The pharmacology of amblyopia.

The pharmacology of amblyopia. Physiologic and anatomic evidence has suggested an anatomic disconnection between the deprived eye and visual cortical neurons in cats made amblyopic by monocular deprivation. Clinical and visual-evoked response data suggest, however, that inhibition may play a major role in amblyopia. Accordingly, we intravenously administered anti-inhibitory compounds (bicuculline, ammonium ion, naloxone) to amblyopic cats and demonstrated a substantial restoration of binocular input to the visual cortex. Such pharmacologic reversal suggests that amblyopia is not an anatomically fixed lesion.


The effect of calcium dobesilate on nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy: a controlled study. Two independent, double-masked, controlled studies were made to evaluate the efficacy of calcium dobesilate for the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Forty-two patients underwent a six-month crossover evaluation while receiving calcium dobesilate (750 mg per day) and placebo in random order. Thirty-six patients received calcium dobesilate (1,000 mg per day) or placebo for one year. Evaluation by clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, angiography, and fundus photography failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect of calcium dobesilate.


Traumatic herniation of buccal pad of fat (traumatic pseudolipoma). A review. Since the term traumatic pseudolipoma of the buccal mucosa was originally propounded to describe a traumatic herniation of the buccal fat pad, five additional cases have been reported. The evidence from these cases, together with the occurrence of similar lesions of the buttocks and anterior abdominal wall, is presented, and the suggestion is made that there is now sufficient reason to believe that this condition is a clinical entity for which the name traumatic pseudolipoma would appear to be justified.


Oral lesions of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Oral lesions with histologic evidence of subepidermal bullae are described in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). Deposition of IgA, IgG, and C3 in the basement membrane zone and vasculitis with C3 deposits in vessel walls suggest the possible role of immune complexes in the pathogenesis of the disease.


Cytotoxicity evaluation of root canal sealers by the tissue culture--agar overlay technique. Ten commercially available root canal sealers were tested for cytotoxicity by the tissue culture--agar overlay method for periods of 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. All sealers manifested evidence of toxicity at every stage of testing. Some sealers which were markedly toxic at 0 hour showed reducing levels of toxicity out to 96 hours. Others remained highly toxic throughout the entirety of the experimental period.


Release of endotoxin in an experimental model simulating the dental root canal. The action of endotoxin on subcutaneous connective tissue was examined in an experimental model simulating the dental root canal. The local Shwartzman reaction was used as a tool to detect slight tissue alterations that might otherwise go unobserved. The experimental results warrent, in our opinion, the tentative conclusion that the primary toxicity of endotoxins has no major part in the initiation or maintenance of chronic periapical inflammation.


[The significance of radioimmunoassay for the diagnosis of growth disorders in childhood (author's transl)]. The fact, that peripheral concentrations of most hormones, including growth hormone, are in the nano- and picomole range, requires the use of very sensitive analytical methods for their determination. Radioimmunoassays are most widely used for this purpose as they fulfill the criteria of high sensitivity and reliability. This paper briefly summarizes the principle of radioimmunoassays and the application of such tests for the diagnosis of growth disturbances in children.


The placebo effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation. The placebo effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation was studied in 93 patients in a double-blind cross-over trial using a genuine stimulator and a placebo machine. Placebo analgesic effect occurred in 32% of trials, as compared with 48% for actual stimulation. The placebo effect of the transcutaneous electrical stimulator is similar to the placebo effect that is noted in other double-blind studies in which medications are used.


[Enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay of factor VIII-related antigen. Interest in study of Von Willerbrand's disease (author's transl)]. Factor VIII-related antigen is measured by ELISA as follows: Factor VIII-R: Ag is first "captured" between rabbit antibodies to human factor VII R : Ag adsorbed in polystyrene tubes, and conjugate (peroxydase-labelled rabbit antibodies). A chromogenic enzyme substrate is then added and absorbence measurement allows subsequent assay. This method is sensitive, reproducible and specific. The comparison between the results obtained by this enzyme immuno-assay and the electro-immunodiffusion assay (EIA) is interesting for the study of quantitative and qualitative variations of F VII R : Ag in von Willebrand's disease. Two observations of von Willerbrand variants are described in detail : VIII R : Ag plasma level of the first one is normal using EIA but decreased using ELISA, its electrophoretic mobility is increased; in the second case we found typical anomalies of von Willebrand except the VIII R : Ag level normal by the two methods.


[Volume distribution studies on the platelet populations (author's transl)]. The volume distribution into human platelet populations was investigated in order to determine if thereis a relationship between the cell density and the cell size and if the isolated platelets are homogeneous populations of cells. The platelet populations were isolated from platelet rich plasma or from washed platelets by isopycnic centrifugation on sucrose density gradients. Platelet volume was measured electronically with Coulter F or Coulter Z Bic coupled with Channelyser C 1000. The results show that there exists a direct relationship between platelet density and size, since the volumetric parameters gradually increase from the small platelets of lower density to the larger ones isolated at higher density. Evidence was also obtained that the isolated populations of platelets were heterogeneous and their volume distribution was log-normal. Both the heavy and the light platelet populations were found as a mixture of mainly large or mainly small platelets respectively.


[Electrophoretic mobility of antithrombin III in an agarose gel with heparin. (author's transl)]. The electrophoretic mobility of several forms of antithrombin III in an agarose gel has been compared with the mobility in a gel containing heparin. When a serum was studied, three different compounds were observed. The inactige antithrombin III with higher molecular size, separated by gel filtration, was found to be homogenous even if there was heparin in the gel. A purified antithrombin III, prepared by affinity chromatography, contained an immunoreactive material of higher molecular size which has no activity and a higher mobility in agarose gel. When heparin is incorporated in the agarose plate, the electrophoretic mobility of this polymerized antithrombin III is not modified.


[Study of the bleeding mechanism during fibrinolysis induced by streptokinase in the rabbit (author's transl)]. Our aim in this work has been to obtain precisions on the bleeding mechanism during fibrinolysis induced by streptokinase in the rabbit. Haemostasis was studied in vivo by the method oh Honour and Russell. The injection of 40 000 u/kg of streptokinase in 10 minutes induces rapidly fibrinolysis, which lasts for approximately one hour which is not accompanied by changes either in coagulation factors, or in platelet function. In vivo : . the adhesion of platelets to the vascular lesion is normal; . platelet aggregation is normal as is the formation of intravascular thrombi; . on the other hand the intra mural platelet thrombus is unstable. The embolization of the intravascular thrombi is responsible for new hemorrhages which can be correlated with the intensity of fibrinolysis. Thus, even in the absence of fibrinogenolysis, of fibrinogen degradation products FPD, of abnormal thrombin generation and of altered platelet function, the fibrinolytic activity induced by streptokinase could alone be responsible for bleeding episodes, occuring during thrombolytic treatment by streptokinase in man.


Comparision of low dose heparin and low dose heparin combined with aspirin in prevention of deep vein thrombosis after total hip replacement. In a prospective randomised trial, two groups of 20 patients each were compared. The first group received low dose heparin (t.i.d.) and the second group received low dose heparin (t.i.d.) combined with aspirin. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were determined using both radioactive fibrinogen uptake test and venography. The correlation between the two methods of diagnosis was better than 90%. There was no significant difference in the incidence of DVT between the two prophylactic regimen. A significant tendancy towards increased bleeding in observed with the combination of low dose heparin and aspirin.


[Medical decision assistance. Logical method and application to thyroid diseases (author's transl)]. Medical diagnosis assistance is described in terms of step by step logical reasoning methods. Boolean functions, possibly connected with phi-fuzzy functions, and a theorem proving algorithm may be used at each step. The choice merely depends on the accuracy of diagnosis at a given step. Numerical results based on a study of patients with thyroid diseases are presented.


[The constituents of the red cell membrane (author's transl)]. Erythrocyte plasma membrane consists of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. The major lipids are phosphoglycerolipids which are amphiphatic molecules and which are responsible for the double layer structure of the membrane. Both membrane leaflets are fluid structures. Lipids diffuse laterally with great velocity. Exchange of lipids between the leaflets hardly occurs. The external leaflet can readily exchange phospholipids and cholesterol with the plasma. The external and the internal leaflets have a different composition. Major proteins are identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis while enzyme proteins are detected through their catalytic properties. Membrane proteins play many roles, among which are the maintenance of red cell shape and deformability (spectrin), cation and anion transport, intra- and extracellular metabolisms. Proteins penetrate more or less deeply into the lipid double layer. Their lateral mobility is limited. Sugars are covalently bound to various lipids and proteins. Being present only on the external surface of the membrane, they are the substrates of blood group antigens. Several abnormalities of erythrocyte membrane constituents have appeared in various congenital hemolytic anemias and in progressive muscular dystrophies.


[Quantitative study of the bacterial flora of air in operating theatres (author's transl)]. A comparative study of two air-bacteria counting machines, MK II (Casella, London) and R.B. (Joubert, Lyon) was carried out. Pre-operation air samples from operating rooms were drawn by the two machines working simultaneously. The results from the two machines are similar, however the RB machine is the more sensitive of the two machines. Moreover, an old operating room without filtrated air had a significantly higher air bacteria contamination (m = 199 +/- 173 bacteria/m3) than a new one with filtrated air (m = 40 +/- 36 bacteria/m3). Samples from laminar air flow (m = 1,3 +/- 1,5 bacteria/m3) were examined as test studies. Working methods and results of air bacteria counts are studied.


Acute nonlymphoid leukemia.

Acute nonlymphoid leukemia. Acute nonlymphoid leukemia (ANLL) is not an uncommon form of leukemia in children. The differential diagnosis is sometimes difficult, but there are a number of laboratory tests that can contribute useful information. Despite the introduction of several newer chemotherapeutic agents, only 50 to 60 percent of children with ANLL achieve complete remissions, and the median survival at this time is only about 14 to 18 months. Immunotherapy and bone-marrow transplantation may offer important future avenues of therapy. CNS leukemia has recently evolved as an important complication in this group of leukemias.


