Ocular findings in Bell's palsy.

Ocular findings in Bell's palsy. Thirty-three patients with Bell's palsy underwent ophthalmic examination, including Schirmer testing, corneal sensitivity measurement, and electromyography. Sixteen patients returned for follow-up after one year. Sixty-one percent of the patients initially showed punctate fluorescein staining of the inferior cornea. Electromyographic studies demonstrate a high correlation between orbicularis function and the presence of corneal epithelial staining. Our results demonstrate a high frequency of minor corneal involvement in the acute phase of Bell's palsy. Healing of the epithelial defects follows improvement in orbicularis function.


Chalcosis: a study of natural history.

Chalcosis: a study of natural history. Ten patients harboring a small, intra-vitreal, copper foreign body in one eye for 4 months to 29 years have been studied clinically and electrophysiologically. Nine of the ten affected eyes had a visual acuity of 20/60 or better. Some asymmetry existed in the electrophysiologic responses of seven affected eyes as compared to the controls, but all of these responses were within the normal range. The electroretinogram was reduced in one eye but was consistent with vitreous opacification. Vitreous opacification and copper deposition in the macula were potentially serious sequelae observed in four eyes. Small, intraocular copper foreign bodies can be tolerated for long periods of time without retinal toxicity, but vitreous changes of maculopathy may necessitate intervention.


Incidence of fluorescein angiographic subclinical macular edema following phacoemulsification of senile cataracts. Fluorescein angiograms were performed in 90 patients the first and sixth week after removal of non-traumatic cataracts by phacoemulsification. The incidence of macular edema was found to be one half that reported in the literature for a comparable group of patients following intracapsular cataract extraction. The difference in incidence of macular edema between the phacoemulsification and the intracapsular groups seems dependent on the presence of the posterior capsule and perhaps the small size of the phacoincision. One of 21 maculas with angiographic evidence of edema developed clinical cystoid macular edema.


Phacoemulsification and the retina: cystoid macular edema. An on-going study of results and complications in a series of 1055 cataract extractions, done by Kelman phacoemulsification with up to five and one-half years' follow-up, showed that the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME) is significantly less when the posterior capsule is left intact. This applied to capsulotomy at the time of surgery or elective discission later, with or without vitreous disturbance. CME was suspected clinically and confirmed or denied, in most cases, by fluorescein angiography.


Five years' follow-up in the surgical management of cataracts in high myopia treated with the Kelman phacoemulsification technique. With the advent of phacoemulsification, much interest has again been rekindled in extracapsular cataract surgery and its effects on the vitreoretinopathies associated in high myopia. Since 1972, 278 patients with high myopia greater than --7.50 D, as as determined by axial length echography, have been operated on by the author. The five-year follow-up with statistical analysis of these cases is presented. Comments as to the merits of extracapsular versus intracapsular surgery in high myopia will be set forth.


Why use the operating microscope in orbital surgery? We think the use of the operating microscope in deep orbital surgery is essential for a safer and more accurate removal of the tumors that occupy this difficult surgical location.


An adapter to aid in slit-lamp biomicroscopy of the supine patient. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy of the supine patient can be achieved with the use of the Zeiss 100/16 slit lamp and an adapter to hang it from the microscope stand. Coaxial, collimated illumination can be used for fundus biomicroscopy with the method described.


Comparison of the bronchodilating action and of the tolerance of fenoterol and isoproterenol aerosols. Fenoterol aerosol (400 micrograms) and isoproterenol aerosol (200 micrograms) were compared in a double blind cross-over trial in 59 patients with reversible broncho-obstruction. Measurements of VC, FEV1, respiratory impedance (ZR), blood pressure and pulse rate as records of subjective symptoms, râles and side effects, were made over a period of 180 minutes. After fenoterol FEV1 increased significantly from the 15th minute till the first hour. After isoproterenol an increase of this parameter was obtained only at the 15th minute. The decrease in ZR was always larger with fenoterol than with isoproterenol. This difference was significant at the 2nd hour (P < .05) and at the 3rd hour (P < .01). In a group with severe obstruction the airway obstruction improved more with fenoterol than with isoproterenol (P < .01). The functional improvement induced by 400 micrograms fenoterol appeared to be more potent and of longer duration than the improvement caused by 200 micrograms isoproterenol. Moreover it appeared more rapidly after administration.


[Double blind study of the effect of alveolar air distribution influenced by RG 033 in chronic bronchitis]. RG 033 is a compound consisting of betametasone in resinic microcapsules which allow a slow and continuous dialysis of the active drug through the membrane in the digestive tract. The drug was studied with regard to its effects on the distribution of alveolar air and its gastric tolerance. In a preliminary study the drug release from the capsules in the pH-conditions of the digestive tract was studied by means of a physico-chemical model. Two groups of 15 patients with broncho-obstruction reversed by salbutamol, a potent beta 2-sympathomimetic, were included in the trial. One group received 1 mg and the other 2 mg of the drug. An alternate scheme was used for the treatments. The functional methods used to assess the ventilatory results were chosen according to the conclusions of a previous comprehensive study by one of the authors [7] [8]. The ventilatory results of both dosages were quite similar. This observation suggests that a maximum effect on alveolar air distribution was obtained with 1 mg. No unfavourable side-effect on the gastric mucosa was observed.


[Conclusions of an international symposium held at Aachen on 4 and 5 May about mucolytic agents, especially oral acetylcysteine]. The usefulness of mucolytics for clinical purposes remains controversial. Although many authors agree with the opinion that some of these drugs, above all aerosols of acetylcysteine at convenient dosages, provided they are associated with beta 2-sympathomimetics, may be useful in the treatment of bronchial obstruction due to inspissated mucus in excess in the lumens, many specialists remain reluctant concerning the activity of mucolytics given by mouth. It seemed therefore interesting to organize an international meeting on this topic. First of all, I would like to pay honour to the initiative of the Zambon Laboratories who organized this symposium. I would also like to express my gratitude for having been involved in the preparation of the programme of these days and having been asked to present the general conclusions of the meeting. The following pages are devoted to these conclusions. We shall repeatedly make reference to the works which were presented in extenso during the meeting. The general report of the symposium will shortly appear in a special supplement of the European Journal of Respiratory Diseases. It seems however useful to give at the end of our text the complete list of the presented lectures.


[Case studies of left unilateral apraxia]. The authors report two cases of motor apraxia, agraphia and tactile anomia on the left side, associated with bilateral constructive apraxia. These cases are discussed in relation to their unusual etiology and in relation to possible pathogenetic hypothesis other than classical Liepmann's scheme.


[Transverse myelopathy caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (LES)]. The authors have described a case of transverse myelopathy as a complication of L.E.S.; serological studies are reported. This case was considered very important because the damage of the spinal cord was the first symptom of mesenchymopathy.


[Use of coronal sections in computerized tomography]. The authors emphasize the use of coronal cut in CT in sellar and parasellar lesions; in tumors involving the tentorium; in differential diagnosis between meningiomas of falx and parasagittal ones and in those lesions with extension into paranasal sinus and face. The purpose of this method is to evaluate the exact relationship of these type of lesions with adjacent structures in a tridimensional view.


[Frequency of radiation-induced exchanges in easily identifiable monkey chromosomes]. Frequency of asymmetric exchanges of readily identifiable chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 ad 20 was studied in primary kidney cell cultures of monkeys. Macaca mulatta and Papio hamadryas irradiated with 200 R of X-rays at G0. The chromosomes studied enter asymmetric exchange in accordance with their lengths of mitosis. The frequency of exchanges is independent of the quantity of late-replicating heterochromation in chromosomes. The radiosensitivity of chromosomes was identical in the two monkey species.


Effect of breed-type on carcass weight and composition in sheep. The relative rate of increase in the carcass and its tissues with increasing empty body weight (EBW) or carcass weight respectively, was studied in male sheep from the Dorset Horn (29), Hampshire (21) and Sudan Desert sheep (31). The rate at which the carcass, muscle and bone increased in weight was the same in all breeds but the Desert sheep deposited fat at a slower rate than the other 2 breeds. At an equally adjusted EBW the Desert sheep had lighter carcasses than the Dorset Horn or Hampshire sheep. Desert sheep had more bone than the other 2 breeds at an equally adjusted cold carcass weight or muscle plus bone weight. At an equally adjusted total carcass fat weight the Desert sheep had significant (P < 0.01) more intermuscular and internal fat but less subcutaneous fat than the other 2 breeds. Future improvement plans of the Desert sheep may be directed towards reducing bone and increasing muscle content of the carcass.


A comparison of the Nigerian indigenous fowl with White Rock under conditions of disease and nutritional stress. Equal numbers of day old White Rock and Nigerian indigenous male chicks were reared to 10 weeks of age under 4 variables consisting of 2 dietary regimes and 2 regimes of immunity (natural versus vaccinal) to Newcastle disease challenge. Although White Rock grew significantly faster, ate more food and tended to be more efficient in feed utilisation than the indigenous chicks, the mortality of the latter was significantly lower. Growth rate and feed intake were significantly greater, feed efficiency better and prechallenge mortality lower in birds fed on the higher crude protein diet. Prechallenge mortality was significantly lower in birds that had been vaccinated against Newcastle disease.


[Glycosaminoglycan metabolic disorders in periosteal and endosteal osteogenic cells in phenol poisoning]. The analysis of 35S sulphate incorporation into the growing bone structures in the experiment with 2-3 week guinea pigs subjected to long-term phenol intoxication made it possible to conclude that 35S sulphate assimilation by the osteogenic cells of periost and endost is less intensive in the treated animals, particularly in those receiving a large dose of phenol, (40 mg/kg) than in the control ones. This testifies to the reduction of the biosynthesis rates of sulphated glycosaminoglycans in the bone growth regions.


[Tetraploidy in the epithelial cells of monkey kidneys subjected to exposure to various radiation dosages in vitro and in vivo. III]. Tetraploidy was found in 3- and 5-day cultures of monkey kidney epithelial cells irradiated with various X-ray doses at G0. At the G0 stage the portion of simple and complex tetraploid cells was determined in the monkey kidney epithelium after the whole body 60Co gamma-irradiation, 620-660 R.


