Intra-abdominal pressure changes during natural movements in man. The weight of the upper part of the trunk is partially transmitted to the pelvis via the vertebral column. If the muscle walls around the abdominal cavity are contracted, a high pressure can be generated within the cavity (greater than 200 mmHg). The abdominal space can them transmit part of weight to, e.g., the upper part of the body, Intra-abdominal pressure recordings have been performed during locomotion and other natural movements with intragastric pressure recordings. With each step, there is a phasic variation in pressure, with its peak coinciding with that of the peak vertical force exerted by the leg against the ground. The peak values increase progressively with the speed of walking/running up to a mean of 38 mmHg and with trough values of 16 mmHg. The phasic variations with each step is due to a phasic activation of the abdominal muscles, with an EMG activity starting 50 ms or more before foot contact. If an extra load is put on the back, the posture changes and at the highest speed of running the pressure values are significantly higher than without this additional load. After a jump down from a moderate height of 0.4 m, the average increase is 89 mmHg and can often exceed 100 mmHg. These pressure changes are large and will presumably act to unload the spine under the prevailing biomechanical conditions and, in addition, there will no doubt be an effect on the circulatory system.


Metabolic and cardiovascular responses to prolonged noradrenaline load and their antagonism by beta blockade in the rat. Rats were given daily injections of noradrenaline (0.5 mg/kg), alprenolol (20 mg/kg), or both together for 17 to 39 days. Noradrenaline injections increased the size of the heart, interscapular brown adipose tissue (ISBAT) and, when the injections were given at a thermoneutral environment, the metabolic activity of the ISBAT. Alprenolol injections tended to reduce the size of the heart and ISBAT and, at a thermoneutral environment, metabolic activity of the skeletal muscle. Furthermore, noradrenaline treatment improved tolerance against body cooling in water at 25 degrees C and enhanced calorigenic response to injected noradrenaline. The metabolic alterations in the rats injected with both drugs together resembled more those of the animals injected with alprenolol only than those of the noradrenaline treated rats. It can be thus concluded that alprenolol, when given together with noradrenaline, antagonized noradrenaline-induced metabolic alterations in the organism. However, the increased pressor response to infused noradrenaline, which was evident in the alprenolol treated animals, was not seen in the animals treated with both drugs. By contrast, these animals, like also the noradrenaline-treated animals, showed decreased pressor response to noradrenaline. This finding suggests that prolonged beta blockade does not abolish the decreased sensitivity of alpha-adrenoreceptors following prolonged noradrenaline load. On the other hand, the hypotonic response to a beta adrenergic drug, isoprenaline, was reduced by prolonged beta blockade despite simultaneous noradrenaline injections.


Respiratory syncytial virus. I. Concentration and purification of the infectious virus. Respiratory syncytial (RS) virus can be purified without losing its infectivity provided that each step of purification is carried out using NT buffer containing over 20% sucrose. Firstly, the virus grown on HES cells is efficiently removed from the culture fluid by precipitating with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6,000, and the precipitate is suspended in a small amount of 20% sucrose-NT buffer, which results in about a 24-fold concentration of the original material. Then this suspension is centrifugated through 30% sucrose-NT buffer to obtain pellets, which are again suspended in 20% sucrose-NT buffer. This suspension is further centrifuged by discontinuous and linear sucrose density gradient. Finally, the specific infectivity of the purified virus was increased about 3,000-fold over that of the original material.


Studies of liver phosphorylase in hepatic injuries. I. Alteration in enzyme activity. Phosphorylase activities (total and a form) were determined in the livers of experimental hepatic injuries with carbon tetrachloride or galactosamine and the livers of patients with liver diseases. Experimental liver injuries caused a slight decrease in total activity in later stages and a marked increase in a form activity in earlier stages. In human livers, low values of total activity were found in acute hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver with no consistent alteration in a activity. Phosphorylase activities in hepatocellular carcinomas were also low. The importance of the altered phosphorylase activities in hepatic injuries is discussed in relation to the disorder in glycogen metabolism in the injured liver.


Induction of hemopoiesis in rat embryonic bone transplanted into adult subcutaneous connective tissue. Five pairs of immature, non-hemopoietic femur and tibia from 17-day-old gestating female rat fetuses, whose sex was determined by chromosomal analysis of liver cells, were transplanted into subcutaneous tissues of adult male rats. The original bones were about 3 mm in length and they grew to about 17 mm length at 4 wereks after transplantation. Bone deformation was not evident after transplantation and bone marrow hemopoiesis developed. Bone marrow cytohistologic observations were made on smears, and chromosome analyses were performed on bone marrow cells. Active erythro-, myelo- and megakaryopoiesis were conducted by cells of recipient adult rats. Sex chromosome analysis of cartilage cells from the epiphyses of transplanted bones demonstrated that the growing bones were composed of cells from the grafted embryo. The results thus strongly suggest that the transition of hemopoiesis from liver to bone marrow in late embryonic development is conducted by stem cells migrating through circulating blood and settling in the bone marrow and not by in situ cells differentiating in the bone marrow stroma.


Homovanillic acid in human cerebrospinal fluid.--Its concentration gradient and reduced levels in patients with epilepsy. The homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined in 38 epileptic and 39 control patients. The mean concentration of HVA was 23.9 ng/ml +/- 2.8 SEM for the epileptic group and 30.2 ng/ml +/- 2.1 SEM for the control group, respectively. Thus, HVA was significandly reduced in the patients with epilepsy compared with the controls. The mean HVA in the female patients was higher than in the male patients in both groups but this failed to reach statistical significance. There was no apparent relationship between the degree of reduced HVA concentration and other clinical indexes of the epilepsy (age, type and frequency of seizures, and anticonvulsant medication). For the determination of concentration gradient of HVA three fractions of the spinal CSF were obtained from 11 patients. A pronounced gradient of HVA concentration was found with a ratio of 1 : 1.46 : 1.97 for the first, second and third fractions. This suggests that a standardized conditions for collecting CSF should be employed to study HVA levels in humans.


Potential endocrine effects of hypothalamic peptide "neurotensin" on pancreas in dogs. Effects of synthetic neurotensin on the endocrine pancreas were studied in nine normal and six hypophysectomized (10th to 14th day post-hypophysectomy) dogs. Synthetic neurotensin was administered into the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery, and plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations were measured radioimmunologically. In normal dogs, ten microgram/kg neurotensin administration brought about a mild hyperglycemic response and sharp and rapid increase of plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations in the superior pancreaticoduodenal vein. A biphasic insulin response was noted in the pancreatic vein. The results suggest that a large dose of neurotensin acts directly on the endocrine pancreas causing secretion of these hormones. In hypophysectomized dogs, basal levels of plasma insulin and glucagon were decreased and neurotensin had little effect on the endocrine pancreas even with the administration of a large dose.


Lipoatrophic diabetes. Report of a case. The female patient initially showed the acquired type of total lipoatrophy at about 8 years of age. At 12 years of age, the onset of diabetes mellitus was speculated from advanced pyodermia and dedentition. At 29 years of age, glucosuria was found, and she developed proteinuria, ascites, and pretibial edema. The physical examination revealed: hepatosplenomegaly, complete absence of subcutanous fat, cutaneous xanthomas, and emaciated facies with pronounced zygomatic arches. Diabetic retinopathy was revealed in the ophthalmological examination, and nephropathy was evident in renal biopsy specimens. She also had peripheral diabetic neuropathy. No adipose tissue was found in the mesenterium under peritoneoscopy. The hepatic biopsy specimen revealed advanced portal liver cirrhosis. Laboratory findings included: hyperlipidemia, elevation of BMR without evidence of hyperthyroidism, impaired renal function, and undetected anti-insulin antibodies and anti-insulin antibodies. Endocrinological examinations revealed normal value, except for an impaired hGH response in the arginine test. C-peptide immunoreactivity was high. Her condition was fairly well controlled by 140 units of insulin injection daily.


Studies of liver phosphorylase in hepatic injuries II. Alteration in isozyme pattern. Enzyme deviations in injured livers were studied by analyzing isozyme patterns of phosphorylase using a newly developed electrophoretic method, which separates six molecular species of this enzyme, i.e. M,FM,F,L,L', and FL'. In hepatic injuries caused by CCl4 and galactosamine intoxications of rats, F appeared in early stages and L' (and FL') in later stages of the injuries with a concurrent decrease or loss of L, which is a sole isozyme component of adult liver. In injured livers of patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, increases in FL' activity were also found. Appearance of F was found only in hepatocellular carcinoma. The results obtained with phosphorylase isozyme analysis support the idea that an undifferentiated gene expression takes place in the injured livers of non-malignant hepatic disorders.


Studies on human liver bilirubin-UDP-glycosyl transferase. I. Assay methods for bilirubin-UDP-glucuronyl and -xylosyl transferases of human liver specimen. Micromethods for estimation of bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronyl and -xylosyl transferases in liver are described. With these methods, a liver specimen as small as 10 mg is sufficient for assay of either enzyme activity and 15 mg is sufficient for assay of both enzymes. Normal values for livers with minimal elevation of SGOT and minimal histological change were 0.260-0.400 U/g protein for glucuronyl transferase and 0.142-0.302 U/g protein for xylosyl transferase.


An inhibitory substance of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase in urine of diabetic patients. In urine of diabetics, a significantly great inhibitory activity of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP-Dehyd) was observed compared with that of normal subjects. The 0.2 ml of urine from 41 patients with diabetes mellitus inhibited 0.5 units of GAP-Dehyd by 27.2 +/- 3.0% (mean +/- S.E.M.), while that from 17 normal volunteers inhibited only by 9.0 +/- 1.0% (P less than 0.05). This inhibitory substance was extracted by 90% ethanol from diabetic urine and partially purified by anion exchange chromatography using Dowex-1 (HCOO type). The molecular weight of this substance was confirmed to be 100--300 daltons by an analysis on Biogel P-4 gel filtration chromatography. And analysis by thin layer chromatography using silicagel plate showed that this inhibitor was a ninhydrin reactive substance which has not been reported previously. From the above facts, it was assumed that the inhibitory substance of GAP-Dehyd in urine of diabetics was a new acidic compound of low molecular weight containing an amino residue in the molecule.