Relative effects of drugs and diet on hyperactive behaviors: an experimental study. In a test of Feingold's hypothesis that food additives trigger the hyperactive response, 26 hyperactive children were randomly assigned to treatment conditions whereby they were given active or placebo medications in combination with challenge cookies with artificial food colors or control cookies without the additives. The children were crossed over into each of the four treatment conditions and experimental procedures were employed, including double-blind assessments through the completion of behavior checklists, by teachers and parents. Stimulant medications were clearly more effective than diet in reducing hyperactive behavior. The parent ratings indicate strong drug effects and inconclusive diet effects. Drug effects are marked in teacher ratings as well. However, when the children were receiving placebos, their hyperactive behaviors in the classroom were greater when eating cookies with artificial colors than when eating cookies without artificial colors. According to the ratings, approximately seven children were no longer hyperactive. There is evidence to suggest that the behavior of three to eight children was diet-responsive, depending on the criteria used. There is evidence, particularly in teacher ratings, in support of Feingold's hypothesis if it is modified. Further research is required to specify which subtypes of hyperactive children respond to a diet free of artificial food colors.


Hyperkinesis and food additives: testing the Feingold hypothesis. Teacher ratings, objective classroom and laboratory observational data, attention-concentration, and other psychological measures obtained on 36 school-age, hyperactive boys under experimental and control diet conditions yielded no support for the Feingold hypothesis. Parental ratings revealed positive behavioral changes for the experimental diet; however, they seemed primarily attributable to one diet sequence. Parents' behavioral ratings on ten hyperactive, preschool boys indicated a positive response to the experimental diet; again, laboratory observations showed no diet effect.


Treatment of status asthmaticus in children with high doses and conventional doses of methylprednisolone. Twenty-one children who were admitted to the hospital with status asthmaticus were assigned randomly to one of two groups. Children in group A received methylprednisolone sodium succinate intravenously, 30 mg/sq m every six hours (conventional dose), and those in group B received methylprednisolone sodium succinate intravenously 300 mg/sq m every six hours, until they were no longer wheezing, or for a maximum of four days. There were no significant differences in the outcome between the two groups. We conclude that there is no extra advantage in giving massive doses of corticosteroids over conventional doses in the treatment of severe asthma attacks.


Noncompliance in children with renal transplants. Fourteen patients (13 of them adolescents) interrupted immunosuppressive treatment following renal transplantation. Twelve were girls and two were boys. Six subsequently lost their allografts and eight had impaired renal function. Noncompliance was suspected when diminution in cushingoid features, unexplained weight loss, or changes in renal function occurred. Noncompliance was comfirmed by interview with psychosocial staff. Available psychosocial data from family interview and personality test obtained earlier as part of systematic follow-up study were analyzed to explore the reasons for noncompliance. Non compliant patient families had lower incomes, more fatherless households, and comunication difficulties within the family and with the medical establishment. Using a stepwise discriminant analysis, a discriminant function was derived which selected 13 of 14 noncompliant patients. Noncompliance may be a preventable cause of allograft failure. These data can aid in identifying high-risk patients and planning intervention programs.


Personality dimensions and reversible perspective in Embedded Figures Test. The study examined the relationship between performance on reversible-perspective items in individual and group embedded-figures tests and remaining items, personality and performance variables in two samples of normal females. Performance on the reversible-perspective items was better than on the remaining items in the individual test and as good as other items in the group test. Those who experienced difficulty in solving the reversible-perspective items had more "psychiatric" complaints and greater sociability than subjects who experienced little difficulty.


Sex differences in responses of children to the Hand Test. The Hand Test was administered to 69 boys and 65 girls enrolled in the second grade. Significant differences were found on 11 of the 24 variables. Girls gave significantly more Exhibition and Failure responses, took longer to organize and verbalize a perception (AIRT) and longer to respond to the cards (H - L). Boys gave significantly more Active, Environmental, Description. Withdrawal and Pathology responses; had a higher Acting Out Score (AOS); and gave a greater number of responses (R).


Biofeedback and meditation: effects on muscle tension and locus of control. A total of 48 subjects participated in a relaxation experiment to determine whether frontalis muscle EMG biofeedback, Transcendental Meditation, and meditation (Benson technique) produced decreased muscle tension and concomitant changes in locus of control. All three treatments resulted in significant decreases in frontalis muscle tension when compared to a control. Concomitant changes towards an internal locus of control occurred only in the subjects given biofeedback.


[Bacteriological aspects in the diagnosis and treatment of endocarditis (author's transl)]. The role of the laboratory is capital in ensuring the diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis. At the present time, the circumstance surrounding the onset of endocarditis have become broadened. The bacteria responsible may belong to various species, certain requiring the use of special techniques in their culture. If blood cultures are performed under suitable conditions, they should lead to isolation of the organism in more than 90 per cent of cases of endocarditis. Precise identification of the pathogenic organism forms the basis for rational antibiotic therapy. The bactericidal activity of treatment must nevertheless be confirmed in vitro, firstly by study of the reaction of the strain to antibiotics, and secondly by study of the bactericidal activity of the serum.


[The treatment of abdominal evisceration using the wire technique (author's transl)]. The insertion of wires in the preventive and curative treatment of abdominal evisceration is a variety of atraumatic open full-thickness sutures which are easy to carry out and particularly effective. In preventive treatment, they facilitate abdominal closure and avoid the risk of evisceration when large areas of skin are involved. In curative treatment, they form an abdominal "buckle" with the equal distribution of increased pressure over a large area, avoiding pulling on the sutures.


[Cimetidine. Clinical pharmacology and toxicity (author's transl)]. Cimetidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist (H.H2.R.A.) is a potent inhibitor of basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. Contrary to anticholinergics, it does not affect gastric emptying nor does it decrease lower oesophageal sphincter pressure; cimetidine may therefore be used as the treatment of reflux oesophagitis. After prolonged administration of currently used therapeutic doses, basal and post-prandial serum gastrin levels remain unchanged and the parietal cell mass is not increases. Cimetidine toxicity is very low. Cimetidine is effective in promoting healing and pain relief of gastric and duodenal ulcer. In the latter long-term treatment for prevention of relapse is efficient, but the appraisal of its safety remains debated. Efficiency of H.H2.R.A. in the prophylaxis of gastrointestinal haemorrhage in patients with fulminant hepatic failure has been proven. Furthermore, cimetidine has a dramatic ability to control haemorrhage from acute erosive lesions in any seriously-ill patient. It may also be of benefit in the treatment of bleeding from gastric or duodenal ulcer and, whatewer the lesion, in the prevention of bleeding recurrence. In the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, good results have been obtained but cimetidine treatment must be decided and supervised only by well-informed specialists. Lastly, in patients with severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, cimetidine prevents gastric degradation of orally administered pancreatic extracts and decreases steatorrhea.


[Disinsertion of the left innominate vein during median vertical sternotomy (author's transl)]. The left innominate vein may be torn during median vertical sternotomy. This tear may in fact be a disinsertion of the venous trunk from the superior vena cava. Repair of this disinsertion is difficult, with a risk of stenosis. It requires the most careful technique, after dissection of the superior vena cava on either side of the tear. It is made much more simple by the use of extracorporeal circulation, which empties and collapses the superior vena cava. Finally, it may be necessary to repair this loss of substance by enlarging it with a fragment of saphenous vein.


[Post-salmonella rheumatism: case report]. A twenty seven year old man had polyarthritis following diarrhoea due to Salmonella typhimurium. The role of the salmonella infection in the pathogenesis of this joint problem would appear to be confirmed by the detection of the organism on stool culture and a positive reaction for specific antigens in the blood. The arthritis was cured in six weeks under the influence of non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents.


[The closure of laparotomies using brandebourg full thickness sutures (author's transl)]. Presentation of a simple method for reinforcement of the closure of laparotomies by so-called "brandebourg" full thickness sutures. In our experience, this technique is not ischaemic, ensures axial compression, and renders wound care easy, being simple, effective and cheap.


[Nomifensine: clinical data (author's transl)]. Open studies with nomifensine the placebo, and double-blind controlled comparisons of nomifensine with placebo, imipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline... have been carried out in various parts of the world. Daily dosage varied (50-225 mg), lenght of treatment also (226 weeks). These trials showed considerable effectiveness of nomifensine in neurotic and reactive depressions, it counteracts inhibition and restores drive. Nomifensine caused no significant cardiovascular or anticholinergic side-effects. It does not potentiate the effect of alcohol.


[A double-blind nomifensine-nortriptyline trial in ambulatory patients conducted by psychiatrists in private practice: results and comments]. Nomifensine and nortriptyline were compared in a  collaborative trial by psychiatrists in private practice. The trial impiled:--selection of ambulatory depressed patients--randomization in parallel groups (respectively 31 and 34 subjects)--administration in double-blind condition of 4 capsuels daily of either compound during 4 weeks--quotation of depressvie syndrom with Hamilton depression scale before treatment after 2 and 4 weeks. The analysis of results shows clear improvment of depression scores, equivalent in both groups (non significant difference and posterior rejection of an alternative hypothesis). Practical problems encountered in controlled trials in psychiatrist's outpatients are discussed.


[Familial myeloproliferative syndromes. Study of 6 families and review of literature]. Ten clinical observations concerning six families with familial myeloproliferative disorders are reported. Family no. 1 : two brothers, RES with myelosclerosis and ROS with chronic myeloid leukemia. Family no. 2 : PG atypical myeloproliferative syndrome and his brother polycythemia vera. Family no. 3 : DF myelosclerosis and her son (DR) polycythemia vera. Family no. 4 : DM, polycythemia vera, the mother and a sister with splenomegaly. The brother died with myelofibrosis. Family no. 5 : GA and ML, cousins with polycythemia vera. Family no. 6 : MB and ZG, a brother and sister with polycythemia vera. No consanguinity and no toxic, infections or malignant etiology were found in these families. The literature reviewed emphasises the rarity of the familial incidence of myeloproliferative disorders.