Mortality, weight loss and anaemia in Bos taurus calves exposed to Boophilus microplus ticks in the tropics of Colombia. One hundred and sixteen pure-bred Normandy calves previously immunised against babesiosis and anaplasmosis were transported to the Caribbean Coast of Colombia where they divided into 2 equal groups and placed in separate pastures. One group sustained heavy infestation with Boophilus microplus ticks. The second group became lightly infested. The heavily infested calves suffered average losses in body weight of 38 kg and a 48% decrease in mean packed cell volume. Twenty-three (40%) died 16 to 39 days following arrival from severe ixodiasis and babesiosis. Mortality did not occur nor were significant weight losses observed in the group of lightly infested calves.


Comparative efficacy of drugs in bovine anaplasmosis. Calves experimentally infected with Anaplasma marginale were subjected to chemotherapeutic treatment in groups, each group receiving one drug only. Observations were made on clinical signs, haematological changes, parasitaemias and levels of antibodies as measured by the complement fixation test. The most effective treatment was with imidocarb; other drugs which were apparently effective were steclin, terramycin and aureomycin in that order, while chloroquin diphosphate and camoquin gave little indication of therapeutic value.


[Human acrocentric chromosomal associations in old age]. Associations of satellite chromosome fibres of acrocentric chromosomes of the DD, GG and DG types were studied in persons aged from 80 to 114 years. It was found that the value of P (probability of joining of satellite fibres of two chromosomes in a group) is considerably less than the corresponding value for persons aged from 20 to 48 years. It is supposed that the decrease of the frequency of association at senile age is caused by heterochromatization of satellite fibres in the 13th and 14 chromosome pairs.


[Cytological study of spontaneous embryonic mortality before implantation in mice of different genotypes]. Spontaneous preimplantation embryonic mortality was studied cytologically for mice of different strains and their combinations. It was found that this index was determined to a considerable extent by the genotype. Its level varied from 5 to 10% depending on the genotype. The stoppage of embryos' cleavage and, probably, their death occurs mostly at the stage of 2-12 blastomeres.


Adult body weight of indigenous and crossbred ewes under semi-arid conditions in India. Data on adult body weight of ewes belonging to Nali, Chokla breeds and their crosses (F1) with Rambouillet and Soviet Merino raised under semi-arid conditions in India were analysed. The ewes belonged to 5 distinct age groups ranging from 16.5 to 64 months. Nali and Chokla were significant lighter than all the 4 crossbred groups. There were no significant differences in body weight between crossbred groups except in the case of Soviet Merino x Chokla group which was the lightest and differed significantly from all other groups. Rambouillet crosses were heavier than Merino crosses but the difference was statistically significant only on Rambouillet x Chokla and Merino x Chokla. The improvement in body weight in crossbreds over native sheep ranged between 9.3 and 21.88%. The increase in live weight was significant only up to 49 months.


Productivity of White Fulani cattle on the Jos plateau, Nigeria I. Herd structures and reproductive performance. Some details are given of a 2 1/2 year study on traditionally managed settled White Fulani cattle herds on the Jos plateau in Nigeria. Observations are included on herd size, herd structure, seasonal calving and reproductive performance. The relationship between herd structure and reproductive performance is discussed.


Effect of anthelmintic treatment on the performance of Awassi sheep in Iraq. Studies are reported on the effect of anthelmintic treatment on the body weight gain and wool growth of ewes with subclinical helminth infections. The parasites involved were Fasciola gigantica and Ostertagia spp., together with some Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp., and Dictyocaulus filaria. In 1 group, 5 sheep, which were treated twice with tetramisole at an interval of 4 weeks to remove gastro-intestinal nematodes and lungworms, showed an increase of 41% in weight gain and 3.2% in wool growth compared with an untreated group. Another group, which was treated with both tetramisole and rafoxanide to remove nematode and fluke infections, had a 143% increase in weight gain and 81% in wool growth compared with the control.


The epidemiology of fascioliasis in Malawi: I. The epidemiology in the intermediate host. Fasciola gigantica Cobbold was studied in the intermediate host snail. On snail survey Lymnaea natalensis Krauss was the species found responsible for the transmission of Fasciola gigantica in Malawi. The ecology of this snail was studied at 5 different habitats spread throughout Malawi. The snail population was recorded high from April to October. The epidemiological cycle of Fasciola gigantica in the snail was determined and it was shown that snail infection was high in April and May and thus more metacercariae are released in August to October following such an infection. To complete the epidemiological picture studies reported separately were done involving the definitive host.


The association of aorto-iliac aneurysms with ureteral obstruction. Aorto-iliac aneurysms may entrap the ureters in perianeurysmal fibrosis, causing medical ureteral deviation and/or obstruction. The latter has been described only in male patients; a further 5 cases due to iliac and 3 to aortic aneurysm are reported. The radiologic picture resembles retroperitoneal fibrosis; the correct diagnosis may be suggested when ureteral tethering or narrowing lies near arterial calcification. Sonography is usually the most appropriate investigation to confirm the diagnosis. When sonography shows an aortic aneurysm, the kidneys should be scanned to rule out hydronephrosis. Similarly, films of the kidneys should be obtained when an abdominal aneurysm is demonstrated by aortography.


Computed tomographic diagnosis of ureteral obstruction secondary to aneurysmal disease. Three cases of ureteral obstruction associated with aortoiliac aneurysms were studied with computed tomography. CT was able to document the presence of aneurysm and display the perianeurysmal, fibrotic, contrast-enhancing mass accounting for ureteral obstruction. The value of computed tomography in the diagnosis and evaluation of these cases is described.


Vagal hypotension after percutaneous biopsy: possible confusion with hypovolemic shock. Vagal hypotension can occur after percutaneous biopsy and be misdiagnosed as hypovolemia due to hemorrhage. Inappropriate exploratory surgery and death have resulted. Increased vagal tone or massive discharge is characterized by hypotension with bradycardia or lack of tachycardia and can occur after many stimuli including contrast medium injection, anxiety, and needle insertion. Vagal reactions can be mild and self-limited, but can also progress to cardiac arrest. Atropine 0.6 to 0.8 mg intramuscularly or intravenously in increments up to 3 mg has been recommended for prompt treatment. Volume expansion is adjunctive.


The value of the posterior oblique longitudinal scan in renal ultrasonography. A new way of scanning the kidney by ultrasonography is the posterior oblique longitudinal scan. This provides new information about renal anatomy, especially the renal aspect of the parenchyma and the hilus in its vertical axis. It supplies useful diagnostic information particularly in pseudotumours, hydronephrosis, and lipomatosis.


Percutaneous nephrostomy--indicational and technical considerations. A series of 55 percutaneous nephrostomy patients is presented. Techniques and presently available catheter types are discussed as well as the specific problems arising when the procedure is used for urinary diversion in neoplastic disease.


Percutaneous transperitoneal fine needle biopsy of normal looking lymph nodes and small lesions at lymphography: a preliminary report. Using percutaneous transperitoneal fluoroscopy-guided fine needle biopsy, it is possible to demonstrate metastases in normal looking lymph nodes and in small lesions at lymphography. The procedure may be used in staging of malignant disease in the genitourinary organs.


Genitourinary malformation with calcified intraluminal meconium and pulmonary hypoplasia. Calcified intraluminal meconium is a rare finding in newborn infants that is often associated with communication between the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. Frequently such infants die because of respiratory problems. An illustrative case is presented, and pulmonary hypoplasia is suggested as an etiology of the respiratory difficulties observed.


Ultrasound demonstration of an infected urachal cyst. A 5-year-old child presented with a recurrent infraumbilical abdominal mass. Clinical and sonographic diagnosis was consistent with an infected urachal cyst. The clinical features and sonographic differential diagnosis are discussed.


Co-existent renal eosinophilic granuloma and renal adenocarcinoma. Localized renal eosinophilic granuloma has not been previously reported. In this patient there was osseous eosinophilic granuloma and a 1 cm hypervascular renal lesion which pathologically proved to be coexistent renal adenocarcinoma and eosinophilic granuloma.


Chronic nephritis in a pony.

Chronic nephritis in a pony. The clinical and pathological features of a case of chronic nephritis in a 17-year-old pony was described. Measurement of fluid intake and laboratory analysis of sequential blood and urine samples helped in establishing an accurate diagnosis. The case demonstrates that although chronic renal disease is not well documented in the horse it should nevertheless be considered in the differential diagnosis of conditions characterised by progressive loss of weight.


The epidemiology of echinococcus infection in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Infection of dogs with Echinococcus gramulosus is recorded for the first time in Kaduna State. Observations on 330 dogs from different suburbs revealed an incidence of 1.2 per cent. Of slaughtered stock examined, hydatid cyst infections were found in sheep (7.1 per cent), goats (18.4 per cent), cattle (1.5 per cent), camels (70.9 per cent) and pigs (5 per cent).


Porcine intestinal adenomatosis and its detection in a closed pig herd. The weight gains of pigs in a hysterectomy-derived herd were evaluated using the cumulative sum technique. Representative animals growing poorly were selected by this method and a high proportion were found to be affected with porcine intestinal adenomatosis. Some possible effects of the condition on production in the herd were evaluated from these findings.


Water consumption in growing pheasants.

Water consumption in growing pheasants. Daily water consumption in pheasants varied from 240 ml per kg at three weeks of age to 80 ml per kg at 12 weeks. Variations in temperatures within the range 10 to 25 degrees C exerted little influence on water intake. The amount of water consumed increased at a given age as dietary protein level increased. Only a small increase (14 per cent) in water intake accompanied a more than doubled increase in the normal dietary salt level. Total daily water intakes were similar in pheasants fed three times a day and in those fed ad libitum but their patterns of consumption throughout the day were widely different.


The prevalence of antibodies to Mycobacterium johnei in colostrum deprived lambs. The prevalence of antibodies to Mycobacterium johnei in pre-colostral lambs in a flock of sheep infected with Johne's disease was investigated. Blood from 134 ewes and their 143 lambs were collected immediately after lambing. Double immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis tests were used to detect antibodies to M johnei. Four (3 per cent) of 135 lambs born to 127 ewes with serological evidence of exposure to M johnei had detectable antibodies in their sera. All lambs fed colostrum from serologically positive ewes had serum antibodies.


