the cells are treated with poly(dUfl) either 1 h before, simultaneously with, or 1 h after the exposure to the double-stranded complex. It has been demonstrated in experiments involving sensitivity to hydrolysis by RNAase, UV absorbance-mixing curves, and UV absorbance-temperature profiles that this phenomenon is due to the formation of the triple-stranded complex poly(A) - poly(U) - poly(dUfl). The latter complex seems to be the principal product of interactions in the following systems: poly(A) - poly(U) + poly(dUfl); poly(A) - poly(dUfl) + poly(U); and poly(A) + poly(U) + poly (dUfl).


[Half-life of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) during pregnancy]. During pregnancy the half-life of DHAS was measured after non tritiated DHAS infusion. At 30 weeks, the mean value obtained for DHAS half-life was 3.64 h +/- 0.74 and it was 3.67h +/- 0.38 at 38 weeks. The half-life of DHAS is shorter in pregnant than in non-pregnant women. Among 14 pathological pregnancies that we studied, 13 cases exhibited a DHAS half-life significantly longer than the average value obtained in normal pregnancies. In retarded fetal growth, the half-life of DHAS was more closely related to fetal than to placental weight.


Helping parents to accept.

Helping parents to accept. The way in which the professional team approaches parents of a handicapped child influences the acceptance of it. An ideal team approach is outlined.


Steroid conjugates in human seminal plasma. A technique for the measurement of five conjugated steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, pregnenolone sulphate, testosterone sulphate, dihydrotestosterone sulphate and testosterone glucuronide) in human seminal plasma is described. The steroid sulphates and testosterone glucuronide were measured by radioimmunoassay after solvolysis and enzyme hydrolysis, respectively. In all cases the recognized criteria of assay reliability were fulfilled. In a group of men with established fertility, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate had the highest concentration and testosterone sulphate had the lowest (mean levels of 1-04 mumoles/1 and 1-52 nmoles/1, respectively). The levels of pregnenolone sulphate, dihydrotestosterone sulphate and testosterone glucuronide were 30-3, 4-37 and 38-8 nmoles/1, respectively. In all cases the levels of conjugated steroid exceeded the levels of the corresponding unconjugated compound.


Endocrine effects of vasectomy.

Endocrine effects of vasectomy. In order to provide information on the endocrine effects of vasectomy, unconjugated pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestrone and oestradiol were analysed in the blood plasma of twenty Mexican men on two occasions before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after vasectomy. Vasectomy appeared to be associated with a significant decrease in the plasma levels of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione and a significant increase in the levels of dihydrotestosterone and oestrone. A probably significant increase in oestradiol levels took place 12 months after vasectomy but not before. No consistent changes were found in testosterone (up to 12 months) or in FSH and LH levels (up to 6 months) after vasectomy. The unconjugated steroids indicated above, except oestrone, were also estimated, whenever possible, in seminal plasma specimens obtained from thirty-nine subjects (including the twenty indicated above) on the same occasions. Vasectomy was associated with a highly significant decrease of seminal plasma dihydrotestosterone levels on all occasions and a significant decrease in androstenedione levels after 6 and 12 months. After 12 months there was a decrease in dehydroepiandrosterone and an increase in oestradiol; these changes were both probably significant. In another preliminary study, the levels of pregnenolone sulphate, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone glucuronide, testosterone sulphate and dihydrotestosterone sulphate were estimated before and 1 month after vasectomy in the seminal plasma of fourteen to seventeen subjects. Testosterone glucuronide fell, probably significantly, but other conjugates were unchanged. The data indicate that vasectomy may be associated with significant changes in the circulating and in seminal plasma levels of several steroids. The gradual nature of some of the changes observed suggests the necessity of conducting in several centres large-scale, long-term studies on vasectomized subjects and on a carefully matched control group. During the last decade vasectomy has been widely practised in several parts of the world as a method of fertility control. However, information on the endocrine effects of this intervention appears to be scanty. In most of the human studies reported, a small number of individuals were investigated and the studies have been confined to the assessment of the short-term effects of the operation. Moreover, the hormonal indices assessed by the various investigators have been limited, in most cases, to gonadotrophins and testosterone in blood. The present study was designed to assess in the same subjects the levels of a number of unconjugated steroids, FSH and LH on two occasions before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after vasectomy. The studies were extended to include steroid analyses in seminal plasma in the hope that such assays might yield information as to the effects of vasectomy on the distribution of steroids in the fluids of the male reproductive tract.


Considerations in the provision of comprehensive care for children with severe visual handicap. The medical and social characteristics of children attending day special schools for the partially sighted is described. This group is characterized by the large number of additional handicaps and a high rate of familial defect. One third have at least one member of the family handicapped and belong to families larger than average. One tenth of the children are living in anomalous family situations. Some of the implications for the provision of comprehensive care are discussed.


Sialoproteinaemia: lack of correlation with inhibition of in vitro lymphoblastosis induced by phytohaemagglutinin or alloantigen. Elevation of serum-bound sialic acid concentration in different disease states fails to correlate significantly with suppressive serum actions in mixed allogeneic lymphocyte cultures or phyto-haemagglutinin cultures. Heat-decomplemented serum from patients with abnormal levels of bound sialic acid was added to parallel cultures containing similar blood lymphocyte populations derived from normal humans. Wide fluctuations of the rate of incorporation of tritiated thymidine into nucleoprotein indicated presence of suppressive elements other than sialoprotein in the added serum components. Serum with rising sialyl concentration derived from patients with cancer showed slight tendency to augment mixed lymphocyte and phytohaemagglutinin responses. The findings suggest that the previously documented nonspecific suppressive action of serum sialoprotein on human host lymphoblastic response to neuraminidase-treated cancer cells represents a mechanism unique to that culture system rather than a manifestation of a general immunoregulatory function of serum sialoprotein.


Gold nephropathy: serologic data suggesting an immune complex disease. Servlogical tests preformed on a patient with gold-induced nephropathy revealed a multitude of immunological phenomena preceding the onset of proteinuria. These included formtaion of tissue antibodies, rheumatoid factors and circulating immune complexes. An antigen sharing immunological determinants with DOC-extractable tissue antigens was released into circulation before and during proteinuria. Precipitating antibodies against this circulating antigen were found in one serum sample obtained 6 weeks before the complication was diagnosed. In this serum specimen, antibodies were also found which combined with saline extracts, DOC extracts containing the ubiquitous tissue antigen (UTA), and preparations obtained from various human organs by extraction at 100 degrees C followed by precipitation at 71% ethanol concentration (BE preparations). Most of the activities disappeared before the onset of proteinuria. The possible significance of these phenomena in the pathogenesis of nephropathy is discussed.


Enhancement of "one-way" human mixed lymphocyte reaction by cholinergic agents. "One-way" mixed lymphocyte reaction was not enhanced when the cells were allowed to be exposed to acetylcholine or carbamylcholine at a concentration of 0.01-1.0mumole/ml during the entire period of culture. It was thought to be due to cytotoxicity effect of these agents on responding cells. When the responding cells were incubated with cholinergic agents for 1 hr prior to washing the cells  and setting up the mixed cell culture, "one-way" mixed lymphocyte reaction was enhanced. However, when the stimulating cells were similarly treated with either agent, no enhancement of "one-way" mixed lymphocyte reaction was observed. These observations indicate that cholinergic agent induces enhancement of mixed lymphocyte reaction by affecting only the responding cells and not the stimulating cells.


