Parthenogenetic activation of mouse oocytes induced by inhibitors of protein synthesis. Recently ovulated mouse oocytes at the Metaphase II stage undergo parthenogenetic activation (as indicated by the formation of pronuclei) when incubated for 6 h in the presence of cycloheximide or puromycin; the activation response increases progressively with the concentration of inhibitor. Activation is induced with concentrations of cycloheximide that depress protein synthesis by more than 70%. Pronoculear formation occurs when protein synthesis is almost totally inhibited. Incubation of oocyte in Actinomycin D failed to initiate activation. The results show that the Metaphase II oocyte of the mouse synthesizes protein factor(s) which are necessary for the maintenance of the meiotic block. Other protein(s) having opposite effects and a different rate of turnover may also participate in activation since when the oocytes are treated with a high concentration of cycloheximide (10 microgram ml-1) for varying periods of time, or with varying concentrations for a short period of time (1 h), a more complex activation response curve is obtained. Oocytes activated with cycloheximide are capable of further development, following transfer to the oviducts of pseudopregnant recipients, in a proportion similar to that of oocytes activated in other ways.


Cleavage in the chick embryo.

Cleavage in the chick embryo. Chick embryos ranging from the stage of first cleavage to that of about 700 cells were removed from the oviduct and examined by transmission electron microscopy. Beneath the cell membrane is yolk-free cortical region containing microfilaments. Beneath this lies cytoplasm which contains yolk spheres which are graded in size, the dorsal ones being smaller than the ventral ones. The subgerminal periblast possesses a greater proportion of yolk to cytoplasm than do the cells proper, but it merges with the cytoplasm at the incomplete borders of the 'open' cells. Specialized accumulations of membranes lie in the marginal periblast, and it is suggested that they play a role in cell membrane formation.


Additional precipitation reactions of lectins with human serum glycoproteins. Highly purified human serum glycoproteins were treated with neuraminidase and examined for their cross reaction with several lectins with anti-galactosyl specificity: beta-D-galactosyl structures are thought to be the main terminal sugar residues that become attached de novo after removal of neuraminic acid. The following lectins were tested: Tridacnin from the bivalve clams Tridacna maxima and Tridacna gigas, the agglutinin from the sponge Axinella polypoides, the lectin from the roach Rutilus rutilus and the plant lectins from Ricinus communis, Ononis spinosa, Glycine soja and Abrus precatorius. In agar gel diffusion, these purified and precipitating lectins gave more or less strong or negative results against the different neuraminidase-treated serum glycoproteins, thus indicating subtle differences with respect to their anti-galactosyl combining specificity. On the other hand, serum glycoproteins which reacted with the same lectin, did not always show complete identity lines. Finally, as revealed by these lectins, the carbohydrate moiety of serum glycoproteins may reflect a complex and broad spectrum of heterogeneity. This could lead to a more detailed understanding of the topographical and steric arrangement of the chemical structure and of the biological role of carbohydrate groups in these glycosubstances.


Extramedullary hemangioblastoma of the spinal cord. Case report. A case of hemangioblastoma of the spinal cord is described in which the tumor presented in an intradural extramedullary location. The patient did not have von Hippel-Lindau's disease or metastatic seeding. It is assumed that the tumor arose in the pia, and its direction of growth was purely extramedullary.


The use of whole-body retention of Tc-99m diphosphonate in the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease. The limited role of bone scanning in the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease might be considerably improved by accurate quantification of skeletal uptake of the radiopharmaceutical. Using a standard shadow-shield whole-body monitor, we have measured whole-body retention (WBR) of Tc-99m HEDP up to 24 hr in 11 patients with renal osteodystrophy (mean WBR 88.6% at 24 hr); in ten patients with Paget's disease (mean 56.9%); in seven patients with osteomalacia (mean 40.7%); in five patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (mean 50.7%); in four patients with osteoporosis (mean 21.2%); and in 12 normals (mean 19.2%). The osteoporotic group could not be differentiated from the normal group, but the other groups were significantly different from the normal group at 24 hr (p less than 0.002), and each individual rest for the 24-hr WBR of Tc-99m HEDP in these groups lay outside our normal range. This test may, therefore, provide a sensitive means of detecting conditions with increased bone turnover. We obtained measurements of plasma activity of Tc-99m HEDP in these patients up to 24 hr, and 4-hr bone to soft-tissue ratios from bonescan images, but little additional information resulted.


Effect of various triglycerides on blood and tissue cholesterol of calves. Blood and tissue cholesterol responses were measured in six groups of four calves each fed for 24 weeks reconstituted nonfat dry fat milk in which 30% of calories was derived from one of the following: soybean oil (SBO), beef tallow (T), medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), and 1:1 soybean-oil tallow (SBO/T) combination. Two groups of four calves each also were fed SBO-milk plus dry feed and T-milk plus dry feed, respectively. Blood cholesterol concentration was significantly greater in SBO-fed calves than in T-fed calves. Calves fed MCT-milk had significantly lower blood cholesterol than calves fed T- or SBO-milk. Significant differences in cholesterol concentration were noted for the liver, perianal fat, and for omental fat.


Effect of reductive alkylation of the epsilon-amino group of lysyl redsidues of casein on its nutritive value in rats. Casein epsilon-aminolysyl residues were converted to the methyl (and dimethyl), isopropyl or cyclopentyl derivatives in high yield with formaldehyde, acetone or cyclopentanone, respectively, in the presence of sodium borohydride. When incorporated into diets at 10% as the sole protein source, the chemically modified caseins failed to support growth of young rats. Methyl casein did, however, support limited growth after about 5 days. Plasma threonine levels increased and lysine levels decreased markedly in rats fed the alkyl caseins. The respective alkyllsine derivatives were present in plasma and urine. In another experiment, nearly normal or normal growth was obtained by feeding lysine-supplemented methyl or isopropyl casein, respectively. A preparation of partially methylated casein, containing approximately equal amounts of monomethyl- and dimethyllysines, supported normal rat growth. These results demonstrate that lysine deficiency was produced by feeding highly alkylated caseins. Digestibility of the chemically modified caseins in vivo was not affected, although in vitro studies with trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin showed lowered digestibility. Since no apparent toxicity was observed limited methylation of food proteins may be useful for protection of lysyl residues against deteriorative reactions during processing and storage.


Plasma amino acid concentrations in umbilical cord vein and artery of newborn infants after elective cesarean section or spontaneous delivery. Twenty-four infants delivered by elective cesarean section and 23 spontaneously born infants were studied for plasma amino acid concentrations of the umbilical cord vein and artery. Normal labor was not found to influence plasma amino acid concentrations. In both spontaneously and operatively born infants, similar venous-arterial gradients were found for all essential and five nonessential amino acids. Based on the differences of venous and arterial concentrations and the umbilical cord blood flow, the daily fetal retention of single amino acids was calculated.


Physical dependence to barbital compared to pentobarbital. II. Tolerance characteristics. This study describes the tolerance characteristics of barbital compared to pentobarbital, the standard drug, during "chronically equivalent" treatment. Barbiturate tolerance was assessed as the increase in dose from the beginning to the end of treatment required to achieve equieffective peak effect. Dispositional tolerance was assessed as a reduction in the elimination half-life of barbiturate from blood. Functional tolerance was assessed as the increase in blood concentration of barbiturate at the time of peak effect. Overall, greater tolerance was developed to pentobarbital than to barbital. For pentobarbital, tolerance was both dispositional and functional; the dispositional tolerance developed rapidly and was almost complete at 1 week. For barbital, tolerance was exclusively functional. A most interesting finding was that functional tolerance to barbital and pentobarbital developed at the same slow rate for chronically equivalent treatment. This finding suggests that functional tolerance development is independent of the particular barbiturate reflecting the adaptability of the central nervous system to chronic depression.


Physical dependence to barbital compared to pentobarbital. III. Withdrawal characteristics. After "chronically equivalent" barbital and pentobarbital dosing for 5 weeks, treatments were abruptly stopped and the animals were carefully observed for signs of barbiturate withdrawal. The severity of withdrawal was assessed at preset times by counting the number of grand mal type convulsions and subjectively rating 20 additional motor, autonomic and behavioral signs including tremors, twitches, myoclonic jerks, postural disturbances and motor incoordination. Ratings achieved at peak intensity (raw scores) and their incidences were used to compute "total intensity scores" for each graded sign. For all quantitative measures, withdrawal signs were less severe for barbital than for pentobarbital, with strikingly lower (P less than .05) incidences of convulsions (6.3% vs. 100%), bizarre (hallucinatory) behavior (6.3% vs. 41.3), and death (0% vs. 100%). The withdrawal signs for barbital appeared later, developed more slowly and persisted longer than those for pentobarbital. That the onset and then peak of withdrawal signs occurred when the extents of decline from peak blood concentration of barbital and pentobarbital were similiar suggests that the time course of withdrawal might be inversely related to residual concentrations of drug, i.e., negative dose-response.


Physical dependence to barbital compared to pentobarbital. IV. Influence of elimination kinetics. The withdrawal characteristics of barbital and pentobarbital after "chronically equivalent" treatment suggested that the longer acting barbital was less liable to produce physical dependence. Therefore, to distinguish this potential pharmacodynamic difference from the known pharmacokinetic differences between the two drugs, the rate of elimination of each was adjusted to mimic that of the other. The rate of barbiturate elimination after chronically equivalent pentobarbital dosing was reduced by barbital substitution or by first-order pentobarbital dose reduction, with the result that withdrawal signs became mild and appeared later (3 days postdrug). The rate of barbiturate elimination after chronically equivalent barbital dosing was increased by pentobarbital substitution or by peritoneal dialysis of barbital, with the result that withdrawal signs became severe and appeared sooner (within 1 day). These findings conclusively support the key role of the rate of barbiturate elimination to expose underlying physical dependence to barbiturates. Furthermore, "physical dependence" and its expression in "withdrawal" must be regarded separately to evaluate and compare critically the dependence capability of different drugs.