Discriminant analysis of bronchial asthma by linear discriminant function with parameters of flow-volumes: discriminant analysis of bronchial asthma in young male non-smokers. With the parameters of a flow-volume and a volume-time curve, the discriminant analysis of bronchial asthma is described. The subjects were classified into three groups (healthy adults, mild asthmatic patients and moderates ones). The difference of the mean vectors of the parameters of the three groups was made clear by the selection methods of the discriminant analysis between any two of the groups both with 6 parameters (%FVC, FEV1.0%, peak flow rate (PF), flow rate at 50% of FVC (V50), flow rate at 25% of FVC (V25), and V50/V25) and with 8 (6 parameters mentioned above and V75, V10). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent (FEV1.0%) or V50 was selected at the first step with 6 parameters, and V75 was selected at the first step with 8 parameters. Probabilities of misclassification with 8 parameters were lower than those with 6 ones and the probability of misclassification at the discriminant analysis between healthy adults and mild asthmatic patients with 8 parameters was 15.75% at the final step.


Immunotherapy of gastric cancer with levamisole. Ninety-nine gastric cancer patients initially received levamisole at a daily dose of 150 mg for three consecutive days before operation. This therapy was repeated fortnightly (3-day administration followed by 11-day withdrawal period) for more than one month as long as possible and the survival rate up to 18 months was compared with thas of control patients. The 18 month survival rate of advanced Stage IV patients was significantly higher in patients receiving levamisole than that of control patients. The effects of levamisole in cases of advanced cancer have been discussed in relation to the literature available.


A patient with repeated syncopal attacks after using isosorbide dinitrate. The case of a patient with repeated attacks of collapse induced by sublingual isosorbide dinitrate is reported. The patient was an 81 year-old female who was admitted to Yura Hospital because of attacks of precordial pain. Several minutes after the sublingual administration of isosorbide dinitrate (10 mg) for an anginal attack, she developed a sensation of general weakness, and thereafter because unconscious. Arterial blood pressure fell and became unmeasurable. Electrocardiograms recorded during the syncopal attack showed sinus tachycardia and significant elevation of ST-segment in right precordial leads. In response to a drip infusion of noradrenaline, arterial blood pressure returned to normal with recovery of consciousness. Two similar syncopal attacks induced by sublingual isosorbide dinitrate occurred in the next three days. These attacks were not due to augmentation of the vagal reflex. Decrease of venous return probably was the primary etiological factor.


Influence of hemodialysis on electrocardiographic wave forms. Alterations in Frank lead electrocardiograms induced by hemodialysis were investigated in 19 patients with chronic renal failure. The most prominent findings after hemodialysis were marked increases in the magnitudes of the R wave in Leads X,Y, and Z, and of the maximal QRS vectors in the frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes. Echocardiographic and roentgenographic examinations revealed no evidence of pericardial effusion before and after hemodialysis. Although the true origin of these findings remains undetermined, it appears reasonable to speculate that the decreased intracavitary blood volume due to hemodialysis may cause an increase in the QRS voltage by a short-circuiting effect. It should be emphasized that a sudden increase in QRS amplitude after hemodialysis might lead to an erroneous diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy. The clinician should be aware of such voltage increases when examining the ECGs of patients who undergo hemodialysis.


Echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. The echocardiographic features of pulmonary valvar atresia with intact ventricular septum are described. The pulmonary valve fails to open during systole: there is a large pre-systolic 'a' wave dip, but the pulmonary valve membrane then returns to its closed diastolic position where it remains for the remainder of the cardiac cycle. The echocardiogram also provides valuable information about right ventricular size, the tricuspid valve, and aorta-mitral and aorta-septal relations.


An interdisciplinary course for optometry students specializing in vision training. The practice of primary-care optometry often necessitates interaction with professionals from varied backgrounds. This is especially true in the area of vision training, in which close coordination between professionals in schools, agencies, and clinics is necessary. Too often a communcation problem prevents beneficial interdisciplinary liaison. One way of ensuring that optometrists acquire communication and interaction skills is to provide seminars and courses in schools and colleges of optometry. The program described in this paper has helped optometry students refine their communication and referral skills.


[Use of adhesive histoacryl in corneal perforation in the rabbit. Histological and histochemical examinations (author's transl)]. Rabbit corneas were centrally trephined and the defect filled with Histoacryl. Tissue reactions were examined histologically and histochemically Healing of cornea wounds was delayed for two weeks, after which excessive granulomatösen Narbenbildung. Die Grundsubstanz der Hornhaut weist decrease in acid mucopolysaccarides during the time of examination of 32 days.


[Vocal dysfunction as a consequence of a paresis of the n. laryngeus cranialis after tracheal intubation (author's transl)]. A case of a transient unilateral paresis of the N. laryngeus cranialis occuring after uneventful tracheal intubation and anaesthesia for laparoscopy is reported. The possible mechanisms of this paresis are discussed.


Renal function, insulin secretion, and glucose tolerance in mild streptozotocin diabetes in the dog. A mild, stable diabetes mellitus was induced in dogs, using a small (20 mg/kg of body weight) dose of streptozotocin in a standard volume of 200 ml infused in 15 minutes. The stability of the diabetes was evidenced by the results of a standard intravenous glucose-tolerance test, insulin response to the glucose load, and urinary glucose excretion. The results of the urinary clearances for urea, creatinine, and phosphate indicated minimal renal toxicosis and that the toxicosis was localized to the tubules.


[Congenital malabsorption of vitamin B12 (Imerslund's syndrome) in a premature girl with Down's syndrome (author's transl)]. A baby girl, born prematurely and with Down's syndrome, is hospitalized at the age of 51 days for a megaloblastic anemia. The anemia was caused by a selective malabsorption of vitamin B12 (Imerslund's syndrome), even in presence of intrinsic factor. The pathogenesis of different causes of vitamin B12 deficiency is discussed and the favourable development of this case after four years of treatment is shown.


Panniculectomy and the difficult ileostomy for urinary diversion. This paper describes a helpful operation for revision of the difficult ileal stoma for urinary diversion. By using the standard technique of panniculectomy or abdominal lipectomy, the ileal loop can be left in the same position on the abdominal wall and healthy, viable tissue can be mobilized and repositioned to enable the urological surgeon to perform the cutaneous portion of the procedure again and to refashion the ileal loop. This saves the patient an operation of greater magnitude and risk.


Rhinophyma: surgical refinements.

Rhinophyma: surgical refinements. Rhinophyma is classically a benign tumor of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. Once fully developed, it requires surgical treatment; its management has invited controversy for more than a century. We favor electrosurgical sculpturing, removal of the burned tissue by abrasion, treatment of the entire nasal cover as a unit, and the utilization of biological dressings to promote reepithelization. The cosmetic results have been gratifying.


A linkage study of the loci for Huntington's disease and some common polymorphic markers. The phenotypic frequencies of 24 polymorphic blood markers in a sample of patients with Huntington's disease (HD) have been compared with those in a sample of healthy Australian volunteers in an effort to detect any associations between HD and the markers concerned. The Rh factor, c, has a significantly lower frequency in the HD sample while ACP1c and Gm1,2 have a significantly higher frequency. The linkage relations of the HD locus have been analysed with respect to the various marker loci concerned. This analysis involved the development of methods to overcome the general lack of genetic data concerning the affected parent and the possibility that presently unaffected offspring may be asymptomatic carriers of the HD gene. The results suggest that close linkage between the HD locus and Fy, ADA, ACP1, Gc or Bg is highly unlikely. They also suggest a low probability of close linkage to ABO, Rh, Jk, Lu, AK1, PGM1 or C3. Positive linkage scores were obtained for P, Hp and Gm. The results are inconclusive for MNSs, K, Le, Se, GPT and Inv. The available data were uninformative for linkage between the HD locus and Co, 6-PGD or E1.


Perinatal risk factors in children with serious motor and mental handicaps. Fifty children with marked neurological abnormality manifested by moderate or severe motor disability and severe mental retardation were compared with a large control population with respect to prospectively ascertained perinatal characteristics. None of 60 prenatal factors distinguished the affected group from controls. In labor and delivery, lowest fetal heart rate in the second stage of labor, arrested progress of labor, and use of midforceps discriminated between the two groups. Neonatal characteristics of children who were later severely handicapped differed from controls, particularly with respect to difficulty in initiating and maintaining respiration, intracranial hemorrhage, neonatal seizures, low birth weight and small head circumference, lowest hemoglobin or hematocrit, and overall neurological status. Multivariate analysis, including factors from all epochs, indicated that intracranial hemorrhage and neonatal seizures were the strongest independent discriminators between the neurologically impaired children and controls.


Infantile spasms in Down syndrome: a report of 5 cases and review of the literature. Five patients with Down syndrome (DS) and infantile spasms were examined in a four-year interval. Previous reports of this association have been infrequent except during experimental treatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan, a precursor of serotonin. Malformations of the brain in DS are associated with an increased incidence of epilepsy, and both gross and cytoarchitectural anomalies have been described. The severity and distribution of these central nervous system anomalies presumably predispose to the infantile spasms. The contribution of altered serotonin metabolism is uncertain.


Huntington's dementia. Clinical and neuropsychological features. The neuropsychiatric syndrome of Huntington's disease is outlined in this report with an emphasis on the cognitive deficits that lend themselves to future neurobehavioral research. Eighteen patients without disabling cognitive or psychiatric symptoms were evaluated for a period of 3 to 15 weeks, with assessment of their cognitive disorder, psychiatric, and neurological symptoms. Neuropsychological examination included repeated mental status examination, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and, for some, parietal lobe testing. In addition to suffering from a loss of finely detailed memories, patients demonstrated impaired organizing, sequencing, planning, and recalling of information on request. On the WAIS, mean verbal and performance scores were not significantly different. Neuropsychological findings suggested that the Huntington's disease pattern of cognitive impairment is not initially diffuse and homogeneous, but characterized by a relative sparing of several higher cortical functions. Many patients had increased irritability and labile affect. The similarity of Huntington's disease to frontal lobe syndromes is also discussed.


