Tangential orientation and spatial order in dendrites of cat auditory cortex: a computer microscope study of Golgi-impregnated material. In the tangential plane (parallel to the pial surface) dendrites in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of cat were found to exhibit preferentially oriented growth. This was shown by means of a computer microscope study of Golgi-Cox stained neurons as seen in 100 micrometers and 300 micrometers thick tangential sections. Two techniques were used to represent the 3-dimensional structure of dendrites: the "dendritic stick" and the "dendritic trumpet". The former dismembers a dendrite into its individual segments; the latter considers a dendrite as an entity and represents it by its centroid, its moments and the spatial dispersionof its branches. Both statistical and Fourier analyses of the data show that within the tangential plane there is a significant and consistent orientation of the dendritic sticks in a dorso-ventral direction which seems correlated with the cortical isofrequency contours observed in electrophysiological maps of the A1 region. The dendritic trumpet analyses also show a distinctly non-random vertical distribution of pyramidal cell basal dendrites but not of stellate cell dendrites.


The projection of the visual cortex on the Clare-Bishop area in the cat. A degeneration study with the electron microscope. Following large lesions of the cat visual cortex, the distribution of degenerating terminal boutons in the Clare-Bishop area was studied electron microscopically. Degenerating boutons were found throughout the cortical layers but mostly in layer III (51% of the total number of degenerating boutons) and layer V (24%). A smaller number of boutons were found in layers II (12%) and IV (9%), and very few in layers VI (3%) and I (1%). No degenerating terminals were observed in the upper two-thirds of layer I. Seventy-six per cent of the total degenerating boutons terminated on dendritic spines, 22% on dendritic shafts, and 2% on somata. Some degenerating boutons made synaptic contacts with somata and dendrites of nonpyramidal neurons. For example, one degenerating bouton was observed in contact with an apical dendrite of a fusiform cell. Three examples of dendritic spines, with which degenerating boutons made synaptic contracts, were found to belong to spinous stallate cells. No degenerating boutons were observed making synaptic contacts with profiles that could conclusively be traced to pyramidal cell somata.


Organization of rapid responses to postural and locomotor-like perturbations of standing man. This study has described the organization of EMG activities among the muscles of a standing subject's legs during rapid postural adjustments (95--120 ms latencies). Adjustments were elicited by the horizontal translation of both feet (causing antero-posterior sway), by the synchronous vertical displacement of both feet (causing changes in height) and by the reciprocal vertical displacement of the feet (causing changes in height) and by the reciprocal vertical displacement of the feet (causing a locomotor-like motion of the legs and lateral sway of the body). The resulting patterns of EMG activity were highly specific for each kind of displacement, and all subjects completely reorganized the pattern of activity from one form to another within the first trials, even immediately following unexpected stimulus changes. The organization of EMG activities during reciprocal vertical displacements was qualitatively quite similar to those observed during the comparable swing and stance phases of the locomotor step cycle; flexor muscles of the ankle and knee (those being shortened by the displacement) contracted in the upwardly displaced leg while extensor muscles were active in the downwardly displaced leg. This pattern was in marked contrast to the activation of lengthening muscles during synchronous vertical and antero-posterior sway displacements. Finally, electrical cutaneous stimulation of the dorsum of one foot during reciprocal vertical displacements always enhanced the EMG activity of the agonist leg muscles, in-phase with the vertical movement.


Organization of the convergence in the intermediate cerebellar nuclei of somatosensory receptive fields with motor cortical-evoked responses. The convergence in the intermediate cerebellar nuclei of somatosensory inputs with those from the motor cortex was investigated in cats (1) by examining with natural stimulation the receptive field of nuclear neurons, and (2) by determining the response of the same neurons to stimulation of motor cortical sites which had been identified by microstimulation-evoked movements. Of 196 neurons studied, a response to natural stimulation could be identified in 143, more than half of which (83) were driven by passive movement of one or two joints. The predominant response to cortical microstimulation was a suppression of discharge, although the suppression was sometimes preceded by a weak facilitation or interrupted by a brief but strong facilitation. A pattern of convergence was identified in which 72% of those cells driven by passive joint movement in one direction were suppressed by stimulation of the cortical site from which movement could be evoked in the opposite direction. A model based on this convergence is proposed.


Optic nerve fibre lesions in adult cats: pattern of recovery of spatial vision. Partial deafferentation in the pre-geniculate optic pathways of the adult cat was produced by micro-injection of diphtheria toxin. In this lesion a certain proportion of fibres was damaged while neighbouring fibres remained unaffected. Behavioural methods were used to study the time course, pattern, and extent of recovery of spatial vision after such lesions. Cats were trained to discriminate square-wave gratings from blank fields. A range of grating sizes (0.13--2.61 cycles/degree) at high contrast were presented each day and when performance was consistently 100%, the lesion was placed. At 24 h post-lesion and serially thereafter grating discrimination was tested. Contrast sensitivity was also measured before and after the lesion. All cats recovered to pre-lesion performance levels. The time course of recovery was characterized by an early rapid phase followed by a longer slower phase. The early recovery was temporally coincident with dispersal of oedema at the site of the lesion, while the later slower recovery probably represented a functional reorganization at the synapse. Optic nerve fibre analyses at one year post-lesion showed reduction in fibre content ranging from 33 to 77% in different cats without shift in the fibre size histograms. The length of recovery time was directly related to the magnitude of fibre loss. The return of spatial frequency perception was hierarchical - first medium (1--4 days), then low (1--2 months) and finally high spatial frequencies (5--8 months). Possible mechanisms are discussed and it is suggested that such a pattern of psychophysical results could be accounted for by date than the X-type.


Dynamic role of vision in the control of posture in man. The influence of moving visual surround on the manitenance of upright posture has been studied in man during combined motion of a platform (cart) on which subjects were standing. The normal visual surround was either moving together with the cart, or with a velocity equal to cart velocity either in the same or in the opposite direction of car motion (cart acceleration was either 0.2 m/s2 or 0.05 m/s2). The changes in body pitch observed under these three conditions of visual surround motion were in the same direction as those observed when visual surround motion was given in isolation. However, their amplitude was greater, particularly when visual surround motion was in conflict with body motion.


Spatial properties of X and Y cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat and conduction veolcities of their inputs. Visual neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the cat may be separated into distinct X and Y classes based on a test of the linearity of spatial summation. Y cells produce nonlinear responses especially when the visual stimulus is a fine spatial grating. X cells exhibit mainly linear summation properties. X cells respond mainly at the fundamental modulation frequency of a contrast reversal grating while Y cells respond at the fundamental and at the second harmonic of the modulation frequency. The spatial resolution of X cells' fundamental responses and Y cells' second harmonic responses is about the same, and both are two to eight times higher than the spatial resolution of the Y cells' fundamental response. The conduction velocity of the Y optic tract afferents is greater than that of the velocity of the X afferents. However, the LGN latencies of the responses of the two classes of cells to optic chiasm stimulation overlap considerably.


Some neurochemical studies on auditory regions of mouse brain. The mouse brain auditory pathway has been dissected into five regions: geniculate bodies, posterior colliculi, superior olives, cochlear nuclei, and cochleas. The following analyses were made in these regions and in the auditory cortex: protein, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyrate, taurine, choline acetyltransferase, and glutamate decarboxylase. Taurine levels (nmol . mg of protein-) were highest in cortex (93) and geniculate bodies (60) and lowest in the cochlear nuclei (27) and cochleas (29). Concentrations of gamma-aminobutyrate (same units) were highest in the geniculate bodies (28), low in the superior olives and cochlear nuclei (9 to 10), and undetectable in the cochleas. The distribution of glutamate decarboxylase activity reflected that of gamma-aminobutyrate. The activities of choline acetyltransferase (nmol . of acetylcholine synthesized . h . -1 mg of protein-1) were highest in the superior olives (60) and low in the cochleas (3). These results are interpreted as biocyemical support for previous physiological and pharmacological identification of the olivo-cochlear bundle as cholinergic and the cochlear-nucleus neurones as non-cholinergic. The results also provide further evidence for a role of GABA in the posterior colliculi, but not in the cochleas.


Cooperative neural processes involved in stereoscopic acuity. Results of psychophysical experiments are reported showing that synchrony, appropriate relative placement, and absence of standing disparity are important conditions to be met by members of a target configuration if they are to participate in the cooperative neural processes leading to the best disparity discrimination. Consecutive binocular presentation of the members of a stereo target decreases stereoacuity by a factor of about 10, and a step disparity displacement of a single line target needs to be larger still to be detected as a depth stimulus. A standing disaprity of even one minute of arc at least doubles the disaprity disxrimination threshold. It is postulated that a differencing mechanism operates on the depth signal of individual features; the temporal and spatial optima of target presentation for stereoscopic acuity outline the character of the concerned operations.


On the lipid granularity of renomedullary interstitial cells in benign and malignant courses of renal hypertension. The number of lipid droplets of the renal medullary interstitial cells was registered in 40 rats with "two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension" and in 27 sham operated normotensive controls. A strong degranulation in the unclaimed kidneys was always associated with the malignant course of hypertension, characterized by a disturbance in the sodium and water balance. Giving 2 per cent saline in addition to demineralized water as a drinking fluid the decrease in the number of granules was prevented in most of the malignant cases. Significant changes in the granule count were never registered at a benign course of hypertension. Degranulation of the medullary interstitial cells in the unclamped kidneys does not unequivocally represent the loss of medullary antihypertensive function. It seems to be directly determined by the disturbance of sodium and water balance and indirectly by the hypertension.


Inhibition of adrenalin depletion in hypoglycaemic rats following permanent adrenalin application by depot capsule. Chronic treatment of rats with adrenalin by means of a subcutaneous depot capsule (cont. 40 mg dry adrenalin/HCl, Merck, ca. 10 mg ascorbic acid and ca. 0.4 ml 0.9% NaCl, and sealed with a dialysis membrane to provide constant adrenalin output) leads after a primary hyperglycaemic phase to hypoglycaemia. At the onset of hypoglycaemia the adrenalin contents of the suprarenal glands decrease to levels of about one third of their normal state. Simultaneous glucose infusions by intraperitoneal depot capsules prevent hypoglycaemia as well as adrenalin depletion. The fact that adrenalin depletion does not always correspond with blood sugar levels below 80 mg/dl and that this depletion could be prevented by glucose infusions altogether seems to provide a strong hint that the mentioned depletion is due to hypersecretion and not to the blocking of adrenalin synthesis. If is true, then there must be no direct negative feed-back system between adrenalin secretion and its extraglandular level.