A comparison of the information processing deficits of patients with Huntington's chorea and Korsakoff's syndrome. Patients with Huntington's Chorea and alcholic Korsakoff's disease were compared on six tests of short-term memory (STM) and of encoding capacity. While the alcoholic Korsakoff patients demonstrated STM disorders related to an increase sensitivity to proactive interference (PI) and to failures in semantic encoding, the Chorea patients had a different pattern of deficits. The Chorea patients, like the Korsakoffs, had STM deficits, but their memory performance did not improve with reductions in PI, and they had different types of encoding deficits than did the Korsakoff patients. These results demonstrate that information processing tasks can be used to empirically differentiate amnesic patients with normal I.Q.'s from patients with dementia-related memory impairments.


Pulmonary arterial pulsus alternans secondary to primary pulmonary hypertension. Pulsus alternans of the pulmonary artery without systemic pulsus alternans is uncommon and is associated with multiple diseases. Two cases of pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary arterial pulsus alternans and right-sided heart failure are described. Primary pulmonary hypertension was demonstrated at autopsy in both cases. These two case reports constitute another previously unreported cause for pulsus alternans in the pulmonary circuit.


An unusual complication of minidose heparin therapy. A 50-year-old woman developed a massive hematoma of the superficial abdominal wall following subcutaneous heparin therapy. The lesion was located above the fasica, became infected, and was associated with epithelial necrosis over the right lower quadrant of the abdominal wall. Operative excision of the entire affected area with primary closure was successful 4 weeks following the injection. The etiology of this problem was attributed to accidental laceration of the superficial epigastric vessels. This extensive local complication of subcutaneous minidose heparin injection seems not to have been previously reported.


Situs inversus, subaortic and subpulmonic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, and single coronary artery. The unusual occurrence of situs inversus totalis, ventricular septal defect, hypertrophic subaortic and subpulmonic stenosis, and single coronary artery in a 38-year-old man is presented. The clinical course was remarkably mild, as documented by data from 23 years of study including four cardiac catheterizations. At age 35 years, however, syncope, chest pain, and marked elevation of right ventricular pressure prompted complete surgical repair of the left and right ventricular outflow tract obstructions and closure of the septal defect. Three years after surgery the patient continues to lead an active life without symptoms. The unusually mild course can be attributed to the natural banding effects of the subpulmonic stenosis which prevented irreversible pulmonary hypertension.


Reconstruction of the patellar tendon using a dacron graft: a case report. A case is presented in which a patellar tendon has undergone shortening and degeneration after rupture of a primary repair. The extensor tendon mechanism was reconstructed by using a dacron graft to substitute for the missing patellar tendon and follow-up at 15 months post-surgery showed excellent return of function. Factors in the successful outcome were thought to be both the intrinsic strength of the dacron graft and the ability of fibroblasts to infiltrate the dacron mesh to form a new tendon-like structure.


Immobilization hypercalcemia: a case report and review of the literature. A 17-year-old girl was immobilized in traction for 3 months and in a spica cast for 6 weeks for fractures of the femur and pelvis. Seven weeks after injury and after her acute renal failure had resolved, serum calcium rose and remained elevated for the duration of her immobilization. Conservative treatment by hydration, diuresis, and later tilttable therapy failed to relieve her hypercalcemia. Only after mobilization did the serum calcium levels return to normal and the symptoms abate. Administration of recently developed medical methods of management of hypercalcemia may have prevented this complication.


[Problems in clinical pedodontics].

[Problems in clinical pedodontics]. The necessity of early dental care for children is emphasized; such care can only be achieved by interdepartmental cooperation especially with gynecologists and pediatricians. Only specific, early application of all prophylactic measures and general, systematic instruction - combined with individual advising of the patient - can give hope for improved oral conditions in our children.


Dynamic appearance of [4-14C] dehydroepiandrosterone and [7 alpha-3H] dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate metabolites in urine of normal and obese female subjects. [4-14C]-Dehydroepiandrosterone and [7 alpha-3H]-Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were injected simultaneously to normal and obese female subjects. The percentage recovery of 14C and 3H radioactivies in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androsterone sulphate, etiocholanolone sulphate, androsterone glucuronoside and etiocholanolone glucuronoside was determined in the day-to-day urine collections for 72 hr. Results showed a normal total 3H recovery and a poor 14C recovery in urinary conjugates of obese patients. The rate of appearance of 3H activity was not identical in the individual metabolites of normal subjects, and it was not normal in obesity. Overweight subjects exhibited an acceleration in [7 alpha-3H]-Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate metabolism to androsterone glucuronoside. The observation regarding the rate of appearance of urinary conjugates bearing 14C isotope correlate with our previous finding in which a glandular overproduction of free dehydroepiandrosterone was found and an uptake of this steroid by the adipose tissue was suggested. Our results showed that the poor recovery of 14C radioactivity in urine of obese female subjects was not an aspecific consequence of illness.


Plasma levels and secretion rate of steroids with anabolic activity in man. Both the gonads and the adrenal cortex secret steroids with anabolic activity. It should be realized that the most intense anabolism occurs during infancy and childhood at which time the concentration of steroid hormones with anabolic activity is extremely low. By far the most important anabolic steroid is in testosterone followed by androstenedione, androsterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. Also, estrogens have a generalized anabolic effect, although these hormones have their greatest anabolic action in their respective target organs. In males, after a short period of relatively high T levels immediately after birth, T levels during infancy and childhood are low (+/- 20--30 ng/100 ml); the increase of T levels in one of the first objective signs of puberty and over a period of 3--4 years adult T levels are reached. The latter vary between 380 and 1,000 ng (mean 660 ng/100 ml); the increase in the protein-free, non-protein bound testosterone is even more impressive as the concentration of testosterone binding globulin decreases sharply at puberty. Testosterone levels remain constant up to the 7th decade of life, and decrease rapidly thereafter; free testosterone levels decrease already after the age of 40. T secretion rates in adult males vary between 4 and 10 mg/24 hrs (-/m: 6.6 mg/24 hrs); in males over 65 years the mean T secretion is 4.2 mg/24 hrs: this decrease is a consequence of a decrease in plasma levels and a slowing down of the metabolism. T in adult males originates practically exclusively from the testes. Decreased T levels and secretion rates are observed in hypogonadism and under stressful conditions (anaesthesia, anxiety, hangover, exhaustion, undernutrition) as well as ACTH stimulation. DHT levels parallel generally T levels. Androstenedions (A) in adult males originates in about equal parts from the testes and adrenals. Androstenedione production rates in adult males vary between 1.4--2.1 mg/24 hrs. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels are low in infants and young children. They increase in the immediate pre-pubertal period to reach adult levels after completion of puberty. ACTH as well as stressful situations increase DHEA levels. The mean DHEA production rate is +/- 70 mg/24 hrs. Androsterone is a metabolite of T, A, DHEA, and 170HP, and circulates in plasma essentially as the 3-sulphate and to a lesser extent as the 3-glucuronide. In females, androgen levels before puberty are grossly similar to levels in male children. Pre- and post-menopausal levels of T, DHT, DHEA and their rates of production are discussed. Estrogens have also some anabolic effects. Levels of estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) in cycling and post-menopausal women are also given. In post-menopausal women E2 levels are extremely low. E2 production rates in post-menopausal women are of the order of 5--20 mug/24 hrs. Progesterone does not appear to have an anabolic effect...


Physical training and connective tissues in young mice-heart. The effect of physical training on the chemical properties of the heart tissues was studied in male mice of NMRI-strain. The mice to be trained and their controls were about 2 weeks old at the beginning of the training, which took place on 5 degrees inclined treadmill 5 days a week for 3-22 weeks. The duration of daily exercise was progressively increased over the first 3 weeks. The final daily exercise bouts were 50 and 80 min for moderate programs and 180 min for the intensive program at a speed of 30 cm/s. The whole heart or the ventricles were used for the analyses. We found no significant changes related to training in the concentrations of nitrogen, hexosamines, and hydroxyproline both in the normal-sized and the hypertrophied hearts. The hydroxyproline concentration of the ventricles was lower than that of the whole heart tissue, but no difference was observed in the concentration of nitrogen. The hydroxyproline concentration of the heart tissue increased with age both in the trained and untrained mice (39% over 19 weeks). We conclude that collagen and non-collagen proteins in the heart tissue of young mice are stimulated in equal proportions by physical training.