Osmotic minipumps for administration of barbital to mice: demonstration of functional tolerance and physical dependence. Sodium barbital was administered to mice at a constant rate by miniature osmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously. Each pump delivered approximately 0.25 mg/hr. With two pumps per mouse, blood barbital levels of 20 to 30 microgram/ml could be maintained for various periods. Barbital was assayed by gas chromatography. Functional tolerance was shown by a significant decrease in sleep time after a challenge dose of barbital administered 24 hours after withdrawal. Physical dependence was demonstrated by withdrawal hyperexcitability as measured either with pentylenetetrazol or by convulsions elicited by handling.


Effect of cortisol on liver glycogen concentrations in hypophysectomized, adrenalectomized and normal foetal lambs during late or prolonged gestation. 1. The changes in liver glycogen concentration in normal, adrenalectomized and hypophysectomized foetal lambs have been examined during the last third of gestation using a biopsy technique to remove one or more samples of liver from the same foetus at different gestational ages. 2. The rate of glycogen deposition increased sharply from about 130 days' gestation in normal lamb foetuses whereas after hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy liver glycogen concentrations remained low even when gestation was prolonged. 3. I.V. infusions of cortisol (4-10 mg/day) for 52 hr resulted in four- to fivefold increases in liver glycogen in all three groups of foetuses. The level of glycogen in the liver appeared to be related to log plasma corticosteroid concentration in all foetuses whether they had received cortisol infusions or not. 4. Little or no change occurred in glycogen concentration in other foetal tissues apart from a decrease in the glycogen levels in peri-renal fat of adrenalectomized and hypophysectomized foetuses after cortisol infusion. There were also no detectable changes in foetal plasma lactate, urea or alpha amino nitrogen following the cortisol infusions. Foetal plasma glucose values rose slightly but this change was significant only in the adrenalectomized group. 5. The 52 hr cortisol infusions to the foetus resulted in a slight but significant fall in maternal plasma progesterone in the last few hours of the infusion period.


Plasma concentrations of testosterone and LH in the male dog. Blood samples were withdrawn every 20 min from 3 conscious intact and 2 castrated mature males during non-consecutive periods of 12 h during the light and dark phases of the lighting schedule (intact dogs) and of 11 h during the light period (castrated dogs). In the intact dogs testosterone concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 6.0 ng/ml over the 24-h period. LH concentrations varied from 0.2 to 12.0 ng/ml. In all animals, LH peaks were clearly followed, after about 50 min, by corresponding testosterone peaks, but no diurnal rhythm could be established. LH concentrations in the castrated dogs were high (9.8 +/- 2.7 (s.e.m.) ng/ml), and still showed an episodic pattern in spite of the undetectable plasma testosterone levels.


Acute effects of unilateral ovariectomy on follicular development in the cyclic hamster. Hamsters were hemispayed at 09:00 h on Day 3 of the cycle (Day 1 equal to ovulation) and were killed 1 h after injection of [3H]thymidine at 09:00, 12:00, 17:00 or 22:00 h. Unilateral ovariectomy had no effect on the number of Stage 1 or Stage 2 follicles, but there were significantly fewer Stage 3 follicles between 10:00 and 13:00 h. This decrease was not encountered in intact hamsters and was reflected in an increase in the number of Stage 6 (antral) follicles. At 13:00 h there was no difference in the number of atretic follicles between the experimental and control groups. It is concluded that preantral follicles with 6-7 layers of granulosa cells were recruited within 4 h after unilateral ovariectomy and transformed into antral follicles.


Sexual behaviour and LH secretion in spayed androgenized ewes after a s?ngle injection of testosterone or oestradiol-17beta. The behavioural and endocrine responses to single injections of 50 or 500 microgram oestradiol-17beta or 5 mg testosterone were recorded in spayed (control) ewes and in spayed ewes exposed to testosterone between Days 30 and 80 or Days 50 and 100 of prenatal life, The control ewes showed oestrus after injections on 17/18 occasions. The androgenized ewes showed poorer oestrous responses to each hormone although rams showed interest in the ewes. Masculine sexual and aggressive behaviour was shown by the androgenized ewes given either steroid. Both steroids caused a reduction in the plasma LH levels of all the ewes (negative feedback), followed by a preovulatory-type surge (positive feedback). The peak LH values were significantly lower (P is less than 0.05) in the Day 50-100 androgenized ewes than in the controls. It is concluded that prenatal androgenization causes a qualitative shift in the sexual behaviour of ewes from the female type to the male type and affects the sensitivity of the brain to "positive feedback" by steroids.


Effect of egg yolk and other reagents upon the zinc of cold-shocked boar spermatozoa. A marked reduction (80.8%) in the zinc uptake by boar spermatozoa cooled to 4 degrees C occurs when the seminal plasma is pretreated with egg yolk-glucose at this temperature. Crude lecithin is less effective (59.8%). Similar pretreatment of the seminal plasma by the polycationic drug Antrypol, which totally removes the zinc-precipitable basic haemagglutinin, does not result in a significant reduction of the sperm zinc uptake at 4 degrees C.


In-vitro fertilization of preovulatory human eggs. Preovulatory eggs were aspirated from the ovaries of women 36-38 h after hCG and incubated with washed sperm suspensions for 3 or 6 h; 5 out of 9 eggs were fertilized. Sperm penetration into the ooplasm and decondensation of the male chromatin was observed by 3 h, and an early pronucleate egg was found by 6 h, suggesting that human spermatozoa may become capacitated in vitro in 3-4 h.


Simplified classification of spontaneous abortions. A simple classification of products of conception aborted in early pregnancy is described. This classification bears a closer relation to the aetiology of the abortions and the timing of the teratological insult in those conceptuses with morphological abnormalities than have previous classifications. It is hoped it may be of value in counselling patients who abort recurrently and also in the assessment of some environmental hazards purported to cause early pregnancy wastage and congenital malformations.


Primary hypogonadism in the Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome. A 28-year-old man with mental retardation and multiple congenital malformations was found to have the classical features of Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome. Endocrine evaluations showed primary hypogonadism as the underlying endocrine abnormality rather than hypopituitarism as suggested in earlier reports.


Pathways for movement of ions and water across toad urinary bladder. III. Physiologic significance of the paracellular pathway. Hypertonicity of the mucosal bathing medium increases the electrical conductance of toad urinary bladder by osmotic distension of the epithelial "tight" or limiting junctions. However, toad urine is not normally hypertonic to plasma. In this study, the transmural osmotic gradient was varied strictly within the physiologic range; initially hypotonic mucosal bathing media were made isotonic by addition of a variety of solutes. Mucosal NaCl increased tissue conductance substantially. This phenomenon could not have reflected soley an altered conductance of the transcellular active transport pathway since mucosal KCl also increased tissue conductance, whether or not Na+ was present in the bathing media. The effect of mucosal NaCl could not have been mediated solely by a parallel transepithelial pathway formed by damaged tissue since mucosal addition of certain nonelectrolytes also increased tissue conductance. Finally, the osmotically-induced increase in conductance could not have occurred soley in transcellular transepithelial channels in parallel with the active pathway for Na+, since the permeability to 22Na from serosa to mucosa (s to m) was also increased by mucosal addition of NaCl; a number of lines of evidence suggest that s-to-m movement of Na+ proceeds largely through paracellular transepithelial pathways. The results thus establish that the permeability of the limiting junctions is physiologically dependent on the magnitude of the transmural osmotic gradient. A major role is proposed for this mechanism, serving to conserve the body stores of NaCl from excessive urinary excretion.


Abnormal monocyte chemotaxis in patients with breast cancer: evidence for a tumor-mediated effect. The chemotactic responsiveness of peripheral blood monocytes was measured in 194 individuals: 37 patients with breast cancer, 17 patients with a history of breast cancer but clinically free of disease after surgery, 42 patients with benign breast masses, and 98 normal controls. Monocyte chemotactic responsiveness (MCR) in vitro was not significantly different from normal [mean = 72.8 migrating monocytes/oil immersion field, +/- 9.3 (1 SD)] in 2 groups of patients: a) those with benign breast masses (mean = 72.6 +/- 15.1; P greater than 0.3) and b) those previously having breast cancer resected and remaining clinically free of disease (mean = 69.0 +/- 12.5; P greater than 0.4). However, MCR was significantly depressed in the group of patients with active breast cancer (mean = 57.2 +/- 20.7; P less than 0.0025). Resection of malignant breast masses resulted in a significant change in MCR (P less than 0.0025), whereas resection of benign lesions did not (P greater than 0.4). MCR was abnormal in all clinical stages of breast cancer, including breast cancer without evidence of metastasis to regional lymph nodes. These data supported the hypothesis that neoplasms adversely affect monocyte function and may thereby hinder immunologically mediated destruction of malignant cells.


Technical considerations in distal tunnel ureteral reimplantation. The advantages of a distal tunnel ureteral reimplantation have been elaborated upon previously. This method offers simplicity of transvesical explosure, rapidity of execution, excellent visibility of the terminal ureteral segments, minimal dissection and trauma in the paravesical space, the opportunity to advance the ureteral orifices to a physiologic position on the trigone and minimal risk of angulation, kinking or obstruction of the terminal ureter. It is now recognized that this method, with the modifications discussed herein, has wide applicability in the management of vesicoureteral reflux of all varieties and etiologies.


Development of a carbon dioxide laser cystoscope. A 50-watt carbon dioxide continuous laser coupled to a Zeiss surgical microscope was used to study the characteristics of laser-induced lesions on the exteriorized canine bladder. The relationship of energy to the depth of the lesion created by the laser was evaluated. Healing, vertical temperature transmission and hemostasis were studied. A prototype carbon dioxide laser cystoscope then was constructed and used endoscopically to create surgical lesions in the intact canine bladder.


Effects of bot fly (Cuterebra) parasitism on activity patterns of Peromyscus maniculatus in the laboratory. Peromyscus maniculatus subjected to bot fly (Cuterebra) parasitism in the laboratory showed significant changes in amount and temporal distribution of several activity patterns. Strenuous activities, such as running in an exercise wheel or stereotypic somersaulting, declined while less strenuous activities associated with maintenance behaviors increased. Diurnal response to handling and disturbance declined significantly in infected mice. The temporal distribution of nocturnal activity was altered, and may affect vulnerability of infected mice to small predators. Most changes persisted for at least a week postinfection.