Levels of principal 17-ketosteroid fractions in urine of breast cancer patients with or without malignant evolutive push. The main fractions of 17-ketosteroids were estimated in 102 women with breast cancer. Sixty two patients were cases with rapid evolution (malignant evolutive push) or very rapid evolution (inflammatory breast carcinoma). The mean ethiocholanolone levels and partially androsterone levels were significantly decreased in patients with rapid evolution in comparison with the corresponding values found in patients with breast cancer of slow growth.


Venous malformations of the heart.

Venous malformations of the heart. So-called varicosities of the fossa ovalis are rare, venous malformations, which have also been previously labeled angiomas. In four cases encountered as incidental autopsy findings, the microscopic appearance was that of dilated venous channels. Veins larger than 100 micrometer in diameter were found close to the posteroinferior rim of the fossa ovalis in 18 of 21 consecutive, routine autopsy cases. The pathogenesis of the venous dilation is unknown but it may be related to the development of the interatrial septim. The term venous malformation seems preferable to varix for such lesions.


[Anterior lumbar disc herniations (author's transl)]. Anterior lumbar disc herniations can easily and clearly be evidented by discography. The morbidity and, especially, the clinical importance of this entity, however, has been described by some authors only. According to our own experience with discography, ventral lumbar disc herniation seems to be correlated with a painful syndrome consisting of both a typical and circumscribed backache and pain radiating into the abdominal cavity and genital area along the lateral aspect of the lumbar region.


Sexual attitudes, behavior and satisfaction for able-bodied and disabled participants attending workshops in human sexuality. Since 1973, Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) Workshops have been conducted for persons with physical handicaps, health care professionals and interested members of the community. Although reassessment of personal sexual attitudes is the primary objective of the workshops, several closely related objectives have emerged: (1) evaluation of the impact of the experience on changing both sexual attitudes and behaviors; (2) evaluation of the sexual satisfaction and problem areas of participants with particular reference to persons with physical disabilities; and (3) provision of an institute-wide catalyst for initiating programs and services based on newly identified unmet needs. This article presents data from 15 workshops with emphasis on comparing the sexual attitudes, behavior and satisfaction of the able-bodied and the disabled participants. Of the 650 participants, 98 (15%) were disabled and of this group approximately 75% had spinal cord injury. Comparison of pre- and post-workshop responses to sexual attitude scales showed similar and significant changes on four of nine scales for both the able-bodied and disabled groups. Analysis of sexual behavior and satisfaction by physical status revealed that the disabled participants were less active than the able-bodied participants although both groups reported similar percentages of satisfaction (38 and 41% respectively) with their current level of sexual activity. Lack of partners was cited most frequently by both groups as the major reason for dissatisfaction with current sexual status. Implications of these findings are discussed with regard to sexual counseling and areas of further research.


Gravitational lumbar traction.

Gravitational lumbar traction. Low back and extremity pain is often secondary to inflammation of the nerve root or sinuvertebral nerve. Gravitational lumbar reduction therapy may relieve such pain. The results in a series of 121 cases are presented.


Differentiation of the changes in alkaline phosphatase from calcium ion-activated adenosine triphosphatase activities associated with increased calcium absorption in chick intestine. The pattern of response of the intestinal enzymes Ca2+-activated adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the chick to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol is consistent with a role for the former but not the latter enzyme in the vitamin D-dependent absorption of calcium.


Effects of p-chlorophenylalanine and alpha-methylphenylalanine on amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in mouse neuroblastoma cells. The phenylalanine analogues p-chlorophenylalanine and alpha-methylphenylalanine were used to inhibit phenylalanine hydroxylase in animal models for phenylketonuria. The present report examines the affects of these analogues on the metabolism of neuroblastoma cells. p-Chlorophenylalanine inhibited growth and was toxic to neuroblastoma cells. Although in vivo this analogue increased cell monoribosomes by 42%, it did not significantly affect poly(U)-directed protein synthesis in vitro. P-Chlorophenylalanine did not compete with phenylalanine or tyrosine for aminoacylation of tRNA and was therefore not substituted for those amino acids in nascent polypeptides. The initial cellular uptake of various large neutral amino acids was inhibited by this analogue but did not affect the flux of amino acids already in the cell; this suggested that an alteration of the cell's amino acid pools was not responsible for the cytotoxicity of the analogues. In contrast with p-chlorophenylalanine, alpha-methylphenylalanine did not exert these direct toxic effects because the administration of alpha-methylphenylalanine in vivo did not affect brain polyribosomes and a comparable concentration of this analogue was neither growth inhibitory nor cytotoxic to neuroblastoma cells in culture. The suitability of each analogue as an inhibitor of phenylalanine hydroxylase in animal models for phenylketonuria is discussed.


Properties of the membrane proteins of rat liver lysosomes. The majority of lysosomal membrane proteins are exposed to the cytoplasm. Rat liver lysosomes were lysed and subfractionated by differential centrifugation through 0.2M-NaCl to yield a membranous pellet. This membrane fraction contains less than 20% of the lysosomal protein, adenosine triphosphatase activity of about 1.2mumol/min per mg of protein, 120nmol of thiol groups/mg of protein and at least 16 protein and glycoprotein bands on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The gel patterns of membranes isolated from lysosomes after treatment with (1) [125I]iodidehydrogen peroxide-lactoperoxidase, (2) toluene 2,4-di-isocyanate-activated bovine serum albumin, (3) trypsin and (4) subtilisin indicate that most of the membrane proteins are exposed to the cytoplasm. These exposed proteins are candidates for intracellular receptors which recognize either substances that are to be degraded or vesicles containing those substances.


Development and reversal of pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Light and electron microscopic study in the rat under temporary aortic constriction. Light and electron microscopy, combined with morphometry, were utilized to study myocardial cell modifications induced by a temporary abdominal aortic constriction in the rat. During the early stage of active hypertrophy, cell enlargement in the subendocardial layers of the left ventricle was predominant. This enlargement may be partly due to intracellular edema, characteristic of cell damage. Degenerative foci leading to fibrous scars were found primarily in the subendocardium and midwall layers. The times taken by the different cell structures to adapt to modifications of the load were rather different; some adapted very rapidly (nucleoli, intercalated discs), while others were much slower (cell diameter, mitochondria).


Survey for immune complexes in disseminated gonococcal arthritis-dermatitis syndrome. Seventeen patients with characteristic disseminated gonococcal arthritis-dermatitis syndrome were studied for the presence of immune complexes, and circulating gonococcal antigen and antibody. The two immune complex techniques, monoclonal rheumatoid factor assay and cryoglobulin survey, did not reveal any consistent abnormalities. Complement levels (CH50, C'3, C'4) were not consistent with peripheral consumption except in 2 patients with coinciding systemic lupus erythematosus. Gonococcal antibody was detected in 47% of patients when they presented with the syndrome. However, gonococcal antigen was not found in either serum or synovial fluid. These results do not support the hypothesis that circulating immune complexes are involved in the pathogenesis of disseminated gonococcal arthritis-dermatitis syndrome.


Effect of actin concentration on the intermediate oxygen exchange of myosin; relation to the refractory state and the mechanism of exchange. The effect of actin concentration on the myosin catalyzed exchange of phosphate oxygens with water accompanying ATP hydrolysis has been investigated. The extent of exchange was found to extrapolate to zero at infinite actin concentration at 23 and 0 degrees C for myosin subfragments S1(A1) and S1(A2). This result is consistent with actin associating directly with the product of the hydrolysis step and is not readily consistent with refractory state schemes in which the entire flow goes via a dissociating pathway. The possibility of a refractory state in the form of a phosphorylated intermediate or a bound metaphosphate state with hydrolysis occurring in the transition to the refractory state merits consideration. A full analysis of the dependence of intermediate exchange on the rate constants of the acto-S1 scheme is given and the errors arising from other methods of analysis are discussed. The rate of oxygen exchange was measured as 10 s-1 (23 degrees C) a value comparable with but slightly lower than the rate of reversal of the ATP cleavage step.


Actin mediated release of ATP from a myosin-ATP complex. The apparent second-order rate constant, ka-2, of actin binding to a myosin-ATP state (M*.ATP) and releasing ATP to the medium has been determined by two methods. The first was the measurement of the amount of ATP released when actin was added to the intermediate state, M*.ATP; the second was the measurement of oxygen exchange between  ATP and HOH. A quantitative treatment of ATP in equilibrium HOH exchange is given to allow extraction of elementary rate constants from the data. Agreement between the two methods was good and at low ionic strength and 23 degrees C, ka-2 is 6 X 10(5) M-1 s-1 which is about one-third the value of the apparent second-order rate constant, ka4, of actin binding to the myosin product state (M**.ADP.Pi). The determination of ka-2 allows a lower limit of 6 s-1 to be placed upon the first-order rate of ATP release from AM.ATP. This is to be compared with a value of less than or equal to 1.5 X 10(-4) s-1 for the equivalent steps of the myosin scheme; thus actin enhances the rate by a factor of 4 X 10(4) or more. A greater proportion of the bound ATP is released to the medium as ATP with increasing actin concentration. This reflects the contribution to rate limitation at saturating actin concentration of steps between myosin states dissociated from actin.


Interaction of myosin subfragments with F-actin. The effect of ionic strength, temperature, and divalent cations on the association of myosin with actin was determined in the ultracentrifuge using scanning absorption optics. The association constant (Ka) for the binding of heavy meromyosin (HmM) to F-actin was 1 X 10(7) M-1 at 20 degrees C, in 0.10 M KCl, 0.01 M imidazole (pH 7.0), 5 MM potassium phosphate, 1 mM MgCl2, and 0.3 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Ka was the same for HMM prepared by trypsin or chymotrypsin. The affinity of subfragment 1 (S1) for actin under the same ionic conditions was 3 X 10(6) M-1. Varying the preparative procedure for S1 had little effect on Ka. The small difference in binding energy between HMM and S1 suggests that either only one head can bind strongly to actin at a time or that free energy is lost during the sterically unfavorable attachment of the two heads to actin.