The tentative identification in Escherichia coli of a multienzyme complex with glycolytic activity. Penicillin spheroplasts of Escherichia coli were ruptured osmotically, by freezing and thawing, or mechanically. Differential centrifugation sedimented 20-30% of the glycolytic enzymes without increasing their specific activities. There was, however, evidence of distinct groups of sedimenting enzymes; growth on different carbon sources could influence the distribution. Sucrose gradient studies gave no evidence of enzyme association but provided estimations of the molecular weight of each enzyme which were close to those subsequently observed on gel filtration. Using the determined molecular weight and a literature value for specific activity, the measured activity ratio of the enzymes was compared with that expected from an equimolar mixture. All values agreed within a factor of five, except for hexokinase. The relative roles of hexokinase and phosphotransferase in E. coli are briefly considered. An equimolar multienzyme aggregate of all the enzymes of glycolysis would have a molecular weight of about 1.6 X 10(6). Chromatography on a Biogel column yielded one fraction, corresponding to a molecular weight of 1.6 X 10(6), which contained a proportion of all the glycolytic enzyme studied; the remaining portion of each enzyme activity was eluted from the column at the position expected from its individual molecular weight. The fraction of mol. wt 1 600 000 was tested for complete glycolysis pathway activity and found not to be different from a reconcentrated mixture of the separated enzymes. Both the eluted and the reconstructed systems showed unexpected activity changes at different protein concentrations. The specific radioactivity of pyruvate formed by these systems from [14C]glucose 6-phosphate was reduced by the presence of unlabelled 3-phosphoglycerate, but by less than would have been expected had the latter been able to participate fully in glycolytic activity. This result indicates that these preparations were capable of selectivity compartmenting glycolytic intermediates. Electron microscope investigation of both systems showed large numbers of regular 30 nm diameter particles which, on disruption, appeared to be composed of smaller units: it is possible that these particles may have been aggregates containing glycolytic enzymes. The possible advantages of a glycolytic multienzyme complex are briefly discussed.


Activation parameters of the adenosine triphosphatase of Micrococcus lysodeikticus. A comparison of the soluble and membrane-bound forms of the enzyme. The Arrhenius plots for the membrane-bound ATPase and its soluble form purified from Micrococcus lysodeikticus, presented discontinuities near 30 degrees C at pH 7.5. Glycerol-containing lipids were not responsible for these discontinuities. The values of the enthalpies of activation were 12 (soluble) and 22 (membrane-bound) kcal/mol (50.2 and 92.0 kJ/mol) above 30 degrees C and 42 (soluble) and 29 (membrane-bound) kcal/mol (175.7 and 121.3 kJ/mol) below that temperature. The results suggested that both molecular forms of the ATPase were able to adopt at least two different structures, above and below the critical temperature. Of the two, only the high-temperature structure seemed to be enzymically active. In the case of lipid-dependent ATPases, such as the Escherichia coli enzyme, the transition between both enzyme structures probably occurred with simultaneous "melting" of their lipid microenvironment.


The effect of p-chlorophenylalanine on the pethidine- or methadone-induced decrease in locomotor activity of rats. Either pethidine HCl (50 mg/kg s.c.) or methadone HCl (8 mg/kg s.c.) produced a prominent decrease in locomotor activity of rats. Pretreatment of rats with p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA, 320 mg/kg i.p.) 48 h before the narcotic injection significantly antagonized the activity-decreasing effects of narcotics. When rats pretreated with p-CPA were given 5-hydroxytryptophan (75 mg/kg s.c.) 30 min before narcotic administration, the activity-decreasing response to narcotics was restored. Thus, a decrease in locomotor activity induced in rats by either pethidine or methadone is probably mediated by serotonergic mechanisms.


Accumulation of 5-HT in non-terminal axons after p-chloro-N-methylamphetamine without degeneration of identified 5-HT nerve terminals. The effect of a single injection of d,1-p-chloro-N-methylamphetamine (PCMA) on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)- containing neurons in rat brain was investigated using fluorescence histochemical, electron microscopic and biochemical methods. PCMA caused in a dose-dependent manner (from 4.3 mg/kg), an increase of formaldehyde-induced indoleamine (IA) fluorescence in swollen non-terminal axons during the first 6 days and, in contrast, a diminution of IA fluorescence in nerve terminal regions for up to 42 days after treatment. These changes did not appear to be the result of destruction of 5-HT nerve terminals since at all time intervals investigated (12 h to 42 days), the fine structure and frequency of supra-ependymal 5-HT nerve terminals were unaffected. Moreover, no degenerating nerve terminals were observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. A marked transient decrease of IA fluorescence on day 2 in the 5-HT cell bodies B3-B9 was not followed by obvious morphological changes up to 42 days after PCMA. Therefore, the reduced 5-HT content of brain up to 42 days after treatment seems not to be due to a destruction of 5-HT neurons. Moreover, the damage to non-terminal 5-HT axons, as indicated by the 5-HT accumulation, seems not to be severe, at least not to those axons projecting to the cerebral ventricles and suprachiasmatic nucleus, since no degeneration of 5-HT nerve terminals was observed at any of the times investigated.


Effect of cholesterol oxidation on (Na+, K+) ATPase activity of erythrocyte membranes. By incubation of human erythrocyte ghosts with cholesterol oxidase (EC 1.1.3.6) part of the cholesterol of the membrane is replaced by 4-cholesten-3-one. This alteration in the sterol composition is accompanied by an inhibition of the (Na+, K+) ATPase of the erythrocyte membrane.


Further studies on gel filtration of urinary substances. Urine specimens from healthy children were concentrated and filtered through Sephadex G-100 and G-25. The eluate was recovered in fractions of 5 ml each. Total hexoses, galactose, total proteins and total uronic acids were determined on each fraction. Total hexoses and galactose were eluted in 6 distinct peaks. The uronic acid containing GAG were eluted in 4 small peaks on G-25 and 1 peak on G-100. This peak is eluted always with high amounts of galactose containing glycoproteins.


The interaction of organic cations with the mitochondrial membrane. Weak and strong organic bases behave in an opposite manner in respect to several mitochondrial functions. The former induce a catalytic exchange with K+ in valinomycon-treated, respiratory-inhibited mitochondria, and act as uncouplers in respiring mitochondria. The latter induce a stoicheometric exchange with K+ and are actively taken up by respiring mitochondria.


Formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve by chinoform-ferric chelate. Effects of chinoform and chinoform-ferric chelate on formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve were investigated. Free chinoform did not increase the lipoperoxide level, while chinoform-ferric chelate significantly increased it. Assuming that the lipoperoxide formed denatures the associated protein in the nerve, the effect of chinoform-ferric chelate could explain, at least partly, the demyelination of nerve tissues caused by massive doses of chinoform.


Role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in prostaglandin E1-induced potentiation of hexobarbitone hypnosis in albino rats. PGE1 potentiated, while diclofenac, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, antagonized hexobarbitone hypnosis in rats. PGE1-induced potentiation of hexobarbitone sleep was inhibited by a 5HT synthesis inhibitor and by a 5HT receptor blocker, suggesting that this potentiation is 5HT mediated.