Hypothalamic hypopituitarism presenting as galactorrhea-amenorrhea. A young woman with secondary amenorrhea was also found to have a deficiency of growth hormone. Functional deficiency of adrenocorticotropic and thyroid stimulating hormones, and probably prolactin-inhibiting hormone, developed subsequently. No evidence of a mass lesion in the hypothalamic pituitary axis was found. She failed to respond to any pharmacologic agent believed to act functionally at a suprapituitary level, but responded to all stimuli believed to act directly on the pituitary. This progressive failure of the endocrine hypothalamus may be an extension of the idiopathic hypopituitarism syndrome found in children.


Use of freeze-dried sensitized erythrocytes in indirect hemagglutination test for serodiagnosis of leptospirosis. The indirect hemagglutination (HA) test using freeze-dried tanned formalinized sheep erythrocytes sensitized with deoxycholate-extracted leptospiral antigen was investigated for its applicability to serodiagnosis of leptospirosis. The sensitized erythrocytes suspension containing an adequate concentration of glycine was lyophilized and used for the HA test. The lyophilized sensitized cells are rehydrated after at least 10 months storage without any loss of HA titer. The sensitivity of such cell suspension tested on sera from cases of leptospirosis equals that of the suspension before freeze-drying.


[Change in the cortical and medullary renal circulation in centrogenic forms of arterial hypertension]. It was shown on 36 nonanesthetized rats by polarography from H2 elimination and PO2 recording that cortical and medullary circulation in the kidneys undergoes continuous fluctuations. A definite relation of these fluctuations with circulatory changes in the cerebral limbicoreticular structures was noted. In electric stimulation of the reticular formation and the hypothalamus on the background of arterial hypertension the cortical circulation decreased by 88.5% while the medullary circulation increased by 82.8%. In hypertension of over 180--235 mm Hg, the blood flow both in the cortical and in the medullary substance ceased practically. Chronic disturbance in the blood supply to the brain led to arterial hypertension and short-lived (10--20 days) increase of the blood plasma renin activity to 417.8% and its subsequent normalization by the 65th day. At the same time, renal blood flow dropped progressively and the reaction of the renal vessels to hypercapnic load became less manifest, which testified to changes in their reactive-structural characteristics. Summarizing the results obtained and the data of other investigators, the author concludes that neurogenous disorders of renal blood flow hold one of the key positions in the formation of arterial hypertension of different etiology.


Estrous cycle regulation in the whitefooted mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) with special reference to vaginal cast formation. The estrous cycle of the whitefooted mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) was consistent with those described for most small rodents and closely resembled that of the house mouse and the rat in timing. The presence of the male did not accelerate puberty nor induce cycle synchrony, but was critical in establishing cycle regularity. Females isolated from influences of males never attained a pattern of concistent cycle length. Development of the vaginal epithelium during estrus was excessive in both isolated and non-isolated females, resulting in a "cast" of cornified epithelium which could be removed intact during metestrus. Casts removed during the making of vaginal smears measured up to 20 mm in length and still left a sufficient residue of cells which could be detected in all stages of the estrous cycle.


Syphacia obvelata in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): natural occurrence and experimental transmission. An adult from a research colony and a litter of 5-week-old Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) from a pet store were found to have pinworms identified as Syphacia obvelata. The infected gerbils were allowed to cohabitate with uninfected gerbils. Similarly, infected gerbils were caged with uninfected mice and infected mice with uninfected gerbils. Results of these studies showed that Syphacia obvelata can be transmitted from gerbil to gerbil, gerbil to mouse, and mouse to gerbil.


An autoclavable electronic interface for germfree isolators. An electronic interface was designed and fabricated for use with germfree isolators. It allows a variety of sensors or electrical instruments inside an isolator to be readily connected to monitoring or activating devices on the outside of an isolator. It was built into a 25 cm diameter cylinder whose open ends were loosely covered by an inner and outer connector panel. These two panels were wired together through an airtight dividing wall placed transversely across the middle of the cylinder. The interface was mounted in an entry port of a stainless steel isolator and steam sterilized with the isolator. It has proven to be a useful, contamination-free, durable device.


Atypical mycobacteria and the xenograft valve. During a 4 month interval, cultures taken at the time of porcine xenograft valve implantation grew a fastidious atypical mycobacterium, Mycobacterium chelonei (Runyon's groups IV), in eight of 20 patients. Initial growth occurred at 2 to 3 weeks in thioglycollate broth only; detailed biochemical and bacteriologic evaluation demonstrates altered catalase activity accounting for its initial slow growth. Only one patient has manifested clinical evidence of infection 5 months after mitral valve replacement. A large pericardial effusion required pericardiectomy. Pericardial tissue and fluid have grown M. chelonei with the same growth characteristics as the initial valve culture. It is recommended that manufacturers of xenograft valve bioprostheses maintain a quarantine of 6 weeks until cultures, smears of culture broth, and microscopic evaluation of aortic wall coupons are negative. Users of these prostheses should keep cultures for a minimum of 3 weeks. Should positive cultures result, antimicrobial therapy should be considered only with clinical evidence of infection.


Repair of atrioventricular canal associated with membranous subaortic stenosis. The successful repair of associated atrioventricular canal anomaly and membranous subaortic stenosis is reported for the first time in two patients. Although subaortic stenosis associated with atrioventricular canal anomaly has been reported previously, it was caused by anomalous positioning of the atrioventricular valve, so that the discrete membranous type of stenosis in these two patients is the unique feature. Awareness of the possible association of these two deformities should enable accurate preoperative diagnosis and simultaneous correction at operation.


Role of gastric emptying on ethanol poisoning in rats. Intraperitoneal glucose was demonstrated to significantly inhibit the absorption of ethanol ( 2 g/kg) administered orally to rats. The effect was due to slowed emptying of the stomach, verified by analysis of the stomach contents and of blood enthanol levels. The observation agrees with previous findings, according to which the rate of stomach emptying is inversely related to the blood glucose level. However, when glucose was given intravenously 15 minutes after oral administration of a lethal dose of ethanol (12.5 g/kg) no significant inhibition of ethanol absorption could be observed. Intravenous propantheline, pyrithioxine and methylene blue were also unable to prolong the survival time or to influence the lethal blood ethanol concentration (about 170 mmol/l) of the enthanol-poisoned rats.


Effect of chronic ethanol administration on cholesterol and bile acid synthesis in vivo. Chronic administration of ethanol failed to a stimulate the hepatic rate of cholesterol synthesis in meal-fed rats. In contrast, chronic ethanol feeding caused a 50% inhibition in the rate of incorporation of [4-14C] cholesterol to bile acids in the bile-duct cannulated rats. It is, therefore, suggested that the decreased rate of cholesterol degradation to bile acids may play an important role in ethanol-induced accumulation of cholesterol in liver.


[The influence of moderate intrauterine nutrition on later physical and mental development in twins (author's transl)]. Follow-up examinations on 45 dizygotic and monozygotic twins were performed in order to establish differences in physical and mental development with regard to differences in birth-weight. The "critical" weight difference of at least 650 g could be established where mental abilities, height and head circumference scored lower in the lower birth weight group. Our findings stress the positive home environment as being responsible for the lack of differences between the two groups in the development during early childhood, of psychosocial behaviour and school performance.


The relation between ketone bodies, glucose and minerals contents in bovine blood under various physiological conditions. The interrelationship between the concentration of ketone bodies, glucose, minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Cl) in serum and in TCA soluble whole blood under different physiological conditions in 110 cows was investigated. There was a certain relationship (partly high significant) between the mineral content, ketone bodies and glucose levels in blood. However, there is no clear explanation for the qualification of blood minerals as an indicator of the content of ketone bodies and glucose in serum and whole blood. The age of animals and the seasons had no influence on the concentration of ketone bodies in serum and whole blood. Significant positive relationship was found between the time of lactation, pregnancy and serum glucose and negative relation with ketone bodies. There was no correlation between milk production and ketone bodies. The hours after feeding were positively correlated with ketone bodies.


[Stereochemical theory of the 3-dimensional structure of globular proteins. III. Prediction of the tertiary structure]. A prediction is made of the tertiary structure of parvalbumin, the variable part of the immunoglobulin molecule, carboxypeptidase and the trypsin inhibitor. The structures obtained theoretically coincide completely with the native ones. In the case of the trypsin inhibitor molecule, the theoretical sequence of disulfide bridge formation completely coincides with the experimental data. Elements of symmetry were found in highly helical intermediate structures of the four proteins studied. The theory developed can be successfully applied for assembling the quaternary protein structure. Proceeding from this theory the mechanisms of the increased rate of assembly of protein spatial structure in conditions in vivo as compared with their assembly in vitro are analysed.


The effect of perinatal thyroxine treatment on the development of the plasma corticosterone diurnal rhythm. Thyroxine (10 microgram/g b.w., s.c.), injected either on days 2, 3 and 4 or days 8, 9 and 10, resulted in a higher a.m.-p.m. plasma corticosterone difference on day 23, compared to the vehicle-treated controls. In a separate experiment the same dose of thyroxine on days 8, 9 and 10 caused an earlier appearance of significantly higher p.m. than a.m. plasma corticosterone levels (day 15 vs day 18 in vehicle-treated controls), and earlier eye-opening (12.38 +/- 0.11 thyroxine vs 15.36 +/- 0.14 days, vehicle). These results suggest that thyroxine influences the maturation of those neural structures which participate in the regulation of the diurnal rhythm of ACTH secretion and, as a consequence, in that of corticosterone production.


Effect of combined perinatal thyroxine and corticosterone treatment on the development of the diurnal pituitary-adrenal rhythm. Daily corticosterone injections (20 microgram/g b.w., i.p.), on either days 2, 3 and 4 or days 16, 17 and 18, abolished the normal development of the a.m.-p.m. difference in plasma corticosterone levels, as no a.m.-p.m. difference was present in either group on day 21. Thyroxine treatment (10 microgram/g b.w., s.c.) on days 8, 9 and 10 was able to counteract the effect of corticosterone at both ages, i.e. animals treated with thyroxine and corticosterone exhibited a significant a.m.-p.m. difference on day 18, the same day as controls. On the other hand, thyroxine-treated rats with prior corticosterone injections continued to show significantly earlier eye-opening than controls. These results suggest that thyroxine advances the maturation of central structures which are involved in the control of pituitary-adrenal activity and which are sensitive to high perinatal plasma levels of corticosterone.