[Validation of paternity in a father-mother-child trio, by the use of genetic markers. Description of a program to aid in the decision. Determination of the optimal sequence of examinations]. The knowledge of human polymorphism provides aid to the decision for the diagnosis parenthood. This work gives an algorithm of paternity diagnosis on a (presumed father, mother, child) triplet: the program verifies the logical relationships and calculates several indices used to estimate the likelihood of non-exclusion. We propose to attach greater importance to a neglected index: the percentage of subjects for which the paternity is excluded for the doublet (Mother, Child). Finally, we determine the most efficient and most economical sequence for the sequential use of genetic markers.


[Significance of speckled staining of epidermal nuclei in direct immunofluorescence. 10 cases (author's transl)]. This study involved 10 patients having, in direct immunofluorescence, with covered healthy skin, a speckled IgG (+/-IgM) staining of the epidermal nuclei. The chief clinical signs seen and their respective percentages were: Raynaud's syndrome (80%), arthralgia (80%), diffuse or localised alopoecia (60%), muscular disease (40%), swollen fingers (40%), sclerodactylie (20%), cutaneous sclerosis extending beyond the extremities (30%), cutaneous signs of lupus erythematosus (30%), renal involvement (10%). In nine cases out of ten there were circulating anti-ENA antibodies at high levels, divided into anti-RNP antibodies (7/10), anti-Sm antibodies (1/10) and anti-RNP and anti-Sm antibodies (1/10). Diagnoses were divided into: lupus erythematosus (3/10), systemic scleroderma (3/10), Sharp's mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) (3/10) and non-classified connective tissue disease (1/10). The combination of speckled staining of epidermal nuclei and circulating anti-ENA antibodies cannot be considered to be specific of any particular type of connective tissue disease and the prognosis of the disease does not appear to differ from that of the usual prognosis of connective tissue disease with anti-ENA antibodies.


Fragment of protein L18 from the Escherichia coli ribosome that contains the 5S RNA binding site. A fragment of ribosomal protein L18 was prepared by limited trypsin digestion of a specific complex of L18 and 5S RNA. It was characterised for sequence and the very basic N-terminal region of the protein was found to be absent. No smaller resistant fragments were produced. 5S RNA binding experiments indicated that the basic N-terminal region, from amino acid residues 1 to 17, was not important for the L18-5S RNA association. Under milder trypsin digestion conditions three resistant fragments were produced from the free protein. The largest corresponded to that isolated from the complex. The smaller ones were trimmed slightly further at both N- and C-terminal ends. These smaller fragments did not reassociate with 5S RNA. It was concluded on the basis of the trypsin protection observations and the 5S RNA binding results that the region extending from residues 18 to 117 approximates to the minimum amount of protein required for a specific and stable protein-RNA interaction. The accessibility of the very basic N-terminal region of L18, in the L18-5S RNA complex, suggests that it may be involved, in some way, in the interaction of 5S RNA with 23S RNA.


Construction of recombinant plasmid carrying the lambda DNA fragment responsible for prophage integration. The recombinant DNA molecules were constructed from plasmid RSF2124 and the EcoRI fragment of lambda DNA containing the genes responsible for prophage integration. The presence of these genes in recombinant plasmids was detected genetically. lambda int-gene was shown to be expressed in either orientation of insertion in the plasmid. We found that recombinant plasmid was able to integrate into chromosome of lambda lysogens. The integration of plasmid into host chromosome was demonstrated by contransduction of chromosome and plasmid markers using generalized transducer P1 and by specialized transduction with lambda phages.


In vitro construction of deletion mutants of the bacteriocinogenic plasmid Clo DF13. The isolation and characterization of deletion mutants of the bacteriocinogenic plasmid Clo DF13 is described. To construct these deletion mutants, DNA of Clo DF13::Tn901 and Clo DF13-rep3::Tn901 plasmids was digested with restriction endonucleases, ligated with T4 ligase and introduced by transformation into Escherichia coli. The presence of the ampicilline transposon Tn901 facilitated the selection of plasmids. The resulting Clo DF13::Tn901 deletion mutants were analyzed by digestion with restriction endonucleases and electron microscopy. From the properties of the various deletion mutants it was concluded that a Clo DF13 DNA region, extending from 5 to 11.5% on the physical map, is essential for the replication of Clo DF13. This region, comprising about 600 base pairs, contains in addition to an origin of replication, DNA sequences which are involved in the regulation of Clo DF13 DNA replication. Furthermore it was observed that in case of the Clo DF13 copy mutant, Clo DF13-rep3, deletion of the 43% to 63% part of the plasmid genome, resulted in the generation of multimeric plasmid structures, accompanied with an impaired segregation of the plasmids to daughter cells.


The nucleotide sequence of threonine transfer RNA coded by bacteriophage T4. The nucleotide sequence of a low molecular weight RNA coded by bacteriophage T4 (and previously identified as species alpha) has been determined. The molecule is of particular biological interest for its associated biosynthetic properties. This RNA is 76 nucleotides in length, contains eight modified bases, and can be arranged in a cloverleaf configuration common to tRNAs. The anticodon sequence is UGU, which corresponds to the threonine-specific codons ACA G. The nucleotide sequence was determined primarily by nearest-neighbor analysis of RNA synthesized in vitro using [alpha-32P]nucleoside triphosphates. Using the single-strand specific nuclease S1, two in vivo labeled half-molecules were generated and analysed. This information together with restrictions imposed by nearest-neighbor data, provided a unique linear sequence of nucleotides with the features of secondary structure common to tRNA molecules.


Subunit topography of RNA polymerase (E. coli) in the complex with DNA. E. Coli RNA polymerase binding to different DNAs (from E. Coli, 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) substituted DNA and poly [d(BrU-A)] was induced with ultraviolet (U.V.) light to form protein-DNA crosslinked complexes. Two independent methods of analysis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in SDS and chloroform extraction indicated the formation of a stable complex between the enzyme and DNA. The complexes were formed under different ionic strength conditions, at low enzyme to DNA ratios in order to approach the conditions of specific binding. In contrast there was no crosslinking of the complex in 1 M KCl solution which dissociates the enzyme from DNA. The efficiency of formation of strongly bound complex was found to be much higher with holoenzyme than with core enzyme. The following results were obtained : 1) The large subunits beta and beta' were found to be bound to DNA. 2) Relatively small amount of sigma subunit were bound to DNA while alpha subunits were essentially not attached to DNA. The high binding affinity of beta and beta' subunits was also observed in the studies of isolated subunits. These results lead to a model of enzyme-DNA complex in which the large beta and beta' subunits provide the contacts between the RNA polymerase and the DNA.


Transcription of DNA-histone complexes by yeast RNA polymerase B. Transcription of denatured DNA complexed with histones (total, H1 or H2A/H2B/H3/H4) by yeast RNA polymerase B is investigated. Binding of histones to DNA restricts its template activity by decreasing the formation of active, heparin-resistant, RNA polymerase initiation complexes. The elongation of pre-initiated RNA on denatured DNA, complexed with histones, is possible, although resulting in somewhat shorter RNA chains. It is suggested that RNA polymerase B can elongate on a DNA strand covered with histones.


Primed abortive initiation of RNA synthesis by E. coli RNA polymerase on T7 DNA. Steady state kinetic studies. Ternary complexes of T7 DNA, RNA polymerase and the antibiotic rifampicin carry out the promoter specific abortive initiation when dinucleoside monophosphates were employed as primers. Primed abortive initiation, leading to synthesis of trinucleoside diphosphates, only occured with combinations of primers and substrates complementary to a promoter region of 8 base pairs centered around the origin of transcription. The steady state kinetics of three abortive initiations at T7 promoter A3 were studied in detail. The reactions appeared to be truly ordered. Affinity constants, maximal velocities and elementary step rate constants were thus obtained. The stimulation by dinucleoside monophosphate primers is brought about by positively effecting the function of the substrate site rather then by their higher affinity to the primer site of the transcriptional complex.


Formation of O2-methylthymine in poly(dA-dT) on methylation with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and dimethyl sulphate. Evidence that O2-methylthymine does not miscode during DNA synthesis. The alternating co-polymer has been methylated with either N methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) or dimethyl sulphate (DMS) and the levels of the various methylated thymidines (O2-methylthymidine, 3-methylthymidine and O4-methylthymidine) measured. MNU produced all three compounds whereas DMS only produced 3-methylthymidine and O2-methylthymidine at detectable levels. These results have been combined with our earlier results concerning the misincorporation of dGMP with E. coli DNA polymerase using MNU-methylated poly(dA-dT). These results indicate that O2-methylthymidine does not miscode during DNA synthesis.


Construction and identification by positive hybridization-translation of a bacterial plasmid containing a rat growth hormone structural gene sequence. The construction, identification, and use of a recombinant DNA clone containing a growth hormone structural gene sequence is described. A cDNA copy of partially purified pregrowth hormone mRNA from cultured rat pituitary tumor (GC) cells was employed in the construction of a hybrid plasmid, designated pBR322-GH1. The cloned DNA sequence was positively identified by a hybridization-translation procedure which should be applicable to any cloned structural gene sequence. This procedure involved hybridization of cytoplasmic poly(A)-containing RNA from GC cells to the cloned DNA immobilized on nitrocellulose filters, followed by elution of the hybridized RNA and translation in a mRNA-depleted rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Physical and immunological criteria were employed to show that the translation products were enriched for pregrowth hormone. Hybridization to excess plasmid DNA of [3H]uridine-labeled, size fractionated GC cell cytoplasmic RNA was used to show that all growth hormone-specific RNA sequences are the same size as functional pregrowth hormone mRNA.


Analysis of the steady-state mechanism of the aminoacylation of tRNAPhe by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast. The steady-state mechanism of the aminoacylation of tRNAPhe by the corresponding synthetase from yeast has been investigated in detail by kinetic experiments. It was found that there are two alternative mechanisms: one favoured at low tRNA concentrations and the other at high tRNA concentrations. ATP and Phe are bound randomly to the enzyme. AMP is released immediately after the binding of ATP and Phe. Between the release of AMP and pyrophosphate (PPi) there is at least one additional step. Based on the experimental results a model of the steady-state mechanism is proposed. This model includes the sequence of addition of substrates to the enzyme and the release of products from the enzyme as well as the composition of the intermediate complexes with the enzyme. This model is in accordance with previous results based on different techniques. The results are explained by a "flip-flop" mechanism for all the substrates and products involved in the reaction.