[Plurality in the determinism of organophosphorus teratogenic effects (author's transl)]. In Quail embryos, nicotinamide prevents beak and legs abnormalities produced by bidrin but remains inefficient against vertebral defects induced by bidrin and parathion. In contrast, the vertebral deficiencies are greatly alleviated or abolished by pralidoxim, an antidote known and used in organophosphorus intoxications. From these observations, a plurality in the determinism of teratogenic effects induced by organophosphorus compounds is evident.


The sedative effects of nicotinamide on gerbil wheel-running activity. The activity of 5 groups of gerbils was monitored over 22 days. 3 of the groups received daily injections of nicotinamide (125, 250 or 500 mg/kg) and a 4th group received saline. The 5th group was untreated. The results indicated that both the 250 and 500 mg/kg nicotinamide administrations greatly reduced the activity levels of the gerbils.


Na, K-ATPase in the salivary gland of the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum (Koch) and its relation to the process of fluid secretion. Total and ouabain-sensitive ATPase activities were determined in the salivary glands of ticks throughout the feeding cycle. Activities were very low in unfed specimens. In the glands of feeding females, the activities rose until a maximum was reached for both ATPase components at approximately 200 mg. The activities remain low in males throughout the feeding period. These findings are discussed in relation to the fluid secretory process of the salivary glands.


Interaction of genes and metals in development. Examples are presented in interactions between genetic factors and certain trace during development in experimental animals. One type of interaction irenatal nutritional manipulation. The other involved strain differences, which lead differential responses to dietary deficiency. The mutant gene pallid in mice produces abnormal development of the inner ear similar to that resulting from intrauterine manganese deficiency. This abnormality is prevented by manganese supplementation of prenant mutant mice, and as in manganese deficiency, appears to result from depressed synthesis of mucopolysaccharides. Are interaction between copper and the mutant gene cribkled in mice is describes. High dietary copper curing prenatal and abnormal life doubled postnatal survival of mutants and brought about alterations in other parameters. In A/J mice, which have a significant incidence of spontaneous cleft lip and palate, a marginal deficiency prenetally of dietary zinc did not cause an increased incidence of this anomaly. However, the incidence of other malformations was greatly increased in this strain but not in hybird controls. It is proposed that in man as in animals teratogenesis might involve genetic-nutritional interactions as well as multifractorial interactions including genes, nutrients, drugs, and other environmental agents.


Importance of controlled liquefaction periods for valid steroid assays in human seminal plasma. Incubation of seminal plasma for different periods up to 24 hours at room temperature resulted in a marked gradual increase in the levels of unconjugated pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and testosterone, whereas no alterations were detected in unconjugated dihydrotestosterone and estradiol. No significant difference was observed in the levels of the most sensitive indicators of artifactual changes, pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone, when seminal plasma was frozen immediately or within 30 minutes of ejaculation. It is suggested that, at least when steroid analyses in seminal plasma are contemplated, the samples of ejaculate should be provided by masturbation on hospital premises so that the necessary liquefaction period can be kept short, approximately 30 minutes.


[Study on metabolic pathway from dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to estrogen in late pregnancy (author's transl)]. To investigate the metabolic pathway from dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) to estriol (E3) in late human pregnancy, DHAS (50 to 100 mg) was given intravenously or intraamniotically to 13 volunteers (from cases of normal pregnant women, pregnant women with a live anencephalic fetus, intrauterine fetal death or hydatidiform mole and a patient complicated with cancer of the cervix). Urinary estrogens, serum unconjugated estrogens and urinary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and 16alpha-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone (16alpha-OH-DHA) were measured before and after injection. Brown's method (1955) has been used to measure urinary three fractions of estrogens, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3). Serum unconjugated estrogens, estrone (SE1), estradiol (SE2) and estriol (SE3) were determined by a radioimmunoassay technique (a modification of the method of Makino, 1973). Urinary DHA and alpha-OH-DHA were separated by a modification of the method of Lakshmanan and Lieberman (1954) and by thin layer chromatography, and estimated by the method of Oertel and Eiknes (1959). Results obtained were as follows: (1) In seven cases of pregnancy with a live anencephalic fetus the excretion of urinary estriol was very low and the ratio of E3/E1+E2 was much less than that in normal pregnancy. (2) In five women with a live anencephalic fetus the effect of intravenously injected DHAS was studied. In each case there was a remarkable in urinary E3, E1 and E2, while no remarkable difference between the ratio of E3/E1+E2 before and after administration of DHAS was found. (3) DHAS was given intraamniotically to two women with a live anencephalic fetus. A greater rise of the ratio of E3/E1+E2 after administration of DHAS was found, compared to the control. (4) DHAS circulating in the maternal organism is converted to E3 largely via a phenolic pathway (DHAS-E1-E3), whereas DHAS circulating within the feto-placental compartment is converted to E3 via both phenolic and neutral intermediates (DHAS-16alpha-OH-DHAS-E3). (5) The ratio of urinary 16alpha-OH-DHA/DHA in pregnancy with a live anencephalic fetus was greater than that in non-pregnant woman. This suggests that 16alpha-hydroxylase activity in pregnancy is elevated. (6) Increases in serum unconjugated E1, E2 and E3 after intravenous administration of DHAS in three pregnant women with a live anencephalic fetus were found.


Steroid atrophy--a histological appraisal. This histological changes induced by 1 month's applications of various corticorteroids to normal forearm skin were studied. Marked epidermal atrophy was present at 1 month with the more potent steroids, but the dermal changes were minimal or absent. The methods outlined in this study could serve as a useful model for assessing the unwanted atrophogenic action of potent corticosteroid preparations.


Methods for the assessment of skin atrophogenicity of topical corticosteroids. A review is given of the methods used to estimate the atrophogenicity of corticosteroids after topical use. An experiment was performed in human volunteers in which measurement of mean epidermal thickness showed that the adverse effect of betamethasone 17-valerate exceeded that of placebo, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate ranking in between. To evaluate the atrophy caused by corticosteroid on dermis the radiological technique of Black was further modified and adapted. With this method clobetasol proprionate proved to give significantly more atrophy compared with a placebo. The atrophy disappeared 2 months after treatment was stopped.


Influence of corticosteroids on connective tissue. All glucocorticosteroids inhibit growth, regeneration and repair of cellular or intercellular components of dermal connective tissues, when penetrated through the skin barrier. The resulting atrophy is a logical manifestation of the action of these compounds.


Mechanism of local skin atrophy caused by intradermally injected corticosteroids. Different hydrocortisone microcrystal suspensions applied intradermally in rabbits caused skin atrophy. This could be ascribed to secondary tissue degeneration as was ascertained histologically. The degree of degeneration was related to the concentration of the suspension, size of the microcrystals and frequency of the intervals between the injections. The ground substance of the connective tissue changes and is characterized by a basophilic granular mass, homogenized collagen fibers and degeneration of the elastic fibers. The pathomechanism of local skin atrophy not only differs from connective tissue degeneration caused by systemic corticosteroid treatment but also from the degeneration caused by topical treatment.


Electron-microscopic evaluation of collagen fibrils after topical corticosteroid therapy. A method used to assess the atrophogenic effect of steroids by electron microscopy after ruthenium red staining is described. In two patients more atrophy was observed after fluocinolone treatment than after hydrocortisone 17-butyrate treatment.


Perioral dermatitis and rosacea-like dermatitis: clinical features and treatment. Nine cases of perioral dermatitis and 16 cases of rosacea-like dermatitis have been treated for the last 3 years at our clinic. These cases were all females whose ages ranged from 18 to 61 years with a mean of 45 years. All had been under treatment with fluorinated steroids for a period of from 3 months to 10 years, about 3 years on the average. Tetracyclines were beneficial as remedies for these conditions, bringing about healing or remission in approximately 3 months. About 1 year was required for the recovery from atrophy of the skin and telangiectasia. Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate was more useful as a topical medication than hydrocortisone acetate but gave rise to withdrawal rebound eruptions in some cases.


