[Autoradiographic studies on the mitotic and productive metabolism of the articular cartilage in mouse genetic arthritis]. With suitable radioactively labelled precursors the mitotic (using 3H-thymidine) and the productive metabolisms (using 3H-proline and 35S-sulphate) were investigated on various kinds of joint- etc. cartilage from mice with genetically caused arthrosis. The autoradiographic analyses were performed using 3H-thymidine-, 3H-proline- and 35S-sulphate-indices and the statistical evaluation of the findings led to the following results: the synthesis level of sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the cartilage ground substance is lower for 5--6 month-old mice than for the 16--17 month-old animals of this genetic arthrosis strain. This is most distinct in the 3rd (= basal) zone of the knee-joint cartilage which increased to double the comparable value in this period. In all 3 zones of the knee-joint cartilage GAG-synthesis is considerably greater than the collagen synthesis according to these autoradiographic analyses. These findings can be detected before any histologically or histochemically demonstrable cartilage alterations and represent therefore the earliest signs of a so-called "pre-arthrosis". Collagen synthesis decreases thereby, and the same holds for DNA-synthesis and the mitotic metabolism of the cartilage cells - according to the findings to date. However the question is still under investigation whether arthrosis (like atherosclerosis) also starts with an increase in cell-turnover. This question is not only of theoretical interest, it has practical clinical consequences, even for the treatment. These investigations also serve this clinically relevant question because arthrosis is the most common human joint disease.


[Liver biopsy findings after intake of oral contraceptives (author's transl)]. 115 liver biopsies of women who had taken oral contraceptives have been examined. In 106 of these case (68.4%) morphological modifications were found which may be considered as effects of the hormonal contraceptives. Dilations of the sinusoids with differently proliferated Kupffer cells were predominantly evident (73 cases). Medicamentally induced hepatitis (20 cases) and cholestatic hepatosis (5 cases) were considerably rare. The sinusoid ectasias may be understood as a consequence of liver damage by steroid hormones. The pathogenesis of the changes is unknown.


[Sebaceous lymphadenoma of the parotid gland (author's transl)]. A case of sebaceous lymphadenoma close to the parotid gland--the twelfth in the literature--is presented. The morphologic findings and histogenetic considerations are reported together with a short review of literature.


Nitrogen fixers in the rhizosphere of certain desert plants. Six species of common desert range plants; Achillea sp., Aristida plumosa, Artemisia herba-alba, Haloxylon articulatum, and Heliotropium ramosissimum were colleted from Western Desert in Iraq. Counts of Azotobacter spp. and total bacteria were estimated in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils. Biomass and total nitrogen content of the plants were determined. The R/N ratio (ratio between rhizosphere to non-rhizosphere) for Azotobacter sp. ranged between 1 to 19.5 with an average of 4.96. The number of Azotobacter in the rhizosphere ranged between 6.8 X 10(3) to 47 X 10(3) cells/g, while in the non-rhizosphere it ranged from 2 X 10(3) to 21 X 10(3). Aristida plumosa harboured the highest number, i.e., 47 X 10(3) cells/g, while Artemisia herba-alba showed the least, i.e., 6.8 X 10(3) cells/g. Total counts of bacteria in the rhizosphere ranged between 17.2 X 10(6) and 97 X 10(6) cells/g, that of the non-rhizosphere between 1.5 X 10(6) and 18 X 10(6) cells/g. The R/N ratio ranged between 2.03 X 22.5 with an average of 7.28. An appreciable gain of dry weight and total nitrogen was observed. Between 13 and 152 g with an average of 78.9 g dry weight and between 347 and 6684.0 mg with an average of 2452.0 mg nitrogen per plant were found. The possible contribution of Azotobacter to the nitrogen economy of the plants is discussed and further suggested.


Response of irrigated groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) to urea fertilization in the central rainlands of the Sudan. The response of 3 varieties of groundnuts, i.e.: Ashford (A), Barberton (B), and Corinte (C), to different doses of urea nitrogen under irrigation was studied for three years. As a result of extensive tissue analysis, the critical needs of Barberton and Corinte for nitrogen were found to be 1500 ppm NO3-N and 3.7% total-N. Variety Ashford, which outyielded both, did not respond to urea nitrogen. A linear correlation coefficient of r = 0.85 for pod and straw yields gave a pod to straw ratio of 0.72. Kernel protein and oil content were not affected by nitrogen. Larger nodule counts and their total-N indicated better yields.


[Model trials for isolation of soft rot bacteria by media containing pectic substances (author's transl)]. 1. Under aerobic conditions bacterial soft rots are caused in the most cases by pectolytic Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus spp. 2. Using 7 soft rotting strains several selective media were tested for their ability to sure a quick and exact isolation and differentiation of these pathogens. By bile salt-lactose-medium all Erwinia spp. under test could be isolated. For isolation of pectinolytic Pseudomonas strains the D4 medium of Kado and Heskett was suitable as the best one. 3. By the use of substrats containing pectic substances the results of isolation could be essentially improved: So, a sure differentiation of soft rotting bacteria and saprophytic organisms already upon the substrate and in addition, the isolation of pectinolytic Bacillus strains also became possible. The pectinolytic activity of the test strains on pectin-double layer-media was dependent upon the composition of the basal medium. 4. On the base of the results we obtained an isolation scheme is proposed, that allowed to indicate the pectolytic active bacilli (after heating to 80 degrees C for 10 min) on thioglycollate medium covered by a pectin layer, the Erwinia spp. on Stewart-Medium covered by pectin layer and the pectolytic pseudomonads on FPA-medium described by Sands, Hankin and Zucker (containing citrus pectin) to the equal time. 5. The trials also demonstrated, that the preparing of double layer-media instead of sodium polypectate mostly being recommended in literature lower estered pectic compounds can be used successfully.


Effect of some pesticides on certain micro-organisms, contributing to soil fertility. A pot experiment was run for studying the effect of Temik (insecticide and nematocide), Orthocide (fungicide), and Treflan (herbicide) on certain desirable soil micro-organisms. Total counts of bacteria, actinomycetes or fungi were mostly lower in the treated than in the untreated soil. Aerobic cellulose-decomposers were either stimulated or depressed. Despite the temporarily slight stimulation, observed in some instances at the initial periods, the effect of the pesticides on counts of Azotobacter, N-fixing clostridia, and ammonifiers was afterwards depressed. The period of retardation or stimulation differed according to type of pesticide and type of micro-organisms under study. However, the autotrophic nitrifying bacteria, especially ammonium-oxidizers, seemed to be more sensitive and their counts in treated soil were sharply depressed.


[Dioxohexahydrotriazine, a new synthetic antiphytoviral compound (author's transl)]. This paper reports the first results of studies made to determine the antiviral activity of dioxo hexahydro triazine, a newly developed antiphytoviral compound. After treatment with dioxo hexahydro triazine, the concentration of helical potato virus X in leaves of Nicotiana tabacum "Samsun" was found to be considerably reduced in both the serological test and local lesion test conducted on Nicotiana glutinosa at temperatures of 14 degrees C +/- 3 degrees C. In secondarily infected leaves, the reduction of the concentration of potato virus X in the range of from 1 mol/l to 10(-3) mol/l was so that it was no longer possible for viruses to be detected serologically. In vitro, however, dioxo hexahydro triazine, which was added to the inoculum, did not produce a significant change in the activity of the virion of potato virus X. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that dioxo hexahydro triazine tends to affect replication steps of viruses. The use of dioxo hexahydro triazine also had the effect of greatly and highly significantly reducing the concentration of the isodiametric cucumber mosaic virus.


Distribution of extracellular proteolytic activities among various yeast. A general screening test for extracellular proteolytic activities was carried out on 24 cultures belonging to 14 genera of yeasts. The screening was performed using gelatine and casein as sole nitrogen sources under two sets of pH conditions. Potent proteolytic yeast cultures belonging to both Ascomycetes and Deuteromycetes were detected, particularly certain members of the genera Endomycopsis, Metschnikowia, Debaromyces, Rhodotorula, and Candida spec. Most detected proteolytic cultures were active on both casein and gelatine substrates, possibly suggesting one enzyme system in each case with wide substrate specificity. Physiological studies revealed that maximum proteolysis occurred after 3--4 days of aerobic incubation and that some strains were able to hydrolyze egg albumin.


Chemical control of nitrification under rice in the central rainlands of the Sudan. 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methyl pyrimidine "AM" was used as a selective inhibitor of nitrifying organisms to prevent denitrification losses. Zero, 6, and 12 kg/ha of the chemical, 43 and 86 kg/ha urea-N or their equivalents were used in vitro and in vivo experiments. In the in vitro experiment, clear and significant inhibition lasted for 6 weeks. In both the pot and field experiments inhibition lasted shorter and only insignificant increases in yield and yield components were attained. The value of this chemical for rice under the soil and climatic conditions of the Central Rainlands seems to be small, though it seems promising for lighter (leaching) soils.


Associative symbiosis of Azotobacter chroococcum and higher plants. The association between a selected strain of Azotobacter chroococcum and seven plants was investigated in water cultures under sterile conditions. Azotobacter population progressively increased in the nutrient solution and on the rhizoplane. Microbial propagation depends on the type of plant, being much higher in presence of wheat, followed by barley, maize, broad bean, and cotton, while in presence of fenugreek and lentil lower rates of multiplication were recorded. Inoculation increased the dry weight of plants by 5--12% and in length by 3--18% in addition to increased nitrogen content of plants and nutrient solution. Nitrogen balance showed no significant change in systems devoid of Azotobacter, but association between plants and the microorganism invariably showed positive results. The extent of N2-fixation depends on the type of plants; higher gains were recorded in presence of non-leguminous plants.


Effect of Azotobacter inoculation on plant growth and soil nitrogen. The validity of seed bacterization with Azotobacter chroococcum in soils of variable densities of naturally present azotobacters was studied. Inoculation of barley grains had no effect on counts of total microflora, neither in rhizosphere nor in root-free soil, but significantly increased Azotobacter population, especially in the rhizosphere. The rate of colonization in the root region was much higher when soil initially harboured low Azotobacter densities. Bacterization improved plant growth and increased soil nitrogen through nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen balance in soils showed higher gains in the inoculated treatments over the uninoculated analogues of 30--98 ppm.