Studies on nucleic acid reassociation kinetics: V. Effects of disparity in tracer and driver fragment lengths. Measurements are described of the kinetics of nucleic acid strand pair reassociation where the complementary strands are of different lengths and are present in different concentrations. Rate constants for the reaction of labelled fragments ("tracer") with excess complementary strands ("driver") were determined, both for driver fragment length greater than tracer fragment length and for the reverse case. Second order reactions and pseudo-first order reactions utilizing strand separated drivers and tracers were studied. The nucleic acids which served for this investigation were phiX174 DNA and RNA, plasmid RSF2124 DNA and E. coli DNA. Approximate empirical expressions relating driver and tracer fragment lengths with the observed rate constants were obtained for practical use. In long tracer-short driver reactions the observed rate constant for the tracer reaction increases proportionately with tracer length. In long driver-short tracer reactions the rate of tracer reaction is retarded. The latter result is unexpected and appears to represent a departure from standard interpretations of the renaturation reaction.


Binding sites of E. coli and B. stearothermophilus ribosomal proteins on B stearothermophilus 5S RNA. The primary binding sites for Bacillus stearothermophilus proteins B-L5 and B-L22 and the Escherichia coli proteins E-L5, E-L18 and E-L25 on B. stearothermophilus 5S RNA were determined by limited ribonuclease digestion of the corresponding 5S RNA-protein complexes. The results obtained in this study are in agreement with our previous experiments in which the binding sites of E. coli and B. stearothermophilus proteins were determined for E. coli 5S RNA and lead to the conclusion that the proteins interact with the most conserved regions of 5S RNA. A comparison of the results obtained in this study with those of other published experiments suggest that the proposed interaction of nucleotides 16-21 with those of 58-63 is facilitated by protein binding to 5S RNA.


Structure determination of a nucleoside Q precursor isolated from E. coli tRNA: 7-(aminomethyl)-7-deazaguanosine. A precursor of modified nucleoside Q isolated from E. coli methyl-deficient tRNA was determined to be 7-(aminomethyl)-7-deazaguanosine. The structure was deduced by means of its chromatographic and electrophoretic mobilities, and UV and mass spectra, in addition to comparison with the synthesized authentic compound. The same molecule is also found in tRNA of an E. coli mutant selected for deficient synthesis of modified nucleosides.


Screening of cloned recombinant DNA in bacteria by in situ colony hybridization. We have developped in situ methods of colony hybridization in which there is no need to replicate colonies one by one prior to hybridization. The best method consists in promoting partial lysis of the colonies on the plates by means of a resident thermoinducible prophage. It appears that colonies are heterogeneous with respect to prophage induction, so that survivors remain in each colony. Blotting onto nitrocellulose filters and hybridization with a highly radioactive probe permits the screening of many thousands of colonies per plate for the presence of a DNA sequence carried by a plasmid and complementary to the probe. This procedure greatly facilitates the isolation of recombinant plasmids which carry a specific DNA sequence. We also describe a second, less efficient procedure which does not use prophage induced lysis, and is potentially usable with B2 or EK2 safety systems, without modification of the bacterial hosts.


The degradation of DNA by hydrazine: identification of 3-ureidopyrazole as a product of the hydrazinolysis of deoxycytidylic acid residues. The reaction of hydrazine with the cytosine residues of DNA yields 3-ureidopyrazole, in approximately 50% yield, in addition to the expected 3-aminopyrazole. This product has been identified by ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. A product of the reaction of hydrazine hydrate with cytosine, formulated by others as NN'-di-(3-pyrazolyl) hydrazine, has been identified as 3-ureidopyrazole.


Comparisons of the fidelity of transcription of RNA polymerase I and II following N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene treatment. Using hepatic RNA polymerase I and II from either normal or N-2-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF)-treated rats or E. coli RNA polymerase, the degree of misincorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides was assessed with the synthetic templates, poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly (dA-dT).poly(dA-dT). The predominant base-pair transformation that was transcribed in the presence of Mg++ or Mn++ by RNA polymerase I from control or N-OH-AAF-treated animals or by E. coli RNA polymerase with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) as template was the transversion, dG-rC to dG-rA; however, transcription in the presence of Mg++ by RNA polymerase II from carcinogen-treated animals showed a statistically greater degree of the base-pair transformation, dG-rC to dG-rU. In contrast, RNA polymerase I and II from control or N-OH-AAF-treated animals transcribed the base-pair transformation, dA-rU to dA-rG, dA-rU to dA-rC and dA-rU to dA-rA to equal extents with poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) as template. E. coli RNA polymerase transcribed the latter template to produce only the transversion, dA-rU to dA-rG. These results suggest that RNA polymerases are capable of miscopying synthetic DNA templates. The consequences of base-pair transformations on the fidelity of transcription after carcinogen treatment is discussed.


Drowning and near-drowning. Pathophysiology and therapy. Drowning is one of the three leading causes of accidental death. Dry drowning, the type in  which no water enters the trachea, responds readily to resuscitation efforts. The current concept of drowning recognizes few differences between saltwater and freshwater aspiration; the therapeutic approach is the same for both types. The physician should be prepared to deal with the drowning victim at the scene of the accident as well as in the hospital. Hospitalization for observation is necessary in every instance, as adult respiratory distress syndrome may develop and cause secondary drowning.


Plasma renin activity following renal transplantation. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was studied serially for up to 21 days following transplantation in thirteen patients receiving renal allografts. PRA was measured during fasting and recumvency and its relationship to renal function, diuretic administration, plasma sodium, allograft rejection and blood pressure was examined. PRA fell steadily as renal function improved and plasma sodium rose following transplantation and when rejection episodes were excluded an inverse relationship between PRA and renal function could be seen. It is not possible to say whether the changes in PRA and function are causally related or whether changes in plasma sodium alone account for the observed changes in PRA. Some rejection episodes were accompanied by an increase in PRA, but this was not sufficiently consistent to be of value in the diagnosis of rejection. PRA also increased in relation to frusemide-induced fluid loss. There was no relationship in these patients between PRA and blood pressure.


Recurrent meningitis and brain abscess caused by Eikenella corrodens. A case of recurrent menigitis and brain abscess caused by Eikenella corrodens in a patient with previous otitis media and mastoidectomy.


[Acute, lethal miliary tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis]. The authors report a case of lethal acute miliary with bovine tuberculous bacilli. They stress the main characteristics of this exceptional observation :--difficulties in isolating and identifying,--favourable disposition linked to age and to a depressed cellular immunity,--pathogenic interest in the mechanisms of late endogenous reinfestation and of suffocating acute evolution.


[Physiopathology of extrinsic allergic alveolitis]. The extrinsic allergic alveolites classically represent the immunological reaction of type III of the lower respiratory tract. In fact, all immunological mechanisms and several non specific factors are involved in these affections. If delayed hypersensitivity (type I) is today considered as part of the disease, the mechanisms involving reagins (type I) are also probably part of it but it is not so evident for type II reactions. Non specific factors are numerous, often hypothetical, because they are still experimental and not all enumerated. The activation of alveolar macrophages, the triggering of the complement system by another way, the enzymes found in dust or the irritation produced by inhaled products are all important factors.


A comparison of drop-plate and pour-plate methods for bacterial population counts of poultry anaphage (dehydrated caged layer excreta). Pour-plate and drop-plate methods for bacterial population country of poultry anaphage (dehydrated caged layer excreta) were compared and were not found to be significantly different.


Activity of alpha-1, 4-glucosidase in furazolidone-induced glycogenosis. Furazolidone (FZ) at 700 and 800 p.p.m. was added to feed mixtures fed turkey poults two and three weeks posthatching, respectively, to induce acute experimental cardiomyopathy. Poults in the control pen received the same ration but without FZ. From EKG data obtained at 2, 4, and 5 weeks of age, control unaffected and experimental affected poults were selected for sacrifice. Poults were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and appropriate samples of hepatic tissue were removed for assays of activity of alpha-1, 4-glucosidase. Results indicate that enzyme activity in affected FZ-treated poults is similar to that in unaffected control poults. Lack of significant differences in activity of this lysosomal enzyme suggests that FZ-induced glycogenosis may be related to the adult form of idiopathic generalized glucogenosis, the etiology of which remains unidentified.


Effects of anaerobic bacteria on Eimeria tenella infection in bacteria-free, monofloral, and conventional chickens. Bacteria-free, monofloral, and conventional chicks were infected with Eimeria tenella. Monofloral chicks were established by inoculating birds in several gnotobiotic isolators with a single species of Escherichia coli or with one of three Bacteroides sp. isolates (No. 157, No. 202, or No. 366). Daily weights of individual birds were recorded for six days post-infection (PI). On Day 6 PI all birds were sacrificed and cecal lesions were scored. Conventional, infected birds lost weight on days 5 and 6 PI and showed severe lesions. Birds maintained as monofloral groups with isolates of Bacteroides sp. No. 157, No. 202 or E. coli showed equally severe lesions, but lost weight only on day 6 PI. Conventional, uninfected birds with no lesions, birds infected with Bacteroides sp. isolate No. 366 with mild lesions, and bacteria-free birds with mild to severe coccidial lesions all continued to gain weight on each day post-infection.


In vitro antibiotic susceptibility of enteric bacteria isolated from commercial broiler chickens. The in vitro activity of six different antimicrobial agents was evaluated by an agar dilution method against enteric bacteria isolated from broilers. Of 923 isolates, 796 were gram-positive bacteria and 127 were Escherichia coli (E. coli). Thiopeptin at 25 microgram/ml inhibited 75% of lactobacilli. This antibiotic at .78 microgram/ml inhibited 82% of staphylococci and more than 92% of other gram-positive organisms. Bacitracin at 100 microgram or less per ml was active against 42% of staphylococci and 30% of streptococci. At 6.25 microgram or less per ml, 70% of clostridia and 78% of lactobacilli were inhibited. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of penicillin G and ampicillin shown as cumulative distribution curves for all isolates were very similar. Both antibiotics showed a wide range of MIC distribution. Streptomycin at 50 microgram or less per ml was active against 87% of lactobacilli and 50% of E. coli. Only 32% of staphylococci were inhibited at these concentrations. At 100 microgram or less per ml, 30% of streptococci and 12% of clostridia were inhibited. Tetracycline at 100 microgram or less per ml inhibited 63% of clostridia. Lactobacilli and E. coli were not inhibited by this antibiotic at 100 microgram or less per ml.