Perioral dermatitis, an important side-effect of corticosteroids. Perioral dermatitis has been ascribed to the use of oral contraceptives, cosmetics, toothpastes of to an infection with Candida or Fusobacteria, etc. However, seborrheic diathesis, together with the use of potent topical steroids, appeared to be the main cause of the affection. This was confirmed with the help of a number observations in the clinic and by inference from data regarding the geographical spread of the potent steroids.


The treatment of steroid-induced rosacea and perioral dermatitis. Description of adverse effects of strong corticosteroids in rosacea. Perioral dermatitis also seems to be caused by treatment with strong corticosteroids. The rebound effect after weaning the patient from strong corticosteroids might be obviated by hydrocortisone 17-butyrate or hydrocortisone 21-acetate. Continued oral tetracycline treatment is recommended.


Comparative study of triamcinolone acetonide and hydrocortisone 17-butyrate in rosacea with special regard to the rebound phenomenon. The clinical efficacy and the rebound phenomenon were studied in a left-right double-blind trial comparing triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (HC 17-B, Locoid). The trial comprised 19 patients with rosacea-like dermatitis of whom 7 did not receive treatment and 12 were pretreated with betamethasone valerate (BMV). Tetracyclince was given all the time as additional treatment. Clinically there was no significant difference between TA and HC 17-B. No rebound phenomenon was observed. If corticosteroids are to be used at all in rosacea or resoacea-like dermatitis, preference is given to HC 17-B.


Penetration of drugs through the skin.

Penetration of drugs through the skin. Various methods for measuring percutaneous absorption are discussed with particular reference to glucocorticosteroids. Increasing concentrations of steroids in a given formulation will yield a decreasing percent of amount penetrating and a corresponding propertionate decrease in biologic activity. The formulation can shift the relationships of concentration to penetration and to biologic activity. The use of bioassay methods to detect penetration of antibiotics has been applied to find an active topical antibiotic for treatment of acne vulgaris.


The effect of a single dose of cyclophosphamide on the jejunum of specified pathogenfree and germfree rats. After a single dose of cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) cell proliferation in the jejunum of the rat decreased within the first 24 h and returned to the initial level after 48 h. Under the influence of cyclophosphamide, an increased cell loss in germfree rats could be observed. Villus height and villus cell count tended to decrease. Changes in disaccharidase activity in mucosal scrapings with respect to protein and DNA content could not be demonstrated. An influence of presence or absence of bacterial flora could be observed.


Effect of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea and streptozotocin on glucose-induced insulin secretion by isolated islets of Langerhans. The present experiments were designed to compare the effects of streptozotocin and 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea upon glucose-induced insulin secretion by isolated islets of Langerhans. Both drugs depressed the insulin response at one and two hours incubation but higher molar concentrations of the nitrosourea were required to produce the same level of inhibition as streptozotocin, a difference perhaps related to the latter's glucose moiety.


[Left bu;ndle branch block with right axial deviation. Clinic and electro-vectorcardiographic study (author's transl)]. Eleven patients whose ECG and VCG showed a left bundle branch block with right axial deviation (between + 90 degrees and + 150 degrees) were studied with clinical and radiological investigations. All of them had pathological abnormalities of cardiopulmonary apparatus and cardiac enlargement, but only one had congestive heart failure. The right axial deviation was due in one case to the vertical position of the heart in the chest and in three cases to conduction defects of the cardiac impulse through the left bundle branch. In the remaining cases the right axial deviation was dubious. The authors present and discuss all possible factors which could cause such deviation of QRS axis in the left bundle branch block.


Experimental protein-losing gastroenteropathy: role of tissue plasminogen activator. The tissue fibrinolytic activity of intestinal mucosa was studied in rats with protein-losing gastroenteropathies experimentally produced by X-irradiation, 5-fluorouracil treatment, or ligation of the thoracic duct. The first two models showed an increase of fibrinolytic activity and of 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone excretion and the third showed normal fibrinolysis. In addition, it was demonstrated that 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone excretion in the first two groups was markedly reduced by injections of trans-4-aminomethyl cyclohexane carboxylic acid, a potent antiplasmin agent. This finding affords strong support to the authors' previous clinical observation that tissue fibrinolysis in the digestive mucosa plays an important role in the pathogenesis of protein-losing gastroenteropathy associated with diseases of the mucosa.


Mutation induction by difunctional alkylating agents in Neurospora crassa. The genetic characterization of ad-3 mutants of Neurospora crassa induced by two carcinogenic difunctional akylating agents, 1,2,4,5-diepoxypentane (DEP) and 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane (DEO), has shown that point mutations at the ad-3B locus have similar complementation patterns. In addition to the induction of point mutations, DEP induces a low frequency (7.5%) of multilocus deletions, whereas DEO induces an extremely high frequency (42.0%). The distribution of the different classes of ad-3 mutants and the frequency of multilocus deletion mutants among DEP-induced mutants are not significantly different from those induced by the monofunctional alkylating agents EI, EMS and ICR-177 at comparable forward-mutation frequencies. Moreover, the frequencies of DEP-induced ad-3B mutants showing allelic completion or having nonpolarized complementation patterns are similar to those of ad-3B mutants induced by monofunctional agents. It is suggested, therefore, that the mechanism of mutation-induction by DEP in N. crassa is similar to that of monofunctional alkylating agents. Mutation-induction by DEO probably results both from the mechanism of action of monofunctional alkylating agents and from inter-strand cross-linkage of the DNA molecular by the two functional epoxy groups.


[Dermatoglyphics of the relatives of children with congenital developmental defects]. The localization of an axial triradius and the flexor creases were studied in 173 phenotypically normal mothers and 104 fathers of congenitally malformed children. The most pronounced changes of dermatoglyphics were found in the parents of children with polygenic determined defects, less pronounced ones -- in the parents of children with multiple congenital non-chromosomal defects and with Down's syndrome. The frequency of the pathological features studied was similar both in children with polygenically determined isolated defects and in their parents. In multiple congenital defects and in Down's syndrome the abnormalities of the localization of an axial triradius and of the flexor creases were found in children more frequently than in the parents. It is suggested that the above mentioned peculiarities of parental dermatoglyphics may be useful for the genetic counselling.


[Inbreeding in the Samarkand region].

[Inbreeding in the Samarkand region]. Data on the frequency of inbreeding in some isolated populations of Samarkand region are given. Statistically significant differences were established in the frequency of inbreeding in separate groups and in the general population of the region. Inbreeding marriages were more often observed between paralel cousins, occasionally they were made between second cousins. Strict time dependence of inbreeding frequency was not found, but it was noticed that the level of inbreeding was reduced since 1930 to 1949.


[Frequency of genes and blood groups of the systems ABO, MN, Rh and P of Belorussians and Poles in the Grodno region]. A distribution of the gene frequencies and blood groups of the ABO, Rh, NM and P system in the poles and the byelorussians in the Grodno region is investigated. The following frequencies of genes in the byelorussians were revealed: r(0)-0,6210; p(A)-0.2451; q(B)-0,1339; D-0,6093; d-0,3907; M-06063; N-0,3937; P(+)-0,4971; P(-)-0,5029; and in the poles: r(O)-0,6284; p(A)-0,2353; q(B)-0,1363; D-0,6065; d-0,3935; M-0,6093; N-0,397; P(+)-0,4966; P(-)-0,5034. No statistically reliable differences were revealed in frequencies of the alleles and phenotypes of the investigated systems in the poles and byelorussians. By comparison of the same isoantigen systems of the byelorussians in the Grodno region with common population of the byelorussians in the BSSR it was found that statistically significant differences do not exist. The comparison of the poles in the Grodno region with the poles in the Polish People's Republic showed a statistically reliable difference of their genofunds in terms of the gene frequencies: r(O), p(A), D, d, P(+), P(-). This confirms the hypothesis about an indigenous origin of the poles in the Grodno region.