Galactose-6-sulfatase from Actinobacillus sp. IFO-13310 and its action on sulfated oligosaccharides from keratan sulfate. A 6-sulfatase specific for sugasr of the galactose configuration was purified 81-fold from the crude extract of Actinobacillus sp. IFO-13310. This preparation contained activity towards both N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfate and galactose 6-sulfate (relative activity, 2.4 : 1). The enzyme also release inorganic sulfate from the non-reducing galactose 6-sulfate end group of a trisaccharide disulfate prepared from keratan sulfate by sequential degradation with endo-beta-galactosidase, N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfatase and exo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. In addition, a tetrasaccharide trisulfate bearing the non-reducing N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate end group, also enzymatically prepared from keratan sulfate, was degraded to give rise to inorganic sulfate, N-acetylglucosamine and galactose by the sequential action of this enzyme, N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfatase, exo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and exo-beta-galactosidase (Charonia lampas).


Evidence for the non-filamentous aggregation of actin induced by lanthanide ions. We varied the molar ratio of added lanthanide ion to skeletal muscle actin (M3+/A) and observed their effects on the change in reduced viscosity (Nred) in the presence of polymerizing quantities of salt (0.1 M KC1). Once the concentration of the lanthanide ion exceeds the concentration of the nucleotide present (0.2 mM ATP), we noted that with M3+/A ratios up to 4: (a) there was a sharp peak in the observed Nred above the level achieved by control F-actin; (b) the magnitude of (a) was shown to be a function of the initial G-actin concentration. With an M3+/A ratio of greater than 4 we observed: (i) a sharp fall in the observed Nred; (ii) the formation of an insoluble aggregate of actin; (iii) the formation of (ii) was completely reversed by removal of the M3+; (iv) a complete inhibition of the ATP hydrolysis which always accompanies the G- to F-actin transition; (v) the number of mol of M3+ required to completely inhibit the rise in Nred (above the viscosity of G-actin) was a function of the ionic radii of the 11 lanthanide ions tested; and (vi) the effects described in (i) were not mimicked when the initial protein was in the F form. In the absence of added KCI, divalent cations (e.g. Mg2+) polymerize G-actin but this effect is not mimicked by the addition of the lanthanide ions. However, under these conditions the lanthanide ions cause the formation of an insoluble aggregate of actin. We conclude that with greater than 4 mol of lanthanide ions, G-actin aggregates in a form which contains little or no F-actin and that the lanthanide ion-induced aggregates are therefore different from the Mg2+-induced F-actin paracrystals.


Structural properties of frog muscle myosin. Frog myosin is a labile molecule, undergoing irreversible aggregation and rapid loss of ATPase; however, a procedure is described which provides highly purified myosin, with stable solubility and enzymatic properties, from skeletal muscle of Rana catesbeiana. Frog myosin contains heavy chains and light chains 1, 2, and 3. Light chain 3 is present in excess over light chain 1, and light chain 2 may occur as either, or both, of 2 closely migrating bands. On two-dimensional electrophoresis, light chain 1 generates an isoelectric component with pK 5.60; light chain 2 generates a complex pattern with 3 or 4 major components; and light chain 3 generates 2 major components with pK 5.00 and 4.92. The same subunit composition is obtained for frogs acclimated at 25 and 5 degrees C; however, proteolytic artifacts may occur in myosin preparations purified in the absence of protease inhibitors, especially in warm-acclimated frogs.


The yeast mitochondrial ATPase complex. Subunit composition and evidence for a latent protease contaminant. 1. The subunit compositions of the F1 (oligomycin-insensitive) and F1--F0 (oligomycin-sensitive) mitochondrial ATPase complexes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been examined by the highly resolving technique of sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis using a discontinuous buffer system. When isolated in the presence of protease inhibitors, F1 and F1--F0 contained five and twelve bands, respectively; this contrasts with the four- and ten-band patterns seen previously using the less resolving disc gel method. When isolated in the absence of protease inhibitors both F1 and F1--F0 contain spurious polypeptides produced by proteolytic modification. 2. Endogenous protein turnover in S. cerevisiae was impaired in the presence of protease inhibitors. F1--F0 isolated from cells grown in the presence and absence of inhibitors contained an identical polypeptide composition, suggesting that the subunits are not significantly modified by endogenous proteases prior to cell harvesting. 3. Yeast F1--F0 prepared in the presence of protease inhibitors contains a latent, sodium dodecyl sulphate-activated protease contaminant. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-induced proteolysis is largely confined to the 52 000 dalton alpha subunit which degrades into polypeptides of 40 000 and 10 700 daltons. The 40 000 dalton band is apparently equivalent to the polypeptide previously designated subunit 3. 4. Both F1 and F1--F0 were isolated from Torulopsis glabrata, a yeast with considerably shorter mitochondrial DNA than that in S. cerevisiae. F1--F0 catalysed high rates of ATP--32Pi exchange when reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles, thus demonstrating the presence of a complete coupling mechanism. F1--F0 contained approximately twelve subunits and F1 five, like the S. cerevisiae complexes. It therefore appears that the shorter mitochondrial DNA length does not produce a significantly simpler ATPase subunit structure.


Immunological and reconstitution studies on the adenosine triphosphatase complex from Rhodospirillum rubrum. Studies on restoration of membrane-bound adenosinetriphosphatase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) from Rhodospirillum rubrum show that the delta-subunit is capable of binding to the F1 factor or to the F0 moiety of the F0-F1 ATPase complex. This subunit is thus likely involved in linking the F0 and F1 factor. During solubilization of the oligomycin-sensitive F0-F1 ATPase complex with Triton X-100 the detergent becomes specifically associated with the lipophilic F0 part of the enzyme complex. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis, agglutination tests, and kinetic studies with anti-F1 ATPase antibodies reveal a reaction of immunological identity of membrane-bound ATPase, F0-F1 ATPase, and F1 ATPase.


Precocious aging and dementia in patients with Down's syndrome. Fifty unselected institutionalized patients with Down's syndrome were studied to determine the clinical course of precocious aging and mental and neurological deterioration. In our studies we establish statistically significant differences in neurological and psychiatric abnormalities and mental deterioration in patients below and above age 35, indicating progressive changes in the central nervous system. We demonstrate higher incidence of recent memory loss, impairment of short-term visual retention, frontal release signs, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, long-tract signs, and psychiatric problems. We also note the presence of external features of precocious aging. Down's syndrome appears to be a human chromosomal abnormality in which genetically determined biochemical defects leading to precocious aging and dementia can be studied.


[Study on the pineal gland of ungulates]. Study of the pineal gland of 91 Ungulates belonging to 55 species shows the constant presence of calcarine concretions of various importance. These concretions develop in the walls of vessels that first undergo a preliminary transformation characterized by the presence of alcian blue or PAS positive substances. In nearly all cases, the presence of alcian blue positive cells with processes (distinct from mastocytes) can be found in the pineal gland of ungulates. These elements sometimes contain fine calcarine granulations that probably are the site of origin of acervuli. These observations were extended to several marsupials, carnivora, pinnipeda and perissodactyles.


[Lead and cadmium toxicity in established mammalian cell lines]. Lead and cadmium toxicity was evaluated in three mammalian cell lines (tumour : HeLa, transformed : XC and normal : NRK) by means of the modifications of the 3H-TdR incorporation rate in the nucleus of the treated cells. The three cell lines showed different degrees of sensitivity. Sensitivity depended on the line, metal, its concentration and duration of incubation. Cadmium was found to be at least five times more toxic than lead except at low concentration. The normal cell line was more sensitive to cadmium and less sensitive to lead than other lines.


[A new effect of carbon dioxide: transformation of subsocial species of insects by chronic treatment]. The carbon dioxide is used to chronic treatment of one minute per day during all the larval life time. This treatment must be distinguished from all those previously described. Subsocial species are changed into their solitary form, although they live in group. The comparison of the pigmentation with slightly or non subsocial species seems to indicate that this effect is linked with the subsocial state. The results are discussed on the basis of nervous and endocrine functionning.


[Aggression toward groups of male and female OF1 mice by a male congenere and survival to acute hypoxia]. In OF1 mice, a 107 day-old mouse, isolated since 51 days, acts as an "aggressor" when introduced into a group of 10 males or into a group of 10 females of the age of 51 days. This results in fights and flights in the males' group and in copulations in the females' group. In 31 experiments, each performed on a total of 40 males and 40 females, it was observed that an acute DL50 hypoxia (inhalation of nitrogen) provokes a mortality significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in the male "aggressors" (95.16%) than in the groups of 10 aggressed mice (mortality: 64.26% for the males' groups and 52.65% for the females groups). Besides, compared to control groups without male "aggressor", the introduction of the male congener significantly (p less than 0.001) increases the acute hypoxic mortality in the females' but not in the males' groups.


[Method for analysis and measurement of behavior. Application to total nocturnal activity of the rat]. A long behavior period, as the night activity of rats is transcribed in two graphs which are described by eight parameters. All these parameters are stable for the same animal, but five of them have a few variations between different rats. The behavior changes then appear to be quantifiable.


[Action of the testosterone treated chicken testis on the regression of the Müllerian duct]. After administration of testosterone propionate to male chick embryos and chickens, their testis have an activity, on the retrogression of mullerian ducts, much more important than that observed in testis of normal subjects of the same age, activity measured by grafting testis fragments in undifferentiated female chick embryos. The results suggest that testosterone gives such an effect by inhibiting pituitary gonadotropins, peculiarly FSH.


[Repartition of the kidney cortex glomerulus in rats]. This paper presents the repartition of 989 glomeruli in 8 parallel concentric renal cortex zones, by projecting on a calibrated screen rat kidney slices photographies. The glomerular density increases regularly from the outside to the middle cortical zones and then decreases to the deepest juxtamedullary zones.


[Comparative effect of theophylline on urinary protein excretion in rats during diurnal and nocturanal periods]. In 3 lots of 15 rats, urinary proteins excretion (U.P.E.) during 6 hours periods is compared : 1) daily and nightly in physiological conditions, where U.P.E. increases nightly (+ 97,47%) : 2) daily, before and after theophylline injection, where U.P.E. increases after theophylline injection (+ 78,62%) ; 3) nightly, before and after theophylline injection, where U.P.E. increase is only tiny (+ 3,53%) after theophylline injection. So, in nightly physiological and in daily experimental conditions the important U.P.E. increases can be in part explained by those of renal functions. This result can explain after nightly theophylline injection (where renal functions are already very higher than in daily period) the so small nightly proteinuria increase with the xanthic diuretic ; it cannot be compared to the daily value, because the renal functions cannot increase beyond some limits. Lastly, the present paper exhibits how a pharmacomolecule (as theophylline here) can act differently daily and nightly and open a new investigation field in chronopharmacology of diuretics.