Monosodium glutamate in the chick embryo: lack of obvious toxic or teratogenic effects when administered at 24 hours incubation. The administration of monosodium glutamate (MSC) to chick embryos at 24 hours did neither produce gross developmental defects nor influence growth by 72 hours total incubation. The concentrations of MSG administered ranged from 0.3 to 46.6%, the volumes injected being 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 ml. Several injection methods were evaluated. It is suggested that injection into the centre of the yolk is the most effective way to give water-soluble treatments during this period of development.


The effect of heparin on lysosomes of the dog pancreas during acute experimental pancreatitis. In 12 dogs with acute experimental pancreatitis (AEP) and 6 control animals the "free", "latent" and "total" activity of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and cathepsins in whole homogenates of the pancreas, in a lysosomal-enriched subfraction and the supernatant of pancreatic tissue was estimated. AEP was induced by injection of bile salts and thrombin solution into the pancreatic duct. In 6 dogs the protection with heparin (1.5 mg/kg/body weight) immediately after producing AEP was applied. In AEP without any protection the free activity of hydrolases in the whole homogenate (80--90%) and in the lysosomal enriched subfraction (75--90%) was higher than in the controls (60--70% and 55--75% respectively), suggesting an augmented lysosomal fragility during the course of AEP. Heparin depressed the free activity of hydrolases to 60--80% in whole homogenates, and 64--75% in the lysosomal enriched subfraction. The release of cathepsins during incubation of the lysosomal-enriched subfraction in acidic medium was lower in the group with heparin treatment. The data obtained suggest the stabilising effect of heparin on the lysosomes of the pancreas during acute experimental pancreatitis in dogs.


Changes of cardiac and skeletal muscle in pigs following transport stress. An electron microscopic study. After lorry transport (60--120 min), fattening pigs (100--120 kg living weight) with clinical signs of exhaustion and acute circulation insufficiency showed acute ultrastructural damage to the myocard and the skeletal muscle. These represent the morphological equivalent of a stress induced cardiomyopathy and are to be counted among the stress myopathies of the pig. These changes may be caused particularly by the high lactate production of the predominantly glycolytically operating skeletal muscles and by the effects of cardial catecholamine release following transport stress. Attention is drawn to the model character of these changes for similar processes in humans.


Morphological and biochemical changes induced in rat stomach by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Morphological and biochemical changes reflecting the process of genesis of experimental stomach cancer were studied and compared in experiments carried out on 170 rats to whom N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine had been given in drinking water. The concentration of the compound in drinking water was 167 mg/l. Malignization mostly developed during the ingrowth of the epithelial complexes involved in the process of carcinogenesis into the submucous membrane, in rare cases, into the mucous membrane itself. The results of experiments showed that biochemical changes preceded morphological alterations. The signs of inhibition of the synthesis of the isoenzyme spectrum of pepsinogen-pepsin revealed the qualitative changes of biochemical processes of the epithelium. A possible dependence of morphological features of the process of carcinogenesis on the evolutionally-established functional peculiarities of rat stomach epithelium is discussed.


Synthesis and pharmacological properties of [1-N4-dimethyl-asparagine]-angiotensin II. [1-N4-Dimethyl-asparagine]-angiotensin II was synthesized by Merrifield's solid-phase procedure. The analogue gave rat blood pressure about 70% relative potency to Hypertension (Ciba). Rabbit aorta strips gave intrinsic activity alpha E = 1, a PD2 of 6.92 +/- 0.09 and an affinity relative to [Asn1]-angiotensin II of 6.5%.


Catalase and dehydroascorbate reductase in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN): possible functional relationship. In leukocytes (PMN) of individuals with Swiss type acatalasemia, the rate of dehydroascorbate reduction is 4 times normal. This observation suggests that the protective function served by catalase in human PMN is supported by dehydroascorbate reductase.


Selective and reversible modification of essential thiol groups of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by isothiocyanates. Aralkyl isothiocyanates, like aryl isothiocyanates, undergo a selective and reversible reaction with essential thiol groups of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; the former 2 substances require for a reversible reaction course of more alkaline medium and presence of a thiol.


Effect of clofibrate on the phospholipid biosynthesis in rat liver. The effect of clofibrate on rat liver phospholipid biosynthesis was studied using 32P as a precursor. Phospholipid classes, levels and specific radioactivity were evaluated. Significant increases in levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were found and could account for the observed increase in total phospholipids. Specific activity of phosphatidylserine increased and that of phosphatidylethanolamine decreased. This fact suggests that clofibrate seems to alter the systems engaged in the transformation occurring within the different classes of phospholipids but not the de novo biosynthesis.


Artifacts from agar-protein interaction simulating a bacterial growth in the haemocultures. Some morphological, histochemical and biochemical properties of the particles taking origin from the polysaccharide-proteins interaction in the presence of platelets and lymphocytes are described.


Effect of splenectomy on the humoral immune response in the lizard, Scincus scincus. Adult splenectomy in the lizard, Scincus scincus, did not affect humoral immune response to rat erythrocytes until 30 days post-immunization, but severely depressed subsequent antibody production.


Cerebral ammonia production during hypoglycemia in the newborn calf. The effect of insulin hypoglycaemia on cerebral blood flow, and cerebral metabolic rates of glucose, oxygen and ammonia was investigated in the unanaesthetized newborn calf. A net loss of ammonia from the brain occurred during hypoglycaemia, and was greater in convulsing than in comatose animals.


Changes in efferent activities of the gastric vagus nerve by administration of glucose in the portal vein. Injection of glucose in the portal vein, as well as in the left carotid artery, brought a transient decrease in efferent discharges of the gastric vagus nerve, whereas venous injection of regular insulin brought a gradual increase in the discharges.


Semen copper in normal and infertile subjects. Concentration of copper in seminal plasma was found to be less than that of normal in cases of oligospermia and azoospermia. It was more in oligoasthenospermia and asthenospermia when compared with that of normal. Chances of initiation of sperm motility by copper is discussed alongwith the inhibitory role it plays.


Developmental change of EEG in rat from 4th to 16th week. The development of EEG in 8 male rats from 4 to 16 weeks age were studied chronically. Theta band had the highest power at 5--16 weeks. Especially after 11 weeks, theta band presented a significantly higher peak than that of 4-week-old. In contrast to this, delta band, which had the highest power at 4 weeks, was markedly decreased.


Formation of glomerulus-like structures by the olfactory nerve neonatal bulbectomy. Evidence presented here suggests that glomerulus formation within the olfactory bulb of the rat, which is mostly a postnatal event, is directed by the olfactory nerve rather than by the influences of mitral and tufted cells.


Topographical distribution of ATP in rat brain. Studies on the distribution of ATP in microdissected segments of the rat brain indicate that the nucleotide is concentrated in gray matter, and especially in the thalamus, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and sensorimotor cortex. These distribution studies in conjunction with previous neuropharmacological studies, support the concept that adenine nucleotides may function as intercellular mediators in various regions of the brain.


Facilitation of the dorsal root potentials by volleys spreading caudally and cranially in the spinal cord. Conditioning volleys spreading along 3 segments of the cord produce larger facilitation of bilateral dorsal root potentials in sacral cord than volleys in neighbouring dorsal roots used to evoke the testing depolarization. Contralateral potentials are more facilitated by volleys descending from lumbar than ascending from caudal segments.


Supernormal responses to premature stimulation in Ca-dependent action potentials. The responses of Ca-dependent action potentials to premature stimulation were studied in the isolated canine ventricular muscle. When very premature stimuli were applied, supernormally augmented responses with propagation occurred, while responses with long preceding intervals were small and not conducted.


The effects of dopaminergic blocking agents on the glucose tolerance test in 6 humans and 6 dogs. Pre-treatment with low doses of sulpiride, an atypical dopaminergic blocking agent, but not haloperidol, a classical dopaminergic blocking agent, decreased tolerance to glucose and increased blood serotonin levels in 6 normal humans and 6 normal dogs investigated.


Disparate Na+-requirement of taurocholate and indocyanine green uptake by isolated hepatocytes. Uptake of both taurocholate and indocyanine green (ICG) by isolated rat hepatocytes was saturable and obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Only uptake of taurocholate exhibited Na+-dependence, a phenomenon compatible with active membrane transport. These findings suggest that the mechanisms responsible for hepatocellular uptake of bile acids and anionic dyes differ fundamentally.


Effects of low doses of ochratoxin A after intratesticular injection in the rat. The toxic effect of various doses of ochratoxin A on the rat testis was investigated after a single intratesticular injection. At time of sacrifice (day 10) degenerating changes occur in the testicular tissues: seminiferous tubules dilatation, cytolysis of the seminiferous epithelium, hyperplasia of the interstitial tissue, vascular thrombosis. The relations between the blood supply disturbances and the observed lesions are discussed.


Attenuation by carbocromen of cardiac metabolism alterations due to ischemia. Carbocromen prevents to some extent, particularly in subendocardial layer, carbohydrate cardiac metabolism alterations induced by the ischemia obtained by intermittent occlusion of left coronary artery.


Hashish smoke interfers with Sidman avoidance in mice. Hashish smoke has been proved to be active in the Sidman avoidance. Its activity is similar to that of hallucinogens.


Possible stimulatory effect of retinoic acid on pulmonary macrophages. Retinoic acid was administered to hamsters suffering from N-nitroso-N-methylurethane-induced fibrosing alveolitis. A significant increase in macrophage numbers was seen in the lungs of retinoid-treated animals as compared to the unsupplemented group.


Nuclear protrusions in malignant tumours with large abnormal chromosomes: observations on C-banded preparations. The appearances are described in 4 human tumours having nuclear protrusions associated with large abnormal chromosomes. In C-banded preparations, chromocentres were seen in the protrusions only where interstitial C-bands were present on the long arm of the abnormal chromosome, providing evidence that the protrusions are indeed formed by the long arms.


Hyperosmolar coma as etiological factor in the CNS radiation syndrome of rats. Supralethal dose of whole-body or trunk but not head-irradiation in rats induced hyperosmolar coma accompanied by hypernatremia and hyperkalemia. This clinical entity has presented the symptoms of the CNS radiation syndrome with a characteristic short survival time.