[Inbreeding in the population and the spread of schizophrenia in one of the rural regions of Azerbaijan]. The investigation was carried out in Pushkin region of Azerbaijan SSR. The coefficient of inbreeding was found to be 0,01306 and 0,01142 in 2 typical villages; the frequency of consanguineous marriage in both villages was 30%. The occurence of consanguineous marriage is explained by a little migration of the population, large families and a stability of marriage traditions. An increased frequency of parental consanguinities of sporadic schizophrenic patients in comparison with the average one was found. This indicates the determination of some cases by rare recessive genes.


Hereditary transferrin system in healthy subjects and schizophrenic patients. Hereditary polymorphism of transferrin is studied by means of starch gel electrophoresis in a group of healthy inhabitants of Minsk (250 persons) and in a group of schizophrenic patients (128 persons). It is concluded that the inhabitants of Minsk do not differ considerably from the population, living in the European territory by distributing the frequency of transferrin alleles. No considerable differences are found between the group of healthy people and schizophrenic patients.


[Consanguineous analysis of oligophrenia]. Consanguineous analysis of 214 cases of oligophreny has shown a statistically significant higher level of inbreeding in a population of oligophrenes as compared to the general population. No linear dependence was observed between the degree of oligophrenic defect and the inbreeding coefficient. A high statistically significant level of inbreeding was established in cases of familial oligophreny as compared to sporadic oligophreny. A probability of the existence of the genes of oligophreny linked with the X-chromosome is not excluded.


[Clinico-genetic features of epilepsy in isolates and a panmictic population with intra-pair, intra-isolate and inter-isolate analysis]. Clinico-genealogical investigation revealed certain specific clinico-genetic characteristics of epilepsy under the conditions of isolation (62 cases) as compared to a panmictic population (76 cases). Itra-pair inter-isolate (31 pairs) and intra-isolate (29pairs) comparison has shown a higher frequency of complete phenotypic similarity in cases of intraisolate (24,1%), than in cases of inter-isolate (9,7%) epilepsy. A more conspicuous interisolate (than intra-isolate) clinical polymorphism of epilepsy combined with an  equal frequency of intra-pair inter- and intra-isolate similarity with respect to exogonia and with a distinct (two-fold) increase of the average inbreeding coefficient between the parents of the patients (F = 0,0285) as compared to the general population of the isolates affords the evidence of the genetic heterogeneity of the disease. One of the mechanisms of the hereditary heterogeneity is assumed to be the polylocularity (genocopying).


Age dependence of the biosynthesis of intercellular matrix macromolecules of rabbit aorta in organ culture and cell culture. The age dependence of the relative rate of biosynthesis of intercellular matrix macromolecules was studied in organ culture and cell culture obtained from aortas of newborn, young and adult rabbits. In organ culture there was a strong decrease with age of the rate of incorporation of (14C)-lysine and (3H)-glucosamine in all macromolecular fractions. Neosynthesis of elastin could be demonstrated by the isolation of labelled demosine at all ages. In cell cultures derived from newborn and adult aortas, no decrease in total incorporation was noticed. The pattern of synthesis and secretion of glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins did however change with age. These results suggest the existence of matrix-dependent and of a matrix-independent regulation of the relative rate of synthesis of matrix macromolecules.


[The reliability of scintigraphic criteria of the lungs concerning the estimation of mediastinal involvement in case of bronchial carcinoma (prospective study) (author's transl)]. The goal of this prospective study is to determine the reliability of the scintigraphic diagnosis of mediastinal involvement in patients with bronchial carcinoma, as well as to establish the value of each individual scintigraphic criterion. Ninety-four patients, all of whom were hospitalized because of suspicion of bronchial carcinoma were examined using 133-Xenon i.v., 133-Xenon gas inhalation, and 99m-Tc-MAA i.v. (macroaggregated albumin or microspheres of human albumin). The suspicion was confirmed in 77 patients. -The most reliable scintigraphic criteria are: 1. a localized delayed appearance of the activity in the afflicted lung area during the first 20 sec of the 133-Xenon i.v. series, and 2. the presence of a "dead-space" ventilation. Activity remaining in the area of the subclavian vein or the superior vena cava up to 10 min after the injection of 133-Xenon i.v. must be very carefully interpreted. Sixty-five patients underwent both mediastinoscopy and scintigraphy: in 44 patients (= 68%) the findings in both examinations were the same. Compared to the final diagnosis (mediastinoscopy, operation) there were 20 (= 30%) false negative but only one (= 2%) false positive scintigraphic diagnoses made. -When the scintigraphic criteria of hilar or mediastinal involvement are fulfilled, then the patient is practically certain to be no longer radically operable. This assertion is valid even when the mediastinoscopy is normal.


[Functional scintigraphic radiospirometry. First clinical results in patients with lung diseases]. First clinical results of patients with diseases of the lungs. The previous experiences on patients with diseases of the lungs reveal that the regional function diagnostics of the lungs may be extended and improved by functional scintigraphic radiospirometry. Because of the determination of regional lung volumes restrictive lung diseases can be differentiated and analysed more exactly than it has been possible before by the examinations of perfusion and ventilation alone. A further advance of the determination of lung volume is that the question of functional operability can be cleared up exactly. In our opinion the routine use of the functional scintigraphic radiospirometry is justified. A contraindication for this kind of examination should only be pregnancy.


[The value of various radiological signs in peripheral lung tumours (author's transl)]. Peripheral lung tumours are often found accidentally at a time when they produce no clinical symptoms. The value of frequency of numerous radiological signs in benign and malignant peripheral lung tumours were studied in the clinical material seen in the radiological clinics at Münster University. There are hardly any reliable differential signs during the early stages. Peripheral bronchial carcinomas can be distinguished with certainty on radiological grounds only at an advanced stage, because of their extension into surrounding lung.


[The multiplicity of radiological findings in pulmonary hamartomas (author's transl)]. Difficulties in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary hamartomas are illustrated on the basis of 19 patients with this condition, and with reference to the radiological literature. All the patients in the present series were treated surgically, either because a mistaken diagnosis of a bronchial carcinoma had been made, or because a carcinoma could not be excluded with sufficient certainty. In several cases the patient requested removal of the tumour in order to clarify the diagnosis after several years without symptoms. Pulmonary hamartomas do not always show the appearances described as typical; atypical appearances occur and were rather frequent in our material, amounting to 25%. Despite various difficulties, it is occasionally possible to put an hamartoma first in the differential diagnosis of a lung tumour, particularly if there are no clinical features to suggest malignancy. A definitive diagnosis can be made only by histology after removal of the tumour.


[Pneumocystis pneumonia after renal transplantation (author's transl)]. A fatal pneumocystis pneumonia after renal transplantation is described. The diagnosis, which was suspected on clinical and radiological grounds, was confirmed at autopsy. The radiological features and differential diagnosis and the clinical and pathological findings are described. Needle biopsy is recommended for a definitive diagnosis. Specific treatment at the earliest possible moment.