Effect of perinatal thyroxine treatment on some endocrine functions of male and female rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 10 microgram/g b.w. thyroxine on days 8, 9 and 10 of life. This treatment had no effect on the development of the female diurnal pattern of plasma corticosterone or on the time of vaginal opening. Treated females cycled normally and they showed compensatory hypertrophy (CH) of ovaries comparable to that of vehicle-treated controls. Treated males responded to a combined ether-hemorrhage stress, as did controls, and they exhibited normal adrenal CH. Both treated males and females had lower body weights and reduced endocrine organ weights on day 49 of life.


[Usefulness of carotid artery compression test in the diagnosis of cerebral circulation disorders in patients with cerebral aneurysm. Evaluation by the rheoencephalographic method]. Rheoencephalographic investigations (REG) was carried out in patients with intracranial aneurysms and in healthy subjects. The purpose of the study was to obtain approximate data on the efficiency of collateral circulation of the brain before ligation of the internal carotid artery. For this purpose REG was associated with common artery compression test. It was found that this combined examination gives good prediction of the efficiency of collateral circulation after ligation of one carotid artery. This method is more sensitive than the Matas test combined with EEG used previously.


Broca aphasia: pathologic and clinical.

Broca aphasia: pathologic and clinical. The speech disturbance resulting from infarction limited to the Broca area has been delineated; it differs from the speech disorder called Broca aphasia, which results from damage extending far outside the Broca area. Nor does Broca area infarction cause Broca aphasia. The lesions in 20 cases observed since 1972 were documented by autopsy, computerized tomography, or arteriogram; the autopsy records from the Massachusetts General hospital for the past 20 years and the published cases since 1820 were also reviewed. The findings suggest that infarction affecting the Broca area and its immediate environs, even deep into the brain, causes a mutism that is replaced by rapidly improving dyspraxic and effortful articulation, but that no significant distrubance in language function persists. The more complex syndrome traditionally referred to as Broca aphasia, including Broca's original case, is characterized by protracted mutism, verbal stereotypes, and agrammatism. It is associated with a considerably larger infarct which encompasses the operculum, including the Broca area, insula, and adjacent cerebrum, in the territory supplied by the upper division of the left middle cerebral artery.


Specific antagonism of GABA-mediated postsynaptic inhibition in cultured mammalian spinal cord neurons: a common mode of convulsant action. Mammalian spinal neurons grown in tissue culture were used to study the effects of the four convulsants-penicillin, pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, and bicuculline-on these neurons' responses to amino acids. Bath application of all four convulsants produced paroxysmal depolarizing events in the neurons; iontophoresis of the four convulsants selectively depressed responses produced by iontophoresis of the putative inhibitory transmitter GABA, and effected this depression without altering either inhibitory responses to beta-alanine or glycine, or excitation mediated by glutamate. These results support the hypothesis that the convulsant activity of these agents comes in part from selective antagonism of GABA-mediated postsynaptic inhibition.


Exercise-induced changes of reactivity of different types of muscle on glycogenolytic effect of adrenaline. In the investigations presented it was found that the glycogenolytic effect of adrenaline in the skeletal muscle of resting rats depends on the type of muscle: the hormone exerts the least effect in the white muscle and the greatest effect in the intermediate one. There was a cumulative effect of adrenaline in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg and exercise on the glycogen level in the white muscle. In the red and intermediate muscles the exercise-induced glycogen depletion rate was very rapid and no additional effect of adrenaline on glycogen level was observed. No repletion of glycogen in the white muscle occurred during the first 3 h of the post-exercise recovery, and adrenaline further decreased the glycogen level in this muscle. In the red and intermediate muscles full repletion of glycogen took place already during the first hour of recovery. A dose of 0.1 mg/kg adrenaline had no effect on the glycogen repletion rate in the red muscle and only partly inhibited it in the intermediate muscle. A dose of 0.5 mg/kg adrenaline prevented the glycogen repletion in both types of muscles. During the exercise as well as during the post-exercise recovery the hyperglycemic effect of adrenaline was decreased.


Iso-renin secretion from rat brain cortex slices in vitro under the influence of ions and electrical stimulation. The aim of this study was to obtain additional data concerning the influence of changes in osmolarity and ionic composition on iso-renin secretion from rat brain cortex slices. The slices were isolated and superfused in vitro according to the technique of Pull and McIlwain (1972). The secretion of iso-renin was strongly stimulated by an increase of Na+ concentration. Iso-renin output almost doubled upon raising NaCl from 120 to 240 mM. Decrease of the NaCl concentration to 60 mM resulted in a reduced iso renin secretion while addition of tetrodotoxin (TTX) (60 micron) did not significantly alter the iso-renin content of brain slices. Changes in osmotic pressure were without significant influence. Electrical stimulation or elevation of extracellular K+ concentrations enhanced iso-renin secretion. Furthermore, Ca2+ ions seem to increase both the content and the release of cerebral iso-renin.


Red cell deformability and adaptation in cholesterol-fed guinea pigs. The flow of dietary cholesterol-loaded guinea-pig erythrocytes was observed in a glass capillary viscometer at wall shear stresses of 2 and 56 dynes/cm2. The viscosity of a suspension of red cells (H = 56 vol%) in a Ringer-albumin solution served as an estimate of the red cell deformation. It was found that dietary cholesterol did not significantly alter red cell deformability. The serum of cholesterol-fed animals showed higher sphering properties (possibly due to a higher concentration of lysolecithin) when incubated under the same conditions as the serum from control animals. When cholesterol-loaded red cells came into contact with the sphering agent lysolecithin, reduced flow properties were exhibited during prolonged contact, whereas erythrocytes from controls adapted to lysolecithin.


No relation between atrial natriuresis and renal blood flow in conscious dogs. Conscious dogs were used to study whether changes in total renal hemodynamics are responsible for diuresis and natriuresis during an experimental increase in left atrial pressure (LAP). To ensure a controlled dietary sodium intake, the dogs (n = 8) were chronically kept on a high or a low sodium intake diet (HSI; LSI). After the dogs had completely recovered from surgery (carotid loop, thoracotomy, flank incision), LAP was increased by about 10 cm H2O for 60 min by tightening a purse string around the mitral annulus (51 expts.). Mean urine volume (V) increased in both groups to a comparable degree. Mean sodium excretion increased somewhat more in HSI dogs, but remained elevated in LSI dogs after the LAP increase. Renal blood flow (electromagnetic flow transducer) and inulin clearance did not change. Renal vascular resistance (RVR) increased by about 20% (HSI) and 15% (LSI). --When the induced LAP INCREASE WAS TERMINATED, V decreased. RVR decreased in HSI dogs by about -11% and in LSI dogs by about -6% below control values. --It is concluded that volume regulatory mechanisms induced by an experimental LAP increase operate independently of changes in total renal blood flow.


Anterior and posterior hypothalamus: effects of independent temperature displacements on heat production in conscious goats. Three goats were chronically implanted with thermodes to alter the temperatures of the anterior and posterior hypothalamus independently of each other. At an air temperature of +14 degrees C the anterior hypothalamus was cooled with different intensities, while the posterior hypothalamus was simultaneously either warmed (39 degrees C) or cooled (29 degrees C). In both conditions cooling anterior hypothalamus increased heat production. However, the increase was smaller, when the posterior hypothalamus was cooled. The inhibiting effect was most pronounced during the first parts of the periods and diminished with time. Nevertheless, in a separate series of experiments, the effects of posterior hypothalamic cooling were found to persist over periods of 3 h. At an air temperature of +3 degrees C the posterior hypothalamus temperature was altered between 28 and 42 degrees C, while anterior hypothalamus temperature was kept close to its control level. Shivering and heat production decreased with cooling and increased with warming of the posterior hypothalamus. The results suggest that those neurons which reside in the posterior hypothalamus and mediate shivering, are sensitive to temperature. Thermosensitivity of these allegedly integrative neurons affects shivering and heat production in a way inverse to the thermosensitivity of the temperature sensing neurons in the anterior hypothalamus.


Endolymphatic and intracellular resting potential in the alligator lizard cochlea. Endolymphatic potential (EP) and intracellular resting potentials (RPs) in the cochlea of the alligator lizard were measured with micropipets. The EP (defined as the dc electric potential recorded between the endolymph in scala media and the perilymph in scala tympani or scala vestibuli) had a mean value of +16 mV (in 96 ears). The RPs (defined as the dc potentials recorded between the intracellular and perilymphatic spaces) were different in the distal portion of the cochlear nerve (range to -56 mV, mean of -23 mV in 158 cells) from those in the region of the basilar papilla (range to -154 mV, mean of -73 mV in 623 cells). In identified cells in the region of the basilar papilla, the mean values of RPs of hyaline epithelial cells (-113 mV in 7 cells) and supporting cells (-93 mV in 13 cells) were more negative than of hair cells (-73 mV in 5 cells). Differences in measured RPs could reflect differences in the resting potentials of these cells and/or their source resistances. RPs measured in the basilar papilla of the alligator lizard are compared with those obtained in other vertebrate hair cell organs.


The early phase of experimental acute renal failure. III. Tubologlomerular feedback. Experiments were designed to determine whether tubologlomerular feedback, which modifies nephron filtration rate in response to alterations in the macula densa sodium chloride concentration, was still apparent in the initiation phase of various types of acute renal failure. The response of the glomerulus to changes in the macula densa stimulus was evaluated in haeme pigment, ischaemic and nephrotoxic induced renal damage by measuring early proximal flow rates. The sodium chloride concentration at the macula densa was varied between low values and isotonicity in two ways: firstly, by interruption of flow through the loop of Henle, followed by orthograde perfusion with Ringer's solution; secondly, by retrograde perfusion of the loop of Henle with isosmotic mannitol or Ringer's solution. In all nephrons examined, filtration rate was inversely correlated to the macula densa sodium chloride concentration, except during orthograde perfusion with 10(-4) M furosemide in Ringer's solution, when, despite the high sodium chloride concentration, filtration rate remained high. It is concluded that the mechanism of tubuloglomerular feedback is viable after the onset of compromised renal function, and may, as postulated, account for the reduction in blood flow and nephron filtration rate occurring in acute renal failure.