125I-Insulin is preferentially internalized in regions of the hepatocytes rich in lysosomal and Golgi structures. 125I-Insulin initially localizes to the plasma membrane of isolated rat hepatocytes but is subsequently internalized and preferentially associates with lysosomal structures. In the present study, we show that this preferential association to lysosomes occurs in regions of the cell rich in lysosomal and Golgi structures.


Plasma prostaglandin levels in fed and starved lean, normal and obese women. The plasma obtained from fed and starved lean, normal and obese women was estimated, by a radio-immunoassay method, for prostaglandins, owing to their implication in the regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis and the development of obesity. No significant differences were found due to nutritional status or body-build. However, a significantly higher plasma concentration of prostaglandins of the E-type than of the F-type, was found consistently. The very low levels of prostaglandins observed (a range of 0.10--0.15 ng ml-1 for E-type and a range of 0.05--0.07 ng ml-1 for the F-type) may be due, in part, to the activity of a plasmatic prostaglandin metabolizing system.


A micro-electrode amplifier with an infinite resistance current source for intracellular measurements of membrane potential and resistance changes under current clamp. A microelectrode amplifier for intracellular electrophysiological research is described. It is equipped with an electronic infinite resistance constant current source for the injection of current into biological cells. With this amplifier the potential changes, the resistance changes and the dependence on extrinsic current of single cells can be measured independently and simultaneously.


[Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on serum lysozyme (muramidase) levels (author's transl)]. An i.v. injection of 548 microgram of killed Corynebacterium parvum into C57B1 mice leads to significant changes in serum lysozyme (muramidase) levels. After an initial fall at 24 h, the activity of the enzyme increased progressively, reached a peak on the 9th day and returned to control range after the 15th day.


Mitochondrial calcium efflux and porcine stress-susceptibility. Mitchondrial Ca2+ efflux rates of M. longissimus dorsi correlate very closely with parameters associated with porcine stress-susceptibility. Experimental data support the measurement of mitochondrial Ca+2 efflux to be a very sensitive and reliable method for differentiating porcine stress-susceptibility.


Evidence for dissociation of ferrihemoglobin by poly-L-lysine. Circular dichroism and absorption spectra of ferrihemoglobin were shown to be altered upon binding with poly-L-lysine at alkaline pH. When ferrihemoglobin immobilized to Sepharose gel was treated with poly-L-lysine, hemoglobin subunits were released from the gel. These results suggest that ferrihemoglobin was dissociated into subunits by poly-L-lysine.


A high molecular weight inhibitor of Ca2+ -dependent neutral protease in rat brain. An endogenous, heat-stable inhibitor of high mol. wt (approximately 3x10(5)) was found to be present in rat brain, which inhibited Ca2+-dependent neutral protease specifically but not due to its binding of Ca2+ in the medium .


Binding capacities of various analogues of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine to protein methyltransferase II from human erythrocytes. A series of analogues of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, modified mainly in the amino acid portion of the molecule, have been synthesized. All were found to be competitive inhibitors of protein methyltransferase II from human erythrocytes. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine remains however by far the most effective inhibitor of the methylase.


Inversal relationship between basal adenylcyclase activity and maximal degree of stimulation in membranes of red blood cells from rats. The degree of stimulation of adenylcyclase activity, in membranes from immature red blood cells from rats, brought about by isoprenaline, guanylyl-imidodiphosphate and sodium fluoride is strongly dependent on the basal activity of the enzyme. The inversal relationship between basal activity and the maximal degree of stimulation by (--) isoprenaline, shows an apparent seasonal dependence.


Inhibition of alpha-chymotrypsin by 2-halogeno-ethanols; comparisons with 2-methyl-ethanols and urea. 2-Halogeno- and 2-methyl-ethanols inhibit alpha-chymotrypsin in the order of their substituted groups: [1] tri- greater than di- greater than mono-, [2] Br- greater than Cl- greater than CH3- greater than F-. The inhibition by the halogeno-ethanols is mediated differently from that by the methyl-ethanols, ethanol, and urea.


[Rat liver S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase purification by affinity column chromatography (author's transl)]. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1) has been purified 240-fold from rat liver by affinity column chromatography on aminohexyl sepharose bound 6-mercaptopurine 9 D-riboside. The purified enzyme was homogeneous by gel electrophoresis.


A spectrophotometric method for the determination of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate. A new, sensitive, specific and simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of 5-phosphoribosyl-l-pyrophosphate (PRPP) is presented. PRPP is reacted with excess hypoxanthine in the presence of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. At the end of the reaction, PRPP concentration is measured from the extent of conversion of hypoxanthine to inositate. The concentration of the purine base is determined spectrophotometrically in the presence of xanthine oxidase.


Position of the nucleolus within the nuclei of pachytene spermatocytes of Dromiciops australis and Marmosa elegans (Didelphoidea-Marsupialia). The location of the nucleoli within the nuclei of pachytene spermatocytes, and their relation with the position of the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) was studied. It appears that a terminal NOR determines a peripheral location of the nucleolus, due to the position of the NOR over the synaptonemal complex and to the attachment of the nucleolar chromosome telomeres at the nuclear membrane.


Presence of viruses in a strain of mycoplasma pulmonis. Filtrates prepared from heavily grown agar cultures of M. pulmonis strain Negroni-52 formed plaques on lawns of A. laidlawii strain JAl but not on those of M. pulmonis strains Ash or Negroni-52. The plaque-forming agent proved to be rod-shaped particles morphologically identical with mycoplasmavirus group 1. Evidence supporting the conclusion that the virus originated from Negroni-52 has been obtained. Electron microscopy revelaed that Negroni-52 is also a carrier of long-tailed phage-like particles.


[Lipids in the egg shell of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) (author's transl)]. The egg shell (with cuticle) of the ostrich contained a total lipid concentration of 0.19 mg/g egg shell; the phospholipids constituted the major portion, among the neutral' lipids cholesterol esters, cholesterol and free fatty acids were identified. The egg shell lipids showed a stimulating effect on the crystal growth of calcium carbonate; the highest rate of crystal growth was observed with the phospholipid fraction.


Certain biochemical changes in the ovary of a migratory bird, Calandrella acutirostris tibetana. The changes in the ovarian cholesterol, glycogen and ascorbic acid of Bagheri, Calandrella acutirostris tibetana, during its non-breeding and breeding periods were studied. There was a significant increase in all the 3 biochemical constituents during the breeding period.


Changes in photoelectron transport of chloroplasts isolated from dark stressed leaves of maize seedlings. Transfer of light-grown maize seedlings to dark causes a loss in the the contents of chlorophyll, protein and RNA of leaves, and a decline in DCPIP photoreduction by isolated chloroplasts. The loss in DCPIP-Hill reaction is attributed to the dark stress-induced damage of O2 evolving system of thylakoid membranes.


Rapid, quantitative adipose conversion of chicken fibroblasts by high concentrations of chicken serum or plasma. Rapid, quantitative adipose conversion of chicken fibroblasts occurs when these cells are cultured in undiluted commercial chicken serum or plasma. Fresh serum and plasma acquire this property after ageing.


An actin-destabilizing factor is present in human plasma. Plasma and serum of humans or experimental animals contain a factor which destabilizes F-actin. The factor has no DNAse or thrombin activity and after incubation with F-actin does not modify the position of the actin band on a SDS polyacrylamide gel. Hence it probably depolymerizes F-actin.


Differential alterations in branched-chain amino acid decarboxylation in liver of hypophysectomized rats. Valine decarboxylation was significantly increased and leucine decarboxylation was significantly decreased in rat liver slices following hypophysectomy. In both normal and hypophysectomized rats decarboxylation of leucine exceeded that of valine in slices whereas the reverse was observed with the respective keto acids and mitochondria.


Studies of the blood of Ascidia ceratodes. Total blood cell counts, differential blood cell counts, hematocrit values, seasonal variations, and fluorescent characteristics of blood cells. Seasonal, and animal size and weight variations of the blood cells of the vanadium-containing ascidian. Ascidia ceratodes, were determined. The fluorescent properties of various cell types were ascertained, and discussed in terms of cell development, phylogenic position of the species, and chemicals in the cells.


Computer-aided biochemical system analysis in open systems with environment simulation. A computer-aided arrangement is described which allows kinetic and regulative studies with enzymes, organelles and cells in an open system. This is demonstrated with some simple examples.


Dependence on the lipophilicity of maleimide derivatives in their inhibitory action upon chemotaxis in neutrophils. Modification of polymorphonuclear neutrophils by a series of maleimide derivatives with various degrees of lipophilicity and hydrophilicity indicated that hydrophilic reagents had little effect on chemotaxis, whereas the degree of the inhibitory effect of lipophilic reagents on the chemotaxis was parallel to the degree of their lipophilicity.


Effect of chronic hypo and hypervitaminosis C on the brush border enzymes and the intestinal uptake of glucose and alanine. Brush border sucrase and alkaline phosphatase activities are considerably enhanced in the intestine of ascorbic acid deficient guinea-pigs. Similar increase in the uptake of D-glucose and L-alanine also occurs in chronic vitamin C deficiency. However the permeability of D-glucose and L-alanine in the intestine of animals fed with large doses of vitamin C is severely depressed, with a reduction in the levels of sucrase and alkaline phosphatase activities.


Positive alliesthesia after insulin.

Positive alliesthesia after insulin. Volunteers experienced sucrose solution as more pleasant 36-48 min after insulin, than after saline control. These changes in affective estimates correlate negatively with blood sugar at 30 min and positively at 50 min after the insulin injection.


Effect of prolactin on fluid and NaCl absorption by the rat proximal and distal colon. The rates of fluid and NaCl absorption are greater in the proximal than in the distal colon. Prolactin treatment caused significant increases in fluid and NaCl absorption in the proximal but not in the distal colon. This suggests that only the proximal colon region, where most of the fluid and sodium absorption takes place, is responsive to prolactin.


Physiological dissection of various effects of ruthenium red dye on Paramecium cells. Polycationic dye ruthenium red, but not alcian blue, if externally applied to Paramecium cells quickly inhibits their phagocytosis. Ruthenium red combined with the cell surface diminishes frequency and duration of ciliary reversals and gradually inactivates the Ca++ gating mechanism. This effect persists for 1-3 after ruthenium red removal from the culture medium.