[Enhancement of growth of rat liver cell cultures by lithocholic acid]. Lithocholic acid enhances the growth of 4 independent lines of liver cells, but is toxic to colon cancer cells and fibroblasts in culture. Cholic acid does not affect the growth of liver cells, deoxycholic and chenodexoycholic acids are highly toxic to them.


[Utilization of free fatty acids and triglycerides by the perfused isolated rat heart after a prolonged swimming training program]. The effects of swimming training upon mechanical and metabolic properties of heart are investigated in two groups of male Sprague Dawley rats, fed ad libitum: a control group and a swimming group. The chronic training improves myocardial mechanical performances: coronary flow, cardiac output and left ventricular pressure are increased in isolated working conditioned heart preparations. Oxygen consumption and work performance are greater than in control group, but cardiac efficiency is not significantly different between the two groups. Intrinsic conditioned heart rate is lower than in control heart. Endogenous triglycerides and exogenous FFA utilization rates are increased in trained perfused heart. We found a significant correlation (P less than 0,01) between exogenous FFA utilisation and coronary flow.


[Effect of separated or simultaneous ingestion of tannic acid, potassium metabisulfite and ethanol on reproduction in rats]. As compared to controls, female rats fed a diet containing 3.2% of tannic acid have a higher fertility index, but the number of their born alive young is smaller and the growth of their litters is slower. A diet containing 1% of potassium metabisulfite also decreases the growth rate of the litters. These effects are additives. Ethanol (fed at a level of 30 cal. % at the expense of carbohydrates) has no effect on the reproduction performances and does not interact with the previous effects.


[Comparative effects of hydrolizable or condensed tannins on the liver reserve of vitamin A in rats]. A 10 weeks study in rats fed a balanced diet containing "hydrosoluble" vitamin A and 3,2 p. 100 by weight of tannic acid resulted in a marked decrease of the hepatic concentration of vitamin A. The same dietary dose of chestnut tree tannins resulted in a much more marked decrease. However, there was no effect of a quebracho extract (condensed tannins) given in the same conditions.


[Melatonin and gonadoliberin (LH-RH) cells in rat hypothalamus]. Immature female rats were induced to ovulate by an injection of pregnant mare serum: melatonin, intraperitonealy injected, induce an increase of LH-RH immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamus. These neurons are localized in septo preoptic, infundibular and premammillary areas.


[Effect of fatigue on the compliance series of isolated muscles]. Frog sartorius muscles are stretched at rest and during tetanic contractions, and series-compliance of normal muscle is compared to that of a fatigued one. The series-compliance is calculated from the parallel compliance and the active one. The compliance decreases when the tension increases and becomes quite constant for the highest levels of tension. These results are discussed on the basis of the sliding filaments theory.


[Bronchopulmonary lymphocytes and their B and T subpopulations in control and experimental influenza infected mice]. Immunofluorescent studies showed that, whereas the total number of lymphocytes was still increased on the third and fourth weeks of experimental airborne influenza, the B/T cell ratio remained in the same range as in control animals. This ratio is comparable to results with mouse peripheral lymph nodes.


[Chronopharmacology of pancuronium in rats anesthetized by CT 1341 (Alfatésine)]. A circadian variation in the curarizing ability of pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) has been documented in an homogenous group of 100 Wistar AF-SPF adult male rats anaesthetized by the steroid anaesthetic althesin (Alfatésine, CT 1341). Animals were maintained at 24 +/- 2 degrees C and synchronized with natural light 06.00 to 18.00 and darkness (october 1977). We observed significant circadian rhythms for both of these agents: first the induction of anaesthesia by althesin was markedly pronounced at 15.30 and varied with season. Secondly the maximum effect of pancuronium was recorded at 08.00. When rats were anaesthetized by sodium pentobarbital under similar experimental conditions but during a different season (january to may) we observed a similar circadian rhythm for pancuronium. These data indicate that: a) the type of anaesthesia used in the protocol may not be of importance in demonstration of a curarizing rhythm in the rat but, b) the possibility of a seasonal component being present and effecting this rhythm needs to be investigated.


[Diabetes insipidus and exogenous antidiuretic hormone activity modifications by lithium in the rat]. The authors made conspicuous in the rat the appearance of "diabetes insipidus" induced by two lithium salts: chloride and carbonate administered orally, with increasing doses in food. The polyuria, polydipsia and urinary hypotony are reversible and disappeared with stopping the treatment. The animals became insensible to the exogenous antidiuretic hormon during the treatment and progressively became sensible again during the following twenty days so suggesting a nephrogenic mechanism by lithium: either a loss of ADH activity, either the abolition of intrarenal osmotic pressure gradient.


[Comparison of the cytotoxicity of chloroform on mouse L cells by measurement of proteins and chromium 51 release]. The authors describe a new cytotoxicity test based on the classical measurement of the residual proteins after a contact time of 4 days between the produit tested and the mouse L cells. The results are expressed as a cytotoxic dose 50 with a confidence limit for the 95% threshold after a statistical treatment of the analytical data by a computerized method. For chloroform, this method is more sensitive that the classical cytotoxicity test involving the chrom 51 release.


[Ultrastructural cytochemistry of human spermatozoa]. Enzymatic activities and repartition of glycoproteins were studied with electron microscopy in human ejaculated spermatozoa. Enzymatic activities are localised in the head of spermatozoon: arylsulfatase in the acrosome, acid phosphatase in the periacrosomal cytoplasm. Phosphotungstic acid at low pH and colloïdal iron allow detection of glycoproteins and acid groups on the sperm cell surface. Glycoproteins are present in the acrosome. These results are slightly different to those obtained in other species.


[Effect of an MAO inhibitor, phenelzine, on acetylation of isoniazid by isolated perfused rat liver]. Phenelzin, a monoamine oxydase inhibitor, administered in vivo, in rats, slowed down the initial velocity of isoniazid acetylation in isolated perfused liver. After in vitro addition in perfusion medium phenelzin decreased as well the initial velocity of acetylation as the total amount of acetylated substrate.


[Localization of N-acetyltransferases in sinusoidal liver cells. Effect of zymosan on the acetylation of sulfamethazine and isoniazid in the rat and in isolated perfused liver]. N-acetyltransferase (NAT) have been demonstrated to be localized in sinusoïdal cells and not in hepatocytes. Acetylation activities increased after pretreatment with Zymosan (40 mg/kg, i.v., 24 h before phenotyping) as well in vivo and in isolated perfused liver and in cytosolic fractions prepared from several rats organs. These data favor the localization of NAT-activity in reticulo-endothelial system. Increased protein levels in liver, gut, spleen and lungs cytosolic fractions (100 000 g, 120 mn) 48 h after Zymosan administration, suggest and inducing effect of this drug on NAT activity.


[Bioconversion of steroids in mutants of Nocardia restrictus]. Nocardia restrictus grows quickly on synthetic media containing different carbonated substrates (steroids, organic acids). The control of growth parameters of this microbial species allowed the development of the production and selection methodology for mutants unable to grow on androst-4ène-3,17-dione. A stable mutant convert androst-4-ène-3,17-dione in perhydroindan propionic acid without addition of any degradation inhibitor in the medium.


[Modifications of oxygen consumption in the ant Dolichoderus quadripunctatus exposed to very powerful gamma irradiation]. The oxygen consumption of irradiated workers ants of Dolichoderus quadripunctatus, shows a significant increase when ants received a hight dose (50 000 or 100 000 Rad) of gamma rays.


[Chromosomal structure or porcine lymphocytes effected by food additives]. Different concentrations of food additives were introduced in cultures of pig lymphocytes. No special chromosomal damage were induced by anticoccidians. On the contrary some antibiotics caused chromosomic anomalies. Chloramphenicol and furazolidone assayed in vitro and in vivo had also an antimitotic effect. The purpose of this work was to know the cytotoxic effect of some substances: a preliminary and cheap test could be a cytogenetic examination in vitro.


[Changes in the digestibility of constituents of the diet in the rabbit]. Fiber digestibility of two diets (the first based on alfalfa dried, the second based on beet-pulp dried) with the same level of crude fiber and crude protein was measured on rabbits of 6, 7, 11, 13 and 17 weeks old. The age has no significative effect on digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber) of the two experimental diets. The quantity of cellulose and hemicellulose digested was greater in rabbits on the pulp diet. Independantly of the diet hemicellulose is more digestible than cellulose. Expediency of use other analytical test than crude fiber in the nutritional requirements of rabbits is discussed.


[Comparison of the diuretic and natriuretic effects of dopamine in control and diabetes insipidus dogs. Effect of propranolol]. The diuretic effect of dopamine is unchanged in the dog with diabetes insipidus but the natriuretic effect of dopamine is shorter. With the normal dog propanolol delays the dopamine-induced diuresis and natriuresis but the magnitude of this double effect is unchanged. In the dog with diabetes insipidus, propanolol suppresses the dopaminergic diuresis and reduces the natriuresis.


[Effects of an extract of adult rat liver on Reuber H-35 hepatoma cells in vitro]. The effects of an extract from adult liver on hepatoma cells cultivated in vitro (line H-35) are studied with cytological and quantitative cytochemical methods. This extract inhibits cell multiplication and premitotic DNA synthesis. The treated cells form "trabeculae" looking like those observed when normal adult hepatocytes are cultivated in vitro.


[The cause of slow increase of heart rate during muscular exercise in man]. The slow increase in heart rate which is observed in normal man submitted to heavy muscular exercise is due for a part to an activation of orthosympathetic cardiac activity which is blocked by beta antagonists. It is also explained by direct action of hyperthermia on the heart.


[Transmissible resistance factor to cobalt in Pseumononas hydrogenomonas]. Curable resistance to cobalt, zinc and cadmium ions was observed in a hydrogen-utilizing Pseudomonas. Resistance to cobalt was transferred to P. aeruginosa and can be transferred again between P. aeruginosa strains.


[Effect of electro-acupuncture on the response of the trigeminal nucleus evoked by electric stimulation of dental pulp in the cat]. The potential in the spinal trigeminal nucleus evoked by electrical tooth pulp stimulation is depressed by electro-acupuncture given to the acupuncture point in the course of the nerve innervating the stimulated tooth.