Effects of hydrostatic pressure on fluid transfer by the isolated gallbladder. The influence of hydrostatic pressure elevation on fluid absorption by the isolated guinea pig gallbladder was determined following addition of various smooth muscle spasmogens to the serosal bathing medium. Acetylcholine, prostaglandin E1 and ouabain increased intraluminal pressure from about 4 cm H2O to 13 cm H2O. The pressure increase was associated with a marked but transient stimulation in fluid transfer. The same phenomenon was observed following an increase in hydrostatic pressure by addition of Ringer's solution to the gallbladder lumen. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that this phenomenon represents the extrusion of an edema from the gallbladder wall. Two observations favour this explanation: 1. The wet weights of gallbladder subjected to high intraluminal hydrostatic pressure were only one third of those at low pressure. 2. Microscopic examination of the wall of gallbladders at low pressure showed a marked submucosal edema.


Effects of prostaglandins on Na transport in isolated collecting tubules. Direct tubular effects of prostaglandins (PG's) on Na transport were examined in isolated cortical and medullary collecting tubules of rabbits perfused in vitro. The animals were treated with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA, 1 mg kg-1 day-1, i.m.) for 3-6 days before experiments. In the cortical collecting tubules PGE2 (1.2 X 10(-7)-2.5 X 10(-5) M), E1 (1.2 x 10(-5) M) and F2alpha (1.2 x 10(-5) M) added to the bath caused reversible decreases in transtubular potential difference (PDt). But neither PGE2 (1.2 X 10(-5) M) added to the perfusate nor PGA2 (1.2 X 10(-5) M) added to the bath had an effect on PDt. The net Na absorption was decreased with PGE2 (1.2 X 10(-5) M) added to the bath from 8.6 +/- 1.36 to 1.5 +/- 1.04 pEq cm-1 s-1 (P is less than 0.02). In rabbits not pretreated with DOCA, the net Na absorption was reduced from 2.73 +/- 0.74 to 1.02 +/- 0.74 pEq cm-1 s-1 (P is less than 0.01). In the outer medullary collecting tubules PGE2 (1.2 X 10(-5) M) added to the bath also caused a reversible decrease in PDt. It is concluded that PGE2, F2alpha and E1 inhibit Na absorption in the collecting tubules by acting on the peritubular membrane.


The effects of anesthesia on the excretion of an isotonic saline load in the rat. The ability to excrete a volume of isotonic saline equal to 10% of body weight infused over 60 min, was examined in awake rats and in rats anesthetized with 1 of the 2 agents most commonly used in renal clearance studies, Inactin or Nembutal. Rats anesthetized with Inactin excreted significantly less of the infused sodium during the period of infusion and in the 120-min post-infusion periods as compared to Nembutal-anesthetized rats or awake rats. Following saline infusion, there was a significantly greater decrease in serum protein concentration (25.5 +/- 4.7%) in rats anesthetized with Inactin, compared to that observed in the awake or Nembutal-treated rats. In a separate group of saline-infused awake rats, induction of anesthesia with Inactin resulted in a significant increase in hematocrit and a decrease in serum protein concentration. These studies suggest that Inactin anesthesia decreases the ability of the kidney to excrete a saline load and that, in studies of sodium excretion in the rat, especially if volume expansion is to be part of the experimental protocol, Nembutal rather than Inactin may be the anesthetic of choice.


Influence of renal nerves on renin secretion in the conscious dog. In order to evaluate the influence of renal nerves on renin secretion during changes in blood volume, we studied the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and the renal venous plasma renin activity (PRA) in 6 conscious dogs having one intact and one denervated kidney. After a passive head-up tilt PRA increased significantly in the vein of the intact kidney while it remained stable in the denervated one. The intravenous injection of Furosemide (3 mg/kg) induced a rapid elevation of PRA in both renal veins. The kinetics of the variations of renin secretion were similar in the two kidneys, but its magnitude was significantly lower in the denervated side. After a slow hemorrhage of 2, 4 and 6 ml/kg, MAP was unchanged and PRA increased in both renal veins but in a significantly lower degree in the denervated side. When blood loss reached 8 ml/kg, MAP decreased and PRA increased identically in the two renal veins. It was concluded that, in conscious dogs, the renal nerves could participate in the rapid adaptations of renin secretion during small changes in the circulating blood volume.


Thermoregulation and non-shivering thermogenesis in the genetically obese (ob/ob) mouse. 1. The capacity ofr thermoregulation and thermogenesis in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice has been investigated. 2. At 4 degrees C ob/ob mice rapidly die of hypothermia, because of a reduced capacity for cold-induced thermogenesis, but the animals are able to survive if previously adapted to 12 degrees C. 3. At all environmental temperatures between 30 degrees C and 10 degrees C the body temperature of ob/ob mice is 2.0-2.5 degrees C below that of lean animals. This may be due to a lower "setting" for body temperature. 4. At 34 degrees C the oxygen consumption of obese mice is greater than that of the lean animals while at 30 degrees C it is similar. When the environmental temperature is below 30 degrees C the oxygen consumption of the lean mice is greater. The obese animals therefore expend less energy on thermoregulatory thermogenesis. 5. The capacity for non-shivering thermogenesis was measured in lean and obese mice by investigating the effect of an injection of L-nor-adrenaline (1000 microgram/kg body weight) on the metabolic rate at 31 degrees C. Non-shivering thermogenesis was reduced by one-half in the obese animals. 6. One cause of the obesity of the ob/ob mouse is its high metabolic efficiency. We suggest that this high metabolic efficiency is due, at least in part, to less energy being expended on thermoregulatory thermogenesis.


In vitro perfused, non-isolated small intestine: ontogeny of transmural hydraulic permeability. Net fluid flux and transmural hydrostatic hydraulic conductance (Lp) were measured in the rat ileum during postnatal ontogeny, utilizing a refined in vitro, capillary-perfused (non-isolated) preparation for free-flow studies. Volume absorption at low transmural pressure gradient (1-2 cmH2O) was 0.99 +/- 0.22 ml/g wet weight.hr in the mature ileum and 1.55 +/- 0.42 ml/g wwt.hr in the differentiating intestine. Hydrostatic hydraulic conductance of the mature ileum was 0.76 microliter/cm2.cm H2O.hr, indicating that normal hydrostatic pressure gradients are not important for modulation of intestinal absorption. In contrast, Lp was 3.82 microliter/cm2.cmH2O.hr in the differentiating ileu, suggesting a significant contribution of pressure-dependent solvent drag to isotonic solute absorption.


[Neonatal hypothyroidism induced by the ingestion of potassium iodide during pregnancy (author's transl)]. This concerns a case of an infant born with goiter and hypothyroidism whose mother had taken potassium iodide during pregnancy in the form of a respiratory eupneic syrup. Laboratory tests revealed the etiology of the goiter by demonstrating that it concerned a transitory, acquired hormone production disturbance. The tests gave an indication of the course of the condition, leading to substitute hormone therapy being stopped after six weeks. The euthyroidism was then checked on two occastions.


A restriction endonuclease cleavage map of mitochondrial DNA from transformed hamster cells. Mitochondrial DNA from cultured C13/B4 hamster cells was cleaved by the restriction endonucleases Hpa II, Hind III, Eco RI and Bam HI into 7, 5, 3 and 2 unique fragments, respectively. The summed molecular weights of fragments obtained from electrophoretic mobilities in agarose-ethidium bromide gels (with Hpa I-cleaved T7 DNA as standard) and electron microscopic analysis of fragment classes isolated from gels (with SV40 DNA as standard) were in good agreement with the size of 10.37 +/- 0.22 x 10(6) daltons (15,700 +/- 330 nucleotide pairs) determined for the intact circular mitochondrial genome. Cyclization of all Hind III, Eco RI and Bam HI fragments was observed. A cleavage map containing the 17 restriction sites (+/- 1% s.d.) was constructed by electrophoretic analysis of 32P-labeled single- and double-enzyme digestion products and reciprocal redigestion of isolated fragments. The 7 Hpa II sites were located in one half of the genome. The total distribution of the 17 cleavages around the genome was relatively uniform. The position of the D-loop was determined from its location and expansion on 3 overlapping restriction fragments.


Effects of marijuana extract distillate and cannabidiol on variable interval performance as a function of food deprivation. Lever-pressing rates plotted as a function of number of hours of food deprivation produces an inverted U curve, the activation performance curve. Since delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol depresses the response rate on variable interval (VI) performance, it may be that the response depression reflects changes in this curve. Rats were tested VI performance at five levels of food deprivation and were treated with a vehicle control, marijuana extract distillate (MED) at 7.5 and 11.25 mg/kg, cannabidiol (CBD), at 15 mg/kg or combinations: 7.5 mg/kg MED + 15 mg/kg CBD and 11.25 mg/kg MED + 15 mg/kg CBD. MED produced a depression of VI performance which was greatest at low levels of deprivation. CBD did not depress performance. When CBD was conbined with MED, potentiation of depression occurred. The potentiation depression was not additive, but occurred at high levels of deprivation. It appears that MED depresses performance most at low levels of deprivation and that CBD potentiates the depression produced by MED at high levels of deprivation.


[Effect of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen on the physiological and biochemical properties of Bacillus brevis and Pseudomonas mycophaga]. The pattern of oxido-reductive processes and antifungal properties of the bacteria Bacillus brevis and Pseudomonas mycophaga were studied as related to the type and ratio of nitrogen sources (NH4, NO3) in the nutrient medium. The biosynthesis of antibiotics was coupled with the anaerobic pattern of metabolism, and energetic processes of metabolism varied with respect to the nitrogen source. Nitrates exerted an inhibitory effect on the enzymic systems responsible for utilization of ammonium nitrogen.