Hematocrit as an index of changes in plasma volume in conscious dogs. Hematocrit (HCT) measurements were made in intact and splenectomized conscious dogs to determine if observed decreases in HCT were produced by plasma volume expansion or splenic sequestration of erythrocytes. We found that in conscious dogs HCT is a poor indicator of changes in plasma volume.


Retinoscopy and chromatic aberration.

Retinoscopy and chromatic aberration. The origin of the apparent farsightedness as revealed by retinoscopy in smaller eyes was investigated by using monochromatic retinoscopy on wild rabbits. Our results indicate that a combination of long wavelength light and chromatic aberration of the subject's dioptrics is the major source of this artifact.


Stimulation of gastric secretion by prostaglandin F2 alpha in rats. In rats with chronic gastric fistulas, prostaglandin F2 alpha stimulated the gastric acid secretion in graded doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 microgram/kg b.wt, while higher doses above 1 mg/kg b.wt tended to inhibit significantly. The gastric antisecretory effect of prostaglandin E1 could not be altered or modified by subsequent treatment of prostaglandin F2 alpha, while the latter alone without any prior treatment of the former, stimulated output of gastric juice, HCl and pepsin without significantly affecting the concentration of these components.


Effect of scopolamine on maze learning performance in humans. Scopolamine was administered orally to volunteers who were required to learn a digit memory task and a tactile maze task. Comparison of their performance with that under control drugs suggests that blockage of central cholinergic synapses may have a larger effect on spatial memory than on nonspatial memory. Subjects tended to make more errors under scopolamine and to insert extra turns in drawings of the maze.


The postnatal evolution of muscular twitches in the developing rat. The reported study concerns the evolution of muscular twitches during the 21 postnatal days of the normal rat pups. The data indicate an age-dependent progression of these twitches in different body regions.


Spatial distribution of the adaptation field of the surround response mechanisms in type X cat retinal ganglion cells. The surround response mechanism in on-center X-cells in cat retina was found to be bimodally distributed and weak or nonexistent in the receptive field middle. An on-inhibition measure was used to assess surround mechanism gain.


Unsaturated lipid droplets in liver sinusoids lining cells in a case of Reye-Morgan-Baral syndrome. The author reports a case of Reye-Morgan-Baral syndrome presenting osmiophilic-dense lipidic bodies in lining cells of hepatic sinusoids. The different lipidic saturation level between the content of these bodies and the one of lipid droplets of hepatocytes could represent a different response, between hepatocytes and lining cells of liver sinusoids, to excessive circulating lipids.


Effect of ionic environment on densities of membrane-associated particles in presynaptic membranes observed in freeze-fractured synaptosomes. The effects of high-K and high-Ca in the incubation medium on membrane-associated particles of the presynaptic membranes were examined. There was a marked increase in the density of protoplasmic fracture face after incubation in the high-K or high-Ca medium.


The 'mauve factor' of schizophrenia and porphyria, 5-hydroxyhaemopyrrole lactam, has low pharmacological potency on guinea-pig ileum. 5-Hydroxyhaemopyrrole lactam, the 'mauve factor' reported in the urine of schizophrenics and porphyrics was found to inhibit electrically-stimulated contractions of guinea-pig ileum only at high concentrations (ID50 = 8.5 mM). This low potency makes it unlikely that the compound can account for neurotoxic effects in human porphyria.


Alteration of plasma ketamine levels in mice by probenecid. Probenecid increases plasma ketamine levels in mice concurrently with an enhancement of duration of loss of righting reflex. The magnitude of these changes is directly related to the dose of ketamine and intervals between administration of compounds. Plasma levels of anesthetic are similar for all animals upon termination of hypnosis.


Haemagglutinating activity of modeccin.

Haemagglutinating activity of modeccin. Modeccin, the toxin of Adenia digitata, agglutinates erythrocytes from several mammalian species. The haemagglutinating activity is enhanced by neuraminidase and is inhibited by galactose and by galactose-containing sugars.


Activation by S-adenosylhomocysteine of norepinephrine and serotonin in vitro uptake in synaptosomal preparations from rat brain. S-Adenosylhomocysteine (10(-7)-10(-5) M) activated norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5HT) in vitro uptake in synaptosomal preparations from rat brain, but did not affect dopamine (DA) uptake. When administered to rats (7 mg/kg i.p.), it has the same effect on in vitro NE and 5HT uptake. It did not affect NE and 5HT release.


Radioprotective effect of a protein free parathyroid extract on the mitotic index of rat bone marrow cells. The protective efficacy of an orally administered bovine protein-free parathyroid extract (PF-PTE) was studied on rat bone marrow cells in vivo with the mitotic index after 850 R irradiation. A remarkable decrease was found in the mitotic activity of bone marrow cells after irradiation in the non-protected animals. However, in the animals treated with PF-PTE after irradiation, a significantly smaller decrease and a faster recovery were found in the mitotic activity of the bone marrow cells.


The number of parallel fibre-Purkinje dendrite synapses. A morphometric evaluation. Quantitative parameters concerning synapses were studied in the cerebellar molecular layer of 4 cats using ultrastructural morphometric methods. The number of parallel fibre-Purkinje dendrite synapses was estimated to be about 200,000.


Influence of presensitization with allogeneic lymphoma cells on the growth and response to therapy of radiation-induced lymphomas in mice. Congenic mice were sensitized with viable H-2-incompatible radiation-induced lymphomas (RIL), challenged with syngeneic RIL and treated with bis-chloroethyl-nitrosourea. Either enhancement or inhibition of RIL was found in presensitized mice, depending on the tumor-host system used.


SEM surface morphology of the contractile cells in the rat seminiferous tubules. The SEM observation of the basal surface of the contractile cells in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubule of the rat revealed that the contractile cells are extremely flat, vary in shape from rectangular to hexagonal, and are arranged close to each other, in the fashion of a tiled floor, around the seminiferous epithelium.


Epithelial cell processes in the development of the secondary palate in the mouse. Ultrastructural studies of palatal shelves of Tuck A mice embryos aged 12.25-14.25 days show discontinuities of the epithelial basement membrane traversed by epithelial cell processes before the onset of midline degenerative changes.


Enhancement of the antitumor effect of illudin S by including it into liposomes. Entrapping illudin S in liposome markedly enhanced life prolonging effect in ddN mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumors, presumably by decreasing the side effects.


Serum proteins of mice with splenomegaly. Our earlier serum electrophoretic study in 'lethargic' mutant mice showed that the quantity of protein in 1 band is inversely related to the size of the spleen. In this study, we demonstrate that this protein band almost entirely disappears in mice with splenomegaly following spontaneous skin infection. The results suggest that this serum protein may play a role in regulating growth of lymphoid tissue.


Estrogen receptor in uteri of mice of different H-2 genotypes. A relationship between the amount of available estradiol receptors in uteri of inbred mice and their H-2 genotype is suggested by study in congenic animals.


alpha-Mercaptopropionyl-glycine influence on the in vitro proliferative response of human lymphocytes. The effect of alpha-mercaptopropinyl-glycine on the in vitro proliferative response of healthy subjects' lymphocytes was studied. Low doses of the drug enhanced spontaneous lymphocyte blastigenesis but had no effect on the PHA-induced blastic response. With increasing concentrations of alpha-mercaptopropionyl-glycine inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation was found in unstimulated as well as in PHA stimulated lymphocytes.


Production of antibodies against bradykinin. High-titer antibodies against bradykinin were raised in rabbits. 2 different conjugates of bradykinin were used for immunization: bradykinin coupled to human serum albumin via 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and bradykinin coupled to edestin via 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbodiimide. The sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay method is in the range of 1-50 pg of bradykinin. Cross-reaction of anti-bradykinin antisera occurred with kallidin and met-lys-bradykinin.


Isolation and electrophoretic identification of exogenous histone from rat blood plasma. Histone fractions H1, (H2b+H2a) and H4 were isolated from rat blood plasma and electrophoretically identified 5 min after i.v. exogenous histone application.


Progesterone receptors in the foetal uterus of guinea-pig: its stimulation after oestradiol treatment. This paper shows for the first time the presence of progesterone receptors in the foetal guinea-pig uterus, as well as the stimulation of progesterone receptors in foetal uterus in animals treated with oestradiol.


Radioimmunoassay of plasma progesterone, testosterone, total estrogen and immunoreactive gonadotropin in the nesting and non-nesting green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas (L.). Plasma progesterone, testosterone, total estrogens and immunoreactive gonadotropin were measured in nesting and non-nesting sea turtles, Chelonia mydas. Progesterone and gonadotropin concentrations were significantly higher in nesting than in non-nesting turtles, testosterone was not significantly different in either group and total estrogens appeared to be slightly in the nesting group.


Glycogen contents in the rat uterus: response to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. extracts. Ethanolic extracts (50%), as well the benzene extracts, of H. rosa-sinensis Linn. have reduced significantly the glycogen contents in the uterus of adult rat. Both the extracts exhibit a clear-cut dose-response relation. The inhibition in glycogen contents increases as the dose is increased. Of the 2, benzene extract seems to be more potent. The results are due to antiestrogenic nature of the extracts.


Effect of lesions of the locus coeruleus complex on the circadian rhythm of plasma corticosterone in the mouse. An apparently transient elevation of basal morning (08.00 h) plasma corticosterone levels in male mice was found 48 h after bilateral electrolytic lesions of the brainstem locus coeruleus complex but was not observed 6 weeks after lesioning.


Monitoring of the dilution rate during continuous in vivo blood sampling with a double lumen catheter. A simple and non-destructive method for monitoring the dilution rate during continuous blood sampling is described. When the dilution rate is not constant, the proposed method based on electrical resistivity measurement provides a correction factor for further analysis.


The structure of amoorastatone and the cytotoxic limonoid 12-hydroxyamoorastatin. 2 new limonoid-type terpenes have been isolated from an aqueous extract of seeds produced by the Eastern Himalayan (India) plant Aphanamixis grandifolia B1. By interpreting principally mass spectral and nuclear magnetic resonance data, the structures of 12-hydroxyamoorastatin (2b) and amoorastatone (3) were elucidated. Unequivocal evidence for the 12-hydroxyamoorastatin structural assignment was obtained by chemical conversion to sendanin (4). Amoorastatin derivative 2b was found to significantly inhibit growth of the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell lines but amoorastatone in the same system was inactive. In a comparative biological study, sendanin (4) and anthothecol (7) were also found significantly to inhibit growth of the P388 cell line, while rohitukin (8) and limonin (9) were found to be inactive.