[A review of the findings on chest examinations and at autopsy in surgical patients under intensive care (author's transl)]. The present paper deals with the findings on examination of the chest and at autopsy in 100 selected surgical patients under intensive care; of these 17% were post-traumatic, 55% had post-operative lung complications and in 28% there had been no trauma or previous operations. The accuracy of the radiological diagnosis was checked against the autopsy findings. Pneumonia and pulmonary oedema were the most common lung complications in all three groups, with an incidence of 59 to 82%, and were diagnosed with an accuracy of 92 to 95%. Other conditions which were looked for were pulmonary congestion, emboli and lung infarcts, pleural effusions, atelectasis, pulmonary haemorrhage or contusion and pneumothorax. The most common mis-diagnosis was in the demonstration of emboli and infarcts, where accuracy was only 64%. The difficulties in differential diagnosis of the radiological appearances due to these pulmonary complications are discussed.


[201Thalium scintimetry of the heart as a new method for functional assessment in coronary heart disease (author's transl)]. 201Tl scintimetry of the heart was used for a statistical comparison between normal people (10 individuals) and those with acute anterior wall infarcts (5 patients), anterior wall hypokinesia (5 patients) and dyskinesia (8 patients). Numerical results were obtained by a computer and depended on the relative 201tl storage in the left ventricular myocardium (64 mm2 area) related to mediastinal background uptake. It was found that maximal myocardial uptake, compared with mediastinal activity (about 290%) did not differ between normals and patients with coronary heart disease. Aneurysms of the anterior ventricular wall showed a reduction (with the ventricle perpendicular to the collimator) of 45.8%; in hypokinesia and acute myocardial infarcts, it was 64.2% and 64.6% respectively (normal 82.6%). 201Tl uptake in aneurysms (42.4%) approached background activity (36%) if a projection parallel to the collimator was used. 201Tl scintimetry provides a means of defining functional ability of the myocardium (depdending on myocardial perfusion and mass). Aneurysms and hypokinetic portions of the myocardium can be differentiated statistically from normal 201Tl uptake.


[Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva (author's transl)]. Twenty-seven patients in whom a diagnosis of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm had been made during life were re-examined and the results have been evaluated. The clinical symptoms are not diagnostic. Routine radiological examination may also fail to show any significant findings. Large sinus of Valsalva aneurysms may show an atypical prominence of the right upper heart border, and in leutic aneurysms there may be fine calcification of the aortic wall. A definitive diagnosis can be made only by thoracic aortography. Five patients had a congenital saccular aneurysm connected with a sinus of Valsalva. Three patients had acquired aneurysms of which two were leutic and one developed shortly after rheumatic fever. A diffuse aneurysms of the sinus of valsalva was found in fourteen patients with Marfan's syndrome. The radiological appearances are demonstrated. Indications for surgery are discussed; the indications must be considered for each situation separately.


[Percutaneous removal of a guide wire from the right ventricle and pulmonary artery (author's transl)]. Successful removal of an opaque guide-wire from the right ventricle and left pulmonary artery is reported. The wire was extracted into the right external iliac and common femoral vein and then removed by a venotomy. Percutaneous removal of embolised foreign bodies should be carried out as soon as possible. An attempt at percutaneous removal is to be preferred to a thoracotomy because of the considerably reduced risk.


[The scope of ultra sound in the diagnosis of thyroid disease (author's transl)]. Between 28, 9, 73 and 30, 9, 75, we examined the thyroid glands of 315 patients by means of ultra sound. In 166 patients the ultra sound findings could be compared with other methods of examination, particularly surgery, or with the subsequent clinical course. The value of ultra sould is stressed particularly in the differential diagnosis of solitary "cold" scintigraphic nodules and for wider routine use. The technique and value of this method are described.


[Dacryocystography. 2. Results of 125 studies]. Results and X-ray findings of 125 dacryocystographies are discussed. Type II obstruction is the commonest pathological finding, Type I is caused often by a trauma. DCG gives a good morphological picture of tear drainage system and represents a very important method for planning surgical therapy.


[The angiographic morphology of arterial injury (author's transl)]. The angiographic morphology for various arterial injuries is described and illustrated by means of 46 patients examined by us; these consisted of 13 socclusions, 21 arterial rupture and 12 arterial lacerations. The main angiographic feature is thrombotic occlusion of the damaged artery. Consequently, the pathology of the arterial lesion could be defined in only one third of the patients with arterial injuries. This, however, is not of major importance in planning vascular surgery.


[Xero-radiography of peripheral arteries (author's transl)]. Comparison of film and xerographic examinations of arteries in the extremities has shown that it is possible to demonstrate vessels by using xerography with about half the usual concentration of contrast material. Advantages of this technique are: Less pain during the examination. No need for an anaesthetic. Less damage to the artery, with the possibility of repeating the examination. -There are still certain difficulties for the routine use of this method: the selenium plates cannot be used in the AOT changer. Limited format of the selenium plates.


[The demonstration of the great saphenous vein (author's transl)]. A method for demonstrating the great saphenous vein is described which allows one to demonstrate it throughout its length, and to judge its patency without screening it. The method is suitable for examining the vein before removing it for arterial reconstruction, or for use as a by-pass.


[New intensifying screens in clinical radiology. Paper I-Experimental investigations (author's transl)]. The degree of intensification and resolution was compared using rare-earth-screens and conventional calcium tungstate screens. -In order to approximate usual phantom (DIN 6, 815) was equipped with a lead grid at a depth of 6 cm. Nine screen-film combinations were exposed at 70 to 80 kv., using a 12-pulse generator and Bucky grid till blackening of S = 1 was obtained. -Resolution depends substantially on the inherent noise of the system and improves from 0.6 Lp/mm. for the most sensitive combinations (intensitification factor 8.0) to 1.15 Lp/mm (intensification factor 1.7). Compared with the standard combination with a resolution of about 0.9 Lp/mm., dose was reduced by more than 40% with an increase in resolution of 45% (combination 3M-Trimax A4/XD).


[Trends and new findings in the assessment of the somatic radiation risk (author's transl)]. New findings are described which enable a more precise estimation of the leukemia and cancer risk by radiation. They concern the risk ratio of cancer to leukemia after whole body irradiation, the shape of the dose-risk-relationship and the time factor problem. Finally a balance of the somatic radiation risk from whole body irradiation is set up and the consequences for the establishment of dose limits are discussed.


[Pharmacological studides on 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (L-5HTP). Interaction between L-5HTP and p-CPA]. The effect of tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p-CPA and 5-HT precursor L-5HTP on conditional avoidance response and 5-HT content in rat brain was examined with the following results: Continuous administration of p-CPA improved acquisition of conditional avoidance response and retarded the loss acquired response. Body weight gain was suppressed at the low level. When the conditional avoidance response of the rats reached a certain level, it was suppressed by giving L-5HTP at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg in the rats given p-CPA, but no effect was observed in the rats given CMC. The 5-HT content in brain was reduced to 22% of control value by a single administration of p-CPA 316 mg/kg, but it rapidly recovered to a normal level with L-5HTP administration. From the above results, it was demonstrated that the presence or absence of p-CPA loading causes a significant difference in the appearance of behavior alteration in a rats following administration of L-5HTP.


[The technique and success rate of transfemoral cerebral angiography]. Amongst 434 transfemoral cerebral catheter angiograms a success rate of 98.16% was achieved. The catheters and manipulations required for successful catheterisation are described. In view of the screening time required, a comparison with needle angiography was made. It was found that catheter angiography was better in all cases in which several cerebral arteries had to be demonstrated.