[Inhibition, by electro-acupuncture, of the scalp evoked potential induced by painful stimulation of the tooth in man]. Scalp potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of the tooth pulp can be diminished in amplitude by electroacupuncture. This diminution goes generally in inverse with the increase in subjective pain threshold.


[Inhibitory effects of dipeptides containing tryptophan on the excitability on the giant neuron of the giant African snail (Achatina fulica, Ferussac)]. Besides an inhibitory effect of L-Lys-L-Phe-L-Tyr and L-Phe-L-Tyr, L-Phe-L-Trp showed the same effect on the excitability of a giant neurone (the TAN, tonically autoactive neurone) identified in suboesophageal ganglia of Achatina futica Férussac. The critical concentration of L-Phe-L-Trp to produce the effect was 10(-5)--3  X 10(-5) kg/1. The inhibitory effect of this substance was relatively slow and independent no chloride ions, as well as in the case of L-Phe-L-Tyr. L-Trp-L-Phe, Gly-L-Trp and L-Trp-Gly did not show any effect on the same neurone. The I-V curve of the TAN's neuromembrane, measured by the injection of a transmembrane triangular current, were not modified markedly by L-Phe-L-Trp at 4 X 10(-4) kg/1. The pattern of the TAN's spike firing produced by the depolarizing current injection were not influenced by this substance.


Suppressor cell activity in cancer patients: a possible role for thymic hormones. We have identified the presence of suppressor cell activity in the peripheral blood of immunosuppressed stage IV cancer patients. The patients' cells had a diminished mitogenic response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and suppressed the PHA mitogenic response of a normal donor's peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Thus, PBL from a cancer patient whose PHA mitogenic response was 3932 counts per minute (cpm), cultured together with a normal donor's PBL with a PHA mitogenic response of 82,865 net cpm, caused a greater than 50% reduction in the latter (37,651 net cpm). Suppressor cell activity was present in 12 of 14 patients tested. This effect was partially mitigated by irradiation with 4000 rads in nine of 14 patients. Preincubation of the patients' cells with thymosin followed by the addition of thymosin to the co-cultured cells mitigated the suppressor activity in five of ten patients and thymic humoral factor did the same in four of 11 patients. A radiosensitive and thymic hormone-responsive suppressor cell may be present in the peripheral blood of cancer patients. Confirmation of this preliminary observation and further characterization of the cell or cells is currently being undertaken.


Immunomodulation with thiabendazole: a review of immunologic properties and efficacy in combined modality cancer therapy. Thiabendazole (TBZ) appears to be an immunorestorative agent, demonstrating maximum immunopotentiation in the immunosuppressed host. Initial in vivo and in vitro immune studies indicate that the drug is most effective when given 24 hours prior to or at the time of administration of antigen. Single doses are more effective than multiple daily doses. One cell population potentiated by TBZ is the macrophage, either by direct activation or secondary to increased lymphokine production. As an adjuvant to conventional cancer treatment modalities, TBZ needs the same host setting as seen with many immunopotentiators. Tumor bulk must be reduced by the primary modality. A dose schedule must be developed in conjunction with each primary modality employed, ie, timing is critical. As an adjuvant in cancer therapy, the drug is most effective when given every other day. Depending upon the primary modality employed, adjuvant TBZ may require dose adjustment.


[Suppression of the mixed lymphocytic reaction by autologous red cells and their constituents: a new hypothesis on the apparent tolerogeneic effect of blood transfusions during transplantation]. Using the lymphocyte reaction (MLR) as an in vitro model of allogeneic response we have demonstrated that red blood cells (RBC), when phagocytosed by monocytes present in the reaction, induce almost complete suppression of the MLR. A similar effect is achieved by the RBC lysate or purified hemoglobin. These data strongly suggest that the better graft tolerance apparently induced by blood transfusion given to the recipient at the time of transplantation may result from a non specific immunodepressive process induced by the injected erythrocytes, and mediated by the monocyte.


Follicular growth in fetal and prepubertal ovaries of humans and other primates. Follicular growth begins in the fetal ovary as soon as the first follicles are formed. Although orderly follicular growth is found in the fetal ovary, many of the early growing follicles show abnormalties. Follicles with irregular granulosa layers, with hypertrophied or with underdeveloped theca layers, are characteristic. Such follicles are rarely seen after birth. The ovary during childhood is an active organ in which follicular growth and follicular atresia normally take place. Follicles begin to grow at all ages, differentiate to preantral and antral follicles, but degenerate at various stages of their development before they reach pre-ovulatory sizes. Follicular growth in the fetus and children is dependent on hormones. Fetal gonadotrophins are necessary to ensure normal and sequential follicular growth before birth. During childhood a close correlation between follicle growth, hormone response and hormone production seems to exist. Certain diseases and treatment with cytotoxic agents or radiation to the abdomen influence ovarian development and follicular growth. Chromosome abnormalities, especially Turner's syndrome, trisomy 18 or 21, alter normal ovarian development by reducing the pool of available follicles and inhibiting follicular growth. Treatment with cytotoxic drugs inhibits follicular growth, while abdominal irradiation in childhood unless the ovaries are adequately shielded causes permanent damage by destroying the small follicles.


Dermatoglyphics in parents of children with trisomy 21. Evaluation of their interest in genetic counselling. Dermal patterns in a group of Down's syndrome patients, a normal control population and a group of parents of Down's syndrome patients were studied in an attempt to identify an Index Score to be used in differentiating controls from parents of Down's syndrome children. Using only three patterns (simian crease, palmar hypothenar pattern and Cummins' Index), a parents' Index Score was established which correctly diagnosed 80.83% of controls and 79.17% of parents. The predictive value of this index and its interest in genetic counselling are discussed.


Surgical treatment of Scheuermann's adult kyphosis: case report. A 39-year-old woman with severe Scheuermann's kyphosis complaining of back pain was treated surgically. The following operations were performed in stages to correct a fixed kyphosis: (1) total diskectomy through an anterior approach; (2) application of the halo pelvic distraction apparatus; (3) anterior spine fusion following correction by spinal distraction. She was relieved of her complaints and deformity at a 3 year follow-up examination.


The mechanism for the promotion of tenderness in meat during the post-mortem process: a review. The post-mortem changes in the chemical composition and structure of striated muscle have been reviewed on the basis of various concepts that emerged from the studies of different investigators to explain the course of tenderization of meat during aging. These concepts include the changes in the sarcoplasmic proteins, myofibrillar proteins (such as complete dissociation of actomyosin, partial dissociation of actomyosin, cleavage of disulfide linkages, depolymerization of F-actin filaments, cleavage of myosin filaments, disorganization of Z-bands and the troponin-tropomyosin complex), sarcolemma, connective tissue elements (collagen fibrils, ground substance), and the protein-ion relationship of the muscle cells (more strictly, syncytia). The experimental evidence for and against each of the views is discussed critically in the light of certain fundamentals of biophysical chemistry and biochemistry. Finally, an alternative hypothesis has been presented based on the differential effect of the post-mortem formation of lactic acid (H+ ion concentration) on the intra- and extracellular components of muscle and the possible role of lysosomal cathepsins. Consequently, a series of biophysical, biochemical, and ultrastructural changes seem to account for the mechanism by which meat becomes tender during the aging process.


Enzyme histochemistry of the rat hippocampus during experimental status epilepticus. EEG registered hippocampal status epilepticus (HSE) was provoked in 41 adult albino rats by intraseptal injection of ouabain, and the hippocampus was studied from 1 1/2 to 24 hr with the enzyme histochemical tests for succinic dehydrogenase (SDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), thiaminopyrophosphatase (TPPase), acid phosphatase (AcPase), Mg2+ adenosine triphosphatase (Mg2++ ATPase), and with general and neurohistological stains. In a first group of animals (1 1/2 to 10 hr of HSE), a stage of general increase in enzymatic activity was detected in the pyramidal neurons (SDH, LDH, AcPase, and TPPase). Mg2+ ATPase showed a marked increase in astrocytes. In a second group (more than 10 hr of HSE), SDH was found decreased in the dendritic fields. LDH activity persisted in neuronal bodies, and AcPase and TPPase showed diffuse activity in the cytoplasm of some pyramidal neurons. In a third group (more than 18 hr of HSE), SDH activity was low. No AcPase granules were observed in some pyramidal neurons and TPPase was negative in some areas of pyramidal layer. Mg2+ ATPase reaction showed scare and retracted astroglial processes. These changes were coincident with "cellular ghosts" observed with hematoxylin-eosin techniques of the same samples in the pyramidal field and were interpreted as cellular death, attributed to relative anoxia following neuronal discharge.


Characterization of (Mg,Ca)-ATPase activity in rat pancreatic plasma membranes. 1. Pancreatic plasma membranes containing a high adenylate cyclase activity and a low contamination by cytochrome c oxidase were isolated from the rat by sucrose density centrifugation. The preparation contained an (Mg,Ca)-ATPase of high activity with the following characteristics. 2. The ATPase activity was shown to have two apparent Km values for Mg-ATP (0.24 +/- 0.09 mM and 1.15 +/- 0.21 mM) and two apparent Km values for Ca-ATP (0.14 +/- 0.09 mM and 0.68 +/- 0.10 mM). Mg-GTP and Ca-GTP were also hydrolysed by the preparation. The phase transition temperature was 19.3 +/- 1.0 degrees C for the Mg-ATPase and 22.6 +/- 1.1 degrees C for the Ca-ATPase activities. 3. Three lines of evidence suggest that Mg-ATP and Ca-ATP were substrates for the same enzyme: Mg-dependent and Ca-dependent activities were not additive; the two activities showed the same pH optimum at 8.0; and the nonionic detergents Triton X-100, Triton X-305, Triton N-101, Lubrol P 12 A, and digitonin, produced a parallel solubilization of the two activities. 4. Enzyme activities were insensitive to potassium, sodium, ouabain, pancreozymin, carbamoyl-choline, secretin, concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin, and soybean lectin.