The stimulation of rat brain monoamine oxidase by dietary lithium chloride. Lithium chloride administered to rats in drinking water for 30 days caused an increase of whole brain monoamine oxidase specific activity to approximately 140% of control. Carboxylesterase and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activities were not affected by Li+ either in vivo or in vitro.


The use of dipeptide-p-nitranilides for the study of aminopeptidase specificity. The use of dipeptide-p-nitranilides for the study of 2 placental aminopeptidases separated on Sephadex G200 helped in establishing some regular features of their specifities. The high-molecular (320,000 daltons) one prefers Phe in position P'1 to Leu, whereas the lower-molecular aminopeptidase (145,000 daltons) prefers Leu. The high-molecular aminopeptidase splits very slowly the N-terminal Leu when Gly is in adjacent position. Leu-Gly-p-NA is therefore an inhibitor of this AP.


Changes in the activities of protein kinase modulators in the cerebellum of mice due to ethanol, caffeine, or phenobarbital administration. Decreased activities of both the inhibitory modulator of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (A-PK) as well as the stimulatory modulator of guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (G-PK) from the mouse cerebellum were noted due to the administration of excessive doses of ethanol, caffeine, and phenobarbital for up to 28 days. The dose-dependent of the inhibition of A-PK or the stimulation of G-PK was observed as a function of the amount of protein kinase modulators in the cerebellum of mice receiving different doses of ethanol.


Acid phosphatase in eggs of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio. 2 isozymes of acid phosphatase have been identified by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis in the ovary and mature, unfertilized eggs of B. rerio. Histochemically, the enzyme appears to be localized in preyolk bodies of previtellogenic oocytes and in yolk platelets of vitellogenic and postvitellogenic oocytes. The contents of the cortical granules at all stages of oocyte differentiation were acid phosphatase negative.


Sterilization in the United States.

Sterilization in the United States. Had no U.S. married couples obtained contraceptive sterilizations, there would have been about 800,000 unwanted births during 1971-1973 in addition to the 8.7 million births that actually occurred. More than half of U.S. couples elect sterilization within 10 years after their last wanted birth, and more than six in 10 are sterilized within 15 years.


Probabilities of intercourse and conception among U.S. teenage women, 1971 and 1976. One in five U.S. females have had intercourse by age 16, and two-thirds, by age 19. Almost all the experience is premarital. One in 10 U.S. women get pregnant before age 17; one-quarter before they are 19, and eight in 10 of these pregnancies are premarital. More than one-third of those who are sexually active premaritally have a premarital pregnancy before they turn 19, one-quarter by the time they are 17.


Unintended pregnancies in the United States, 1970--1972. There were about 2.0--2.3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States each year during the early 1970s. Within this framework, the rapid rise in the number of abortions since 1973, to 1.3 million in 1977, is quite predictable.


Informed consent for fertility control services. Informed consent has special relevance for patients seeking fertility control services who are not ill in the usual sense. Genuine informed consent requirements should not be confused with spurious ones induced by political pressure.


The risk of adolescent pregnancy in the first months of intercourse. Because of early age at initiation of intercourse and associated nonuse of contraception, half of first premarital pregnancies to teens occur in the first six months after they begin coitus; one-fifth occur in the first month. Programs to prevent adolescent pregnancy will not succeed unless they reach young people before they begin sexual activity.


Warning: cigarette smoking is dangerous to reproductive health. Family planning clinics have a special responsibility to educate patients about smoking hazards, since pill users, young mothers and mothers-to-be run high health risks if they smoke. The clinics agree, but their educational efforts vary.


Family planning visits to private physicians. The NAMCS data indicate that women aged 15--44 made an estimated 9.7 million visits to office-based physicians in 1977 during which they obtained medical family planning services, examinations or counseling. Two hundred such visits were made per 1,000 women of reproductive age during the year. The majority of these visits were by women aged 20--34. Family planning services were included in five percent of all office visits made by women of reproductive age. While the rate of family planning visits to physicians' offices varied by race, geographical area and urban/rural setting, these variations reflected the distribution of visits for all purposes, and not the distribution of family planning visits in particular. According to the NAMCS, men aged 20--54 made an estimated 791,000 family planning visits to office-based physicians in 1977. This indicates that there were about 17 office family planning visits per 1,000 men in this age-group, or about 12 visits by women for every one by men.


Community determinants of U.S. legal abortion rates. The availability of abortion services--the number of facilities and the number of types of agencies providing abortions--is the most powerful determinant of variations in abortion rates in U.S. metropolitan communities. The increase in abortion availability is also the most important factor in explaining the increase in abortion rates that occurred between 1973 and 1975. Other factors affecting abortion rates (but less substantially) include rural residence, population density, female labor force participation, the proportion Catholic and the proportion receiving public assistance.


Barrier methods: renewed interest, but more research needed. At a recent major international workshop held in Guatemala, the state of the art of barrier contraception was examined. While there are promising leads to new methods, none is likely to be available in the near future.


[Characteristics of the effect of antorphine on biochemical processes]. It has been shown in experiments on rats that the effect of antorphin (0.57 mg/kg), morphine (1 mg/kg) and promedol (2 mg/kg) on catecholamine balance and phosphorylase activity correlates with changes in the carbohydrate metabolism of tissues. The action of antorphin as compared to that of morphine and promedol is associated with a decreased content of adrenaline and preservation of glycogen depot in the tissues of the heart, liver and skeletal muscles.


[Effect of nonachlazine on cerebral circulation]. It has been shown in acute experiments on anesthetized cats that nonachlazine in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg produces a short-term decrease followed by more prolonged elevation of the tone of cerebral vessels, lower extremities and systemic arterial blood pressure. Previous blocking of alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors decreases or abolishes the development of the above effects. In a dose of 5 mg/kg nonachlazine produces no rise in the tone of intracranial vessels, but increases local and common cerebral blood flow. An increase in PO2 in the brain cortex correlates well with a rise in the blood flow.


[Aminazine distribution in the organs and tissues of rats depending on the routes of administration and the age of the animals]. Distribution of intramuscular and oral aminazin (20 mg/kg) in the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, ileum, blood and urine was studied in young and old male rats. Intramuscular drug showed maximal accumulation in the lungs and intestine, respectively, whereas at oral administration maximal and minimal accumulation was recorded in the liver and kidneys. Urine excretion of parenteral aminazin was 4-7-fold higher as compared to oral administration. Delayed accumulation of aminazin in the organs and its decreased excretion with urine were recorded in old animals.


[Effect of agents used in the therapy of acute ischemic heart disease on the histomorphological changes in the myocardium in acute dystrophy]. The morphological analysis of the portions of the interventricular septum and left ventricular wall in cats has revealed dystrophic and necrotic changes in the myocardium after administration of caffeine followed by adrenaline: haemorrhages, intravascular thrombogenesis, dystrophic and necrobiotic changes in myocytes. In early periods of acute ischemic heart disease morphine, fibrinolysin, heparin and Inosie F either abolished (fibrinolysin) or considerably decreased (heparin and Inosie F) a tendency toward intravascular thrombogenesis and damage to the myocardial parenchyma.


[Dynamics of bilignost distribution in different exposures of the body in white rats]. The dynamics of distribution of 125I- and 131I-bilignost in intact rats has been studied in experimental pathological condition of the liver. It has been shown that the cholecystographic radiographic contrast agent (RCA) bilignost is absorbed and accumulated mainly by the liver. This indicates that the preparation elicits a selective action with respect to the liver. Administration of 125I-bilignost in conjunction with the unlabeled cholecystographic agents bilignost and endografin induces competition for absorption by the liver, which distinguishes these preparations from the urographic agent cardiotrast decreasing accumulation of the label by the kidneys. Acute CCl4 poisoning of the animals results in a sharp decrease in the liver capacity for accumulation of 131I-bilignost and to a slight rise in the preparation kidney level. Three-day administration of phenobarbital to rats produces a considerable drop in 125I-bilignost level in all the organs tested, suggesting an enhanced RCA excretion from the body.


QSAR of alkyl pyridinecarbonyldithiocarbazates as uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. The structure-activity relationship for alkyl dithiocarbazates and alkyl pyridinecarbonyldithiocarbazates as oncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria has been studied using subsituent constants and regression analysis. As in various other uncouplers, the hydrophobic property of substituents gave a good correlation with their biological activities. 4-Pyridinecarbonyldithiocarbazates are the most active among the congeners studied.


[Chemical and pharmacological research on pyran derivatives. XIV. 3-alkylaminoaphtho/2,1-b/pyran-1-ones and derivatives]. 3-Alkyl(phenyl)aminoaphtho[2,1-b]pyran-1-ones (III) were prepared from N-alkyl or N-phenylethoxycarbonylacetamides and 2-naphthol in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride, in order to evaluate their pharmacological activity on the CNS in comparison with previously described 3-dialkylaminoaphtho[2,1-b]pyran-1-ones. Compounds (III) gave 2-morpholinomethyl derivatives as well as N-acetyl and N-ethtoxycarbonyl derivatives. The reaction of (III) in which R = alkyl and N,N-dimethylformamide-POCl3 afforded 2-formyl derivatives and in some cases also 8-alkyl-9,10-bisdimethylaminoaphtho[1',2':5,6]pyrano[2,3-b]pyrrol-11(8H)-ones; when R = phenyl, only naphtho[1',2':5,6]pyrano[2,3-b]quinolin-14-one was obtained from the same reaction. Pharmacological evaluation showed that compounds (III) had a weak CNS depressant activity. Some of them also exhibited antagonist effect on reserpine-induced blepharospasm and hypothermia and on metrazole-induced seizures in the mouse. Within the limits of these activities a special behavior was found for the compound 3-ethylaminoaphtho[2,1-b]pyran-1-one [(III b) - K 12479].