Sir William Weipers lecture. The limits to animal production. The relationship between population and food supply was the subject of the 1979 Sir William Weipers lecture at the University of Glasgow on April 27 given by Sir Kenneth Blaxter of the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen. He considered the limits to agricultural production generally and to animal production in particular. A shortened version of his lecture is printed below.


Hormone producing ovarian tumours in the dog. In two cases of granulosa cell tumours of the ovary in bitches there was production of sex hormones by the neoplasm. Both tumours produced oestrogens but one also produced significant concentrations of progesterone. In both bitches, the presenting sign was abnormally prolonged oestrus activity. One dog also developed a haemorrhagic diathesis as a result of endogenous oestrogen toxicity.


Horse markings: their importance to the integrity of racing and breeding. The difficulties that arise in filling out marking certificates for thoroughbreds are described. The description given on the certificate has to be both written and graphic. A general guide to whorl location is given.


Treatment of sprained tendons in horses with carbon fibre implants. A technique for implanting carbon fibre into sprained flexor tendons in horses is described. Insertion of the fibres through paravertebral needles which passed through the affected region of the tendon was considered to be preferable to direct implantation into the surgically opened tendon. The results of the eight cases treated to date are dealt with briefly, together with a discussion as to how this form of treatment could be further evaluated.


The non-diseased reactor: considerations on the interpretation of screening test results. The mathematical relationships between the sensitivity and specificity of screening tests and the proportion of animals which are positive to the test, but which have no visible lesions (NVL) at subsequent examination or necropsy, are outlined briefly. NVL reactors may be defined as a proportion of the total number of reactors to the test (reactor NVL per cent) or of the total number of animals tested (herd NVL per cent). Neither the herd nor reactor NVL per cent can provide valid estimates of the efficacy of any particular test, unless the precise prevalence of disease in the tested herd is determined. However under conditions of low or moderate prevalence specificity is approximately equal in magnitude to 100-herd NVL per cent but sensitivity cannot be reliably estimated from either the herd or reactor NVL per cent.


Phenotypic intersex (female pseudohermaphroditism) in a dachshund dog. A male miniature rough-haired dachshund, presented with episodic haematuria, was found to be a female pseudohermaphrodite. A littermate also had an abnormality of the urogenital tract and their dam had received a progesterone implant during pregnancy. Chromosome analysis of the intersex revealed XX/XY mosaicism in certain tissues.


The epidemiological and economic importance of fly infestation of meat and milk producing animals in Europe. The importance of fly infestation in the transmission of disease and in the loss of production through "fly worry" to meat and milk producing animals is reviewed. As well as being confirmed disseminators of certain enteric diseases of man, eg, cholera, salmonellosis and colienteritis, flies have also been implicated in the transmission of mastitis and certain ophthalmic infections, principally keratoconjunctivitis in cattle. "Fly worry, particularly from biting flies such as Stomoxys calcitrans and Haematobia irritans, has been shown to have an adverse effect on meat and milk production since fly control greatly increases yields.


Urogenital defects in sheep.

Urogenital defects in sheep. The urogenital system was involved in 92 (22.9 per cent) of 401 malformed lambs examined over a three year period; genital 69 (six males: one female) and urinary 23 (three males: one female). Ten lambs had both genital and urinary defects. Sixty-eight (73.0 per cent) of the 92 lambs had defects of other organs, the most common being atresia ani, various skeletal and central nervous system defects, and arthrogryposis. The most common external defect of the male genital system was partial to complete cleft of the scrotum and the most common internal defect was cryptorchidism (six unilateral and 12 bilateral). Both penile agenesis and diphallia were observed twice. Defects of the female genital system included two uterine agenesis, four atresia vaginam, and one freemartin. Male pseudohermaphroditism was found in three lambs. The most common external urinary defect was male hypospadias and the most common internal defect was renal agenesis (12 unilateral and one bilateral). Other urinary defects were hydronephrosis (two unilateral and two bilateral), cystic kidneys (four unilateral and two bilateral), one bilateral polycystic kidneys, one patent urachus and six dysgenic kidneys.


The aetiology of a keratoconjunctivitis occurring in goats in the Sudan. An infectious keratoconjunctivitis occurring in goats in the Sudan is described. Experimental transmission using infective ocular discharges resulted in a conjunctivitis in young kids and a severe keratoconjunctivitis in an adult goat. A pleomorphic organism which resembled Rickettsia spp was found in conjunctival smears from naturally and experimentally infected animals. Neither Mycoplasma nor Chlamydia spp were isolated in microbiological cultures.


Suppurative pericarditis treated by pericardiotomy in a cow. The successful treatment of a single case of traumatic reticulopericarditis is described. Under general anaesthesia the pericardial sac was approached by resection of the distal part of the fifth rib and allowed to drain directly to the exterior. The discussion reviews the surgical technique.


Extramural study experience and practical experience of final year veterinary students of nine European schools. Arrangements for extramural education including "seeing practice" experience in nine European veterinary schools (Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Helsinki, Stockholm, Hannover, Ghent, Toulouse and Vienna) are described. Considerable differences existed between three UK schools, and between them and the Continental schools, where arrangements were usually voluntary. The amount of extramural experience in different types of work was quantified by student questionnaires. An average of 12 weeks' experience in farm practice was gained by 83 per cent of the 339 students, six weeks' small animal work by 48 per cent, four weeks in an abattoir by 43 per cent and other periods in specialised practices, laboratories and veterinary faculties. Practice abroad was experienced by 10 per cent. The total experience of different medical and surgical conditions varied considerably between schools as a result of disease eradication (eg, swine fever in UK), non-occurrence (canine leptospirosis in Sweden and Finland) or the availability of surgical or reproductive material, as well as on other factors.


Field studies on enzootic abortion of ewes in south east Scotland. Statistical data were collected from 20 sheep flocks in which enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) was diagnosed by examination of fetal material and maternal blood samples. The abortion rate in the 10,645 ewes in these flocks was 7.6 per cent. Thirteen of the flocks were fully vaccinated against EAE but the abortion rate in these was still in the order of 6.5 per cent. EAE was the major cause of the problem as ascertained from the laboratory examination of samples from a wide range of cases of abortion. There is therefore evidence that, in some flocks in south east Scotland, the efficacy of the vaccine against EAE is unsatisfactory. The reasons for this are discussed.


Equine parasite control using pyrantel embonate. Over a period of several years the use of pyrantel embonate in the control of helminth infections on three equine establishments was monitored by the examination of faecal samples collected immediately before each anthelmintic treatment. With a monthly interval between treatments for three years the faecal egg output of the horses remained at a very low level. One one establishment this was maintained when the treatment interval was extended to one-and-a-half months after treating monthly for two years. If a treatment interval of one-and-a-half months was used continuously for a number of years there was a cumulative effect, and the benefits, in terms of reduced faecal egg output of the horses, were more apparent during the second year of the control programme.


Clinical studies on tremorgenic mycotoxicoses in sheep. The clinical responses of sheep dosed orally over seven to 14 weeks with the dried mycelium of a soil-borne mould containing the tremorgenic mycotoxin penitrem A are described. An initial tremoring response was gradually overshadowed by an incoordination syndrome similar to that seen in ryegrass staggers. In spite of protracted staggers symptomatology, correlated with in vitro changes in the release of neurotransmitter amino acids from corpus striatum nerve ending preparations, no histopathology was evident in the wide range of neural and other tissue studied. The biochemical nature of this reversible mycotoxicosis is discussed.


Membranous nephropathy in the cat: a clinical and pathological study. A series of 13 cases of feline membranous nephropathy is presented. Two groups were distinguished clinically; eight cats had the nephrotic syndrome and five others were in renal failure but not nephrotic. The definitive diagnosis was based on histological, immunofluorescence and ultrastructural examinations of renal tissue obtained at renal biopsy or necropsy. Glomerular lesions were classified according to the degree of glomerular change into three distinct groups; mild, moderately severe and advanced. A relationship was established between the mild and moderately severe groups and cats with the nephrotic syndrome, and the advanced group and cats in renal failure. Diuretic therapy was satisfactory in initial control of oedema in the nephrotic cases. Monitoring of previously nephrotic cats for up to three years indicated that the disease is progressive, although in some cases it is sufficiently slow for a cat to live a relatively normal life without continuing treatment. The prognosis for cats presented in renal failure is hopeless.


Pelvic urethrotomies in bulls.

Pelvic urethrotomies in bulls. Pelvic urethrotomies were attempted on 32 bulls (12 cattle and 20 buffaloes). Infra-anal urethrotomy was carried out under a tranquilliser, posterior epidural and supra-ischial blocks. Prebulbomuscular urethrotomy was performed under a tranquilliser, posterior epidural and pelvic plexus blocks. Cystoscopy and litholapaxy were attempted to make comparisons. The animals which had been operated on were maintained for one month during which postoperative signs were noted, and after they were killed post mortem, radiographic, macro- and microscopic findings were recorded. From the results it is concluded that infra-anal urethrotomy presents difficulties whereas prebulbomuscular urethrotomy, especially the closed technique, is suitable for cystoscopy, pelvic lithotomy and litholapaxy.


A semi-quantitative spot test for glutathione peroxidase in blood of cattle and sheep for the assessemt of biological selenium status. A method is described for a simple semi-quantitative spot test for glutathione peroxidase in blood of cattle and sheep. The results can be used to place a group of samples from the same herd or flock into one of three blood selenium categories, ie, deficient, low marginal and marginal/adequate.


Nodular salpingitis and tubal endometriosis. I. Comparative clinical study. Nodular salpingitis and tubal endometriosis have been referred to in succession as salpingiosis, diverticulosis, adenomyosis of the oviduct, endometrioid conditions, etc. This varied terminology underscores their etiopathogenetic and morphological substratum which is different from that of non specific tubal inflammation, but at the same time this variety of terms has always created confusion in interpretation and diagnosis. We have considered it necessary to carry out a comparative study of nodular salpingitis and tubal endometriosis in 42 cases of sterility operated during the last two years for tubal obstruction and in which histological examination has yielded evidence for the lesions of nodular salpingitis (NS) or endometriosis (EM) in at least one of the oviducts. As for the etiology of the two diseases, we have discussed the role plaid by inflammatory conditions, uterine trauma (curettage) and dystrophic disorders, as well as the importance of hyperandrogenism in NS. Taking into account the diffuse sclerogenic tendency of the tubal wall in NS and the concomitant inflammatory and dystrophic lesions in the peritubal tissues in EM, the postoperative outlook depends on early surgery, to be performed before tubal anatomy has been completely altered.