Nylon wool column separation of chicken thymic-derived (T) and bursal-derived (B) lymphocytes. Since the original work of Julius et al. (1973), the nylon wool technique has become a standard laboratory procedure for separating cell populations and obtaining relatively pure populations of T and B cells. While this technique has been applied to a number of different animal systems, it had, to our knowledge, neither been qualitated nor quantitated in the chicken. One passage of chicken splenic lymphocytes through a nylon wool column yields an enriched T cell population in the effluent fraction and an enriched B cell population in the column fraction. As in the murine system, we found fractionation of chicken splenic cells by nylon wool to be a rapid method for enrichment of both T and B cell populations. It is emphasized, however, that each passage should be monitored to check the relative purity of the two cell populations.


Effect of 6-mercaptopurine on response to major and minor histocompatibility antigens. Pregraft treatment of chicks with 6 mercaptopurine-palladium complex (6-MP-Pd) resulted in a 16% survival of skin allografts incompatible at the major histocompatibility locus B. These incompatible grafts survived beyond 16 weeks postgrafting and showed profuse feather growth. No form of postgraft treatment was necessary. All nontreated incompatible grafts were rejected prior to 4 weeks postgrafting with no evidence of feather development. The same treatment, however, did not significantly suppress rejection of B-system compatible grafts which differed at minor histocompatibility loci. The rate of feather growth in successful B-system compatible grafts was significantly enhanced by the 6-MP-Pd treatment through 2 weeks postgrafting. Though the drug appears to affect the cellular immune system, the humoral immune response was unaffected as evidenced by a high antibody titer following turkey erythrocyte challenge.


Effect of diflubenzuron (Dimilin; TH--6040) on the hyaluronic acid concentration in chicken combs. The addition of N-[[(4-chlorphenyl)amino]carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide(diflubenzuron; Dimilin; TH-6040) up to levels of 250 ppm of the total diet of both male broilers and layers for 98 days did not affect the hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration (microgram/g tissue) in the combs. The concentration was measured at 21, 28, 42, 56, and 98 days on feed. The concentration in the combs of the layers were not significantly different at any sampling period regardless of diet. At the end of 56 days on feed, the combs of the broiler controls had a significantly (P less than .025) higher concentration than did any of the groups fed diflubenzuron. There were no differences observed at 21, 28, 42, or 98 days in the broilers. The HA concentration increased as the chickens matured and became larger; however, large variations were observed within the various groups at a given sample period.


[Some problems related to the regulation of the glucoamylase synthesis by Endomycopsis fibuligera 21]. The effect of different sources of carbon and other components on the glucoamylase synthesis by Endomycopsis fibuligera 21 was investigated. It was demonstrated that the enzyme was actively synthesized after the complete utilization of the carbon sources and the synthesis was not related to the presence of specific substrates in the medium. It was shown that water immersed washed cells of the producer accumulated high glucoamylase activity. It is suggested that the above yeast synthesize glucoamylase in the constitutive way and that the process may be regulated by catabolite repression.


[Influence of fermentation inhibitors on the rate of glutathione accumulation by yeast during fermentation]. During incubation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the sucrose medium fluorine ions inhibited fermentation and, consequently, reduced the rate of accumulation of SH-compounds, primarily as glutathione, in the medium. Ethanol inhibition of the fermentation resulted in the general degradation of metabolism of the yeast cell and an increase of the content of SH-compounds in the medium.


[Examination of the apple malic enzyme]. Two isoforms of the malic enzyme from Renet Simirenko apple pulp were detected by polyacrylamide gel electoresis. The malic enzyme protein constituted the major portion of the protein extracted from apples.


[Isolation and purification of glucoamylase from the submerged culture of Aspergillus foetidus ATCC 14916]. Isolation and purification of glucoamylase from Aspergillus foetidus ATCC 14916 were examined. Ethanol and ammonium sulphate proved to be the best precipitants. With their use the yield of glucoamylase was 99.0 and 92.3%, respectively. Treatment of the culture liquid with 0.5% CaCl2 and activated charcoal clarified the filtrate noticeably and left glucoamylase activity unchanged. During submerged cultivation the gungus synthesized no glucosyl transferase. A method to inactivate alpha-amylase through acidification of the reaction mixture to bring pH to 2.5 and incubation for 15 min at 60 degrees C was developed. Glyoamylase was partially purified from ballast proteins by means of (NH4)2SO4 at 19% of total saturation. Glucoamylase was obtained at 79% saturation. The infrared spectrum was recorded in the fraction obtained by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation at 39, 53, 66, 72 and 79% saturation. In all the cases the spectra were identical. This is another proof of purity of the resultant preparation.


[State of the islands of Langerhans in various animal species after administration of 8-(arensulfonylamino)-quinolines]. The action of 8-(arensulfonylamino)-quinolines on the insular tissue of the pancreas was studied in frogs, pigeons, mice, golden hamsters, rats, rabbits, cats and dogs. There eas a decrease of zinc content in the Langerhans islets at the earliest stages after injection of the drug. Other histochemical components and histostrucutre of the islets changed with the more pronounced effect of the drug. Permanent diabetes with characteristic morphological picture of the pancreas developed in rabbits only. A possible action of chelating factors on human Langerhans islets is suggested on the basis of comparative pathological study.


[Mathematical methods in the diagnosis of the thyroid gland function]. At present effective diagnosis of deviations from euthyroidism in diseases of the thyroid gland presents certain difficulties. The most rational direction in the solution of this problem is introduction of quantitative methods into the diagnosis. Symptoms encountered in case histories of 1500 patients with goiter transformation were coded for this purpose according to the chosen algorhythm. Only those symptoms which were present in all the case histories were selected for this study. The data obtained were treated on "Ypapi-2" computer. A table in which every sign of the disease had a quantitative expression was drawn on the basis of the results. Diagnosis according to the mentioned mathematical table is more effective, and, besides, there is no subjectivism in the diagnosis.


[Morphometric analysis of microangiopathy in dogs with alloxan diabetes]. Morphometric and morphological analysis of microvascular changes of the mesentery of the small intestine in dogs with alloxan diabetes of one month duration was carried out. A number of changes pointing to functional and structural reconstruction of the microcirculatory bed were revealed.


Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases: affinity labeling of the ATP binding site by 2', 3' -ribose oxidized ATP. Homogeneous Escherichia coli methionyl-, isoleucyl-, tryptophanyl-, and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases and Bacillus stearothermophilus methionyl- and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases are irreversibly inactivated by reaction of their active ATP sites with the 2',3'-dialdehyde derivative of ATP obtained by periodate oxidation. In each case, the amount of 14C-labeled dialdehyde derivative incorporated per molecule of inactivated enzyme appears consistent with the expected active stoichiometry of the synthetase. These results strongly support the presence, at the active site of the studied aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, of a common residue, probably a lysine whose epsilon-NH2 group is known, from the work of others, to form a Schiff's base specifically with the 2',3'-dialdehyde derivatives of ribonucleotides.


Homologous nucleotide sequences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic mRNAs: the 5'-end sequence of the mRNA of the lipoprotein of the Escherichia coli outer membrane. The sequence of the first 89 nucleotides at the 5' end of the mRNA for the lipoprotein of the Escherichia coli outer membrane is: GCUACAUGGAGAUUAACUCAAUCU-AGAGGGUAUUAAUAAUGAAAGCUACUAAACUGGUACU-GGGCGCGGUAAUCCUGGGUUCUACUCUG. The sequence of the first 72 nucleotides was established by direct sequencing methods and was extended to 89 residues on the basis of the known sequences of oligonucleotides obtained from complete digestion of the mRNA by ribonuclease T1 or A and the known amino acid sequence of the prolipoprotein. The mRNA has an untranslated region of 38 residues before the initiation codon, AUG. A unique feature of the 5'-end sequence of the mRNA is that the sequence of 12 nucleotides (GUAUUAAUAAUG) prior to, and including, the initiation codon is the same as that found at the ribosome-binding site for 80S ribosomes in brome mosaic virus RNA4, a eukaryotic mRNA [Dasgupta, R., Shih, D., Saris, C. & Kaesberg, P. (1975) Nature 256, 624-628].


Norepinephrine, vasopressin, glucagon, and A23187 induce efflux of calcium from an exchangeable pool in isolated rat hepatocytes. Isolated rat hepatocytes do not actively accumulate Ca(2+) during prolonged incubation in vitro; however, these cells do exhibit a limited exchange of intracellular with extracellular Ca(2+). The exchangeable pool represents about 2 nmol of Ca(2+) per mg of protein. In medium containing either a low (20 muM) or high (1 mM) concentration of Ca(2+), the divalent cation ionophore, A23187 (at concentrations of 0.03-0.1 nmol/mg of protein), causes release of (45)Ca(2+) from this exchangeable pool but does not allow net influx of extracellular Ca(2+) detectable by the use of a Ca(2+)-sensitive electrode. Like A23187, the hormones norepinephrine, vasopressin, and glucagon (at concentrations that stimulate gluconeogenesis) each induces a similar net efflux of Ca(2+). Treatment with one hormone decreases the subsequent reponse to the others, whereas treatment with A23187 abolishes the hormonal effects upon both Ca(2+) release and gluconeogenesis. The action of norepinephrine, but not of glucagon, upon Ca(2+) efflux is prevented by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phenoxybenzamine. The action of norepinephrine is not prevented by the beta-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol. Together these results indicate that the release of Ca(2+) from a common pool of exchangeable Ca(2+) is important to the action of a variety of hormones on hepatocytes. This Ca(2+) pool in the isolated hepatocyte is characterized as being similar in size and having exchange kinetics that are comparable to those reported for the major intracellular pool of Ca(2+) in the intact liver. The possibility that this pool is intramitochondrial calcium is discussed.