[Comparative study of the effect of decamethoxine, decamine and levorin on carbohydrate metabolic indices in the liver of white rats]. Intramuscular injection of decamin into the animals in a dose of 0.5 and 1 mg/kg has no significant effect on carbohydrate metabolism in the liver of white rats. Decamethoxin and levorin injected in the same doses, specifically in a dose of 1 mg/kg, reduced the level of glucose as well as that of total and free glycogen in the liver. The drugs lowered also the activity of phosphorylase and glocoso-6-phosphatase. Meanwhile the activity of hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucosiomerase was potentiated. The animals given decamethoxin showed the aforesaid parameters returning to normal 20 days after the drug was discontinued, whereas similar changes were not found in the rats on levorin.


[Pharmacological properties of some vinyl derivatives of quinoline]. Toxicity, radioprotective and antiinflammatory properties of 20 vinyl derivatives of quinoline and products of their transformations were studied in experiments on Wistar mice and rats. The salts of quinoline vinyl derivatives (compounds VI, IX, XII, and XVIII) were shown to be more toxic than respective initial compounds (VI, VIII, XI and XVI). 8-(beta-Butylthio)-ethyloxyquinoline (compound IV) protected 25% of irradiated mice from death. Compounds I, XII, XVI and XVIII exerted a radioprotective action (in 10-15%), whereas the remaining substances proved ineffective. The combination of 8-vinyloxyquinoline and iodine (compound IV) elicited a marked antiinflammatory action in experimental serotonin-, dextran- and to a less measure formalin-induced inflammation.


[Antianemic effect of ampevit and orkomin]. The antianemic action of ampevit and orkomin developed at the Laboratory of Experimental Therapy, Institute of Gerontology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR was studied in experiments on young and old animals. It has been established that repeated administration of the drugs increases the reticulocyte count in both groups of animals. Ampevit diminishes severity of posthemorrhagic anemia. Both drugs promote more rapid recovery of hemoglobin content and red cell count in old animals after blood loss. The data obtained were supported by clinical trials of the drugs which have been recommended for combined treatment of posthemorrhagic anemias and other conditions accompanied by weakened function of the growing red fiber of the bone marrow seen also in people of old and senile age.


[Effect of ascorbic acid and rutin on the development of experimental peroxide atherosclerosis]. It has been established in experiments on 73 rabbits that ascorbic acid inhibits the development of hypercholesterinemia, peroxidation syndrome and atherosclerotic affection of the aortas. Rutin delays the development of hypercholesterinemia and peroxidation syndrome and tends to inhibiting aortal atherosclerotic affection.


[Pharmacokinetics of the antiviral preparation, bonafton]. The parameters of bonafton pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, excretion) have been studied in male Wistar rats at single enteral and intraperitoneal administration. With these routes of administration daily resorption amounts to 26 and 100%, respectively. Regardless administration routes 14C-bonafton distributes in a similar way in the internal organs and tissues and is excreted through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, the latter way of excretion being predominant. T1 = 0.25 day (24%) and T2 = 1.8 day. A two-chamber model of the drug metabolism is suggested. This model allows a calculation of bonafton and its metabolites accumulation at repeated administration of the drug to the body.


[Effect of histamine on blood and lymph coagulability]. It has been established in dog experiments that histamine (0.05 mg/kg) induces a considerable rise in blood coagulation, an increase in prothrombin consumption and plasma tolerance to heparin a diminution of fibrinase content and enhancement of fibrinolysis. Lymph coagulation and fibrinolytic activity remain unchanged.


[Gonadotoxic action of acetylsalicylic acid]. It has been established in experiments on white rats that administration of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in a dose of 1/10 LD50 for 1 1/2 months is accompanied by a decrease in the functional activity of spermatozoids. Repeated inhalation of ASA dust at a concentration of 25 mg/m3 for 4 months produces morphological changes in the spermatogenic epithelium and abnormal antenatal development of the progeny of male animals under test.


[Protective action of estrogen-progestin preparations in reproductive function disorder from subtoxic doses of organophosphorus compounds]. The action of subtoxic doses of armine and nibufin administered alone and combined with steroid drugs on the rat reproductive function and uterine tissue RNA content was studied experimentally. The subtoxic doses of the drugs increased sharply the luteinizing hormone releasing factor content in the hypothalamus, as well as the synthesis and excretion of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones and RNA content in the uterine tissue. Estrogen-progestin drugs, particularly infecundin, exerted a protective action in armine- and nibufin-produced abnormalities of the reproductive function.


Recognition of antigenic differences among neurons using antiserums to clonal neural retina hybrid cells. Antiserums prepared against hybrid cell strains formed between freshly isolated rodent neural retina cells and a human fibroblast cell line W.I. 18, VA-2 recognize cell surface antigens that are 1) restricted to the neural retina, 2) present in both embryonic and adult retina, and 3) localized to groups of cells within the retina. Normal segregants (i.e., those lines that had retained rodent chromosomes and lost human chromosomes) were used as immunogens in rabbits to produce the antiserums. Antiserums against both whole cells and purified plasma membranes were adsorbed with human parent VA-2 cells and nonneural and neural rodent tissue to remove cross-reacting specificities. All six antiserums studied continued to react with embryonic retina after brain cross-reactivity was removed.


The role of acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of man characterized by remitting and relapsing muscle fatigability. Although the etiology and pathogenesis are incompletely understood, the presence of circulating antibodies directed against the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor in 80--90% of patients with myasthenia gravis and the identification of immune complexes at their neuromuscular junction have helped explain the altered neuromuscular transmission. The ACh receptor antibodies do not block access of ACh to the receptor, but do decrease the number of receptors by accelerating their degradation both in rat myotube cultures and in vivo models. In vitro these antibodies play a major role in myasthenia gravis. However, correlations of antibody titers with the clinical state following thymectomy or in neonatal myasthenia suggest that host factors may be equally important in determining whether the ACh receptor antibodies will result in clinical myasthenia.


[So-called constancy of chyme composition]. Study of the chyme composition in different phases of digestion at different levels of the small intestine showed the composition to be stabilized enough in respect to the water and electrolytes contents as well as the main nutricious substances. Gradual increase in concentration of the main NSs occurs in the advancing chyme. The data obtained suggest that the constancy of the chyme composition is only valid in respect to the water and electrolytes regardless of their unequal contents in the food.


[Dynamics of several indices of the enzyme-hormone status of the body after hypobaria and during decompression sickness]. Hormone content and enzyme activity change under the influence of hyperbaria and in decompression disease long before the symptoms of the disease appear. Apart from that, an increase in adrenalin, noradrenalin, 17-oxycorticosteroids, and glucose concentrations, erythrocyte number and hemoglobin, as well as lowering of amylase and catalase activities are the indicative signs for prognostication and diagnosis of the decompression disease.


[Effect of potassium ions on the contractile activity of renal artery smooth muscle]. Study of isolated segments of renal arteries in rabbits showed that decrease of potassium ion concentration in the bathing fluid was followed by increase in tension, while its increase from 5 meq/l to 10 meq/l was accompanied by gradual relaxation of vessel muscles and increase of their sensitivity to noradrenalin (NA). This relationship was lacking in segments activated with NA. The ability of NA and angiotensin to activate renal arterial muscles by electromechanic and pharmacomechanic coupling mechanismes was proved experimentally. The paper discussed the role of the cell membrane sodium potassium pump in vascular muscles.


[Renal potassium excretion in rats exposed to different carbohydrate metabolism treatments]. After administration of 5 ml/100 g of 1.25% KCl solution into the rat stomach, the excretion of potassium in urine was 529.7 +/- 19.4 mueq/100 g.4 hours. After the same amount of potassium in 1--10% solutions, 2% solution of fructose, or 2% solution of mannitol, the potassium excretion reduced by over 25%. Glucose exerted no effect on the sodium excretion. Injection of 0.4 unit of insulin per 100 g of body weight along with administration of standard amount of potassium led to a decrease in the potassium excretion to 358.8 +/- 16.8 mueq/100 g.4 hours. The data obtained suggest a close relation between the carbohydrate metabolism and the potassium transport in the kidneys.


[Concentration of water and electrolytes in rat liver during absorption of salt solutions]. Administration of water and 0.9% NaCl; 1.25% KCl; 0.75% MgCl2 solutions (5 ml/100 g body weight) into the rat stomach revealed that large amount of water was not detained in the liver but just passed through it. The electrolytes contents did not change significantly in the liver. Administration of KCl and MgCl2 solutions increased concentration of respective cations in the blood. The data obtained suggest that water and salts absorbed in the small intestine pass through the liver into the general blood flow and are detained in different tissues.


[Secretion of neurohypophyseal hormones following partial exclusion of peripheral reflex connections]. Influence of complete transversal section of spinal cord on secretion of hormones by hypothalamo-hypophyseal system under adaptive restoration of hyrosecretory function of kidneys was studied in chronic experiments on 28 dogs. In separate terms after the operation the level of antidiuretic hormones and oxytocin in blood plasma did not correspond to degree of organism's hydration--in contrast to intact animals. The mechanism of reciprocal secretion of hormones into the blood and CSF after the spinal section became disordered. The blood--brain barrier remained impenetrable for hormones of neurohypophysis in conditions of the spinal trauma.


[Correlation between cholesterol and lecithin in the blood and muscles and physiologic indices in rats developing in various stress states]. Development female rats during the 1st year of life, under conditions of dynamic exercises caused starting from the 4th month, a decrease in the blood cholesterin and the raise of lecithin and lecithin--cholesterin index (L/Ch). No hypercholesterinemia common for the control animals develops by the 13th month in these animals. The cholesterin content increases in their muscles. Static loads launch less beneficent shifts of the above parameters. These rats reveal larger amount of the blood cholesterin along with its decrease in the muscles by the end of the 1st year. Under nociceptive effects the rats develop hypercholesterinemia and hypolecithinemia yet by the 7th month which accounts for a sharply reduced L/Ch index. At 13 months cholesterin is obviously decreased in the muscles of these rats. Resting energy expenditure is increased in these rats due to activated thyroid function and to a decrease in the cholinergic maintenance of regulation.