The effect of temperature and age of strains of Fusarium oxysporum on its enzymatic activity. The activities of pectin-methyl-esterase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, amylase, saccharase, and protease of strains of Fusarium oxysporum (Schlecht.) f.sp. pisi (Linford) were studied. The selected strains showed different symptoms and different degrees of pathogenicity on the host plant. The measurements were performed during the growth of strains at constant temperatures and, in another experiment, on the day at different temperatures at which the individual strains were grown. Activities were determined by the plate methods and by the spectrophotometric method. It has been found that enzyme activity of the strains with different degree of pathogenicity show considerable differences in dependence on temperature and growth dynamics.


Different manifestations of the pathogenity of some strains of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi. Different cultivation and morphology characteristics were found in 10 monospore isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi, obtained from yellowing and wilting plants of pea (Pisum sativum L.). The isolates of the fungus were obtained from distant geographical regions of Czechoslovakia and from various cultivars and hybrids of pea. After inoculation of roots, followed by constant conditions of incubation of the Meteor and Jupiter cultivars having their origin at the Plant-breeding Station at Luzany u Prestic, the isolates caused various symptoms of disease, each isolate showed a different degree of pathogenity. The variability of the pathogenity of the isolates depended on the host. Its manifestation, in turn, depended on the dynamics of growth and development of the pathogen as well as the host. The following symptoms could be observed during the pathogenesis: the dying of cotyledons after the contact of the main root with the inoculum, the dying of young plants (the plants usually forming two stems), wilting of young plants, yellowing of bottom leaves and wilting beginning from the bottom leaves, stunted growth, and plant deformation. The symptoms of disease are related to the changes in vascular system.


Electron microscopic cytochemistry of polysaccharides in bacteria Xanthomonas fuscans, the cause of the bean fuscous blight. High resolution cytochemical staining of polysaccharides in the cells of the bean fuscous blight bacteria Xanthomonas fuscans (Burkholder) Bur. revealed extensive deposits of a periodic acid-oxidizable compound in the cytoplasm, which accumulated at the onset of polysaccharide excretion and occupied a substantial part of the cell volume. In the course of subsequent culture growth the intracellular polysaccharides gradually disappeared and polysaccharide microfibrils were visualized in the medium. Our observations indicate that the exuded phytopathogenic polysaccharides may be synthetized in the cytoplasm of the bacteria.


[Surgical management of reno-vascular hypertony (author's transl)]. Only in 2/3 out of a total of 33 patients suffering from renal artery stenosis surgery was indicated. Thrombendarterectomy and saphenous patch are the method of choice for reconstructive procedures. In 87% of successful reconstructions the functional result was satisfactory. The follow-up gave evidence of change to the worse due to the progress of the underlying disease.


[Planimetric measurement of kidney size in patients with stenosis of the renal artery (author's transl)]. Comparison of pre- and postoperative angiograms reveals no significant statistical difference concerning kidney size after successful reconstruction of the renal artery. This examination is based on planimetric data of 10 patients with haemodynamical important stenoses of the renal artery (including one patient with bilateral stenosis).


[Brain lipids of a mammoth, Elephas primigenius, which died more than 40,000 years ago]. Studies have been made on the brain lipids of the 6--7-month mammoth which remained in the eternal ice for more than 40.000 years. Thin layer chromatography of chloroformmethanol extract of the brain lipids shows that all glycerophospholipids in the brain were destroyed. On the contrary, sphingophospholipid sphingomyelin yielded the evident spot which was identified by specific reactions and by comparison with sphingomyelin from the brain of rat. Sphingomyelin content was evaluated. Using gas-liquid chromatography, fatty acid composition of sphingomyelin was investigated. It was found to be close to that in contemporary mammals. Other shingolipids -- cerebrosides, sulfatides, gangliosides -- persisted (probably, only partially) and were studied quantitatively. Relative content of cerebrosides with normal fatty acids and hydrooxyacids was determined. Studies were also made on fatty acid composition of cerebrosides, sulfatides and gangliosides, as well as on the composition of spingosine bases of gangliosides. Free cholesterol was found in the brain of the mammoth. Other sterols were not detected. With respect to quantitative evaluation of the preserved lipids, it should be mentioned that on the one hand, the brain underwent dehydration which increased lipid content per a unit of "wet" weight, whereas on the other one lipids were partially degraded, this process decreasing their content.


[Effect of nembutal anesthesia, electric stimulation of the paws and elaboration of a defensive reflex on acetylcholinesterase activity and protein content in different regions of rat brain]. Pentobarbitone sodium anaesthesia was found to produce an increase in protein content in some regions of the rat brain, i. e. posterior cortex, caudate nucleus, and a decrease in protein content in the ventral cortex. Acetylcholinesterase expressed in terms of wet weight was found to increase in the cerebellum, medulla, and to decrease in the medial cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and caudate nucleus. The changes in activity were not explicable in terms of a direct effect of the anaesthetic on the enzyme. A decrease in protein content of rat brain was observed in the frontal cortex, ventral cortex, hippocampus and caudate nucleus after electrical shocks. Following shock avoidance conditioning procedure (shuttle-box), decreases in protein content were observed in the medial cortex, posterior cortex, cerebellum and ventral cortex; in the thalamus an increase in protein content was observed. Changes in AChE activity were observed following footshock in the frontal cortex and medulla where there was an increase in activity and in the caudate nucleus, hypothalamus, thalamus, and olfactory tubercule where there was a decrease in activity. Following shock avoidance conditioning the activity of the AChE increased in posterior cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus and the activity of the enzyme decreased in the ventral cortex.


[Sensitivity of Nereis virens polychaetes to mechanical oscillations in water]. Food and escape reactions of Nereis virens to oscillations of a ball 2 mm in diameter in water have been studied. These antagonistic reactions differ significantly by the range of ball oscillations which evoked them. The range from 10 to 30 Hz appeared to be optimal for food reaction, and the range above 40 Hz -- for escape reaction. Worms are able to detect a ball from a distance of 12--13 mm at optimal oscillation frequency 30 Hz. Possible receptor mechanisms providing these types of reaction are discussed.


[Ionic composition of mollusk cells--evolutionary and ecologic aspects]. Marine molluscs exhibit relative constancy in intracellular potassium at the back ground of significant changes in intracellular sodium during acclimation to differen salinities. These changes, which were observed in cells of the adductor muscle and hepa topancreas, result mainly from active extrusion of sodium (possibly, of chloride as well) from the cell at low salinities and accumulation of these ions within the cell during the increase in salinity. Changes in intracellular concentration of sodium and chloride ions serve presumably as one of the main mechanisms of volume stabilization of cells, which together with the amino acid regulation alleviates the hydration of cells at different salinities. The capacity of cells to keep their potassium accounts for the maintenance of Ki/Ko ratio during changes in cellular volume induced by osmotic effects. These data are discussed in relation to two alternative hypotheses of the decreased and close to the present salinity of ocean at the initial stages of formation of the ionic composition of cells.


[Cholesterol in the brain of cartilaginous and bony fish]. Data are presented on the content of cholesterol in the brain of 23 fish species with different phylogenetic position and ecology. Stable and lower cholesterol content (mean level 10.6 mg/g wet tissue) in the brain of 11 species of Chondrichtyes was shown together with variable and higher (mean level 13 mg/g wet tissue) one in the brain of 12 species of Teleostei. The data obtained are discussed in relation to phylogenetic position of the species investigated and ecological factors (depth and temperature). The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids in the brain of fishes is lower than that in mammals.


[Participation of insulin in regulating the metabolism of marine bivalve mollusks]. Marine bivalve molluscs, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis aud the scallop Chlamys (Flexopecten) glaber ponticus, have been injected (intramuscularly or in the haemolymph) with glucose, mammalian insulin, insulin (or insulin-like substance) from molluscs, and anti-insulin serum, checking changes in glucose and fatty acid content of the haemolymph as well as in the content of glycogen and the activity of glycogen synthetase in muscles. After glucose injections, studies were also made on the level of IRI in the haemolymph. Comparison of the data obtained in the present work with those reported earlier for freshwater bivalve molluscs suggests that: 1) metabolic shifts induced by anti-insulin serum are more rapid in vigorous scallops than in sedentary mussels; 2) molluscan insulin (or insulin-like substance) exerts the same effect on metabolic parameters of the molluscs, as mammalian insulin exerts in vertebrates.


[Visual projections into the telencephalon and diencephalon of the teleost fish Serranus scriba (electrophysiologic study)]. In acute experiments on Serranus scriba, two discrete foci of visual activity in the telencephalon were shown--in the dorsal pallium and in the central telencephalic area. The latency of focal potentials evoked by optic tectum stimulation was at least 2 msec shorter than that of the responses elicited by optic nerve stimulation. In the region of nucleus rotundus and some other thalamo-pretectal structures, focal potentials and single unit reactions to both types of stimulation were registered. Responses to optic tectum stimulation in nucleus pretectalis exhibited the shortest latency. It is suggested that visual impulses to the central telencephalic area are relayed consequently in the optic tectum and probably in more than one thalamo-pretectal nucleus.


[Morphofunctional characteristics of the optic nerve of the turtle Testudo graeca]. Electron microscopic investigation indicates that in T. graeca the optic nerve consists of about 216,000 fibers of which 11% are myelinated and 89%--unmyelinated ones. The diameter of myelinated fibers varies within 0.2-2.5 mu, the main bulk of fibers (42%) having the diameter 0.5-0.7 mu. The diameter of unmyelinated fibers varies between 0.1 and 0.35 mu. With respect to their diameter, 8% of the fibers of both groups overlap each other. During electrical stimulation of the optic nerve, action potential in the latter is recorded which consists of two high amplitude components. The first component (propagation velocity 1.5 m/sec) presumably corresponds to conduction of excitation along myelinated fibers, the second one (propagation velocity 0.6 m/sec)--along unmyelinated fibers.