Nodular salpingitis and tubal endometriosis. II. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Nodular salpingitis and tubal endometriosis are dystrophic disorders (salpingioses) the clinical importance of which is mainly due to their interference with female fertility. We have studied 42 cases of women operated for tubal sterility, viz. 23 cases of nodular salpingitis (NS), 17 of endometriosis (EM) and two cases in which both lesions were present. Pre-operative x-ray and celioscopic exploration was performed in order to assess the severity of the lesions and the outlook after tubal plastic surgery. X-ray examination reveals the diverticular nature of these lesions. Both diseases may be localized in any of the tubal segments. The postoperative prognosis depends on early surgery, site of the lesion and its nature.


Response of scrotal and non-scrotal vertebrate testis to the male antifertility agent alpha-chlorohydrin. Effect of single oral dose (90 mg/kg body weight), multiple doses (90 mg/kg body weight for 7 days) or even higher doses (180-300 mg/kg body weight) of alpha-chlorohydrin on the testis-epididymis complex of dog, rat, cryptorchid rat, hedgehog, domestic fowl, lizard, frog, and toad has been studied. alpha-chlorohydrin treatment, at any dose, did not induce lesions in the testis-epididymis complex of dog and hedgehog having testis in scrotum and inguinal canal respectively. Abdominal testis of cryptorchid rat, domestic fowl, lizard, frog and toad also did not respond to alpha-chlorohydrin treatment. Lesions in normal rat testis-epididymis complex, after single oral dose of alpha-chlorohydrin, were quite prominent. Non-sensitivity of alpha-chlorohydrin to these animal species may be due to the absence of the pampiniform plexus complex in hedgehog and sub-mammalian animal species. Absence of conventional epididymis in the sub-mammalian animal species may be the additional reason of the non-sensitivity of the drug. Prominence of collateral blood vasculature in dog testis-epididymis complex and some alterations in the blood supply due to cryptorchidity in cryptorchid rat testis seems to be the reason of non-sensitivity of alpha-chlorohydrin to dog and cryptorchid rat testis. These observations confirm the hypothesis that the action of a single oral dose of alpha-chlorohydrin is associted with the blood vasculature of the testis-epididymis complex.


The treatment with 2-brom-alfa ergocriptine in the syndrome amenorrhea-galactorrhea. In this study, the authors present the results obtained in thirteen cases with amenorrhea-galactorrhea treated with 2-brom-alfa-ergocriptine in which the menstruation has reoccurred in eleven patients, three of them becoming pregnant. The authors have accurately described the evolution of the three pregnancies, which were delivered at term and the children born were normal. The present study was elaborated in the Sterility Department of the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Giulesti", University School of Medicine, Bucharest. The study refers to the use of 2-brom-alfa-ergocriptine (Parlodel-Sandoz) in the treatment of the amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome associated with sterility.


Hysteroscopy of contact and submucous myomas: differential diagnosis between various benignant clinical patterns. The AA. report their experience on the use of the contact hysteroscopy in the differential diagnosis between several patterns of benignant endometrial pathology. They agree upon the diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness of this kind of instrumental investigation.


[The clinical significance of radioimmunologically determined serum bile acids as a new liver function test and the development of a new intravenous sulfolithoglycocholic acid (SLGC) stimulation test]. Cholylglycin (CG-) and SLCG levels were measured in patients with various biopsy-confirmed liver and bile disease. SLCG values were found to be more sensitive, and to distinguish clearly between steatosis hepatis and normals, as well as between cirrhosis hepatis, with and without, portal hypertension. Correlations between the common liver tests and the SLCG levels were poor, but a clear distinction was possible between the various histologically defined liver diseases. The paper concludes with a description of a new method of stimulating the SLCG values, intravenously. Using this method, it is possible to keep consumption of material and time and incommodities inflicted to the patient, as low as possible. Nevertheless staging of parenchymatous liver diseases, is feasible.


[Ultrasound diagnosis of the kidneys and the retroperitoneal space]. In addition to well known topics of nephrosonography, e. g. space occupying lesions, malformations, renal obstruction and transplantated kidneys, also lesser known topics such as nephrosonography in pregnancy and blunt renal trauma, and also sonographic findings in pathological changes of the retroperitoneum, are discussed. Consequently, the high diagnostic value of ultrasonography, is emphasized.


[Measuring nasal resistance using passive anterior rhinomanometry. Results in normal subjects, bronchially hyperreactive and manifestly obstructed patients]. The values of nasal resistance measured by passive, anterior rhinomanometry are reported. The results of measurements on a group of healthy probands correlate significantly with those gained by wholebody-plethysmography. Three of four patients with bronchial hyperreactivity, on acetylcholine, had an increase of nasal resistance after endonasal application of this agents. Ten patients with 'COLD' had normal nasal resistance values; no increase of the values could be demonstrated, after local acetylcholine application.


[Successful nifedipine therapy in coronary spasm]. A 51 year old male, with typical "Prinzmetal-Angina", is presented. The ECG during the attacks exhibits ST-Elevation and concomitant ventricular ectopies. The coronary arteriography reveals a spasm in the normal left anterior descendens artery. The therapeutic combination of Nifedipine and Isosorbiddinitrat is effective and the patient has been free of pain since 9 months.


[The Le Veen peritoneo-jugular shunt and the testing of its function]. A radioisotope technique for testing the patency of, peritoneo-venous shunts of Le Veen, is reported and is demonstrated by discussing a case history. By now a total number of 16 patients have been tested, after implantation of such a shunt. The demonstrated radioisotope technique, which causes no complaints from the patient, is not only able to inform concerning the functional state of the Le Veen shunts, but also, in case of disturbances, is able to reveal the cause of the underlying malfunctions.


[Oscillatory determination of functional residual capacity (FRC)]. The washing-in of a low density gas (80% He, 20% O2) into the lung is being eased by greater diffusibility and diminished work of breathing. Helium analysis was performed by means of the oscillation method with an equipment suitable for the assessment of resistance to breathing. The density of helium gas mixture is being compared to the density of ambient air.


Comparative aspects of muscle fibre size and succinic dehydrogenase distribution in the longissimus dorsi muscle of several species of East African mammals. The distribution of succinic dehydrogenase enzyme activity was investigated in frozen sections of longissimus dorsi muscle taken from several species of East African game animal (giraffe, hartebeest, wildebeest, oryx, gerenuk and dik-dik) as well as local zebu cattle. Muscle fibres were classified as red (high succinic dehydrogenase activity), white (low activity) or intermediate. The mean diameter and percentage distribution of each fibre type were noted as well as the overall mean muscle fibre diameter (MFD) for each species. The diameters of red muscle fibres were found to be between 54 and 62% of the diameters of the white muscle fibres for all species with MFD differences between species being up to over 100%. The variation in MFD was found to be significantly and positively correlated with live weight, when zebu values were omitted. It was found that the variation in MFD was significantly related to the diameter of muscle fibre types and not to the percent distribution of these fibre types.


The fine structure of placental junctional zone cells during prolonged pregnancy in rats. The electron microscope was used to examine the junctional zone of the chorioallantoic placentas of living rat young which had been experimentally retained in utero for as long as 4 days beyond delivery of their littermates. Junctional zone cells in such prolonged placentas were compared with corresponding cellular elements in term placentas. By the 1st day of the postterm period, placental glycogen cells in the junctional zone were depleted. Many trophoblast giant cells and trophospongial elements appeared fully viable throughout the entire 4-day period, however, Giant cells from placentas of prolonged pregnancy were indistinguishable from those in placentas at term. Both in term and in postterm placentas the trophospongial elements displayed a variation in the organization of the granular cisterns of endoplasmic reticulum within them. No variants appearing to prefigure involution were identified either in term or in prolonged placentas. However, more cells with vesiculate cisterns were seen in junctional zones from placentas which were retained beyond term. Intercellular relationships also were preserved both in term and in prolonged placentas, it is concluded that parturition is not dependent on their involution.


Correlative transmission and scanning electron microscopy of the initial mineralization of healing alveolar bone in rats. Primary mineralization in healing sockets after extraction of molar teeth was studied in rats. The observations obtained by scanning electron microscopy were correlated by transmission electron microscopy. The process is characterized by abundance of extracellular matrix vesicles distributed between the forming cells and the calcifying fronts. The occurrence of osmiophilic material and solitary hydroxyapatitte crystals within the vesicles was followed by accumulation of hydroxyapatite crystals, disappearance of the vesicular membrane and formation of calcospherites that conglomerate into calcified fronts. The process described here in bone healing is essentially similar to primary mineralization in other normal and pathological calcified tissues.


[Changes in the ultrastructure of Merkel's nerve endings of the sinus hair of rats after denervation]. Merkel nerve endings of sinus hairs in the upper lip of the rat were observed after having cut the nervus infraorbitalis. The nerve terminal of the Merkel nerve ending has already been degenerated 24 hours after denervation and was phagocytised by neighbouring keratinocytes. The Merkel cells did not change in structure after having lost their nerve terminal even within 169 days after nerve crush. Their position in the stratum basale of the sinus hairs remained constant; the number, size and position of the osmiophilic granules in the cytoplasm of the Merkel cells did not change. These results may show, that Merkel cells are not modified keratinocytes. The possibilities of their origin are discussed.


Venous segments in the goat (Capra hircus) spleen. 46 goat spleens were studied to observe the venous segmentation in them by preparing the corrosion cast of the splenic vein and its intrasplenic tree. 56.5% of the specimens revealed the presence of two splenic venous segments - a right and a left one -, and 30.4% of cases showed the presence of three venous segments - a right, a left and a hilar one. The rest did not show any venous segmentations.