[Changes in the kallikrein-kinin system of the blood following hypothalamo-hypophyseal stimulation of animals of different ages]. Changes occurring in the formation and synthesis of kinins become irregular with ageing: the content of kallikreinogenes decreases, the activity of kininase and inhibitors of trypsin falls, and total blood activity of hydrolysis of ethyl--N--benzoil--L--arginine ether rises. Stimulation of the hypothalamus causes an obvious activation of the kalikrein--kinin system in adult animals: the contents of kallikreinogenes and kininogenes fall, the kallikrein activity sharply increases, whereas the kininase activity decreases. Both single and repeated administrations of vasopressin induce the same shifts of kallikrein--kinin system as the stimulation of hypothalamus. On repeated administrations of vasopressin the kininase activity rises.


Isolated epidermolytic acanthoma. A histological study. A solitary scrotal lesion of isolated epidermolytic acanthoma was studied by optical microscopy. The lesion displayed typical granular degeneration. The tumor parenchyma comprised several foci extending deep in the cutis to the continuation of the invaginated epithelium. Serial sections showed the parenchyma was free from acrosyringium and epidermis proper. The findings with hematoxylin-eosin stain and Fontana-Masson stain indicated that the tumor had originated from portion B of the hair follicle.


Pustulosis palmoplantaris and its relation to chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis. In previous study we found that clavicular lesions in chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) in young patients was associated with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). In this work the relationship between sternoclavicular lesions and PPP was studied in a group of adult patients. The sternoclavicular region of 52 patients with PPP and 25 control persons was examined by tomography. Among the PPP patients there were inflammatory lesions in the sternal synchondroses in 3 patients. There were no such lesions in the controls. In this unselected population of adult patients there was thus no definite association between PPP and sterno-clavicular lesions. In young patients on the other hand, CRMO with clavicular lesions may be another, probably noninfectious, cause of PPP.


[Oral photochemotherapy in atopic eczema]. 11 patients with atopic eczema have been treated using oral photochemotherapy. During the initial phase, complete clearing or more 80% improvements was obtained in 9 of them. However recurrences occured in most of the patients during maintenance therapy. On the whole, failure were observed in 5 patients and good or very good results in 3 patients. 3 patients discontinued therapy after the initial treatment.


Laboratory investigations in patients with generalized psoriasis under oral retinoid treatment. A multicenter study of computerized data. Numerous laboratory parameters were examined 235 patients with generalized psoriasis treated orally with retinoid and in 35 patients treated topically with anthralin as control. Computer evaluation of the obtained data revealed statistical trends to elevation of the total serum bilirubin level and increasing number of blood monocytes after long-term oral treatment. No other statistically significant changes of the laboratory data were found. Particularly, the liver function tests (transaminases, prothrombin and alkaline phosphatase) showed no significant alterations. Only in a few cases did the retinoid compound have an influence on the GPT and GOT levels. The reasons for this individual sensitivity to the drug remain unknown. No significant alterations were found in the control group treated topically with anthralin.


Beta-carotene in erythropoietic protoporphyria: 5 years' experience. 36 patients from 19 families with erythropoietic protoporphyria were treated for about 5 years during the summer months with beta-carotene alone or beta-carotene plus canthaxanthin in daily doses of 50-200 mg. The effect of the treatment was evaluated clinically on the basis of information provided by the patients regarding the period of time they could stay in the sun. 18 patients became completely free of symptoms, 16 patients improved to some extent, and 2 patients noted a slight effect. Apart from the carotenaemia, no side-effects were recorded.


[Epidermotropic reticulosis of the Woringer-Kolopp type (author's transl)]. A 46-year-old female, otherwise healthy, developed erythematous, pseudotumoral nodules, mainly on the hands; biopsies led to the diagnosis of Woringer-Kolopp disease. Anti-anergic chemotherapy with levamisole proved hazardous but, possibly, beneficial. Classification into benign localized, fatal generalized and intermediate disease is briefly commented upon. Differential diagnosis and tumor origin are discussed; while the Merkel cell hypothesis has been recently advanced strong analogies and slight discrepancies with mycosis fungoides advocate the T cell lymphoma theory.


Ultrasound diagnostics as a method of investigation of plastic induration of the penis. Using the ultrasound technique of visualization (grey-scale technique) and a method of 'water bath', the authors obtained echograms of plastic indurations of the penis. The echograms can be immediately photographed and interpreted. By their quick, painless and simple performance, without contrast medium and hazardous irradiation, the authors gain an advantage over some other diagnostic methods.


Role of macrophages in intraepidermic vesiculation in pemphigus vulgaris. Electron-microscopic observations. The authors made an electron-microscopic observation of intraepidermic vesiculation in pemphigus vulgaris at its early stage, and found that numerous macrophages were invading the cleft located immediately superior to the basal cell layer. They suggest that the formation of cleft, as a preceding stage to the eventual development into intraepidermic vesiculation, is intimately related to the squeezing-in of invasive macrophages among keratinocytes.


[Pemphigus herpetiformis (eosinophilic spongiosis) (author's transl)]. A 71-year-old male had a clinically atypical pemphigus (pemphigus herpetiformis), associated with histopathologic eosinophilic spongiosis. This case is discussed and was frequently found reported in iatrogenic pemphigus.


Intravenous zinc sulfate therapy in zinc-depleted patients. Zinc sulfate was administered intravenously in 3 patients with severe conditional zinc deficiency. The dosage ranged from 10 to 20 mg ionic zinc daily, and the duration of the treatment did not exceed 2 weeks. The rise in serum zinc and urinary zinc per 24 h, as well as in serum alkaline phosphatase, occurred at a faster rate than observed in a patient who was given 135 mg zinc daily by mouth. No subjective or biochemical side effects of the intravenous zinc therapy was observed.


Dose measurement in PUVA therapy.

Dose measurement in PUVA therapy. The dose emitted by the fluorescent tubes used in PUVA therapy is not constant: it varies in function of time, age of the lamps, and several other factors. Exact knowledge of the dose given to the patient requires continuous measurement and integration of the UV-A output.


Trichophyton simii infection due to laboratory accident. Trichophyton simii produced kerion on the intact forearm skin due to a laboratory accident within 5 days of contact. Early institution of griseofulvin resolved the condition in 15 days with no recurrence during 38 months of follow-up.


A retrospective study of Patch test results from 163 patients with stasis dermatitis or leg ulcers. I. Discussion of the Patch test results and the sensitization indices and determination of the relevancy of positive reactions. Patch test results from 163 patients with leg ulcers and/or chronic venous insufficiency, tested with a modified ICDRG standard test battery and a pharmaceutical test series, are analyzed and compared with the results obtained from a randomly selected control group of patients with eczematous conditions. A sensitization index for the most common contact allergens present in this test series is calculated, and the relevancy of hypersensitivity to specific topical agents is determined.


Polyploidization and hemiploidization induced by PUVA in vivo. To obtain additional information on the in vivo injury induced by PUVA treatment, primary cultures were initiated from biopsies of the uninvolved skin of 15 PUVA-treated psoriatic patients, and the cells generated were analysed for morphological and chromosomal modifications. Three biopsies were obtained from each patient, the first one before commencing PUVA therapy (control) and the other two during the course of therapy. It was found that PUVA treatment has diverse effects on the mitotic activity, mitotic mechanisms and chromosomes of the cutaneous cells: (1) an inhibition of cell proliferation during the early stages of therapy followed by a reversion to normal proliferation as the PUVA treatments were continued; the production of (2) cells with more than one nucleus, (3) macrocells, (4) cells with micronuclei, (5) polyploid cells, (6) haploid cells, (7) cells with 13 chromosomes denoting a twofold reduction in the normal number of metaphase chromosomes, (8) end-associations of the chromosomes as in the pachytene phase of meiosis (9) diplotene chromosomes, and (10) chromosomal translocations.


[Guinea pig nipple as a model for the investigation of melasma (author's transl)]. The nipples of male tan guinea pigs were used to test the effects on the skin of oral contraceptive pills and drugs. The daily topically applied doses were 1/2,000 of a pill. After 3 weeks, the nipples treated with solutions of ethinyloestradiol-containing pills had grown (200-300%), the epidermis showed acanthosis (150-250%) and strong hyperpigmentation. Mestranol-containing pills as well as pure progestogen substances did not produce these effects.


Becker's melanosis: an ultrastructural study. Becker's melanosis is an uncommon condition characterized by hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation of the epidermis, dermal melanophages and absence of nevus cells. Ultrastructural examination of such a melanotic lesion from a young white man revealed giant melanosomes. In addition, normal-sized melanosomes were found singly in the keratinocytes of the involved skin. Dermal venules were surrounded by multiple layers of basement membrane.


A retrospective study of patch test results from 163 patients with stasis dermatitis or leg ulcers. II. Retesting of 50 patients. Retesting 50 patients with stasis dermatitis after a period of time (3-25 months) revealed significantly less positive patch test results (p less than 0.05). All procedures were, of course, standardized. The main reasons for this were elimination of the sensitization agents in the interim and testing with a less acute skin condition. Allergens that are difficult to avoid, such as the 'para' compounds and balsam of Peru and related substances, show a higher degree of persistence in subsequent patch testing.


Percutaneous absorption of chlorquinaldol (Sterosan). The percutaneous absorption of chlorquinaldol from three different preparations for skin treatment (Sterosan-hydrocortison ointment and cream, Sterosan ointment) was evaluated by measuring the cumulative urinary excretion of chlorquinaldol and was compared to that found after an equivalent oral dose. In the blood the concentrations were below the detection limit of the analytical procedure, i.e., smaller than 0.02 microgram/ml. The study was carried out in 3 healthy volunteers using a four-period change-over design. The topical preparations were applied under occlusive dressings. Following epicutaneous application of the three topicals in quantities containing 30 mg chlorquinaldol each, the mean urinary excretion of the drug amounted to 11.1 +/- 6.6, 19.5 +/- 3.5 and 13.0 +/- 2.5% of the applied dose. When the same dose of  chlorquinaldol was administered orally, 67.6 +/- 9.5% of the dose was excreted in the urine. Taking the urinary elimination as the minimal amount of drug absorbed, the extent of percutaneous absorption from the three dermatological preparations varied between 4.2 and 23.5% of the applied dose. There was no difference in the pattern of urinary excretion products among the three topicals and the oral formulation. The bulk of chlorquinaldol (mean 98.0 +/- 0.1%) was excreted as sulfate (mean 1.3 +/- 0.3%) or unchanged drug (mean 0.8 +/- 0.1%).