[Fatty acids of the cerebrosides (1-beta-glycosylceramides) and sulfatides (sulfoglycosylceramides) of the brain of the river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis]. The analysis of the fatty acids of cerebrosides and sulfatides from the brain of the lamprey L. fluviatilis has been carried out. Only normal fatty acids were revealed by TLC of total methyl esters of the fatty acid of cerebrosides and sulfatides. The hydroxy fatty acids are apparently absent. The composition of the normal fatty acids of cerebrosides and sulfatides is very similar. TLC revealed fatty acids containing from 14 to 27 C mainly saturated and small amount of monoenes. The fatty acid pattern of cerebrosides and sulfatides from lamprey brain resembles that from the brain of other vertebrates. The peculiarity of the fatty acid composition of these glycolipids in the lamprey brain is the high proportion of short chain (C14--C18) saturated acids, especially of palmitic acid. The fatty acid composition of cerebrosides and sulfatides from lamprey brain which does not contain myelin is rather similar to that of mammalian brain in early development before the onset of myelination.


[Functional organization of the rabbit hypothalamo-paleocortical system]. Investigation of the ascending hypothalamic connections with principal paleocortical centers (the olfactory tubercule, prepiryform cortex) indicates that the most short latent, poorly exhausted by rhythmic stimulation or by neuronal reactions EPs in these olfactory centers are elicited by stimulation of phylogenetically ancient hypothalamic areas of the anterior LPO and lateral LHA. It was also shown that the third deep layer of the prepiryform cortex is the main center for total ascending afferentation from these ancient parts of the hypothalamus. EPs and cellular responses to stimulation of phylogenetically new hypothalamic regions could be revealed with difficulties and were characterized by long latent periods or high degree of exhaustion by rhythmic stimulation. Paleo-hypothalamic system in the rabbit exhibits strict organization of functional connections. It was demonstrated that during stimulation of the main olfactory centers of the forebrain, EPs and neuronal responses originate chiefly in the anterior (LPO) and in the narrow zone of the lateral hypothalamus. Under the conditions used, cellular responses in VMH and SMA were not revealed.


[Experimental exacerbation of latent Q rickettsial infection]. The evidence of the prolonged persistence of Coxiella burnetii in experimental animals was obtained. Cyclophosphamide was shown to be capable of activating Q rickettsiosis in guinea pigs, and the period of the aggravation of this infection was found to be accompanied by a decrease in IgG concentration and a relative increase in IgM content.


[Composition and structure of the chief gangliosides in the brain of the lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis]. It has been shown that 4-sphingenine is the main sphingoid in lamprey brain gangliosides. Saturated and monoenoic fatty acids were found to predominate, the main fatty acids in the lamprey brain are presented by stearic (43-49% of total fatty acids) and oleic ones. N-acetylneuraminic acid is the only sialic acid found in gangliosides from the lamprey brain. Other components of ganglioside molecules are glucose, galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. Two main lamprey brain gangliosides which constitute more than 90% of lipid-bound sialic acid, were found to be trisialogangliosides. It was shown that both gangliosides have the following structure in their molecules: (formula see text). They differ in the position of two other sialic acid residues. Data on lamprey brain gangliosides in the literature are practically absent. The data obtained in the present study confirmed the conclusions on changes in the hydrophobic part of ganglioside molecule in evolution of vertebrates and made it possible to define more exactly the molecular evolution of ganglioside carbohydrate component.


[Histochemical study of cerebral cortex cholinesterases during early mammalian ontogeny]. Histochemical studies have been made on changes in true cholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase in mammalian ontogenesis. It was found that at early ontogenetic stages the enzymes are located mainly in deep layers. In rabbits, early accumulation of the true cholinesterase takes place; evident maximum of the reaction was found directly over the fibres of the cortical white matter during the last days of foetal development and in newborn animals. Accumulation of pseudocholinesterase in myelinating fibers begins at the 7-10th day. In the cortex of human foetuses, evident heterochronous accumulation of cholinesterase was noted, since the enzyme was concentrated mainly in the occipital and frontal parts of the isocortex.


[Microflora of the bronchial contents in chronic lung diseases]. The parallel bacteriological and mycological study of the contents of the bronchi in patients with various forms of chronic pneumonia provided a clearer picture of the causative agents of the disease. The composition of microflora in the bronchial contents corresponded to the severity of the process. Uncomplicated chronic pneumonia took its course with a bacterial monoculture, belonging predominantly to the family of pyogenic cocci, present in the discharges. The formation of abscesses and the development of bronchioectases proceeded of bacterial and mycotic associations. The development of malignant tumors was accompanied by the colonization of the pulmonary ways by a variety of organisms, including bacteria of the fecal flora.


[Visual projections in to the brain of the sturgeon Acipenser güldenstädti]. Visual projections have been studied after unilateral lesion of the optic nerve. Degenerated fibers and terminals, as well as fibers labelled by horseradish peroxidase were found contralaterally in the lateral geniculate thalamic nucleus, the second (stratum opticum) and the third (stratum fibrosum et griseum superficiale) layers of the midbrain tectum. In other brain structures (lateral ventrothalamic nucleus, in the pretectal area--cortical nucleus, pretectal nucleus, posterior comissure nucleus) the density of degeneration of optic fibers was significantly lower. Separate fragments of degeneration were found in the fourth layer of the tectum. Ipsilaterally, thalamic, pretectal and tectal visual projections of the same localization were found, although they were less massive than at the opposite side.


[RNAse activity as an indirect index of the enterotoxigenicity of staphylococci]. On the basis of investigations carried out there was revealed a direct relationship between the capacity of staphylococci to produce enterotoxin and the extent of their RNA-ase activity. The activity of RNA-ase can serve as a significant indirect sign pointing to the enterotoxigenicity of staphylococcus.


[Electrographic changes in isolated cat cortex under the influence of sleep neuropeptide]. Experiments on adult cats with isolated cerebral cortex show that suboccipital olygopeptide administration (10 and 15 mg/kg) induces electrographic manifestation of the slow wave sleep (SWS) in the isolated cortex. Slow synchronous waves reflecting the onset of SWS appear in the isolated cortex 0.2-1.5 sec earlier than in the control hemisphere. The same administration prevents the onset of paradoxical sleep (PS) up to 2 hours from the beginning of the experiment. In all experiments, manifestation of the PS was recorded in both hemispheres simultaneously.


[Use of the A-2 elective medium for the differentiation of Aeromonas from related microorganisms]. The trial of culture medium A-2, proposed for the identification of Aeromonas on the basis of the nutritional utilization of gelatin as the only source of nitrogen and starch as the source of carbon in view of the limited content of mineral components in the medium, revealed that no other species of the family Vibronaceae grew in this medium, and it could be used in an additional test for the differentiation of vibrios from Aeromonas. A group of strains isolated from human feces, surface water and sewage was found to be incapable of growing in culture medium A-2; these strains, though having a number of characteristics in common with Aeromonas, differed from them in a number of additional tests.


[Trophic influence of the nervous system on the heat resistance of skeletal muscles in rats]. Chronic denervation of m. extensor digitorum longus in rats significantly increase the heat resistance of muscle fibers. This effect does not result from muscle disuse, since tenotomy does not affect the level of heat resistance of muscle fibers. After bilateral adrenalectomy, the thermostability of muscles remains unaffected. The data obtained are discussed in relation to the problem of coupled changes in thermostability and electrogenesis of muscles fibers in animal evolution.


[Yeast NaRNA as a stimulator of the virulence, immunogenicity and antigenicity of salmonellae]. Experiments on a great number of animals with the use of various methods showed that yeast NaRNA was capable of stimulating the increase of virulence, immunogenicity and antigenicity in S. typhi, the acceleration of their proliferation and growth, the accumulation of RNA and nucleotides without increasing their toxigenicity.


[Antibacterial and antiviral activity of the polychloroethyl- and beta,beta-dichlorovinylamides of carboxylic acids]. A number of compounds having antiviral and antibacterial (antistaphylococcal) activity was found in the beta,beta-dichlorvinyl- and alpha-chlor(alpha-oxy)-beta,beta,beta-trichlorethylamide series of carboxylic acids. The antistaphylococcal activity of the compounds under study was found to depend, to a certain extent, ontheir chemical structure, whereas no such dependence was established in respect of their antiviral activity. In the treatment of combined influenza-staphylococcal infection a decrease in antistaphylococcal effect was observed, while antiviral activity remained stable.


[Water and electrolytes in the adductor of the mussel Mytilus edulis during adaptation to decreased salinity in vivo and in vitro]. To investigate the role of neurohumoral factors in acclimation of mussel muscle to a lowered salinity, studies have been made on the reaction of the intact mussel muscle and that of isolated muscle to change in the salinity from 26% to 10%. The general pattern of swelling of the adductor and the dynamics of its electrolyte composition in intact molluscs are similar to those in the isolated muscle. In the intact mussel this reaction of the adductor is slower. Acclimation of adductor cells is of the autonomic nature and does not depend on neurohumoral influences.


[Effect of an autovaccine on the course of an experimental staphylococcal infection]. The effect of autovaccine on the state of cellular immunity in mice with staphylococcal infection was studied. The maximum decrease of staphylococcal dissemination in internal organs, espeically in the lungs, as well as an increase in the intensity of phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages were observed after the administration of the vaccine by the method of inhalation. The intranasal administration of the vaccine also proved to be more effective than subcutaneous injection. The cumulation of immune response was more pronounced after the aerosol administration of autovaccine, especially in cases of pathological processes in the respiratory organs.


[Biological properties of antibiotic-resistant strains of lactic acid bacteria]. Lactic-acid bacteria (L. fermenti, L. acidophilus, L. delbruecki), when developing resistance to antibiotics, did not change their main biochemical, antagonistic properties and did not lose capacity for acid production. Only a decrease in their growth rate and a change in their sensitivity to the action of ultraviolet radiation were observed. Both initial and antibiotic-resistant strains were capable of taking on the mucous membrane of the large and small intestines in CBA mice.