Comparative ultrastructural study of the optic nerves and visual cortices of young (2.5 months) and old (17 months) mice. The aging optic nerves and visual cortices were studied in mice. Changes in the morphology of neuroglia were evident in the optic nerve but no difference in the numbers of neurotubules or myelin sheaths optic nerve fibers in the aged were observed. Large myelinated fibers, however, begun to degenerate. In the aging visual cortices, a higher proportion of dendrodendritic contacts were present and microglia cells were found to be active.


Effects of in vivo single and multiple isoproterenol injections on subsequently explanted submandibular glands. The present study reports on the effects of in vivo single and multiple isoproterenol (ISP) injections on the proliferative response of subsequently explanted mouse submandibular glands. Explants were cultured in Waymouth's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, and were harvested after 1,2,4 or 6 days in culture. 24 h prior to harvest, the explants were fed medium containing [3H] thymidine. At the time of harvest, the explants were fixed in situ and processed for light-microscopic radioautography. The number of labeled nuclei and the total number of nuclei were counted, and labeling indices were calculated for the control and ISP-treated explant sectons. The results show that the ISP-treated explants had more cells actively synthesizing DNA than did the corresponding control explants after 1 day in culture. In addition, after 2 days in culture, the explants from mice that had received a single dose of ISP incorporated more [3H] thymidine than the corresponding control explants. These results suggest that the in vivo ISP stimulus initiated a hyperplastic response in vivo that was completed during the 1st or 2nd day in vitro.


Growth of the skull in the mutant dwarf mouse. By following the development of individual mice from birth to 200 days of age, it was found that the skull of the homozygous mutant (dwdw) was 5% shorter than that of the normal phenotype at birth and some 30% shorter at 200 days of age. During post-natal growth of the skull, the cranium was least altered but the facial skeleton was greatly affected. The differences seen in different parts of the skull are attributed to the peak growth velocities of the various parts occurring at different times.


Incidence of the metopic suture in adult Indian crania. 1,276 adult Indian skulls were examined for the incidence of the metopic suture. It was observed that metopism was present in 2.66% of the skulls and metopic sutures were present in 38.17% of the skulls. The metopic suture was present in the lower part of the frontal bone in various shapes in 35.27% of cases. The incidence in the upper, upper middle and lower middle parts of the frontal bone is 0.8% in each type. Besides the above-mentioned findings a peculiar type of shape was seen in 0.63 (inverted y) and a radiating type in 0.31% of the skulls.


[Margins and torsion of the human fibula]. The borders and ridges of the fibula show a difficult aspect caused by the bone-forming musculature. These structures are an occasion for misunderstanding and mistaken denominations, which even had a noticeable effect on the PNA. Two thirds of all human fibulae exhibit a clearly prominent 'crista musculi tibialia posterioris', giving tendinuous attachment to the tibialis posterior muscle. In diagnosis of borders this crista may lead to errors, because it branches off from the interosseous border underneath the upper fourth of the fibula and reaches the medial crest in the middle of the bone. Most of the borders of the fibula show a twisted course corresponding to the direction of the shaping musculature and effecting a fictitious torsion of the shaft. The proper torsion of the fibula, however, is substantiated by the difference between the absolute torsion (= twist of the two ends of the bone) and the accompanying torsion (= twist enforced by the torsion of the tibia).


Mast cells in the human brain.

Mast cells in the human brain. Mast cells, as adjudged by the metachromatic staining of their cytoplasmic granules, were found in 79% of the 97 humans brains studied. They were most numerous and most consistently present in the infundibulum, pineal organ, area postrema and choroid plexuses. They were also numerous in the leptomeninges surrounmding the pineal organ and infundibulum. Occasional mast cells were also seen within the supraoptic crest, the subfornical organ, the ventricles and the leptomeninges at sites other than over the infundibulum and pineal organ. They were not detectable elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord. In the infundibulum, pineal organ, area postrema and telencephalic choroid plexuses mast cells were most numerous in young individuals (i.e., 0-19 years of age); thereafter, their numbers progressively decreased with aging. Elsewhere mast cell numbers remained about the same with aging. Except in the area postrema where mast cells were more numerous and more consistently present in males, sex-related differences in mast cell number or distribution were not detected. No differences in either the abundance, the distribution or the percentage of individuals possessing mast cells at any of these sites were apparent between 'normative' brains, lesioned brains ('stroke', lobotomy, etc.) or those from individuals with either congenital or acquired encephalopathies.


Alterations of the internal elastic membrane in juvenile human arteries. Quantitative changes in the internal elastic membrane (IEM) were studied in human arteries from different location in 31 males and 31 females, using an eight-criterion classification system. The IEM involvement shows a sex-dependent increase with age, and is more pronounced in arteries known to exhibit a more intensive atherosclerotic involvement. It seems that the IEM changes represent a true ageing phenomenon, which is sometimes influenced to a various degree by the atherosclerotic process.


Histochemistry of carbohydrates in the epithelium lining the bulbourethral gland of the rat. The histochemistry of carbohydrates has been studied in the epithelium lining the bulbourethral gland of the rat by means of light- and electron-microscopic methods. The results obtained show that the cytoplasms of the epithelial cells contain neutral and acidic carbohydrates. The neutral carbohydrates exhibited positive reactions with periodic acid-Schiff and periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate, whereas the acidic carbohydrates reacted positively with alcian blue (AB; pH 1.0 and 2.5) and dialyzed iron. Most neutral carbohydrates were found to be glycoproteins localized within the secretory granules. The acidic carbohydrates consist of at least two types, AB (pH 1.0)-reactive sulfated and AB (pH 2.5)-reactive nonsulfated carbohydrates; most nonsulfated carbohydrates were determined to be sialic acid. The acidic carbohydrates were also localized within the secretory granules.


Effect of exogenous glucocorticoids given during the terminal stages on the adrenocortical histology. The adrenal histology of 107 adult autopsy cases hospitalized within 8 days before death was examined. Thirteen (21.7%) of 60 cases given glucocorticoids within 24 hr of death showed the zona reticularis and lower zona fasciculata composed of clear type cells, while only two (4.2%) of the remaining 47 cases without corticoid administration showed the same histology. The difference was significant (p < 0.05), and it was referred to the exogenous corticoids. Administration of adrenalin and/or noradrenalin did not significantly influence the adrenocortical histology. The effect of the corticoids depended partly on the diseases from which the patients suffered: the effect was not observed in cases of severe infection or myocardial infarction, but it was shown in cases of cerebral apoplexy and miscellaneous diseases. The above results, on the basis of clear/compact cell morphology, suggest that exogenous glucocorticoids occasionally suppress the pituitary release of ACTH under the stress of dying.


Electron microscopic study on the proximal portions of the anterior cerebral arteries in rats with long-term hypertension. Proximal portions of the anterior cerebral arteries in rats with long-term hypertension were electron microscopically studied. The abnormal substances such as granules, vesicles, vacuoles and other membranous structures, relatively homogeneous masses, and basement membrane-like substances were observed around the medial smooth muscle cells. Basement membrane-like substances were increased with advancing age and the majority of these substances are thought to be turned from the granulo-vesicles. Abnormal substances deposited in the media are thought to be "hyalino-fibrous materials". The majority of our materials had a clear-cut border between the media and the adventitia. The subendothelial spaces were slightly distended with fibrillar and/or finely granular substances with age, but neither cellular element nor fibrinoid substance was found in them.


Breast cancer among atomic bomb survivors--the relationship of prognosis to pathologic findings. Three hundred and sixty cases of breast cancer were collected from among the 63,000 female members of the Radiation Effect Research Foundation (RERF) extended Life Span Study sample which includes atomic bomb exposed women and controls of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The relationship of these breast cancer cases to A-bomb radiation was sought, and in studying of 5-year survival, the following conclusions were obtained concerning its relationship to histopathological findings. The prognosis of the 50+ rad high dose group is the best, followed by the nonexposed group and the low dose group. The apparently better survival may be due to the fact that this group is heavily weighted in favor of those who were younger at the time of the bomb (ATB). There is no specificity of the histologic type of breast cancer in the survivors by dose. Nor is any significant difference observed in the distribution of tumor size and histological grade, though the survival rates of this series are worse than those of usual Japanese women with breast cancer. Cellular reaction is significantly marked in the stroma of carcinoma tissue in the high dose group. Immune reaction is considered to be strong in the affected site of breast cancer in the high dose group and this can be regarded as a finding suggestive of good prognosis. Further extended studies are therefore warranted.


Intrahepatic bile duct destruction in a patient with sarcoidosis and chronic intrahepatic cholestasis. An autopsy case of sarcoidosis with chronic intrahepatic cholestasis for 2 and a half years was presented. Generalized distribution of noncaseating epithelioid granulomas and positive Kveim test were consistent with sarcoidosis. Histological examination of the liver revealed extensive bile duct destruction similar to that seen in the liver of primary biliary cirrhosis. Destructive cholangitis found in the liver appeared to be responsible for long term intrahepatic cholestasis, and no sarcoid granulomas in the liver were found to destroy any bile duct. The possible relation in pathogenesis of the bile duct destruction between primary biliary cirrhosis and sarcoidosis was discussed.


Lymphoma of the brain associated with polyposis of the colon--report of a case and review of Turcot's syndrome. Pathological findings of a 15-year-old girl with polyposis of the colon who has subsequently developed primary lymphoma of the brain are reported. The authors consider this case to be a rare example of Turcot's syndrome although the histological typing of the brain tumor is not classical and familial background of the polyposis has not been demonstrated. Literatures on 14 previously reported cases of Turcot's syndrome are reviewed and clinical and pathological findings are summarized. The present case is the second report of Turcot's syndrome associated with lymphoma of the brain and is unique in regard to the age as cerebral lymphoma is extremely rare in the second decade.


Melanosomes in the acinar cells of paranasal sinusal glands found in a case of nasal malignant melanoma. Fine structures of melanosomes incidentally found in the secretory cells of the paranasal sinusal glands associated with nasal malignant melanoma are described and their origin is discussed. It is suggested that these melanosomes in the secretory cells are not de novo products but are ingested by cytocrine process.