Diabetes mellitus and autonomic dysfunction after vacor rodenticide ingestion. A case of N-3 pyridylmethyl-N' 4 nitrophenyl urea (Vacor) rodenticide poisoning in a 52-year-old man is presented. Vacor is structurally related to alloxan and streptozotocin, agents that have been used extensively to produce diabetes mellitus in laboratory animals. Seven days after ingestion of Vacor, the patient presented in diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by postural hypotension and adynamic ileus. The patient recovered from ketoacidosis but has continued to require insulin. With infusion of arginine, glucagon rose from 185 to 650 pg./ml. and C-peptide from 0.5 to 3.4 ng./ml. Six weeks after onset of diabetes, no anti-islet-cell antibodies were detected. Muscle capillary basement membrane thickness on electron microscopy was found to be 1,918 +/- 194 A. The absence of hyperglycemia after Vacor ingestion should not lead to complacency on the part of the attending physician. The patient must be observed closely for development of ketoacidosis and treated prophylactically with nicotinamide, the suggested antidote.


Assembly of the mitochondrial membrane system: mutations in the pho2 locus of the mitochondrial genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which show a loss of mitochondrial rutamycin-sensitive ATPase activity are described. Although phenotypically similar to mutants of the mitochondrial locus pho1 [F. Foury and A. Tzagoloff (1976) Eur. J. Biochem. 68, 113-119], these mutants define a second ATPase locus on the mitochondrial DNA (designated pho2), which is genetically unlinked to pho1. Analysis of recombination in crosses involving multiple antibiotic resistance markers indicates that the locus is in the segment of the genome between ery1 and oli2, very close to oli1. In fact it is proposed that the oli1 and pho2 mutations are in the same gene. Supporting evidence for this proposal includes: 1. The analysis of marker retention in petite mutants shows that the oli1 and pho2 loci were either retained or lost together in all cases. 2. Recombination frequencies of 0.05% or less are observed in crosses between the oli1 and pho2 loci. 3. When rho+ revertants are isolated from the pho2 mutants they frequently are oligomycin resistant. 4. pho2 mutants have an altered subunit 9 of the ATPase complex.


Characterization of the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding protein isolated from chloroplast membranes. Characterization of a butanol-solubilized protein isolated from chloroplast membranes is reported. The proteolipid, which specifically and covalently binds dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, has an apparent molecular weight of 8,000 in dodecylsulfate electrophoresis. The minimum molecular weight calculated from amino acid analysis data is 7,700. N-Formyl-methionine was determined to be the N-terminal amino acid. Glycine, alanine and leucine were present in elevated amounts, resulting in a polarity of 29%. Cysteine and histidine were lacking. In high-voltage electrophoresis the peptide appeared as a single homogenous spot which migrated, at pH 6.5, with the relative mobility of glycine. At concentrations where dicyclohexylcarbodiimide inhibited ATPase activity maximally (20 nmol per mg membrane protein), 0.17 nmol dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was covalently bound per nmol isolated proteolipid, indicating that one out of six molecules of proteolipid was labeled.


The management of congenital tricuspid incompetence. 2 examples of severe tricuspid incompetence presenting in the newborn period are described. Both recovered with medical treatment alone, with subsequent decrease in tricuspid incompetence. Postnatal course is attributed to normal decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. Some infants may be at considerable risk until this decrease occurs.


Rate of drug metabolism in man measured by 14CO2-breath analysis. Exhalation of 14CO2 in breath has been used to assess the rate of hepatic demethylation of (14C-dimethyl)aminopyrine, but due to the complexity of aminopyrine metabolism the pharmacokinetics of the procedure are insufficiently understood. Therefore, studies were performed in five individuals after oral administration of (14C-methoxy)glycodiazine, a model substance with relatively simple kinetic properties. Plasma concentrations of the drug and urinary output of its metabolites measured by high pressure liquid chromatography were analysed by a two-compartment open model. The terminal disappearance of 14CO2 from breath was practically identical with the terminal disappearance of glycodiazine from plasma, which could be correlated with the plasma clearance of free glycodiazine. The mean transit time of 14C-atoms from plasma to breath was 3 h. These results contribute to the pharmacokinetic basis for use of 14C-demethylation breath tests. In particular, they are consistent with the hypothesis that 14CO2-breath analysis may be used to assess certain pharmacokinetic parameters of appropriately labelled test compounds. These parameters may not necessarily be a direct reflection of the rate of demethylation.


Intrinsic fluorescence of mitochondrial F1-ATPase. The emission maximum of the fluorescence spectrum of mitochondrial F1-ATPase is shifted from 305 to 334 nm when the excitation wavelength is altered from 270 to 300 nm. This indicates that both tyrosine and tryptophan contribute to the intrinsic fluorescence of the F1-ATPase.


The effects of brain monoamine depletion on p-chlorophenyl-alanine-induced hypothermia. I.p. administration of p-chlorophenylalanine produced a fall in rectal temperature in rats. The hypothermia was attenuated after pretreatment of the animals with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine, but was unaffected after pretreatment of the animals with 6-hydroxydopamine.


Effect of epimestrol on gonadotropin and prolactin plasma levels and response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone/thyrotropin-releasing hormone in secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea. The effects of epimestrol (5 mg every 6 hours for 5 days) on basal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (Prl), estradiol, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and on the response to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation, were studied in 18 cases of secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea of hypothalamic-pituitary origin, in three cases of anorexia nervosa, in two cases of long-lasting progestin-induced amenorrhea, and in one case of precocious menopause. The results in the first 18 patients indicate that epimestrol treatment induces a significant increase in LH and Prl levels after 24 hours, while the FSH increase becomes significant only after 4 days of therapy. Twelve hours after discontinuation of treatment, all three hormone levels decreased significantly to values similar to the basal levels, while the pituitary response to LH-RH indicated a much more marked LH secretion than before treatment. A second test, performed 36 hours after the last drug administration, again showed a significantly higher LH response than that found under basal conditions. No significant variations were observed in the FSH response to LH-RH, nor in the Prl response to TRH. These data suggest that epimestrol interferes at the level of the centers responsible for Prl and gonadotropin secretion in the manner of a weak estrogen.


[Receptor adaptation of muscle spindles treated in different ways]. Comparison of the grades of 60 sensitive muscle spindle terminals on two actions: gradual stretch of the muscle and short intensive tetanization of the muscle nerve, showed that, irrespective of the mode of action, the character of adaptation remains the smae in majority of units. The speed of receptors adaptation depends not on the specific of testing precedures, but, apparently, on the means of connection of the sensitive terminals with different types of intrafusal muscle fibers with different elasticviscous properties. The possible reason for speedy adaptation of muscle receptors of elementary dynamic type, is discussed.


[Interrelationship between contact coagulation, surface charge and roughness]. The negative surface charge and the mechanically even surface were found in vitro to hinder the blood hypercoagulation, fibrin absorption, and thrombocytes hyperadhesion. The surface negative electrical charge of 6--10(-9)Cl/cm2 and the surface of the 9--14th class of mechanical evenness seem to be optimal for prophylaxis of thrombosis at the blood-surface border. The surface negative electrical charge reduces the possibility of thrombosis on mechanically rough surface.


Immunologic study of T and B lymphocytes in thymectomized monkeys after irradiation and autologous bone marrow transplantation. Rhesus monkeys were exposed to total-body gamma-irradiation (60Co) with 700R following adult thymectomy, and then protected with autologous bone marrow. Transplantation immunity in TxIBM animals was impaired: skin allografts survived for 19 to 38 days. The percentage of T and B lymphocytes studied by the rosette technique and immunofluorescent staining for Ig did not substantially change when examined in early as well as late periods after TxIBM. Functional capacities of lymphocytes were measured in vitro by stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin and with allogeneic cells in mixed lymphocyte cultures. MLC reactivity in TxIBM monkeys did not recover in the early and later periods following treatment. PHA responsiveness was retained in both these periods. These findings together with the results obtained in the analysis of unstable chromosomal aberrations suggested that PHA-responsive and MLC-reactive cell subpopulations of monkey blood lymphocytes differed in the degree of thymus dependence.


Studies of cultured human fibroblasts in diabetes mellitus: changes in heparan sulfate. The incorporation of [35S]sulfate into glycosaminoglycans was studied in cultures of normal and diabetic skin fibroblasts. Heparan sulfate was determined by column chromatography after enzymatic degradation of chondroitin sulfates and dermatan sulfate by chondroitinase ABE. Cultured skin fibroblasts from both insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent diabetics were found to have increased proportions of heparan sulfate in the media relative to the other sulfated glycosaminoglycans.


[Measurement and differential demonstration of renal blood flow by computer angiography (author's transl)]. A new computer-aided x-ray technique is presented which, unlike conventional cine- or video-densitometry, allows a high-resolution quantitative display of the parameters of renal blood flow as so-called 'functional images'. The parameters include blood flow velocity and local perfusion of the kidney. This technique, which we call computer angiography, has decisive advantages; the functional images provide more, and more rapid, information on renal blood flow dynamics than can be obtained by the qualitative evaluation of a series of pictures. The clinical relevance of computer angiography is illustrated by a nephrotic syndrome, polycystic disease and a hypernephroma.


[Phantom measurements of spatial resolution and the partial-volume-effect in computer tomography (author's transl)]. The present work deals with the problem of demonstrating tissue changes of small volume by computer tomography. Measurements were carried out with the Somatom computer tomograph and evaluated by the Evaluscope (both Siemens); fourteen test situations were devised, using plexiglass rods of varying diameter and different penetration into the level being sectioned. Quantitative relationships were found concerning the spatial resolution for objects of varying sizes, concerning the partial volume effect and the thickness of the section for objects of varying size, and concerning the relationship between resolution and partial volume effect for small objects.


[The value of various radiological procedures for the investigation of functional disturbances of renal transplants (author's transl)]. The value of various radiological examinations was analysed with reference to 75 renal transplants which had developed complications. If the renal poles are marked with metallic clips, the size of the transplant can be estimated by abdominal x-rays. Abnormal size was found exclusively in severe rejection reactions, but only about 50% of acute rejections showed such a change. Contrast examinations were found to be valuable in the diagnosis or exclusion of anatomically localised lesions such as obstructions or anastomotic leaks. They were unsatisfactory in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of diffuse parenchymatous abnormalities such as rejection or damage during storage.