Nucleotide sequence of the recognition site for the restriction-modification enzyme of Escherichia coli B. The nucleotide sequence of the recognition site for the restriction-modification enzyme of Escherichia coli B (SB site) has been determined. The recognition site is a 15-nucleotide sequence consisting of the trimer 5'TGA3', followed by an 8-nucleotide domain of variable sequence, which in turn is followed by tetramer 5'TGCT3'. The sequence has no 2-fold rotational symmetry. Single base changes in the constant nucleotide domains result in the loss of sensitivity to both restriction and modification. Our data are also consistent with modification occurring by methylation of two adenine residues per SB site: one on the adenine of the trimer 5'TGA3' and the other on the complementary strand on the adenine complementary to the first thymine of the tetramer 5'TGCT3'. All nine independently isolated spontaneous mutants at the SB1 site of bacteriophage f1 are caused by a G-to-T transversion. Mutations at the SB2 site are caused by various single base changes.


Genetic analysis of the human cell surface: antigenic marker for the human X chromosome in human-mouse hybrids. Somatic cell hybrids of human fibroblasts and mouse A9 cells, carrying only a portion of the human X chromosome in a mouse chromosome background, were injected into C3H mice. The resulting mouse anti-hybrid cell antisera contain antibodies found to be human specific and to react with only those hybrid cells carrying the human X chromosome, as confirmed by essentially perfect concordance between antibody binding assayed by indirect immunofluorescence and presence of the human X-linked enzyme hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl-transferase determined by autoradiographic assay of [3H] hypoxanthine utilization. Heterogeneous mixtures of hybrid cells may be analyzed into fluorescent (X plus) and nonfluorescent (X minus) subpopulations and fractionated viably by using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter.


Topography and kinetics of genetic recombination in Escherichia coli treated with psoralen and light. Genetic exchanges appear to be involved in repair of cross-linked DNA. Kinetics for completion of repair and strand rejoining controlled by the recA(+) gene were examined in Escherichia coli treated with psoralen and light. The results suggest the following model for genetic recombination. After cross-linking treatment, cells in a population initiate repair in near synchrony. Removal of DNA cross-links, preparation of substrate for recombination, and initiation of the first recA-dependent event are completed in less than 1 min. Recombination events occur singly in each cell or chromosome, and require 2.3 +/- 0.4 min at 32 degrees for the recA(+)-dependent step. After completion of the first event, subsequent recombination events occur in a sequential or progressive fashion around the chromosome or in clusters which may consist of one or more domains of the folded chromosome. The time required to proceed to successive sites is either a constant, independent of the distance on the chromosome, or is quite small compared to 2.3 min. DNA substrate for recombination decays with approximate first-order kinetics and the rate is dependent on the number of unrepaired sites. Cell survival can be expressed as a competition between completion of all repair events and the simultaneous decay of chromosomes to forms not reparable by recombination.Equations relating kinetics for completion of repair, the size distribution of DNA molecules, and cell survival are derived for the above model, using as parameters only rate constants for recombination and decay of substrate, and number of events per chromosome. An excellent correlation is found between experimentally determined and theoretical values.


Visualization of central noradrenergic neurons in thick sections by the unlabeled antibody method: a transmitter-specific Golgi image. The unlabeled peroxidase-antiperoxidase method has been used with an antiserum against rat dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) to obtain a three-dimensional image of noradrenergic cell bodies and their processes in thick Vibratome sections of rat brain. This method stains DBH-positive neurons exclusively with a result similar to that of the Golgi method, which makes it possible to analyze the geometric plan of these neurons and their projections in the central nervous system. In 100-micron sections, DBH-positive axons can be followed over long distances, and the results indicate that their distribution in cerebral and cerebellar cortex is not diffuse but has a strict geometric order.


Carotid body chemoreceptor function: hypothesis based on a new circuit model. Integration of our own morphological observations into recent ultrastructural, biochemical, and neuropharmacological results on the carotid body led to a new hypothesis on chemoreceptor function: (i) Glomus cells with small dense-cored vesicles (type IB cells) that store norepinephrine are chemoreceptors. (ii) Glomus cells with large dense-cored vesicles (type IA), which are postsynaptic to the other glomus cell type and presynaptic to afferent nerve endings, are dopaminergic interneurons that suppress the afferent discharge frequency during normoxia by releasing dopamine. (iii) The hypoxic stimulus causes the chemoreceptive cell to release the stored norepinephrine, which in turn brings about disinhibition of the afferent nerve  endings by inhibition of the interneuron. (iv) Afferent nerve endings and interneurons interact through reciprocal synapses that form a short inhibitory feedback loop. We propose that information in the carotid body is processed in a fashion graded rather than digital, providing a fine adjusted cooperation of all elements.


Myelin basic protein demonstrated immunocytochemically in oligodendroglia prior to myelin sheath formation. A specific antibody to myelin basic protein has been used to localize the protein in developing rat oligodendroglia and myelin. Basic protein is found in the oligodendroglial cytoplasm of anterior commissures of 5- and 7-day old rats before the beginning of myelination. Staining of basic protein in oligodendroglia increases, becoming most intense during early myelination; it decreases during rapid myelination. Staining intensity of oligodendroglia is dependent upon age, brain region, and nervous tract studied. In myelin, reaction of basic protein with antibody decreases when large compact sheaths are present, unless tissue sections are first treated with alcohol.


Dissociation of responses to extracellular thirst stimuli following zona incerta lesions. In male albino rats, bilateral lesions in the anterior zona incerta which decrease ad lib and food-deprivation water intake and osmotic thirst but leave hypovolemic thirst intact, severely impaired or abolished drinking in response to systemic injections of isoproterenol or central administration of angiotensin II. Water intake following water deprivation was reduced by one-fourth. Reasons for the dissociation of responses to hypovolemia, water deprivation, isoproterenol and angiotensin were suggested.


Effects of dipropylacetic acid on late components of the photically evoked potential and afterdischarge in rat. The effects of dipropylacetic acid (DPA) on primary, secondary and afterdischarge waves of the photically evoked potential were examined. It was observed that DPA selectively attenuated late wave components and afterdischarge. A thalamic locus of action for these effects is postulated.


Nonmutagenic action of cannabinoids in vitro. Under the specific conditions reported for the separate tests delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) did not elicit a mutagenic response in microbial and eukaryotic in vitro test systems. THC treatment to histidine auxotrophs of Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 (susceptible to frame shift mutation) and TA 100 (susceptible to base pair substitution) were investigated. Analysis for possible revertance in the presence and absence of S9 microsomal activation system indicated an absence of induction of gene mutation. Cultured fibroblasts from healthy individuals and DNA repair deficient Xeroderma pigmentosum patients display similar survival activity upon exposure to THC. There was no observable increase in the number of chromosome breaks or chromatid exchanges following exposure to THC or THC plus S9 microsomal fraction. THC, 11-OHdelta9-THC, cannabinol, and cannabidiol did not induce unscheduled DNA repair synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts. Moreover, THC did not suppress UV-induced DNA repair synthesis.


[Clinical trial of mepiprazol in the treatment of neurotic inpatients (author's transl)]. Within a controlled double-blind clinical trial the psychopharmacological effect of mepiprazole was tested against placebo in the treatment of neurotic inpatients. Some results of the recorded psychophysiological parameters (tremor, reaction time and flicker fusion threshold) as well as the scores on a symptom checklist for neurotic patients (post hoc divided into three scales by means of factor analysis: anxiety, depression and weaping) indicate a tranquilizing effect of mepiprazol. These findings are discussed critically with regard of methodological problems of testing tranquilizers in psychiatric hospitals.


[Drug-related increase of intelligence level. Considerations and a double-blind-study with flunarizin (sibelium) (author's transl)]. Fluid and crystallized intelligence are two second-order factors that are differentiated within the intelligence model by R.B.Cattell. Fluid intelligence is considered to be a biological capacity relatively independent of environmental influences. Crystallized intelligence, however, is connected to accultured skills and knowledge. The capacity of fluid intelligence decreases by non-optimal states of general activation, functional psychosis (physically founded reversible psychosis) or defect-syndromes (physically founded irreversible psychosis). Fluid intelligence can increase by drugs only, if the functional psychosis is diminished or if the state of activation is optimized. There is no drug-effect on crystallized intelligence but an indirect influence via fluid intelligence. The hypothesis of the drug-related increase of fluid intelligence as a correlate to the diminuition accompanying the functional psychosis should be confirmed by a clinical experiment. Therefore two samples of 20 patients each with a functional psychosis following cerebral blood-flow disturbances received flunarizine (Sibelium) and placebo respectively during a double-blind study lasting 12 weeks. Under the activ substance to be applied for amelioration of peripheral and central blood-flow the measured values of fluid intelligence increased six weeks after starting therapy, while there were no changes under placebo. In the end of the investigation the measured intellectual capacity had increased by 50 per cent under flunarizine.


Use of an innervated skin graft to provide sensation to the reconstructed heel. An innervated skin graft--a full-thickness skin graft with its nerve supply intact--is presented. In the case described, the sural nerve was preserved and an island of skin supplied by it was transposed to provide sensation to a heel pad, which had first been reconstructed by a cross-thigh flap. This transposed sensation has allowed full activity for 3 years in a young boy wearing normal footwear. This suggests that ulceration of all, or most, heel reconstructions is due to lack of sensation and, further, that the necessary sensation can be provided by this technically simple transposition of an innervated skin graft.


Myocutaneous free-flap transfer. Anatomical and experimental considerations. If there is a strongly dominant vascular pedicle, a muscle may be suitable for transfer as a free myocutaneous flap. The minor vascular pedicle(s) may contribute significantly to the arterial blood flow to the overlying skin, however. The concept of doing a delay procedure (ligating the dominant pedicle) to increase the survival of the skin component of a free myocutaneous flap is explored.


The transverse lumbosacral back flap.

The transverse lumbosacral back flap. The transverse lumbosacral back flap is presented as a good one to use for coverage of sacral defects. Its reliability appears to be due to an axial pattern of its proximal portion, and to an uninterrupted subdermal vascular plexus across the midline of the back (supplying the terminal portion). A retrospective analysis of its use in 20 patients, over the last 3 years, suggests that when it is designed properly it can be most useful in the management of sacral pressure sores.