Carcinoma in heterotopic gastric pancreas. A case of a 55-year-old Japanese female who died of adenocarcinoma originating from heterotopic gastric pancreas is presented. The autopsy revealed, extensive metastases of bones. Though careful examination was done, other primary focus except that of the stomach could not be detected. In review of literatures, 11 malignant tumors originating from heterotopic gastric pancreas could be found including our case.


Acute diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis and bilateral renal cortical necrosis. An autopsy case of a 69-year-old male with acute diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis complicated by bilateral renal cortical necrosis was presented. Autopsy revealed acute diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis, bilateral renal cortical necrosis, non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis, involving the aortic and mitral valves, and some interesting vascular lesions, dissemination of fibrinoid change of arterioles and fibrin thrombus of small vessels in various organs; accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the lumen of the smaller interlobular arteries and arterioles of the kidney with cellular infiltration and disintegration of the wall; severe disorganization of the wall with intraluminar and intramural fibrinous exudation in smaller branches of the hepatic artery; diminution and disarrangment of muscle fibers and patchy hyalinization in the media of the renal and interlobar arteries. The inter-relationship between acute diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis, bilateral renal cortical necrosis which may be regarded as a 'hallmark' of the generalized Shwartzman reaction, and disseminated intravascular coagulation was discussed.


Kaposi's sarcoma -- Case report and review of Japanese cases. A case of Kaposi's sarcoma in a 60 year-old male was examined histologically and electron microscopically. Multiple hemorrhagic skin lesions were confined within the scalp. The major part of initial skin biopsies exhibited capillary hemangiomatous component, but examination of surgical materials confirmed its nature as hemorrhagic sarcoma. At autopsy, the skin lesions showed various histological pictures ranging from angiomatous or granulomatous to sarcomatous proliferation of spindle-shaped cells. Of intriguing findings were the bone marrow involvement and the pulmonary changes, the former consisting of typical sarcomatous lesion and the latter being characterized by purpuric appearance of the pleura responsible for the terminal pneumohemothorax. Electron microscopically, the tumor cells showed Weibel-Palade granules in the cytoplasm suggesting the endothelial nature. In this article, Japanese autopsy cases of Kaposi's sarcoma so far reported are summarized.


Benign paroxysmal positional nystagmus.

Benign paroxysmal positional nystagmus. A characteristic nystagmus profile of benign paroxysmal positional nystagmus was determined from analyses of horizontal and vertical electro-oculographic recordings in 32 patients. The vertical component was upbeat in both eyes (fast phase toward the ground in the head-hanging position), whereas the horizontal component was dissociated with the ipsilateral eye beating away from the down ear and the contralateral eye beating toward the down ear. The amplitude of the vertical component was larger in the ipsilateral eye. This dissociated nystagmus profile is consistent with a burst of excitatory activity originating in the posterior canal of the ear that is undermost at the end of the positioning maneuver.


Immunodeficiency in pediatric otolaryngology. The relationship between the individual's aerodigestive tract and the external environment is a delicate balance maintained by a competent immune system. An understanding of the immune system and the various immune defects thus enables the practitioner to diagnose and treat an otherwise unrecognized cause of recurrent respiratory and ear infections. In this article a review of the immune system is presented. The structure and function of cell mediated and humoral immunity as well as the corresponding deficiency states are discussed. Specific emphasis is placed on immunity as it relates to the air and food passages and the ear. All charts of patients with immune deficiency seen at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia were reviewed. Thirty patients were found to be immunodeficient. Hypogammaglobulinemias accounted for 50.0 per cent, IgA deficiency accounted for 33.3 per cent, and chemotactic defects occurred in 13.3 per cent. All patients exhibited some type of otolaryngologic disease, characterized by frequent infections of the middle ear, upper respiratory tract, paranasal sinuses, or lungs. Because of this pattern of presentation, the otolaryngologist should be aware of these disorders and participate in their diagnosis and treatment.


The stimulus controlled caloric tests: a reliability study. Preliminary studies have shown that a new caloric testing method described by Proctor and Dix offers several advantages over conventional methods. However, it had not been established that the Proctor-Dix method would prove reliable and practical when routinely applied in a clinical setting. Therefore, we administered the test to 60 patients referred for evaluation of vestibular function and compared the test scores with results from the conventional Fitzgerald-Hallpike test applied during the same test session. The analysis was based on the average slow phase eye speed of nystagmus during the most intense 20 seconds of individual responses. A close agreement was found between "right-left difference" and "directional preponderance" scores when results of the Proctor-Dix and Fitzgerald-Hallpike tests were compared in the 54 patients who completed all steps in the experiment. Larger differences between the results of the two tests were confined to subjects who were "normal" or only slightly abnormal. Order effects and additional analysis of correlations are discussed. The present study demonstrates that reliable results, comparable to those obtained from conventional methods, can be obtained when the new Proctor-Dix test is applied in a clinical setting.


Management of the patient with an incompetent larynx. Incompetency of the larynx may vary from minimal occasional aspiration of saliva with a somewhat annoying cough to severe and life threatening aspiration. Management of these problems remains a significant challenge to the ingenuity of the well trained otolaryngologist. A review of the anatomic and physiologic factors involved both in normal function of the larynx and in derangement resulting in varying degrees of laryngeal incompetency would seem worthwhile. Several procedures are available that may be useful individually or in combination in the management of these patients.


Aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses should not be considered an innocuous disease. In a review of 103 cases, other than in the Sudan, the mortality rate was 16 per cent. Intracranial extension of the fungus from the nose and sinuses carries a grave prognosis. Although aspergillosis occurs frequently in patients debilitated from other diseases, this is not always the case, and most deaths in the review series occurred in otherwise healthy individuals. The authors present eight cases of their own.


Health care cost containment.

Health care cost containment. Upper respiratory infections make up 90 per cent of the practice of the general medical doctor during the winter months. The common cold and related complications lead the list of causes of acute morbidity during the cold weather. The medical expense resulting from these ailments is a substantial part of the cost of health care, which is in urgent need of containment. Man, migrating from the warm climates of his origin, quickly learned how to protect himself against the cold but is still very much remiss in compensating for the low humidity created by indoor heating. A viral etiology for the common cold has been established, but efforts to produce an effective vaccine have failed except in special circumstances. It has been shown, however, that the virus is destroyed in the presence of adequate humidification. Furthermore, maintenance of proper indoor humidity will not only improve health but will also act to make more acceptable the 65 degrees F. limit to indoor heating newly mandated by law as an energy conservation measure. A graphic representation and pertinent relative humidity tables are used to develop the subject.


A rational approach to the traveling wave phenomenon. To aid comprehension of cochlear traveling waves, the present article will explain this complex phenomenon in terms of its underlying principles: (1) fluid mechanics, with particular reference to a tangible, analogous event, wave transformation on sloping beaches; (2) the central role of the cochlear stiffness gradient with respect to an energy exchange between travel speed and amplitude of cochlear waves, low pass filter action with distance, and impedance matching for the benefit of wave progression; (3) spatial domain and frequency domain considerations; (4) the solution to the classic dilemma between cochlear tuning and damping; and (5) the task of the helicotrema. I will not discuss the ultimate mechanical stimulation of cochlear hair cells that is mediated by shearing interactions between the tectorial membrane and the organ proper.


Septal ultrastructure in Sirobasidium magnum and its taxonomic implications. The parenthesomes of Sirobasidium magnum (Sirobasidiaceae) are composed of arrays of ampulliform vesicles from whose bases microfibrils connect to bands of striated material in the dolipore orifices. This septal morphology and the associated character of a yeast haplophase are comparable to that found in species of the Tremellaceae and Filobasidiaceae. The similarity of these basic characteristics in these three families supports their separation into the suborder Tremellineae (species of the Tremellales with regular dolipore/parenthesome septa and mycelial monokaryons are grouped in the suborder Exidiineae).


Streptococcus mutans and dental caries in humans: a bacteriological and immunological study. Plaque samples from caries-active subjects showed a higher incidence of S. mutans than plaque samples from caries-free subjects. This was especially evident in approximal incisor plaque. S. mutans serotype d was almost exclusively present in approximal plaque obtained from caries-active subjects. Tooth surfaces infected with S. mutans still harbored this micro-organism 10 months later, while uninfected tooth surfaces remained free of S. mutans. Caries development predominantly occurs on those tooth surfaces which harbor relatively high percentages of S. mutans (> 5%). It is unlikely that serum or saliva antibodies against S. mutans play a major role in the protection against dental caries in these caries-free subjects since subjects with the greatest number of decayed surfaces showed the highest antibody titre as measured by haemagglutination or by the enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).


Composition and ecology of the human intestinal flora. Longitudinal quantitative cultures of fecal flora of 20 newborns, 4 older babies and 10 healthy adults were carried out to study the composition and development of the intestinal flora. In all newborns the same sequence of colonization was observed. The numbers of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria fluctuated and reached finally numbers of 10(10)/g wet weight. In adults the flora was in balance with 10(5)-10(7) aerobic and 10(10)-10(11) anaerobic bacteria/g wet weight. Interaction experiments in vitro showed growth inhibition of Bacteroides fragilis by all intestinal species isolated. Bifidobacteria were not inhibited. The assumption was made that this type of interaction could be one of the mechanisms involved in the intestinal micro-ecology. Three of the Bacteroides fragilis strains tested were able to grow on "natural intestinal substrates" as gastric mucin, glycogen and a variety of plant polysaccharides. Acetic, lactic, propionic and succinic acids were detected as fermentation products.


Host-parasite relationship in staphylococcal infections: the role of the staphylococcal cell wall during the process of phagocytosis. Evidence is presented that antibodies against staphylococcal peptidoglycan are important opsonins for phagocytosis of staphylococci. Cell wall protein A inhibits opsonization by IgG through its interaction with the Fc fragment of the IgG molecule and preventing therefore the binding between the Fc fragment and the Fc receptor of the cell membrane of the leukocyte. Extracellular protein A interferes with opsonization presumably through depletion of complement.


Microaerophily.