[Diurnal rhythm of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism and 11-hydroxycorticosteroid secretion in rats]. The results of study of the rhythms of secretion of 11-OCS, synthesis and metabolism of glucose, formation of urea and esters of fatty acids in male rats in the course of 12 hours of the daily period are presented in this work. A definite rhythmic character and conjugation of the processes of corticosteroid secretion and carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism were revealed. Participation of the adrenal cortex hormones (glucocorticoids) in the regulation of direction of the carbohydrate metabolism by the type of glycolysis, hexosomonophosphate way and gluconeogenesis is discussed.


Processes regulating the functional activity of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine: results of animal experimentation and their relevance to the understanding and treatment of depression. Investigation has been made into the processes regulating the function activity of rat brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the way that drugs used to treat depression act on these processes. Use was made of both biochemical measurements and a behavioural model in which the hyperactivity which follows increased 5-HT synthesis and release was measured as an index of functional activity of the amine. The following mechanisms are suggested to be important in the control of 5-HT function. Presynaptic mechanisms; precursor availability and the transport of tryptophan across the neuronal membrane, intraneuronal metabolism by monoamine oxidase, compartmentation, release and re-uptake. Postsynaptic mechanisms; the sensitivity of the post-synaptic receptor, the role of peptides in altering the size of the post-synaptic response and the action of other neurotransmitters controlling the magnitude of the postsynaptic response. In this regard 5-HT function has been shown to be altered by both dopamine and GABA. The action of anti-depressant drugs on these mechanisms is discussed.


Absence of cardiac deceleration in a signalled escape paradigm: a psychophysiological deficit in chronic schizophrenia. Fourteen chronic male schizophrenic patients and six male control subjects were compared in an escape paradigm involving temporal warning of the presentation of an aversive tone stimulus to which an escape response was to be made. The characteristic heart rate deceleration shown immediately prior to the aversive stimulus by control subjects was absent in the schizophrenic group. Further features of this novel test paradigm distinguished the control and schizophrenic groups. This psychophysiological test procedure may be fruitful for schizophrenia research.


[Uterine reactivity of alloxan-diabetic rats to oxytocin (author's transl)]. The author studied the uterine reactivity of alloxan-diabetic rats to oxytocin. Using the Magnus method with Ringer-Locke nutrient solution (modified by Garcia de Jalon) low in calcium and varying the bath temperature from 30 degrees C to 36 degrees C, modifications of the organ were observed. The dose-effect relationship was only practicable in uterus of normal rats at 30 degrees C. When the bath temperature reached 35 degrees C, it was only possible to evaluate the uterine reactivity of alloxan rats by fixed periods of rhythmical contractions, that were graphically represented. This modification in the experiment resulted from the absence of reactivity of the alloxanic rat organ at 30 degrees C. Besides describing the methodology applied, the author suggests a hypothesis about the role of Ca++ on the variation of uterine reactivity. A previous administration of diethylstilbestrol (estrogenic hormone) in alloxanic rats, not treated with insulin, was followed by recovery of uterine reactivity, reinforcing the hypothesis of the mobilization of Ca++ in discompensated alloxan-diabetic rats as a factor of variations on the sensibility of the tissues.


A clinical evaluation of a test for antibody-coated bacteria in the urine. A test for antidoby-coated bacteria in the urine for the diagnosis of the anatomical level of urinary tract infection was evaluated in an unselected series of patients with urinary tract infection as a complication of other diseases of the uro-genital tract. Of 19 patients with cancer of the bladder, prostata and the kidney who had clinical signs of lower tract infection, 14 had antibody-coated bacteria in the urine. Among adult patients without cancer of the urinary tract but a clearcut history of upper tract infection, 17 had antibody-coated bacteria, while 8 had not. Six patients also without history of cancer, with clearcut lower tract infection, had antibody-coated bacteria; 38 had not. The results indicate that cancer of the urinary tract seems to influence the correct establishing of level of infection by this method. In patients with diseases of the urinary tract in additional to infection, antibody coating by bacteria in the urine must be interpreted with caution.


[Alcohol and drug interactions].

[Alcohol and drug interactions]. Alcohol appears to interact with many drugs in many different and complicated ways. The absorption and metabolism of drugs can be altered under the influence of acute or chronic alcohol intake, and it is possible that alcohol itself or its metabolic products may interfere with the effect of several drugs. These interactions are not only of biological interest but also of clinical importance, and the general practitioner should therefore be aware of them. The therapy of patients with chronic alcoholism is often complicated by such interactions, and it is thus important to know both the habits of the patient with respect to alcohol intake and possible interference with the drugs used.


United States population dose estimates for iodine-131 in the thyroid after the Chinese atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. Analysis of samples collected within the United States after the Chinese atmospheric nuclear weapons tests of 26 September and 17 November 1976 indicates that the radiation dose to the thyroid from iodine-131 in milk was predominant. A U.S. population dose to the thyroid of 68,000 man-rads was calculated for the iodine-131 fallout. The four excess thyroid cancers that are estimated to occur as a result of the September test during the next 45 years will be masked by the 380,000 cases of thyroid cancer which are expected to occur in the United States from all causes during the same interval.


Gingivitis and cellulitis in diffuse pneumococcal infection. Gingivitis occurring with a cystic lesions in young patients with facial cellulitis is highly suggestive of a pneumococcal etiology. Two cases of pneumococcal cellulitis and gingivitis with bacteremia are reported, and the pertinent literature is reviewed.


The relationship between weight at birth, anthropometric data and reading age of white schoolchildren. The relationship between weight at birth, reading ability and present weight in a group of 220 junior primary schoolchildren from a predominantly professional-class Westville population, was investigated. No statistical correlation was found between these variables. In view of the high birth weights of the children in this study, it is suggested that the phenomenon of intellectual stunting of low birth weight children (less than 2000 g), which has been reported from Scotland and the USA, may not present a problem in children from affluent populations, such as those of the present study.


Plasma growth hormone level in the Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome. In 10 patients with Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome the basal plasma growth hormone level was slightly increased. There was no decrease of plasma growth hormone after glucose loading in most of the patients. These findings were supported by the histological picture of the adenohypophysis of an accidentally died patient. A microadenomatosis of adenohypophysis consisting of acidophils or basophils was found. The increased growth hormone secretion might be responsible for the hyperostosis and some other features of the Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome.


First aid for shark attack victims.

First aid for shark attack victims. A first-aid kit designed for the treatment of shark attack victims is presented. Emphasis is placed on the control of massive haemorrhage, the restoration of plasma volume and the transfer of the patient to hospital after initial shoch has been treated on the beach.


Acute tubular necrosis following intravesical instillation of formalin. Intravesical instillation of formalin in a patient with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and radiation cystitis was followed by acute renal failure due to acute tubular necrosis. Formic acid, which is a metabolic product of formalin, has been postulated as the pathogenetic agent responsible for acute tubular necrosis.


Testicular tumors in infants and children. Forty three children with testicular tumors have been presented. Eighty per cent of these tumors were malignant, and 60 per cent occurred in children less than two and one half years of age. Twenty of the 24 malignant germinal tumors were embryonal cell carcinomas. The mean age of the patients at presentation of these tumors was 18 months. Nine patients underwent orchiectomy alone, and five of these have died. Eleven received combined therapy, and all have survived. We currently recommend radical orchiectomy and extended unilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. If examination of the nodes reveals evidence of metastases, a bilateral dissection is done. Radiotherapy is given only in the presence of nodal metastases. Adjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, actinomycin D, and Cytoxan is given for two years to all patients with malginant nonseminomatous germ cell tumors or sarcomas.


[Malignant tumor of the testicle and trauma: correlative evaluation (author's transl)]. 1. There is no causal relationship between mechanical trauma and testicular tumor. 2. Only a traumatically related enlargement of the tumorous area can be acknowledged as aggravation of an existing testicular tumor. This is true also only when an infiltration from the scrotum and epididymis can definitely be diagnosed as metastases from the corresponding first lymph node stage. 3. With an existing testicular tumor, the release of metastases through a mechanical trauma cannot be ruled out. 4. There is no justification for the use of the term "pontine symptoms (Brückensymptome)" in a correlative evaluation of the relationship between trauma and testicular tumor.


Splinted vasovasostomy. Comparison of polyglycolic acid and polypropylene sutures. An experimental study was performed comparing 6-0 polypropylene and 6-0 polyglycolic acid sutures in vasovasostomy. An indwelling entirely intraluminal splint of PE-10 tubing was used which was surgically removed three weeks postoperatively. Three months after vasovasostomy patency was determined by vasography. Eighty-five per cent patency was achieved with polyglycolic acid compared with 58 per cent patency when polypropylene was used.


Inhibition of leukocyte migration by extracts of malignant prostatic tissue and correlation of degree of in vitro sensitization to clinical responsiveness in prostatic cancer patients. In an attempt to evaluate the degree of in vitro cellular sensitization to tumor and its relationship to clinical responsiveness, direct leukocyte migration tests were carried out in patients with varying degrees of adenocarcinoma of the prostate employing pooled allogeneic extracts of normal, benign, and malignant prostatic tissue as a source of antigen. Cell-mediated immunity to presumably common prostatic tumor associated antigens was observed. The degree of sensitization of clinically significant specific reactivity of the patients' leukocytes to malignant prostatic tissue was greatest in patients with localized disease, low-grade tumor, and clinically inactive disease than in patients with advanced disease, high-grade tumor, and clinically active disease. Evaluation of the possible correlation of specific reactivity to malignant prostatic tissue as a prognostic index of clinical responsiveness revealed a positive correlation with the degree of sensitization in 3 (43 per cent) of 7 patients. Correlation in 4 patients was questionable because of observations of "stimulation" of migration rather than inhibition, suggested by some to be reflective of weak sensitization to tumor. Evaluation of a larger patient population as well as a prospective study of the relationship of the degree of sensitization and clinical responsiveness will be necessary before any definitive conclusions may be drawn regarding the present observations.