[Moyamoya syndrome of tuberculous cerebral arteritis]. A 55-year old woman, suffering from bacteriologically proven tuberculous meningitis showed the angiographic signs typical of tuberculous arteritis: stenosis of the supraclinoid portion of the carotid syphon on the right stenosis of the basilar artery, multiple peripheral occulsions of mediumsize vessels and mild, internal hydrocephalus. As a rarity there was an unusual collateral supply through the basal Moyamoya net which supplied the occluded right middle branch; there was a transtentorial anastomosis of the left meningeal branch of the vertebral artery which supplied the territory of the right posterior cerebral artery in an orthograde manner. The developmental mechanism and radiological findings of this rare collateral system due to tuberculous meningoarteritis is discussed.


[Ectopic course of the internal carotid artery in the tympanic cavity-value of angiography and tomography]. The rare case of an internal carotid artery crossing the tympanic cavity is reported. By means of angiography and proper positioned tomography a diagnosis can be made before any operation is attempted. A biopsy of the clinically appearing "tumor" can be disastrous for profuse arterial bleeding.


[Absence of cerebral perfusion. A simple isotope method for demonstrating cerebral death]. Absence of cerebral perfusion as proof of cerebral death can be demonstrated angiographically by isotope techniques. Comparison of the methods has shown that isotope flow studies are technically simpler, are devoid of risk and can be carried out without additional injections in a few minutes. Our own observations and those of others have shown that an extended observation period is necessary in order to diagnose absence of cerebral perfusion and consequently of cerebral death. Clear documentation of events recorded radiographically and related to the speed of flow of the radioactive substance is of great value from a diagnostic and forensic point of view.


[Radiation dose to the head, and particularly to the lens of the eye, during tomography with EMI scanner]. Radiation dose to the lens of the eye was estimated using thermoluminescence and film dosimetry on patients undergoing computerised axial skull tomography with the EMI scanner, and also on various phantoms. The dose decreases from the lateral margin of the right eye to the lateral margin of the left eye. During conventional three layer tomography, maximal exposure to the eye is about 0.6 R (1.55 X 10 10-4 C.kg-1), produced entirely by scatter. Direct irradiation of the plane of orbits produces maximal exposure rate of 3 R (7.7X 10-4 C.kg-1). Maximal dose to the head depends on skull size and is about 4 R (approximately 10-3 C.kg-1). The local dose dependence of the eyes was confirmed theoretically by drawing up a computer programme, and was related to the method used by the EMI scanner.


[Trans-jugular retrograde portography. Preliminary communication]. Retrograde portography is carried out through a trans-jugular route. Contrary to previously available techniques of trans-juglar portography, the method does not inflict any trauma on the parenchyma or vessels. Demonstration of the portal system is achied by reserved flow through the liver sinusoids. Together with arterial hepatography and indirect splenic and mesenteric portography, the method provides additional information in various forms of pre-, intra- and post-hepatic block without submitting the patient to any additional risk.


Diagnostic effectiveness of infusion hepatic angiography. A comparison with the conventional technique. The diagnostic effectiveness of infusion hepatic angiography was evaluated in 72 patients with various liver diseases, who also had conventional hepatic angiography. In a comparison of the two techniques, the infusion study was found diagnostically essential in 4 patients (6%), and afforded improved diagnosis in 52 others (72%). In 13 patients (18%), it gave equivalent information; and in 3 patients (4%), less information than the conventional technique. Infusion hepatic angiography is a useful complementary technique in anatomical liver diagnosis, especially in its ability to improve upon the diagnostic accuracy of the capillary phase of hepatic angiography.


[The differentaition between malignant and benign lesions by retrograde pancreaticography]. The accuracy of ERCP in the differentiation between carcinoma of the pancreas and chronic pancreatitis is evaluated in a series of 39 cases with proved final diagnosis. The specificity of 6 different morphological types of duct alterations for carcinoma or for chronic pacreatitis is analyzed. - The accuracy of differentiation was 90% in the present series. Long, irregular stenosis or localized destruction of ductal branches were found in carcinoma only. Short, smooth stenosis or diffuse duct alterations were present in pancreatitis only. Total obstruction was found in both diseases in about the same frequency.


[Angiography in Crohn's regional enteritis. Its relation to conventional radiological, endoscopic and micro-angiographic findings]. There has been a definite increase in the incidence of Crohn's disease in recent years. A particular feature of this disease is the high incidence of recurrence after surgical removal of affected portions of the gut. This may be due to a resection carried out through a diseased segment and this stresses the importance of recognising early changes. This is not possible by conventional radiology (small bowel examination, barium enema) and is therefore an indication for pre-operative visceral angiography. The results obtained in ten patients, who subsequently came to surgery, were compared with the findings on conventional radiology and endoscopy. Angiography proved the best method for the early demonstration of inflammatory changes. This was confirmed by histological examination of the resected specimen.


[Radiological anatomy of the umbilical vein, the venous duct and the portal vein in human fetuses and neonates]. Selected examples of 44 postmortem angiographies of human fetuses and neonates demonstrate the radiological anatomy of those vessels which are important for umbilical vein catheterization. The tip of an indwelling endhole umbilical venous catheter should ideally be located in the inferior vena cava directly below the right artrium of within the right atrium. A radiological control of the catheter's position is mandatory in order to avoid complications and late sequelae.


[Radiological examination of embryonal and fetal vessels. Technique and method of prenatal, post-mortem angiography in different stages of gestation]. The development and technique of a x-ray examination for prenatal and post-mortem angiography is presented. After elaboration of an appropriate method for preservation and treatment of the embryos the angiographic procedure was technically evolved and performed on 55 cow-, 40 pig-, and 5 sheep embryos and fetuses with a vertex- breech- length between 11 and 222mm. Selective filling of the arterial and venous system with good opacification of the peripheral vessels and capillary plexus could be regularly achieved by means of thin catheters or extended glass cannulas which were inserted into the umbilical arteries and veins or the vessels of the foetal membrane. By means of this technique the radiological embryology of the vascular development of different species can be studied in great series and investigated with regard to onto- and phylogenetic aspects. This prenatal angiographic technique can also be applied to man as has been proven by angiograms of 4 human embryos and fetuses aged between 6 weeks and 5 months.


[Paraglenoid hyerostosis: shoulder arthrosis or occupational?]. Amongst 300 examinations of the shoulder in miners working with compressed air, degenerative changes were found in 44. Particularly striking was the frequency of acromioclavicular arthrosis and of paraglenoid hyperostosis. Five patients with paraglenoid hyperstosis were re-examined several years later. The authors regard these changes as a sign of shoulder arthrosis, analgous with hyperostosis of the head of the radius or of a rib and with labrum ossification of the hip joint.


[Arthrography in humeroscapular peri-arthritis]. Degenerative changes in the shoulder joint affect the capsule much more frequently than might be expected and are not seen on a plain radiograph. Arthrography of the shoulder has become of increasing significance in view of modern surgical management. Arthrography is used particularly to demonstrate a tear of the rotator cuff (especially the supra spinatus and infra spinatus). It also shows other important abnormalities which cause pain on movement, such as adhesions, tight capsule and the formation of septa. The indications, technique and necessary records, as well as typical pathological findings, are demonstrated in forty shoulder arthrograms. Hemuro-scapular peri-arthritis is a collective term for complex, primarily degenerative or posttraumatic, changes including peri-articular calcification. Demonstration of calcification alone does not justify the radiological diagnosis of humeroscapular peri-arthritis.


[Radiological and histological aspects of changes in the knee joint(author's transl)]. A comparison was carried out between histological and arthrographic findings which resulted in a revision in the interpretation of certain radiological signs. Meniscus lesions, osteochondrosis dissecans, chondrosis dissecans and synovitis are considered histologically and radiologically. Dengenerative reactions which can be demonstrated radiologically (irregular margins) consist of mucoid degeneration, trabecular changes, fatty degeneration and oedema of the ground substance. The agreement between arthrographic and histological findings is not unexpected, since both methods demonstrate morphology by different means.