Microaerophily. Objections to previous definitions of "anaerobiosis" and "micro-aerophily" are discussed, and a new definition of "micro-aerophily" is proposed. A survey of physiological characteristics of the micro-aerophilic bacterium Campylobacter sputorum spp. bubulus is given, and the concept of "micro-aerophily" is illustrated by the results of a study on the oxygen metabolism and oxygen sensitivity of this bacterium.


Comparison of surfactant production from kerosene by four species of Corynebacterium. Four species of Corynebacterium-C. fasciens, C. hydrocarboclastus, C. lepus and C. xerosis, were compared for growth and surfactant production from kerosene. Nitrate as sole nitrogen source resulted in a sharp peak in surfactant concentration during mid-exponential growth phase. Ammonium plus nitrate resulted in growth-associated surfactant production. Surfactant was produced at a concentration of 50-80 times the critical micelle concentration by these species; greatest concentrations were produced by C. lepus. All species were pleomorphic, with greatest cell length occurring in early exponential phase. C. hydrocarboclastus had distinctly longer cells (5 mu) than the other species (3 mu) when grown in shake-flask culture. Ammonium sulfate at concentrations greater than 0.1% (w/v) increased cell length in stationary phase.


Effect of growth condition on enzymes of the citric acid cycle and the glyoxylate cycle in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The enzymes of the citric acid and glyoxylate cycles as well as RuBP4 carboxylase were measured in cell-free extracts from Rhodopseudomonas palustris after growth under chemoheterotrophic, photoheterotrophic and photolithotrophic conditions. Although the citric acid cycle was found to be complete under all growth conditions, significant differences in certain enzyme activities occurred as a function of the different energy sources applied. The glyoxylate cycle also was complete under all growth conditions with highest isocitrate lyase activity seen after photoheterotrophic growth on acetate. Photo- and chemoheterotrophic growth on malate reduced the isocitrate lyase. The activity was not repressed further by photolithotrophic growth on thiosulfate. RuBP carboxylase activity, present under photolithotrophic conditions, was repressed by chemoheterotrophic growth but was not decreased by the presence of organic substrates during photoheterotrophic growth.


Studies on Propionibacterium isolated from paddy soils. The anaerobic bacteria occurring in paddy soils sampled from fields belonging to the Rice Research Station at Ohmagari in Akita Prefecture, Japan, were surveyed from May to November, 1974. Irregularly shaped rods predominated which were found to be gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, catalase-positive and not heat-resistant; populations were estimated at 10(5)--10(-7) cells/g dry soil throughout the entire survey period. On the basis of their morphological and physiological characteristics these bacteria were identified as Propionibacterium. Most strains belonged to P. lymphophilum and P. granulosum.


Bacteriophage typing of Salmonella weltevreden. Salmonella weltevreden has been found to be one of the commonest Salmonella serotypes isolated from diverse sources in India and has also been isolated in a number of other countries. A phage typing scheme was developed for this serotype using a set of six typing phages. These phages had been selected out of 146 phage strains isolated and purified from stool samples of man, laboratory animals and other animals, sewage and surface water sources, and the lytic mutants of temperate phages form S. weltevreden. The phage typing scheme was applied systematically to type the 946 strains from India isolated during 1958-1974 and 148 strains originating from Australia, Burma, England, Gan Island, Holland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Thailand, The United States and Vietnam during 1953-1971. The scheme was particularly studied to evaluate its utility in mapping the epidemiologically related strains from various sources. The S. weltevreden strains could be classified into ten phage types. Phage types 2 and 7 were found exclusively amongst Indian strains, type 6 from Vietnam and type 8 from Burma, Thailand and Vietnam. Phage types were found to be stable and consistent with the independent epidemiological data available.


The association of Mycobacterium flavum 301 with gram-negative bacteria: ultrastructural and biochemical evidence. Morphological characteristics, respiratory quinones, biochemical activities, cell wall ultrastructure and DNA base composition of Mycobacterium flavum 301 were studied. On the basis of the composition of its cell wall, its respiratory quinone and ubiquinone, the organism was associated with gram-negative bacteria. The strain appears to represent a group of bacteria hitherto not described.


The proteins of the cytoplasmic ribosomes of Euglena gracilis. Two types of cytoplasmic ribosomes of Euglena gracilis have been found when the stability in vitro of the large subunit at 25 degrees C for 30 min has been considered. Sucrose density gradient analysis have revealed that the large subunit of ribosomes obtained from cells harvested in the stationary phase of growth was degraded when heated at 25 degrees C. The large subunit of ribosomes obtained from exponentially growing cells was stable in the same experimental conditions. Studies of the ribosomal RNAs have not explained this differential stability observed in vitro. In fact, after SDS-extraction, the largest RNA species always appears degraded in both types of ribosomes. Therefore, an explanation to this phenomenon have been searched for through the analysis of the ribosomal proteins. One and two dimensional gel electrophoresis techniques have been employed. At least one difference between the two ribosomal protein groups has been observed and this could be associated to the differential stability of the ribosomes. Approximately 72 proteins molecules have been found in Euglena's cytoplasmic ribosome. About 42 proteins belong to the large subunit and 30 to the small one.


[Serologic survey of human type A influenza virus infection following 10-year periods of prevalence of H3N2 strains]. Distribution of h.i.a. against A/New Jersey/8/76 (Hsw1N1), A/PR/8/34 (H0N1), A/FM/1/47 (H1N1), A/Japan/305/57 (H2N2) influenza virus strains was determined in 553 serum samples, previously tested for A/Hong Kong/1/68 virus, collected in the late summer of 1977 in Milan and Bari. For all variants, distinctive antibody patterns were obtained which reflect periods of prevalence of these viruses in man. So, the peak of positivity and the higher h.i.a. levels were found for A/New Jersey/8/76 strain in subjects born between 1907 and 1916, in the case of A/PR/8/34 virus for the birth years 1927-36, ten years later (1937-46) for A/FM/1/47 strain and for A/Japan/305/57 and A/Hong Kong/1/68 variants respectively for the birth years 1947-56 and 1962-66. The presence of antibodies to influenza A viruses not supposed to have been current during the person's lifetime has been discussed.


Evaluation of the use of "thermoresistant" antigen Patoc 1, in the diagnosis of human and animal leptospirosis. Preliminary report. The macroagglutination test, according Mailloux, was investigated for its feasibility in the rapid diagnosis of human and animal leptospirosis. Suspected sera examinated by Mailloux test, were also examinated by Complement Fixation and Microagglutination; the results suggest that: Mailloux macroagglutination is the serological test of choice, for screening of animal and human sera, mostly if it is not needed to know the infecting serovar.


[Serum complement in patients with chronic renal insufficiency undergoing periodic hemodialysis]. Assessment of Clq, Cls, C4, C3, C3a, C5, C9, C3PA, C1INH fractions and CH50 activity of serum complement was performed in 24 patients with renal failure undergoing periodic haemodialysis. Alternate pathway activation was found together with high levels of non involved fractions. Mechanisms and biological implications are discussed.


Vertical transmission of hepatitis B.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B. Vertical transmission from mother to fetus and from mother to newborn infant of HBV plays a major role in maintaining the hepatitis B endemic condition. After a review of the literature on the subject the Authors outline the data of three years of investigations performed on a sample of 5345 pregnant women, puerperae and their respective infants. These data point out: - the high rate, statistically significant, of HBsAg-positive women (2.63%), among those hospitalized for threatened abortion or abortion in progress; - the high positivity rate (16.39%) of cord blood samples of infants born to carrier mothers; - the constant negativity of cord blood in these infants during the first week of age; - the follow-up of 37 children from carrier mothers (controlled at 1, 2, 3, 6 months and 1 and 2 years of age) substantiates the constant negativity for HBsAg in European children.


[Hepatitis and drug addiction: clinical and immunological studies]. The association drug addiction-hepatitis has so increased in recent years to represent a social epidemiological and clinical problem all over the world. Although the clinical picture of hepatitis is already well defined in drug-abusers, it remains to be completely understood the mechanism responsible for the significant incidence of progression from acute to chronic hepatitis in this population. The viral infection, the drug itself, the drug contaminants, the immunological defects (cellular and/or humoral) may be considered as possible contributing factors to this event. For this reason the Authors have performed an immunological study either in a group of drug-abusers with acute and chronic hepatitis, or in a group of 82 "asymptomatic" drug addicts without a history of liver diseases. The results of this study are the following: - In all the drug-addicts considered there is a common contact with virus B. - There are significant alternations of the cellular and humoral immunity in drug-addicts with acute and chronic hepatitis. - In the "asymptomatic" group the humoral immunity is slightly altered (hyper IgM, circulating immunocomplexes), while normal the cellular response. All these findings are critically evaluated also in respect with the new immunopathological mechanisms of hepatitis B.


[Detection of paraproteinemia in blood donors. Results of systematic analysis of 3800 donors in Trieste]. A systematic analysis of plasma protein pattern performed by agarose gel electrophoresis has detected paraproteinemia in 13 out of 3800 blood donors in the district of Trieste. The variations in the incidence of monoclonal gammopathies in surveys of blood donors could be related not only with geographical origin and the age and sex distribution of the population studied but also with the sensitivity of the screening technique employed. The physiopathological and clinical implications of the detection of paraproteins favour the inclusion of the screening plasma electrophoretic analysis among the laboratory investigations for blood donors.


[Drug-induced fixed exanthema: immuno-allergologic study of 37 patients]. The Authors performed ona group a patients suffering from drug exanthema a thorough clinico-anamnestic and allergo-immunological investigation (skin reactions, patch-tests, Prausnitz-Küstner passive transport, in vitro lymphocyte blastization, total serum IgE radioimmunoassay). The results obtained do not support an immunoallergical pathogenesis of this syndrome. The possible alternative hypotheses and the future perspectives of study are discussed.


[Activity of coagulation factors in liver coma caused by viral hepatitis]. Coagulation studies were performed on 8 patients with acute liver failure from viral hepatitis. Four died and four recovered. At the time of development of coma, levels of clotting factors resulted markedly reduced in all cases and were not of value as a prognostic index. Subsequent serial determinations (every 8 hours) during the evolution of coma showed that prothrombin activity and levels of factor I, II, V and X were not correlated with clinical conditions, most probably owing to the influence of the administration of blood and blood components. Of all coagulation tests, the assay of factor VII, which has the shortest half-life, appeared the most reliable index of hepatic synthetic function at a particular point in time.