[Parasitic fusaria in corn an attempts to isolate phytoestrogens from them]. A total of 123 fungus strains of the Fusarium genus were found in 181 samples of maize. Fusarium moniliforme was most frequently isolated. It was found that 14 of the strains produced F-2 toxin. Experiments were carried out with 50 male and female guinea pigs. Each of the test animals was given orally 0.2 ml (daily, in the course of twenty days) crude toxin obtained through growing the fungus--selected strains--on sterile maize flour. It was established that most of the tested toxins affected the reproductive apparatus of the animals, causing necrobiotic and degenerative changes. Some Furarium species even produced toxic substances that manifested tropism to the digestive tract, liver, kidneys, heart, the nervous system, where they caused hemodynamic troubles and degenerative changes.


[Serum amylase activity in calves, lambs, goats, rabbits and chicks]. Investigated was the serum amylase activity in calves at different age, in lambs, goats, rabbits, and birds. Some species variations were established in the amylase activity, it being highest in rabbits, followed by birds, cattle, goats, and sheep. In calves after drinking colostrum the amylase activity dropped, rapidly assuming the same values as in adult cattle. It was found that in cows with chronic arthritis, endometritis, and mastitis as well as in cases of subacute cases of pneumonia in calves, as compared to normal animals, the serum amylase activity was lower.


[Absorption of diphenhydramine through the urethra (author's transl)]. A new lubricant containing diphenhydramine hydrochloride has been recently introduced for catheterization procedures. Absorption of the active agent through the urethra was assessed by means of blood sample determinations. The results were compared with the already-known values after oral intake and were very low. The maximum concentration was 0.4 microgram.


[Splenectomy in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: short- and long-term results (author's transl)]. The results of splenectomy in 25 patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are reported. Splenectomy was performed when the platelet count was consistently less than 30,000/mm3 in spite of glucocorticoid therapy over an observation period of at least six months. Following splenectomy, 13 patients showed complete remission, 9 partial remission, whilst in 3 cases the condition was unaffected by splenectomy. It is not possible to predict a successful response to splenectomy on the basis of preoperative laboratory findings. A rise in thrombocyte count to over 400,000/mm3 during the first 2 weeks after splenectomy makes complete remission very likely.


[Alloplasty of dura mater defects with identical tissue prepared and transported in formalin-containing gel media]. The storage of dura mater transplants in formalin-containing gel media which allow the entire process of preparation of the biological material to be conducted in non-sterile conditions is substantiated experimentally and clinically. A formalinized allogenous tissue of the same name transplanted in experiments and in the clinic into a defect in the dura mater undergoes active reorganisation and is replaced within a year with a newly-formed connective tissue which does not differ in architectonics from the dura mater of the recipient. When transplants of the dura mater stored in formalin-containing gel media were used in the clinic (172 operations) no complications of the type of liquorrhea, prolapse of the cerebral tissue or coarse subdural adhesions were noted. Suppuration developed in 3 patients (1.7%). The cause of the suppuration, however, was not associated with the transplant. All this makes it possible to recommend allogenous transplants of dura mater stored in formalin-containing gel media for wide use in the practice.


[Classical conditioning of agonistic behavior in the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse)]. Nine different reactions of unconditioned agonistic behavior of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse) which could be elicited by an air blow (UCS) were classically conditioned at a sound of a xylophone (tone g), a previously neutral stimulus. Tone g (CS) was paired with UCS for a different number of trials/day. In all animals exposed to over 20 pairings/day components of the agonistic behavior were brought under the control of CS, but it was not possible to predict which one of the agonistic reactions would appear. Most of the animals generalized and also showed conditioned reactions (CR) when presenting tone c' instead of tone g. When utilizing a differential conditioning procedure the animals learned to discriminate between the different tones. Extinction of CR at tone g was reached after an individually different number of trials.


Grouping of rhizobial strains--a method based on symbiotic characteristics. Twenty strains of Rhizobium japonicum and non-inoculated control were used to study seven symbiotic characteristics with two varieties of soybean (Glycine max). The strains were then grouped on the basis of these symbiotic characteristics, using Mahalanobis' D2 statistical method. Eight groups were formed in which two strains stood distinctly aloof, indicating thereby the exceptional nature of these strains over others in their symbiotic behaviour. This method is suggested for selecting exceptional strains for particular symbiotic characteristics as well as for greater N fixing efficiency with varieties and for different agroclimatic conditions.


Stepwise selection of efficient rhizobial cultures through cultural characteristics. Nodulation and shoot nitrogen of two varieties of soybean (Glycine max) were studied with twenty strains of Rhizobium japonicum. A number of cultural characteristics of the strains in isolation to the symbiotic system were also studied. A stepwise selection method was employed for detecting efficient cultures through the cultural characteristics which showed association with the steps in the symbiotic system. Nodulation of one variety was found to be associated with the dehydrogenase activity and the growth of microbes in the medium containing soil extract, whereas the nodulation of another variety showed association with the growth in the media containing asparagine and tryptophane. The shoot nitrogen of one nodulated cultivar correlated with the microbial growth in Elkan's medium in the medium containing serine and glucose, whereas the shoot nitrogen of the other nodulating variety correlated with the growth of the cultures in the medium containing aspartic acid. The validity of this approach to the problem for detecting efficient strains through cultural characteristics was discussed.


[Laboratory and field tests about the transmission of Erysimum latent virus by Phyllotreata species (Chrsomelidae) (author's transl)]. Erysimum latent virus (ELV) proved to be transmissible by Phyllotreta atra, P. nemorum, P. nigripes, and P. undulata. From them P. nemorum is a new discovered vector. The acquisition of the virus by the beetles was possible within a feeding time of less than 10 minutes. Because virus transmission could be performed within 30 to 60 minutes immediately after virus uptake there exists apparently no latent period in the vector. The retention or persistence of ELV in the Phyllotreta species amounted up to 3 days. Trials to induce infectivity of Phyllotreta species by injection of the virus were unsuccessful. ELV was transmissible by Aphis frangulae gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, and Myzus persicae neither in short nor in long feeding times. Field tests showed that the Phyllotreta species are able to spread ELV under natural conditions.


[Psychosomatic aspects of treated testicular neoplasm patients]. We examined 26 patients who were semicastrated, lymphadenectomied and cytostatic treated because of a maligne testicular tumor to find out the secondary psychic manifestation of this organic illness. Somatic caused consequences of operation were a unilateral loss of testis and a loss of ejaculation and therefore a generative impotency. We found no evidence for a primary psychic influence on the origin of tumor illness. We could subdivide the secondary psychic manifestation in two stages: 1. The psychodynamik at the time of diagnostic and operation, 2. the specific personal mechanism of conflictmanagement in the following time, the phase of rehabilitation. In the first stage we subdivided three different states during the acute crisis with regard to regression, to mobilisation of infantil drives and to defence: 1. Disavowal, 2. Helplessness, 3. Fight. We discussed the psychodynamic and the attachment of these affective states to the psychology of neurosis. In the second stage of the secondary psychic manifestation we could find different more or less durable strategies of conflictmanagement: So called normal conflictmanagement, conflictmanagement by disavowal, by different mechanism of compensation as oral symbiotic dependences, narcissistic increasing of potency, intensified productivity, forming of religious ideal and by secondary hypochondric processes. The sexual disorders which we could state in about 1/3 of the patients existed mostly in an avoid of sexual partnership because of anxiety concerning narcissistic grief and injury of selfesteem. In older patients with special liability to crisis we found also an erective impotency. All patients with sexual disorders showed also psychoneurotic and psychosocial disorders. We discussed the results with regard to forming of hypothesis in psychosomatics, to personal and interpersonal conflictmanagement and to supportive psychotherapeutic possibilities.


Radial neuronal assemblies, ectopia and necrosis of developing cortex: a case analysis. Reduced size of convolutions and midcortical laminar necrosis are approximately co-extensive in the cerebral hemispheres of a child, one of twins, dying at 18 months. Because the underlying laminar arrangement of neurons and the basic gyral pattern are normal, the cortical damage probably occurred not earlier than the third trimester of gestation. Neurons surviving above and below the zone of tissue necrosis, like their homologs in normal cortex, are entrained in multineuronal radial assemblies. Below the zone of necrosis the relative positions of radially adjacent neurons are unaltered. Above, however, in places where the molecular layer is reduced in width, neurons are displaced radially outward toward the pial surface. In places the pia is breached and bridged by a mesenchymal-glial cicatrix. Where this has happened neurons have migrated beyond the cerebral boundary and have established an ectopia in the subarachnoid compartment. These observations suggest that relatively undifferentiated intracortical neurons are held in radial assemblies by bonds which prevent their tangential displacment. The molecular layer appears to serve as a barrier to their radial displacement.


Naturally occurring angiosarcoma of the tibia in an NZB mouse. An osteolytic bone tumor was found in a 12-month-old male NZB mouse. Macroscopically and histologically this tumor was angiosarcoma originating in bone with distant metastasis present in the spleen. The primary tumor was successfully transplanted in the back subcutaneous tissue of syngeneic mice, and the characteristics of the transplants, were found to be similar to those of the primary tumor. The ultrastructure of tumor is described.


Human plasma kallikrein. Preliminary studies on hydrolysis of proteins and peptides. Acid-activated human plasma kallikrein (HuPK) was purified from human Cohn fraction IV by affinity chromatography, using a ligand soybean trypsin inhibitor and aminobenzamidine. The purified enzyme does not inactivate bradykinin and lysyl-bradykinin by cleavage of their peptide bonds. Methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin is converted to the more potent peptide, bradykinin, by incubation with plasma kallikrein. The enzyme does not show aminopeptidase activity when assayed with amino-acyl-naphthylamides. Arginine-rich polypeptides and proteins, such as polyarginine, salmine, and histones were cleaved by the enzyme. HuPK does not show any detectable caseinolytic activity. A kinin is released from a non-homologous plasma (horse) by this kallikrein. The enzyme is not affected by calcium or EDTA, and it is strongly inhibited by copper ion.


Delayed mortality of mice following inhalation of acute doses of CH2O, SO2Cl2, and Br2. Mortalities and times of death of mice were measured, during several weeks, after single respiratory exposures to air containing either of the 4 chemicals. The toxicity sequence observed, at 320 ppm, was Cl2 greater than Br2 greater than CH2O greater than SO2. For CH2O and Br2 at constant concentration, time of death depended markedly on exposure duration. The scant literature data enabled comparison of results for SO2 only.