[Spectral and integral-temporal analysis of cerebral evoked potentials in epilepsy patients]. Changes in the spectral and integral-temporal characteristics of evoked potentials (EP) to flashes, were studied in 17 epileptic patients and 20 normals. The analysis of EP was done on a background recording and after a 2-minute hyperventilation. It was demonstrated that an epileptization of the brain according to the integral indices of EP is expressed by an increase in the square response, duration of EP (an increase in the duration of the system return to a state of equilibrium), by a higher level of residual noise in a discharge of EP, as well as by an increase in the negative part of EP and a larger instability of responses. The spectral content of EP in epileptic patients demonstrates an increase in amplitude maxima, especially within theta = psi delta ranges. Hyperventilation in epileptic patients evokes a pronounced synchronization of brain bioelectric activity, which leads to a drop of the response intensity and an increase in the level of residual noise in a discharge of EP. The data obtained suggest that the proposed method of EP analysis may be effective in the determination of the intensity in the focus of epileptical activity, as well as in the study of the function of inhibitory mechanisms of convulsive discharges.


["Forced normalization" EEG phenomenon and several mechanisms of psychopathologic symptoms in epileptic patients]. Some electrophysiological correlations of periodically exacerbating psychopathological manifestations in epilepsy are discussed. It was established that in phenomenon of a "forced normalization" of the EEG deep structures of the lymbic system may show active foci of epileptical bioelectrical activity. It is suggested that such pictures of bioelectrical activity in the different brain structures are formed as a result of dissociated inhibitory influences of the brain stem. The necessity of a stereoelectroencephalographic study in this group of patients is emphasized in order to assess the possibilities of a successful surgical operation.


[Role of the acetylcholine--cholinesterase system in the development of epilepsy]. The report pertains to some data on the cholinesterase activity in the blood serum and CSF of 62 patients with epilepsy, in correlation with different clinical characteristics (the severity of the disease, the character of the EEG, frequency of seizures, treatment efficacy, etc). In 86,8% of the cases there was a significant increase in the activity of serum cholinesterase. Increased cholinesterase activity correlated only with pronounced pathological changes in the EEG (reverse correlation) and the efficacy of treatment (direct correlation). After surgical treatment of 9 cases there was a drop in the cholinesterase activity of the blood serum and CSF, which correlated with an improvement in the general state of the patients. On the basis of personal experience, as well as literary data, it is assumed that an increase in the cholinesterase activity in epileptic patients is not related to the main etiological factors of this disease but is rather a secondary change, a peculiar "symptom" of the disease.


[Hemostasis in epileptic seizures and status epilepticus]. The hemostasis function was studied in 33 patients with epileptical seizures of a different etiology. The studies were conducted at the moment of the epileptical seizure or epileptical status and in the interattack period during hyperventilation. The concentration of products of blood fibrinogen degradation, the degree of platelet agregation, their number and prothrombine index were estimated. The data obtained were compared with those of normals. The results of the studies indicate the existence of the syndrome of intravascular coagulation during an epileptical seizure and epileptical status.


[Problem of focal pathology in "genuine" epilepsy]. Chronic experiments on rats permitted one to obtain an experimental model of photogenic epilepsy. This was accomplished by creating in the external geniculate body (EGB) a generator of pathologically intensified excitation (GPIE) with the aid of tetanus toxin (TT). According to some clinical and electrographic characteristics this form of epilepsy may be alloted to the type of primarily generalized or "genuine" epilepsy. The existance of focal pathology in the respective EGB was detected only by special electrophysiological and pharmacological methods. The studied model demonstrates a necessity of using special methods of detecting brain focal pathology (GPIE) in order to determine the focus of neuron hyperactivity in those cases where the clinical picture is characterized by signs of the so-called genuine epilepsy. Experimental photogenic epilepsy attained by creating GPIE in the EGB with the aid of TT, is proposed as a model for studying the mechanism of epileptogenesis and testing the efficacy of anticonvulsive drugs.


[Pain phenomenon in the structure of a seizure as a symptom of subcortical epilepsy]. A long-term dynamic study of epilepsy permitted one to distinguish a group of patients (21), who had undergone cortical surgical operations in the sensomotor area. In this group of patients the epileptical seizures were not only arrested, but preserved their previous structure. In all observations, the attack included pain which had a nociceptive character, a disagreeable emotional shading, was exceptionally intensive, diffuse, spreaded along a wide body area, was localized in the deep tissues and migrated intermittently during the seizure, respective to the somatotopic representation in the brain. The anatomo-physiological data suggest that such painful sensations are due to the irritation of the nonspecific thalamus nuclei and first of all, the medium center. This assumption is supported by the clinico-physiological studies of some authors, as well as by the negative results of surgical operations in this group of patients, despite the removal of the assumed epileptical focus in the cortex. The studies indicate that the main epileptical focus lies in the subcortical structures and particularly in the nonspecific thalamic nuclei.


[Epileptic seizures in stenosis and de-stenosis of the common carotid arteries]. Experiments were performed in 64 white laboratory rats sensitive to acoustic stimula with disturbances and a restitution of cerebral circulation due to stenosis and destenosis of the common carotid arteries. The epileptic reaction of rats was studied prior to and following stenosis and destanosis by means of audiogenic epilepsy. In highly sensitive rats of the KM strain with a leftside stenosis of the common carotid arteries the epileptical reaction did not change significantly. In rats, selected from a random population after a simultaneous bilateral stenosis of the common carotid arteries there was an intensification of epileptical seizures in 70,6%. The restitution of the blood flow after 10 days following stenosis of the common carotid arteries facilitated a drop of the convulsive reaction. In animals who were not operated for the restitution of the blood flow in the common carotid arteries the reaction remained high even after 3 months following disturbances of cerebral circulation.


[Present state and future tasks for gerontopsychiatric research]. The state of scientific studies in gerontopsychiatry in the USSR is characterized. The development of respective epidemiological and follow-up studies is positively assessed. However such global problems related to studies in organizational and basic problems (biological, neurophysiological, genetical, pathopsychological, etc) are not sufficiently represented. It is emphasized that new approaches in gerontopsychiatry such as the study of borderline mental disorders in the elderly, the role of social and microsocial factors, the elaboration of psychotherapeutical and rehabilitative measures are developing.


[Visuospatial thought disorders in patients with localized brain lesions]. The paper is concerned with the problem of disturbed visual-spatial thinking in patients with focal brain lesions. As is known, visual-spatial thinking can be disturbed in patients with lesions of the occipital, parieto-occipital and frontal lobes. However, the character of these disturbances is different. Attempts are made to examine these differences in varying localizations of the lesions. The results obtained demonstrate that disturbed visual-spatial thinking in different groups of patients is underlain by both common and specific factors.


[Neurochemical basis of the pathogenesis of different types of addiction]. The study is concerned with the influence of narcotic drugs of a different chemical nature (alcohol, morphine, barbamil) on the catecholamine metabolism in some areas of the brain and adrenal gland in experimental animals. Each of the studied drugs exerted a differentiated effect on the catecholamine system in the different brain structures. However all these substances both in a single administration and in a long-term use, and development of a drug dependence, evoked similar changes in the catecholamine metabolism in the hypothalamus and in the middle brain. These changes were shown by an intensified release and destruction of the noradrenalin neuromediator under the influence of the above-mentioned substances and a compensatory increases in the catecholamine synthesis on a prolonged use. Withdrawal of narcotic drugs leads to a significant increase in the dofamine level in these brain areas. The pharmacological analysis demonstrated, that the formation of a narcotic dependence may be connected with the changed functions of the catecholamine brain system.


[Significance of several factors for actualization of the pathologic drive to alcohol in chronic alcoholism]. On the basis of literary data and clinical experience, a list of 27 factors was compiled, which could have a significance for actualizing pathological drives to alcohol in chronic alcoholism. The factors were marked under such headings as "individual", "family-environmental" and "connected with the environment at work". In order to establish the connection of each factor with the actualization of a pathological drive to alcohol, 200 inpatients treated for chronic alcoholism were examined. A comparative analysis was performed for eliminating the significance of factors for groups of patients with different stages of the disease and premorbid personality types. The possibility of using these data in clinical practice and preventing relapses in the treatment of chronic alcoholism is assessed.


[Clinical picture of atypical alcoholic psychoses]. Results of a long-term clinico-catamnestical study of 489 patients with atypical alcoholic psychoses indicate that only the following cases develop atypically; a) where in the framework of separate attacks there is a combination of verbal hallucinosis, diverse more or less systematized delusional ideas (including delusions of influence), separate traits of the syndrome of psychic automatisms and oneiroid episodes; b) where there is a transformation (atypization) of the syndromokinesis from attack to attack; c) where there is a continuation of the process of atypization up to a development of signs of partial or total alcoholic or alcoholic-organic dementia.


[Several features of the course of attack-like schizophrenia (according to the findings of an epidemiologic study)]. The authors studied patients with an attack-like course and a "cliche" type course (i.e. the psychopathological structure of attacks does not change within the disease). In spite of the differences in the clinical picture of the attacks, the studied patients slightly differed in age, onset of the 1st attack, number of sick male- and female patients, correlation between the age at the onset of the 1st attack and sex, number of previous attacks and continuation of remissions. A direct correlational dependance between the character of productive disturbances and the depth of negative changes in remissions and the clinical picture of psychotic attacks was observed.


[Typology of status upon discharge from a psychiatric hospital and evaluation of the effectiveness of treating patients with endogenous psychoses]. A new form of evaluating the state (formula) in patients with endogenous psychoses when being discharged from the mental hospital is proposed. This formula contains a differentiated estimation of the clinical and socio-working state, as well as a list of risk factors for relapses, treatment complications, social deadaptation and an assessment of the treatment efficacy. This form is directed towards a perfection of the continuity between inpatient and outpatient mental services in the treatment of patients.