Relationship of pityriasis amiantacea to psoriasis. A follow-up study. 46 patients with pityriasis aminantacea have been reexamined with regard to the later development of psoriasis and atopic diseases, and their occurrence in first and second degree relatives. HLA antigens of the A, B and C series were also determined. Earlier suggestions of a close association with psoriasis were not confirmed. An association with atopic diseases could not be established. Occurrence of seborrheic dermatitis seems, however, common in patients with pityriasis amiantacea.


Chronic pyoderma in splenectomized patient. This is a report of a case with a chronic peculiar intractable pyoderma. The process started a year after splenectomy because of trauma. In the absence of an apparent other reason, we assume that a relationship exists between the operation and the skin disease.


An abortive form of pemphigus vulgaris probably induced by penicillin. A case of an abortive form of pemphigus probably induced by protracted penicillin treatment is reported. Because of a positive patch test with penicillamine and the finding of such an amino acid in patient's plasma, the authors are induced to believe that the trigger factor could really have been penicillamine formed by the metabolic breakdown of the penicillin molecule.


[Influence of the stratum corneum on transepidermal water loss and Bioavailability of a new topical steroid, difluprednate: clinical implications (author's transl)]. Comparative study of experimental and theoretical curves obtained by plotting transepidermal water loss against stratum corneum thickness in man, shows that every layer in the stratum corneum acts as part of the epidermal barrier to water loss. Another function of the stratum corneum is to decrease the cutaneous penetration of topical corticosteroids like difluprednate and to modify their bioavailability ('corticosteroid reservoir'). Our data suggest that variations in stratum corneum thickness between subjects explain variation of transepidermal water loss and sensitivity difluprednate, as there is a close relationship between these two parameters. It is then conceivable than the phototype has clinical implications is there really exists a relationship between phototype, stratum corneum thickness and sensitivity to steroids.


Leucocyte migration inhibition in Behçet's disease. The leucocyte migration inhibition (LIF) was investigated in 16 patients with Behçet's disease, 5 while in the active stage of the process, 3 both during relapse and remission, and 8 during remission of symptoms. In all patients skin tests with various antigens and with a needle prick and physiological saline were simultaneously performed. The results indicate a strong correlation between the activity of the disease, skin reactivity and the reactivity of LIF.


Epidermal hyperplasia induced in guinea pig flank skin by intradermal injection of Sudan red. Studies of dermal-epidermal interactions were conducted with guinea pig flank skin and intradermal injections of the irritant, Sudan IV dye in olive oil. These injections led to epidermal hyperplasia in areas overlying the irritant and the effect was most significant when the irritant was placed in the upper dermis. Basal cell mitotic activity and thymidine uptake reached a peak by 24 h and thereafter dropped rapidly. Maximal epidermal thickness (4.3 times the control) resulting from an increase in cell number occurred within 2-4 days. Despite the very short period of increased cell growth, epidermal thickness returned to control values only after a 24-day period. A similar growth response could not be induced by saline injections. A single topical application of the irritant showed a qualitatively and quantitatively different epidermal response. These experiments indicate that an intradermal irritant can lead to epidermal hyperplasia and a long-lasting epidermal thickening.


[Multiple familial follicular hamartoma (author's transl)]. Multiple cystic and proliferative follicular lesions localized on the face and the genitalia of several members of an Italian family are described. Transmission seems to be autosomal dominant, with weak penetration and variable expressivity.


Porokeratosis of Mibelli. A report of two unusual cases. 2 cases are reported with unusual manifestations of porokeratosis of Mibelli. In 1 case multiple atrophic facial lesions resembled plaques of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus. The second case exhibited extensive cutaneous involvement in the form of hyperkeratotic lesions in linear configuration.


Two primary malignant melanomas in a patient with plasmacytoma. The occurrence of two primary malignant melanomas (superficial spreading melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma with nodular growth) in a patient with diffuse plasmacytoma treated with chemotherapy and radiation is described. Such an association does not appear to have been reported previously.


Nevus unius lateralis exhibiting intraepidermal basaloid cell formation simulating superficial basal cell epithelioma. A unilateral verrucous lesion with clinical characteristics of nevus unius lateralis (NUL) in an 18-year-old boy, showed histopathological features of intraepidermal basaloid cell formation simulating superficial basal cell epitheliomas. Biological significance of this phenomenon is discussed. The lesion is considered a most peculiar variant of NUL.


Keratosis follicularis and familial benign chronic pemphigus in the same patient. A case is described with features both of Hailey-Hailey and Darier's disease in a male patient who presented skin lesions since he was 8 years old. The present case is discussed in relation to data obtained from the literature, and a differential diagnosis from Grover's disease is made.


Coincidence of vitiligo, alopecia areata, onychodystrophy, localized scleroderma and lichen planus. The unique coincidence of five dermatological disorders, which occurred in a 39-year-old patient, is discussed. The clinical and laboratory examination did not reveal a common underlying cause. It is hoped this report will stimulate the recognition of other cases and thus aid in determining whether the coincidence of these disorders is a true association of diseases with a common underlying factor or a rare abnormality.


Effects of long term sulfonylurea therapy on plasma insulin and fasting lipid levels. Insulin secretion was studied before and after the control of hyperglycemia in fourteen maturity onset male non-obese diabetics. Optimum control of hyperglycemia was achieved by the addition of the sulfonylurea chlorpropamide to dietary treatment. One patient was a primary treatment failure, but nine out of thirteen had excellent control of hyperglycemia. A standardized oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed before and after eight months of individualized therapy with the sulfonylurea. The GTT was repeated with each patient taking his usual dose of chlorpropamide 90 min prior to the administrationo f the glucose load. In the baseline test glucose levels rose from 135.6 +/- 9.9 mg/dl to a peak level of 268.8 +/- 17.7 mg/dl at 120 min. After control of hyperglycemia glucose levels were significantly lower at 0, 30 and 60 min, and rose from 106.8 +/- 8.5 mg/dl to a maximum of 224.5 +/- 17.3 mg/dl at 120 min. Plasma insulin response was unchanged. Fasting serum cholesterol, triglyceride and total lipid levels changed only minimally during therapy. It is concluded that lowered serum glucose levels after long term treatment with chlorpropamide occured while plasma insulin response to glucose was no greater than before treatment. These findings may be explained by an extrapancreatic effect of the drug or by an indirect result of chlorpropamide induced insulin release which occured earlier in the course of therapy.


Metabolic studies in a case of Werner's syndrome. A case of Werner's syndrome was investigated with regard to the immune system and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Routine immunological screening revealed no abnormality in either humoral or cell-mediated immune response. Intravenous glucose tolerance test showed a reduced glucose tolerance coupled with very high insulin levels. There was no evidence for increased levels of antagonistic hormones e.g., corticosteroids, growth hormone or thyroid hormones. Serum insulin binding capacity was normal. Adipose tissue metabolism revealed a reduced sensitivity to the effects of insulin both on glucose metabolism and on the antilipolytic effect. This was purely due to a shift in the dose-response curve to the right since maximal effects were the same as those found in control subjects. This reduced insulin sensitivity seems to be due to a reduction in the number of cellular insulin receptors.


Lipogenesis in human adipose tissue in vitro: effect of fat cell size on some enzymatic activities. The incorporation of [1-C14] palmitate into palmitoyl CoA and triglycerides by homogenates of human adipose tissue have been studied. Adipose tissue samples were taken from three sites varying in adipocytes size (omentum, subcutaneous abdominal wall, buttock). The donors were normal weight women of constant weight. A significant positive correlation was found between initial velocity of palmitoyl CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.3) and total [1-C14] palmitate incorporation into triglycerides on one hand and adipocyte cell size on the other hand : these relations with cell size were apparent both within and between individuals. The mechanism of this "size effect" which is unrelated to the higher protein content of larger cells, is still unexplained. Lipogenesis, like most of the metabolic activities of adipose tissue increases with enlarging cell size. Acceleration of a lipogenesis-lipolysis cycle could constitute an energy wasting system able to limit the volume of the adipocytes.


Oral glucose in cirrhotics. Effects on plasma aminoacid patterns and the role of insulin and glucagon. Changes in the plasma aminoacid (AA) profile present in hepatic encephalopathy were related to a catabolic state characterized by a reduced insulin/glucagon molar ratio (IRI/IRG). Oral glucose is able to suppress the hyperglucagonemia and further to increase the elevated insulin levels of cirrhotics leading to a rise of IRI/IRG. We evaluated the plasma AAs in ten controls and twelve cirrhotics following the ingestion of oral glucose. At 180 min we demonstrated a similar fall (about 35%) of plasma AAs both in cirrhotics and in controls, with the exception of free tryptophan, which fell more markedly in cirrhotics (about 60%), possibly secondary to the fall in plasma free fatty acids. After the oral glucose load, the levels of aromatic AAs and free tryptophan, as well as the molar ratio free tryptophan/branched-chain + aromatic AAs returned to normal in cirrhotics. High levels of both aromatic AAs and free tryptophan have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic coma. Our data support the hypothesis that the administration of oral glucose might be relevant in the management of cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy, possibly improving their mental state.


A-Cell and gut glucagon in normal and depancreatized dogs. Inhibition by somatostatin and insulin. The effect of somatostatin (SRIF) and of insulin on the plasma levels of immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) and glucose was examined in normal (N) and depancreatized (PX) dogs. The infusion of SRIF (3 microgram/min for 15 min) caused a rapid decrease of the total IRG measured by means of an antiglucanon serum (AGS 10) which cross reacts with extracts of intestinal mucosa. This decrease was due primarily to a fall in the IRG fraction measured by an antiserum (AGS 18) specific for the carboxyl terminus of pancreatic or A-cell IRG. When the dose of SRIF was increased to 10 microgram/min for 90 min, the difference between total and A-cell IRG in the systemic blood also decreased, indicating that other IRG fractions, such as gut IRG, had also been suppressed. The introduction of 50 ml of a 5% glucose solution into a loop of ileum was followed by an increase of gut IRG measured in the regional mesenteric blood. This response was suppressed by the infusion of SRIF (3 microgram/min). Insulin suppressed the basal level of total IRG, but did not alter the gut IRG response to glucose. The SRIF- and insulin-induced reduction in plasma IRG was not associated with a reduction in plasma glucose, suggesting that the high levels of total and A-cell IRG observed in depancreatized dogs were not essential for the maintenance of hyperglycemia.