Repair of major defects of the chest wall and spine with the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is a remarkably durable and versatile flap. Flap necrosis did not occur in any of our patients. One can safely carry with it skin segments as narrow as 3 cm, or as wide as 30 cm. In addition to the 5 cases presented, we have used the flap to repair axillary burn contractures, for breast reconstruction after a transverse incision, and for coverage of the upper arm and shoulder. The applications of this flap challenge the creative imagination of the surgeon and allow a simplified reconstruction, compared to other good methods. The newly described posterior advancement of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is suggested as the preferred method to repair meningomyelocele defects.


Distribution of motor and sensory fibers in the intercostal nerves. Significance in reconstructive surgery. If the distribution of the types of nerve fibers in the various intercostal nerves is taken into consideration, an intercostal nerve segment can be an acceptable donor nerve graft for sensory and/or motor nerve replacements. We describe the distribution of motor and sensory axons in various segments of the upper and lower intercostal nerves.


Repair of ischial pressure ulcers with gracilis myocutaneous island flaps. Ischial pressure sores can be repaired with gracilis myocutaneous island flaps, and this technique offers numerous advantages over the use of posterior thigh flaps. Several illustrative cases are described.


Earlobe reconstruction with a preauricular flap. We describe a one-stage technique for reconstructing earlobe deformities of congenital and acquired origin, using preauricular flaps.


Experimental esophageal reconstruction in rats, with a free groin flap. The reconstruction of a functioning esophagus with a free groin flap was performed successfully in 10 rats. A technique is described for the experimental anastomosis of vessels with a diameter of 0.5 mm or less. We also describe a modification of a method to convert a hairy flap before transfer into a hairless one.


Epidermolysis bullosa: current concepts and management of the advanced hand deformity. A current classification of the types of epidermolysis bullosa is reviewed, in conjunction with some etiological concepts. The pathomechanics of the advanced hand deformity are discussed, and applied to a sequential plan of reconstructive surgery. The objective is the restoration of elementary hand function. Two illustrative cases are presented.


Closed capsulotomy causing fractures of the scar capsule and the silicone bag of a breast implant. Case report. We present a case in which the silicone rubber bag of a bag-gel breast implant was ruptured during the performance of a closed capsulotomy.


Distant migration of silicone gel from a ruptured breast implant. Case report. A complication of augmentation mammaplasty is presented in which the bag of a gel-filled implant ruptured and the thin gel migrated through subcutaneous planes as far as the groin. We feel that when a rupture of a gel-filled prosthesis becomes evident, it should be replaced as soon as possible if such migration is to be prevented (particularly if the gel is of the thinner and less-cohesive variety).


[New findings in the study of schizophrenia]. The paper gives a survey on the results of research on etiology and course of schizophrenia. The results of etiological research have not, as yet, progressed so far as to provide measures of primary prevention, whereas the results of research into the course of schizophrenia have already led to practical consequences for therapy resp. rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients. In future, with a decrease in the number of long-stay hospitalizations, the number of schizophrenic out-patients, resp. of prolonged periods of out-patient treatments will increase accordingly. Thus hitherto known influencing factors and treatment strategies will also be due to change. According to present knowledge, etiology, psychopathology, course and outcome of schizophrenia represent a very complex and variable, multifactorially initiated process, in which illness-related and environment-related factors concur. Drafts of new models and instruments for the assessment of this process and subsequent disabilities as well as methodological difficulties herewith are reported.


[Character changes in epilepsy?].

[Character changes in epilepsy?]. There are no personality structures which are typical of epilepsies in the sense of a change in character that can be seen in cross and especially in longitudinal sections. Reported changes of character due to epilepsies cannot be exactly defined reproducibly for the forms of fits to be differentiated and cannot, therefore, be used operationally. There is no doubt, however, that several causal factors must be considered to be responsible for the manifestation of certain frequently observed peculiarities and characteristics, respectively. In addition to organic, psychodynamic, and socio-situational causes, long-time antiepileptic medication is an essential factor of changes in character due to diseases characterized by fits. A better understanding has now been obtained of the importance of this particular factor, and this allows to conclude that there can only be epileptic functioning and reacting.


[Development of child neuropsychiatry at the Karl Marx University of Leipzig]. The development of pedoneuropsychiatry at the University of Leipzig is marked by the opening in 1926 of the first "Department of Pedopsychiatric Observation", the establishment of the Clinic of Pedoneuropsychiatry as an independent unit of the Department of Medicine, Karl Marx University, and the setting up in 1976 of a Chair of Pedoneuropsychiatry. Paul Schröder's and R. A. Pfeifer's services to their university are particularly appreciated.


[Comment on Paul Schröder's monograph entitled "Child characters and their anomalies"]. In a critical appreciation of Schröder's monograph the work is considered to be a basis of psychiatrically oriented characterology. Dealing with Schröder's views also necessarily involves consideration of L. Klage's philosophy. Schröder's concern to provide pedagogues, psychologists, and jurists with a study of the characterology of children deviating from the average or norm, which has been made from the psychiatrist's point of view, may be considered fully realized even today.


[Why child neuropsychiatry?].

[Why child neuropsychiatry?]. The author gives a brief survey of the development of Child-Neuropsychiatry in the G.D.R. and subsequently gives reasons for the decision in favor of the unity of neurology and psychiatry as applied to children and juveniles, which is in contrast to developments in other countries. In addition to hygienic, economic, organizational, and medical considerations, this decision was also determined by the fact that a Child-Neuropsychiatrist must, in his practical work as a subspecialist, be able to head a multiprofessional team and, thus, help assure optimum development of a child's personality.


[Child psychiatry through the years].

[Child psychiatry through the years]. A brief survey of the development of pedopsychiatry in the first half of this century shows how the emphasis changed from an initial interest in handicapped children to an interest especially in environmental and social factors. An attempt is made to explain this change in pedopsychiatric thinking, consideration being given to three aspects: Aid given to the child by society--Pathogenic importance of social constellations--Social requirements of the child.


[Development of nosological conceptions of child psychoses]. A study of the historical development of nosological conceptions of schizophrenia of children in parallel with the development of pedopsychiatry shows that these conceptions closely follow the lines of adult psychiatry. The description of psychosis-like conditions such as infantile dementia and autism also did not yet lead to a fundamental change in pathogenetic conceptions. There is then described the heuristic approach to considering schizophrenia of children and schizophrenia-like pictures of childhood as a disturbance of adaptation to reality, the development of which can be due to dispositional factors, minimal cerebral lesions acquired in early childhood, and environmental conditions in the sense of a constellatory genesis.


[Development of child psychotherapy in Europe]. The author, by starting from the definitional delimitation of psychotherapy and education, gives a brief description of the history of pedopsychotherapy from early beginnings through to the present time. This particular form of therapy has become varied in both its theories and methods. The present trend of development of pedopsychotherapy is characterized by patient-oriented multidimensional treatment of mental disease rather than classical analysis. An exact separation of education and psychotherapy is presently made for didactical reasons only, but is no longer possible in actual practice.


Paul Schilder and group psychotherapy: the development of psychoanalytic group psychotherapy. Group Psychotherapy began in 1905 with Pratt who assembled tuberculosis patients for a class treatment. Application of psychoanalytic concepts to group psychotherapy varied from Pratt's rejection of Freud and psychoanalysis to Louis Wender's descriptive and educational use of psychoanalysis in his group psychotherapy in 1936. At about the same time (1936) Paul Schilder actually interpreted the resistance, transferences, and dreams in his group psychotherapy sessions. Accordingly, Schilder would have to be recognized as the first to conduct a psychoanalytic group psychotherapy. Schilder's many contributions to group psychotherapy appeared in a few papers written before 1941. Precursors of current mainstream group psychotherapy can be found in them and they are still used as references.


Helen Flanders Dunbar (1902-1959) and a holistic approach to psychosomatic problems. II. The role of Dunbar's nonmedical background. Despite Dunbar's central role in the American psychosomatic movement, few successors seem to have grasped the nature and context of her work. This is partially because, as conveyed in Part I of his article, most histories of psychosomatic theory and research overlook the holistic, organismic point of view shared by Dunbar and other psychoanalysts of the psychobilogic persuasion. However, to grasp the full meaning of Dunbar's work one must look to her nonmedical background in Dantean philosphy and in religious healing.


[Twenty years double bind: attempt at a critical review (author's transl)]. This publication represents a critical review of the literature published so far on the concept of Double Bind (db). The article attempts to describe the development of this concept since its inception by Bateson et al. twenty years ago. The article also illuminates the partly distinctly neglected reference aspect of db, as well as the recent suggestions of a radical reformulation of concept according to which db is no longer a necessarily pathogenous deformation of communication. Since it can be shown that db is a so to say ubiquitous communicative phenomenon, the question as to whether it is specific for schizophrenia, can be definitely negated. An analysis of the quantitative empirical studies published so far, the analysis being viewed under the aspect of a critical review of the methods employed, shows that the development of a methodically and conceptually adequate experimental model which can completely cover db, has not yet proved successful. It becomes evident that the term "db hypothesis" is misleading insofar as this should be considered as a rather comprehensive theoretical construction not easily liable to direct experimental testing, which can be considered as possessing the character of a new paradigm.


Radiographic aspects of massive bone osteoarticular allograft transplantation. Experience with 56 cases of osteoarticular allograft transplantation of the extremities is presented. Cadaveric allograft including a joint surface and a variable amount of shaft is used in the treatment of aggressive benign and low-grade malignant tumors involving a long bone near a joint. The preoperative radiographic evaluation is outlined. Thirty-four patients had an uncomplicated course. Twenty-two patients had complications including aseptic fracture, infection, and tumor recurrence. The radiographic spectrum of both complicated and uncomplicated cases is illustrated.


Pneumoarthropathy: an unusual radiographic sign of gram-negative septic arthritis. Gas in the joint and periarticular tissues appeared as an early radiographic manifestation of gram-negative septic arthritis of the hip in a diabetic patient.  The features of gram-negative septic arthritis are discussed and the value of an early diagnosis is emphasized.