Study on the reproducibility of human prolactin response to sulpiride, benserazide, insulin hypoglycaemia and arginine infusion. In order to evaluate the spontaneous variability of prolactin (PRL) release in response to various stimuli applied repeatedly on different occasions, groups of 5 to 12 subjects each underwent consecutive identical tests with one of the following stimuli applied at 3-6 days' intervals: sulpiride (100 mg im), benserazide (50 mg po), insulin hypoglycaemia (0.1 U/kg b. w. iv) and arginine infusion (25 g iv in 30 min). When repeated in the same subjects, arginine and benserazide yielded superimposable results. In contrast to this, insulin hypoglycaemia yielded significantly lower PRL release, while the PRL response to the second sulpiride test was significantly higher than to the first one. When an interval of 10 days was left between two consecutive sulpiride tests, an identical PRL release was observed. These results indicate that arginine and benserazide are reproducible tests for PRL secretion and it is possible that the decreasing effect of insulin hypoglycaemia on PRL release is due to the stressful effect of the stimulus. Finally, sulpiride probably enhances both PRL release and synthesis thus making greater amounts of PRL available to a subsequent stimulus. Since some of the above stimuli are usual tools for the study of the neuroendocrine control of PRL secretion, our findings suggest that caution appears necessary in attributing to any (neuroactive) drug an effect which might be merely due to a lack of reproducibility of the stimulus employed.


Chlorpromazine inhibits episodic growth hormone secretion in the rat. Effects of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on plasma GH and prolactin levels were observed in conscious rats provided with chronic indwelling right atrial cannulae. The administration of CPZ (200 micrograms/100 g b.w. iv) suppressed episodic plasma GH burst and resulted in significant elevations of plasma prolactin levels. These were also observed in rats in which two types of hypothalamic deafferentation, i.e. anterior and complete, had been carried out. The data suggest that CPZ acts within the medial basal hypothalamus and inhibits episodic plasma GH secretion. In addition, it is inferred that catecholamines are involved in the generation of episodic plasma GH burst.


Osteoporosis in hyperthyroidism estimated by photon absorptiometry. The degree of osteoporosis in hyperthyroidism before and during treatment with carbimazole was studied by photon absorption technique of the right forearm and calcaneus. In addition serum total calcium, serum ionized calcium, serum phosphorus and serum alkaline phosphatase were determined. A group of 96 patients suffering from untreated hyperthyroidism (85 women and 11 men) was studied (79 of these patients were also followed during treatment) and compared to a control group of 157 persons (107 women and 50 men). The women were divided into two groups: less than or equal to 45 years old and more than 45 years old. In all groups untreated hyperthyroid patients showed lower bone densities compared to the control group, but this was only significant in women. During treatment all groups showed a significant increase in density. After 3-6 months of treatment bone density in the calcaneus increased 12% and in the forearm 1.5%; after 6 months - 3 years 33% and 31%, respectively. At that time bone density was normalized. There was no correlation between bone density in hyperthyroid patients and duration and severity of the disease. The biochemical changes were characterised by increases in serum alkaline phosphatase (26%), serum total calcium (16%) and serum ionized calcium concentration (17%) in cases of untreated hyperthyroidism. Serum phosphorus concentration did not change. A correlation was found between elevation of the alkaline phosphatase and decreased bone density.


[Therapeutic strategy in the cold nodule of the thyroid (author's transl)]. The benign or malignant nature of a cold nodule in the thyroid can never be definitely assessed before surgery. All cold nodules that show no tendency to regress must be resected. The nodule is resected with surrounding healthy tissue and immediately examined in freezen sections. Out of 108 cases of simple resection of the nodule only one diagnosis of carcinoma was missed at the operation. That patient was reoperated two weeks later with curative intention.


The use of region specific radioimmunoassays for characterization of circulating calcitonin in patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Two antisera with known region specificities have been used to characterize calcitonin immunoreactivity (iCT) in serum of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MCT). Antiserum I which was raised against the synthetic hormone (1-32 amino acid residues), contained heterogeneous populations of immunoglobulins directed predominantly against carboxy-terminal sequences of the hormone, but the antiserum reacted also with the amino-terminal fragment (1-10 amino acid residues). Antiserum II, which was raised against the carboxy-terminal hormone fragment (11-32 amino acid residues) reached equally well with the intact hormone and the C-terminal fragment, but showed negligible binding of the amino terminal fragment. Antiserum I measured therefore both amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal sequences of calcitonin while antiserum II measured only carboxy-terminal amino acid sequences. In 40 patients with MCT, antiserum I measured usually the highest concentration of serum iCT suggesting the presence of non-uniform hormone immunoreactivity. The different molecular forms of circulating iCT in 7 MCT patients were explored by using antiserum I after gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The patients who were selected on basis of iCT measurement in serum using antiserum I and II, could be divided into 3 groups which showed characteristic iCT profiles. Group 1, in which antiserum II measured a higher concentration of serum iCT, contained predominantly (60-70%) small fragments of calcitonin immunoreactivity. On the other hand, in the sera of group 3 in which antisera I measured an equal or the highest concentrations, the dominant form of the hormone consisted of molecular sequences equal to or larger than the intact hormone (90%). In group 2, the two antisera measured an equal amount of serum iCT and molecular forms consisting mostly of larger hormone fragments dominated (50%). All the patients were normocalcaemic in spite of frequently grossly elevated serum iCT, and 33 out of 36 patients had normal serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone. 1. Serum iCT is heterogeneous and represents peptides of quite different molecular size with no or low biological activity. 2. Most of the serum calcitonin immunoreactivity consists of peptides with carboxy-terminal amino acid sequences. 3. Most, if not all, of the amino-terminal calcitonin immunoreactivity is due to monomeric and polymeric hormonal forms.


[Lymphedema after modified radical mastectomy as performed at the Bordet Institute. A report of 60 cases (author's transl)]. Three hundred and fifteen patients who underwent a radical mastectomy between 1969 and 1976 were studied. Nineteen percent developed lymphedema of the upper limb. Ten percent were resistant to all forms of therapy while the pathology gradually subsided in 9%. The causes of lymphedema as well as the preventive and curative methods were statistically studied and compared with those in the literature. Several preventive measures are proposed, in particular, the modified radical mastectomy.


Effect of iodine intake and food consumption. Rats were exposed to cold (4 degrees C) for 1 and 4 weeks. The T4 plasma concentrations initially declined (24.5 +/- 7.7 nmol/l) after 1 week but returned to normal levels after 4 weeks (52.9 +/- 14.2 nmol/l). The T3 concentrations were elevated after both 1 and 4 weeks at 4 degrees C (1.31 +/- 0.21 and 1.38 +/- 0.12 nmol/l, respectively). Control values (23 degrees C) for T4 were 42.6 +/- 10.3 and for T3 1.11 +/- 0.13 nmol/l. Addition of 0.015 g KI/l to the drinking water prevented the T4 decrease in plasma after 1 week of cold exposure. No effect of iodide was observed at 23 degrees C. The suppletion of KI did not change pattern of T3 increase after cold exposure. After 4 weeks of cold exposure the T4 levels of the iodide-supplemented animals did not differ from the non-sulemented group. No evidence was found that increased food intake is a contributory factor in the development leading to increased T3 plasma levels during cold exposure.


[Mammary reconstruction after resection (author's transl)]. The authors present 44 cases of mammary reconstruction after sub-cutaneous mastectomies (16 cases), modified radical mastectomies (20 cases) and total radical mastectomies (8 cases). The implantation of a prosthesis is always performed a few months after sub-cutaneous mastectomy to avoid the numerous complications. Implantation of a prosthesis after a modified radical mastectomy (conservation of the pectoral muscles) yields excellent results. The authors graft the areola-nipple complex of the mastectomised breast on the abdominal skin, each time that they are sure of its integrity. At the later implantation of the mammary prosthesis, they perform a reduction or remodeling of the controlateral breast, if indicated. The total radical mastectomy without radiation generally allows implantation of a prosthesis without additional use of skin flaps or musculo-cutaneous skin flaps. Sequellea of radiodystrophy may impose preliminary cutaneous or musculo-cutaneous skinflaps with inferior esthetic results.


Studies on the origin of altered thyroid hormone levels in the blood of rats during cold exposure. II. Effect of propranolol and chemical sympathectomy. The effect of sympathetic activity on T4 and T3 levels in cold-exposed rats was investigated. Administration of the highest dose of propranolol (2 mg/100 g b.w.) twice daily during 4 days decreased T4 and T3 concentrations in plasma of rats living at 23 degrees C (T4 from 46.4 +/- 2.6 to 25.8 +/- 5.3 nmol/l and T3 from 1.08 +/- 0.6 to 0.82 +/- 0.12 nmol/l). No significant effect on T4 and T3 levels (49.0 +/- 11.6 and 1.48 +/- 0.16 n/mol, respectively) after the administration of the same dose regimen of propranolol was observed in rats exposed to cold for 4 weeks. T4 and T3 levels in rats exposed to cold for 4 weeks were not significantly altered 1 week after sympathectomy, while remaining in the cold. However, chemical sympathectomy before cold exposure delayed the cold induced T3 elevation occurring during the first week of cold exposure (controls: from 1.16 +/- 0.19 to 1.44 +/- 0.29 nmol/l; sympathectomized rats: from 1.07 +/- 0.12 to 1.17 +/- 0.22 nmol/l). After 2 weeks of cold exposure the T3 levels of controls and sympathectomized rats were not significantly different (controls: 1.45 +/- 0.12 nmol/l, sympathectomized  rats: 1.38 +/- 0.15 nmol/l). No effect of sympathectomy was observed on T4 levels. These experiments show that the role of sympathetic activity in increasing T3 is not clear during cold exposure. They provide some evidence that sympathetic activity may play a role in the initiation of the process leading to increased T3 plasma levels during cold exposure.


[Physiopathology of lymphedema (author's transl)]. On the vast and still unclear problem of lymphedema, the author stresses the major role played by the permeability of the blood vessel wall to proteins, with accumulation of these in the interstitial space. The walls of capillaries are not semi-permeable. There is a passage of proteins even under normal conditions. Increased during inflammatory process, it determines the accumulation of protein molecules in the interstitial space. The increased passage of protein into the interstitial space during a temporary process is often the causative factor in lymphedema. All situations which interfere with the drainage of these substances by the lymphatic system maintains the edema and leads to a passage to chronicity.


A pitfall in the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion assay (OAAD): effect of unilateral ovariectomy, hCG and asialo-hCG. The estimation of the effect of desialylation on the biological activity of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), as determined in the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion assay (OAAD), according to the modification in which the animals are used twice, appeared to be dependent on the assay conditions. Animals which received hCG in the first assay (OAAD-1) gave higher potency estimates for hCG and asialo-hCG in OAAD-1. The results of the experiments indicate that the ovarian sensitivity for hCG and asialo-hCG is increased after administration of hCG and unilateral ovariectomy and decreased after administration of asialo-hCG.