Genetic control of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. I. Resistance or susceptibility among different mouse strains. Susceptibility of different strains of mice to infection with Trichomonas vaginalis was determined. Striking strain differences in susceptibility to T. vaginalis inoculum were observed in different mouse strains suggesting that susceptibility is under control of genes mapping mainly outside the major histocompatibility complex.


Radioimmunoassay detection of HBsAg in hemoderivatives. The aim of the present paper is that of developing a technique which exploiting a commercial RIA Kit (Ausria II - Abbott) could be employed for the detection of HBsAg also in products different from serum or plasma, such as hemoderivates, even when as negative control is employed the kit, made up of a pool of HBsAg and HBsAb negative plasma. In order to lower the probability of false positive and false negatives the Authors employed, in parallel with the normal Abbott technique, a modified technique, which involves the presaturation of the polystyrene beads with human serum albumin solution. This technique showed to increase the sensitivity relevant to the kit itself. The technique with successive contacts employed by the Authors allowed the carrying out of the confirmation test for those blood derivatives also, which tend to clot, both due to the treatments and for the addition of the reagents employed in the confirmation test. In order the get a better garantee in classifying as "non-reactive" a sample the Authors expect it to be timely to carry out, in addition to the direct test, a confirmation test. Samples with titrated HBsAg additions and showing C/N > 1.5 in the direct test, turned out reactive to the confirmation test. Recovery tests show, even considering the variability of the sensitivity of the kit, according to the batch and the date of use, an indication of the sensitivity of the RIA method for HBsAg detection in hemoderivatives.


Human lymphocyte surface markers after allogeneic activation: increase of Fc receptors-bearing cells. The behaviour of human lymphocyte surface markers was investigated after in vitro alloactivation. Evidence was obtained that the expression of surface receptors is modified during mixed lymphocyte culture. In vitro allogeneic stimuli are able to induce a very significant increase of Fc receptors bearing cells: the biological significance of these data is discussed.


[Recent trends in the serologic diagnosis of pertussis]. Anti-whooping cough agglutinin titrations were performed in various groups of children by employing a special antigen and a microtechnique. Moderate agglutinating titers were detected in the first trimester of life and were interpreted as transmitted from the mother. Rare and moderate titers were observed in a group of children of school age, randomly selected and non institutionalized, while, on the contrary, an analogous institutionalized group showed more frequent and higher rate of antibodies. In clinically diagnosed whooping cough titers resulted high when the disease turned out to have set in more than three week earlier. Anti-whooping cough vaccination determined agglutinating titers mainly moderate and not long-lasting.


IgE synthesis in aging. Enhancement of IgE production in subjects with autoantibodies. Serum IgE levels were measured in two groups of healthy elderly subjects: a first group of 18 with circulating autoantibodies (sign of a probable deficit of suppressor T lymphocytes) and a second group of 15 without circulating autoantibodies. The IgE levels in the first group (average 1032 U/ml) resulted significantly higher than those in the second group (average 103 U/ml), P less than 0.05. This result can be related to a deficit of suppressor T lymphocytes functionality, present in these subjects, which would cause, besides the appearance of autoantibodies, also an increase of serum IgE levels. Moreover, this phenomenon seems to confirm that in man, too, as in experimental animals, IgE synthesis is under the control of suppressor T lymphocytes specific for IgE. From a clinical viewpoint, the two populations studied do not differentiate and no symptoms of atopy were observed in subjects with high IgE levels.


[Direct skin tests in the prevention of allergic reactions in surgical patients (500 cases)]. The methodology used to diagnose drug allergy in 500 surgical patients is described. After an introduction in which the choice of this method is justified, the used methods are shown in detail with the tested active pharmacological principles (it is a group of drugs for pre, intra and post-surgery use). The tested patients have been clinically watched during all their stay in hospital. The results achieved are shown, as well as the good mutual relation between anamnesis and clinical progress with the answers obtained from the tests. The detailed analysis of skin-reactions showed that positive answers against penicillin (in more than 37% of the tested cases) clearly prevailed over other drugs (petidinum about 12%; propanididum about 10%) etc. Skin-test positivity against prometazinum (6%) is stressed as being quite considerable, considering its prevalent anthistaminic pharmacological effect. The work ends showing how this method, if correctly used, can give good results which can be compared with the results achieved by other more sophisticated methodologies. The kind of test is recommended to be adopted by other hospitals to reduce the incidence of immunological pathogenesis diseases which is more and more frequent.


[Cellular immunity in patients with Hodgkin's disease: modification induced by incubating lymphocytes with fetal calf serum and Hodgkin's serum]. The capacity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from fifteen patients with untreated Hodgkin's disease to form E-rosettes with sheep erytrocytes and to respond to PHA stimulation was found to be impaired in 47% of patients. When peripheral blood lymphocytes were incubated overnight in culture medium containing 20% fetal calf serum, E-RFC levels and the capacity to respond to PHA returned to normal. These functions were resuppressed by additional incubation with Hodgkin's disease serum but not from normal serum. The Hodgkin's disease serum inhibited normal peripheral blood lymphocytes to form E-rosettes and to respond to PHA.


[The ipsilateral optic tracts in the rat. - I) Area of retinal origin]. An attempt was made to sever the optic chiasma in the mid-sagittal plane in 12 rats. This was successful in 8 animals. The area of retina giving rise to the uncrossed fibres was determined from the position of undegenerated retinal ganglion cells in each eye following section of the chiasma. The ganglion cells giving rise to the uncrossed optic fibres occupy about 40 degrees of the temporal retina, corresponding to the the binocular overlap in the visual field.


[The ipsilateral optic tracts in the rat. - II) Their role in visual discrimination]. Rats with compete section of the optic chiasma were able to relearn an intensity discrimination and to learn or relearn an orientation discrimination. The results unequivocally demonstrate that the uncrossed optic fibres can mediate two kinds of visual discrimination.


[Dopamine hydro-natriuresis. - II) Interactions of dopamine and expansion of extracellular liquid volume]. We have observed that in the presence of salt retention (DOCA pretreatment) dopamine (DA) promoted a hydro-natriuretic effect; in contrast in salt depletion (natriuretic pretreatment) the changes in sodium tubular reabsorption and in urinary flow were non significant. The present study was designed to identify the possible mechanisms underlying the hydro-natriuretic effect. DA was infused at a subpressor rate (0,1 microgram/kg . min) during induced hypotonic polyuria. 19 healthy human subjects at different degree of salt retention were studied. The results demonstrate that the tubular inhibitory effects produced by DA on the % sodium reabsorptions (total as % of sodium filtered load, anisosmotic as % of sodium distal load) are the higher the lower are the control values of these reabsorptions. Hence DA appears to act by enhancing the inhibitory tubular response elicited by salt retention. Moreover these inhibitory effects are positively related with the simultaneous DA-induced haemodynamic effects. This suggests that the decrease in sodium reabsorptions during DA infusion is haemodynamically mediated.


[The action of melatonin (MLT) on platelet metabolism in vitro.-II-]. Melatonin induces an apparent platelets emission by rat's megakaryocytes in vitro.


[Sulpiride and the effect of dopamine on the kidney in human salt retention]. Experiments were performed to investigate the renal interaction between dopamine (DA) and sulpiride (S), an antagonistic drug for the central dopaminic receptors. DA was infused at a subpressor rate (0,1 microgram/kg . min) during induced hypotonic polyuria. In 8 healthy subjects in a condition of salt retention (DOCA pretreatment) two successive studies were carried out in the presence and in the absence of S. The drug treatment was started two days before the experiment. BOth the renal response to hydration and the renal effects of DA are modified by S treatment. 1) S enhances the hydro-saluretic effect produced by hydration. 2) During the early period of DA infusion, S counteracts the increase DA-induced in renal plasma flow. However the inhibitory tubular effects and the increase in the hydro-saluresis produced by DA are not significantly different from those observed in the absence of the drug.


[The effect of ADP on platelet metabolism in vitro.-III-]. ADP induces an apparent platelets protrusion by rat's megakaryocytes in vitro.


[Effect of surgical stress on TSH and on the extra-thyroid metabolism of T4 (preliminary experiment)]. The effect of the surgery on the TSH and on the extra thyroid T4 metabolism was studied in thirty euthyroid patients. The TSH showed a light increase thirty minutes after the skin cut. There were no remarkable changes of T4 serum levels, while the serum triiodothyronine concentration fell during and after the operation, with a concomitant rise in reverse triiodothyronine.


[Influence of allopurinol on the half-life of tolbutamide and rifamycin-SV in blood of healthy volunteers]. The influence of treatment with allopurinol (5 mg/kg/die for 15 days) on T/2 of tolbutamide and rifomycin-SV intravenously administered, has been studied in 10 healthy volunteers. We have observed reduction of T/2 of tolbutamide and, on the contrary, prolongation of T/2 of rifamycin-SV. Tolbutamide behaviour was unexpected, considering that other Authors had previously found inhibition of metabolic degradation of other drugs metabolized by the microsomal enzymes. We conclude that data concerning the influence of a drug (in our case, allopurinol) on the metabolism of another drug cannot always authorize general deduction and previsions regarding the metabolic interferences on the pharmacokinetics of other substances.


[The trace elements iron, copper and zinc in Tanzanian women during pregnancy. Comparative study with a group of Italians]. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was employed in an evaluation of zinc, copper and iron of 57 Tanzanian women during the various phases of pregnancy, till the delivery. The result are compared with those found in a group of Italian women of same age during the same periods of pregnancy. No significant statistic differences seem to exist between the two groups.


[Further investigations on the protective effect of cadmium acetate in bromotrichloromethane poisoning]. The rats were pretreated with cadmium acetate (20 mg/Kg.ip) and subsequently challenged with a dose of bromotrichloromethane (2,6 mmoles/Kg.po), the haloalkane produced no change on liver polyribosomes, as evidenced by disaggregation of sedimentation profile. Cadmium acetate failed to protect against CBrCl3-induced lipid peroxidation, as measured by malonaldehyde production of liver homogenate.