Prostaglandin I2 is less relaxant than prostaglandin E2 on the lamb ductus arteriosus. Prostaglandin (PG) I2 and its stable metabolite, 6-keto-PGF1alpha, were tested on the isolated ductus arteriosus from mature fetal lambs. PGI2 relaxed the ductus in high doses (threshold 10(-6)M) and its activity disappeared on standing at room temperature for 30 minutes. 6-keto-PGF1alpha was inactive at all doses. By contrast, PGE2 produced a dose-dependent relaxation over a range between 10(-10) and 10(-6)M. These findings confirm that PGE2 is the most potent ductal relaxant among the known derivatives of arachidonic acid. PGE2 probably maintains ductus patency in the fetus and, together with PGE1, remains the compound of choice in the management of newborns requiring a viable ductus for survival.


Prostaglandin I2 as a potentiator of acute inflammation in rats. Prostaglandin I2 potentiated the paw swelling induced by carrageenin in rats. Prostaglandin I2 (0.1 microgram) showed similar activity to PGE1 (0.01 microgram). This potentiating property disappeared in 60 minutes and was completely abolished by diphenhydramine (25 mg kg-1, i.p.). In vascular permeability tests, PGI2 itself (2.5 X 10(-10) mol, 88 ng) caused no dye leakage reaction, but PGE1 (2.5 X 10(-10) mol, 88.5 ng) caused a significant dye leakage. This effect of PGE1 was statistically significant compared with vehicle- or PGI2-treated groups (p less than 0.05). Prostaglandin I2 potentiated the increased vascular permeability induced by 5-hydroxytriptamine (2.5 X 10(-10) mol), bradykinin (5 X 10(-10) mol) and histamine (2 X 10(-10) to 2 X 10(-8) mol). The potentiation was the most evident in the case of histamine.


An antiserum to 5,6-dihydro prostacyclin (PGI1) which also binds prostacyclin. An antiserum was raised in rabbits using 5,6-dihydro prostacyclin, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, as the hapten, conjugated to bovine serum albumin. When added to platelet rich plasma the antiserum neutralised the inhibitory activity of prostacyclin, prostaglandin E1 and D2. The amount of antiserum required to neutralise completely a dose of prostacyclin giving 90-95% inhibition of ADP induced aggregation was 10-30 times less than that required for the other two prostaglandins. Small amounts of antiserum prevented the inhibitory activity of prostacyclin generated from endothelial cells in platelet rich plasma.


De-aggregatory action of prostacyclin in vivo and its enhancement by theophylline. In the mixed venous blood of anaesthetized, heparinized cats prostacyclin de-aggregated platelet thrombi, which were formed on the surface of blood-superfused collagen strips or on the surface of blood-superfused aortic strips from atherosclerotic rabbits. The reversal of platelet aggregation by prostacyclin was still achieved 3 hrs after the formation of platelet clumps. After an intravenous injection of prostacyclin the ID50 for its de-aggregatory action was 7.5 microgram/kg. Theophylline ethyl-diamine (aminophylline), at a dose of 3 mg/kg i.v., did not reverse platelet aggregation but it enhanced the duration of the de-aggregatory action of prostacyclin; it had little effect on the hypotensive action of prostacyclin. It is concluded that prostacyclin disintegrates platelet clumps long after they are formed in heparinized blood in vivo and that its anti-platelet action, but not hypotensive action, is selectively potentiated by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The above experimental data indicate the possibility of the combined use of theophylline and prostacyclin in arterial thrombosis.


[Phage-like particles produced by Clostridium tetani]. Two C. tetani strains used for toxin production spontaneously produce two varieties of phage-like particles with isometric heads. Type A has a contractile tail, whereas type B shows a non-contractile tail with a long, wavy tail fiber. No relationship between the presence of these particles and the amount of toxin produced was found.


Antioxidant enhancement of amphotericin B activity against Candida albicans. Results indicated that the antioxidant n-propyl gallate can enhance amphotericin B activity against Candida albicans by two different mechanisms. One involves drug stabilization. The second has not been characterized.


Laboratory trials with inactivated vaccines against Escherichia coli (O2:K1) infection in fowls. Laboratory trials were carried out with an O2:K1 vaccine prepared with either the Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant. Both types of vaccine administered subcutaneously were highly effective against a challenge with the vaccine strain within three to four weeks after vaccination at two to three weeks of age. The complete adjuvant vaccine was more effective than the incomplete adjuvant vaccine when administered to chickens of an earlier age, and in the rate of development and duration of immunity. The efficacy of both vaccines was unimpaired by their incorporation with the Newcastle disease oil adjuvant (inactivated) vaccine (Newcadin). The use of an oil adjuvant vaccine was not found to affect the rate of growth adversely or to produce any other reaction prejudicial to its commerical application. The efficacy of the vaccines was unimpaired by their incorporation with Newcastle disease oil adjuvant (inactivated) vaccine (Newcadin) thus demonstrating the possibility of producing a combined Escherichia coli/Newcastle disease virus vaccine.


Immunocyte populations in the mammary gland of the rat at different stages of pregnancy and lactation. Immunocyte populations of apparently normal rat mammary glands were examined at different stages of lactation using immunofluorescence techniques. IgA-and IgG-containing cells were present before parturition; IgA-containing cells were numerous than IgG- or IgM-containing cells during the entire period from pregnancy through parturition and lactation to involution.


Cryopreservation of bovine blood infected with Babesia major for use in the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Washed erythrocytes infected with Babesia major were mixed with glycerol and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, these cells were used for the preparation of antigen slides for immunofluorescence studies.


Culturing anomalies associated with Mycoplasma recovered from the tissues of chicks and turkey poults experimentally infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum or Mycoplasma gallinarum. Tissues of mycoplasma infected chicks and turkey poults were cultured and subcultured on mycoplasma agar. Usually, colonies which grew on the agar initially inoculated could be subcultured, but sometimes they could not. At other times, colonies were not seen on the agar initially inoculated but appeared on the subcultured plate.


Leucocytic changes in cows given intravenous injections of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Single intravenous injections of Escherichia coli endotoxin into normal cows produced dose dependent leucocytic and febrile responses. Injections of 5 to 20 microgram endotoxin induced a neutrophilia between 4 and 8 h, whereas 50 to 500 microgram produced a severe neutropenia for 4 to 6 h followed by a gradual increase in neutrophils along with slight to moderate left shift. Higher doses caused progressively severe lymphopenia and greater increase in fever than the lower doses. It was concluded that blood leucocytic changes during the early part of endotoxin-induced mastitis are partly related to systemic absorption of endotoxin, and that the size of the bone marrow neutrophil reserve in the cow could be estimated by injecting 5 to 10 microgram of endotoxin intravenously.


Alterations in pulmonary function of premature lambs due to positive end-expiratory pressure. These studies compare lung mechanics and volumes of premature lambs delivered at 139 days of gestation by cesarean section and ventilated by either intermittent positive pressure (IPP) or positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). During the first few hours of life, sequential determinations of lung compliance, specific lung compliance; lung resistance, specific lung conductance and functional residual capacity were made at half-hour intervals. Measurements in 5 lambs ventilated with PEEP demonstrated that lung compliance (p less than 0.005), specific lung compliance (p less than 0.001) and specific lung conductance (p less than 0.005) decreased; while lung resistance (p less than 0.10) and functional residual capacity (p less than 0.02) increased as compared to 7 lambs ventilated with IPP.


A new positive end-expiratory pressure valve for manually operated artificial ventilation. The application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) as part of artificial ventilation is currently considered a basic provision to provide adequate treatment of critically ill patients in intensive care units. Hitherto only the application of intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) with an end-expiratory pressure of 0 cm water was possible during manually operated artificial ventilation. A new PEEP valve which can be attached to manually operated resuscitators has been developed in co-operation with industry to meet this need. The technical details and experimental testing of the new valve have been presented in this paper. It may be connected via special adaptors to existing Ambu resuscitators, either for use on adults or on neonates, babies and infants. The valve has the characteristics of normal PEEP devices in that the resistances with various PEEP levels remain relatively independent of the flow and thus presents a true positive end-expiratory pressure rather than just an increase of expiratory resistance. The valve can be connected simply to nearly all types of simple and advanced respirators, such as those used for assisting respiration, physiotherapy etc., as well as being used with manually operated resuscitators.


Immediate and middle-term cardiorespiratory effects of positive end-expiratory pressure in thirteen cases of non-haemodynamic pulmonary oedema. Thirteen patients with severe acute respiratory failure were ventilated with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) for 9 days. Haemodynamic measurements were performed after 15 min during 100% oxygen breathing, first with intermittent-positive pressure ventilation, secondly with positive end-expiratory pressure. The latter improved the Pa, O2 from 89 to 150 torr, decreased the QS/QT from 43% to 32% and decreased the Pa, CO2 from 37 to 34 torr; this improvement in gas exchange was accompanied by a decrease in cardiac index from 4.4 to 3.7 1 min-1m-2 without changing the systemic arterial pressure. Despite this beneficial effect on arterial blood oxygenation, it did not improve the survival rate of patients with severe acute respiratory failure.


Mechanims of extracellular acid-base regulation as temperature changes in decapod crustaceans. In the crab Carcinus maenas, as in other decapod crustaceans, the extracellular pH varies with temperature so that the relative alkalinity remains approximately constant. However, as temperature changes, the blood acid-base behavior is not quite the same in an in vitro closed system and the living animal. In fully acclimated crabs, the higher the temperature, the lower the blood total CO2 concentration. After an abrupt temperature increase in vivo a new acid-base state is established instantaneously, comparable to that observed in vitro; but during the following hours, both PCO2 and bicarbonate concentration decrease concomitantly at constant pH. The relative gill ventilation, evaluated as the ratio of the ventilatory flow rate to the oxygen uptake rate, does not vary significantly as a function of temperature. No significant change in the base output can be detected during the hours following a temperature shift. These observations suggest that the mechanisms involved in the temperature-dependent acid-base regulation act mainly to control the blood bicarbonate level.