[Experimental evidence for motoric rehabilitation in lymphoedema (author's transl)]. The authors distinguish three modalities of lymphtransport in lymphoedema. 1. Enhanced evacuation by existing lymphatics. 2. Enhanced evacuation by regenerated lymphatics. 3. Enhanced evacuation by lympho-lymphatic anastomoses. Experiments with 500 white mice indicate that the resorption of lymphoedema is increased by guided compression, although some manipulations must be performed with care, especially when regenerated lymphatics are present. The lymphatic flow in a limb is also enhanced by a special drainage technique at the proximal part of it. Likewise the lymph can be manipulated into the opposite limb by anastomotic channels after unilateral lymphadenectomy.


Left chylothorax complicating a translumbar aortography. The authors report a case of left chylothorax after a translumbar aortography, successfully managed by conservative means. As far as they known 16 similar cases are described. They review the literature on this subject.


The effects of low doses of cyproterone acetate on some functions of the reproductive system in normal men. One daily dose of either 5 mg or 10 mg cyproterone acetate (CA) was administered to 2 groups of 4 fertile men for 6 months. The medication was preceded by a 3 months placebo period and followed by a recovery phase of 5 to 8 months. During CA-treatment the sperm count/ml decreased and the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa increased slightly (0.991 less than P less than 0.05). Sperm penetration assessed by the Kremer test did not show any decrease during treatment. Serum levels of testosterone and FSH decreased, but those of LH remained unchanged during treatment. Two pregnancies occurred after 13/4 and 51/2 months of CA-treatment. The serum-CA concentration in these 2 volonteers did not differ from that of the remainder. Three subjects who began the study were withdrawn because of depressive mood changes (2) and weakness combined with dizziness (1). Data from these subjects were not included. The results indicate that daily doses of 5 mg and 10 mg of cyproterone acetate are not effective as a male contraceptive.


Serum gastrin and serum calcitonin in patients with chronic renal failure. The interrelationship between serum gastrin and serum calcitonin concentrations was studied in 73 patients with chronic renal failure. In both haemodialyzed and non-dialyzed patients increased serum concentrations of these hormones were found compared with normal controls. In non-dialyzed patients with creatinine clearance above 10 ml/min a highly significant correlation between serum gastrin and creatinine clearance was found, whereas no correlation was found in patients with creatinine clearance below 10 ml/min. Between serum gastrin and serum calcitonin, a significant positive correlation was found in non-dialyzed patients. These findings may be explained by a relationship between the two hormones or be secondary to a decreased elimination due to the reduced renal function.


[Treatment of patients with hemophilia A having antibodies to factor VIII]. Four haemophiliacs with antibodies to factor VIII were treated on 7 occasions with fraction FEIBA. Satisfactory clinical results were achieved in patients receiving large doses of the preparation (63-105 units/kg). The administration of fraction FEIBA produced shortening of the whole blood clotting time but there was only a slight correction in the activated partial thromboplastin time. Two patients received prothrombin complex concentrate without clinical improvement in 1 case a good haemostatic effect was achieved after the infusion of cryoprecipitate and in 1 postoperative bleeding ceased with the administration of porcine factor VIII Immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide in 3 patients failed to prevent the anamnestic rise in antibody titer.


[Tooth extraction in patients suffering from hemophilia A under the cover of cryoprecipitates and epsilon-aminocaproic acid]. Tooth extractions were carried out in 75 patients with haemophilia A after infusion of a single dose of cryoprecipitate and 4 g of epsilon-aminocaproic acid. During the 7-10 day period of follow-up, the patients received epsilon-aminocaproic acid by mouth. In 32 of 44 patients with severe or moderate haemophilia and in 22 of 31 patients with mild haemophilia, healing was uneventful and no bleeding complications occurred. Only in 5 patients with severe haemophilia and in 1 patient with mild heamophilia bleeding from tooth sockets was extensive enough to require further replacement therapy. The results show that epsilon-aminocaproic acid in conjunction with a single infusion of cryoprecipitate can insure hemostasis after dental extraction in patients with haemophilia A.


Comparative study of cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic side effects of 8 narcotics in dogs. Pethidine, piritramide, morphine, phenoperidine, fentanyl, R 39 209, sufentanil, R 34 995. II. Comparative study on the epileptoid activity of the narcotics used in high and massive doses in curarised and mechanically ventilated dogs. The experimental design, described in part I, was again used here. The electrocortical activity was registered with an EEG amplifier using a bipolar derivation of needle electrodes fixed in the scalp of a dog in the fronto-occipital position. In this situation the convlusion threshold for the 8 substances is as follows: pethidine 20 mg.kg-1 I.V., piritramide 30, morphine 180, phenoperidine 4, R 39 209 5, fentanyl 4, sufentanil 4 and R 34 995 10 mg.kg-1 I.V. Comparing the I.V. doses producing severe convulsions with the doses necessary for deep surgical analgesia a safety margin of neurological toxicity was calculated. This was for pethidine 2.2, for piritramide 6.6, for phenoperidine 16, for R 39 209 62.5, for morphine 72, for fentanyl 160, for sufentanil 1 000 and for R 34 995 10 000. It is concluded that for pure narcotics there exists an inverse relationship between analgesic potency and neurological toxicity which is always accompanied by a hyperactivity of the automatic nervous system. Factors modifying the convulsive level of the narcotics are still under investigation. In the meanwhile it can be stated that the association of a strong narcotic with flunitrazepam, droperidol or etomidate will increase the convulsion threshold of the morphinomimetics.


EEG and cognitive impairment in presenile dementia. EEG and psychometric findings were studied in a group of 57 patients consisting of 19 cases of Alzheimer's disease, 7 cases of Pick's disease, 24 cases of cerebrovascular dementia (CVD) and a group of 7 cases with dementia of various other etiology. The diagnoses have so far been confirmed by autopsy in 23 out of 57 cases. EEG was evaluated by means of visual inspection. Psychometric studies enabled a classification into 5 psychometric defect groups according to the degree of dementia. An overall good correlation was found between the degree of dementia and EEG abnormality. A significant correlation between the test socre and the EEG was found only for the vocabulary test and paired associates test. However, on the reaction time test, color word test, and Koh's block design test, large patient groups were untestable, and a highly significant correlation was found between non-testability and severely abnormal EEG. The Alzheimer and the CVD groups differed distinctly, most of the Alzheimer cases showing a severe or moderate degree of EEG abnormality and dementia, whereas in the CVD cases, the dementia was less pronounced and the EEG often normal or only slightly abnormal. Four out of seven cases of Pick's disease had a normal EEG, which distinguished them from the Alzheimer cases which had a comparable psychometric defect.


Prenatal exposure to methadone HCL in relationship to body and brain growth in the rat. Offspring from methadone-treated Wistar rats (last trimester of pregnancy), as compared to ad lib and pair fed controls, showed a reduction of body growth which continued throughout the 28-day period during which animals were observed after birth. Brain growth, as indicated by weight, cortical thickness and number of cells in the neocortex also showed a reduction in growth, which was apparent only during the first 14 days, after which there were no differences between the groups. However, in the hippocampus, neuronal density changes/unit area continued throughout the 28-day period in the methadone exposed group and to a lesser extent in the PF group suggesting that this area of brain did not return to normal dimensions or degree of maturation by the end of the third week. Since it has been suggested that any deficit in growth associated with prenatalmethadone-exposure might be due to a reduction in food intake, a group pair-fed to the amount of food consumed by the methadone group was included in the study. Generally, the data from the PF group was intermediate between that obtained from the ad lib fed controls and the methadone-exposed animals. Thus, while some of the growth reduction observed in the methadone-exposed pups could have been due to the impaired nutritional status of their mothers during the last third of pregnancy, a part of the reduced growth must be attributed to the drug treatment, since the reduced growth exceeded that observed in the pair-fed group.


Erythrocyte spectrofluorometric abnormalities in Duchenne patients and carriers. A new approach to carrier detection. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disorder whose pathogenesis is attributed, according to the most recent theories, to generalized membrane abnormalities, including red cell membrane. The study of erythrocyte ghosts in patients affected by DMD showed alterations in ion transport and in various enzymatic activities. Employing a spectrofluorometric method using 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sufonate (1.8-ANS) we have tried to characterize the erythrocyte ghosts of DMD patients, definite DMD carriers and normal controls, matched for age and sex. We found an increase of membrane polarity in DMD and definite DMD-carrier erythrocyte ghosts. Using this new method we were able to: - confirm by means of a different technique the previous observations of many authors on erythrocyte ghost alterations in DMD - find a new technique useful in detecting the DMD carriers. It is noteworthy that in such a way the detection rate of definite DMD carriers was higher than with the CPK test.


Alcoholism and cerebrovascular thrombosis in the young. The etiology of cerebrovascular thrombosis in normotensives has not been elucidated. This controlled retrospective study examines the association between alcoholism and cerebrovascular thrombosis in patients under age 50. The hospital records of 49 patients under age 50 with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular thrombosis without hypertension were reviewed for possible predisposing factors. Alcohol abuse is the one common denominator among the males in the study.


Brain proteins in experimental portal-systemic shunting. Experimental portal-systemic shunting is accompanied by a reduction of the soluble brain proteins. Isoelectric focusing does not indicate any selective decrease of one particular protein or group of proteins. The reduction persists with sustained shunting. The interference with brain protein metabolism is compatible with a grossly normal behavior, alterness and locomotion.


New ultrastructural evidence for a protein transport system in endothelial cells of gerbil brains. Pathways for transfer of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) across the cerebral microvasculature were studied in Mongolian gerbils after inducing either unilateral carotid-artery ligation or intracarotid air embolism. Electron microscopy on samples from both ipsilateral and contralateral brain hemispheres showed the reaction product (HRP) in the endothelial cytoplasm of capillaries and arteriols in all animals; in the basal lamina, HRP was seen only after long (3--4 h) ischemic periods. HRP was seen within both spherical and tubular structures, with the latter appearing in obliquely or longitudinally sectioned blood vessels. These endothelial channel-like structures are part of a tubulovesicular network which seemingly exists in the normal endothelium of the gerbil brain. The tubules serve as pathways for proteins into the brain; protein transfer becomes enhanced following circulatory injuries such as ischemia.


Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: effect of age at the time of sensitization on clinical course and pathology. Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was induced by sensitization with guinea pig spinal cord in complete Freund's adjuvant with increased content of myobacterium in Hartley guinea pigs between the first and 28th day after birth. The animals either died during acute EAE or showed chronic progressive, chronic relapsing or chronic EAE with delayed onset. In animals immunized between the 1 and 13 day after birth, predominatly ordinary and chronic progressive EAE was noted, whereas animals sensitized between the 14th and 23rd day frequently suffered from hyperacute or chronic relapsing EAE. Immunization on the 24th day led to very high mortality in acute EAE. The relation of the pathohistologic alterations to different types of human inflammatory demyelinative disease is discussed.


A sequential study of changes in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of the rat following triethyltin poisoning. Following a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of triethyltin (10 mg/kg) in rats, vacuoles appeared in the myelin sheath within 3 h and they progressively increased in size between 6 and 24 h. Their development was closely correlated with a progressive increase in water, sodium, and chloride content of the brain, and of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. Oedema was more extensive in tissues consisting predominantly of white matter rather than grey matter. The sustained increase in CSF pressure did not precede the development of lesions and was the result of, rather than the cause of, brain oedema and swelling. These findings indicate that triethyltin has a direct effect on the myelin sheath.


Postnatal vascular growth in the neocortex of normal and protein-deprived rats. Morphometric studies. The postnatal vascular growth in the neocortical area 18 of normal and pre- and postnatally protein-deprived rats was examined. For control rats the specific length, the specific surface and the volume fraction of vessels increased rapidly between 7 and 20 days of age. Thereafter, only a minor increase was seen. In protein-deprived rats there was no increase in the specific length of vessels between 7 and 10 days of age and this variable was still reduced at 30 days of age compared to controls. This reduction was due to a decrease in the specific length of thin vessels (luminal diameter less than 8.25 mu) whereas the specific length of wider vessels was not affected by the protein deprivation. There were no significant differences in the specific surface or volume fraction of vessels between control and protein-deprived rats. These findings indicate an adaptive increase in luminal diameter of vessels in the protein deprived rats during postnatal development. At 90 days of age no significant differences between vascular variables of control and protein-deprived rats were seen.


Postnatal vascular growth in the cerebellar cortex of normal and protein-deprived rats. Morphometric studies. The postnatal vascular growth in the cortex of vermis cerebelli folium IX of normal and pre- and postnatally protein-deprived rats was examined. The rate of increase in specific length of vessels seem to parallel the functional maturation of neurons in all cortical layers. From the first postnatal week there is a higher specific length of vessels in the Purkinje cell layer than in the adjoining parts of the molecular and granular layers. The results indicate that such differences are present also after the period of rapid vascular growth. Protein deprivation appears to affect the postnatal increase in specific length of vessels less in the Purkinje cell layer than in the granular and molecular layer where a significant reduction compared to controls was seen for the interval 7--20 days of age. At 90 days of age no significant differences were seen between control and protein-deprived rats.


Fetal globoid cell leukodystrophy in one of twins. Twins with high-risk globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) at the 6th gestational month were studied morphologically and enzymatically. One of them was affected and the other was probably the carrier of this disease. Central nervous system and other viscera developed normally for the gestational age in both fetuses. The lesions of GLD were found in the fetus with marked deficiency of galactocerebrosidase, but not in the probable carrier. The lesions were located only in the considerably myelinated areas viz., the brain stem and the spinal cord. Ultrastructurally, the globoid cells in the fetal GLD seemed to originate from glial cells, probably oligodendroglia.


Intramedullary ependymoma producing collagen. A clinical and pathological study. The authors describe the clinical and pathological observations of a thoracolumbar intramedullary ependymoma. A voluminous conus of collagenous tissue was located in the center of the tumor. This most unusual histological finding is compared to rare cases of the literature describing the presence of bone and cartilage in ependymomas.


A Golgi and electron microscopic study of a dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum. The fine structure of a dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum is studied by means of the Golgi method and electron microscopic examination. Thick proximally unbranched dendrites with terminal arborizations and varicose inflorescences in the form of a basket are stained with the Golgi method. Axons are always descendant to the inner myelinated layer of the redistributed cerebellar cortex, while ascendant collaterals are observed at the level of the outer myelinated layer. Clear and dense-core vesicles and synapses are common in the cellular profiles under electron microscopic examination. From these data and because of the lack of putative connections through the white matter, an organized, self-regulated, catecholamine-mediated complex may be postulated.


The effects of ageing on the pigmented nerve cells of the human locus caeruleous and substantia nigra. The nucleolar volume and melanin content of the human locus caeruleus and substantia nigra has been measured in 70 persons of age range new born to 91 years, all of whom were at death free from overt neurological illness. Both cell types show a reduction in nucleolar size with advancing age, which becomes disproportionately larger towards old age. At 90 years of age, the change in nucleolar volume in cells of the locus caeruleus amounts to about 5% whereas cells of the substantia nigra show a loss of 20%. The greater decrease in nucleolar volume in cells of the substantia nigra is attributed to the higher concentration of melanin pigment occurring in these cells at old age, rather than the absolute amount present. This marked decline in nucleolar volume in cells of substantia nigra indicates a reduced activity in the cell which, in turn, may be reflected in the difficulty in control and coordination in muscular activity commonly seen in normal elderly persons.


Ultrasonographic study on changes in axial eye dimensions after encircling procedure in retinal detachment surgery. The pre- and postoperative results of ultrasonographic measurements on the axial ocular components in 10 phakic eyes with retinal detachment treated with encircling silicone rubber band are presented. A significant increase (P less than 0.001) in axial eye length from 0.62 to 1.24 mm (average: 0.98 mm) was found. The elongation of the eye was caused by a corresponding increase in the length of the vitreous cavity. No significant changes were found in the anterior segment of the eyes. These data demonstrate that the postoperative refractive change in a myopic direction, which an encircling procedure with moderate indentation often produces, is caused by an axial elongation of the eye.


Retinoblastoma in Sweden 1958--1971. A clinical and histopathological study. This study includes all cases of retinoblastoma reported in Sweden between 1958 and 1971. The incidence of the disease was 1 per 18 000 live births. Only in six cases was there a familial history and five of these cases were bilateral. The tumour was bilateral in 37.5% of all cases. All cases with unilateral tumour had been treated with enucleation. In the bilateral cases one eye had also been enucleated and the other eye treated by local irradiation therapy. Tumour invasion into choroid was found in 29% and into the optic nerve on 11% of the cases. The mortality was only 4.5%.


Asymmetric retinitis pigmentosa, luetic retinopathy and the question of unilateral retinitis pigmentosa. A seropositive patient with the fundus appearance of monocular luetic retinopathy is presented. Electrophysiologically, this patient shows a late-onset form of progressive tapetoretinal degeneration (retinitis pigmentosa) presenting in an extremely asymmetric manner. The differential diagnosis of luetic and other inflammatory retinopathies vs. tapetoretinal degenerations is briefly discussed. Features distinguishing unilateral retinitis pigmentosa from bilateral tapetoretinal degenerations are reviewed, and the existence of unilateral retinitis pigmentosa as a genetic entity is questioned. Prolongation of ERG- a- and b-wave implicit times is characteristic of the tapetoretinal degenerations, and normal implicit times in the fellow eye are suggested as an additional criterion for the diagnosis of unilateral retinitis pigmentosa.


Intramuscular iron therapy and tapetoretinal degeneration. A case report. A 63-years-old male with pernicious anemia had been treated for 20 years with weekly injections of iron-dextran and cyanocobalamine. Ophthalmological examination revealed the ophthalmoscopic picture of a tapetoretinal degeneration, reduced visual acuity and narrow visual fields. ERG and dark-adaptation test were normal. Hematological examination including liver and bone marrow biopsies gave no support for the existence of systemic siderosis. It is proposed that the retinal degeneration is due to the extensive parenteral iron treatment with a total dose of approximately 100 grams of iron. This theory is supported by a previous experimental report.


Unusual ocular manifestation in temporal arteritis. A case report. Transitory oedema of the left orbit and maxillary sinus was revealed radiographically in an active phase of temporal arteritis. This is possibly caused by inflammatory changes of the soft tissues in these regions. Early signs of compromised retinal flow and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy were demonstrated with fluorescein angiography. This finding promoted early, immediate therapy.


Stimulus alternation and fast retinal potentials: photopic anc scotopic contributions. Human retinal oscillatory potentials in response to an alternating checker-board pattern stimulus were studied in two subjects over an intensity range of 7.5 log units. Under scotopic conditions, two wavelets (S1 and S2) could be recorded. At an intensity of 1.9 photopic log Td four high frequency oscillations (O1--O4) were noticed and a discontinuity was observed in the corresponding luminance curve of the b-wave together with a sudden decrease in the magnitude of the standard deviation of the amplitude measures. The oscillations were noticed only on the ascending slope of the b-wave. With increasing stimulus intensity, their latency decreased at a slower rate than that of the b-wave and their number decreased. Each wavelet had an amplitude maximum at a certain stimulus intensity level. It was suggested that O1--O4 were generated by the activation of the photopic system and that S1 and S2 were of scotopic origin.


Familial cerebro-macular degeneration (the Stengel-Batten-Mayou-Spielmeyer-Vogt-Stock disease). Evaluation of the photoreceptors. In a material comprising seven patients with familial cerebro-macular degeneration a grave visual disability had developed within a few years after the onset of the disease, this being at 3 1/2 to 7 years of age. The night vision was only moderately reduced. A severe red-green colour vision defect was demonstrated in three patients. This is in accord with the loss of red and green cone responses found in one patient by chromatic adaptation studies. On the other hand, a remarkably good response of the blue cone system was registered. Normal pulse amplitudes were found by dynamic tonometry in four patients indicating good choroidal circulation. This supports the theory that the degeneration of the neuroepithelium is of primary type. The selectivity in loss of response functions being demonstrated here, might, however, also be related to parallel degenerations taking place in ganglion cells.