[Sonography and phlebography in the investigation of the suprarenals (author's transl)]. Twelve patients were examined by sonography and phlebography; of these, ten had suprarenal tumours and two suprarenal hyperplasia. The value of sonography and its place compared with radiological examinations is discussed. Sonography is an informative method of screening and should be employed whenever there is clinical suspicion of enlargement of the suprarenals before other radiological methods are used.


Experimental evaluation of rigor mortis. I. Histochemical analysis of rat skeletal muscle in the early post-mortem period. Histochemical investigation of rat skeletal muscle samples removed immediately post mortem from exercised rats gave the following results: (1) Of the oxidoreductase enzymes studied, there was a slight increase in the activity of cytochrome oxidase. (2) There was no change in the acid- and alkali-stable actomyosin ATPase activity. (3) There was a notable decrease in glycogen concentration. In the case of strychnine intoxication: (1) There was no change in oxidoreductase enzymes. (2) There was an increase in the activity of alkali-stable ATPase in white fibres. (3) The glycogen concentration notably decreased. There was no change in the activity of enzymes studied in those animals sacrificed by anoxia.


[The transumbilical occlusionphlebography of the pancreas, the attempt of a new technique (author's transl)]. The value of selective and superselective arteriography is limited. The difficulties in differentiation between tumors and chronic pancreatitis make it frequently impossible to come to an early diagnosis by the method. Beside arterial vessel changes pathological venous lesions may play a role in view of resectability. Because of anatomical structures phlebography of the vena portae and its origens is not commonly used. Especially selective pancreas phlebography is possible only by means of indirect catherterization. Among the different techniques the transumbilical route seems to be mort effective than recently thought of. In this paper a new technique of pancreas phlebography by means of catheterization of the umbilical vein is introduced. Twelve präparations of human pancreas at autopsy and six postmortal catheterizations of the portal veins in situ in man have been studied. First results of this occlusion-phlebography of the pancreas are presented for the first time. Problems are discussed which may arise when applicating this method in vivo. In is expected to get more important angiographic information about pancreatic diseases. Certainly it can be used to investigate hemodynamic and biochemical changes.


[Occlusion of the three unpaired aortic branches with the development of an extensive Riolan's anastomosis (author's transl)]. A 60-year-old patient with occlusion of the inferior and superior mesenteric arteries and the coeliac axis developed a collateral circulation from the iliac arteries through the rectal vessels, the ascending ramus of the inferior mesenteric artery and the medical colic branch of the superior mesenteric artery. These collaterals were able to ensure survival of all three vascular territories. Along the medial wall of the descending colon and the sigmoid a second, less well developed collateral circulation could be demonstrated by iliac arteriography. The branches of the superior mesenteric artery and of the coeliac axis were only partly demonstrated, or failed to fill, during a free aortic injection and a counter current arteriogram. Clinically the occlusion of the unpaired aortic branches manifested itself as periumbilical pain after food. The involvement of the visceral aortic branches to this extent in the presence of generalised vascular disease is related to an attack of dysentry 38 years previously.


[Roentgendiagnostic of the peritoneovenous drainage after Le Veen for ascitestreatment (author's transl)]. The peritoneovenous drainage after Le Veen offers a possibility of the ascitestreatment. The roentgenexamination showed wrong positions of the katheter as the most frequent cause of dysfunctions. They were regularly combined with venous obstructions. The intraoperativ x-ray diagnostic can fascilate the shunt application and may help to spare a second operation.


[Intramural perforation of the oesophagus (author's transl)]. The authors have seen four patients with perforation into the wall of the oesophagus and have reviewed 17 others described in the literature. They discuss the appearances, causes, symptoms and radiological characteristics of this condition and also deal with its treatment. It is important to differentiate the clinical picture of this type of perforation from cardiac infarcts, aortic dissection and also from transmural perforation, since the treatment varies widely.


[Investigation of the small bowel using an intubation method (author's transl)]. Small bowel contrast examinations by an intubation method were carried out in our hundred patients suspected of having small bowel disease. The method described by Sellink was used and the time and expenditure for carrying out the procedure was monitored. The effect of changes in the method on side effects and quality of the results were observed. Although the technique requires rather more time and effort, the side effects are minimal once it has been properly worked out and there are definite diagnostic gains compared with conventional methods of investigating the small bowel. The increased information available justifies the use of the intubation technique not only for selected problems, but as the primary method of examination of the small bowel.


[The value of abdominal radiographs in the diagnosis of bromurea intoxication (author's transl)]. Brom-substituted mono-urea hypnotics, which may be taken with suicidal intent, can be demonstrated radiologically. The value of routine abdominal x-rays in the recognition of intoxications has been examined at the University Clinic, Ulm, on patients admitted in 1976 and 1977. It has been shown that it is usually possible radiographically to indicate whether bromurea compounds have been taken in significant quantities, The bromurea has low solubility in the stomach and it is therefore possible to demonstrate the amount and type of substance present; this has some bearing on immediate treatment. Rapid removal of the toxic substance is so important for effective treatment that routine abdominal radiographs appear indicated for all life-threatening intoxications. Confusion with other opaque substances in practise is confined to preparations containing bismuth; although these are widely used, they have no significant toxicity.


[Computer tomography of the mediastinum (author's transl)]. The scope and limitaitons of computer tomography in the diagnosis of diseases of the mediastinum were studied, using a 20 seconds scanner (EMI CT 5005/12). The mediastinal structures can be accurately differentiated and diagnosis is therefore frequently facilitated. In addition to a knowledge of the anatomy, it is important to be familiar with various types of artefact since these may change the degree of attenuation. Additional use of contrast medium is frequently required.


[Computer cardio-tomography for tumours of the left atrium (author's transl)]. The role of computer tomography in the diagnosis of cardiac tumours was demonstrated by three patients with myxomas of the left atrium. After intravenous contrast administration these tumours appeared as relatively translucent space-occupying lesions on the computer tomograph. The invasive method of angio-cardiography is unlikely to provide any additional information concerning tumour size or localisation when compared with non-invasive computer tomography or echo cardiography.


[The radiographic appearances following correction of left-to-right shunts (author's transl)]. Amongst 22 patients with corrected left-to-right shunts, a diminution in heart size and reduction in central pulmonary arteries and pulmonary plethora was found in about half the patients. A good operative result can be expected, particularly in younger patients with less severe lesions, where the vessels had not been subjected to a high pressure for a long period. The failure of vessels to return to normal is assurmed to be due to changes in the vessel walls. Possible causes for persistent cardiomegaly are, in addition to persistent shunts, coronary artery disease, obesity, inadequate digitalisation and aortic and mitral insufficiency.


[The assessment of activity of tuberculous lesions. A radiological problem (author's transl)]. The evaluation of activity of tuberculous lesions in patients with unknown previous course make an additional tomographic assessment of the lesion necessary. The value of this approach is being illustrated by 8 cases.


[Changes in the pulmonary vessels during asthma in childhood (author's transl)]. One hundred and twenty-eight erect radiographs of the thorax in 42 children with bronchial asthma have been analysed. The criterium for inclusion in this study was the demonstration on once occasion at least of hyperinflation of the lung with a low diaphragm, increased size of lung, narrow heart and increase in the retrosternal transparent area. In all patients there was narrowing of the vessels. In addition, the vessels appeared irregular and curved. Other characteristic radiological findings were tram-lines, obstructed bronchi, peribronchial infiltrates and atelectases. Increasing severity of the attack lead to increasing finding of other radiological changes in the thorax, but these have not yet been statistically examined.


[Plain film findings in the skull in neurofibromatosis (author's transl)]. The radiologically demonstrable changes in the skull, which occur in neurofibromatosis, are described. The mesodermal dysplastic changes in the sphenoid and the facial skeleton are diagnostic. Changes secondary to blastomatous processes are not always a consequence of the presence of a tumour; they may result from developmental abnormalities or dural protrusion. In addition one may encounter a series of changes which are not in themselves diagnostic. Problems in the diagnoses and the differential diagnosis are discussed.


[Double contours and companion shadows in the skull associated with anaemias (author's transl)]. Lateral X-ray pictures of the skull in certain several and chronic disorders of the blood as thalassaemia, congenital haemolytic anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and iron deficiency disease show frequently changes of the outlines of the cranial bones. They consist of a double contour of the outer cranial border and on the interior side below the sagittal sutura of a band-like shadow or of multiple stripes and lines running parallel to the carnial vault. They concern the parietal bones and may extend from the bregma till to the lamda or occupy only a part of this distance. The roentgenological features are due to the enlargement of the crainal bones, the bulging out of both parietal bondes, the sometimes enlarged and deepened borders of the sulcus sagittalis superior and particularly to the furrow and depression on the skull above the sagittal suture caused by the protruding parietal bones on both sides. As these different abnormal structures must be passed by the picturing X-ray, effects of superposition and interference are produced. Longitudinal ridges or bony edges which could explain the roentgenological findings could not be established. Since the peculiar alterations of the cranial bones are mainly found in the mentioned blood disorders, where they are caused by the overgrowing red marrow, they also display the same roentgenological features. These features are, therefore, a characteristic sign of these diseases.


[Physiological increase in the mineral content of the radius and ulna during growth (author's transl)]. Bone mineral estimations were carried out in 273 normal youngsters aged 6 to 18 years using a 125I photon absorption technique. Measurements were carried out at two points on the radius and ulna. Normal values for different ages were calculated for both sexes. Statistical analysis of the data, together with measurements obtained from 773 adults, has shown that the curve derived from children and adolescents merges smoothly with that for adults.


[The place of radiology in tuberous sclerosis (author's transl)]. Tuberous sclerosis is a rare disease in which hamartomas may be found in the brain, the retina, the skin and in other internal organs. The classic form of the disease showing mental retardation, epilepsy and adenoma sebaceum is easily recognised. Incomplete forms, however, can provide considerable diagnostic difficulties. Angiographically, appearances are found which cannot be differentiated with certainty from those of malignant tumours. Malignant tumours are very rare in this condition. Nephrectomy can be avoided if the diagnosis is made at an early stage. Two female patients are reported, in one of whom the diagnosis was made by renal angiography. Despite the presence of large tumours in both kidneys, these organs could be preserved by surgery. In the second patient there were also bilateral renal hamartomas, but surgery was not carried out. Both cases showed typical changes in the fingers and toes as well as intracerebral calcification, and in one the lungs were affected.