Zinc status and vitamin A transport in cystic fibrosis. Zinc status and the retinol transport system were examined in 18 retinol supplemented cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and 40 age-matched controls. Plasma vitamin A was significantly lower in the CF group as compared to the controls and correlated positively with plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP) in both the CF and control groups. Plasma zinc of the CF group was not significantly lower than controls whereas hair zinc was. Plasma zinc was positively correlated with plasma RBP, vitamin A, and albumin in the CF group but not in the controls. Plasma concentrations of vitamin A, RBP, albumin, and zinc decreased with age in the CF group but not in the controls. The data support previous suggestions that low plasma vitamin A levels in CF are due to defects in the retinol transport system. The zinc status of the CF groups as a whole was judged to be low-normal however a subgroup of CF patients were in the marginal to deficient category. This subgroup also had lower levels of plasma vitamin A and RBP. The data suggest that zinc may be a contributing factor in the low plasma vitamin A/RBP levels of CF patients with marginal or deficient zinc status.


The FG syndrome: further characterization, report of a third family, and of a sporadic case. We report 5 new cases of the FG syndrome, 1 sporadic, 3 brothers from a European family, and another affected male born in the first FG syndrome family reported by Opitz and Kaveggia in 1974. The pedigree data confirm the hypothesis of X-linked inheritance of this multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome. Its manifestations include shortness of stature with a disproportionately large head, mental retardation, hypotonia with or without congenital joint contractures, seizures and a strikingly characteristic personality of facial appearance, imperforate anus and/or orthe gastrointestinal defects, congenital heart defects, and many minor manifestations. Chronic pulmonary disease in some affected males may be a complication of hypotonia.


The comparative actions of uterine inhibiting drugs. Currently there is not an in vitro or in vivo method of quantitating the potency of uterine inhibiting drugs. Electric field stimulation (EFS) of pregnant and parturient rabbit myometrial strips has been effectively used to assay oxytocic potency of prostaglandins and it is shown in this study to be useful in assaying potency of beta-sympathomimetic compounds. Decreasing electric field stimulation (DEFS) provides three measureable endpoints: tension, excitability, and threshold voltage. Three compounds were tested for these parameters: isoproterenol, ritodrine, and isoxsuprine. It is also revealed that so-called uterine inhibition by these compounds represents the creation of a chaotic fibrillating muscle which is unable to respond in a synchronous way to produce a contraction of maximal tension.


Response of amenorrheic patients with normal serum prolactin to chlorpromazine during administration of human menopausal gonadotropin. To study the effects of graded amounts of estrogens on prolactin (PRL) secretion, PRL response to chlorpromazine (CPZ) during administration of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) was determined. A control CPZ test was done prior to initiation of hMG therapy and the test was repeated when endogenous estrogen secretion reached the physiologic range (350 to 400 pg. per milliliter) which stimulates luteinizing hormone surge in the normal ovulatory menstrual cycle. Six euprolactinemic women with secondary amenorrhea were studied. Studies showed that there was no significant change in the mean serum prolactin concentrations during control and repeat CPZ testing procedure (5.8 +/- 2 and 10.8 +/- 2 ng. per milliliter, p less than 0.1). The maximal response of PRL to CPZ was significantly higher during hMG-induced high estrogenic state than during control testing (69.9 and 32.3 ng. per milliliter, p less than 0.01). This findings suggests that endogenous estrogen may play a role in the regulation of serum prolactin concentration during the menstrual cycle.


Midwifery, 1977.

Midwifery, 1977. On January 1, 1974, an autonomous midwifery service was formed at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City to provide an obstetric service to "private" patients. While the autonomy was complete, physician consultation and participation provided by the "full-time or senior resident" staff were always available. We are now aware that this plan as opposed to any other, provided the ingredient of consumer-desired empathy of the midwife coupled with instant obstetric expertise that assured every patient the availability of modern obstetric practice. Four hundred and fifty-four patients cared for by midwives were compared to a random sample of 500 patients cared for by attending obstetricians. A striking similarity in the two groups was evident. Certain items, such as operative deliveries, were higher in the private patient group. The midwifery group had a low incidence of complications, but the incidence of acute complications made it apparent that an operating room suite must be immediately available. It is eminently clear that a low-risk group can be identified but there is no possible way to identify a "no risk" population.


The significance of galactorrhea in patients with normal menses, oligomenorrhea, and secondary amenorrhea. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin (PRL) were measured in a group of 149 women with galactorrhea. Three of these patients were found to have primary hypothyroidism. In the remaining 146 patients, the PRL assay was correlated with the menstrual history and the results of hypocycloidal polytomography. Sixty-two per cent of these patients had hyperprolactinemia and 35 per cent had abnormal tomograms. Nine patients with abnormal x-rays had normal prolactin levels. None of the patients with normal menses and normal PRL was found to have an abnormal x-ray. Fourteen of the 15 patients with PRL levels greater than 200 ng. per milliliter had abnormal tomograms. Almost 70 per cent of patients with secondary amenorrhea and low estrogen status had abnormal x-rays. In patients with oligomenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea with normal estrogen status, it was not possible to differentiate between patients with normal or abnormal tomograms based on the level of serum PRL. Polytomography remains the single most important diagnostic test in establishing the presence of a pituitary tumor.


Associations in emergence age among permenent teeth. Associations in the timing of emergence among the permanent teeth of Boston children were obtained from a mixed longitudinal growth study of 414 Caucasian twin pairs examined annually. Correlations were estimated by the method of maximum likelihood for corresponding left-right teeth, upper-lower teeth, and all paired combinations from central incisor to second molar in a jaw quadrant of each sex. Strong positive correlations in emergence timing prevailed throughout the dentition. Principal component analyses on correlation matrices of jaw quadrant relations for boys and girls in the maxilla and mandible showed that three components effectively explained the emergence associations among the seven permanent teeth in each jaw quadrant. Factor analytic techniques further illustrated the nature of the three components and showed the emergence relations to be essentially the same in the maxilla and mandible for both sexes. The first component was a general maturation factor influencing all of an individual's teeth to be simultaneously early or late in emerging. The remaining two components were a molar factor, affecting almost exclusively the emergence timing of the permanent first and second molars, and a duration factor that affected the duration of the emergence process for non-molar teeth, contrasting particularly the incisors and premolars.


An epidemiological approach to the study of users and nonusers of child health services. A case-comparison study was carried out in 1972 to determine the characteristics of users and nonusers of child health services. A sample of 529 mothers with children under five years of age (eligible children) residing in one poor barrio in Cali, Colombia was selected. The characteristics of mothers and their eligible children were described in relation to their use or nonuse of health services and a set of indicators was develop which differentiated the nonuser group from the user group. A two-stage sampling technique was used. First, blocks in the barrio were sampled, and second, an equal number of mothers with eligible children who used and who did not use services in the year prior to the study were selected for interview. Nonusers were matched with users on distance from home to local health center. The set of indicators which best discriminated the groups was: the number of eligible children, age of mother, access to free medical care, the action proneness score (attitudes), and knowledge of health, illness, and services. The study method permitted identification of the target population for services, determination of current patterns of use, and quantification of morbidity and immunization levels.


Apical-aortic shunts in children.

Apical-aortic shunts in children. Experience with four children undergoing apicalaortic shunts for relief of aortic valvular disease is reported. All children tolerated the procedure uneventfully, and postoperative cardiac catheterization in three revealed restoration of normal hemodynamics. In one unique case severe aortic regurgitation in a two year old boy was managed by suture closure of the aortic valve producing total left ventricular output through the apical-aortic conduit.


Enflurane and uterine contractility in rabbits. The effect of enflurane on uterine contractility was studied in sexually mature rabbits in which intrauterine balloon catheters had been implanted. Three animal groups were studied: untreated; treated with estrogen-progesterone; and 27 to 28 days pregnant. The effects of 1.5 percent or 3.0 percent enflurane were quantitated by measuring contraction frequency and amplitude during an anesthetically steady state. The effects of prior anesthesia with 1.5 percent enflurane on uterine responses to 1.5 IU oxytocin IV were also evaluated. Neither 1.5 percent of 3.0 percent enflurane altered contraction amplitude or frequency in the 3 groups of rabbits. However, the amplitude of the contractile response to oxytocin 30 minutes following enfluane was significantly depressed. The results indicate that, while the intact rabbit uterus under different hormonal influences is not depressed by 1.5 or 3.0 percent enflurane, its response to oxytocin following enflurane is decreased.


Lower esophageal sphincter tone during reversal of neuromusclar blockade by atropine and neostigmine. The effect on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure of IV atropine and neostigmine, a drug combination routinely given to antagonize nondepolarizing neuromusclar blockade at the end of a general anesthetic, was studied in 22 patients undergoing cesarean section. Atropine 1.2 mg and neostigmine 2.5 mg IV decreased LES pressure insignificantly by a mean of 0.7 kPa (p less than 0.1). In contrast, atropine 1.2 mg and neostigmine 5 mg increased LES pressure by a mean of 1.4 kPa (p less than 0.001). The latter dosage of this drug combination, therefore, appears preferable in patients presenting for emergency surgery if the integrity of the lower esophageal sphincter is to be maintained during extubation and recovery from general anesthesia.


Comparison of anesthetic solutions used in lumbar and caudal peridural anesthesia. Clinical observations on peridural anesthesia were made in 466 patients. The spread of various concentrations of anesthetics injected into the lumbar and caudal peridural space were followed by plotting analgesia-time profiles. Onset of anesthesia and the volume required to provide one dermatome of anesthesia varied little among different anesthetics given in different concentrations. The sequence of appearance of analgesia was also similar, with longer times being required to block larger roots. Quality of anesthesia was judged by the penetration of anesthestic solutions into the largest spinal nerve root (S1); rate of penetration depended on the type of drug and concentration. No drug concentration combination included all the ideal characteristics for block: minimal mass of anesthetic, maximum spread, long duration (minutes of anesthesia per milligram of drugs per segment), low incidence of failure, and fast stabilization time. However, depending on the surgical needs and the characteristics of the patients, some drugs and concentrations may be preferred. Stabilization and onset were slower and drug requirements larger for caudal than for lumbar peridural anesthesia.