Surgical stimulation of the uveoscleral outflow. Experimental studies on enucleated human eyes. Six series of experiments were performed on 45 isolated cadaver eyes. In the first series, the outflow facility of the human sclera was measured, in the others, five surgical techniques for stimulating the uveo-scleral outflow were evaluted with the help of a constant pressure perfusion technique. It was found that the scleral C-value was pressure independent and its average value was equal to 0.0036 mm3/min/mmHg per 1 cm2 (100 mm2) of scleral surface. After the implantation of a scleral strip into the supra-uveal space, the mean increase in the total C-value was 23% of its initial value, ranging from 7 to 35%. After cyclodialysis the C-value increment varied from 17% to 66%, averaging 30%. The average increase in the outflow facility amounted to 60% (range 24--96%) in those cases where implantation of the scleral strip in the suprauveal space was combined with cyclodialysis. After implantation of a scleral strip, combined with subscleral sinusotomy, the C-value increment varied from 18 to 71%, averaging 41%. After cyclodialysis combined with goniospasis, the mean increase in the outflow facility coefficient was 62% (range 43%--108%).


Anterior chamber haemorrhage in the newborn after spontaneous delivery. A case report. A case report is presented of anterior chamber haemorrhage occurring in one eye in a newborn after spontaneous delivery. At the age of two weeks the anterior chamber was clear but the vitreous cloudy. At the age of five weeks the vitreous had also cleared. The infant's later development was normal and there were no disorders in the function of the eye.


Fibrinolysis and traumatic hyphaema.

Fibrinolysis and traumatic hyphaema. Since January 1st 1975, 310 patients with traumatic hyphaema have been treated with the antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid. One secondary haemorrhage has occurred, corresponding to a frequency of secondary haemorrhage of 0.32%. Eighty-five of these patients were treated as out-patients. In four patients with traumatic hyphaema, who were not treated with tranexamic acid, the serum content of activator inhibitor was determined daily. An increase was seen during the first five days after the trauma, followed by a marked fall on the 6th day. In the same four patients, the central corneal thickness was followed by daily measurements and compared to the variation in activator inhibitor.


Serum and aqueous humour concentration of tranexamic acid after peroral administration. After a single oral dose of 25 mg/kg tranexamic acid in 37 patients with cataract as the sole eye disease, the concentration of the drug was measured in both the serum and the aqueous at various intervals following intake. The serum concentration was highest after three h (average 15.44 mg/l), but a trace of tranexamic acid (0.7 mg/l) could still be found after 19 h. In the aqueous, the concentration was likewise highest after three h (average 1.62 mg/l), but, following this, the fall in tranexamic acid concentration was very gradual and after 19 h was found to be 1.3 mg/l. In two patients who had received 25 mg/kg three times daily for three days, an aqueous concentration of 2.3 mg/l was found eight h after the final intake.


Age changes in the skeleton of the human lens. The cytoskeleton of the human lens (newborn, 24 year-old and 80 year-old) was studied by morphological methods. Actin and intermediate (10 nm) filaments were identified in the epithelial cells of all the lenses. In the newborn lens intermediate filaments and chains of protein were found in cortical and nuclear fiber cells. Many intermediate filaments and protein chains in the elongated form were observed in the superficial cortical fiber cells of the 24 year-old lens. However, in the deep cortical cells the number of intermediate filaments decreased and the protein chains became more coiled and aggregated. In the nuclear region the protein chains were markedly aggregated and intermediate filaments were absent. The 80 year-old fiber cells contained only protein aggregates in the fiber cells. While the size of the chain backbone corresponds to actin, the conclusive demonstration that it is actin remains to be shown.


Vitreous cutter in anterior segment surgery. Experience has been gained in operating upon a variety of anterior segment disorders using a Grieshaber vitreous cutter. The results and complications are briefly discussed.


Flicker comparison of fundus photographs. A technical note. A method for comparison of two fundus transparencies by means of alternating flickering light is described. Spurious differences between the pictures are reduced by making the exposures in a fixed position of the pulse cycle. Small haemorrhages are readily detected. Pulse variations of the vessels and changes in size of cup and disc can be measured.


Parathyroid hormone secretion after operative bone trauma. Skeletal trauma in man (operations for scolioses and femoral shortening) results in a significant increase in parathyroid hormone secretion beginning the day after the operation and lasting for more than 1 week. A concurrent decrease in serum calcium, dependent on the postoperative lowering of serum albumin, was also observed.


Effects of cloxacillin, doxycycline, fusidic acid and lincomycin on the mechanical properties of bone and skin in young rats. The influence of cloxacillin, doxycycline, fuside acid and lincomycin on the mechanical properties of bone and skin in young rats was examined. The concentrations of the antibiotics in plasma corresponded to therapeutic levels in man. After 14 days of medication the weights of the rats receiving cloxacillin or doxycycline were significantly less when compared with the controls. The doxycycline, the fusidic acid and the lincomycin treated rats had reduced longitudinal growth of femur and reduced tensile strength of intact skin. No differences between any of the antibiotic groups and the control group were found in the tensile strength of incisional skin wounds or in the mechanical properties of the femur and tibia.


A case of Albright's syndrome treated with calcitonin. A 23-year-old woman with Albright's syndrome (polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, precocious puberty and irregular cutaneous pigmentations) had sustained multiple fractures and was grossly disabled. Evaluation disclosed markedly raised serum alkaline phosphatases and a high urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, suggesting an accelerated bone turnover, while calcium metabolism was virtually undisturbed. During 12 months therapy with calcitonin, however, no apparent benefit was recorded and there was no evidence of any significant metabolic effects of the treatment. Initial discomfort with nausea and vomiting disappeared after dose reduction whereas diffuse bone and muscle pain, which gradually increased after a few months treatment, did not subside until after cessation of the therapy.


Normal grip strength.

Normal grip strength. The normal grip strength was determined with the Martin Vigorimeter in 450 men and women aged 21--65 years. The grip strength decreased steadily with increasing age. Men were stronger than women and in both sexes the dominant hand was the strongest. The ratio dominant/non-dominant hand varied only slightly with age and sex and it could thus be a useful parameter in evaluation of grip strength under pathological conditions.


Clavicular function.

Clavicular function. This is a survey of the functional variation of the clavicle, in particular with regard to its adaptability, the bone being an essential link in the shoulder girdle. The presence of a clavicle, and its shape, size and position are discussed from the point of view of stability and mobility, and the role of the bone regarding circulation, pulmonary ventilation and muscular tension is pointed out. It is stated that the clavicle contributes significantly to the stability of the shoulder girdle, and that in man the presence of this bone represents an increase in the degree of freedom of the upper extremity mobility pattern, dependent on the transversal shape of the thoracic diameter. The precondition for the clavicle to function appropriately is that its curvature fits in with the ligamentous pull.


Spontaneous dislocation of the sterno-clavicular joint. A description is given of 22 patients, with a spontaneous forward subluxation of the sternal end of the clavicle, seen over a 5-year period. The majority were middle-aged women presenting with a lump at the root of the neck, which was usually associated with little or no discomfort. There was no history of injury and no interference with shoulder function. The diagnosis was obvious on clinical examination and no treatment was required other than explanation, reassurance and simple analgesia. In no case was the correct diagnosis made by the referring physician and many of the patients were unduly concerned by the nature of the swelling. The sterno-clavicular joint is a synovial articulation and consequently it may be involved in rheumati arthropathy. A condition of non-infective subacute arthritis of the sterno-clavicular joint has been described and is similar to that reported here but in contrast to the previous report we believe that the changes which occur in the joint are secondary to its subluxation.


Electroencephalographic investigation of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. An EEG study was carried out on 57 children, aged 10--16 years, with idiopathic scoliosis. Treatment (brace or surgery) was required in 37 cases; 20 were being observed only. Controls were 10- to 16-year-old healthy children meeting well-defined criteria of normality. Thirty-four of the scoliotics fulfilled these criteria, thus providing a group matching the controls except for the presence of scoliosis. Thus, any differences occurring could, with reasonable probability, be referred to the disease in question. The comparison with healthy children showed a generally greater EEG pathology in the scoliotics. This was the case in all patients, even those meeting the same criteria of normality as the controls. A highly significant difference was noted in the occurrence of paroxysmal activity. Type and localization of abnormally (bilaterally synchronous discharges) indicated involvement of subcortical structures. Comparison within the scoliotic group showed that EEG abnormalities were not correlated with the magnitude of the disease except for the variable "paroxysmal activity at rest". Patients submitted to observation only presented paroxysmal activity significantly more often than patients requiring treatment. The localization of abnormality within the hemispheres did not agree or disagree systematically with the convexity of the curve. A possible relationship between the higher incidence of scoliosis in females and the higher sensitivity to afferent stimuli as found in the female EEG is also discussed.


Moiré topography for the diagnosis and documentation of scoliosis. Moiré topography is a biosteriometric method, which produces a three-dimensional image of the shape of the trunk. In structural scoliosis an asymmetry of the two halves of the back is seen. This method has been studied and the range of the asymmetry of the moire pattern has been compared with clinical observations and X-ray findings in 216 cases with structural scoliosis. A statistically significant correlation between these three ways of describing a structural scoliosis was found. Because of the sensitivity of the moire method an asymmetry of at least one fringe interval could be regarded as a positive result. All the observed asymmetries less than one fringe interval had a lateral deviation of the spine of less than 10 degrees according to Cobb when X-rayed examined. The moire method seems to be very suitable for the screening of structural scoliosis, owing to its ability to detect and document even small deformities by photography and the simplicity of the technique which can be carried out even by staff without medical training.


The effect of physical training on exercise ability in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Twenty subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, aged 11--17 years, were studied before spinal fusion. Half the patients underwent a programme of daily physical exercises for 6--10 weeks. Before and after this period all the patients carried out a range of lung function tests and a progressive exercise test. There were no significant differences in any of the results between the control group and the training group. The cardiac and respiratory complications of spinal fusion are therefore unlikely to be lessened by preoperative physical training, except in selected subjects.